Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises: the back story
The back story
About Oceania Cruises: the back story
Oceania Cruises sails seven small and mid-sized ships with a single obsession, food, under the motto The Finest Cuisine at Sea. Two new ships, Sonata and Aurelia, arrive in 2027.
A line built around the table
Oceania Cruises has always been about food. Its founding Executive Culinary Director was Jacques Pépin, whose name is on the French restaurant on the larger ships, and today Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, both trained in renowned French kitchens, lead the culinary team. Saffron comes from Castilla-La Mancha and French flour is custom-milled to the line’s specification.
Restaurants without a cover charge
Every specialty restaurant is included. On Oceania Vista that means Polo Grill, the classic steakhouse, with Angus beef aged at least 40 days; Jacques, with coq au vin and confit de canard; Toscana, served on custom Versace china, with recipes from the families of the line’s Italian chefs; and Red Ginger for Asian flavours. The Grand Dining Room changes its menu daily, with at least ten starters and ten main courses. Reservations are needed for the specialty rooms.
Regardless of where you dine or what you order, the cuisine is the point.
Small ships and the new generation
The three small ships, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena, carry around 340 suites and rooms each, nearly 70 per cent with verandas; Marina and Riviera, at 624, are known for their Lalique Grand Staircases. Vista (2023) and Allura (2025) brought all-veranda accommodation, Aquamar Kitchen and The Bakery at Baristas. Oceania Sonata, the first of a new class, debuts in August 2027 with a French chef’s table, La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, and Nikkei Kitchen; Oceania Aurelia, with 238 suites and rooms for long voyages, follows in November 2027.
Cooking school at sea
The Culinary Center on the larger ships is a hands-on cooking school, with classes that follow the itinerary and Culinary Discovery Tours ashore led by the chef instructors. Afternoon tea arrives on four-tiered pastry carts to the sound of a string quartet.
The fare
Beyond the restaurants, Oceania includes shipboard gratuities, Wi-Fi, specialty coffees, sodas, cold-pressed juices and Vero Water, plus a choice of wine and beer by the glass at lunch and dinner or a shore-excursion credit.
Our advice: book the specialty restaurants as soon as reservations open, as they are included in the fare and popular. Choose Vista or Allura for the newest spaces, and a small ship for the most port-intensive itineraries. Concierge Level is the best-value step up.
Why it's on our list
- Jacques Pépin, founding Executive Culinary Director
- Specialty dining included
- Gratuities and Wi-Fi included
- Sonata and Aurelia from 2027
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Oceania Cruises: the back story before you go.