CRUISE GPS

A​​​​​vineyard in Oia, Greece. A market in Provence, France. A cooking class at sea. On Oceania Cruises’ 2027 voyages through Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, these are just a few of the ways food brings travelers closer to the places they visit. From hands-on experiences ashore to destination-inspired dining and cooking aboard, the immersive experiences invite travelers to taste, learn, and cook their way through Europe, with each port offering another opportunity to connect with local traditions and flavors.

These chef instructor-led experiences are designed to immerse guests in the food and cooking traditions of each region. In Marseille, France, travelers are invited to explore a historic Aix-en-Provence market with Michelin-starred chef Reine Sammut, followed by a cooking demonstration and private lunch with the famed chef herself. Northern Europe’s itineraries include behind-the-scenes visits to a family-run fish farm in Slovenia’s Piran Bay and tastings of regional gravlax and vodka in Helsinki, Finland. Each journey culminates back on board at The Culinary Center, where newly discovered flavors are transformed into practical cooking techniques and, of course, a delectable sit-down meal.

This is the first hands-on cooking school at sea, where Oceania Cruises travelers roll up their sleeves and learn directly from master chefs. Step into the ships’ state-of-the-art kitchens to prepare dishes under expert guidance, exploring techniques that span both classic and contemporary cuisines. Signature classes include In the Kitchen with Jacques, inspired by the six-decade career of none other than Jacques Pépin—Oceania Cruises Executive Culinary Director—and focusing on essential skills such as knife work and mastering the perfect emulsion. Meanwhile, the Nordic Kitchen takes participants on a journey through the flavors of Scandinavia and Northern Europe, from Estonian fish soup to Swedish meatballs. Whether paired with a Culinary Discovery Tour ashore or enjoyed during a day at sea, each class brings regional culture to life.

These exclusive, destination-inspired onboard culinary events are hosted at the Terrace Café across the Oceania Cruises fleet. During the special evenings, each ship’s chefs prepare dynamic, multi-course meals using fresh, seasonal produce, seafood, and regional specialties sourced directly from markets during port visits. This market-to-table concept transforms the casual dining venue into an immersive celebration of local culture, featuring rotating themes that reflect the specific itinerary.

Oceania Cruises has partnered with esteemed culinary travel company Food & Wine Trails to offer more than 10 experiences across the wine regions of Italy, France, and Greece. Led by local culinary experts including sommeliers, chefs, and wine writers, these excursions provide access to places often overlooked by larger groups. On the Amalfi Coast, for one, guests can visit a 1st-century Roman villa in Minori before meeting a local limoncello producer and learning how the liquor is crafted by hand. In nearby Tramonti, a family-run winery offers a vineyard visit followed by a wine-paired lunch. In Santorini, travelers spend the day in Oia at Artemis Winery with owner Artemis Karamologos. And in Provence, a visit to Domaine de Fontenille includes estate-grown wines over lunch, followed by time to explore the medieval village of Lourmarin.