Oceania Cruises Celebrates 15 yo of the Culinary Center
Oceania Cruises is celebrating a significant milestone: 15 years of the Culinary Center, the first hands-on cooking school at sea. This extraordinary center, launched with the debut of Marina 15 years ago, is now featured on four ships in the fleet: Marina, Riviera, Vista, and the new Allura, which will enter service in the summer of 2025.
To mark this anniversary, Oceania Cruises has introduced new culinary experiences for 2025, focusing on dishes inspired by global destinations, including the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Polynesia, and Australia. The Culinary Center offers over 60 current courses, held in state-of-the-art kitchens equipped with individual cooking stations and professional tools, where guests have the opportunity to explore a destination’s culture through its cuisine or enhance their culinary skills.
OC-A-Culinary Center and Dining Room
At the heart of this success is Chef Kathryn Kelly, Oceania Cruises’ Director of Culinary Enrichment, who conceptualized and developed the Culinary Center. Chef Kelly is also the creator of Culinary Discovery Tours—chef-led culinary excursions that take guests on a journey to discover local flavors in over 40 destinations worldwide. These tours offer a unique experience: guests can shop in local markets for fresh ingredients and then learn how to cook them onboard under the guidance of expert chefs. New tours are planned for 2025, with announcements expected in the coming months, further expanding the offerings for food enthusiasts.
Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, proudly stated, “Oceania Cruises is a cruise line born from a love of food, designed for culinary enthusiasts. Every detail, from our kitchens to our onboard restaurants, is crafted to deliver a unique dining experience. Being the first to introduce a hands-on cooking school at sea is a source of great pride, and the growing popularity of the Culinary Center confirms its success.”
OC-A-Culinary Center-Lifestyle
OC_O_Culinary Center Class.jpg_2024-11-13_21-04-14
Chef Kathryn Kelly highlighted the incredible journey over the past 15 years. Starting with Marina, the ship that hosted the first Culinary Center, the project evolved with the introduction of Riviera, leading to modern ships like Vista and Allura, which offer even more individual cooking stations for guests. She added that working with such a creative and collaborative team has allowed them to continue introducing new recipes and themes for the courses, enriching the onboard culinary experience.
The Culinary Center’s team of chef instructors hails from around the globe, boasting extensive international experience. Their diverse backgrounds include serving as an executive assistant to Julia Child, working as chefs for hit TV programs like Sesame Street and 30 Rock, and managing culinary programs for giants like Google and Amazon. With professionals trained at prestigious institutions like Le Cordon Bleu and The Culinary Institute of America, the Culinary Center’s courses offer guests the chance to learn from some of the world’s top chefs.
OC_O_Culinary-Center-Class
For 2025, Oceania Cruises is introducing several exclusive new courses: Culinary Northwest Passage: Inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant culinary scene, this course celebrates seasonality and authenticity with a focus on fresh seafood and regional desserts; Down Under Abundance: A course that delves into the culinary riches of New Zealand and Australia, featuring seafood, meats, and local wines; It’s a Dessert Party: An evening event for dessert lovers, where guests can prepare treats like lava cake paired with Champagne or crêpes Suzette with Grand Marnier; South Seas Salt Life: A course celebrating Polynesian cuisine with fresh, local ingredients and influences from French and Chinese traditions, emphasizing family-style meals and conviviality; Snow Days Brunch: A winter brunch highlighting comforting dishes like cinnamon rolls and warming cocktails, perfect for a snowy morning to be shared with friends and family.
Oceania Cruises continues to set itself apart as a unique cruise line, offering exceptional and original culinary experiences that combine passion, tradition, and innovation. Through the Culinary Center and its courses, Culinary Discovery Tours, and the new gastronomic experiences planned for 2025, Oceania Cruises remains a benchmark for travelers seeking a voyage that goes beyond the journey itself, offering a deep dive into local flavors and cultures.
Stay tuned for news, updates, and reviews of Oceania Cruises on Cruising Journal, featuring photos, videos, and exclusive cruise offers.
