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For those who believe culture is best experienced with a fork in hand and a glass of wine nearby, Oceania Cruises® delivers the perfect blend of indulgence and adventure. With a fleet of elegant small ships designed for comfort, discovery and relaxation, Oceania Cruises invites you to travel not just in style — but in flavor.
At the heart of every voyage is the cruise line’s passion for culinary excellence. Oceania Cruises’ promise of ‘The Finest Cuisine at Sea®’ isn’t just a tagline—it’s a way of life. From chef-crafted menus that rival the best restaurants on land to immersive dining experiences that celebrate global flavors, every moment onboard is designed to delight your palate and enrich your journey.
Foodies will appreciate the Culinary Discovery Tours™ — immersive shore excursions that turn every port into a sensory playground. Whether you're sipping a glass of wine from a nearly 300-year-old winery in the shadow of Mt. Etna or joining a hands-on cooking class at the onboard Culinary Center, you’ll discover a seamless fusion of travel and taste.
One shining star in Oceania Cruises’ lineup of destinations? Italy. From shopping the centuries-old Rialto Market of Venice to discovering the secrets to perfect homemade pasta in Portofino, these experiences celebrate the Mediterranean’s rich culinary traditions. With renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis as Oceania Cruises’ Brand and Culinary Ambassador, each itinerary is infused with her signature warmth, style and love for Italian cuisine. With Oceania Cruises, every destination comes with a side of unforgettable flavor. Bon voyage — and buon appetito.
What truly sets Oceania Cruises’ Culinary Discovery Tours™ apart is their rare ability to fuse travel with taste in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally enriching. These are not your average shore excursions—they’re epicurean immersions, thoughtfully designed for small groups of no more than 18 guests, ensuring each traveler gets hands-on attention and a front-row seat to the world’s most flavorful traditions.
Guided by Oceania Cruises’ own passionate expert chefs and trusted local experts, the experience flows seamlessly between what’s discovered ashore and what’s created onboard—whether you’re foraging in a local market on land or perfecting a dish in The Culinary Center at sea.
Tailored for seasoned foodies and curious beginners alike, Culinary Discovery Tours™ offer a rich tapestry of culture, technique and taste—all with no prior cooking experience needed. Each bite tells a story, making these tours a celebration of authenticity, craftsmanship, and the joy of learning through flavor.
Giada De Laurentiis, the celebrated Italian American chef and Emmy Award-winning food personality, has deepened her collaboration with Oceania Cruises as the line's brand and culinary ambassador.
Her journey with Oceania Cruises began in May 2023 when she was named godmother of its newest ship, Oceania Vista, and created two signature dishes for the ship’s Toscana restaurant and the Grand Dining Room. In April 2024, she expanded her role by co-chairing Oceania Cruises’ new Culinary Advisory Board alongside legendary chef Jacques Pépin. Together, they guide the development of Oceania Cruises’ exclusive menus, reinforcing the line’s commitment to serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea®.
De Laurentiis’s involvement ensures guests experience authentic, destination-inspired cuisine, reflecting her passion for bringing people together through food and travel. Special excursions and onboard classes are also inspired by her culinary storytelling, bringing her love of traditional Italian cooking directly to guests’ plates.
Bring a taste of Oceania Cruises home
Download Giada De Laurentiis’ signature Lemon Spaghetti recipe—served onboard and perfect for recreating a little culinary magic in your own kitchen!
Get her recipe now
For food lovers with a passion for authentic travel, Oceania Cruises’ Culinary Discovery Tours™ are more than excursions — they’re immersive journeys into the heart of local flavor. Crafted for epicurean explorers, these small-group experiences invite guests to shop bustling markets, cook regional specialties and savor unforgettable meals in some of the world’s most celebrated culinary destinations:
These culinary adventures go far beyond sightseeing. With Oceania Cruises, every destination becomes a hands-on experience — a chance to taste, touch and connect with the culture through its most delicious traditions.
Back onboard, the gastronomic adventure continues at sea in Oceania Cruises’ Culinary Center—the first hands-on cooking school at sea and a true haven for aspiring chefs and curious food lovers alike.
Guests tie on aprons and dive into expert chef-led classes that range from foundational techniques to regional specialties inspired by the day’s excursions. The classes are limited in size, highly interactive and deeply satisfying—even for those who’ve never chopped an onion in their life. The Italian-themed classes are particularly popular:
Oceania Cruises’ culinary programming also includes wellness-focused classes, many of which are inspired by Giada’s lighter take on traditional dishes. Learn to prepare vibrant plant-based antipasti or explore the Mediterranean diet in a class that balances indulgence with vitality.
Guests can also indulge in wine-pairing seminars, hosted by onboard sommeliers who bring regional wines to the classroom. Sipping Chianti after making Tuscan stew or tasting Nero d'Avola with Sicilian caponata deepens your understanding—and enjoyment—of both.
AAA and Oceania Cruises invite travelers to explore the world one unforgettable bite at a time. With its immersive Culinary Discovery Tours™, cruise ports of call become living classrooms and local kitchens open their doors to hands-on discovery. Nowhere is this more powerful than in Italy, where food is both a daily ritual and a deeply rooted expression of culture.
Whether you're browsing vibrant market stalls in Catania, perfecting pasta folds in Bologna, or sipping limoncello in the sunshine of Sorrento, these experiences go beyond typical excursions—they offer a deeper connection to place through taste, tradition and the joy of authentic Italian cuisine.
AAA Member Benefit
AAA Vacations® Amenities
Oceana Cruises
Let a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent handle the details while you enjoy peace of mind, exclusive benefits and personalized support every step of the way. Book your next journey with confidence today
AAA Member Benefits restrictions apply. Ask your AAA Travel Agent for complete terms and conditions. If you make a booking with us for a qualifying AAA Vacations® cruise or tour vacation, and you find a valid better rate for the exact itinerary within 24 hours of your booking, AAA Vacations® will match the lower rate and send you a $50 AAA Vacations® future travel credit certificate. Certain restrictions apply. For complete terms and conditions for the AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee, AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care, and travel providers contact your AAA branch or visit AAA.com/AAAVacations. Best Price Guarantee valid only for new bookings made through a participating AAA motor club and/or AAA travel agency. AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care vouchers are only available to AAA Vacations® customers. At least one member of the traveling party must be a AAA/CAA member. AAA Vacations® offers Pre-Paid Gratuities per guest (double occupancy) and complimentary wine tasting per stateroom on selected sailing dates. Offers can be withdrawn at any time. AAA Vacations® amenities are not redeemable for cash and are applicable to the prevailing cruise fare at time of booking. All advertised fares, other offers and applicable shipboard credits, upgrades or special amenities shown are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise indicated, are subject to availability at time of booking, may not be combinable with other offers or Oceania loyalty program benefits, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without prior notice or remain in effect after the expiration date. AAA Vacations® or AAA Member Benefits PPG’S/Wine or SBC not combinable with FULL ATW bookings. Only if guests are sailing on the Segmented sailings. All fares are per person in U.S. dollars, valid for residents of United States and Canada, based on double occupancy (unless otherwise noted), for new bookings only and may be withdrawn at any time. Not all promotions are combinable.
