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Oceania Cruises Expands Culinary Discovery Tours for 2025

Oceania Cruises, recognized globally for its focus on culinary excellence and immersive travel, has unveiled a remarkable expansion to its Culinary Discovery Tours program for 2025. This addition features 12 new chef-led excursions that promise to transport travelers on a gastronomic journey through some of the world's most captivating food destinations.

The newly introduced tours will span diverse locations across Europe, Asia, and North America. Think of a culinary adventure where you can discover Amsterdam's local food scene, explore the markets of Busan, or indulge in gourmet experiences in Victoria. Each of these excursions is designed not just to provide a meal but to foster connections with the local culture and cuisine.

Oceania Cruises now boasts a total of 46 Culinary Discovery Tours. These experiences are available on its larger ships, including Marina™, Riviera™, Vista™, and the upcoming Allura™, which will set sail in July 2025. These curated tours play an integral role in the cruise line's celebrated food enrichment program, which includes The Culinary Center - the first hands-on cooking school at sea offering unique educational experiences for culinary enthusiasts.

Each Culinary Discovery Tour limits participation to 18 guests, ensuring an intimate and engaging atmosphere. Guests are guided by highly skilled Chef Instructors from Oceania Cruises, who provide access to local markets, renowned restaurants, and immersive cooking classes both onboard and ashore. These culinary explorations delve deeper than the typical tourist experience, allowing travelers to connect with local traditions and practices surrounding food.

Recent highlights include:

• - Kobe, Japan: This 6-hour tour encompasses a visit to traditional knife-making artisans followed by a teppanyaki feast featuring wagyu beef. Each knife is designed with a specific culinary task in mind, providing insight into the craftsmanship behind Japanese cooking tools.

• - Busan, South Korea: A 4-hour excursion guides guests through local markets, including the celebrated Jagalchi Fish Market, where they will source ingredients for traditional Korean dishes during an onboard cooking class. Participants can expect a sensory feast as they explore a variety of seafood and gourmet items.

• - Belfast, Ireland: On this tour, guests will join esteemed chef Paul Cunningham along the scenic coastline to sample local delicacies, including mussels and oysters, paired with a pint of Guinness at a charming local eatery.

• - Valletta, Malta: This 3-hour experience immerses guests in the country's culinary heritage through visits to family-run bakeries and an artisanal grotto converted into a restaurant. Participants engage in preparing traditional Maltese breads and the famous pastizzi, all while enjoying local wines.

These culinary tours are not just about tasting, but also learning. Chef Kathryn Kelly, Oceania Cruises’ Director of Culinary Enrichment, emphasizes the importance of food as a bridge connecting people to their cultures and places. She stated, "Food has the power to connect people to places in meaningful ways, and our fabulous Culinary Discovery Tours provide an insider's look at local markets and artisans, allowing guests to take a piece of the destination home with them."

As travelers embark on these flavorful adventures, they not only enjoy the essence of local cuisine but also gain skills and recipes that they can cherish long after their journey concludes. Oceania Cruises has established itself as a leader in luxury culinary travel, and with these new culinary excursions, it continues to redefine the cruise experience by marrying voyages with gourmet adventures.

For more information about Oceania Cruises’ offerings and to explore these enriching culinary experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com or connect with a professional travel advisor.