When it comes to picking the right cruise, everyone has their non-negotiable list; for some it’s the destination, others decide based on inclusions and foodies go for the culinary experience, obviously.

However, we are not simply talking about the calibre of restaurants onboard. For the discerning gourmand, the exceptional cooking classes are a key draw, making Oceania Cruises the ideal choice for culinary enthusiasts.

Cooking up luxury at sea

The culinary-focused cruise line launched its first Culinary Center 15 years ago and has since become a beacon for guests who want to dive into expert-led, hands-on cooking classes at sea. We’re talking custom-built culinary studios with individual stations and professional-grade equipment. Think MasterChef, but a lot more luxe.

Taste the world with Oceania Cruises

To celebrate the anniversary, The Culinary Center, which is available onboard four of its eight ultra-premium ships – Marina, Riviera, Vista and Allura – has launched five immersive culinary classes for 2025. It is a delicious way for your taste buds to travel from the Pacific Northwest of the United States to the idyllic islands of Polynesia.

Exploring a destination’s culture and history through food is par for the course when travelling, but being able to recreate the dishes that signify a locale, allows you to relive it time and time again when you return home. As far as souvenirs go, it beats a tea towel.

Pacific Northwest flavours

The Pacific Northwest in the United States was the birthplace of the hipster foodie movement, highlighting the provenance of ingredients and showcasing local produce. That is why the Culinary Northwest Passage is inspired by the innovative chefs that span Seattle to Anchorage. This class is the perfect place to discover the fundamentals of fish and seafood cookery.

It could be learning how to cook and break down a crab for Oregon’s sweet Dungeness crab bisque, or how to make the most of meaty razor clams in a fried razor clam po’boy. End on a sweet note with the “deep dish” signature desserts, which in America means a pie with a thick, flaky crust that keeps you going back for more. Depending on the season, it could be a classic apple pie or a berry tart with an addictive almond crust.

Down Under delights

Down Under Abundance celebrates the bounty of Australia and New Zealand, from diverse seafood to quality meats and world-class wines. The culinary class could cover how to grill a piece of David Blackmore Wagyu from cattle raised in Victoria’s high country, what to do with a native Moreton Bay bug, which look and taste like mini lobsters, or how to make the most of the caviar-like pearls of beautifully tart finger limes that are Indigenous to Australia.

For foodies, New Zealand is synonymous with fresh seafood, succulent lamb, jewel-toned pinot noir and a crisp sauvignon blanc.

Polynesian culinary delights

Say “Tama’a Maitai” a Tahitian phrase that translates to “bon appétit” in the South Seas Salt Life class. This is where you’ll learn how to perfectly grill seafood and build an exotic fruit drink. Want to dive deeper? Polynesian cuisine is a marriage of local ingredients with subtle influences from France and China, making for unique dishes that highlight the sense of place of the islands.

Instead of ceviche, dive into a dish of Poisson cru au lait de coco, raw tuna marinated in coconut milk and lime zest. Rather than Chinese chop suey, it’s Samoan sapasui with noodles, soy sauce and meat. Instead of cinnamon doughnuts, it’s firi firi, shaped in a figure eight, these doughnuts are made with coconut milk and coconut water.

Sweet treats and perfect sips

Those with a sweet tooth will make a beeline for the signature dessert and beverage class, It’s a Dessert Party. This isn’t just about making dishes, but putting together the right pairing, from a decadent lava cake matched with a bubbly glass or Champagne to a crêpes Suzette complemented by a Grand Marnier spritzer, to showcase how the orange-flavoured liqueur is as home on the plate as it is in a glass.

Winter warmers

You may be adrift at sea, but the smell of spiced cinnamon scrolls in the oven during the Snow Days Brunch class will have you dreaming of bunkering down for the first snowfall. This lesson focuses on classic comfort dishes, such as egg casserole – think of it as an epic American version of a baked frittata, complete with everything from mince to bread to cheese.

When matched with warming cocktails, such as buttered rum, hot toddies and mulled wine, it transports you to a world of fireside chats and comfy couches

And isn’t that what food is supposed to do: Nourish your body as well as your imagination?

For more information call 1300 355 200, visit oceaniacruises.com or contact your travel advisor.