Oceania Cruises has unveiled 12 new, chef-led culinary shore excursions as part of their Culinary Discovery Tour Program in 2025. These tours allow guests to be fully immersed in the destination through food history, ingredients, and local cooking techniques; all of which will be taken back to the ship and utilized in interactive cooking classes. The new experiences will span several destinations across the globe including: Amsterdam, Belfast, Valencia, Invergordon, Valletta, Kobe, Kochi, Shimizu, Busan, Halifax, Quebec City, and Victoria B.C.
Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer, Oceania Cruises said in a statement: "Our guests seek more than just incredible cuisine – they crave authentic connections with food, culture, and people. The Culinary Discovery Tours are true behind-the-scenes experiences, guided by top chefs who bring each destination to life and are eager to share epicurean secrets, one bite at a time. These unique excursions allow travelers to savor the essence of destinations in a way that only Oceania Cruises can deliver."
Here are a few Culinary Discovery Tour highlights that are new for Oceania in 2025:
2025 CULINARY DISCOVERY TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
KOBE: CHEF-LED CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH KOBE | Duration: 6 hrs
Explore the craftsmanship of traditional Japanese kitchen knives, witness chefs skillfully prepare meals with these specialized tools, and enjoy dining at Teppan Grill Keyaki, which offers stunning views of medieval Osaka Castle.
BUSAN: CHEF-LED BUSAN MARKETS TOUR | Duration: 4 hrs
Before the onboard cooking class, guests will explore the Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea's largest seafood market, where they can identify unique marine creatures using a "seafood treasure map." Afterward, they will visit the Gukje Market for gourmet ingredients before returning to the ship to prepare traditional Korean dishes.
BELFAST: CHEF-LED TOUR OF COASTAL FLAVORS OF COUNTY DOWN | Duration: 4.5 hrs
Join local chef Paul Cunningham, a competitor on the BBC's "Great British Menu," for a culinary experience featuring locally sourced mussels, oysters, and seafood chowder, paired with a pint of Guinness, followed by a photo opportunity at the historic Dundrum Castle ruins.
HALIFAX: CHEF-LED TOUR CIDER & CHOWDER: AUTHENTIC NOVA SCOTIA |
Duration: 3 hrs
Explore Nova Scotia's culinary scene through the "chowder trail" and artisanal ciders, starting with a flight of four unique hard ciders at a local taproom. Afterward, guests will enjoy reserved seating at a renowned Dartmouth restaurant, where they can watch chefs prepare various dishes.
INVERGORDON: CHEF-LED FORAGING & ONBOARD SCOTTISH COOKING CLASS | Duration: 4 hrs
Shop in Invergordon for traditional Scottish chowder ingredients and participate in a hands-on cooking class onboard. Guests will sample award-winning haggis at George Cockburn & Son and select organic vegetables at Black Isle before preparing the soup.
VALLETTA: CHEF-LET TOUR ARTISANAL MALTA TREASURES: Duration: 3 hrs
This small-group experience immerses guests in Maltese cuisine, starting with a visit to a family-run bakery in Rabat to learn about traditional bread-making before enjoying local specialties in a grotto transformed into a restaurant. Guests will sample pastizzi, local cheeses, and Maltese wines in a unique setting that once served as a bomb shelter during World War II.
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