Oceania Cruises is taking its food-centric travel experiences to new heights with the introduction of 12 exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours in 2025. From Japan to Scotland, these chef-led excursions promise an immersive dive into local flavors, cooking traditions, and hands-on gastronomic adventures.
Global Expansion of Culinary Discovery Tours
The latest expansion covers destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America, adding vibrant food experiences in cities such as Amsterdam, Belfast, Invergordon, Valencia, and Valletta. Asia sees new culinary excursions in Kobe, Kochi, Shimizu, and Busan, while North America welcomes fresh experiences in Halifax, Quebec City, and Victoria.
This brings Oceania Cruises’ total Culinary Discovery Tours to 46, available exclusively on its four larger ships—Marina, Riviera, Vista, and the soon-to-launch Allura, setting sail in July 2025.
What Makes These Tours Unique?
Each Culinary Discovery Tour is designed to provide intimate, behind-the-scenes access to local markets, restaurants, and cooking classes. Led by expert Chef Instructors, groups are limited to just 18 guests, ensuring a personal and engaging experience. Travelers get to cook alongside renowned chefs, explore centuries-old food traditions, and savor regional delicacies in ways they never have before.
Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in these tours. “Our guests don’t just want to eat great food; they want to understand it, connect with it, and experience its cultural significance firsthand,” he said.
A Taste of the New 2025 Culinary Experiences
The upcoming tours are packed with flavorful discoveries and unforgettable moments:
- Belfast: Foraging for wild sea herbs along Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline with acclaimed Irish chef Paul Cunningham.
- Amsterdam: A plant-to-plate luncheon inside a greenhouse where ingredients are harvested minutes before they’re served.
- Kobe: A deep dive into traditional Japanese knife-making, followed by a wagyu teppanyaki feast.
- Kochi: Mastering the art of searing bonito over an open flame with local experts.
- Valencia: Learning the secrets of authentic paella while cruising through the city’s picturesque rice fields.
- Busan: Exploring South Korea’s famous seafood markets, discovering ocean-fresh delicacies that define the region’s cuisine.
Spotlight: Signature Experiences
Notable additions to Oceania’s Culinary Discovery Tours for 2025 include:
Kobe: The Craft of Japanese Knives & Teppanyaki
A six-hour immersion into the revered world of Japanese cutlery, this tour lets guests observe skilled artisans forge precision knives, each crafted for a specific culinary purpose. Participants will then experience a refined teppanyaki meal, prepared with world-famous Kobe wagyu, all while overlooking the stunning medieval Osaka Castle.
Busan: Korean Markets & Cooking Traditions
This four-hour experience begins with a treasure hunt through two of Busan’s busiest markets. At Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea’s largest seafood hub, travelers can check off unique finds—from live eels to rare sea squirts—before moving on to Gukje Market, a historic food bazaar. The journey concludes with an expert-led cooking class back on board, featuring authentic Korean recipes using market-fresh ingredients.
Belfast: Coastal Foraging & Seafood Indulgence
A 4.5-hour adventure led by celebrated Irish chef Paul Cunningham, this experience takes guests foraging along Northern Ireland’s picturesque coastline, gathering wild mussels and sea herbs before enjoying a signature seafood chowder paired with a local stout. A final stop at the atmospheric ruins of Dundrum Castle provides a fitting end to this culinary journey.
Halifax: Cider & Chowder Pairing
Nova Scotia’s booming craft beverage scene takes center stage in this three-hour tasting tour. Guests sample a flight of four unique ciders, including seasonal blends and innovative cocktails like the Apple Spice—a mix of hard cider, ginger kombucha, and cinnamon liqueur. The tour ends with a behind-the-scenes kitchen experience at a renowned Dartmouth restaurant, where travelers indulge in signature chowders made with locally sourced seafood.
An Exclusive Culinary Voyage
Chef Kathryn Kelly, Director of Culinary Enrichment at Oceania Cruises, is the driving force behind these food-centric tours. “Food is more than sustenance—it’s a gateway to culture, history, and human connection. These Culinary Discovery Tours allow our guests to bring home not just memories, but the knowledge and skills to recreate these flavors,” she said.
With each meticulously curated tour, Oceania Cruises continues to blend luxury travel with unparalleled food experiences, proving that the best way to explore the world is one bite at a time.
