New French dining venue

Oceania Cruises revealed plans for La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, which will operate as a reservation-only space for 18 guests. The venue will feature menus that draw on French cooking methods and modern flavour combinations. It is also the first and only restaurant at sea to be launched with the official approval of Maîtres Cuisiniers de France.

The line employs two Master Chefs of France as its Executive Culinary Directors, Chef Alexis Quaretti and Chef Eric Barale. Menus at the restaurant will change regularly and involve input from selected Master Chefs of France based worldwide.

A key highlight is that the introduction of La Table reinforces Oceania Cruises’ long‑standing culinary philosophy centred on delivering what it calls The Finest Cuisine at Sea®. The venue will also serve as the setting for the line’s Dom Pérignon Experience, which features a six‑course tasting menu paired with three distinguished Champagne vintages.

Oceania Sonata will also include Nikkei Kitchen as a recent addition to its dining options. Further venues on the ship will cover the line’s established restaurants alongside the main Grand Dining Room.

Menu and chef collaboration

La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France will present a selection of dishes developed through teamwork between the line’s culinary leaders and visiting chefs from the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France group. The format will centre on structured tasting menus.

The restaurant holds formal support from Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, an organisation that promotes French culinary traditions. Sample items mentioned in the announcement include langoustine, escargot-filled Dover sole served with white wine sauce, and a spider crab potato roll finished with caviar. The line stated that menus would evolve over time through continued chef partnerships.

Culinary Leadership

Oceania Cruises describes La Table as its most exclusive dining experience, shaped by the expertise of its two Master Chefs of France, who oversee the culinary direction across the fleet.

 “At Oceania Cruises, our dedication to cuisine is rooted in continual refinement and respect for tradition, a philosophy mirrored by the storied Maîtres Cuisiniers de France organization. Through La Table, Chefs Quaretti and Barale bring this extraordinary and industry-leading collaboration to life. It will be a true celebration of culinary heritage, mastery and modern luxury, in ways which are both meaningful and unmistakably Oceania Cruises,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises.

“This restaurant is deeply personal for us,” said Chef Quaretti. “It reflects the values that Chef Barale and I share, regard for technique, appreciation of flavor and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Set within the calm, understated elegance of this new space aboard Oceania Sonata, La Table will offer guests a truly memorable dining experience.”

“La Table represents a natural evolution of the rich culinary tradition long associated with luxury ocean travel,” said Jean-Louis Dumonet, President of the USA and Canada delegation of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. “Through our collaboration with Oceania Cruises and its culinary leaders Chefs Eric Barale and Alexis Quaretti, we’ve brought this heritage to life with authenticity, craftsmanship and deep respect for French gastronomy. La Table reflects our shared commitment to creating refined, memorable dining experiences where culinary artistry is central to the voyage.”

The announcement emphasises the intimate nature of the venue, which is designed to accommodate just 18 guests in a refined setting.

Other ship dining

Oceania Sonata will offer a total of ten culinary spaces, including the Grand Dining Room. Signature restaurants will comprise Jacques for French cuisine, Red Ginger for pan-Asian dishes, Polo Grill as a steakhouse, and Toscana for Italian fare.

Nikkei Kitchen joins as a new evening venue alongside La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France.  

Oceania Sonata is the brand’s next-generation ship scheduled to enter service in 2027.

Source: Official announcement by Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line on 16 April, 2026

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Stem-to-stern overhaul

The 1,250-guest ship will undergo a full redesign of every stateroom, alongside updates to public spaces that Oceania Cruises says will reinforce its signature residential style, timeless design and understated elegance. The company described the project as a stem-to-stern enhancement intended to align the ship’s look and feel with its planned newbuilds and the wider fleet direction.

Oceania said the reinspiration is part of a broader fleetwide effort that will touch ship design, cuisine, service and enrichment through OceaniaNEXT. The line added that the aim is to position the current fleet for the future while staying true to its heritage of “exceptional cuisine, destination immersion and intuitive service”.

What will change onboard

According to the cruise line, the redesigned staterooms will feature new layouts, new furnishings and bathrooms with marble finishes and rainforest showers. The Penthouse, Oceania, Vista and Owner’s Suites will also be refreshed, with the line saying this is to keep them consistent with recent upgrades.

Several public spaces are due for changes, including updated furnishings, new carpeting and refined lighting in bars and lounges. Oceania said the enlarged Grand Lounge will gain the Founders Bar, while the former Artist Loft will be replaced by a new Chef’s Studio for culinary demonstrations and food and wine experiences.

Dining and deck updates

Food and beverage areas are central to the refit, with the line saying its specialty restaurants Polo Grill, Red Ginger, Toscana and Jacques will receive refreshed design and galley improvements. It also plans to add The Bakery to Baristas, its coffee house, serving French and Italian pastries and freshly baked items throughout the day.

On the pool deck, new sun loungers and day beds will be installed to improve guest comfort. The company framed the changes as part of an effort to keep the ship’s physical product aligned with its service and culinary standards.

Raising the bar

“At Oceania Cruises, raising the bar is not an initiative – it is our mindset. We are constantly refining the guest experience, from elevating our culinary offerings to creating more intimate, immersive ways to explore the world’s most iconic destinations. With OceaniaNEXT, we are reaffirming our commitment to modern luxury by ensuring every ship in our fleet reflects the refined style, attention to detail and thoughtful innovation that define our brand. This is how we continue to bring to life The Joy of Traveling Well,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises.

The company said the physical transformation will not alter the essence of the onboard experience, which it described as defined by genuine, intuitive service and personal recognition from crew. Oceania added that the reinspiration of Oceania Marina marks the next phase in the brand’s evolution.

Industry significance

Oceania Cruises said the Oceania Marina project is a significant milestone in bringing the fleet’s ambience and aesthetics into line with the brand’s planned newbuilds. That places the ship upgrade within a wider strategy of refreshing existing tonnage while new vessels are still on order.

For the wider cruise trade, the move underlines how luxury lines are using major refurbishments to extend the commercial life of established ships while preserving brand consistency.

Source: Official announcement by Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line on 7 April, 2026

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New training model

The Floating Pastry Academy is intended to create a structured pathway for pastry and baking education at sea. Oceania Cruises said the programme will mix theory with hands-on work, with chefs completing modules both digitally and in person on its ships.

The cruise line described the academy as a long-term model that will support technical development, certification and progression for culinary staff. Its training framework includes foundations for new team members, role-based specialisation, chef-led digital courses, quizzes and practical assessments.

Culinary heritage focus

Oceania Cruises said the initiative reflects its commitment to The Finest Cuisine at Sea and to preserving French gastronomic heritage. The project was developed by Chef Eric Barale, Oceania Cruises’ Executive Culinary Director and a member of the prestigious Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France), and Chef Sébastien Canonne, founder of The Butter Book, who holds the Meilleur Ouvrier de France distinction.

Chef Barale said the academy reflects respect for culinary traditions and will support consistency, refinement and artistic precision in pâtisserie. Chef Canonne said investing in people is essential to sustaining luxury and added that the academy is meant to support growth without compromising technique or quality.

Fleet and growth context

The announcement sits alongside broader investment in Oceania Cruises’ French culinary offering, including the planned launch of La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France aboard Oceania Sonata in 2027. The line said Oceania Sonata will be the ninth ship in its fleet, the first of five new-generation vessels, and is scheduled to begin her maiden voyage in August 2027.

For the wider cruise sector, the move signals how premium lines are using specialist training to reinforce service standards as fleets expand. For Middle East trade readers, it also underlines the growing importance of culinary capability as a differentiator in luxury cruise product, especially as cruise brands compete for higher-yield guests across global itineraries.

Source: Official announcement by Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line on 31 March, 2026

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According to the company, The Joy of Traveling Well encapsulates the essence of Oceania Cruises’ philosophy: offering thoughtfully curated journeys that balance cultural immersion, personalised service and refined comfort. The campaign highlights the line’s commitment to creating meaningful travel moments, emphasising depth, intention and ease as core elements of the Oceania experience.

The new brand expression is supported by refreshed visual identity elements, updated storytelling and a marketing approach that underscores the emotional and experiential aspects of travel. Oceania Cruises notes that the campaign is designed to inspire guests to embrace travel as a source of enrichment, connection and personal fulfilment.

Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, said the campaign reflects the evolving expectations of luxury travellers.
“The Joy of Traveling Well is designed to enhance the Oceania Cruises experience by offering guests opportunities to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with themselves while exploring the world,” Montague said in the official announcement.

The campaign reinforces Oceania Cruises’ long‑standing focus on destination‑rich itineraries, small‑ship luxury and personalised service. It also aligns with the brand’s reputation for culinary excellence and immersive travel experiences, which remain central to its identity.

Oceania Cruises’ fleet — including Vista, Marina, Riviera, Sirena, Regatta, Nautica and Insignia — will feature the new brand expression across guest‑facing touchpoints, marketing channels and onboard communications. The company says the initiative is designed to unify the guest experience while strengthening Oceania’s position within the luxury cruise sector.

The announcement highlights that The Joy of Traveling Well is part of a broader strategy to evolve the brand’s presence globally, ensuring it continues to appeal to travellers seeking journeys that combine cultural discovery with comfort and authenticity. Oceania Cruises notes that the campaign reflects a shift in luxury travel toward experiences that prioritise meaning, connection and personal enrichment.

As the line continues to expand its global itineraries across Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, the Americas and beyond, the new campaign aims to deepen guest engagement and reinforce Oceania Cruises’ commitment to delivering thoughtfully crafted voyages supported by attentive service and a refined onboard atmosphere.

With The Joy of Traveling Well, Oceania Cruises positions itself at the forefront of modern luxury travel, offering guests a brand experience that celebrates the art of travelling with intention, curiosity and a sense of wellbeing.

Source: Official Oceania Cruises Press Release, 11 March 2026, Miami.

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