Cruise News

Oceania’s new ship to offer culinary sessions with chefs

June 29, 2009

Oceania Cruises has partnered with Bon Appetit magazine to create a culinary studio aboard the 1,258-passsenger Marina, set to debut in winter 2010.

The culinary studio will enable passengers to gain hands-on cooking experience at the side of master chefs. Passengers will have their own work stations, including individual induction cooktops.

“Many ships offer cooking demonstrations. Our goal when designing Marina was to be the first to let guests experience cooking side by side with a master chef as opposed to passively watching from the audience,” said Oceania President Bob Binder.

Oceania said Bon Appetit would assist in designing a curriculum that would appeal to a wide range of tastes and offer options for passengers at all levels of cooking skills and interests.

Passengers will accompany chefs on shoreside shopping excursions. They may also participate in private wine tastings or visits to well-known shoreside kitchens, Oceania said.

Calling the Marina a ship for food lovers, Oceania said it would have 10 dining venues, including six open-seating gourmet restaurants.

Oceania unveiled one of those restaurants, Red Ginger, at its press event in New York on Thursday. With seating for 126, Red Ginger will feature Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.

Guests will have the choice of a five-course tasting menu or the restaurant’s a la carte dishes. The menu will include traditional fare and fusion dishes.

Passengers won’t be assessed a supplement or surcharge to dine at Red Ginger, Oceania said.

For reservations and information call TakeUsCruising.com at 703 722 6070.

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