Oceania Sonata. Photo: Louise Prior (Oceania Cruises)
Oceania Cruises is planning a major shift in how it approaches food on board, introducing two new dining concepts that will debut on Oceania Sonata, the first ship in its new Sonata Class, arriving in August 2027.
The idea is to offer guests something they can’t find anywhere else at sea, and the early details suggest they’re aiming high.
The first venue, La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, will be a small, very focused fine-dining space created with direct involvement from the Master Chefs of France.
La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, Oceania Sonata. Photo: Louise Prior (Oceania Cruises) Oceania says it will be the only restaurant at sea to open with the group’s formal approval. Chefs Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, who oversee the brand’s culinary program and are both members of the organization, will design the rotating menus with invited Master Chefs from around the world.
Chef Eric Barale, left, and Chef Alexis Quaretti, right. Photo: Louise Prior (Oceania Cruises)With only 18 seats, the experience is meant to feel personal and carefully curated. It’s also where the Dom Pérignon Experience will return, offering a six-course tasting with three vintage Champagnes.
The second concept takes a completely different direction. Nikkei Kitchen will serve dishes inspired by the long-standing blend of Peruvian ingredients and Japanese technique.
Nikkei Kitchen, Oceania Sonata. Photo: Louise Prior (Oceania Cruises)Oceania has been introducing a handful of Nikkei dishes over the past year at Red Ginger, and the response was strong enough to build a dedicated venue.
Chef Gustavo Sugay, who has spent more than 20 years working in this style of cooking, is helping shape the opening menu. Expect seafood, bright citrus, spicy peppers, and the clean flavors you’d associate with Japanese cuisine, all prepared in an open kitchen designed to keep the space light and lively.
Both concepts reflect where Oceania wants to go next. Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer: “Oceania Sonata represents an incredible opportunity to reimagine the future of our culinary program, while still offering the culinary concepts our guests know and love.”
Chef Quaretti added that these new restaurants “are not just simply new onboard venues; they are the embodiment of Chef Barale’s and my shared dedication to our culinary craft.”
La Table will require reservations and comes with a surcharge, while Nikkei Kitchen will be included in the line’s specialty dining program. More details, including menus, will be released next year as Oceania Sonata moves closer to its 2027 debut.