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Alaskan king crabs are a popular and sought-after delicacy in Alaska.
ADOBE STOCK
Savoring Alaska's
Culinary Treasures
Eating my way through Alaska in style with Oceania Cruises.
By Elizabeth Brown
As a well seasoned travel writer, I’ve been on my fair share of cruises. And as a foodie, cuisine is always something I scrutinize on and off the ship.
A recent Alaska sailing with Oceania Cruises aboard the Oceania Riviera checked all the boxes for me. The itinerary, which included stops in Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Sitka, and Ketchikan, Sitka brought the vast, wild beauty of the Last Frontier to life, all while offering an unexpected journey for the palate.
Oceania Cruises has built its reputation around one bold claim: offering the "Finest Cuisine at Sea." After experiencing their Alaska itinerary firsthand, I can say they deliver on that promise, especially when it comes to creating experiences designed for uncompromising culinary and travel connoisseurs.
Meal served in Grand Dining Room aboard Oceania Riviera
ELIZABETH BROWN
Onboard Dining Options Are Top Notch
Dining on an Alaska-bound sailing on board the Oceania Riviera isn't just sustenance—it's an art form. The cruise line infuses Alaska's rich culinary heritage into their menus, incorporating local ingredients and inspiration to create plates that tell a story of the region.
The Grand Dining Room serves as the ship's elegant main dining area. Here, you’ll experience a relaxed yet refined atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menu highlights change nightly, featuring everything from perfectly prepared steaks to delicate seafood preparations.
Toscana transports you to the heart of Italy with authentic Tuscan flavors and rustic charm. The restaurant specializes in traditional Italian preparations using premium ingredients, from handmade pastas to flavorful risottos, all in a warm and inviting setting.
Polo Grill caters to carnivores with its sophisticated steakhouse atmosphere and premium cuts of meat. However, this pescatarian was delightfully sated, thanks to perfectly prepared lobster tail, lobster mac and cheese, and haricots verts amandine. The upscale, club-like ambiance was the icing on the cake.
Dive into our Oceania Cruises Culinary Discovery Tours article to explore the art of onboard dining — and get a complimentary recipe to try at home, Chef Giada De Laurentiis' Lemon Spaghetti Recipe!
Escargots à la Bourguignonne (top) and the Homard Thermidor à ma Façon Jacques (above)
elizabeth brown
Our meal at Jacques was one of my best in recent memory. The venue is the first restaurant at sea by legendary Master Chef Jacques Pépin. The menu showcases classic French bistro dishes with a charming, rustic touch. I ordered the Escargots à la Bourguignonne and the Homard Thermidor à ma Façon (Maine Lobster Baked in Shell with Mushroom Cream Sauce, Served with Crispy Parmesan). Every morsel was a chef’s kiss.
Appetizer, Red Ginger
My other favorite meal was at Red Ginger. The menu features Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese-inspired cuisine, plus exceptional and unique cocktails. The sleek, modern space with contemporary Asian-inspired décor with Asian-inspired touches created an atmosphere that complemented the menu beautifully.
Other dining options included Terrace Cafe is the go-to for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Here you’ll enjoy casual dining with panoramic ocean views, serving international buffet selections throughout the day. Outdoor seating area allows you to dine al fresco while watching Alaska's stunning coastline pass by. However, during our sailing, chilly temperatures kept most passengers inside.
Fresh, local cuisine served during the Alaska Chef’s Market Dinner
One evening during our cruise, Terrace Cafe hosted the Alaska Chef’s Market Dinner, which was curated by the onboard culinary team using fresh, local ingredients from the region. It was spectacular. We savored ceviche station, local smoked fish, various salads, fish chowder salmon cakes, local king salmon, shrimp pasta, and a bevy of other delicious dishes.
Another highlight for me was the afternoon British-style tea service, a signature Oceania experience. Guests can choose from a variety of Twinings tea, freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, an assortment of tea sandwiches, cakes, and delicate petits fours—all elegantly presented and served by white-gloved waiters wheeling around glass carts. We were serenaded by a live string quartet, which elevated the experience even more.
Additionally, the ship’s casual walk up Baristas, offering expertly crafted coffee drinks and light pastries throughout the day, kept me fueled throughout the day.
Oceania excursions offer options to dine on Alaska king crab
Food-Centric Excursions Offer a Delicious Way to Experience a Destination
Oceania Cruises elevates the traditional shore excursion concept through their exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours, which are also available on an Alaska itinerary. These thoughtfully curated experiences go far beyond typical sightseeing, immersing you in each destination's unique food culture and culinary traditions.
Rather than simply observing local markets from a distance, these tours invite you to actively participate in the food journey. During port calls, you might find yourself selecting fresh ingredients alongside local vendors, learning traditional cooking techniques from local chefs, or discovering how local breweries incorporate regional ingredients into their craft beers. Each excursion is designed to create meaningful connections between you and the destination through its most authentic flavors.
Alaska king crab meal enjoyed during Oceania excursion
During our sailing, I tested my mettle in Icy Strait Point on the world’s longest zip rider, then celebrated my bravery with an authentic Alaskan feast of crabs, shrimp, Andouille sausage, corn on the cob and local beer. Adventures in Sitka included a wildlife cruise followed by a meal (Alaska king crab, wild salmon, prime rib, and more) at a rustic lodge on forested Fin Island. More delicious diversions awaited us in Ketchikan, where we cruised along George Inlet spying wildlife like sea otters, bald eagles, whales, and bears. Afterwards, we dined on freshly caught Dungeness crabs at the historic George Inlet waterfront lodge.
Other foodie-loving excursions available on an Alaska sailing include Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen, where you’ll learn the authentic ways to handle, prepare and cook local fish, and the Chef Led Oyster Farm and Cooking Class, which features a cruise to an oyster farm, an oyster tasting, and ends with a cooking class on the ship. Passengers can also opt for private or group fishing and crabbing adventures.
It’s a Dessert Party is a hands-on cooking class for guests aboard Oceania Riviera.
Culinary Classes Are Engaging and Fun
Beyond the shoreside adventures, the Oceania Riviera boasts an impressive Culinary Center, a true highlight for any food enthusiast. It’s the first hands-on cooking school at sea, designed to empower you to prepare a variety of exquisite dishes at your own fully equipped workstation in a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen.
Whether you're spending a day at sea learning how to make fresh pasta, mastering the fundamentals of cooking seafood, or uncovering the secrets of traditional French cuisine, these classes transform culinary education into entertainment.
Chef Kathryn Kelly, Oceania Cruises' Director of Culinary Enrichment, is the founder and driving force behind The Culinary Center. We had the best time during our "It's a Dessert Party" class, a new offering for 2025. Led by Chef Kelly herself, the class was engaging and fun, and I learned so much.
We made an apple tarte tatin, classic French crepes, and a blueberry thyme smash cocktail. Participants go home with recipes and likely newfound confidence in the kitchen. “It’s a Dessert Party” is a great option for passengers who don’t want to miss a single dinner. After making your early dinner plans as usual, you meet up at 8 p.m. in the Culinary Center. You’ll probably also have time to make it to a show afterwards.
Other Exclusive Dining Experiences
For guests seeking an even more intimate and elevated culinary journey, a night in either Privée or La Reserve promises a truly divine experience. La Reserve specializes in creating distinctive pairing dinners, carefully curating a menu that harmonizes perfectly with exceptional wines. It also features sommelier-led tastings and engaging wine seminars for those looking to deepen their appreciation. Meanwhile, Privée serves as the ship's opulent private dining venue. Nestled between Polo Grill and Toscana restaurants, Privée can host up to 10 guests.
Oceania Riviera
OCEANIA
Itineraries and inclusions
In addition to Alaska, other Oceania Riviera itineraries featuring Australia, Bali, Japan, and Singapore are available.
Thanks to Oceania's "Your World Included" program, your cruise fare comes with quite a lot. From unforgettable dining experiences at varied, exquisite restaurants to complimentary specialty coffees, unlimited WiFi, and even free laundry service, nearly everything you need is already included. Additionally, the program encompasses gratuities, group fitness classes, premium beverages, gourmet ice cream, and in-room dining.
If you’re a foodie, an Alaska sailing on board Oceania Riviera should be at the top of your travel “to do” list. From ridiculously delicious food on board to authentic culinary excursions that provide a true taste of the destination, every experience is thoughtfully curated and executed to perfection.
For travelers who believe that understanding a destination's culture begins with understanding its food, Oceania Riviera provides the perfect floating base for culinary exploration. Oceania Cruises offers a unique opportunity to savor the world, whether you’re heading to the vibrant markets of the Mediterranean or the ancient wonders of Asia. So, when you plan your next adventure with Oceania, don't forget to pack your stretchy pants. You'll thank me later.
Plan and book your delectable Oceania Cruises vacation with a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent who will guide you through selecting the perfect itinerary and ensure you take advantage of exclusive AAA Member benefits and AAA Vacations® amenities of up to $250 onboard credit—only available through AAA
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