The port of the Catalan capital recently witnessed a landmark event in the world of maritime travel. The Oceania Allura, the most modern vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet, docked at its piers, embarking on its maiden voyage through the Mediterranean. Launched only in mid-July, the ship made a stop in the city as part of its debut European tour, generating genuine interest among luxury travel enthusiasts.
Oceania Cruises has long earned a reputation as an operator that creates cruises ‘by gourmets, for gourmets,’ and with the arrival of Allura, this philosophy has reached an entirely new level. The team of chefs, led by Executive Culinary Director Alexis Quaretti, has completely revamped the onboard menu. As a result, more than 270 original dishes have been introduced, designed to surprise even the most discerning palates. The inspiration for this culinary overhaul came from the chef’s personal memories and years of collaboration with the renowned Jacques Pépin. Some recipes carry deeply personal stories, such as the ‘Mousse au Chocolat de Mamie Huguette,’ created from Quaretti’s grandmother’s treasured family recipe. This approach, blending respect for tradition with modern culinary techniques, is evident in every dish, from breakfast to dinner.
Passengers are invited not just to enjoy the food, but to immerse themselves in the world of gastronomy. In honor of the 15th anniversary of the onboard Culinary Center, the ‘Culinary Discovery Tours’ program has been expanded. Now, guests can join chefs on trips to local markets at port stops to experience authentic culture through its flavors. The ship itself offers more than 60 master classes. In specially equipped kitchens with individual workstations and professional appliances, anyone can hone their skills or discover the secrets of national cuisines under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Yet Oceania Allura impresses not only with its cuisine. This 70,000-ton giant, designed for 1,200 passengers, offers an exceptional level of comfort. Standard cabins are 27 square meters in size, exceeding the dimensions of many suites on other cruise lines, providing guests with a sense of spaciousness and privacy. After departing from Barcelona, the ship set sail for Monte Carlo, where it will embark on a 24-day transatlantic journey to New York. Following this voyage, the liner will cruise along the coasts of Canada and New England, spending the winter season in the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Company representatives are already looking to the future. Roberto Cabello, responsible for business development at Oceania Cruises, shared plans to build two new Sonata-class ships, which are set to join the fleet in 2027 and 2029. Juan Rodero, head of Un Mundo de Cruceros/StarClass, emphasized that haute cuisine is a universal language, and loyal customers continue to choose Oceania Cruises for its consistently high-quality culinary offerings, which strengthens the company’s leadership in this market segment.
