OCEANIA CRUISES® NAMES A COLLECTION OF FOOD & WINE BEST NEW CHEFS AS GODPARENTS OF NEWEST SHIP, OCEANIA ALLURA™

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Oceania Cruises (NCLH) has announced an innovative approach to christening its newest luxury ship, Oceania Allura, by naming a group of Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni as the vessel's godparents. The announcement was made at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen on June 21, 2025. The 1,200-guest ship, launching in July 2025, will feature over 270 new recipes, an expanded Culinary Center with Chef's Studio, and signature restaurants including Jacques and Red Ginger. The christening ceremony is scheduled for November 13, 2025, in Miami. The cruise line is also introducing Best New Chefs Cruises, with the first sailing featuring 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef Aisha Ibrahim in Alaska from August 18-28, 2025, followed by two additional themed cruises on Allura in 2026.

Positive

• Partnership with prestigious Food & Wine Best New Chefs program enhances brand's culinary credibility
• Introduction of 270+ new recipes and expanded culinary facilities demonstrates commitment to dining innovation
• Launch of specialized Best New Chefs Cruises creates unique revenue stream and differentiation
• Two additional ships ordered for delivery in 2027 and 2028/2029 indicates growth plans

Negative

• None.

A group of alumni of the prestigious program will join the christening ceremony held in Miami on November 13

MIAMI, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises^®, the world's leading culinary- and destination focused luxury cruise line, will team up with a selection of Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni who will serve as Godparents of its newest ship, Oceania Allura™, debuting in July 2025. In a groundbreaking move that reflects the brand's unwavering dedication to gastronomy and innovation, Oceania Allura will be christened not by one Godmother, but by a group of Food &  Wine Best New Chefs alumni. The announcement was unveiled on June 21, 2025, at the Food &  Wine Classic in Aspen, one of the industry's most prestigious culinary festivals, a fitting backdrop for celebrating the chefs shaping the future of dining.

"The soul of Oceania Cruises has always been deeply rooted in extraordinary cuisine," said  Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. "By naming Food & Wine Best New  Chefs alumni as the godparents of Oceania Allura, we're paying homage to the future of food and the creative forces driving it forward. It's a celebration of passion, talent, and the global  language of gastronomy."

Since 1988, Food & Wine Best New Chefs program has honored more than 400 rising culinary stars who are redefining how we cook, eat, and connect through food. The alumni include some of the most influential figures in modern cuisine. Now, in a first for the cruise industry, a group of these culinary innovators will serve as the ceremonial godparents of Oceania Allura,  marking the first time this prestigious title has been awarded to a group of chefs. 

"Food & Wine Best New Chefs have helped shape the future of dining through their creativity, innovation, and bold ideas for more than three decades," said Hunter Lewis, Editor in Chief of  Food & Wine. "Oceania Cruises shares that same spirit of discovery, creativity, and excellence, making this a meaningful opportunity to honor the lasting impact these chefs have had on the culinary world. We're thrilled to team up with Oceania Cruises in this unprecedented tribute to  the visionaries behind today's most exciting cuisine."

Oceania Allura, Oceania Cruises' newest 1,200-guest ship, promises an elevated onboard experience defined by exceptional personalized service, an elegantly relaxed ambience, and The  Finest Cuisine at Sea®. 

With more than 270 brand-new recipes, an expansive hands-on Culinary Center and accompanying Chef's Studio, the return of Oceania Cruises' signature French restaurant Jacques and new inventive Nikkei dishes recently announced as additions to the menu in its popular pan-Asian venue, Red Ginger, Oceania Allura embodies the cruise line's culinary excellence while pushing the boundaries of innovation. Her glistening christening and naming ceremony will take place on November 13, 2025, in Miami, Florida. 

With this announcement, Oceania Cruises not only redefines the traditional role of a ship's  godparent, it reaffirms its status as the cruise line created by foodies for foodies. Beyond Oceania  Allura, guests can share an incredible Alaskan journey with 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef  Aisha Ibrahim aboard Oceania Cruises' first-ever Best New Chefs Cruise on August 18 - 28,  2025. 

On this 10-day sailing from Seattle to Seattle on Oceania Riviera™, food lovers will experience special menus, cooking demonstrations, and fabulous pairings among the many epicurean discoveries at sea and on land aboard the only true foodie ship sailing in the region. Two  additional Best New Chefs Cruises will debut on Oceania Allura in 2026, with more details to be  announced later this year.

A full overview of Oceania Allura's 2025 and 2026 itineraries can be found at OceaniaCruises.com.

About Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises® is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at  Sea® and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises® has two additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 or 2029¹. Oceania Cruises® is a wholly owned subsidiary of  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

¹ Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029.

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SOURCE Oceania Cruises

FAQ

When will Oceania Allura cruise ship begin operations?

Oceania Allura will debut in July 2025, with its christening ceremony scheduled for November 13, 2025, in Miami, Florida.

What makes Oceania Allura's godparent selection unique for NCLH stock?

For the first time in cruise industry history, Oceania Allura will have multiple godparents, featuring a group of Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni instead of a traditional single godmother.

What new culinary features will be available on Oceania Allura?

The ship will feature over 270 brand-new recipes, an expansive hands-on Culinary Center with Chef's Studio, the signature French restaurant Jacques, and new Nikkei dishes in its pan-Asian venue, Red Ginger.

What is the passenger capacity of Oceania Allura?

Oceania Allura is a 1,200-guest luxury cruise ship.

When is the first Best New Chefs Cruise for Oceania (NCLH)?

The first Best New Chefs Cruise will sail from August 18-28, 2025, featuring 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef Aisha Ibrahim on an Alaskan journey from Seattle.