Oceania Cruises is teaming up with a selection of Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni who will serve as godparents of its newest ship, Oceania Allura, debuting this July. Breaking with tradition, Oceania Allura will be christened not by one godmother, but by a group. The announcement was made on 21 June 2025, at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.

According to Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, the cruise line “has always been deeply rooted in extraordinary cuisine,” and by naming the group of Best New Chefs as the godparents of Oceania Allura, the line is “paying homage to the future of food and the creative forces driving it forward.” Since 1988, the Food & Wine program has honoured more than 400 rising culinary stars.

The line also recently announced the return of signature French restaurant Jacques and new Nikkei-style dishes at the pan-Asian venue Red Ginger. In all, guests can enjoy more than 270 brand-new recipes, an expansive hands-on Culinary Center and an accompanying Chef’s Studio onboard Allura.

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The christening and naming ceremony will take place on 13 November 2025 in Miami, Florida.

Beyond Oceania Allura, guests can partake in an Alaskan journey with 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef Aisha Ibrahim aboard Oceania Cruises’ first-ever Best New Chefs Cruise on 18 August 2025. On this 10-day sailing (round-trip from Seattle) on Oceania Riviera, travellers will experience special menus, cooking demonstrations and “epicurean discoveries” at sea and on land.

Two additional Best New Chefs Cruises will debut on Oceania Allura in 2026.

Lead image:Giada De Laurentiis, Italian celebrity chef and Godmother of Oceania Allura’s sister ship, Oceania Vista, flanked by Jason Montague (right), Chief Luxury Officer, Oceania Cruises and Hunter Lewis, Editor in Chief, Food & Wine.