Post by Shayla Peacock on October 15th, 2025 under Cruise, Culinary, Oceania Cruises, Preferred Suppliers
For travelers who believe food and wine are at the heart of exploration, look no further than Oceania Cruises, a brand that continues to set the standard for culinary excellence in cruise travel. Renowned worldwide for “The Finest Cuisine at Sea,” this leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line has announced the debut of its newest indulgence: the Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing lunch, an immersive dining experience that elevates Oceania’s signature cuisines with celebrated world-famous French wines.
A Debut Fit for a Celebration
Debuted July 18, the new Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine pairing experience made its first appearance aboard Oceania Allura during her highly anticipated inaugural sailing. Now, guests can begin enjoying the program aboard Oceania Vista, with expansion to Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera by 2026.
"At Oceania Cruises, we are always looking for unique ways to inspire curiosity and create deeper connections through our onboard offerings,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer at Oceania Cruises. “Our guests aren’t simply looking to enjoy exceptional food and wine. They want to explore, learn and personalize their luxury cruise vacation in meaningful ways. The new Gérard Bertrand experience is a perfect example of how we continue to expand our diverse collection of discovery-led offerings, allowing guests to connect with places, people and culture from a fresh perspective.”
A Six-Course Journey Through Food & Wine
At the heart of the new program is a six-course delectable lunch hosted in Jacques, Oceania’s signature French restaurant. Each course is thoughtfully crafted by Oceania’s culinary team and perfectly paired with premium wines hand-selected from Gérard Bertrand, the South of France winemaker renowned for his sustainable artistry and “Art de Vivre.”
The indulgent, yet educational menu transports guests to the sun-soaked vineyards of Southern France and showcases the harmony of regional flavors with premium vintages. Priced at $175 per person (plus gratuities) and limited to just 40 guests on select days during each voyage, this exclusive, intimate lunch includes:
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Potato Fritter, “Sturia” Ossetra Caviar and vodka-lime Chantilly
Pairing wine: Gérard Bertrand Cabrières ‘Clos du Temple’ Rosé
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Venetian “Risotto” Riced Calamari Scallop, leeks and lemon segment
Pairing wine: Gérard Bertrand Château l’Hospitalet La Clape White Blend
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Duck and Foie Gras Pate en Croute lemon condiment and pickled vegetables
Pairing wine: Gérard Bertrand Château l’Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin, Red Blend
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Braised Beef Short Rib pressed potato cake and glazed carrot
Pairing wine: Gérard Bertrand Minervois La Livinière‘Clos d’Ora’
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Cervelle de Canuts Lyonnaise goat cheese spread, pumpernickel soil and radish
Pairing wine: Gérard Bertrand Kosmos 888 Red Blend
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“Callebaut” Gold Chocolate Cake with caramel & white chocolate mousse, hazelnut praline and gold leaf
Pairing wine: 1975 Les Vignerons de Maury 'Maury' Tuile Vieille Reserve
**All wines are from Languedoc-Roussillon, France**
"Collaborating with Gérard Bertrand to craft this one-of-a-kind pairing menu has been an exciting opportunity to bring together culinary artistry and world-class French wines in a way that’s both inspiring and approachable,” said Chef Alexis Quaretti, Executive Culinary Director at Oceania Cruises. “It is a beautiful addition to our wide range of pairing experiences and a true reflection of our commitment to serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea. From hands-on cooking classes at The Culinary Center to sommelier-led lunches, immersive beverage tastings and demonstrations, we are constantly evolving our culinary journeys to surprise, delight and inspire our luxury guests.”
A Growing Portfolio of Pairing Experiences
The Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing joins Oceania’s expansive lineup of exceptional food and wine pairing experiences, each blending inventive fine dining with premium, rare wines and champagnes picked by Oceania Cruises’ talented chefs and sommeliers. These include:
- The Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience: a three-course journey featuring rare vintages paired with inspired cuisine, taking place pre-dinner on select nights in the Aquamar Kitchen restaurant, aboard Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura.
- Connoisseur Wine Pairing Lunches: Mediterranean-influenced menus with premium wine selections, led by expert sommeliers.
- The Dom Pérignon Experience: an exclusive six-course dinner showcasing rare vintages in an intimate setting.
- The Odyssey Menu: a seven-course exploration of global flavors paired with fine wines.
- Private Dining in Privée: exclusive, multi-course wine pairing dinners for just eight guests per evening.
- La Reserve Wine and Moët & Chandon Champagne Experiences: intimate tastings and discovery-led menus, including the celebrated La Cuisine Bourgeoise by Jacques Pépin, a multi-course journey.
This new Gérard Bertrand pairing marks an exciting evolution of Oceania Cruises’ already robust culinary offerings, further enriching its extensive collection of onboard experiences designed to educate and entertain, all while providing guests with even more ways to personalize their journeys at sea.
For Oceania Cruises, the Gérard Bertrand partnership underscores a simple truth: food and wine are not just part of the journey, they are the journey. From seasoned connoisseurs to curious novices, guests will find that this new experience embodies what Oceania Cruises does best — turning every meal into a voyage of its own and redefining luxury travel by making cuisine central to discovery.
Ready to Indulge? The Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing Lunch is available on select voyages and space is limited, so early booking is highly recommended. Contact your expert travel agent today to reserve your spot and savor the journey with Oceania Cruises.