Oceania Cruises is reaching new pinnacles of creativity and diversity with the introduction of an elevated, innovative bar programme aboard the 1,200-guest Vista, debuting 20 May 2023.
Vista, the first of the Oceania brand’s all-new Allura Class ships, will feature the latest cocktail-crafting trends and techniques such as flavoured smoke bubbles, an extensive selection of low- and no-sugar wines and zero-proof cocktails, plus Negronis aged in wooden barrels and specialty beverage carts like the Bubbly Bar and Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.
A cornerstone of Vista’s bar program will be immersive, experiential beverage offerings including specialty beverage carts like The Bubbly Bar, which will serve exclusive Champagne cocktails, and The Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar, where guests can DIY their perfect brunch accompaniment. Other new concepts include The Casino Mixology Bar, a new concept focused entirely on the art of the cocktail. Boasting a unique selection of bourbons and ryes in addition to tableside preparation of cocktails and spirits, the bar will likely become an Instagram favourite for serving readymade Negronis straight from the barrel and incredible “Flavour Blaster Gun” cocktails topped off with vapour-filled bubbles with aromatic flavours.
In addition, Martinis, Oceania Cruises’ signature bar onboard, is refreshing its namesake cocktail with a new spirits selection of Mermaid Gin and Vodka, handcrafted from ethically sourced botanicals on the Isle of Wight. Either shaken or stirred, the new martini menu features a collection that gives tribute to some of the greatest names in Hollywood such as Lady Hepburn, Bogart’s Casablanca, Blue Eyes Sinatra and Notorious Bond.
Baristas, a favourite spot onboard for a delicious coffee, will also introduce a new drink menu featuring innovative cocktails that incorporate Amari, an Italian herbal liqueur, in addition to ready-to-drink Italian selections like Crodino, San Pellegrino cocktails and Campari sodas.
With food comes drink, and the new beverage concepts in Vista’s restaurants do not disappoint. Taking a fresh perspective to complement The Finest Cuisine at Sea mantra, a wide range of guilt-free and craft offerings are in the mix. The Aquamar Kitchen, a new concept aboard Vista serving lean and healthy cuisine, will focus its beverage selection on low- and no-alcohol options. Lyre’s, the leading producer of non-alcoholic spirits in the world, will bring its naturally sourced spirits to Vista including Dry London Gin, American Malt Whisky, White Cane Spirit Rum and Amalfi Spritz. Aquamar Kitchen will also offer elegant non-alcoholic “wines” from Pierre Zéro and the drink menu will include cocktails such as a Skinny Mimosa, Innocent Kir, Pure Amalfi Spritz, Passion Fruit Colada, Dark and Spicy and NO-Groni.
In addition, Ember, the signature addition to Oceania Cruises’ family of restaurants, will feature a culinary menu of inventive American creations blended with time-honoured classics. To pair, here guests will find unique wines, crafted beers, ryes and bourbons and themed cocktails ranging from long drinks to more aperitif style ones like California Dreaming, First Avenue, Sicilian Godfather and Tennessee Nights.
Also look out for Red Ginger, Oceania Cruises’ extraordinary Pan-Asian venue, which will feature a focused menu of beverages to complement its acclaimed dishes including Asian beers, a variety of sake styles and cocktails celebrating Asian flavours such as ginger, turmeric, coriander, and lychee. Must-try new drinks include Tokyo Whisper, Oriental Pear Mule, Asia Daisy, Namaste and Hanoi Nights.
Champagne has come to define the most captivating, jubilant and extraordinary moments of our lives and with the launch of Vista comes the debut of a most exquisite new pairing experience. The Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience, making its debut on Vista, is a delectable three-course pairing extravaganza featuring rare vintages. Guests will start with a Mediterranean sea bass tartar paired with the mature 2013 Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut, followed by a duck foie gras terrine accompanied by the silky Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial Champagne, and finished with a cured beef tenderloin coupled with the elegant and refined Moët & Chandon Imperial Rose Champagne.
Gourmonds will also love the Connoisseur Wine Pairing Lunches, another addition to Vista, with two carefully crafted epicurean journeys from which to choose. Menus include five different Mediterranean-influenced dishes complimented by a premium range of wines. The head sommelier along with the bar, restaurant and galley teams, will explain each course pairing concept and their flavour profiles.
Finally, the Dom Pérignon Experience, a signature Oceania Cruises experience since 2019, will be showcased on Vista as part of the intimate dining venue Privée. The six-course tasting menu is a must-have meal for Champagne connoisseurs and true gourmands. Each of the three Champagne vintages is effortlessly paired with two courses which are specifically crafted to bring out the nuances of the grapes and the ratio of the blend, playing off every aspect from a subtle, effervescent nose to a lively, satisfying finish. Courses include scallops rossini with mole negro followed by black truffle risotto, Brittany blue lobster in a yellow curry broth with coconut foam, seared sashimi-style wagyu beef with octopus tempura, culminating with sakura tea geisha flower ice cream topped with lemon caviar.