Is this the most indulgent dining at sea? Here's our verdict
Of course I'm wrong. As soon as we start making an eminently quaffable Metaxa ginger spritz, I mistakenly add the ginger beer to the cocktail shaker, risking a minor explosion.
Chastened, I concentrate more closely on American chef Noelle Barille's instructions and, after a fun couple of hours, come away with a new repertoire of dishes, including melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant dip), Corfu pastitsio (undercook the pasta if you're preparing ahead of time) and what must be the world's easiest dessert – strained Greek yoghurt with toasted walnuts and fragrant local honey.
I shouldn't be surprised at Noelle's level of expertise. Oceania Cruises' tagline is 'the finest cuisine at sea', and it delivers on that promise across the board, including at its 10 restaurants and cafes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Is this the most indulgent dining at sea? Here's our verdict
To be honest, I'm a somewhat reluctant participant in the 'Passport to Greece' cooking class. We're in the Culinary Centre on board Oceania Allura's maiden voyage and I've been invited to join as a media guest (classes are free for passengers). As a former food-magazine editor, I'm assuming rather snootily that there's not going to be much I can learn on board a cruise ship. Of course I'm wrong. As soon as we start making an eminently quaffable Metaxa ginger spritz, I mistakenly add the ginger beer to the cocktail shaker, risking a minor explosion. Chastened, I concentrate more closely on American chef Noelle Barille's instructions and, after a fun couple of hours, come away with a new repertoire of dishes, including melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant dip), Corfu pastitsio (undercook the pasta if you're preparing ahead of time) and what must be the world's easiest dessert – strained Greek yoghurt with toasted walnuts and fragrant local honey. I shouldn't be surprised at Noelle's level of expertise. Oceania Cruises' tagline is 'the finest cuisine at sea', and it delivers on that promise across the board, including at its 10 restaurants and cafes.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
ABS travel data shows fall in Aussie visits to US
Australian holiday-makers continue to drift away from the US, with fresh Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing a stark fall off in visitor numbers. Overseas arrivals and departures data shows the US fell from third to fourth most popular travel destination across 2024-25. Travel to the vast and vibrant North American democracy was now 25 per cent lower from 10 years ago, the ABS said. China, meanwhile, rose two spots to fifth place, even as the government recommends travellers exercise a 'high degree of caution' when visiting the Communist country. More restrictive US trade and entry policies, introduced following US President Donald Trump's victory in November last year, could be dampening Australia's traditional American wanderlust. In a trading update from July, travel booking company Flight Centre warned of an 'ongoing global downturn in bookings to the US' and said Australian holiday-makers were searching for destinations closer to home. 'This volatility temporarily disrupted traditional travel and booking patterns during Flight Centre's peak trading period as some customers either booked closer-to-home overseas holidays (in Australia, examples include China, Japan, Fiji and New Zealand) or delayed finalising travel plans,' the company said. The $2.8bn company delivered a reduced profit forecast as a result of the disruption in traditional travel patterns. Though travel to the US declined, Indonesia held steady as Australia's most popular travel destination. The northern neighbour, which boasts the tourism crown jewel of Bali, accounted for 14 per cent of Australian overseas trips across the year. Some 87 per cent of the 1,741,370 trips recorded to Indonesia were for holidays. New Zealand came in second place, Japan third, the US fourth and China at No.5. Trips to Japan have tripled compared with 2015, while trips to India have doubled. For travel into Australia, New Zealanders took out top spot, accounting for 16.6 per cent of all visitors, or 1,391,140 visits. The median duration of stay in Australia was 12 days, the same as 2023-24. Originally published as ABS overseas arrivals and departures data shows 25 per cent fall in Aussie visits to US
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Country Aussies no longer want to visit
Australian holiday-makers continue to drift away from the US, with fresh Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing a stark fall off in visitor numbers. Overseas arrivals and departures data shows the US fell from third to fourth most popular travel destination across 2024-25. Travel to the vast and vibrant North American democracy was now 25 per cent lower from 10 years ago, the ABS said. China, meanwhile, rose two spots to fifth place, even as the government recommends travellers exercise a 'high degree of caution' when visiting the Communist country. More restrictive US trade and entry policies, introduced following US President Donald Trump's victory in November last year, could be dampening Australia's traditional American wanderlust. The US boasts a range of legendary cities including New York. Visit USA Credit: Supplied In a trading update from July, travel booking company Flight Centre warned of an 'ongoing global downturn in bookings to the US' and said Australian holiday-makers were searching for destinations closer to home. 'This volatility temporarily disrupted traditional travel and booking patterns during Flight Centre's peak trading period as some customers either booked closer-to-home overseas holidays (in Australia, examples include China, Japan, Fiji and New Zealand) or delayed finalising travel plans,' the company said. The $2.8bn company delivered a reduced profit forecast as a result of the disruption in traditional travel patterns. Though travel to the US declined, Indonesia held steady as Australia's most popular travel destination. The northern neighbour, which boasts the tourism crown jewel of Bali, accounted for 14 per cent of Australian overseas trips across the year. Some 87 per cent of the 1,741,370 trips recorded to Indonesia were for holidays. New Zealand came in second place, Japan third, the US fourth and China at No.5. Trips to Japan have tripled compared with 2015, while trips to India have doubled. For travel into Australia, New Zealanders took out top spot, accounting for 16.6 per cent of all visitors, or 1,391,140 visits. The median duration of stay in Australia was 12 days, the same as 2023-24.
