Oceania cooks up new culinary tours in Antigua and St. LuciaOceania cooks up new culinary tours in Antigua and St. Lucia

The tours provide an opportunity to explore food markets, vineyards, farms and restaurants with a knowledgeable chef from the ship's Bon Appétit Culinary Center and local experts.

The St. Lucia tour begins with a scenic drive through Rodney Bay Village to a private estate on the grounds of a former sugar cane plantation. Participants explore the estate's expansive herb garden before heading inside the home for hands-on cooking instruction using fresh, local ingredients. They taste their creations while taking in the views. The return drive to the pier includes a stop at the bustling, open-air Castries Market.

The Antigua tour starts with a walk through St. Johns' market to learn about typical local fruits such as breadfruit, mangoes, sour sap and dasheen. At the Villas at Sunset Lane boutique hotel and cooking school owned by renowned Chef Jacquie, participants will go into the kitchen to help prepare lunch. Chef Jacquie shops daily from local organic farmers. Following a hands-on cooking demonstration, participants will have lunch overlooking the beachfront property.

'Our goal is for guests to leave the tour with new culinary skills, satisfied taste buds and a deeper appreciation for the vibrant culinary traditions found in the Caribbean,' said Kathryn Kelly, director of culinary enrichment for Oceania Cruises. 

The new tours will be offered during the 'Holidays In The Tropics' sailing that departs Miami on Dec. 23 and on two 'Island Paradise' voyages in early 2015.