Supplied by Oceania Cruises

From exploring hidden Medieval alleyways to making traditional pizzas elbow to elbow with an Italian nonna, cruise excursions just got a whole lot more immersive.

Today when you board a luxury cruise, you’ll not only be whisked from port to port in the ultimate luxury, but you’ll also get to enjoy a bounty of immersive experiences that take you into the heart and home of the locals – while doing so safely in your “cruise bubble” with fellow passengers.

“Guests often think that when they’re on a cruise, the main drawcard is the vessel,” says Riet Goetschalckx, Sales Director CEMEA at Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused cruise line.

“Of course, that is partly true. Oceania vessels are stunning and works of art in their own right. So while you’d be forgiven for never wanting to disembark, the excursions on offer are well worth leaving the ship for!”

“South Africans in particular love exploring Europe like locals, immersing themselves in the everyday life of different communities,” says Riet. “What really sets Oceania’s experiences apart from many other cruise liners are our incredible small-batch ‘Go Local Tours’ that go far beyond the traditional tourist sites. You’ll be welcomed into homes; meet local artisans, bakers and fishermen; shop at local markets; and you will, in many senses, become part of a local family. These one-of-a-kind experiences will leave you feeling connected to the place – and changed.”

Here, Riet recommends a few of her favourite “small batch” Oceania cruise excursions in Europe.

European cruise excursions that will immerse you in local life

Slow down in Spain

Journey high up into the mountains to the Andalusian villages hidden north of Málaga, and you’ll immediately feel the change in pace. Slow down and soak up the relaxed pace of life as you linger over a homecooked meal and discover just what life is like in these sleepy Spanish villages.

Shop Parisian markets

If you truly want to rub shoulders with the locals in a centuries-old tradition, there’s only one place to head to – and that’s the Marché d’Aligre, one of the most extraordinary markets in the city. While it can be overwhelming trying to navigate on your own, the benefit of doing this with a group is that you’ll get to follow your expert local guide easily. They’ll take you beyond the market stalls and into the kitchens of some of the city’s finest chefs after shopping for superb ingredients from the vendors.

Cast your line in Portofino

Climb on board for a day’s fishing with the locals in Italy’s Portofino. You’ll get to experience a different side of the famous pastel-coloured fishing village, discovering her charms beyond the glitzy, high-end boutiques and superyachts lining the small harbour. You’ll be able to truly marvel at the spectacular scenery from the water of the Ligurian Sea as you learn how local fishermen get their catch of the day and have the chance to marvel at how good fresh-out-the-sea fish tastes as you enjoy a superb lunch on board. Post-lunch swims at your leisure!

Sniff out some truffles

“This is a truly unique experience that our South Africans guests absolutely love,” says Riet. “You’ll get to head into the Provençal countryside with a truffle hunter and a truffle-hunting dog to learn how to find these valuable hidden delicacies and get the chance to enjoy them accompanied by several superb local wines.”

Paint all the colours of the Emerald Isle

Nothing quite inspires one’s creative juices like the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland. You’ll get to whip out the paints and learn how to put colour on canvas as an acclaimed local artist known as ‘The Cow Lady’ guides you through a hands-on painting class at the Brigid Shelly Gallery in Ardmore. You’ll not only get to create your own masterpiece, but you’ll leave with an in-depth understanding of local life, history and lore.

Explore with peace of mind in your ‘cruise bubble’

If you’re eager to explore Europe, be sure to book early, cautions Riet. “Most cruises book out six months before, and there’s a new trend where travellers take multiple cruises after each other, lengthening their holiday trip. So the best advice I can give our South African guests is to book early for the best availability, choice of cabins, voyages and savings.”

Worried about the safety of cruising? Cruise lines have put in the work behind the scenes, revamping their vessels and the entire cruise experience – from start to finish – so that a cruise is now one of the safest holidays you could enjoy.

Oceania Cruises has established the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council to assist with the Company’s SailSAFE™ Health and Safety Program. So, for example, you can cruise with peace of mind thanks to all crew and passengers being fully vaccinated, regular screening and testing, and onboard monitoring, to name a few measures. Each cruise also has a dedicated health officer as well as medical teams and health services on board.

“Of course, ensuring guest and crew safety during excursions was also carefully considered, and we put much time into strategically developing our itineraries with our shore partners,” says Riet.