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Food with Mark Bittman: Daniela Oancea

What are the drinking trends on a cruise ship?

Published June 4, 2025

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Photo courtesy Daniela Oancea

We have such an interesting guest with us today on Food, one who chatted with us about a subject that certainly isn’t ordinary—cocktails on a cruise ship.

Listen to Daniela Oancea on Food with Mark Bittman

Born and raised in Transylvania, Romania, and yes, she’ll tolerate all your Dracula jokes, Daniela Oancea is the Corporate Beverage Manager for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises and has been instrumental in bringing unique beverage programs to both brands. She’s worked in the premium cruise line industry for the past 19 years as Executive Cellar Master, overseeing the bar and sommelier team of 60; and Food and Beverage Director, where she oversaw nearly 350 staff from various departments, including bar, restaurant, butlers, housekeeping, procurement and sanitation. 

Needless to say, Daniela is on top of all the mixology trends, and she’s probably a really fun person to have at a dinner party. We had a lot of questions for her.

Today’s episode is brought to you by our friends at Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

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