International Women’s Day: A Toast to Corporate Beverage Manager Daniela Oancea

In honor of International Women’s Day, we are delighted to talk with Corporate Beverage Manager Daniela Oancea, the creative force behind Oceania Cruises’ innovative onboard beverage programs. From curating our immersive wine and spirits tasting experiences, rare wine collection, and exclusive The Macallan whiskey and Brugal rum programs to developing Vista’s immersive mixology experiences, she is passionate about researching the latest cocktail-crafting trends and techniques to deliver a continually evolving and elevated experience for our guests.

Read about how Daniela started in the hospitality industry in her hometown of Transylvania, Romania, where she gets inspiration, new beverage programs on board and more.

1. How did you get your start in the hospitality/beverage field?
   Besides Dracula’s castle, Transylvania is known for wonderful mountains and its ski resorts. Along with this, you can find luxury hotels and spas. This is how my hospitality career started, working at the bottom of the ski slopes in luxury hotels.
2. Who was most influential in your early career?
   My beverage career, and more precisely, wine, is linked to my grandfather’s love for wine and working his small vineyard with so much enthusiasm. It is common in Romania to have a country house and a small vineyard attached to it. I was about five years old when I began helping him pick grapes and seeing must being made. As I was choosing a career in hospitality, it was clear that wine books and this industry fascinated me.
3. What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
   I recall my very first summer job in an elegant piano bar in town as an assistant bartender. My mentor there, a funny, jolly man, would tell me to always treat people and colleagues the way I wished to be treated. It was the best team that I worked with, back in Romania, and we keep in touch, even now 20 years later.
4. Who have been your female inspirations?
   The very top spot on my list is allocated to my grandmother, a remarkable woman that raised me until the age of five at her small country farm and taught me to appreciate home cooking, gardening, folklore and to love animals (she would have many cats and all were such fun characters). She lived to be 98 years old and always remained positive and such a joker.

   Another woman that shaped my hospitality career and made me a more established manager on board ships was a female general manager from England. Her career and life story are just remarkable, as she traded navy life for the cruise line industry. I have observed her dealing with stressful times with such a firm but elegant approach and always guest service orientated.

5. Where do you find inspiration for new mixology experiences and how do you identify trends that will resonate with our guests?
   These past years of my career have been dedicated to the world of mixology, as the wine world was already on solid ground. During the pandemic, I had more time than I had before to be online doing research, seeing people adapting to isolation but still mixing their favorite drink at home as their favorite bars remained closed. Once I was able to travel again, I craved to socialize with people over a drink and would often research the best bars and lounges in the cities I visited. I made new friends in the industry that shared a passion for mixology, and I was introduced to top locations worldwide. My latest discoveries included bars in the TOP 50 BEST BARS from Barcelona, Valencia, Rome, New York and, obviously, Miami.

6. What are some popular beverage experiences on board?

   The Founders Bar is a modern mixology bar and a tribute to the founders of Oceania Cruises, a group of remarkable men that have cocktails inspired by their personalities and heritage listed on the menu. The smoked drinks, homemade syrups and infusions, unique cocktail garnishes and mist bubbles are just a few of the highlights of the experience in this lounge.

   Martinis is the core of the Oceania Cruises ships and its popular menu received a refresh with the addition of the Hollywood Collection Martinis. The drinks are versatile and cater to all types of guests, ranging from Martinis with dill-infused vodka, homemade Earl Grey syrup, to the exotic Passoa Martini.

   The Barista Aperitivo invites guests to an Italian ambiance where they can enjoy a new selection of Amari, aperitif drinks such as Crodino, Campari soda and San Pellegrino cocktail as well as a new range of Italian inspired cocktails.

   The wine program is equally new and competitive, and the wine list now contains 80 new wine labels and a Rare Wine Selection with Classified Bordeaux, Super Tuscans, vintage Champagnes, California Meritages and premium dessert wines.

   On board Vista, sea days now feature two new Connoisseur Wine Lunches with an exquisite six-course wine pairing. Polo Grill and Toscana offer private rooms for groups of eight guests and wine and food pairing menus to choose from at dinner.

7. Can you tell us about the low-sugar and zero-proof cocktails and how they were developed?
   A new and unique concept on Vista is the Aquamar Kitchen where, in line with the lean and light cuisine, we have created a drink menu mindful of alcohol consumption. The guests can select low-sugar Prosecco Zero, non-alcoholic cocktails made with the premium Lyre’s spirits and premium non-alcoholic wines from France – Pierre Zero. We kept in mind as well drinks with low sugar, and this is where the Prosecco Zero was introduced to the menu.

8. What is your favorite drink to have when you are ashore and where?
   I am in a Mezcal era, after I went through the gin and cognac eras, so I am fascinated with bar menus that are creative, contemporary and incorporate this lesser-known and understood spirit. My favorite drinks from the places I visited lately are at Paradiso bar in Barcelona, which won the title of “Number 1 Best Bar” in 2022.

9. If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

   Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales – a simple girl that was not afraid to embrace love, step into a complex world of royalty, become the most elegant wife, princess and mother. I admire her consistency over the years in all she does, the way her kids are raised by her and the values she inspires. The philanthropic work she does goes beyond the royal duties and is genuine.

   Celine Dion – she is a woman that has touched my life over the years with her music – and is the most established woman performer over the decades. Her career has been an inspiration to many singers and to her audience, like me. Her health issues over the past years have made me admire her more, and I was thrilled to see her back on stage recently.

   Madame Clicquot /Widow Clicquot or Veuve Clicquot – known as the "Grande Dame of Champagne,” the most famous female Champagne producer. She took on her husband's wine business when widowed at 27. Under her ownership, and her skill with wine, the company developed early Champagne using a novel technique. The brand and company of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin still bears her name and is one of my absolute favorite Champagnes today.

What cocktail experience are you most looking forward to during your next voyage aboard Oceania Cruises? Tell us on Facebook.

About Corporate Beverage Manager Daniela Oancea
Born and raised in Transylvania, Romania, Daniela earned a hospitality degree during her studies in her home country and holds a Sommelier Diploma from the US Sommelier Association. She has worked in the premium cruise line industry for the past 19 years and has served as Corporate Beverage Manager at Oceania Cruises since 2019. During her time on board ships she has performed various roles, including 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. Prior to joining Oceania Cruises, Daniela was part of the new ship launch teams and the Food & Beverage department at Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Oceania Cruises’ sister brand. When not working, Daniela enjoys visiting enriching destinations for food and beverage such as winery visits and bar-hopping.