Setting Sail: Oceania Allura

Celebrating rich culture and exceptional cuisine 

Last November, I enjoyed my first-ever voyage with Oceania Cruises aboard the dazzling new Oceania Allura as she sailed on her North American inaugural journey from Miami. Stepping onto the ship felt like entering a luxurious, floating boutique hotel – elegant, intimate, and wonderfully attuned to lovers of literature, culture, and fine food. From watching the sun melt into the sea on my stateroom balcony, to savouring meals that could rival some of the best land-based restaurants, every moment felt carefully curated and delightful. This 1,200-guest ship is not only gorgeous but also entertaining, with superb staff and terrific foodie opportunities at alternative restaurants such as Toscana and Jacques, a tribute to longtime Oceania Executive Culinary Advisor Jacques Pépin. There’s a new, delicious crêperie serving freshly prepared crêpes, waffles, and sundaes throughout the day, and the best homemade salted caramel ice cream – oh my! There are 800 attentive and charming staff members serving you, including 140 Chefs – just another reason that Oceania deserves acclaim for its superb culinary accomplishments. About half of the staff overall are dedicated to offering guests hospitality at the highest level. The cuisine is à la minute and exquisite. Oceania’s dress code is “stylish or effortlessly elegant”. Still, no dressing up is required, and the cruise line recently announced that, as of January 7, 2026, it will no longer accept children under 18 for new bookings. It’s a new era for a truly adult-oriented cruise line, with its sights firmly set on lovers of fine cuisine and an onboard atmosphere of quiet luxury. 

When Oceania Cruises launched Oceania Allura in the summer of 2025, it did more than expand its fleet. It signalled the start of a new chapter for a brand long celebrated for elevating small-ship luxury and culinary excellence. With Allura now sailing in the Caribbean, and the next-generation Oceania Sonata preparing for her 2027 debut, Oceania Cruises is entering one of the most ambitious growth periods in its two-decade history. Allura’s launch was met with palpable excitement among travellers who value the understated elegance and immersive itineraries that have become synonymous with Oceania. The ship balances the intimacy of small-ship cruising with the spaciousness and amenities of a modern luxury vessel. Her design emphasizes calm, contemporary spaces meant to feel more like high-end residences than traditional cruise venues. Destination-forward itineraries remain central to Oceania’s appeal, and Allura’s inaugural season showcases exactly that. Her first voyages carried guests through the Adriatic and the Eastern Mediterranean before shifting to the coastal villages of Canada and New England and, eventually, to warmer Caribbean waters. In the spring, the ship will return to Europe for another season of Greek Isles, Aegean and Mediterranean departures. The combination of culinary indulgence, small-ship charm, and destination-rich schedules has long defined Oceania, and Allura brings a refreshed energy to those traditions. And Oceania is looking to the future. The first ship of its next generation, Oceania Sonata will represent the beginning of an entirely new class of vessels – the largest and most spacious in Oceania’s fleet.  

With capacity for approximately 1,390 guests and a size of around 86,000 tons, Sonata promises more room, more suites, and an expanded range of dining experiences, all while maintaining the warm, intimate atmosphere the brand is known for. Sonata’s accommodations will emphasize more spacious, residential-style living. About one-third of the guestrooms will be suites, and every stateroom onboard will feature a private veranda. Several new suite categories will offer larger living spaces, enhanced amenities, and greater privacy. The line is also introducing new and reimagined dining venues, underscoring Oceania’s identity as a pioneer in sea-going gastronomy. Sonata is only the beginning. Oceania has already confirmed plans to expand the class even further, with additional Sonata-class ships scheduled for 2029, 2032, and 2035. The fleet is expected to grow to 12 ships by the mid-2030s, marking the company’s most significant period of expansion to date. Oceania Cruises occupies a distinctive space in the global cruise landscape, known for ships that are small enough to feel personal yet large enough to offer sophisticated amenities. The line focuses on destination immersion and itineraries widely recognized for reaching ports that are both iconic and off the beaten path, from marquee European capitals to hidden coastal villages and remote islands. 

Onboard, guests enjoy refined living rather than high-octane entertainment or sprawling larger ship features – stylish without being ostentatious, comfortable without sacrificing elegance. Culinary excellence remains at the heart of Oceania’s identity. From hands-on cooking schools and specialty restaurants to fresh menus inspired by regional flavours, dining is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of the experience. In addition, attentive service, art studios, wellness programs, and thoughtful enrichment activities make Oceania’s ships perfect for those who prefer personalized indulgence over spectacle. As Oceania Allura begins her life at sea and anticipation builds for the arrival of Oceania Sonata and her sisters, the company is charting a future defined by innovation, growth, and a renewed commitment to its core strengths. This new era blends larger, more versatile ships with the boutique ambiance that has long earned Oceania a loyal following. Inclusions in the fare include all specialty dining, shipboard gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, free laundry, specialty coffees, sodas, juices and water, plus a choice of complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, or a shore excursion credit. 
 

Written by Vanessa Lee for Cruise & Travel Lifestyles magazine (Winter 2026). All photos courtesy of Oceania Cruises.