Oceania Allura, the 1,200-guest namesake of Oceania Cruises' Allura Class, is now in the company's hands after a hand-off ceremony at Fincantieri's Genoa yard on July 10 2025. The boutique vessel-about 67,000 gross tons-will sail her maiden voyage on July 18 from Trieste to Athens before spending an inaugural season in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Canada and New England. With fresh culinary venues, refreshed classics, and a godparent ceremony led by alumni of Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs this November, the ship raises the bar for upper-premium cruising.
Key Points
- Why it matters: introduces all-new dining concepts that signal fleet-wide menu upgrades.
- Maiden voyage departs Trieste July 18 2025.
- Christening planned for Miami in November.
- Second Allura-Class vessel; eighth ship overall.
- Four larger Sonata-Class ships confirmed for 2027, 2029, 2032, and 2035.
Snapshot: Boutique Luxury
Carrying just 1,200 guests and 800 crew, Oceania Allura preserves the line's small-ship DNA while matching the spaciousness of 67,000-ton sisters Marina and Riviera. Public areas showcase a lighter residential palette, a soaring Grand Staircase dressed in Crystal, and expanded wellness space. Earlier prototype Oceania Vista, delivered in 2023, laid the architectural blueprint that Allura refines with larger outdoor terraces and an even higher crew-to-guest ratio.
Background: Order and Build
Oceania Cruises ordered two Allura-Class ships in 2019 to refresh its fleet and satisfy demand for its "finest cuisine at sea" positioning. Vista arrived in 2023, earning praise for a test-kitchen cooking school and residential-style suites. Allura's on-time handover underscores the shipbuilder's focus on midsize luxury projects, a niche in which the yard has delivered more than 100 cruise vessels since 1990. The project also aligns with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' long-term fleet-renewal strategy.
Latest Developments
The delivery ceremony in Genoa doubled as a product reveal, confirming new eateries, refreshed menus, and an aggressive Sonata-Class order that will boost Oceania's capacity by roughly 45 percent before the decade closes.
Delivery and Debut
Captain Andrea Bianchi accepted the ship's bell during the hand-off, which also transferred registry to the Marshall Islands. Sea trials recorded fuel-efficient speeds of 20 knots thanks to a waste-heat recovery system that supports Hotel operations. Allura sets sail July 18 on a sold-out, ten-night Adriatic voyage ending in Athens, followed by 25 additional cruises that call on 92 destinations through late October.
Culinary Firsts
A dedicated Crêperie brings made-to-order French crêpes, Belgian and bubble waffles, and Italian gelato sundaes-an indulgent nod to Oceania's "foodie" fan base. Signature French venue Jacques returns with refreshed Normandy-inspired menus, while the Grand Dining Room introduces a five-course dégustation option. Pan-Asian favorite Red Ginger adds Singaporean laksa and Korean barbecue mains. Wine Lovers can book the Gérard Bertrand Pairing Luncheon, a six-course tasting that highlights organic Languedoc wines.
Fleet Expansion Roadmap
The first Sonata-Class ship, Oceania Sonata, will debut in summer 2027 carrying 1,390 guests-nearly 16 percent larger than Allura-followed by Oceania Arietta in 2029. Two more Sonata sisters will launch in 2032 and 2035, securing growth well into the next decade. Early design cues point to 86,000-ton platforms with panoramic bow lounges and an expanded Chef's Studio.
Analysis
Allura's midsize footprint lets the ship dock at smaller ports such as Kotor, Montenegro, or Newport, Rhode Island, avoiding tenders required by mega-ships. New dining venues diversify included options, reducing specialty-restaurant surcharges common on mainstream lines. Advisors should anticipate fares about 8 percent to 10 percent higher than Vista's maiden season because inaugural bragging rights tend to inflate demand. Flexible air credit and the "Simply More" bundle-which covers Wi-Fi, alcoholic beverages during lunch and dinner, and shore-excursion credit-offer transparent pricing that resonates with busy clients. Looking ahead, the four-ship Sonata order underscores confidence in the upper-premium niche just as rival luxury lines push daily rates beyond $1,000 per person.
Final Thoughts
Expect Oceania Allura's culinary innovations to roll out fleet-wide by 2026, giving past guests fresh reasons to return. Advisors should lock in 2025-2026 sailings early; maiden-season space is already tight, and fares typically rise after christening. Whether travelers crave crêpes at dawn or a wine-paired luncheon at sea, the newest Allura-Class jewel promises boutique intimacy paired with megaship-worthy variety-all delivered with the line's hallmark service. Oceania Allura is set to become the brand's reference point for luxury.