There is a certain thrill in waking up to a new view every morning when you are on holiday – a sunlit coastline one day, a historic port city the next. Pair that with a breakfast of freshly made crepes and evenings spent over gourmet dinners, and it is easy to see why ‘seacations’ may be catching on.
Oceania Cruises’ latest ship is the Oceania Allura, which caps the number of guests at 1,200, with two staff to every three guests.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
Oceania Allura
, the newest boutique luxury ship from
Oceania Cruises
, is designed around that idea. Built on a reputation for delivering what it calls The Finest Cuisine at Sea, Oceania Allura combines elevated dining such as Japanese-Peruvian cuisine with one-of-a-kind onboard activities – including workshops on smartphone photography, videography and editing – all with the convenience of unpacking just once.
An elegant atrium greets guests onboard Oceania Allura.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
Oceania Allura’s “Small Ship Luxury” design keeps guest numbers at 1,200 and service personalised with two crew for every three passengers. Her inaugural season will cover 26 voyages, visiting 92 destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and North America.
If your bucket list is long, this cruise makes it easy to tick off several dream stops while combining great dining, unique experiences and stress-free travel.
For food lovers, Oceania Allura is a floating culinary playground, with meals at all speciality restaurants included in the cruise fare.
Fancy some Belgian waffles with fresh banana, salted caramel sauce and whipped cream? Head to the first-ever Creperie on board an Oceania Cruises ship for delicate French crepes, golden waffles and decadent Italian sundaes – perfect for a lazy breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Enjoy delectable golden waffles at the first Creperie on board an Oceania Cruises ship.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
At Jacques, the line’s signature French restaurant, you will find classics like duck à l’orange elevated with Grand Marnier, and hand-cut beef tartare prepared tableside for a touch of theatre.
For something different, the pan-Asian restaurant Red Ginger now features Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei dishes, including tuna ceviche with leche de tigre and soft-shell crab bao buns.
Red Ginger’s pan-Asian offerings include a delectable trio of bay scallops.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
The Grand Dining Room (the cruise’s main dining room) raises the bar with more than 270 new recipes crafted under the guidance of resident master chefs of France and executive culinary directors, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale. The revamped menu includes over 30 new breakfast options, including a dedicated eggs Benedict section featuring twists on the classic such as Florentine or smoked salmon.
Wine enthusiasts can book the Gerard Bertrand Wine Pairing Luncheon, a sommelier-led experience that pairs the French winemaker’s vintages with dishes designed to bring out each wine’s character.
Mixology gets a creative twist aboard Oceania Allura. Think interactive beverage carts, including a build-your-own Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar, and cocktails finished with flavoured mist bubbles. Add to that a wide selection of low- and no-sugar wines and barrel-aged Negronis, and you have a cocktail programme designed for curious palates.
With destinations that include Mediterranean favourites like Trieste and Athens, the Caribbean islands, Canada and New England, travellers onboard Oceania Allura will enjoy an easy way to cover multiple countries in one trip without the usual travel logistics.
In Trieste, visit the Grand Canal where the Catholic church of Sant’Antonio Nuovo sits majestically. Walk along the harbour and see the historic main square, Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, which has played host to visiting dignitaries and has also been used as a concert venue.
Visit the Sant’Antonio Nuovo, which sits at the end of the Grand Canal in Trieste.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
If you are visiting the Bahamas, powder white beaches offer access to a variety of water sports. For the adventurous, try parasailing or discover one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems.
Shore excursions are designed to suit different travel styles, from guided cultural tours to relaxed beach days. With food playing a major role onboard Oceania Allura, guests can partake in a chef-led Culinary Discovery Tour. The option in Sicily, for example, takes you from a pastry shop and lively market to a wine bar, then a pasticceria for a delicious cannoli.
You will also get to visit the Mercato del Pesce di Catania, an old street market where you can sample aged sheep cheese and watch local fishmongers preparing tuna and swordfish.
Catania’s fish market offers an array of seafood found in Mediterranean waters.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
While the destinations are a highlight, Oceania Allura also offers onboard experiences you will not want to miss even when you are at sea. The LYNC Digital Center, powered by high-speed Starlink WiFi, runs small-group workshops on smartphone photography, videography and editing – ideal for anyone who loves capturing their travels.
Those who want a serene escape at sea can head to Oceania Allura’s redesigned Library. Wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, it offers sweeping ocean views and a quiet corner to unwind with a good book. Evoking the feel of a modern equestrian estate den, the space features plush armchairs, warm furnishings and a carefully curated selection of titles – perfect for a moment of calm between adventures.
Escape to another world with a good book in Oceania Allura’s redesigned library.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
When it is time for a rest from the day’s activities, Oceania Allura’s standard all-veranda staterooms are among the most spacious at sea, offering over 290 square feet of room to unwind.
Guests will enjoy a good night’s rest with the Tranquility Bed, featuring a seven-zone mattress with 400 encapsulated springs and two inches of memory foam. A two inch-thick, gel-filled “pillow top” cushion is wrapped in chamomile-infused fibre for a truly luxurious and calming sleep experience.
All rooms feature the Tranquility Bed, a seven-zone mattress with 400 encapsulated springs and two inches of memory foam.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
Well-appointed bathrooms and thoughtful living and dining areas round up the room layout. For added convenience, a personal butler is available at the touch of a button for guests staying in the Suites.
Cooking enthusiasts can check out The Culinary Center’s hands-on classes such as “Brunch Around the Globe”, which teaches easy brunch recipes for your next family gathering. There are also drinks-focused experiences such as The Macallan Rituals, which introduces guests to various expressions of the Scottish whisky, served tableside on a beautiful cart.
Wellness seekers can recharge at the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, where you will find everything from rejuvenating massages and facials to nutrition consultations and free fitness classes. There is also a pool deck that offers the perfect spot to relax between ports.
Evenings bring their own highlights: Unwind with friends over cocktails at one of the ship’s elegant bars before catching a show. Expect a mix of world-class entertainment, from classical string quartets and dynamic vocalists to spectacular headliners and rousing production shows – a lineup designed to keep seasoned travellers captivated.
Start planning your next holiday. Find out more about
Oceania Allura and book your dates.
Dining and Cooking