On a cruise holiday, stepping out onto a private veranda is one of the small pleasures that can transform a journey.
Having your own outdoor space lets you enjoy quiet mornings watching the sea roll past or unhurried sunsets as the ship makes its way towards its next port, such as Rome, Barcelona or Athens – making these moments more personal and turning passing scenery into something to savour.
On Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Oceania Sonata, this experience is extended to all guests as every suite and stateroom is designed with its own spacious veranda.
In an industry where size and spectacle often dominate, such a design sets the tone for what the new ship offers: privacy, room to breathe and the sense that nothing has been overlooked.
Set to launch on its maiden voyage in August 2027, Oceania Sonata is the first in a new class of intimate, luxurious ships by the boutique cruise line, known for its emphasis on fine dining and relaxed elegance.
From the sitting area to the private balcony, the new Penthouse Deluxe Suites are designed for travellers who love watching the world go by.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
It carries just 1,390 guests but offers many of the features expected on larger vessels – from spacious suites and multiple speciality restaurants to wellness facilities and immersive itineraries that stretch from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean.
Designed with the modern luxury traveller in mind, Oceania Sonata dedicates one-third of its accommodation to suites, offering the widest range and highest number of suites of any ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet.
Travellers can look forward to two new suite categories making their debut: Horizon Suites and Penthouse Deluxe Suites.
The Horizon Suites feature distinct living and sleeping areas, a walk-in wardrobe and an oversized veranda furnished with an outdoor dining table, a plush sofa and sun loungers – providing a sanctuary for quiet moments at sea.
The all-new Horizon Suites aboard Oceania Sonata are designed as private retreats, offering space to unwind between days of exploration.
PHOTO: OCEANIA CRUISES
Meanwhile, the Penthouse Deluxe Suites – a roomier upgrade to the existing Penthouse Suites – evoke the feel of an elegant residence in an upscale neighbourhood, with marble detailing and a refined colour palette.
Oceania Sonata continues to feature its other signature suite categories: the exquisite Oceania Suites with their marble-clad bathrooms featuring double vanities and generous soaking tubs; the lavish Vista Suites with dining and bar areas and a wraparound teak terrace suited to entertaining; and the Owner’s Suites that span 234 sqm each, boasting spa-like bathrooms and full-height glass walls for maximum views.
In true Oceania Cruises hospitality, suite guests enjoy 24-hour dedicated butler service to assist with various needs – from coordinating shoreside dining and entertainment reservations to garment pressing. Thoughtful in-room comforts further enhance the sense of ease onboard, with next-generation Tranquility Beds and Aquamar luxury bath products in every room.
For travellers who plan their days around good meals, dining can be as much a highlight as any destination. This sensibility shapes much of life onboard Oceania Sonata, which is committed to offering “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”.
From intimate chef-led experiences to relaxed speciality dining, every meal is an experience to look forward to. There is a strong emphasis on craft, variety and partnerships with leading chefs around the world.
French fine dining at La Table
The 18-seater La Table offers the rare chance to enjoy French fine dining at sea, with Oceania Cruises being the only cruise line in the world to have two Maitres Cuisiniers de France members – chefs Eric Barale (left) and Alexis Quaretti – overseeing its culinary programme.
PHOTOS: OCEANIA CRUISES
Guests with a finer palate can look forward to an exclusive French fine dining experience with La Table. Seating just 18 diners, it is the first restaurant at sea created in collaboration with the Maitres Cuisiniers de France (MCF), a prestigious international association dedicated to preserving French culinary tradition.
The restaurant features rotating fine-dining menus developed by chefs Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale – both members of the MCF – offering guests a rare opportunity to experience contemporary French cuisine in an intimate setting.
Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine at Nikkei Kitchen
At Nikkei Kitchen, Peruvian-Japanese cuisine is shaped by chef Gustavo Sugay, who brings more than 20 years of experience in this culinary tradition.
PHOTOS: OCEANIA CRUISES
Another new culinary addition is Nikkei Kitchen, which serves modern fusion cuisine in a relaxed, open-kitchen setting. Inspired by Nikkei cuisine – a vibrant fusion of Japanese technique and Peruvian ingredients that emerged in the late 19th century – the restaurant celebrates a style defined by fresh seafood, bright citrus, soy-based sauces and subtle heat from native peppers.
Alongside these two new concepts, regular guests will also find established dining venues that remain central to the cruise line’s culinary offerings. Mornings might begin with a freshly baked croissant from the Bakery, while lunch could mean Tuscan comfort food at Toscana or pan-Asian favourites at Red Ginger. Come evening, guests may gravitate towards steaks and seafood at Polo Grill, savour lobster bisque in the Grand Dining Room or tuck into steak frites at Jacques.
Whatever the hour or appetite, there is something to suit every craving, making dining a constant highlight throughout the voyage.
Slow travel along some of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines, such as Italy’s Trieste.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
From sun-drenched Mediterranean ports to historic coastal cities, Oceania Sonata’s inaugural season from August 2027 offers thoughtfully paced itineraries that give travellers time to explore without feeling rushed.
Here are three exciting itineraries to inspire your next cruise holiday:
Mediterranean Collage (14 days): Rome to Trieste
Island-hopping will be the order of the day during the ship’s magical maiden voyage as you sail from Sicily to Malta to the Greek Isles. Sailing from Aug 7, 2027.
Summer’s End Sailaway (10 days): Barcelona to London (Southampton)
Journey through art, architecture and seaside charm, from the beaches of Mallorca to the palaces of Seville and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain – before heading towards the UK. Sailing from Aug 30, 2027.
Greeks & Byzantines (7 days): Athens to Istanbul
This shorter itinerary offers a concentrated dose of history and coastal beauty, as you make your way from Crete to Rhodes to the historic city of Istanbul. Sailing from Oct 14, 2027.
Oceania Sonata is open for bookings now. For more information, call +65 3165 1677 (Singapore) or +852 800 967 609 (Hong Kong), or visit
oceaniacruises.com
.
Dining and Cooking