Tried & Tested: Oceania Allura, Oceania Cruises
With the Oceania Allura, the second and final ship of the Allura class is now sailing the world’s oceans. At 246 meters (807 feet) long, she brings a whole lot of elegance to the water. And, like the fleet's other ships, proudly claims to offer the finest cuisine at sea. But does she live up to it? And how does she compare to her sister ship, Vista? LuxuryWise joined the preview cruise from Genoa to Trieste to take a closer look at the Oceania Allura. As experienced by LuxuryWise Senior Editor Cathrin Lührs
The Ship
One thing’s for sure aboard the Oceania Allura: it’s easy to feel right at home. The design is undeniably elegant, with soft golden accents mixed with earthy tones and light neutrals throughout the ship. In the staterooms and suites, you’ll also spot touches of blue. Hello, style! Art is everywhere on the Allura, turning a simple stroll through the ship into a visual delight.
The layout is intuitive too – everything is well organized across eleven decks. The ship accommodates 1,200 guests, which is 50 fewer than its predecessors Riviera and Marina. With 800 crew members, that puts the crew-to-guest ratio at an impressive 1.5 to 1. Weighing in at 68,000 gross tons, the Allura marks the end of its class — with the next-gen Sonata class already under construction. It remains to be seen what changes that will bring, especially when it comes to propulsion.
The Staterooms and Suites
The eleven French Veranda cabins (27 square meters / 291 square feet) without outdoor space mark the entry level. Like the 174 Veranda cabins, they offer plenty of living space, though closet storage is limited. That’s where the Penthouse Suite category (41 square meters / 441 square feet), which I’m staying in, really shines – tons of room for hanging clothes and plenty of hangers. But there’s a small downside: just four tiny, narrow drawers, which really aren’t enough for two people on a full cruise. There is a total of 123 Penthouse Suites on board.
Otherwise, the Penthouse Suite scores with some pretty cool features: starting at this category, guests enjoy butler service, can have multi-course meals from the specialty restaurants served right in their suite, get access to laundry service, and can use the Executive Lounge on the same deck, stocked with snacks and drinks. But one thing is noticeably missing: the Nespresso machine – something you’d expect at this cabin level. On the plus side, the double vanity in the bathroom and the generous amount of counter space and drawers definitely earn extra points.
All eight cabin categories have one major thing in common: the ultra-comfy bed, with mattresses specially developed for each new generation of Oceania ships. Above the Penthouse Suites, there’s the 14 Oceania Suites (pictured, each 93 to 111 square meters / 1,001 to 1,195 square feet), the Vista Suite (135 to 172 square meters / 1,453 to 1,851 square feet, eight available), and the three Owner’s Suites, which range from 204 to 223 square meters (2,196 to 2,400 square feet) and feature signature Ralph Lauren design. One minor drawback: none of the categories include a jacuzzi or private pool.
Culinary Delights
Oceania Cruises has set the bar very high here. After all, if you claim to have the finest cuisine at sea, you’ve got to deliver. And on the Allura, Oceania mostly does – in most cases, at least. The French specialty restaurant Jacques nails it, impressing even picky palates with what’s on the plate and in the glass. I couldn’t test two of the three other specialty restaurants, since no reservations were available during my sailing. But I wasn’t about to miss Red Ginger, the much-hyped Asian venue that now features Peruvian-inspired Nikkei cuisine. So I went for the next best thing: room service. What can I say – full and happy, I fell into bed that night.
My personal highlight is breakfast at the wellness-focused Aquamar Kitchen, first introduced on the Vista. It’s been such a hit that older ships are set to get it during future dry docks. The Grand Dining Room, on the other hand, gets mixed reviews. The food isn’t bad by any means, but it could use a bit more sophisticated at times. And one more thing: dietary restrictions noted in advance really should be taken into account by the service staff – something that, in my case, only worked properly at Jacques.
An 12/10 is scored by the sensational brunch (pictured), held in the Grand Dining Room on sea-day Sundays during cruises longer than 14 days. Even if you didn’t board as a foodie, you’ll leave as one. Oceania Cruises truly pulls out all the stops, serving up every delicacy imaginable – from king crab to oysters to caviar. Fun fact: two whole kilos (four pounds) of the latter were consumed on my cruise.
The Bars
If you’ve opted for the premium drinks package, there’s no need to count how many glasses of bubbles you’ve had. Or maybe you’d prefer a signature cocktail? Guests who enjoy artfully crafted drinks with mist, flair, and top-shelf whiskey, rum & co. will feel right at home in the Founders Bar near the casino. Small drawback: outside the bar itself, the vibe lacks warmth and style – everything feels a bit bland.
Horizons (pictured), on the other hand, has a welcoming charm. By day, it serves as an observation lounge with stellar sea views; at 4 pm, classic afternoon tea is served with full ceremony; and in the evening, there’s live music. Then there’s Martinis – an elegant bar with a grand piano and a creative cocktail menu. The cozy seating areas and inviting atmosphere make it all too easy to stay longer than planned...
Good to know: the Allura regularly hosts mixology experiences. Another highlight is the Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience, where guests enjoy three rare vintage champagnes. The Dom Pérignon Experience adds a six-course tasting menu. Also available: curated wine pairing menus, including the new Gérard Bertrand Wine Pairing Luncheon.
The Differences
Allura and Vista – the not-so-identical twins. Though both ships belong to the same class, Oceania made a few distinct changes aboard the Allura. The most obvious: the introduction of the Crêperie (pictured) on Deck 14, right next to the Baristas coffee bar. During the day, guests can indulge in sweet treats here – from Crêpe Suzette to bubble waffles loaded with ice cream and fruit.
The space now occupied by the Crêperie is home to the Library on Vista, which on Allura has been relocated just before Horizons Bar. Another key difference: specialty dining. While Vista replaced the fleet-favorite French restaurant Jacques with the new American-style Ember, Jacques is back on Allura – a direct response to guest feedback. In fact, Jacques will be returning to Vista starting in October.
Allura is also currently the only ship in the fleet offering twelve new Nikkei dishes at Red Ginger. And according to Oceania Cruises, the Grand Dining Room now features 270 new dishes and recipes.
The Spa
The Aquamar Spa wellness area has a true highlight: the Aquamar Spa Terrace (pictured), accessible only to guests booked in Concierge-level cabins or above. This outdoor space at the front of Deck 15 features a large thalasso therapy pool, two whirlpools, and a variety of loungers.
Inside, the spa offers a relaxation room, multiple treatment rooms, and separate changing areas with a sauna, steam room, and experience shower. A standout is the special chair used for the Zero Gravity Massage, which I got to try. Instead of just lying on your back or stomach, you're gently "folded" into different positions. The chair, which also doubles as a warm therapy bed (so soothing!), bends at multiple points — meaning you might get massaged while sitting or with your head lower than your body. It sounds odd, but the 75 minutes were surprisingly relaxing.
Not so relaxing: the steep prices for treatments. Even more frustrating? Being quoted 229 US-Dollars on the spa menu in my bag, only to find the bill at checkout showing 299 US-Dollars. When I pointed it out, I was politely told that the menu was a "mistake" and that the price was indeed 299 US-Dollars. Seriously?! In the end, the guest turned out to be right. Something to change quickly!
The Excursions
With Oceania Cruises, excursions aren’t included in the cruise fare. That’s part of their Luxury of Choice philosophy, which aims to give guests the freedom to choose what they actually want during their trip. Unfortunately, my pre-booked and confirmed "How It’s Built" tour in Split was canceled on day one of the cruise. In its place, a few alternatives were offered – one of them being a tuk-tuk tour through Split.
Each electric tuk-tuk holds up to four people and zips surprisingly quickly through the narrow streets of the Croatian city. The guide shares fun facts along the way, and during the brief early-morning ride through the still-empty Old Town, I at least get a look at the Diocletian’s Palace – from the outside. After a stop at a scenic hilltop with fantastic views of the harbor and the Allura, the whole thing wraps up in under two hours. I decide to stay in the Old Town, while the tuk-tuks head back to pick up the next group from the ship. Luxury level: average.
Sensory Impressions
How the Stay Feels
Softness
If you don’t sleep well here, that’s on you! The mattresses are custom-made just for the Allura. Even the carpets feel like you’re floating.
Meditative
The sound of gentle waves as the ship glides through the Mediterranean is incredibly soothing. Can you take it home with you? If only.
Exklusive
If your cabin category includes access to the spa terrace, you've hit the jackpot – the whirlpool offers uninterrupted views straight out to sea.
Musical
Starting in the afternoon, your ears are in for a treat: piano melodies, guitar vibes, or a cool live show? All on the table!
The Common Areas
If you’re looking to broaden your horizons aboard the Allura, there’s no shortage of options. Culinary experiences take center stage for guests, with Chef Kathryn Kelly hosting Inspiration Sessions at The Chef’s Studio, sharing tips and tricks on specific themes. At the Culinary Center, guests get hands-on – cooking under Chef Kathryn’s guidance, of course.
Another passion project from Oceania is the Lync Digital Center, equipped with iPads to help guests dive into topics like smartphone photography and social media. More into painting? Guests can unleash their creativity at the Artist Loft. Or maybe they’d rather shop – the boutiques are located on Deck 5.
Up on Deck 12, they’ll find the pool surrounded by loungers, chaise lounges, and two whirlpools. During the preview sailing with just around 700 guests on board, the pool deck and its gallery space on Deck 14 still felt pretty packed at times – a few more seating options wouldn’t hurt. But bonus points go to the stylish faux-wood paneling, which really elevates the overall vibe. Conveniently close: Waves Bar, Waves Grill, Baristas, and the Crêperie.
And yes, Allura has a Sports Deck too – up on Deck 16. Guests can play paddle tennis, pickleball, and mini-golf. Ping-pong at sea? Totally doable. The jogging track loops right around the funnel.
The Service
For a first-ever sailing with guests, a lot already went very, very right. First off: not a single crew member missed a chance to greet with a smile. I lucked out with my attentive butler Rahul, who opened the door to my suite countless times – usually before I’d even reached for my key card. When I ordered in-suite dining and mentioned I wanted to eat outside, I came back to find the balcony set with a white tablecloth and everything beautifully arranged.
The afternoon canapés also arrived like clockwork each day. Still, a few small things could be improved – at least based on my experience. One of the perks of a Penthouse Suite is the option to have your butler unpack or pack your suitcase. That was never mentioned. No big deal, I unpacked myself – but the suitcase sat around in the way for four days and was never stowed. A little more polish wouldn’t hurt.
In most restaurants, the service staff clearly knows what they’re doing. Jacques was flawless, and the Grand Dining Room ran smoothly too. At some of the smaller food outlets and the Terrace Café, there were a few minor hiccups – but hey, that’s expected on a shake-down cruise. What was surprising: how often coffee orders got muddled. Instead of a latte macchiato, I often got the much smaller espresso macchiato; cappuccinos showed up bigger than lattes, which oddly enough always came in a regular cup. Even Baristas wasn’t immune to these mix-ups when it came to hot drinks.
That said – nothing major. The overall service level is on point, and bound to get even better.
What We Loved
✔ The incredible sense of space in the reception area on Deck 5 ✔ The diverse yet perfectly harmonious artworks throughout the ship ✔ The crew’s genuine friendliness ✔ The tables all the way aft in the Grand Dining Room – what a view! ✔ The Aquamar Spa Terrace – even more views! Plus peace and quiet! ✔ The focus on enrichment for guests in their best years ✔ The fabulous cuisine with a local twist
Not So Much
✖ The very limited vegetarian menu options ✖ The rather basic dishware in some of the restaurants ✖ The lack of an outdoor bar at the aft ✖ The sometimes chaotic, party-style music at the pool ✖ The texture of the Aquamar shower products in the suite ✖ Too few outdoor seating areas apart from loungers
In a Nutshell
Oceania Cruises now classifies its ships in the Entry Luxury category, after years of positioning them as premium products – and the Allura lives up to that standard. Guests can expect a solid, well-rounded offering that stands up nicely against others in this segment. Understandably, there’s still some distance between Oceania and its ultra-luxury sister brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises – and that’s exactly how it should be. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Oceania, Regent, and NCL, has done a smart job of clearly defining its brands to reach a wide range of travelers. Still, it’s clear that with Jason Montague stepping into the newly created role of Chief Luxury Officer, a more refined era is beginning for Oceania Cruises.
Trade Contact: Gabriella Fonzo, Senior Director of Sales EMEA for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises