By
Alex Smith |
Fincantieri has floated out Allura, Oceania Cruises’ new 1,200-guest ship, at its shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy.
The shipyard’s chaplain, Father Stefano, blessed the ship in a ceremony which was intended to honour the passing of General Claudio Graziano, chairman of Fincantieri. Allura’s shipyard godmother Caterina Romeo, a designer in Fincantieri’s technical department, also christened the ship to mark the traditional milestone.
“Our hearts and minds are with the entire team at Fincantieri as they mourn the passing of General Graziano,” said Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises. “The float out is an important moment for all at Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri, as we progress closer to Allura joining our family. Now that we have completed her shell, we are excited to get started on her interior. We have lots of exciting enhancements on Allura, our eighth vessel, further elevating our offerings and firmly cementing Oceania Cruises as the only ultra-premium cruise brand.”
Allura will enter service from Trieste, Italy, on 18 July 2025, with a six-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise to Athens that will call at Rijeka and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Ravenna in Italy and Kotor in Montenegro. In the Autumn, Allura will sail to Canada and New England for a series of voyages in North America, before heading to the Caribbean for its first winter season sailing from Miami.