45 bring its “ethos of offering the luxury of choice” to life onboard Oceania Allura. “We wanted to empower guests to personalise their holiday experience,” explains Odell. “All of the nonnegotiables – such as speciality gourmet dining, Wi-Fi, non-alcoholic beverages and gratuities – are included for every guest. They can then choose whether to add shore excursions or a beverage package for alcohol depending on their personal preferences.” Feedback from guests suggests Oceania Cruises has achieved these goals. “The reaction to Oceania Allura has been simply phenomenal,” says Odell. “Everyone has praised the ship’s luxurious refined decor, the breadth and outstanding quality of our complimentary dining experiences, and the sense of spaciousness and calm throughout. Oceania Allura represents a new level of experience, one that raises the bar for luxury cruising.” Oceania Cruises aims to raise the luxury cruising bar even further when it debuts four new Sonata-class vessels between 2027 and 2035. The first of the 86,000gt ships, Oceania Sonata, is already under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard and is set to debut in summer 2027. It will be followed by Oceania Arietta in 2029 and two yetto-be-named ships in 2032 and 2035. “These four innovative vessels will continue our evolution as a leader in small-ship luxury,” says Odell. “The class marks a bold step forwards in design, sustainability and guest experience.” Each ship will carry 1,390 guests and offer the most space per guest in Oceania Cruises’ history. “They’ll be the most amenity-rich ships we’ve ever launched, with new suite and stateroom categories and fresh culinary concepts designed to surprise and delight even our most loyal guests,” says Odell, adding that the brand will reveal full details in late 2025. “We’re confident these four new ships will set a new benchmark in responsible luxury cruising.” Oceania Cruises will also continue to refine its onboard and onshore offerings to ensure they evolve in tandem with guests’ ever-changing expectations of a luxury cruise experience. “Today’s luxury travellers are looking for more than just relaxation; they seek purpose, personalisation and connection,” says Odell. “They want to explore the world in meaningful ways, savour authentic local cuisine, and engage in experiences that enrich and inspire. At Oceania Cruises, we’re responding to this by creating a more immersive and choicedriven offering.” This is exemplified by the brand’s “incredible range” of small-group shore excursions, says Odell. He highlights examples such as the award-winning chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours; the architect-led Beyond Blueprints excursions that provide behind-the-scenes access to iconic buildings; and the Go Local tours, which give guests a glimpse into the life of the local communities they visit. “For us, luxury is no longer just about fine finishes, it’s about giving people the freedom and choice to explore new experiences, deepen knowledge, dine well, rest deeply, and connect meaningfully with places and friends old and new.” “ Today’s luxury travellers are looking for more than just relaxation; they seek purpose, personalisation and connection” Guests can participate in hands-on cooking classes at the onboard Culinary Center
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