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Login It’s the irresistible thrill of striking out into the unknown, the sweeping freedom of exploration, the wind on your face as you sail the open seas. It’s the allure of the mysterious and exotic. It’s also the way sharing these experiences with fellow travelers evokes a captivating joy that stays with you long after the journey ends. Introducing Allura, our eighth beautiful ship that will reveal an enchanted evolution of all that is Oceania Cruises. Discover Exquisitely Crafted Cuisine, Curated Travel Experiences and Small Ship Luxury as you journey like never before. Join us aboard Allura in 2025 – your world is calling.
2025 Inaugural Season
Sister ship to Vista, Allura mirrors our collective fascination with the world’s vast spectrum of cultures, people and cuisines. From the beauty of ancient cities lining the Eastern Mediterranean to the distinctive charms of ports across the vast mosaic of the Americas, Allura’s 2025 Inaugural Season invites you to sail away to treasured favorites alongside intriguing off-the-beaten-path destinations that illuminate unique travel experiences through a series of extraordinary voyage itineraries. Explore the inaugural voyages and plan your next journey today.
Embarkation in Miami took much longer than we were used to. Lovely ship, large staterooms with huge bathrooms. Food is wonderful, though not always labeled in the buffet. We preferred the buffet to the grand dining room and to the specialty restaurants (except Red Ginger, which was excellent). In the buffet you can get grilled-to-order lobster, lambchops, huge shrimp, etc every night and the salads and desserts were always great. The lectures and the evening entertainment were OK, not memorable. The Excell Band was terrific. Cruise Director Sammie put on a great show of Karen Carpenter classics. The art classes and computer classes were super. One annoying feature: The ship had no clocks. None. Given all the things you can sign up for, and maybe you didn’t want to carry around your phone, that was annoying, as was the only deck plans were displayed at the elevators, not in your room, not on the TV, not anywhere else. It was a smaller ship than we were used to so eventually we found our way around but more info would have been helpful, especially in the first few days. Bathrooms were well hidden. Overall, we loved it and will definitely try to book another Oceania cruise.
I previously posted a mid-cruise review on Oceania Allura and now I am posting a final review of it. As I said last time, every passenger has their own unique experiences as every cruise is different (crew, passengers, itinerary and weather all make each cruise truly unique). It is not unusual for two people on the same cruise to have different opinions as each may have a different experience based upon their cabin, excursions, etc. So I am not denigrating anyone's experiences or opinions. Second, I want to give you some background so you can assess any bias in my own opinion of Oceania Allura. My spouse and I are both millennials who primarily cruise with Silversea, Crystal and Regent. We have used Oceania as a transatlantic transit a few times as their entry level fares are cheaper than business class airfare to Europe. When we sail to Europe versus flying, we don't miss work days and don't arrive with jet lag. We were very apprehensive about talking Oceania Allura as our first Oceania cruise, on Vista, wasn't great. We had read a lot of reviews on Cruise Critic saying the passengers were mostly elderly (one crudely called it a "floating geriatric home at sea"). Our own travel agent at the time tried to dissuade us from going on Oceania for the same reason. Well, on Vista, we were the youngest by at least 40 years and one of the very, very few without mobility issues. The age gap was so extreme that fellow passengers thought we were the crew and kept barking drink orders at us (it was comical at first) or thanking us for our performances as they thought we were the entertainers (it was flattering). I love when people of all ages, but especially the elderly passengers, still have a passion and sense of adventure. When you have loved ones who have sort of "given up", seeing people of a similar age still thriving is an inspiration. I love when people with mobility issues refuse to allow that to limit them. It is truly inspirational and a model to those of us who know, one day, we may be in that situation too. But on our Vista cruise, nearly every walking tour we went on proved to be a disaster because most of those who signed up could not, in fact, walk. So why take a chance on booking another Oceania cruise? Because every cruise is different. We figured that maybe Vista was a one-off. I am glad we did. Were the passengers still largely older? Yes, but I expect that on a transatlantic. The difference is these passengers, regardless of mobility issues, were extremely active, engaged and ready to have a great time. I say this as a cautionary tale of sorts. If you have had a bad experience on Oceania, don't assume the next will be the same. I find Oceania Allura to be a truly beautiful ship. Frankly, I think it is just as pretty (and better laid out) than Regent Splendor or Grandeur. There are plenty of "instagramable" moments "as the kids say". One style and aesthetics, Oceania Allura punches well above its weight and can stand just as proudly with any ultra-luxury ship. Even the entry level cabins are beautiful and well laid out with a ton of drawer space. While people fairly critique its closet space, the sheer amount of drawer space makes up for that. To give you an example, my spouse and I packed appropriately for a 15 day cruise and still had two drawers we didn't need/use. I see a lot of critiques that Ocean's "finest cuisine at sea" mantra is false. First, Oceania's mantra sets themselves up to fail with that marketing mantra. Food is subjective. Even if you exclusively ate at Michelin star restaurants, eventually you would eat something that you didn't enjoy. I live in a part of the country with fantastic food and yet, I have walked out of plenty of restaurants thinking "this was meh at best." That said, nearly every meal I had on Allura that was very good, some were outstanding. I was able to get a steak, Pittsburgh style, at the Polo Grill and one in the main dinning room they were just as good as the best steakhouses I have eaten at. Jaques has a fantastic dover sole and really creative deviled eggs oddly enough. Toscana's pasta (which you can customize) and olive oils are as good as any Italian restaurant I've eaten at in the US or Europe and Red Ginger is definitely better than the Asian fare on the ultra-luxury lines (it can stand toe-to-toe with Nobu on Crystal). I know the main dinning room has a reputation for being hit or miss, but personally I am yet to have a "miss". The only "miss" I had was a steak that was tough. It was prepared perfectly but sometimes the cut of meat just isn't great. In fairness to Oceania, I have had to send back steaks for the same reason at my favorite steak house at home. It happens even to the best places. While the "finest cuisine at sea" is subjective, I am yet to dine on any line that has better, overall, food than Oceania. Again, focus on the "overall" rather than expecting every bite of every entree to send you into a state of ecstasy. The one critique I do have is Martinis ran out of almost every kind of vodka and didn't restock at any of our ports nor did they take any of the vodka from neighboring ship bars. So you had to walk to Founders Bar or a similar bar to get your drink and walk back with it. While my legs are certainly not broken, that seemed a little off. Maybe each bar has an inventory and they can't share alcohol with other bars. I have also read a lot of critiques that the crew aren't attentive. In my experience, the NCH Group (Regent and Oceania are both owned by NCL) train their crew to be more transactional than say Crystal or Silversea. Putting that aside, it isn't fair to expect a crew catering to over 1,000 passengers to provide the same intuitive bespoke service you get on a ship with 600 passengers. Overall, the crew has been friendly and the service has been quite good. The only critique I have is that like Regent, Oceania uses its entertainers to be "ambassadors" around the ship. Unlike Regent, Oceania's entertainers do not really interact or appear to enjoy interacting with passengers. I found this to be the same on Vista. I also found that the entertainers tend to hog the gym at times which isn't a good look. This is too bad as Allura's gym is fantastic for a ship this size and the two outdoor running tracks are wonderful. I have also read that it is impossible to get pool loungers or drink service at the pool. On this transatlantic voyage, we have had wonderful sunny weather and a packed pool deck every day. Not once did I have trouble finding a pool lounger. It may not be in the front row, but it doesn't hurt me to walk a few rows and burn a few calories. Also, the pool deck has crew everywhere taking drink orders. Is the service instantaneous? No, but if I am impatient for a cocktail, I can burn some calories and walk to the pool bar. When it comes to shows and onboard entertainment, I am not the best person to review them. First, because we are using this cruise just as a transit to Europe, my spouse and I are both working each day. So we aren't availing ourselves of the activities. That said, there is a full program of things to do if you are so inclined. Like many lines, Oceania's daily program feels stuck in the 1970s and sound a bit like what you see when you visit a relative at an assisted living facility. That isn't snark but the reality. I can't get really excited about bingo, stretching, needle point etc. So if this is not your thing, you will be thrilled to work or read or just relax. Second, we are not "show people" so no matter the line, we rarely go to shows. That is especially true on Oceania as the music is almost always the stuff we learned about in music history in middle school. This may be generational though. The shows were Beetles heavy with a sprinkling of Karen Carpenter. I have heard other passengers grumble about the same thing. In Oceania's defense, the band and, oddly enough, the string quartet, plays more modern music as does the pianist at Martinis. So it can be done. Oceania just needs to revamp its shows to appeal to multiple generations. So in summation, is Oceania Allura perfect at everything? In my subjective taste, no, but they do most things well. What makes Oceania stand out for me is the value for money. You would be hard pressed to find a more luxurious product for the money. And in our case, I would much rather sail to Europe on Oceania than fly. I can assure you that the food on Oceania is far better than the food on any business class flight I have been on.
This was our first Oceania cruise. We had not cruised since 2012. Do make use of cruise reviews, Facebook groups and YouTube to research the line. Embarkation: We secured an early time (11:00am) and arrived at the Miami port at 10:15. There was a line of other travelers forming. The doors didn’t open until 11:00am. Moving through the security process was easy and relatively quick. Unfortunately, the cabins were not available until 3pm, so we had to carry our carry-on bags around the ship. The negative for us was the ship has beautiful carpet in various areas and rolling suitcases was a bit difficult. Ship: Excellent Design, beautiful finishes. Plenty of places to sit or hangout with friends. Food: We enjoyed all food venues especially Jacques and Red Ginger. Cabin: Midship, Deck 8 - Spacious with lots of drawers. Excellent bathroom. We requested a shower chair for my husband which was accommodated. Every bathroom, public & cabin have a small sharps container for those using diabetic or GLP-1 needles. So smart! Entertainment: Pleasant especially the String Quartet. Crew: Excellent in every venue. Our cabin steward, Taina was wonderful. Excursions: Varied, easy process Spa: Great massage/moderate pressure to purchase products Negative: Booking system for specialty restaurants especially if you want a table for 2. We did not anticipate and plan enough time for disembarkment. Had to change our Uber pickup time. If you don’t self carry off your luggage, allow at least 2 hours from the time you choose to leave the ship. We truly enjoyed the smaller ship experience and highly recommend Oceania.
Ultimate Seagoing Luxury
With a metropolitan flair and spacious character akin to a treasured coastal residence, our Owner’s Suites, Vista Suites, Oceania Suites and Penthouse Suites welcome you with expansive private verandas, sumptuous bedding, lavish baths and abundance of living and dining spaces. Guests who desire only the best need not look further than these extravagant suites. As you would expect, your personal Butler is the mere press of a button away. Discover Allura’s large sublime suites, where the sea is never far and you can survey the world from the pinnacle of luxurious living and oceanview cruising.
Upgrade Your Experience
Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms offer an unrivaled combination of luxury, privilege and value. A wealth of benefits and complimentary amenities, such as room service from The Grand Dining Room and free laundry services, elevates your travel experience to the sublime. On board Allura, you will also have the services of a dedicated Concierge and private Concierge Lounge access. Located in the most desired of locations, each Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom is much more than simply an oceanview cruise – it’s an experience.
Elegant Oceanview Staterooms
Space is perhaps the ultimate luxury, and that is something all the accommodations aboard our oceanview cruises provide in lavish excess. Defined by their elegance, our staterooms feature tasteful furnishings and a serene ambiance. All staterooms also offer an oversized bathroom with a rainforest shower. You will appreciate the refrigerated mini-bar, copious closet and drawer space and our revolutionary Tranquility Bed, a luxury our guests consistently describe as heavenly.
The Finest Cuisine at Sea®
Allura presents an irresistible take on The Finest Cuisine at Sea® with inventiveness and variety, showcasing a remarkable selection of onboard dining choices. Menus span from the casual to the opulent. Alongside the beloved classics cherished by guests, Allura features three exquisite new establishments like her sister ship, Vista – a new specialty restaurant, Ember, as well as Aquamar Kitchen and The Bakery at Baristas. Refusing to settle for the ordinary, Oceania Cruises continually elevates and evolves each culinary experience. Aboard Allura, cruise and dine like never before.
A World of Options
A tantalizing array of options is always on offer aboard Allura – from the wellness-inspired cuisine of Aquamar Kitchen to the ever-changing array of international dishes at Terrace Café. Enjoy scenic ocean water views with lunch as you enjoy refreshing poolside fare at Waves Grill. Whether savoring a poolside burger, a scoop of Humphry Slocombe’s bourbon-flavored cornflake-studded Secret Breakfast ice cream for dessert or a perfectly prepared cappuccino accompanied by freshly baked biscotti at Baristas, you’ll notice our culinary team’s attention to detail, passion for artisanal ingredients and dedication to technique, no matter the occasion. You’ll savor delicious cuisine renowned as the finest at sea no matter where you choose to cruise and dine on Allura.
Irresistible Enrichment
From the amusing to the cerebral, the spectrum of enriching activities and relaxing havens invites you to discover a world of enchantments on board our new cruise ship, luxurious Allura. Learn from celebrated guest speakers how French Impressionists forever changed the world of art. Discern the elegant nuances of Champagne makers’ techniques with a special tasting. Discover the depths of your knowledge with trivia tournaments or uncover the culinary nuances of the Greek Isles at The Culinary Center. Feel the creative vibe of the Artist Loft or master digital photography at LYNC Digital Center.
Life On Board
From sipping a selection of fine vintages at a wine tasting to attending a show-stopping performance in the ship lounge, a delightfully engaging spectrum of enriching activities and lively entertainment awaits you on board Allura, our newest luxury cruise ship. Join one of our passionate Guest Speakers to discover unique cultural insights of upcoming ports of call, delve into your wellness at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center or join a hands-on cooking class at The Culinary Center. As the sun sets, one of the sparkling bars is a perfect place to gather with friends or toast to adventures, while spectacular production shows and world-class musical performances are just steps away as well.
Captivating Entertainment
Entertainment that both captivates and inspires seasoned travelers demands a kaleidoscope of talent orchestrated into something truly magical. Aboard Allura, world-class musical performances will dazzle you, showcasing a wide variety of guest entertainers such as pianists, classical string quartets, dynamic vocalists and spectacular headliners. A unique lineup of rousing onboard shows, charismatic entertainers and special performances encourage you to celebrate the moment and celebrate your journey. The world is yours for the taking.
Bars & Lounges
From chic Martinis to the laid-back poolside Waves Bar, there's a perfect enclave on board Allura for every mood. Visit the elegant Grand Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail, catch a headline act in the Lounge or watch the sun set in Horizons accompanied by a glass of wine and lively music. New and innovative cocktail experiences await at Martinis, the Casino Mixology Bar and beyond. As you explore the world, these bars and lounges are the place to unwind, gather together, laugh and take in one-of-a-kind shows and musical performances.
Immersive Mixology Experiences
When you join us aboard Allura, enjoying a drink will be an experience unto itself – from the beauty of watching a skilled bartender smoke an Old Fashioned to the tableside preparation of a Manhattan. Our new onboard bar program has been designed to mirror the elevated quality and innovation The Finest Cuisine at Sea has come to represent. The latest cocktail-crafting trends and techniques have inspired an array of experiences, drinks and beverage offerings such cocktails topped by flavored smoke bubbles, Negronis aged in wooden barrels, delightfully entertaining rum mixology experiences, the ultimate in wine pairings, unique specialty beverage cart experiences and more.
New Paths to Wellness
Explore the complete array of holistic programs, specialized services and experiences available at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center – book rejuvenating massages, facial treatments, nutrition and lifestyle consultations and so much more. It’s all at your fingertips. Keep up with your exercise routine at our state-of-the-art fitness center or try something new at one of our free fitness classes. Of course, complete relaxation awaits on the gleaming Pool Deck – the perfect place to unwind between destination explorations.
Please note: There are no dedicated children's facilities onboard.
