Review: Oceania Cruises’ New Allura

Before we dive into the heart of this review, I want to take a moment to put Oceania Cruises into context—because understanding where the brand fits within the broader cruise landscape helps explain why the launch of Oceania Allura feels like such a pivotal moment.

Broadly speaking, today’s cruise industry falls into four main categories:

Contemporary (Big Ship Cruises)
Large, activity-driven ships designed for mass appeal, with a heavy emphasis on entertainment and onboard attractions.
Think Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Premium Cruises
A step up in service, dining, and overall refinement, while still operating larger ships.
Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises fit squarely here.

Upper-Premium Cruises
This is the space Oceania Cruises has long occupied—defined by smaller ships, outstanding cuisine, thoughtful itineraries, and a relaxed, sophisticated onboard atmosphere, without being fully all-inclusive.
Oceania Cruises, Viking (Ocean and River), and Azamara are familiar names in this category.

Luxury Cruises
Luxury lines emphasize smaller ships, highly personalized service, elevated design, and a more inclusive experience overall.
Brands like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Explora Journeys define this space.

Making a deliberate and carefully measured move toward being perceived as a luxury cruise line.

Townhall meeting aboard the Allura with Sr. Execs.

For years, Oceania Cruises was comfortably—and proudly—positioned as upper-premium, and in many ways helped define that category.

What became clear during our time aboard Oceania Allura is that the company is now making a deliberate and carefully measured move toward being perceived as a luxury cruise line.

As Nathan Hickman, Oceania’s Chief Commercial Officer, explained during discussions surrounding the brand’s newest ships: “At a certain point, if we’re building to a luxury standard and our guests are telling us it’s luxury, we may be doing ourselves—and our guests—a disservice by pretending that we’re not.”

That perspective is reinforced by Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer overseeing Oceania Cruises, who has noted that: “The hardware is luxury, the service is luxury, the experience is full of luxury touches—so why are we calling ourselves premium?”

What’s important here is that this isn’t a dramatic reinvention. Oceania isn’t trying to become something it’s not. Instead, it’s refining what it already does exceptionally well—closing the remaining gaps between upper-premium and true luxury. And Allura may be the clearest expression yet of where Oceania believes it belongs.

Miami Skyline

Meet Oceania Allura: Refined, Familiar, and Confident

Before sharing our firsthand impressions from onboard, it helps to better understand the ship itself.

Oceania Allura carries roughly 1,200 guests and reflects the brand’s continued commitment to smaller ships, generous space ratios, and a distinctly residential feel—hallmarks that longtime Oceania guests immediately recognize.

If you’d like additional background on Oceania Allura before we dive into our onboard experience, we covered the ship in detail leading up to this sailing:

Oceania Cruises’ New Ship Allura: Read the full article
Oceania Allura: The Finest Cuisine at Sea: Read the full article

You can also browse our recent Oceania Allura photos and observations shared during the sailing on Facebook: View our Oceania Allura posts on Facebook

Now, with that foundation in place, let’s talk about how Allura actually feels—and whether it truly delivers on Oceania’s promise to bridge the gap between upper-premium and luxury.

Staterooms & Suites Aboard Oceania Allura

One point Oceania emphasized repeatedly during our time onboard was that Allura’s entry-level veranda staterooms are among the largest in the industry. That emphasis becomes immediately clear the moment you step inside. Even at the entry level, accommodations aboard Allura feel open, thoughtfully arranged, and designed for a more residential style of cruising.

That sense of space and comfort carries consistently across all stateroom and suite categories, with layouts that prioritize livability, storage, and ease of movement—details that matter just as much on a longer voyage as they do on a short sailing.

• Veranda Stateroom
  Measuring approximately 291 square feet, these staterooms feature a true sitting area, generous storage, a large bathroom with a rainforest shower, and a private teak veranda that naturally extends the living space outdoors.
• French Veranda Stateroom
  At roughly 240 square feet, French Veranda staterooms use floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a Juliet-style railing to maximize light and ocean views while maintaining a comfortable interior footprint.
• Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom
  Similar in size to standard veranda staterooms, Concierge Level accommodations add an additional layer of service and convenience, including priority dining reservations, complimentary laundry, and access to the Concierge Lounge.
• Penthouse Suite
  At approximately 440 square feet, Penthouse Suites introduce a more expansive layout with a dedicated living area, oversized marble bathroom with dual vanities, and an elevated service experience that begins to feel distinctly suite-level.
• Oceania Suite
  Ranging from about 1,000 to 1,200 square feet, Oceania Suites feature separate living and dining spaces, larger verandas, and a more residential flow suited to guests who enjoy spending extended time in-suite.
• Vista Suite
  Among the most spacious accommodations onboard, Vista Suites span roughly 1,450 to 1,850 square feet, offering clearly defined living, dining, and sleeping areas that feel more like a private residence than a cruise cabin.
• Owner’s Suite
  The pinnacle of accommodations aboard Allura, Owner’s Suites measure approximately 2,200 to 2,400 square feet and offer expansive verandas, elegant entertaining spaces, spa-like bathrooms, and the highest level of personalized service onboard. View Suite

Taken together, the staterooms and suites aboard Oceania Allura reinforce the ship’s broader philosophy: luxury here isn’t reserved for only the top categories. It’s woven into the experience from the very beginning through space, comfort, and thoughtful design.

To view photos and more details about all of the suites and staterooms, please CLICK HERE.

Dining Aboard Oceania Allura: Raising an Already High Bar

Cooking Class: Making Crepes. YUM!

One area where Oceania Cruises has long distinguished itself is dining—and aboard Oceania Allura, that reputation is not just maintained, but meaningfully elevated.

For years, Oceania has confidently described its culinary program as the “Finest Cuisine at Sea.” After experiencing Allura firsthand, it’s clear this is more than a marketing phrase. Dining onboard reflects a deeply ingrained philosophy that emphasizes ingredient quality, classical technique, thoughtful presentation, and relaxed elegance—without ever feeling pretentious or overly formal.

Allura offers an impressive collection of dining venues, each with its own personality, yet unified by consistent execution and attention to detail. Just as important, the vast majority of these restaurants are included in the cruise fare, reinforcing Oceania’s belief that exceptional dining should be part of the everyday experience, not reserved for special occasions.

Dining venues aboard Oceania Allura include:

• The Grand Dining Room
  The culinary centerpiece of the ship, featuring daily-changing menus inspired by French technique, global flavors, and seasonal ingredients. Service is polished but approachable, and dishes feel refined without being overworked.
• Polo Grill
  Oceania’s classic steakhouse, offering prime cuts of beef, seafood, and traditional steakhouse favorites executed with precision in an elegant, timeless setting.
• Toscana
  A celebration of authentic Italian cuisine, featuring handmade pastas, regional specialties, and an extensive wine list. Toscana remains a favorite among longtime Oceania guests.
• Jacques
  Named for legendary chef Jacques Pépin, this intimate French bistro focuses on timeless comfort dishes rooted in classical French technique.
• Red Ginger
  An Asian-inspired restaurant known for bold flavors, modern presentation, and a menu that balances creativity with broad appeal.
• Aquamar Kitchen
  A wellness-focused venue offering lighter, nutrient-conscious dishes that emphasize freshness and balance without sacrificing flavor.
• Terrace Café
  The ship’s casual dining venue, offering expansive selections for breakfast and lunch, and transitioning to a more refined dining experience in the evening.
• Waves Grill
  A relaxed poolside venue serving grilled favorites and casual fare, prepared with the same attention to quality found throughout the ship.
• Baristas
  A specialty coffee bar serving expertly prepared espresso drinks, pastries, and light snacks throughout the day, along with truly excellent crepes and waffles that make it a destination in its own right.
• Privée
  An exclusive private dining venue available for special occasions or group bookings, offering a highly personalized culinary experience.
• In-Suite Dining
  Available 24 hours a day, allowing guests to enjoy Oceania’s cuisine in the privacy of their stateroom or suite.

Lobster Risotto. YUM!

Because this was a three-night introductory sailing designed specifically for travel advisors, we didn’t have the opportunity to sample every dining venue onboard. That said, what we did experience left a very strong impression.

We dined several times in the Grand Dining Room and found it consistently very enjoyable, with well-executed dishes and attentive, unhurried service. We also spent time at the steakhouse, Polo Grill, where I had what may well have been the best key lime pie I’ve ever had—memorable enough to still be thinking about it long after the cruise ended.

Toscana was another highlight. I enjoyed an osso buco that was genuinely outstanding—rich, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. Breakfast at Aquamar Kitchen was equally enjoyable, offering a relaxed, wellness-focused start to the day without ever feeling austere or limiting.

Crepe Suzette. OMG!

We also made a stop at Waves Grill. Carol had a hamburger and ribs, and judging by the big smile on her face, she was clearly happy with her choice. Later in the sailing, Carol and I visited Baristas one afternoon, where we shared fabulous crepes and waffles, paired with a really nice cup of coffee—a simple pleasure done exceptionally well.

One of the more unique dining experiences of the cruise was Privée, a small, intimate dining room that seats only about ten guests. Tucked discreetly between Polo Grill and Toscana, Privée offers a highly personalized experience. That evening, we were presented with menus from both restaurants and could order anything we liked—a thoughtful and elegant touch that felt special without being showy.

At the end of the day, I’ve long been impressed with the cuisine aboard Oceania ships, and this sailing only reinforced that impression. Many luxury cruise lines offer outstanding dining, but in my humble opinion, Oceania continues to stand at the very top when it comes to cuisine. And as this sailing made clear, they’ve managed to raise an already very high bar.

Final Thoughts: A Five-Star Resort Experience That Moves With You

As this article has grown, it’s become clear just how much more there is to share about Oceania Allura that we simply haven’t had room to explore. From Macallan whiskey tastings and rum experiences, to the Founder’s Bar, the spa and fitness facilities, the many inviting nooks and quiet spaces throughout the ship, the library, art classes, technology workshops, and hands-on cooking classes—there is an extraordinary depth of onboard programming that deserves its own spotlight. The cooking class alone is fabulous and could easily warrant an article of its own.

But perhaps that’s the point.

All-inclusive luxury resorts are incredibly popular, and for good reason. They offer beautifully designed environments, attentive service, and a sense of escape. Yet when you step aboard a ship like Oceania Allura, it becomes clear that you’re experiencing something different—and, in many ways, something more compelling.

Oceania Allura delivers the feel of a five-star luxury resort, paired with the refinement of a floating boutique hotel. You’d be hard-pressed to find a land-based luxury property that offers the sheer range of experiences available onboard—from dining and wellness to enrichment, entertainment, and social spaces—all curated at such a consistently high level.

And of course, there’s the fundamental difference that no resort can replicate: a ship moves.

While we genuinely love luxury resorts, they are rooted in one place. Oceania Allura carries you effortlessly from destination to destination, allowing you to experience multiple ports, cultures, and landscapes without ever packing and unpacking—or sacrificing comfort along the way.

When you step back and look at the overall value proposition, the comparison becomes even clearer. From a dollars-and-cents perspective, a luxury cruise aboard Oceania Allura offers an experience that is difficult to match. Accommodations, dining, enrichment, service, and transportation are all woven together into a seamless, high-touch experience that rivals—and often surpasses—what’s available on land.

Oceania Allura has created something truly remarkable: an elegant, five-star luxury hotel that floats on the sea. And after spending time onboard, it’s an experience we can confidently and enthusiastically recommend. 

To learn more about Oceania’s newest ship, the Allura, please CLICK HERE. And to find your next cruise, CLICK HERE to view the Allura’s itineraries.

How to Book With The Roaming Boomers

As one of the nation’s leading luxury travel agencies specializing in luxury ocean and river cruising, The Roaming Boomers Travel Services brings unmatched expertise, insight, and firsthand experience to every journey we plan.

Carol and I have personally sailed with Oceania Cruises numerous times over the years, and our time aboard Oceania Allura only reinforced why the brand continues to stand out. Allura represents the very best of what Oceania is known for—exceptional cuisine, intimate ship design, thoughtful enrichment, and itineraries crafted for travelers who value both comfort and discovery.

When you work with us, you benefit from deep personal experience, top-tier industry recognition, and access to exclusive amenities and preferred partner advantages—ensuring your cruise is seamless, rewarding, and planned with genuine expertise.

For more information or to book your next journey, please call The Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request CLICK HERE, and we’ll reach out to you.

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This article was written with the aid of ChatGPT. The Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40

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