Oceania Allura Review: Inside the Pre-Inaugural Industry Sailing

Q: Is the Oceania Allura better than Viking Ocean?

It depends on priorities. The Allura is stronger on specialty dining (four included specialty restaurants vs Viking's two) and offers slightly larger entry-level verandas. Viking includes beer and wine with meals plus one included shore excursion per port. For food-focused travelers, the Allura is the stronger choice; for travelers wanting maximum included value, Viking still leads.

Q: Does the Oceania Allura have inside cabins or oceanview cabins?

No. The Allura is a balcony-only ship. There are no inside cabins and no oceanview cabins. The smallest category is the French Veranda (20 cabins) with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a railing-only French balcony. All other categories include traditional step-out balconies.

Q: Does the Oceania Allura have solo cabins?

Yes. The Allura is the first Oceania ship with dedicated solo cabins: six Concierge Solo Veranda staterooms at 270 square feet, designed without a single supplement penalty. They sell out far in advance, so solo travelers should book early.

Q: Are gratuities included on Oceania Allura?

Yes, gratuities are included in the cruise fare on Oceania Cruises, including the Allura.

Oceania Allura: Inside Look from Her Pre-Inaugural Industry Sailing

The All-New Oceania Allura: An Insider Review

A first-hand expert review by Steve Umstead, Oceania Certified Specialist and founder of Berwick Voyages, one of just a few dozen travel agencies worldwide invited aboard Allura before her maiden voyage.

Sailing: Genoa to Trieste, July 14–18, 2025 (pre-inaugural industry voyage)

Why This Review Is Different

In July 2025, Oceania Cruises invited a small group of travel industry professionals to sail aboard the brand-new Allura before any paying guest ever boarded. The invite list was tight: roughly 300 people total across the ship, drawn from just a few dozen travel agencies worldwide, alongside international travel media, Oceania executives, and senior leadership.

I was one of those advisors. Over five days from her shipyard launch in Genoa to her home port in Trieste, with a single port call in Split, Croatia, my team and I toured every single stateroom category on the ship, from the entry-level Veranda all the way up to the expansive Owner’s Suite. We dined in four of the five specialty restaurants, sampled every bar, met directly with Oceania leadership for presentations on their forward fleet vision and new ship orders, and got the kind of unhurried access you simply can’t get on a sold-out revenue sailing.

This review reflects what we actually experienced and observed across that voyage. It’s written for travelers seriously considering the Allura, and for advisors and journalists looking for a credible first-hand reference. Where appropriate, I’ll compare Allura to her closest peers (Viking Ocean, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Explora Journeys) since most of our clients are weighing two or three of these lines side by side. If you want the bottom line up front: she’s stunning, she punches above her class, and I’d happily sail her again tomorrow. The full reasoning is below.

Oceania Allura at a Glance

Specification	Detail
Ship Class	Allura Class (sister to Vista)
Launched	July 2025
Maiden Voyage	July 2025 from Trieste, Italy
Passenger Capacity	~1,200 guests
Crew	~800
Gross Tonnage	~67,000 GT
Length	~791 feet
Total Decks	14
Stateroom Categories	French Veranda, Veranda, Concierge Solo Veranda, Concierge Veranda, Penthouse Suite, Oceania Suite, Vista Suite, Owner’s Suite (all balcony, no inside or oceanview cabins)
Entry-Level Veranda Size	291 sq ft (largest in class)
Specialty Restaurants Included	4 (Toscana, Red Ginger, Polo Grill, Jacques) plus Grand Dining Room
Beverage Package Cost	$30/day (basic) or $60/day (Prestige)
Gratuities	Included
Typical Itineraries	Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Transatlantic
Home Port (Launch Year)	Trieste, Italy

Coming next from Oceania: the Sonata Class, with the first ship (Sonata) entering service after Allura. Oceania has stated Sonata Class will hold just over 1,300 guests, which the line says will be their maximum size going forward, holding the line on the small-ship intimacy that defines the brand.

First Impressions and Ship Layout

The Allura holds approximately 1,200 guests, which puts her slightly larger than Viking Ocean’s 930 to 998 passenger ships, but still firmly on the smaller side by modern cruise standards. From my experience working with clients across the premium-plus and luxury tiers, this is the sweet spot. Any larger and the intimacy and personalization start to slip. Any smaller and you sacrifice features and venue variety that elevate the experience.

The design is polished and understated: neutral tones, lots of natural light, and a subtle sophistication that runs through every public space. It’s elegant without being stuffy, refined without feeling formal. Honestly, the level of finish surprised me. For a ship Oceania positions as premium-plus or entry-luxury, the Allura punches notably above her class. In several spaces, particularly the specialty restaurants and the Founders Bar, she crosses into territory I’d associate with full luxury lines like Regent or Seabourn.

A few observations worth noting before you book:

No central atrium or grand lobby bar. Unlike Viking’s Living Room or the central social hubs you’ll find on many ships, the Allura’s main lobby is strictly functional: guest services, excursions, shops, dining reservations. It’s beautifully finished, but it doesn’t function as a social gathering space. If you love the bustling-lobby-bar vibe of Viking, this will feel different.

Pool deck is surprisingly minimal. A single central pool and two hot tubs for a 1,200-guest ship. For comparison: Viking ships at similar capacity have two pools, and Explora Journeys has three on similarly sized ships. The Allura compensates with a strong activity offering on the upper deck: mini golf, pickleball, ping pong, baggo (cornhole), croquet, a golf driving net, and shuffleboard. Plenty of space to unwind or stay active, but if pool deck time is the heart of your cruise experience, this is something to weigh.Spa terrace plunge pool is a hidden gem. On the bow, accessible to all guests without booking a treatment, there’s a small plunge pool and hot tubs in a peaceful outdoor spa area. Many guests never find it. We did, and it became one of our favorite spots on the ship.

Stateroom-by-Stateroom Walkthrough

Because this was a pre-inaugural industry sailing, we were given full access to walk through every stateroom category on the ship. What follows is observations from each, not just our own cabin.

French Veranda

The smallest category on the ship, and one worth understanding before you book. Allura has just 20 French Veranda cabins. The interior layout is identical to the standard Veranda at 291 square feet, but instead of a step-out balcony, you get floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to a railing-only “French balcony” (no walk-out space). For travelers who want fresh air and the view but don’t plan to actually sit outside, these can be a smart value play. For travelers who want a real balcony to read on, sip coffee from, or watch sail-aways from, skip this category and book a standard Veranda.

Important to know: the Allura is a balcony-only ship. There are no inside cabins and no oceanview (window) cabins anywhere on board. The French Veranda is the entry point, period.

Veranda Stateroom

Oceania’s standard step-out balcony category, and the workhorse of the ship with 444 cabins. At 291 square feet, the Allura’s entry-level Veranda is the largest in her class and outpaces equivalent categories on most peer luxury lines for square footage. Generous footprint, thoughtful design, real veranda you can actually use. This is where most guests should start their consideration.

Concierge Veranda (Our Cabin: 10082 on Deck 10)

The Concierge Veranda is the same physical layout as the standard Veranda, but with added perks that make a real difference on longer sailings:

Free laundry and pressing service
Priority dining reservations
Access to the Concierge Lounge

We found our cabin to be a pleasant surprise in both space and function. Ample storage, generous closet, solid desk setup, and a veranda with real stretching room. The bathroom genuinely impressed me, with a large walk-in shower (bigger than many European hotel showers we’ve stayed in), plenty of countertop and drawer space, and only one sink but never feeling cramped.

Details I appreciated: USB and North American 110V outlets on each side of the bed, thoughtful lighting, and a real sense of livability. The mattress, which many Oceania regulars rave about, didn’t blow me away personally. Subjective, but worth flagging if you’re a particular sleeper.

For most travelers booking longer sailings, the Concierge Veranda is the smart upgrade.

Concierge Solo Veranda

A genuinely meaningful addition to the Allura: Oceania’s first-ever dedicated solo cabins. Just six of them on the ship, each at 270 square feet with their own private step-out balcony, designed specifically for single travelers without a single supplement penalty. For solo cruisers who’ve spent years either paying double for a regular cabin or settling for a smaller interior on other lines, this is a long-overdue category. Demand for these is intense, and they sell out far in advance on most sailings, so if you’re a solo traveler interested in Oceania, book early.

Penthouse Suite

A meaningful step up from the Veranda categories. Larger living area with separate sitting space, upgraded furnishings, more storage, and crucially, 24-hour butler service. Several of my industry colleagues stayed in Penthouse Suites during our sailing and raved about how attentive and detail-focused the butlers were. For longer itineraries (think 14 nights or more) or guests who place high value on personalized service, this is where the experience really starts to lift.

Oceania Suite

Bigger again. Wraparound veranda, separate living and dining areas, walk-in closet, full guest bathroom in addition to the master, and the same 24-hour butler service. These suites feel more like a small apartment than a cabin. The living space is genuinely social, with room to host friends from the ship for a pre-dinner drink, which is exactly how many guests use them.

Vista Suite

Located forward, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic forward views. Spacious, dramatic, and one of the most photogenic suite categories on the ship. The forward-facing layout makes these especially appealing for scenic itineraries where you want to watch the approach to each port from your own private vantage.

Owner’s Suite

The top of the range. Walking through the Owner’s Suite was honestly one of the highlights of our pre-inaugural access. The space is enormous, the design is residential-grade, and the finishes (Ralph Lauren Home throughout) are at a level you’d expect from an ultra-luxury land-based resort. Multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a full living and dining area, expansive private veranda. This is the category for travelers booking a special-occasion sailing where space and privacy are non-negotiable.

Which Stateroom Should You Book?

Here’s my decision framework based on what I tell clients:

Budget-conscious traveler who doesn’t need a step-out balcony: French Veranda. Same square footage as the standard Veranda at a lower price point, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors for light and view.
Solo traveler: Concierge Solo Veranda. The only category designed specifically for singles, and the no-single-supplement structure is a meaningful saving. Book early.
First-time Oceania cruiser, shorter sailing (7 to 10 nights): Standard Veranda is plenty.
Repeat cruiser, longer sailing (11+ nights), wants perks without big spend: Concierge Veranda. The free laundry alone pays for itself on long sailings.
Premium experience, full butler service, more living space: Penthouse Suite.
Special occasion, traveling with friends or family, hosting: Oceania Suite or Vista Suite.
Money is no object, want the most exclusive experience at sea: Owner’s Suite.

If you want a custom recommendation for your specific itinerary, that’s exactly the kind of conversation I have with clients every week. Send me a message.

Dining: Where Allura Sets the Bar

If there’s one area where Oceania doesn’t just compete but actively redefines what a premium-plus cruise should deliver, it’s dining. The Allura follows through on Oceania’s “Finest Cuisine at Sea” reputation with exceptional quality, an unusually high number of included specialty restaurants, and rotating menus that, in many cases, exceed what you’d find on full luxury lines that charge extra for similar venues.

With four included specialty restaurants plus the Grand Dining Room, the culinary variety onboard is one of the Allura’s biggest competitive advantages.

Grand Dining Room (Night One)

One of the most beautiful main dining rooms I’ve experienced on any cruise line. The elegance and intimate seating make it feel like a specialty restaurant rather than a typical main dining venue. Standout dish: the lamb curry was rich, aromatic, and one of the best plates of the entire trip. Miss: the swordfish was fresh but underwhelming. (Can’t write an honest review without flagging the misses too.)

Toscana (Night Two)

Italian fine dining, and one of the strongest meals of the trip. Standouts:

Octopus carpaccio: delicate and beautifully prepared
Beef carpaccio: excellent flavor and presentation
Veal Milanese: arguably the best veal I’ve ever had at sea
The olive oil and balsamic cart: a tableside sommelier (we started calling him the “oilelier”) offered a curated tasting from 12 olive oils and 3 vinegars, customized to each guest’s preferences. Tableside detail like this is exactly what separates Oceania’s dining program from its peers.

Red Ginger (Night Three)

The pan-Asian menu is bold, extensive, and creative. One member of my team called the sea bass her favorite meal ever at sea. Service was impeccable. A small whimsical touch: guests select chopsticks from a beautifully displayed box of designer options. Little details like that are everywhere on this ship.

Waves Grill (Lunch)

Casual poolside comfort food, well-executed. The vanilla milkshake hit the spot on a hot Mediterranean afternoon. Don’t overlook the casual venues on Oceania, they’re better than most competitors’ main dining rooms.

Special Grand Dining Room Brunch

Served only on longer sailings (we got a special edition during our industry voyage). Extravagant buffet with lobster, carved meats, international cheeses, pastries, omelets, and champagne. If your itinerary includes one of these brunches, clear your morning.

Baristas and Crêperie

The morning ritual and sweet tooth fix:

Baristas became a daily habit for us. Excellent espresso drinks, friendly staff, cozy lounge seating. Popular pre-excursion stop or just for a relaxed cappuccino with a book (or laptop, in my case).
The Crêperie next door serves made-to-order crêpes, decadent Belgian waffles, and playful bubble waffle sundaes.

Polo Grill and Jacques

We didn’t dine in these two during our short sailing, but industry colleagues raved about both. Jacques in particular drew praise for its refined French menu and beautiful, elegant design. We peeked in for a visit and it’s easily one of the most stylish spaces on the ship. Polo Grill is Oceania’s classic steakhouse, with a reputation that consistently lands it among the top dining venues at sea.

A note on Jacques: the Allura is the first Oceania ship to bring Jacques back to the fleet in several years. For long-time Oceania cruisers who missed the French specialty venue, this is meaningful news and a draw worth noting.

Aquamar Kitchen

Located just off the pool deck, Aquamar Kitchen is Oceania’s wellness-focused restaurant, serving Mediterranean-inspired breakfast and lunch with an emphasis on lighter, balanced fare. The menu includes cold-pressed juices, super food smoothies, avocado toasts, energy bowls, banana pancakes, Lebanese bowls with beef kefta and falafel, yellowfin tacos, and lighter sandwich options. We didn’t dine here on our short sailing, but it’s an increasingly popular choice for Oceania guests focused on wellness, especially on longer Mediterranean itineraries where lighter midday options are welcome.

The Verdict on Dining

Oceania isn’t competing in culinary terms. They’re setting the bar. For travelers where food is central to the cruise experience, the Allura is, in my opinion, the single strongest option in the premium-plus tier and competitive with any full luxury line at any price point.

Bars and Beverage Service

Oceania follows a “luxury by choice” philosophy: alcoholic beverages are not included by default, even at lunch or dinner. Guests can add a beverage package: $30 per person per day for the basic package, $60 per person per day for the Prestige package.

This is one area where Viking holds an edge in straightforward value. Viking includes beer and wine with lunch and dinner at no additional cost and offers its Silver Spirits package at $27 per person per day. However, Viking also charges separate gratuities, while Oceania includes them. When you do the math on total onboard spend for a typical sailing, the gap is smaller than it first appears, and for guests who prefer cocktails over wine, the Oceania Prestige package may actually come out ahead.

The Prestige package includes a generous wine list (well over two dozen by-the-glass options including rosés and proseccos), an extensive beer lineup (West Coast IPAs, Stella Artois, Corona, and more), and a deep cocktail selection.

Founders Bar was the standout. This is where the Allura’s mixology program flexes hardest. Smoky, theatrical cocktails with serious craft behind them. Our top picks:

The Lone Star: bourbon-based, perfectly balanced. Became our go-to.
The Beekeeper: interesting and well-made, but the Lone Star won our loyalty.

Post-dinner espresso and limoncello at Martinis became our nightly ritual. The little things.

A couple of layout misses worth knowing: there’s no bar near Toscana or Polo Grill, so if you arrive early for a reservation, you’ll be walking elsewhere (six decks down and halfway through the ship to Martinis) for a pre-dinner drink. The Allura Lounge, which is the main theater, also doesn’t have a dedicated bar inside. Waitstaff may float through before a show, but drink service during performances is not guaranteed.

Service and Staff

This was where the Allura truly impressed me. The high staff-to-guest ratio (roughly 800 crew for 1,200 guests) was tangible in the consistency and attentiveness of service throughout the ship. Every interaction (restaurant teams, housekeeping, concierge desk, baristas, butlers) was warm, polished, and personalized without ever feeling stiff.

Penthouse Suites and above include 24-hour butler service. We didn’t have one ourselves, but multiple industry colleagues during our sailing raved about how attentive and detail-focused the butlers were, particularly on small-but-meaningful touches like cabin breakfast service, packing assistance, and dinner reservation coordination.

Our own Concierge-level service was excellent throughout: friendly, responsive, and helpful from embarkation through disembarkation.

Wellness, Enrichment, and Onboard Life

The Allura packs a surprising amount into a 1,200-guest ship.

Fitness and spa: Full fitness center with oceanview workout machines, group classes (yoga, Pilates, spin), and private personal training. The adjacent spa area includes a hydrotherapy circuit, multiple treatment rooms (including acupuncture), and the outdoor spa terrace on the bow with the plunge pool and hot tubs I mentioned earlier. Open to all guests, no need to book a treatment to access. One of the most peaceful spots on the ship.

Lync, the digital concierge: This was a pleasant surprise. Lync offers tutorials on AI, photography, smartphone use, and other tech topics. Once per voyage, the digital concierge runs a guided shore excursion specifically to practice the techniques (think: how to take great iPhone photos of Pisa or Pompeii). A smart, forward-thinking addition for today’s travelers, and unusual for a cruise line in this tier.

Afternoon tea at 4 PM: Proper, elegant, and absolutely worth making time for. Don’t skip it.

The library: Better than expected, with a hidden bonus: a game closet stocked with classic board games. Pull one out, claim a quiet corner, lose an afternoon. Each deck also has a self-serve launderette, free to use with detergent provided. Practical convenience that adds up on longer sailings.

Casino: Small, tucked away on a midship deck, with slot machines and classic table games (blackjack, roulette). Not a major feature of the ship, but it’s there if you want late-night action.

Culinary Center: Hands-on cooking classes throughout each voyage, chef-led, often tied into regional cuisine of the itinerary. We didn’t attend during our short sailing, but this is a frequent highlight for foodies on longer Mediterranean and European voyages.

Artists Loft: A creative space with a rotating artist-in-residence offering daily workshops in painting, drawing, and mixed media. Light-filled studio, welcoming even if your last art class was in grade school.

Crowd profile: 55+, active, well-traveled. No kids’ clubs or programming. Not officially an adults-only line, but in practice, very close.

Port Stop: Split, Croatia

Since this was a five-day shakedown cruise, Split was our only port call. It more than delivered.

The seaside promenade (the Riva) was lively and scenic, with locals and tourists mingling among waterfront cafés and palm trees. You can feel the layered history of the city in the stones underfoot, especially around Diocletian’s Palace, one of the most impressive Roman ruins still integrated into a working city.

We walked the Riva, found genuinely excellent gelato, and stumbled across Mandrill Nano Brewing on a side street based on a small sign. Their “Badger APA” was a shockingly good West Coast-style pale ale. We also tried a lovely Croatian rosé that became the unofficial drink of our afternoon.

I didn’t expect Split to steal my heart, but it did. It’s absolutely on my return list, and it’s now one of my favorite ports in the Mediterranean. If your itinerary includes Split, do not skip the port. The walk through the old town is worth the visit on its own.

Who the Oceania Allura Is Right For (and Who She Isn't)

After a week aboard with full access, here’s the honest assessment I give clients:

The Allura is an exceptional fit for travelers who:

Place dining at the center of their cruise experience
Value spacious staterooms with thoughtful, livable design
Appreciate refined-but-not-stuffy atmosphere
Sail destination-rich itineraries (Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia) where the ship is the comfortable base camp, not the entire show
Have cruised before and want a step up in food and service without the formality of full luxury
Are 50+, well-traveled, and prefer adult-skewing onboard atmosphere

She may not be the right ship for travelers who:

Want all-inclusive beverages by default without thinking about packages
Need extensive pool deck space or multiple pools
Travel with kids who need dedicated programming
Want the high-energy entertainment of larger contemporary ships
Prefer the Scandinavian living-room ambiance Viking specializes in

How Allura Compares: Oceania vs Viking, Regent, Seabourn, and Explora

Most of my clients considering Allura are also weighing one or two of her closest competitors. Here’s how she stacks up across the small-ship premium and luxury tier, based on my first-hand experience with all four lines.

Feature	Oceania Allura	Viking Ocean	Regent Seven Seas	Seabourn	Explora Journeys
Tier	Premium-Plus / Entry Luxury	Premium-Plus	Ultra Luxury (All-Inclusive)	Ultra Luxury (All-Inclusive)	New Luxury
Passenger Capacity	~1,200	930–998	700–750	458–600	~922
Stateroom Mix	All balcony: French Veranda, Veranda, Solo Veranda, Suites	All Veranda, Suites	All Suite	All Suite	All Suite
Entry-Level Veranda Size	291 sq ft (largest in class)	~270 sq ft	Suite-level only	Suite-level only	~377 sq ft
Specialty Dining Included	4 restaurants	2 restaurants	All restaurants	All restaurants	6 restaurants
Beverages Included	Optional packages ($30–$60/day)	Beer & wine with meals	Fully included	Fully included	Fully included
Gratuities	Included	Additional	Included	Included	Included
Excursions Included	Not included	Included on most ports (one per port)	Unlimited included	Limited included	Not included
WiFi Included	Yes (basic)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Crowd	55+, active, few kids	55+, no under 18	55+, affluent	60+, refined	Younger luxury, design-forward
Ambience	Elegant, refined, not stuffy	Relaxed, Scandinavian contemporary	Formal luxury	Country-club luxury	Modern, design-led
Strongest Feature	Dining, stateroom comfort	Included shore excursions, ambiance	All-inclusive value at high end	Intimate service, included caviar	Suite size, design
Weakest Feature	No included alcohol, minimal pool deck	Fewer specialty dining venues	Higher base price	Less variety, smaller ship	Newest brand, fewer itineraries

My honest take on the matchup:

Allura vs Viking: The closest direct competitor for most clients. Viking wins on included excursions and beverages with meals. Allura wins decisively on specialty dining variety and stateroom space. If food is your priority, choose Allura. If included value and a relaxed Scandinavian vibe is yours, choose Viking.
Allura vs Regent: Regent is more expensive base, but you pay for less because everything is included (alcohol, excursions, even some pre-cruise hotel). For travelers who hate doing add-on math, Regent often wins on total trip cost. Allura wins on food, period.
Allura vs Seabourn: Seabourn is smaller and more intimate, with arguably the best service ratio in the industry. Allura has more dining variety and a broader feature set. Seabourn for the boutique-luxury obsessive. Allura for travelers who want refined-but-still-feature-rich.
Allura vs Explora: Explora is newer, more design-forward, and built around modern luxury sensibilities. Larger suites, included beverages, fewer guests. Allura wins on culinary credibility and brand maturity. Explora wins on aesthetics and inclusivity. The right answer often comes down to personal taste.

If you want a custom matchup analysis based on your specific itinerary, travel style, and budget, send me a message. That’s the conversation where I add the most value.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Oceania Allura

When did the Oceania Allura launch? The Oceania Allura launched in July 2025, with her maiden revenue voyage departing from Trieste, Italy. She was preceded by a small pre-inaugural industry sailing from Genoa to Trieste in mid-July 2025, attended by select travel advisors, media, and Oceania leadership.

How big is the Oceania Allura? The Allura carries approximately 1,200 guests with about 800 crew, across 14 decks and roughly 67,000 gross tons. She’s part of the Allura Class, sister to Oceania’s Vista (launched in 2023).

Is the Oceania Allura better than Viking Ocean? It depends on what you value most. The Allura is significantly stronger on specialty dining (four included specialty restaurants vs Viking’s two) and offers slightly larger entry-level verandas. Viking includes beer and wine with meals and includes one shore excursion in each port, which the Allura does not. For food-focused travelers, the Allura is the stronger choice. For travelers who want maximum included value with a relaxed Scandinavian-style ambiance, Viking still leads.

What is the best cabin on the Oceania Allura? For most travelers, the Concierge Veranda offers the best value: same physical footprint as the standard Veranda (291 sq ft) but with free laundry, priority reservations, and Concierge Lounge access. For longer sailings or guests who value butler service, the Penthouse Suite is the meaningful next step up. For special-occasion bookings, the Vista Suite (with floor-to-ceiling forward windows) or Owner’s Suite are exceptional.

Does the Oceania Allura have inside cabins or oceanview cabins? No. The Allura is a balcony-only ship. There are no inside (windowless) cabins and no oceanview (window-only) cabins anywhere on board. The smallest category is the French Veranda, with 20 cabins featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a railing-only French balcony. All other categories (Veranda, Concierge Solo Veranda, Concierge Veranda, and all suite categories) include traditional step-out balconies.

Does the Oceania Allura have solo cabins? Yes. The Allura is the first Oceania ship to offer dedicated solo cabins, with six Concierge Solo Veranda staterooms at 270 square feet each, designed without a single supplement penalty. Demand is high and these typically sell out far in advance, so solo travelers should book early.

What restaurants are on the Oceania Allura? The Allura features the Grand Dining Room plus four included specialty restaurants: Toscana (Italian), Red Ginger (Asian fusion), Polo Grill (American steakhouse), and Jacques (French). Casual venues include Waves Grill (poolside), the Terrace Café (buffet), Baristas (coffee), the Crêperie, and Aquamar Kitchen (wellness-focused). All specialty dining is included in the cruise fare.

Are gratuities included on Oceania Allura? Yes, gratuities are included in the cruise fare on Oceania. This is a meaningful difference from Viking, which charges gratuities separately.

Are drinks included on Oceania Allura? Alcoholic beverages are not included by default. Oceania offers two beverage packages: a basic package at $30 per person per day and the Prestige package at $60 per person per day. Coffee, tea, juices, and soft drinks are included throughout the ship at no extra charge.

Does the Oceania Allura have a kids’ program? No. Oceania does not offer kids’ programming. While not officially adults-only, the ship’s atmosphere strongly skews toward travelers 55 and older. Families with young children should look elsewhere.

Is the Oceania Allura a luxury cruise? The Allura is positioned as premium-plus or entry-luxury, sitting just below true ultra-luxury lines like Regent and Seabourn. However, in several areas (specialty dining, stateroom design, service quality), she punches into full luxury territory while priced below it. For travelers wanting luxury-tier experience at premium-plus pricing, she’s one of the strongest values in the small-ship market.

Where does the Oceania Allura sail? The Allura sails a wide range of itineraries including Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Transatlantic, and other global routes. Her itineraries are typically destination-rich, with multiple port days and overnights in select cities.

How does the Oceania Allura compare to Vista? The Allura is the second ship in the Allura Class (sister to Vista, which launched in 2023). She features design refinements based on guest feedback from Vista, but the two ships are structurally similar. Most travelers will find them nearly identical in experience, with Allura having slightly newer finishes and a few minor layout improvements.

Should I book the Allura through a travel agent or directly? Booking through a certified Oceania specialist (like Berwick Voyages) typically delivers the same price as booking direct, plus additional perks: priority access to promotions, supplier-side advocacy if something goes wrong, professional itinerary advice, and a single point of contact for the entire trip. There’s no cost difference for the traveler, and the advocacy alone is invaluable when something needs fixing.

The Bottom Line

The Oceania Allura is one of the most exciting small-ship luxury releases in recent years. The design is elegant, the staterooms are spacious and well-thought-out, the dining is genuinely exceptional, and the service is consistently warm and attentive. There are a few layout quirks (the pool deck feels light for the ship’s size, and a few bar placements miss the mark) but they’re minor against the strengths.

Where the Allura really wins is the gap she fills in the market. She blurs the line between premium-plus and ultra-luxury more decisively than any ship I’ve sailed in recent memory. Travelers who would have once defaulted to Regent or Seabourn for the food and service they crave can now get a comparable experience on Oceania at a meaningfully lower price point, with arguably better culinary execution.

Would I sail her again? In a heartbeat. Would I recommend her to my clients? I already am, every week. The Allura is a ship I’m proud to put my reputation behind.

Ready to Talk About the Oceania Allura?

I was one of the few advisors invited to sail this ship before her maiden voyage. I’ve walked every stateroom category, dined in the restaurants, met with Oceania leadership, and seen the line’s full forward roadmap. When you book the Allura through me, you’re not just getting a reservation. You’re getting a specialist who has been on the ship, knows the line, and will be your advocate from booking through return.

Send me a message and let’s talk about your Allura sailing. I’ll respond personally, usually within hours.

Or call directly: (866) 423-7942

About the Author

Steve Umstead is the founder of Berwick Voyages and an Oceania Cruises Certified Specialist. With over 20 years of hands-on travel experience, Steve has personally helped hundreds of clients explore the world by river and ocean. He has sailed extensively with Viking (river, ocean, and expedition), Oceania, Explora Journeys, AmaWaterways, and other premium and luxury lines.

Steve was among just a few dozen travel advisors worldwide invited by Oceania Cruises to sail the Allura pre-inaugural in July 2025, before her maiden voyage. He has also sailed Viking’s Iconic Western Mediterranean and is a Viking-certified specialist across river, ocean, and expedition product.

Favorite ports (so far): Barcelona, Sète, Hobart, Sydney, Cologne, Passau, Split, Dubrovnik, and Kotor.

Clients work with Steve for straightforward answers, fast responses, and recommendations grounded in first-hand experience, not brochure descriptions. Every itinerary he recommends is one he has either sailed himself or vetted through direct supplier relationships.

Berwick Voyages is part of the Berwick Travel family. California Seller of Travel #2155737-70.

Contact Steve directly: steve@berwickvoyages.com | (866) 423-7942

Message Steve:

The Best Journeys Start with Someone Who’s Been There

With over 20 years of hands-on travel experience, Steve has helped hundreds of clients explore the world by river and ocean.

He’s sailed extensively with Viking on both river and ocean itineraries, and has also cruised multiple times with Oceania, Explora Journeys, AmaWaterways, and Avalon. That firsthand knowledge across multiple cruise lines informs every conversation and recommendation.

Whether it’s planning a first-time Europe adventure or finding the perfect itinerary for a seasoned cruiser, Steve brings real-world expertise and honest, practical advice to every trip. Some of his favorite ports (so far!): Barcelona, Sète, Hobart, Sydney, Cologne, Passau, Split, Dubrovnik, and Kotor.

Clients rely on Steve for straightforward answers, quick responses, and recommendations that come from genuine experience. He’s always happy to share what works (and what to avoid) so every trip is easier, smoother, and more memorable.

Testimonials

Hear from our travelers

"Took Passau to Budapest cruise - scenery from boat and at each port were breathtaking. Weather chilly and rainy during April cruise; really encourage travelers to check weather forecast before leaving home and pack accordingly. Viking staff very friendly and accommodating, your wish is their command. Berwick Travel - especially Steve - were very easy to work with and arranged all travel details. Definitely recommend Berwick Travel, we will use them for future travel without a doubt!"

"Our cruise on the Rhine River with Viking was one of the highlights of our lives. We have been married for more than 50 years and so it was a kind of celebration in which each day was a real delight. The crew was so excellent and accommodating. The food was outstanding and the service terrific! We enjoyed getting to know the staff on the ship as well as many interesting fellow passengers.
Chelsea, you at Berwick Travel answered my questions so promptly and thoughtfully that it was a pleasure to have you coordinate this special trip for us. Thanks so much for doing such an awesome job!

"Thank you Denise for making this trip go as smoothly as possible. We had a positive and memorable experience starting with our flights and through all the excursions in the towns/cities we visited. The food and service on our boat Viking Tor was excellent, the rooms a little small but all in all a very positive experience. The Danube trip will be filled with pleasant memories for us and we will definitely be using Berwick Travel again to plan any future trips. Thanks again Denise!"

"Have just returned from Paris to Normandy on a Viking River Cruise. Everything went fantastic...A lot of this was due to Steve our travel agent...He was so responsive to all our questions and followed up on everything ....the air travel went off without a hitch. I would highly recommend Steve and Berwick Travel for any type of travel needs, especially Viking cruises. We will use him again for our next cruise."

"Carole Fitzner at Berwick Travel has been great to work with! She has been very knowledgeable about the cruises we have been interested in. We will definitely continue to utilize her and Berwick Travel for future travel plans."

It's about the experience.

Twenty-plus years in luxury cruise travel means something. It means we’ve sailed the itineraries, walked the ships, and experienced the destinations we recommend. It means we know which stateroom categories are worth the upgrade, which ports deserve an extra day, and which sailings book out months in advance.

That depth of experience translates directly to better trips. Better timing, better cabin selection, better insight into what will actually make your voyage memorable. We’ve done the homework so you don’t have to; all you need to do is pack.

20+

Years of Experience