Oceania Allura Review: Our Pre-Inaugural Mediterranean Cruise Experience

Traveled July 14–18, 2025 

We had the unique privilege of being invited aboard Oceania’s brand-new Allura for her pre-inaugural sailing: a short but packed voyage from Genoa to Trieste. This wasn’t a typical cruise. As a shakedown trip before the maiden voyage, we knew to expect a few quirks, but we also saw it as a rare opportunity to experience the Allura at her absolute freshest. And spoiler: she’s stunning.

We’re genuinely thrilled to have been invited aboard Allura before her maiden voyage – it was an honor and a rare chance to see a ship this fresh. This review reflects our own experience as travelers (and travel advisors), based on what we actually experienced onboard: the good, the great, and the occasional hiccup that comes with a new ship finding its rhythm. Along the way, we’ll compare Oceania Allura to Viking Ocean Cruises, our most popular partner in this space, and wrap with a helpful side-by-side chart for anyone weighing the two.

So what did we think? Let’s break it down.

First Impressions & Ship Layout

Allura holds about 1,200 guests – slightly larger than Viking Ocean’s 930-998 passenger ships, but still on the smaller side by modern cruise standards. We feel this is the sweet spot for the luxury level: any larger and you lose the intimacy and personal touches, and much smaller and you may lose some features and options. (Note that the upcoming Oceania Sonata, first in the Sonata class, will hold just over 1300, and Oceania says this will be their maximum size.)

The design is polished and understated, with neutral tones, lots of light, and a subtle sophistication throughout. It’s very upscale and elegant, with a comfortable, relaxed feel that surprised us with just how beautiful and elevated everything was. More than we expected from a ship in the premium-plus or entry-luxury category; this feels like it punches above its class in the best way.

One of the first differences we noticed is that Allura doesn’t have a central atrium or grand lobby bar like Viking’s Living Room. Instead, the main lobby is strictly business: guest services, excursions, shops, and dining reservations. It’s beautifully finished but lacks the social “hub” feel.

Topside, the pool deck has a single central pool and two hot tubs, surprisingly minimal given the ship’s capacity. (Compared to our other preferred partners, Viking has two pools, Explora Journeys has three, on similar sized ships.) That said, the upper deck makes up for it with a playful variety of activities: mini golf, pickleball, ping pong, baggo/cornhole, croquet (yes, really), a golf driving net, and shuffleboard. There’s a lot of space to unwind or get moving.

Our Stateroom: Concierge Veranda 10082

Our Concierge Veranda on Deck 10 was a pleasant surprise in both space and function. There’s ample storage, a generous closet, a solid desk setup, and a veranda with room to stretch. Oceania’s boast of having the largest entry-level verandas (291 square feet) definitely holds up.

The bathroom was especially impressive: very spacious, with a large walk-in shower (larger than many of the European hotels we’ve stayed at!) and plenty of countertop and drawer space—a welcome change from the cramped designs we’ve experienced elsewhere. While it had only one sink, we never felt squeezed for space.

Details matter: USB and North American 110V outlets on each side of the bed, thoughtful lighting, and a real sense of comfort. The mattress, which many rave about, didn’t blow us away, but that might just be a personal preference.

Concierge perks were a win: free laundry and pressing service, priority reservations, and access to the Concierge Lounge. On a longer itinerary, these would be invaluable.

Other Stateroom Categories

Allura offers a range of staterooms to suit different budgets and travel styles. While there are a handful of inside and oceanview cabins (with a picture window), we strongly recommend choosing a Veranda Stateroom or higher. The step up in space, light, and private outdoor access adds significantly to the experience.

The Veranda category is Oceania’s entry-level balcony option, and it already outpaces many competitors with its generous footprint and thoughtful design. Above that, Concierge Veranda (like ours) adds meaningful perks like laundry service, early dining reservations, and lounge access.

Penthouse Suites take things further, with larger living areas, upgraded furnishings, and full 24-hour butler service—ideal for longer sailings or guests who prefer added pampering. For those looking for maximum space and luxury, Oceania also offers Vista and Owner’s Suites, each with expansive floorplans and premium inclusions.

Whatever category you choose, the overall impression is consistent: Oceania puts care into stateroom layout, comfort, and livability.

Dining Highlights

Let’s be clear: This is where Oceania sets itself apart from many other premium and luxury cruise lines. Oceania takes food seriously, and Allura follows through with exceptional quality, an impressive number of included specialty restaurants, and large, rotating menus that rival (and in many cases surpass) what you’d find on luxury lines that charge extra. It shows in the attention to detail and execution across every meal. With four included specialty restaurants plus the Grand Dining Room, the culinary variety onboard is one of the ship’s biggest strengths.

Grand Dining Room (Night 1):

• One of the most beautiful “main dining rooms” we’ve experienced. Really felt like a specialty restaurant with the elegance and intimate seating.
  
• Lamb curry: rich, aromatic, and hands-down one of the best dishes of the trip
  
• Swordfish: fresh but underwhelming (can’t have an honest review without mentioning some of the downsides!)
  

Toscana (Night 2):

• Octopus carpaccio: delicate and well-prepared
  
• Beef carpaccio: excellent flavor and presentation
  
• Veal Milanese: possibly the best veal we’ve ever had
  
• Olive oil & balsamic cart: a tableside sommelier offered curated tastings from 12 olive oils and 3 vinegars based on our preferences. Incredible touch. (And we’re still not sure what to call him – oilelier?)
  

Red Ginger (Night 3):

• The Asian-fusion menu is bold and extensive
  
• One of us called the sea bass her favorite meal ever at sea (as in, ever)
  
• Service was incredible
  
• Bonus: guests select from a beautifully displayed box of designer chopsticks—a whimsical, upscale detail that made us smile
  

Waves Grill (Lunch):

• Casual, poolside comfort food
  
• The vanilla milkshake hit the spot on a hot day
  

Special Grand Dining Room Brunch:

• Served only on longer cruises
  
• Extravagant buffet with lobster, carved meats, international cheeses, pastries, omelets, and champagne

Baristas & Crêperie (Morning ritual and sweet tooth fix):

• Baristas quickly became a daily habit – excellent espresso drinks, friendly baristas, and cozy lounge seating nearby
  
• A popular stop before excursions or just to relax with a cappuccino and a book (or in our case, laptop)
  
• Crêperie next door serves made-to-order crêpes, decadent Belgian waffles, and playful bubble waffle sundaes

Across the board, we were impressed by both the variety and the execution. Oceania isn’t just competing in culinary terms, they’re setting a new bar. While we didn’t get the chance to dine in Polo Grill or Jacques due to the short sailing, many of our travel 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 definitely one of the more stylish spaces on the ship.

Bars & Beverage Service

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

This is an area where Viking holds a slight edge in 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 additional gratuities, while Oceania includes them, so when comparing total onboard spend, the gap may be smaller than it first appears.

The Prestige beverage package includes a generous list of wines, beers, and cocktails. Very extensive wine selection by the glass, well over two dozen choices including rosés and proseccos. And for beer lovers, plenty of options, from a couple of west coast IPAs to Stella Artois to Corona and more.

We especially loved the creativity at Founders Bar, where cocktails became smoky mixology experiences. Our top picks:

• The Lone Star: bourbon-based and perfectly balanced
  
• The Beekeeper: interesting, but the Lone Star won our loyalty
  

Post-dinner espresso and limoncello became a nightly ritual. (It’s the little things.)

That said, we noticed a couple of layout misses: there’s no bar near Toscana or Polo Grill, so if you arrive early, you’ll have to head elsewhere for a pre-dinner drink (elsewhere meaning six decks down and halfway through the ship to the Martinis bar). The Allura Lounge (the main theater) doesn’t have a dedicated bar inside either, and while waitstaff may float through before a show, drink service during performances isn’t a given.

Service & Staff

This was where Allura really impressed us. The high staff-to-guest ratio was noticeable in the attentiveness and consistency of service throughout the ship. Every encounter – from restaurant teams to housekeeping to the concierge desk – was warm, polished, and personalized without being stiff.

Penthouse suites and above come with 24-hour butler service, and while we didn’t have one ourselves, several of our travel partners raved about how attentive and detail-focused the butlers were. Our own experience with Concierge-level service was also excellent: friendly, responsive, and helpful throughout the sailing.

Wellness, Enrichment & Everyday Life Onboard

Allura features a full fitness center with oceanview workout machines, group classes, and private personal training options. Adjacent to the spa area, you’ll find a hydrotherapy circuit, multiple treatment rooms (including acupuncture), and an outdoor spa terrace on the bow with a small pool (more plunge pool than swimming pool) and hot tubs—open to all guests, with no need to book a spa treatment to access it. It’s a peaceful, panoramic space that’s perfect for relaxing after a morning workout or afternoon shore excursion.

We were impressed by Lync, the ship’s tech and enrichment center. They offer tutorials on AI, photography, digital devices—a smart addition for today’s travelers. Once per week the digital concierge runs a shore excursion for a group to put that knowledge to practical use (think taking photos of Pisa with your iPhone the best way).

Afternoon tea at 4pm was proper, elegant, and worth making time for. The library had a surprising bonus: a game closet stocked with classic board games. Each deck also includes a self-serve launderette, free to use with detergent provided, a practical convenience for longer sailings.

There’s also a small onboard casino tucked away on a midship deck, offering a mix of slot machines and classic table games like blackjack and roulette. It’s not a major feature of the ship, but it’s there if you want a little late-night action.

Allura also features a hands-on Culinary Center with a variety of cooking classes held throughout each voyage. These chef-led experiences tie into regional cuisine and are part of Oceania’s well-known enrichment focus. We didn’t attend a class during our short sailing, but it’s a highlight for foodies on longer itineraries.

The Artists Loft is another creative outlet onboard, with a rotating artist-in-residence offering daily workshops in painting, drawing, and mixed media. The light-filled studio invites guests to unwind while exploring their artistic side—even if your last art class was in grade school.

The crowd skewed 55+, active, and well-traveled. No kids’ clubs or programming onboard, so while this is not an adults only cruise, it’s pretty close.

Port: Split, Croatia

Since this was a short shakedown cruise, Split was our only port stop—but it more than delivered. The seaside promenade, known as the Riva, was lively and scenic with locals and tourists mingling along the waterfront cafes and palm trees. You can feel the layered history of the city in the stones beneath your feet, especially when you’re standing near Diocletian’s Palace, one of the most impressive Roman ruins still integrated into daily life.

We walked the Riva promenade, grabbed fantastic and affordable gelato, and discovered Mandrill Nano Brewing based on walking past a little sign! Their “Badger APA” was a shockingly good West Coast-style pale ale. We also tried a lovely Croatian rosé.

We didn’t expect Split to steal our hearts, but it did. It’s absolutely on the list for a return visit. Such a beautiful little port town with so much to see and do.

Is Oceania Allura Worth It? Our Final Take

Oceania’s Allura is an exciting addition to the small-ship luxury space. The design is elegant, the staterooms are spacious, and the dining is exceptional. While there are a few layout quirks and moments that feel less seamless than Viking, the strengths—culinary quality, service, onboard amenities, and stateroom comfort—more than make up for it.

The Allura is a fantastic option for travelers who value top-tier dining, spacious accommodations, and a refined onboard atmosphere with an international flair. While Viking leans into a relaxed, living-room-style ambiance, Allura offers a more elevated and graceful onboard feel – without ever tipping into formal or stuffy. It’s refined and quietly upscale, yet still welcoming. In fact, Allura blurs the line between premium and ultra-luxury with the level of design, comfort, and attention to detail found throughout the ship.Would we sail Oceania Allura again? In a heartbeat. This is a ship we’re proud to recommend to our clients, and one we’d happily return to ourselves.

Ready to see if Oceania Allura is the right fit for your next adventure?

We’ve helped hundreds of travelers find their perfect small-ship cruise—and we’d love to help you too. Whether you’re deciding between Allura and Viking, or just starting your planning, get in touch with us at Berwick Voyages. We’ll match you with the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right experience.

Still comparing? Here’s a quick look at how Allura and Viking stack up:

Side-by-Side Comparison: Oceania Allura vs. Viking Ocean Cruises