Oceania Cruises Changes Launch Date for Newest Ship, Allura

21.05.2024 - 18:35 / travelpulse.com / Frank A.Del / Oceania Cruises / Sarah Kuta

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Allura, will set sail one week ahead of her newly scheduled departure date.

Allura was originally slated to debut in the spring of 2025. But, in February, the cruise line pushed back the launch until July—and canceled the first six sailings of the summer.

Now, the 1,200-guest vessel—the eighth in the Oceania Cruises fleet—is scheduled to depart on her inaugural sailing from Trieste, Italy, on July 18, 2025—one week early. The ship will spend six days cruising the Eastern Mediterranean, with stops in Rijeka, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Kotor, Montenegro. The itinerary ends in Athens, Greece.

Guests who were booked on the previous inaugural sailing departing July 24, 2025, will have first access to booking the new maiden sailing.

Allura is the second Allura Class ship in Oceania’s fleet, following her sister ship Vista, which launched last May. After spending the summer in the Mediterranean, Allura will head to Canada and New England for a series of North American voyages. She’ll spend her first winter season homeporting in Miami and sailing in the Caribbean. 

Oceania has also unveiled a new four-day "Taste of Oceania Cruises" round trip sailing from New York from September 30 to October 4, 2025. 

"I'm excited to be able to present Allura on a one-time taster voyage to showcase the ship to aspirational travelers who are looking to sample an ultra-premium cruise experience, and even better, sailing from downtown Manhattan, the heart of New York City," said Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises.

The ship will feature a new eatery called the Crêperie, a first for the cruise line, as well as other offerings to appeal to culinary travelers. The cruise line’s food team is also working on more than 300 new recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the new ship.

"Oceania Cruises is a cruise line founded by foodies, for foodies, and food is at the heart of everything we do," said Alexis Quaretti, executive culinary director. "The team and I are busy testing and tasting a wonderful array of waffles and crêpes, which will be enjoyed by our guests next year aboard Allura. Our guests will be able to customize their waffles and crêpes, which will all be made to order, to be perfectly personalized.”

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