Oceania Worldwide, Cruises .

Vista & Allura

Oceania Vista and her sister ship Allura are the newest ships in the Oceania Cruises fleet, designed to offer a more spacious and contemporary take on small-ship luxury cruising.

Carrying around 1,200 guests, they are large enough to offer plenty of choice onboard, yet small enough to retain the relaxed, intimate atmosphere that is such an important part of the Oceania experience. There are no huge crowds, waterparks or endless announcements – the emphasis is very much on comfortable, sophisticated cruising.

The interiors are elegant and contemporary, with beautiful public spaces, an impressive library, stylish bars and lounges and plenty of places to simply sit and enjoy being at sea. Accommodation is particularly spacious, with every stateroom featuring a private veranda, and a choice ranging from Veranda Staterooms through to Penthouse, Oceania, Vista and Owner’s Suites.

Life onboard is relaxed rather than formal. There are no formal nights, and the dress code is best described as elegant casual – making Oceania particularly appealing if you enjoy a luxury environment without wanting the formality that can sometimes accompany it.

Both ships also have a strong focus on wellbeing, with the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, fitness centre, outdoor running track and pool deck, alongside a programme of enrichment, entertainment and activities.

And because these are still relatively small ships, Vista and Allura can offer destination-rich itineraries around the world, often visiting ports that the very large cruise ships cannot.

Having sailed aboard Vista myself, I found the ship incredibly easy to settle into. It feels elegant without being stuffy and luxurious without being showy – somewhere I was just as happy spending an unexpected day at sea as I was exploring ashore.

Gastronomy – A Real Highlight of Oceania

Food has always been at the heart of the Oceania experience, and having now sailed aboard Vista myself, I can understand why the cruise line places such emphasis on its culinary offering. This isn't simply about having lots of places to eat – there is a genuine focus on the quality of ingredients, preparation and service.

On Vista and Allura, there is an impressive choice of dining venues. Toscana celebrates Italian cuisine, with dishes inspired by different regions of Italy; Polo Grill is Oceania's classic American steakhouse; Red Ginger offers contemporary Asian cuisine; while Ember has a more relaxed, contemporary American style.

The Grand Dining Room provides a more traditional restaurant experience, while the Terrace Café offers a wonderfully relaxed alternative for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Waves Grill beside the pool is ideal for a casual lunch, and there are lighter options available throughout the day.

One of the things that sets Oceania apart is that dining in the speciality restaurants is included in your cruise fare. There is no additional cover charge, although reservations are required. I particularly like this because you don't feel as though the best dining experiences onboard are constantly being offered at an additional cost.

There is also the Aquamar Kitchen, with lighter dishes inspired by Oceania's approach to wellness, and The Bakery at Baristas for coffees, pastries and something sweet during the day. Allura also has its own Crêperie, serving made-to-order crêpes, waffles and sundaes.

And if you simply don't feel like going out, room service is available 24 hours a day – something I made use of myself while aboard Vista.

What impressed me most was the consistency. I ate in all of the speciality restaurants as well as the Grand Dining Room, Terrace Café, Waves Grill and Aquamar Kitchen, and the standard remained remarkably high. The speciality restaurants feel like proper restaurants in their own right rather than simply alternative cruise-ship dining rooms.

For anyone who regards good food as an important part of their holiday, Oceania is a cruise line I would particularly recommend.