We take a closer look at Oceania Cruises’s second Allura-class ship, Oceania Allura, during her six-night inaugural sailing from Trieste to Athens via Rijeka, Ravenna, Dubrovnik and Kotor.

The sister ship to Vista, which was launched in May 2023, Allura features 15 decks and is staffed by 800 crew members comprising 47 nationalities.

Writer Kaye Holland exploring Oceania Allura

Onboard, you’ll find 12 restaurants (including four speciality venues), a luxurious library replete with oversized chairs, the signature Aquamar Spa and a new digital centre offering complimentary creative tech classes for all ages and levels.

Following her European summer season in the Mediterranean, Allura will sail to Canada and New England for a series of voyages in North America before commencing her inaugural season in the Caribbean. Allura will then be home-ported in Miami.

Style & character: 5/5

Some of the interiors on Oceania Allura | Credit: Kaye Holland

This mid-sized ship is a roaring design success. Prepare to be dazzled by the acres of lavish marble décor, glistening chandeliers, sweeping Lalique staircases, walls of shimmering glass, extravagant furnishings and a covetable collection of contemporary art – the brainchild of Florida-based design company Studio DADO.

Accommodating no more than 1200 privileged guests, there’s a feeling of space and calm, and a fresh, contemporary vibe prevails – something reflected in the refreshing resort/country club casual dress code.

Cabins: 4.5/5

A Veranda Stateroom on Oceania Allura | Credit: Oceania Cruises

All staterooms and suites are outside facing and span six categories: the entry-level Veranda stateroom (which, at more than 290 square feet, are the largest standard staterooms at sea), Concierge level veranda stateroom, Penthouse suite, Oceania suite, Vista suite and the Owner’s suite.

I stayed in a Concierge-level veranda stateroom. Elegantly decorated in shades of cream and fawn, it featured Oceania’s signature Ultra Tranquility Bed with 1,000-thread-count linens (this insomniac slept like a baby), a separate sitting area and a large private veranda.

Meanwhile, the ample-sized marble bathroom had a superbly powerful rainforest shower stocked with lush Vetiver and Green Leaves scented toiletries from Oceania’s own AquaMar Sea collection.

Thoughtful extra touches included a complimentary bottle of Prosecco on arrival, fluffy robes and slippers in the roomy wardrobe and a plethora of charger/USB points.

Food and drink: 4.5/5

Pan-Asian restaurant Red Ginger on Oceania Allura | Credit: Oceania Cruises

Oceania claims to have “the finest cuisine at sea” with one chef for every eight guests, and around half of the ship’s crew dedicated to culinary operations.

There was only one way to find out if the line’s declaration was true, and that was to eat my way around the ship.

The Thai green curry in the pan-Asian Red Ginger, one of five speciality restaurants onboard Allura, had me purring with pleasure and, pleasingly, was included in the price as are all speciality outlets. (Sister brand NCL charges $60 a head to eat in its speciality Thai restaurant).

As a vegetarian, Aquamar, which has an almost entirely plant-based menu, was another highlight, and I relished starting the day here with avocado toast or an acai bowl.

However, I found Jacques, a French bistro-style restaurant, to be too heavy – although admittedly my carnivorous companions raved about the coq au vin and confit de canard they ate here, as well as the 28-day dry-aged steaks served in Polo Grill.

New to Allura is The Crêperie, which, as the name suggests, specialises in French crepes and proved immensely popular with passengers on my sailing. All told, going hungry is not an option on board Allura.

For pre- or post-dinner drinks, head to Founders Bar for artisan cocktails, including barrel-aged Negronis. Alternatively, trade travel stories at Martinis, where the star of the show is the martini (natch), or Horizons observation lounge.

Service and facilities: 4/5

A cooking class on Oceania Allura | Credit: Kaye Holland

Service is outstanding. Friendly staff are extremely personal (by day two, they knew every guest by name) and efficient, yet unobtrusive.

Activities range from relaxing – curl up with a book in the library whose floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer sweeping sea views, browse the boutiques, or relax in the blissful but expensive (massages start at a steep $199 excluding service charge) Aquamar Spa – to active.

I managed to drag myself to the well-equipped gym when time permitted, while others power walked around the fitness track, practised their putting, or played pickleball and paddle tennis on deck 16.

Allura also offers plenty of enrichment classes, and while I never made it to the Artist Loft – a studio space on deck 12, where you can hone your creative talent under the tutelage of an artist-in-residence – I enjoyed learning how to cook Greek food in an engaging two-hour class held at the gleaming Culinary Center.

Entertainment and excursions: 4/5

String quartet on Oceania Allura | Credit: Kaye Holland

The Allura Lounge on deck five stages several Broadway-style shows. Standouts on the ship’s inaugural sailing included Our World, a vibrant celebration of music from around the planet that culminated in an audience proposal (yes, really) and the high-energy flashback, a medley of songs from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

Alternatively, try your luck in the tasteful casino, take part in the trivia contest, or, for something more low-key, listen to the talented pianist tickle the ivories in Martinis.

When it’s time to go ashore, excursions are grouped into 10 categories, including Oceania Exclusive (intimate, small-group tours) and Oceania Select (unique, curated experiences).

In Ravenna, I signed up for an enlightening walk through Brisighella, a charming yet overlooked medieval village, followed by a fantastic lunch prepared using locally sourced ingredients at La Sabbiona, a family-run farmhouse. This four-and-a-half-hour excursion was priced at $209.

Value for money: 4/5

Horizons on Oceania Allura | Credit: Oceania Cruises

Speciality and in-suite dining, entertainment, laundry services, crew gratuities and Wi-Fi are all included, as are unlimited soft drinks, coffee, tea, juices, and water. However, alcohol (drinks packages are available), excursions, spa treatments, and art and cooking classes cost extra and could push the price up.