Oceania Allura Review: A Smart Pick for Cultured, Food-Forward Cruisers

“It became very clear to us that they [Cultured Explorers] want to keep learning,” an Oceania executive told a room full of travel advisors during an invitation-only post-christening sailing in the latter half of 2025. That’s why, on Allura, you’ll find nearly an entire deck dedicated to learning, with The Culinary Center, Chef’s Studio, Artist Loft, LYNC Digital Center, and a spacious library, all within a one- to two-minute walk of each other.

Cultured Explorers also love a refined culinary experience when they cruise, something Oceania is already well-known for. With Allura, the brand takes it even further, with one chef for every eight passengers (compared to sister ship Vista’s one chef for every 10 guests), and new dining venues such as the much-talked-about Creperie and the triumphant return of the French restaurant Jacques.

With the launch of Allura, Oceania began a new marketing push to position itself as a luxury brand rather than an upper-premium brand. In our opinion, the ship straddles the line between upper premium and luxury, rather than placing it solidly in the luxury segment. It provides a casual country-club vibe, luxury-lite amenities and service, but luxury-level hardware and soft goods, particularly in rooms and suites.

Here’s what luxury travel advisors should know about booking Oceania Allura.

Why Travel Advisors Book It

• Allura is the newest Oceania Cruises vessel at sea (until August 2027, when Oceania Sonata debuts), making it particularly appealing to past Oceania passengers and new-to-brand guests.
• Oceania Cruises has a well-deserved reputation for having the finest cuisine at sea, making it ideal for foodie clients.
• In early 2026, Oceania transitioned to an 18-and-older cruise line, making the entire fleet (including Allura) appealing to clients who want a quiet, relaxed cruise experience with no children on board.
• Advisors love the ease of selling a fairly inclusive product, with all specialty restaurants included in the cruise fare, as well as unlimited Wi-Fi, free laundry, free soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, cold-pressed juices, and bottled water, and crew gratuities.

Staterooms & Suites

Allura has seven basic stateroom and suite categories, starting with the entry-level 240-square-foot French Veranda staterooms and going all the way up to the 2,400-square-foot Owner’s Suite.

Across the board, rooms have an elegant, serene residential feel, with a palette of earthy browns, tans, and beiges. In all rooms, guests will find mini-fridges stocked with complimentary sodas and still and sparkling Vero waters, all replenished daily. A separate seating area and an oversized bathroom with a rainforest showerhead are also de rigueur.

Slightly larger than the French Veranda cabin, the Standard Veranda measures 291 square feet and offers the same amenities as the French Verandah. One category up is the Concierge Veranda, which is the same size as the standard. It includes extra amenities such as free laundry service (up to three bags), unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace, an expanded lunch and dinner room service menu, the services of a dedicated concierge, and access to the Concierge Lounge, and a complimentary welcome bottle of prosecco.

Entry to the suite life on Oceania Allura is via the Penthouse Suite, which measures 440 square feet. These rooms have a walk-in closet and a dual-sink bathroom, and come with amenities such as priority luggage delivery, card-only access to the Executive Lounge, 24-hour butler service, course-by-course in-suite dining with access to the specialty restaurant menus, complimentary garment pressing and shoeshine service, and gourmet evening canapes upon request.

At the top tier, cruisers can choose from one of three suite categories: the Oceania Suite, Vista Suite, and Owner’s Suite.

The 14 Oceania Suites range in size from 1,000 to 1,200 square feet, with an elongated balcony, and are said to be inspired by a “smartly appointed flat” on Fifth Avenue. Divided into living, dining, and bedroom spaces, the suite also features a guest studio and bathroom, as well as a master bath with a soaking tub.

If 1,200 square feet of space isn’t enough for your clients, the eight 1,450 square-foot to 1,850 square-foot Vista Suites might be what they’re looking for. The suite features an airy living room, dining room, bar, and master suite with a king-size bed and bathroom with soaking tub and double vanities,, along with separate bathroom for guests.

Amenities for both the Oceania and Vista Suites include all the Penthouse Suite perks as well as a complimentary in-suite bar setup with six full-size bottles of your choice of premium spirits and wines, a complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne, a fresh fruit basket upon request, an in-suite Illy coffee maker with pods, an exclusive pillow menu, and more.

For clients who only want the best, the three 2,400-square-foot Owner’s Suites are a must. Each one spans the full beam of the ship and boasts expansive glass walls. These suites feature a full dining room and separate living room with a full bar, a spacious, colorful master bedroom with a king-size bed, a massive walk-in closet, and a master bath. Large balconies off both the living room and master bedroom provide outdoor privacy.

In addition to all the extra services and amenities listed above, Owner’s Suite guests may also opt for a private in-suite embarkation day lunch from noon to 2 p.m.

Dining & Drinks

Oceania Cruises is known for one of the best culinary programs at sea, and Allura is no exception, with most of the same dining options as the rest of the fleet. There are, however, a few delicious differences.

Aquamar Kitchen is a delightful, health-forward eatery available only on Vista and Allura. Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu features salads and bowls, plus multiple varieties of avocado toast, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, and more. It’s incredibly popular, and with limited seating, there’s often a wait.

Another popular venue onboard is the new Creperie. Cruisers line up here for the crepes, waffles (and waffle cones), and gelato. Word on our sailing quickly spread that the salted caramel is a must-try—it was! 

Other revamped dining options onboard include Red Ginger, which, on Allura, offers a second Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) menu in addition to the regular menu; and a new iteration of Jacques with a refreshed menu that combines new flavors with classic Jacques dishes.

All dining onboard Oceania Allura is included in the cruise fare except for specialty wine pairing dinners, such as Privée by La Reserve. This highly sought-after culinary affair is by reservation only and seats only eight diners per evening, so it fills up fast. Other wine pairing opportunities include the three-course Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience, Connoisseur Wine Pairing Lunches, the six-course Dom Pérignon Experience, and the six-course Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing lunch.

Many of these wine-pairing lunches and dinners can be booked in advance, but advisors do not receive a commission on them.

The bar and beverage scene on Allura is as innovative as its culinary offerings, including one of the best selections of zero-proof cocktails on any cruise line. Pop-up events include The Bubbly Bar, an interactive beverage customization experience that takes place on select evenings in Baristas, as well as the Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar, which is hosted during lunch in the Terrace Café and features a vibrant display (and choice of) vegetable ingredients and unique garnishes such as spicy shrimp, stuffed olives, and dried bacon.

Advisors with whisky-loving clients should let them know about the Macallan Rituals and the Macallan Chocolate Pairing. With the former, your whisky-based cocktail will be created for your tableside, while the latter gives guests a choice of four options: The Macallan Quest & Milk Chocolate, the Macallan Lumina & Chocolate Truffles with fruit, The Macallan Terra & White Chocolate, or the Macallan Enigma & Dark Chocolate. 

Rum lovers can check out the two Brugal 1888 mixology seminars.

Experiences & Onboard Amenities

Oceania cruisers travel to enrich themselves. To learn and discover. As such, a key component of any Oceania cruise is the onboard education, starting with the line’s much-in-demand The Culinary Center and Chef’s Studio. Here, guests will find daily food lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on cooking classes (for a fee), usually reflecting the culinary traditions of the destinations guests are currently sailing through.

Other educational opportunities are available at the Artist Loft, where clients can try their hands at different kinds of art (painting, drawing, sculpture, photography) with an onboard Artist in Residence, and the LYNC Digital Center (new on Allura), where hands-on classes on digital photography, social media, online safety, and more are offered.

Classes for all of the above can fill up quickly, so remind your clients to visit the Culinary Center, Artist Loft, and LYNC Digital Center on embarkation day to sign up for the classes they’re most interested in.

Other popular pastimes for Oceania cruisers are indulging in the daily, sumptuous afternoon teas (think four-tiered pastry and finger sandwich trays), spending time at the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, or reading a book in the light-filled and airy library.

Oceania Allura also has a small casino. It’s off to the side on Deck 6, so guests don’t have to walk through it to get anywhere. How busy it gets really varies by sailing.

Shore Excursions & Itineraries

In a typical year, Oceania offers a diverse range of 230 to 250 itineraries covering global destinations across six continents, as well as Antarctica sail-bys (i.e., no continental landings). Generally speaking, the vast majority of itineraries span European destinations, both Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with a fair number of Caribbean sailings and an annual Alaska season.

With a new ship like Allura, itineraries mostly stick to the standard European and Caribbean destinations, with some lesser-known ports sprinkled in among the more on-the-beaten-path stops.

On all itineraries, Oceania takes its culinary focus ashore with a selection of Culinary Discovery Tours. Led by chef instructors, participants will shop for fresh ingredients at local markets, visit Michelin-starred restaurants, or experience regional fare in private homes.

The rest of Oceania’s tours are divided into categories that include such varied themes as Beyond Blueprints focusing on architecture and design, Go Green tours that allow guests to experience how communities and businesses are working to conserve and sustain their surrounding environments, and Go Local Tours (in Europe, Alaska, and South America) that invite guests to engage with local artisans, craftsmen, religious figures, and others to immerse themselves in the local way of life.

Oceania also offers a small selection of “Oceania Exclusive” excursions, which are limited to 10 to 16 guests, offering more flexibility and personalized attention. The Executive Collection, on the other hand, allows guests to hire a driver and personalize their itinerary ashore according to their interests.

Wellness & Spa

As with most cruise ships at sea, the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center on Allura is operated by OneSpaWorld. Spa treatments—facials, massages, body treatments, and salon and medispa services—are pretty much the same as you’ll find on other cruise ships.

Instead, what differentiates Allura’s Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center is the open-air Spa Terrace, where guests will find plush loungers, plunge pools, and whirlpool spas. Complimentary to guests in Concierge Staterooms, Penthouse Suites, and higher suite categories, guests in lower-level staterooms can pay a daily fee to access the space.

Clients looking to maintain their fitness routine at sea—especially when indulging in some of the best food at sea—will find everything they need in the 24-hour Deck 15 gym. Technogym equipment includes a variety of cardio machines, free weights up to 75 pounds, and a Kinesis wall. There’s also a dedicated studio for yoga, pilates, and spin classes. Guests can also book time with a personal trainer if they wish.

Family & Multi-Gen Appeal

While Allura and Oceania Cruises are good for multi-gen families comprising older adults and their grown children, the brand is not appropriate for families. No one under the age of 18 is permitted onboard.

Sustainability & Accessibility

As the newest ship in the fleet, Allura has some sustainability features not found on other ships. For instance, the ship operates on marine gas oil instead of heavy fuel oil, which was not readily available when Vista was under construction. Marine gas oil produces lower emissions of sulfur oxides and particulates, making it better for the environment.

Allura also has food digesters, which convert food waste to a liquid that can be discharged, as well as a waste heat recovery system that recycles excess warmth from the engines for other purposes.

The ship also has a shore power system, so it can connect to shore power when available.

In terms of accessibility, Allura has 13 ADA accessible staterooms with wider doors, roll-in showers, grab bars in the bathroom, and large turning spaces. These are spread across Veranda Staterooms, Connecting French Veranda Staterooms, Concierge Level Verandas, and Penthouse Suites.

All restaurants, bars, and public spaces, such as the theater and casino, are accessible for wheelchair users as well.

Additionally, there is Braille signage in public spaces.

How To Book Smart

Oceania Cruises is a preferred supplier to all major consortia, with most providing an additional amenity—typically an invitation to an exclusive event or an onboard credit. Advisors might also have access to exclusive group space through their consortium or host on select sailings at lower prices.

While Oceania does not offer any evergreen promotions, the line relies heavily on its “Your World Included” value promise, which lets guests choose the value-add that fits their priorities—either wine and beer by the glass during lunch and dinner restaurant hours, or a shore excursion credit.

Additionally, there is typically an added-value or stateroom upgrade offer for select sailings, timed to coincide with most national holidays.

When thinking about when to sell an Oceania Allura cruise, advisors should keep in mind that premium suite categories tend to sell out first. If you want to market an Allura sailing and you want the best chance of selling clients into a higher-end suite, start marketing as soon as sail dates are released and opened for booking.  Winter Caribbean sailings tend to sell a little closer to sail date, so they don’t need as much lead time as European itineraries, but higher-category suites will still be the first to go.