Oceania Cruises Sets New Booking Record With Sonata Launch Day
Bookings for the 2027 newbuild outpaced the line’s previous record by 45 percent, driven by early demand for expanded suite categories.
Photo: Courtesy of Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises has set a new internal benchmark with the opening day of reservations for Oceania Sonata, its next newbuild scheduled to enter service in August 2027. Bookings opened on Jan. 28 and exceeded the company’s previous launch-day record by 45 percent, surpassing demand for Oceania Allura, which debuted last year.
The early performance offers a clear picture of where demand is focused: suites. The line confirmed particularly strong uptake across its higher-category accommodations, which aligns with Oceania’s decision to increase the proportion of suites on board compared with earlier ships. One-third of Sonata’s inventory will be suites, including four new two-bedroom Owner’s Suites, along with two newly introduced categories, Horizon Suites and Penthouse Deluxe Suites.
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“Oceania Sonata promises to usher in a new era of experiential travel, and we cannot wait until she joins the fleet in August 2027,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises. “I’d like to thank our valued guests and travel partners for their incredible enthusiasm, which fueled these amazing results.”
At 86,000 gross tons and with a capacity of 1,390 guests, Oceania Sonata will be the line’s ninth ship and represents the next step beyond the Allura class, which includes Oceania Vista (2023) and Oceania Allura (2025). The Sonata class is planned as a four-ship series, with Oceania Arietta set to follow in 2029 and two additional vessels scheduled for delivery in 2032 and 2035.
Two new dining concepts will debut on board: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, an ultra-limited fine-dining venue, and Nikkei Kitchen, which blends Peruvian flavors with Japanese techniques. Both concepts are new to the fleet and exclusive to the Sonata class at launch.
While Oceania has not yet released full itinerary details for the inaugural season, the strength of opening-day demand shows early confidence in the ship’s positioning. The company has previously emphasized destination-rich routing across more than 600 ports worldwide, a framework expected to carry through to the Sonata class.
Oceania Sonata is currently under construction and remains on track for its August 2027 debut.
