Oceania Vista: The Luxury "Sweet Spot"

The ship

We have sailed on many different cruise lines, but stepping aboard the Oceania Vista felt different. It didn’t feel like boarding a cruise ship—it felt like checking into a chic, residential hotel that just happened to float.

Launched in 2023 as the first of Oceania’s new "Allura Class," this ship is a stunning modernization of the brand. The design is airy, organic, and filled with light—think "Ralph Lauren Home" meets a modern seaside villa. There are no crowds, no noise, just a sophisticated calm that makes you exhale the moment you walk on board.

Here is our deep dive into the ship that is redefining the "upper premium" category.

Sail away: The onboard experience

Afternoon Tea cart

The "sweet spot" positioning

• The family tree: It helps to know where Oceania comes from. It is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which obviously owns the mainstream Norwegian Cruise Line, but also the ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas. This lineage explains exactly where Oceania sits: it hits a valuable "sweet spot" in the market, bridging the gap between big-ship resources and ultra-luxury refinement.

• The competition: Oceania competes directly with lines like Viking and Azamara, sitting noticeably above premium lines (like Celebrity) but just below the all-inclusive price point of Silversea or Regent.

• The crowd factor: With only 1,200 guests, the luxury here is space. We rarely saw a line or felt crowded, which makes a massive difference in the buffet or by the pool.

The rooms (residential luxury)

• The vibe: The staterooms are where the "residential" feel really shines. They don't feel like cabins; they feel like apartments.

• The details: The bathrooms are surprisingly spacious (a rarity on ships!) with oversized rainforest showers and plenty of storage. The verandas are large enough to actually enjoy breakfast on, which quickly became our morning ritual.

Accessible Concierge Suite

Accessible Concierge Suite bathroom

Itineraries: The gift of time

Overnight stays: One feature we love is that Oceania schedules more overnight port stays than most lines. This is fantastic if you want to experience the nightlife in a city or just have a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant without stressing about "all aboard" times.

Life onboard: Wellness & spas

The Pool Deck

The Aquamar Spa Terrace (the hidden gem)

• The secret: If you book a Concierge Level Veranda or any Suite, you get unlimited keycard access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace.

• Why it matters: This is a private, open-air deck at the very front of the ship. It features thalassotherapy pools and hot tubs with infinity views over the bow. It is quiet, exclusive, and arguably the best spot on the ship to watch a sail-away. Trust us: this perk alone is often worth the upgrade price.

The main spa

The reality: The spa itself is lovely, clean, and offers solid treatments, but to be honest, it is fairly typical of what you find on most premium cruise ships. It’s a great place for a massage, but unlike the rest of the ship, which feels revolutionary, the spa feels standard.

Entertainment surprise

Smaller ships often struggle with entertainment, but the Vista surprised us. The main production shows were generally excellent, high-energy, and well-produced. Beyond the theater, we loved the various performers around the ship. Whether it was a string quartet or a pianist, the live music added a lovely texture to the evenings.

Eat this: Culinary highlights

Oceania’s slogan is "The Finest Cuisine at Sea." While that is a bold claim that may be a bit exaggerated, we found the food to be consistently excellent across the board.

Main Dining Room

• Aquamar Kitchen (the wellness hit)

The vibe: This was our favorite addition to the ship. It’s a dedicated wellness restaurant that proves healthy food doesn't have to be boring. We loved the breakfast smoothies, avocado toasts, and fresh poke bowls at lunch.

• Red Ginger (the fan favorite)

The dish: You cannot sail Oceania without eating at their signature Asian restaurant, Red Ginger. The atmosphere is moody and stunning, and the Miso Glazed Sea Bass is legendary for a reason.

• Toscana (Italian elegance)

The vibe: Dining here feels like a special occasion. The menu is vast, featuring family recipes sourced from the Italian culinary staff. The custom Versace china adds a touch of glamour, and the olive oil cart (where they pair oil to your bread) is a lovely touch.

Toscana Italian restaurant

• The Terrace Café (buffet done right)

The experience: Forget what you know about cruise buffets. Because of the passenger ratio, there are no chaotic lines here. We loved the themed nights, where the kitchen transforms the spread to focus on a specific cuisine. It kept things fresh and exciting.

• The Culinary Center

Activity: Vista features a dedicated hands-on cooking school with individual workstations. These classes are incredibly popular, so if you are interested, sign up as soon as you board (or before if possible).

Pollo Grill Steakhouse

The nitty-gritty: Value & inclusions

• What’s included: This is where Oceania shines. Daily gratuities are included in the fare (similar to ultra-luxury lines), which is a huge value. Also included: all specialty dining, Starlink Wi-Fi, and all non-alcoholic drinks (specialty coffees, sodas, juices).

• What’s extra: You primarily only pay for alcohol.

Pro-tip: While daily tips are covered, be aware that an automatic 20% gratuity is added to any alcohol purchases you make on board.

Accessibility note

• The good: We found the ship to be generally easy to navigate, with flat thresholds in most doorways and plenty of space for maneuverability in public areas.

• The reality: While good, Oceania does not focus on accessibility quite as heavily as some other major lines. If you have severe mobility issues or require specialized equipment, it may not be the primary choice.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cruises page.