Oceania Vista Review

By Kimberly Coyne

Vista is the first of the Allura class of ships and the first new vessel for Oceania Cruises in over ten years. Christened in May 2023, the ship features culinary experiences in an elevated atmosphere, striking the right balance between elegance and comfort. The ship boasts spacious cabins, destination-rich itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe, and a sprinkling of Panama Canal departures. In 2026, the Vista is expected to be the World Cruise vessel, but the itinerary and dates have yet to be released - stay tuned.

Let’s look at the Vista ship stats:

Launched: May 2023
Tons: 67,000
Capacity: 1,200 guests
Crew: 800

Best For

Foodies and Wanna-be Foodies! Hands down, some of the best foods to experience land or sea! Add the unique cocktails and wine pairings, and you have an epicurean’s dream come true.

It is also perfect for those looking for an upscale premium cruise experience in a more relaxed atmosphere without the price tag of a luxury brand.

Not For

Families with (small) children. There are no kids' facilities onboard, and unless the children are mature beyond their years and enjoy fine dining and a refined atmosphere, this is not the cruise line or ship for kids.

Highlights:

Culinary Classes
Culinary Discovery Tours
Wine Pairings
Extensive menus
Innovative cocktails
Intimate spaces
Spacious staterooms
Abundance of art and enrichment
Relaxing areas
In a nutshell, HEAVEN!

Design:

Richly appointed with luxurious finishes, unique lighting, and artwork, Vista is truly in a class of its own. Everywhere you look, there is a comfortable seating area. The fit and finish details throughout the ship are genuinely remarkable. From granite and glass to wood and other rich textures, each public area flows together seamlessly but has its own unique characteristics.

The light fixtures in each area of the ships were gorgeously designed and set the tone and mood of the room. Honestly, the lighting is everything on this ship, and the fixtures were as beautiful as they were functional, pieces of art in their own right.

Activities:

At the forefront of the activities available onboard Vista is the culinary arts program with a purpose-built test kitchen and teaching studio equipped with 24 fully functional kitchen stations. Be inspired by learning to make new dishes or simply hone your kitchen skills in one of the expertly crafted culinary classes. On board Vista, various classes are offered, from ‘Brunch Around the Globe’ to Classic French Techniques and local cuisines from worldwide regions. Further explore It’s a Dessert Party or Mastering Heat: Unleashing Intense Flavor.

The Artist Loft offers classes by Artists in Residence ranging from drawing and painting to photography and other mediums. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn and develop skills or explore a newfound passion.

Other onboard activities include traditional cruise get-togethers for trivia, bridge, mahjong, and ballroom dancing. Looking to play golf? Enjoy the 18-hole putting greens (aka mini-golf) and a golf tee cage to practice your swing for the big courses in port. There’s even cornhole, tennis, and pickleball onboard Vista.

The LYNC Digital Center onboard Vista allows guests to stay connected to home while at sea or partake in an educational class. It’s the perfect place to learn about social media, travel photography, and smartphone videography.

Every Oceania sailing features a guest lecturer discussing various subjects inspired by the destination. Dive into the rituals of the local culture and learn more about the region/destinations. Some itineraries may have a second guest lecturer for additional enrichment and workshops.

Entertainment:

Sit back, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the cool stylings of a featured pianist or a classical string quartet in one of the lounges. A lively dance band plays hits from the 50s to today’s top hits in the Horizon lounge. Enjoy traditional Broadway-style shows in the main theater featuring Into the Night, choreographed by Britt Steward from “Dancing with the Stars,” and include various dance and design elements to entertain and wow the audience. Headliners performed by the Vista cast feature artists like Adele, Cher, Celine Dion, and more. The show will entertain and provide an evening of great musical hits. A third production show, The Anchor Inn, is set in a lively pub by the same name and features UK-centric songs and dance inspired by the West End theater scene in London. Clap along to Rod Stewart, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Madness, and more quintessentially British artists.

Dining:

Oceania Cruises has long been known as a leading culinary cruise line. As one of the unwavering brand pillars and hallmarks of all the Oceania ships, food is at the forefront. This is especially true for the newest ship, Vista, with a purpose-built Culinary test kitchen and teaching studio, a space offering 24 stations for guests to partake in a variety of classes conducted by Master Chefs. Additionally, the ship boasts 11 dining venues, each themed with extensive menu options. Simply put, sailing on Vista is a food lover's dream come true and an opportunity for all cruisers to expand their dining horizons and experience new things.

Here are a few fun facts about what is used in a typical week onboard Vista:

1,400 pounds of lobster
20,000 fresh eggs
6,500 pounds of beef
5,000 pounds of flour
60 pounds of caviar
1,800 bottles of Champagne
2,000 bottles of red wine
2,200 bottles of white wine

Given Oceania’s dedication to the culinary experience, it should be noted they have the highest percentage of culinary personnel dedicated to the guest dining experience, more than any cruise line in the industry. Impressively, there is one chef for every ten guests onboard, and about half of the total crew onboard is dedicated to cooking or serving food.

The Grand Dining Room and specialty restaurants all boast impressive menus in beautifully themed atmospheres. Experience Ember, a new addition to the family of restaurants featuring American classics with an elevated twist in a comfortable atmosphere that feels like a yacht club meets Grand Central Station. From the traditional steakhouse experience of Polo Grill to the Asian fusion of Red Ginger and the Tuscan-inspired elevated Italian of Toscana, you will be spoiled for dining choices while onboard. Vista also features a new casual dining venue for breakfast and lunch, Aquamar Kitchen, boasting healthy options from cold-pressed raw juices to energy bowls to fish tacos and falafel.

From casual dining options to elegant spaces, the culinary team’s attention to detail is second to none. Be prepared to experience the best food at sea that will impress foodies and non-foodies alike. It’s truly a gastronomical extravaganza, and returning back to land, one should be prepared to experience withdrawal symptoms so strong they will be booking another likely longer cruise onboard this incredible ship.

Sample Menus:

Cabins:

Vista offers remarkably large cabins in all categories, including the standard staterooms, which measure more than 290 square feet. Every stateroom onboard provides an ocean view or, as the ship’s name implies, a vista (ocean) view.

A first for the line, Vista offers Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms for solo travelers. These cabins are spacious enough for longer voyages, and having a private verandah shows Oceania’s commitment to ultra-premium (dare we say entry-level luxury) for all travelers. While other lines offer solo cabins, most are interior with no view. This new cabin type is definitely a game changer for solo travelers looking for a more premium line and experience without the premium price tag of paying for double occupancy.

The Owner's Suite is the perfect retreat for guests looking for a truly remarkable experience. Spanning more than 2,200 square feet and the entire width of the ship, three Owner’s Suites are available (deck 8, 9, or 10), each richly appointed and surrounded by ocean views.

The Vista and Oceania Suites are equally impressive and opulent, offering comfortable areas for gathering with friends and family or enjoying quiet time. The Penthouse Suites offer a plethora of amenities and space, including an oversized bathroom with dual vanities. Like the larger suites, all have private verandahs with comfortable oversized furniture perfect for enjoying the ocean views.

Closing Thoughts:

While onboard Vista (Oct 2023), I had the opportunity to speak with Frank A Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, and he shared a few insights on Allura and what’s coming next.

When asked about changes from Vista to Allura, we learned the library on deck 14 aft will move forward, nestled somewhere between the Artists Loft, LYNC Digital Center, and the conference center. The current space for the library will be transformed into an expanded bakery area with crepes and other culinary delights, as well as more seating to take in the high-top ocean views.

It typically takes about five years to bring a ship to life, from conception to design to welcoming the first guest. When asked about “what’s next after Allura,” Mr. Del Rio shared that plans are underway for a new class of ship and expects to release some of the details by the end of December 2023.

The future of Oceania is strong, with Vista and soon-to-be Allura (coming in 2025) leading the way in innovative design, remarkable food, inspiring cocktails, and wine pairings. If you are looking to elevate your next cruise experience, Oceania should be at the top of the list. For first-time cruisers, an Oceania experience is sure to leave you awe-inspired and ready to plan another.