Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is a Miami-based line that sails small and mid-sized ships on port-intensive voyages around the world, with food as its main selling point. Frank Del Rio, Bob Binder and Joe Watters founded it in 2002 and started with former Renaissance Cruises ships; Apollo Global Management bought a majority stake in 2007, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has owned it since 2014. Since January 7, 2026, new bookings are open only to guests aged 18 and over.
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About Oceania Cruises
The fleet has seven ships. Insignia, Nautica and Sirena are R-class ships built in 1998-2000 of about 30,000 tons and 670 guests; Marina and Riviera (2011-2012) carry 1,250, and the newer Vista and Allura (2023 and 2025) 1,200. Oceania Sonata, first of a larger class of about 86,000 tons, debuts in August 2027 and Oceania Arietta follows in 2029. Nautica is being rebuilt as Oceania Aurelia, a world-voyage ship for fewer than 500 guests, from late 2027. Regatta left the fleet in August 2026, and Sirena has been sold to leave after spring 2028.
Most cruises last 10 to 14 days, alongside Grand Voyages and 180-day world cruises. Fares include the specialty restaurants, such as Polo Grill, Toscana, Red Ginger and Jacques, plus Wi-Fi, gratuities, soft drinks, specialty coffee and laundry; since September 2025 guests also pick either wine and beer with lunch and dinner or a shore excursion credit.
What Oceania Cruises is known for
Oceania's reputation rests on food. It markets itself around 'The Finest Cuisine at Sea', includes its specialty restaurants in every fare and runs culinary programs on board and ashore, from cooking demonstrations and workshops to chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours. Small ships, itineraries with long port days and overnight stays, and inclusions such as Wi-Fi, gratuities and laundry are its other main draws, and the 2026 switch to adults-only travel reinforced the calm atmosphere the line says its guests choose it for.
The trade-offs are mainly fleet age and inclusions. The three remaining R-class ships date from 1998-2000 and have fewer restaurants and public rooms than Marina, Riviera, Vista and Allura, and the line has been selling, chartering or rebuilding that older group. Fares are also less inclusive than at all-inclusive luxury lines such as its sister Regent Seven Seas Cruises: cocktails and most excursions cost extra, beyond the choice of mealtime wine and beer or an excursion credit.
Who it's for
Premium · smaller crowds, better food and service than mainstream
- Adults only
- Food lovers
- History and culture
- Couples
- Solo travelers
Oceania suits adults, often couples and solo travelers, who choose a cruise for the destinations and the food: people who want varied itineraries with long or overnight port stays and who put a good dinner ahead of nightlife. Vista and Allura have staterooms designed for solo guests, and the many two-week, Grand Voyage and world-cruise options suit mature travelers with time to spare.
Since January 2026 no one under 18 can be booked, so families should look elsewhere, as should travelers who want a lively, high-energy ship or the lowest fares. Those who want excursions and drinks fully included may prefer Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania's sister line.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 4.1/5
- Dining
- 5/5
- Entertainment
- 3/5
- Service
- 4/5
- Pools & decks
- 4.6/5
- Value
- 3/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 7 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Oceania Cruises sails
Ships
Best rated
#14.2 ★Oceania Allura2025 · 67,817 GT · 1,200 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanOceania Allura is Vista's sister and the second Allura-class ship, delivered by Fincantieri on July 10, 2025, and christened in Miami that November. At about 67,800 gross tons…#24.2 ★Oceania Vista2023 · 67,817 GT · 1,200 guests · World cruises · Northern EuropeOceania Vista is the first Allura-class ship, built by Fincantieri and introduced in 2023 as Oceania's first new ship since Riviera in 2012. She measures about 67,800 gross tons…
#34.0 ★Oceania Marina2011 · 66,084 GT · 1,250 guests · Caribbean · Northern EuropeOceania Marina was the line's first newbuild, an Oceania-class ship of 66,084 gross tons built by Fincantieri at Sestri Ponente, Italy, and named in Miami in February 2011. She…Every ship, by class
Allura class
2 ships · 2023–2025 · 67,817 GT · avg 4.2 ★
Oceania class
2 ships · 2011–2012 · 66,084 GT · avg 4.0 ★
Regatta class
3 ships · 1998–2000 · 30,277 GT · avg 3.8 ★
Coming soon
Former ships
| Ship | Sailed | Gross tons | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceania Regatta | 1998–2026 | 30,277 | August 2026 |
Quick answers
What is Oceania Cruises known for?
Oceania's reputation rests on food. It markets itself around 'The Finest Cuisine at Sea', includes its specialty restaurants in every fare and runs culinary programs on board and ashore, from cooking demonstrations and workshops to chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours. Small ships, itineraries with long port days and overnight stays, and inclusions such as Wi-Fi, gratuities and laundry are its other main draws, and the 2026 switch to adults-only travel reinforced the calm atmosphere the line says its guests choose it for.
Who is Oceania Cruises best for?
Oceania suits adults, often couples and solo travelers, who choose a cruise for the destinations and the food: people who want varied itineraries with long or overnight port stays and who put a good dinner ahead of nightlife. Vista and Allura have staterooms designed for solo guests, and the many two-week, Grand Voyage and world-cruise options suit mature travelers with time to spare.
Where does Oceania Cruises sail?
Oceania Cruises's ships in service sail Mediterranean (4 ships), Caribbean (3 ships), Northern Europe (3 ships), Asia (3 ships), Australia and New Zealand (2 ships), World cruises (2 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Norwegian Fjords (1 ship), South America (1 ship) and South Pacific (1 ship).
How is Oceania Cruises rated?
Oceania Cruises's fleet averages 4.0 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 7 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Oceania Allura at 4.2.
Does Oceania Cruises have new ships coming?
Yes: Oceania Cruises has 2 new ships on the way: Oceania Sonata (debuts August 7, 2027) and Oceania Arietta (due 2029).
How many ships does Oceania Cruises have?
Oceania Cruises has 7 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Oceania Allura, Oceania Insignia, Oceania Marina, Oceania Nautica, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Sirena and Oceania Vista.
What ship classes does Oceania Cruises sail?
Oceania Cruises sails 3 classes of ship in service: Allura class (2 ships), Oceania class (2 ships) and Regatta class (3 ships).
Who owns Oceania Cruises?
Oceania Cruises is part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
Where is Oceania Cruises based?
Oceania Cruises is headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States. It has operated since 2002.
What is Oceania Cruises's loyalty program called?
Oceania Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is Oceania Club.
What is the largest Oceania Cruises ship?
Oceania Allura is Oceania Cruises's largest ship at 67,817 gross tons, carrying 1,200 guests.
Cruising with children
Oceania is not an option for a new cruise booking with children under eighteen. Its policy change matters even if you have seen earlier family-trip descriptions.
Read the Oceania Cruises family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
Thinking about a drinks package on Oceania Cruises? Enter the price the line quotes and what you'd pay for a drink on board. If your fare already includes drinks, you can skip this one.
We haven't found a published wine price for Oceania Cruises yet, so enter your own.
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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