Oceania Vista
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Ath...and Venice
Ath...and Venice
As Oceania Cruises’ first ship to launch in 10 years, this 1,200-passenger ship is part of the new Allura class and debuted in May of 2023 with Mediterranean voyages. In the fall of 2023 the ship will shift to Caribbean sailings. The term “residential-style luxury” isn’t just marketing buzz: There’s more storage in the baths than many hotel rooms, including luxury suites, and even if you’re not on a World cruise it’s a much-needed perk. Styled by Ralph Lauren Home, the three-room library is a relaxing space not far from Baristas (to sip cappuccinos while browsing travel guides, the latest fiction titles, or art books) but also not a dark, “forgotten” spot on the ship: access to the pool deck is just steps away.Read More
Past guests on Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera will recognize the Culinary Center, although Vista’s is twice the size, with 24 cooking stations. Other new additions are Founders Bar (showcasing mixology tricks using smoke, for example), a bakery adjacent to the 14th-floor Baristas coffee bar (perfect for grabbing breakfast or lingering over a French-inspired pastry in the afternoon), and Ember, a fine-dining restaurant (a wall of windows on one side and an open kitchen, serving surf and turf). Design touches at the hands of Miami’s Studio DADO are as high-end as on Oceania’s other ships, with the grand staircase’s two-level sculptural art piece just one example. Even some of the pool deck’s chaise lounges are far from the norm: think round day beds.
A whopping 11 dining venues ensure no one gets hungry, but each is also well-conceived, as are wine pairings thanks to the 20 sommeliers on board Vista. Vegan, gluten-free, and health-minded diners will not go hungry, including at the line’s new Aquamar Kitchen. Mocktails have a dedicated spot on most venues’ cocktail lists and are truly inventive, as opposed to an afterthought. Godmother Giada De Laurentiis partnered with one of the restaurants, Toscana, on a signature dish (lemon spaghetti) and her FoodNetwork show, Giada at Home, airs on stateroom TVs.
While high-quality food and beverage are a draw, as are the food-focused shore excursions, including trips with the chef to a market and then back to the culinary center to cook, there’s also a spa (with an outdoor hot tub and resort-style pool), fitness center, pickleball court, mini-golf course, and rooftop pool area to unwind and relax. Staterooms boast among the largest baths at sea and Scandi-style furnishings throughout for a light, vibrant touch in keeping with life at sea.
Although not an all-inclusive ship—guests choose from two drinks packages: House Select+ ($39.95 per day, includes unlimited Champagne, wine and beer) and Prestige Select ($69.95 per day, the same as House Select+ plus premium spirts)—internet is free, a rare find at sea. At no additional cost are sodas, and coffee and tea drinks. All shore excursions booked through the ship carry fees and there’s a special focus on food-, wellness- and art-related tours.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
New to the Oceania brand and on this ship are concierge-level veranda staterooms, with access to a suite serving coffee drinks and snacks all day long. Three Owner’s suites are on Oceania Vista, spanning 2,400 square feet (the full beam of the ship) and styled by Ralph Lauren Home, with such features as a dining table, double-door entry into the foyer, walk-in closets and two teak verandas. Ralph Lauren Home’s upholstered Cote d’Azur bed (retailing for $18,000) is also in the suite. Penthouse (440 square feet), Oceania (1,000 to 1,200 square feet) and Vista suites (1,450 to 1,850 square feet) include unlimited access to Aquamar Spa Terrace.
There are four additional cabin categories, each outfitted with the line’s signature Tranquility Bed: Concierge Level Veranda, Concierge Level Solo Veranda, Veranda Stateroom and French Veranda Stateroom. All flaunt spacious baths among the largest at sea, with oversized rainforest showers along with storage in three distinct spaces—perfect for a family or if you simply want to spread out. Vista’s solo-occupancy cabins are new to the line and a far cry from the interior cabins on most lines in terms of space, with verandas and a sitting area.
All cabins also feature a mini bar, desk and seating area. In lieu of single-use plastics such as plastic water bottles, each cabin includes two stainless-steel water bottles to refill with glass bottles of filtered water that can be replenished daily.
There is a step up into the bathroom in most stateroom cabins, which could be a challenge for those with limited mobility. Elevators eliminate concerns about handling stairs. Ramps to embark and disembark are provided no matter if there is a tender or a pier, although most ports access a pier.
Food & Drink
It’s nearly impossible to have a bad meal on board Oceania Vista. Take the closest thing to a buffet—Terrace Café—for instance. From buttery, flaky croissants with omelets-made-to-order in the morning to sushi, lobster tails, and steak for dinner, it’s a five-star experience all day long. New culinary options are on board Vista, such as more demos and classes in the Culinary Center (thanks to being double the size on two other Oceania Cruises ships), Aquamar Kitchen (an extension of the spa lifestyle—even located near the spa—with cold-press juices, smoothies, bowls, salads, and avocado toast), Ember (surf and turf served against a sleek, chic backdrop with indulgent dishes like lobster mac ‘n cheese) and the bakery (a veritable step into a Paris-style bakery with a half-dozen options introduced daily).
Red Ginger is the Asian-fusion restaurant and remains difficult to snag a table (act fast!), with the chopsticks’ menu, watermelon and duck confit salad, and lobster pad Thai the most-talked about experiences. Toscana’s olive-oil cart is an opportunity to geek out on olive oil while Giada De Laurentiis’ lemon spaghetti dish will have you begging the staff for the recipe (it’s that good). On sailings of longer than two weeks, the Grand Dining Room hosts a Sunday buffet that rivals the country’s best with piles of crab legs, a cheese table of French selections, and caviar, in addition to the egg dishes and meat sides you’d expect for brunch. Any meal in the Grand Dining Room is a step above other cruise lines, including the tables not being packed in as tight. A pizzeria debuts at night in Waves Grill and features Naples-style pizza with many Italy-born chefs at the helm.
There are four bars on board Vista: Horizons (great spot to listen to live music), Waves Bar (poolside and open until 7 p.m.), Founders Bar (where true mixology happens, using creative techniques such as smoke-infused flavor) and Martinis (like the name suggests, martinis are the flagship cocktail). Baristas Aperitivo is the nighttime rendition of Baristas, with Amari and trend-setting cocktails crafted from Italian spirits. It’s new to the line and only on Vista.
Guests select from two drinks packages that are part of OLife Choice. With the House Select+ Beverage Package ($39.95 day) unlimited Champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner. Costing $69.95 per day, the Prestige Select Beverage Package features what’s in the other package plus unlimited premium spirits—no matter what time of day.
New to the line and on Oceania Vista are two interactive mixology experiences with Brugal 1888, a Dominican Republic rum brand: Brugal 1888 Tea at Sea (crafting rum and tea cocktails) and Brugal 1888 & Ice Cream Masterclass (tutorial in making ice-cream-infused rum drinks). Wine education is another strength on the ship. The new Cellar Master’s Classic Lunch ($159 per person) pairs six courses with wine. For true wine aficionados, the Moët & Chandon tasting experience at Aquamar Kitchen in the evening ($45 per person) or the Dom Perignon experience at Privée ($395 per person) are a must.
Entertainment
As this is a mostly adults cruise line, entertainment does not cater to all ages—which also means the content is more sophisticated and far from cheesy. Each night’s entertainment runs from 4:30 p.m. to late-night, with the last scheduled event starting in the 11 p.m. hour, further satisfying night owls on board. In the theater (Vista Lounge) are events that range from cooking demos during the day to Broadway-style music at night. Horizons hosts dance-floor hits by a resident band at its stage. A pianist in Martinis performs for a pre- and post-dinner crowd. Instead of an art gallery where the hosts try to sell you large-format art that’s not necessarily special, an artist-in-residence teaches classes with the opportunity to take home (small format, thankfully!) your creations. There is a casino but it’s not overly marketed and is on a very small scale compared to other cruise lines.
Spa & Fitness
While the spa, fitness center, running track, and sports deck are what you’ll find on any other cruise line, it’s the thoughtful interior design that sets it apart. Spending a sea day on Aquamar Spa Terrace is just like being at a spa resort. A unique amenity is the pickleball court, also on Oceania Cruises’ Marina and Riviera. Classes in yoga and meditation are also offered through the fitness center. Wellness-inspired shore excursions are an off-ship extension of the spa, such as a Bordeaux bicycling tour or practicing yoga at a country estate in Corfu, Greece.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
There is a medical center on board the ship that can assist passengers. All guests are required to watch a video in their stateroom that serves as the muster drill and life jackets are available in each cabin.
Dress Code
Like most cruise lines, formal nights have gone by the wayside although in some of the specialty restaurants you’re more likely to see guests dressed to the nines—but not in tuxes or ball gowns. Overall, the dress code is casual although casual jeans, shorts, T-shirts, baseball caps, tennis shoes and casual sandals are not permitted in the specialty restaurants after 6 p.m.
Junior Cruisers
As Oceania Cruises lacks a kids’ club or kid-friendly amenities and activities, this is a mostly adults cruise. It’s not that children aren’t allowed. They just don’t have dedicated spaces of their own on board. For cruisers averse to traveling with packs of loud, noisy kids, this type of cruise is a dream. But it borders on a nightmare if you’re the parent of said kids as you will likely be in charge of coordinating their entertainment.
Service
On top of the passenger-to-crew ratio of 3-to-2, Oceania Vista’s staff goes above and beyond. Many of the crew have stayed with the line for years—because it’s that great of a company to work for, and being on board this newest ship a coveted role. Where Oceania Vista’s crew excels the best is with dining service. Rarely does a member of waitstaff have to inquire with a manager or sommelier regarding a guest’s inquiry: they all know and understand artisan food and wine.
Tipping
With select special offers, Oceania Cruises’ fares include all tips and gratuities for onboard staff. Otherwise, suggested gratuities are $18 per person (in cabin) per day or, if in the suites, $23 per person per day. A 20 percent tip is suggested for services at the spa.