What is it like aboard the Oceania Allura?, Oceania's dining options, What's new on the Oceania Allura?, Where will the Oceania Allura sail?, How much are the sailings?

Platters of prosciutto sat next to dishes of marinated olives and peppers, across from handmade pastas. At the Caprese bar, I could pick from numerous options of mozzarella, from fior di latte and burrata, to be mixed with tomatoes, like heirloom and cherry. The entire room smelled of garlic and freshly baked bread as fellow passengers found their seats.

This Italian market wasn't in the streets of Rome or a Tuscan restaurant – this was aboard Oceania Cruises' latest ship, Oceania Allura.

With the ingredients sourced from the day's port of Ravenna, the market is another example of the small-ship luxury cruise line's destination-focused travel experiences.

I was on the ship's maiden voyage in mid-July, departing from Trieste, Italy, to Athens, Greece, with stops in Croatia's Rijeka and Dubrovnik, Montenegro, and Ravenna, Italy.

"What sets Oceania Allura apart is not just the refined design or the thoughtfully curated spaces, but the warm, personalized service and those intangible, heartfelt touches that our loyal guests have come to cherish," Dominique Nicolle, Oceania Allura general manager, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The Oceania Allura is Oceania Cruises' latest ship.

During the sailing, elevated food from not just Italy was around every corner – white-glove afternoon tea, cooking classes, a wine-pairing lunch and a variety of specialty restaurants. Some of the excursions at the destinations also focused on local cuisine, made by residents – such as a lunch served at locally owned winery Storia di Pietra in Montenegro, where we tasted a bright white wine alongside a strong shot of rakija, the local version of grappa.

"Of course, our passion for cuisine continues to lead the industry, and Oceania Allura is home to an array of new dining experiences that elevate our culinary legacy even further, such as the debut of our first-ever Creperie, the beloved signature French restaurant Jacques being reprised onboard with innovative new menus and more," Nicolle said.

I don't consider myself a foodie, but it was hard not to feel like one. More travelers are seeking out these types of culinary experiences on their trips: with say they want to plan trips around a destination's cuisine in Chase Travel and Infatuation's The Spots of Summer 2025 survey.

USA TODAY was among those invited on the first sailing for the new Oceania Allura. Here's what it was like.

What is it like aboard the Oceania Allura?

The Atrium featured a stunning crystal chandelier.

The Oceania Allura spans 804 feet long, called "the most innovative and luxurious Oceania Cruises ship to date," according to the cruise line. Built in Genoa, it is the second in the Oceania Cruises' Allura Class, after her sister ship Oceania Vista, which launched in 2023.

"Oceania Allura delivers the pinnacle of small-ship luxury, with an elegant, residential feel that instantly puts guests at ease," Nicolle said. The ship was designed with an upscale, modern style – an almost floor-to-ceiling crystal chandelier in the Atrium and the signature French restaurant Jacques featuring dim lighting and a faux fireplace for an intimate atmosphere.

All staterooms and suites are outside-facing, and generous at over 290 square feet, with the largest cruise ship bathroom I've seen. The entire ship felt spacious, even when everyone was out and about, with tucked-away nooks in the lounges for conversations and quiet escapes. It has a casino, several lounges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an artist loft, a spa, a pool, a running track and a library.

There are no inside cabins on the Allura.

For entertainment, there were nightly shows and a culinary center with hosted cooking classes – ingredients were pre-cut and portioned out, so all you have to do is show up and follow the chef's directions. (Four Oceania ships now have a culinary center, and classes require signing up in advance.)

The ship has a capacity for 1,200 guests at double occupancy, with two staff members for every three passengers. With the dining experiences as a focal point, there is one chef for every eight guests aboard, and more than half the crew is dedicated to the food operations. There was never a shortage of food, or long waits to get your meal.

Oceania's dining options

Food is a focal point for Oceania Cruises.

There were nine food venues aboard the Allura, including four fine-dining specialty restaurants (they are included with the fare):

Jacques: Named after Master Chef Jacques Pepin, this restaurant is also found on the line's Marina and Riviera ships. Timeless French dishes like duck a l'orange and escargot made the menu, along with options like filet mignon topped with truffle and foie gras. A tableside preparation for each order of beef tartare stole the show for the diners.
Red Ginger: The Pan-Asian restaurant features items inspired by the cuisines of Japan, China and Korea but also added a slew of new Japanese-Peruvian dishes, like ceviche denaturalized in sesame oil and red chili. Each night, the sushi chef comes up with a new selection of fresh sashimi and rolls.
Toscana: This Italian restaurant is inspired by the flavors of the Tuscan countryside, but the highlight was the olive oil sommelier who came around with a wide selection to choose from, offering profiles in the Italian cooking staple from spicy to sweet.
Polo Grill: The classic steakhouse with a diverse range of cuts of meat and fresh seafood served with sides like creamed spinach. Each cut of beef is aged for at least 40 days for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

I also enjoyed the wellness-inspired food at Aquamar Kitchen, like the fresh juices and smoothies, and the daily afternoon tea in one of the lounges, complete with scones and clotted cream. The Viennese-inspired coffeehouse Baristas was where I grabbed my daily pain au chocolat, which was always perfectly flaky.

What's new on the Oceania Allura?

The Creperie is a new concept unveiled on the Allura.

Gerard Bertrand Wine Pairing Luncheon: Taking place in Jacques one afternoon was the first-ever wine pairing luncheon with winery Gérard Bertrand, featuring decadent bites and sips. Dishes of caviar and foie gras were served alongside a pour from a 50-year-old wine. I felt full by the end but still had to indulge in the white chocolate dessert topped with real gold leaf.
LYNC Digital Center: This new venue helps passengers stay connected and leverage technology on their trips, offering free classes on topics like videography and smartphone photography led by digital concierges.
New menu items: Even if you've sailed on Oceania before, the Allura unveiled an array of new dishes. Speciality restaurants were given new menu items, and the Grand Dining Room launched more than 270 recipes. These ranged from more than 30 new breakfast items and dishes like soft shell crab tempura bao buns in Red Ginger. Though Allura passengers get to try these first, many will be introduced on the rest of the fleet through early 2026.
The Creperie: For those with a sweet tooth, the cruise line launched a new culinary concept that served up dessert-style French crepes with toppings like Nutella, plus Belgian and bubble waffles filled with gelato and fruit.

Where will the Oceania Allura sail?

The ship will undertake 26 voyages in its inaugural season to 92 destinations in regions like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Canada and New England.

How much are the sailings?

Sailings on the Oceania Allura start at $799 per guest for a four-day cruise from New York in the fall, but prices can go up to $3,000 for longer cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Oceania Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control.