Onboard Review: Oceania Vista—A New Chapter for Oceania Cruises

ROOMOceania Vista—A New Chapter for Oceania CruisesBy Paloma Villaverde de RicoThe moment your clients board Oceania Vista, Oceania Cruises’ first of the Allura Class vessels and the first ship for the cruise line in a decade, they will notice that changes are afoot. This is not the Oceania vessels of years past—the brand has entered a new chapter, and it shows. As Nikki Upshaw, Oceania Cruises’ sr. v.p. of global sales, said during Miami’s inaugural showcase sailing, “Vista has propelled us into the next chapter of Oceania. The way we’re delivering the experience feels fresh and new.” What to ExpectThe new, very airy 1,200-passenger ship delivers a top-of-the-line experience for your clients with 147 suites; 591 cabins with verandahs; 607 outside cabins; a 2:3 crew-to-guest ratio; spacious standard staterooms that measure 290 sq. ft.; new Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms for solo travelers; and 11 culinary venues, including three that are new to Vista. Frank A. Del Rio, Oceania Cruises’ president, spoke with media during the sailing and noted that if your client is looking for a “luxurious product that takes [them] to the best destinations, offers the best service and the best food, then Oceania is a great fit. We have a product that is, as we’ve always said, 9/10th the luxury of any ultra-luxury cruise line but at a premium price.” In fact, he added, “Oceania is the best upper premium product, and I say the word ‘upper’ before ‘premium’ because that’s a niche market that we carved out 20 years ago when we started Oceania. That’s what we always wanted to be, that’s what we still are today and that’s what we’ll continue to be as long as we’re around.” When it comes to stateroom categories, here are the options you need to keep in mind for your most well-heeled clients: The 1,000- to 1,200-sq.-ft Oceania Suites (decks 11 and 12), which offer a “residential luxury” vibe; the 1,450- to 1,850-sq.-ft. Vista Suites (on decks 8, 9, 10 and 12), designed as the “ultimate seaside villa with sweeping views”; and the 2,200- to 2,400-sq.-ft. Owner’s Suites (decks 8, 9 and 10), offering the “ultimate home at sea.” In other categories, you’ll find the 440-sq.-ft. Penthouse Suites (decks 7, 10 and 11) as well as the 291-sq.-ft. Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom (decks 7-12) and the Solo options on deck 9. All the categories are quite spacious, but what is most impressive is the size of the verandahs, even in the smallest category, embracing the line’s ethos that the destinations and ports visited are at the core of delivering a great vacation at sea. Noted Del Rio during the media discussion, “cruise lines have been saying that they’re going after ‘new to brand.’ That’s the easiest client to go after because they’re educated on the cruise product, they’re a little easier to convince. But on the luxury side that’s starting to shift, and a lot of the luxury brands are putting more emphasis on converting luxury land tour vacationers into luxury cruisers. I think cruise lines have an opportunity to convert a lot of those people by focusing on the things Oceania focuses on—fine cuisine, great destinations, great itineraries, making sure that the activities ashore are the type of activities that these folks are interested in.”RESTAURANTSublime CuisineWhat’s on board will thrill your luxury clients, especially when it comes to the culinary options. Del Rio stressed that Oceania is “really good at delivering great food,” and the best part is that the fine dining restaurants don’t come with an
up-charge (exceptions are singular experiences such as the Dom Perignon Experience that pairs Champagne vintages with a 6-course tasting menu; this takes place at the private dining venue Privee, designed to have diners feel as if they’re dining inside a flower). Although our time on board Vista was brief, I did get to sample delicious bites at several venues and can attest to Del Rio’s statement. These included The Grand Dining Room. Inspired by the world’s finest conservatories, the Grand Dining Room transports passengers to a fairy tale-like celebration with garden motifs, immense hydrangea-inspired chandeliers and hand-painted wall coverings such as a willow tree. Although quite grand indeed, the space feels very intimate. Oh, and the food is divine as well—a step above many cruise line’s main dining room experiences. I also stopped in at the buzzy Aquamar Kitchen for a healthy breakfast, where I dove into a mouthwatering avocado toast and a Pure Immunity juice for breakfast; the Terrace Cafe—this is no ordinary buffet restaurant as it features high-quality furnishings, scrumptious food (try the Humphry Slocombe ice cream) and an outdoor terrace overlooking the stern of the ship; and Baristas for an afternoon coffee and some of the best pastries at sea I’ve ever bitten into. The highlight when it comes to pleasing the palate, though, is Red Ginger, serving Pan-Asian dishes that will make your clients swoon, including a spicy duck and watermelon salad and a lobster pad Thai dish. This elegant restaurant is laid out to mimic a traditional home in Hong Kong or Shanghai with a single-level courtyard wrapped around a double-height dining space. Passengers will “ooh and ahh” over the birdcage chairs, pagoda-shaped lamps, the 10-ft.-wide chandeliers, the hand-painted Chinese landscapes, and the wall of handblown glass pieces set against an aged, mirrored wall, inspired by the hanging lanterns of Hoi An in Vietnam. A must, too, is a stop at the Founders Bar, a new concept for the line where passengers will find trendy cocktails with vapor-filled bubbles and aromatic flavors. ATRIUMDon’t Miss…• Heading to the 11-treatment room Aquamar Spa Spa + Vitality Center where the signature treatment, a little birdie told me, is the Ocean Spa Wave Massage. Here, the Spa Vitality area comprises two large hot tubs, a thalassotherapy pool and heated lounge beds.• Hanging out on the pool deck, with its St. Tropez vibe featuring intimate alcoves that feel like private cabanas. SHIPWhat Travel Advisors are Saying“Oceania Vista is a stunning vessel,” says Jesse Morris, owner, We Book Travel LLC. “If you’ve sailed the Riviera and Marina you’ll definitely be able to tell they are related to, but there are enough changes and upgrades to make it feel special. The best changes were made to the Culinary Studio and the Aquamar Spa Terrace. The studio is about triple the size of the ones on Riviera and Marina and is set up perfectly for learning and enjoying the fruits of your creation. A foodie paradise! The Spa Terrace is a comfortable, quiet and relaxing space that will be the place I spend most of my time next time I’m aboard. Larger, brighter and an upgrade from previous versions. “I’ve had several clients already sail during this inaugural season and the feedback has been consistently outstanding. It’s perfect for my upper premium to luxury clients who love amazing cuisine and outstanding service. Vista is a homerun and I am excited to see the next vessel in this class.” That next vessel, incidentally, is the Allura, set to start sailing in 2025. Contact Information Oceania Cruises: oceaniacruises.com

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