First look as new Oceania Sonata cruise ship floats out

Oceania Sonata will be the start of a new class of cruise ships in the fleet

Aug 28, 2026 - 21:15

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First look as new Oceania Sonata cruise ship floats out

Oceania Cruises has tested out its new class of cruise ship on the water for the first time.

Oceania Sonata was floated out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy this week, marking the latest stage of its construction ahead of a 2027 launch.

At 86,000 tons and accommodating just 1,390 guests, Oceania Sonata will be almost 30 per cent larger than Oceania Allura.

The ship will feature only 90 additional cabins in an effort to create more space on board for bars and lounges, as well as 13 dining venues.

New restaurants include La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the only restaurant at sea approved by the prestigious culinary association Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, and a new Peruvian and Japanese fusion venue called Nikkei Kitchen.

A third of the 695 cabins will be suites, including four Owner’s Suites measuring 2,500 square feet each, and eight Vista Suites at the back of the ship that range from 1,500 to 1,900 square feet.

With the exterior structure now complete, the ship now moves from dry dock to the fitting-out berth, where work will continue on the interiors ahead of the anticipated debut in August 2027.

The ship’s inaugural season features 22 sailings from August 2027 until April 2028, starting in the Mediterranean during the summer before heading to the Caribbean for the winter. Prices start from £2,549 per person.

This is the first of five new Sonata class ships, with Oceania Arietta scheduled to join the fleet in 2029.

Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises, said: “The float out of Oceania Sonata is an incredibly exciting moment as we move one step closer to welcoming our first guests aboard next August.

“We are tremendously grateful to our partners at Fincantieri whose expertise and craftsmanship are bringing Oceania Sonata to life. As the first ship in our new Sonata Class, she represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand and a defining milestone in the continued evolution of Oceania Cruises.”