Distinct Features that Set Apart the Latest Oceania Cruise Ships, Allura and Vista
Oceania Cruises' latest vessel, the Oceania Allura, has embarked on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean Sea, offering a host of unique dining venues and menus compared to its sister ship, the Oceania Vista.
Jacques Restaurant Makes Debut on Allura
The most notable addition to Allura's culinary scene is the introduction of Jacques Restaurant, a refined French dining experience inspired by Chef Jacques Pépin. While Jacques was not included on Vista at its 2023 debut, it will be making its appearance on Allura from July 2025, with plans to be added to Vista later in 2025. Jacques offers sophisticated French dishes that blend tradition with innovation, embodying Oceania's "Finest Cuisine at Sea®."
Red Ginger's Nikkei Menu Expansion
Allura's Red Ginger restaurant features an enhanced Nikkei menu, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors, with a dozen unique dishes such as Peruvian-style beef short rib and sake-soy braised pork belly with chimichurri rice. This offering is more extensive and inventive than on Vista, including specialty dishes like miso-glazed sea bass and new desserts such as yuzu cheesecake, all included in the cruise fare without surcharge.
Enhanced Wellness Concept and Chef Accessibility
The Aquamar Kitchen on Allura continues Vista's wellness concept, offering health-focused foods like acai bowls and avocado toast. Allura also boasts a higher chef-to-guest ratio (1 chef per 8 guests versus 1 per 10 on Vista), allowing for a more personalized and culinary-intensive experience.
New Recipes and Menu Tweaks
Allura introduces around 270 new recipes in the elegant Grand Dining Room, refining and expanding classic Oceania dishes compared to Vista’s original menu. Signature venues such as Polo Grill (steakhouse), Waves Grill (Neapolitan pizza), and Toscana (Italian) are present on both ships but with menu tweaks on Allura to incorporate more innovative or regionally inspired items.
In summary, Allura elevates the dining experience by including Jacques restaurant earlier, expanding Red Ginger's Nikkei cuisine, increasing chef accessibility, and adding new recipes and dishes. Vista started some of these features and is set to follow with upgrades later in 2025. Both ships will move to the Caribbean for the winter season and return to Europe next summer.
[1] Oceania Cruises. (2025). Oceania Allura. [Online]. Available: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/oceania-allura
[2] Oceania Cruises. (2025). Oceania Allura: Dining. [Online]. Available: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/oceania-allura/dining
[3] Oceania Cruises. (2025). Oceania Vista: Dining. [Online]. Available: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/oceania-vista/dining
[4] Oceania Cruises. (2025). Oceania Allura: Exclusive Culinary Programmes. [Online]. Available: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/oceania-allura/exclusive-culinary-programmes
[5] Oceania Cruises. (2025). Oceania Vista: Exclusive Culinary Programmes. [Online]. Available: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/oceania-vista/exclusive-culinary-programmes
- Oceania Allura, the newest cruise ship by Oceania Cruises, offers an elevated lifestyle on board, particularly in its food-and-drink scene, with the debut of Jacques Restaurant, Enhanced Wellness Concept at Aquamar Kitchen, and more unique dining options compared to its sister ship Oceania Vista.
- For families, couples, and foodies seeking the best cruise ship experience, both Oceania Allura and Oceania Vista provide a diverse range of culinary offerings in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, making them top contenders among Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and other premium lines for the title of the best cruise ship for families, best cruise ship for kids, and best cruise for foodies.
