Oceania Cruises has reached a significant milestone in the construction of its newest ship, the Oceania Sonata™, as the vessel has been launched at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. Featuring 695 staterooms and suites, the ship has now moved from dry dock to outfitting pier, where interior work will continue before its highly anticipated debut in August 2027.
The Oceania Sonata is the first of five ships planned for the company's new Sonata class and will be followed by its sister ship, the Oceania Arietta™, in 2029, while three more ships are scheduled for delivery in 2032, 2035, and 2037. The Sonata class represents the next generation of Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury philosophy, combining more space, upgraded suite accommodations, and enhanced dining experiences with the company's signature destination- and food-focused itineraries.
Representing Oceania Cruises at the ceremony was Paolo Novarino, Senior Director and Project Owner, who joined the Fincantieri management and team members to celebrate this historic moment and the long-standing collaboration between the two companies. For nearly two decades, Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri have worked together to bring to life ships designed specifically for the company, beginning with the Oceania Marina™ in 2011, followed by the Oceania Riviera™ in 2012, the Oceania Vista® in 2023, the Oceania Allura™ in 2025, and now the Oceania Sonata.
“The launch of Oceania Sonata is an incredibly exciting moment as we move one step closer to welcoming our first guests on board this August,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “We are immensely grateful to our partners at Fincantieri, whose expertise and craftsmanship are bringing Oceania Sonata. As the first ship in our new Sonata class, she represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the company and a defining milestone in the ongoing evolution of Oceania Cruises.”
With its exterior structure now complete, work will focus on bringing the interiors and onboard experiences of the Oceania Sonata. At approximately 86,000 gross tons, the Oceania Sonata will be nearly 30% larger than the Oceania Allura, yet will offer only 90 additional passenger accommodations, creating an exceptional sense of space and comfort throughout its elegant interiors. The ship will offer a serene, adults-only environment with expansive public spaces, including bars and lounges, as well as thoughtfully designed suites and cabins for passengers.
A third of the accommodations will be suites, including four two-bedroom Owner's Suites, a first for Oceania Cruises. The Oceania Sonata will also feature two new suite categories: the Horizon Suites, offering over 600 square feet of refined residential comfort with separate living and sleeping areas, a walk-in closet, and a spacious terrace; and the 488-square-foot Penthouse Deluxe Suite, which boasts an expanded layout and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that frame ocean views.
Reflecting Oceania Cruises' commitment to The Finest Cuisine at Sea®, the dining options aboard Oceania Sonata will feature 13 venues, including two new culinary concepts: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen, as well as The Grand Dining Room and Oceania Cruises' beloved specialty restaurants Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill, and Toscana.
The Oceania Sonata will undertake an extensive inaugural season from August 2027 to April 2028, visiting more than 90 destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Mexico, and Central and South America.
Featured trips:
- Mediterranean Collage: 14-day voyage from Rome to Trieste, departing August 7, 2027. The Oceania Sonata will cruise the Mediterranean from Italy to the Adriatic, visiting Malta, Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia along the way. Highlights include exploring seven Greek ports; Bar, Montenegro; and Split and Zadar, Croatia, before arriving in Trieste.
- Greeks & Byzantines: A 7-day voyage from Athens to Istanbul, departing October 14, 2027. This Eastern Mediterranean journey showcases the history and beauty of Greece and Turkey, with stops in Paros, Heraklion, Rhodes, and Patmos before continuing to Izmir. The Oceania Sonata will then arrive in Istanbul for an overnight stay, giving passengers additional time to explore the city before disembarking the following morning.
- Panama Canal Coastlines: 16-day voyage from Los Angeles to Miami, departing January 6, 2028. Connecting the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, this itinerary includes stops in Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica before a daytime transit through the Panama Canal. The journey continues to Cartagena, Colombia, and George Town, Grand Cayman, before arriving in Miami.
- Tropical Coves: A 10-day cruise departing from and returning to Miami, departing March 1, 2028. Designed for a warm-weather getaway, this Caribbean voyage combines island hopping with relaxing time at sea. The Oceania Sonata will sail from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. John's, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with three days of cruising interspersed throughout the voyage before returning to Miami.
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