Sonata will be the first ship in the cruise line’s new class, which will be named after the vessel, with CCO Nathan Hickman revealing some of what guests can look forward to.
The newbuild will be the most spacious and amenity-rich to date, with Hickman divulging 30% of all accommodations on board will be suites, up from around 25% on Allura.
Sonata also will debut two brand-new suite categories, one of which will be named the Horizon suite. This accommodation will sit between the Oceania and Penthouse suite, equalling the equivalent of two standard staterooms, with 50 of this category on board the new ship.
The Owner’s suites will also be reimagined, with the accommodation class to now feature two bedrooms.
Oceania will be adding two new dining concepts to the ship without removing any which appear aboard Allura, Hickman said, a possibility thanks to the ship’s larger size. This will include one haute cuisine venue and a far more casual offering, as well as more space added to the Aquamar Kitchen and Terrace Cafe venues.
Sonata’s itineraries will be revealed in January.
Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises christened its new ship Oceania Allura in Florida earlier this week, with the vessel’s godparents – a selection of Food + Wine ‘Best New Chefs’ alumni – honoured with the tradition of breaking a champagne bottle across her bow.
Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes and Lawrence Smith bestowed good fortune upon Allura, and all who sail aboard her, in a pier-side celebration in Miami.
The fanfare commenced with a ship-wide cocktail reception and dinner before moving to the pier for the ceremony.
Allura then commenced sailing on a three-day celebratory round-trip voyage, which concluded earlier today. TravelBulletin was one of a select few trade media attendees to accompany the Australian contingent to the US for the event.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to officially welcome Oceania Allura to our fleet,” Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague said. “It is only fitting that she be christened in our hometown of Miami – a city that embodies vibrancy and sophistication.
“We are deeply honoured to celebrate this momentous occasion alongside her distinguished godparents.”
