Oceania Vista to sail Australia in 2027/28 as Riviera wraps standout season

• Oceania Riviera‘s first season in Australia has proved a success.
• She’s back next year before being replaced with an even more exciting vessel.
• Oceania Vista will be sailing in 2027/28 – first of the Allura class and just three years old.

Oceania Cruises is sending Oceania Vista to Australia at the end of next year, in a significant moment for luxury cruising in Australia.

Oceania Vista, one of its highly acclaimed Allura-class ships, will sail in Australia and New Zealand for the 2027/28 season. She replaces the Oceania Riviera, which will redeploy to Alaska after two highly successful local seasons.

For Australian cruisers, this is no ordinary deployment. Vista represents a decisive shift for Oceania — and for the region.

A Step Change Into Luxury

When I sailed on Vista at her launch, it was clear she marked a turning point for the brand. Long positioned in the upper-premium space, Oceania used Vista to step confidently into the world of contemporary luxury.

From her Ralph Lauren-furnished public spaces to her enhanced suite categories and refined culinary offering, Vista felt like a brand redefining itself.

Now, Oceania has happily declared itself a luxury line — and Vista, along with her sister Allura, are the clearest evidence yet.

Bringing one of the newest ships in the fleet to Australia is a vote of confidence in the local market, which continues to surge in demand for premium and luxury cruising.

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Riviera’s Valedictory Lap

News of Vista’s arrival comes as Riviera completes her first season in Australian waters.

Cruise Passenger visited the ship for lunch and found the 1,238-guest ship in top condition.

Riviera has built a devoted following here, helping establish Australia as Oceania’s second largest market worldwide. Australians book first for the itineraries, the line says – but return for the staff and the cuisine Oceania Riviera .

Onboard in Sydney, that formula was on full display.

Riviera remains one of the most appealing ships for grown-up cruising: intimate by modern standards, spacious in design, and refreshingly adult-focused. Oceania recently introduced an 18+ policy across its fleet, a move that has been “very, very well received” Oceania Riviera .

There are no waterslides, no theme-park distractions — just a relaxed, upscale atmosphere where the day revolves around the pool deck, long lunches and destination-rich itineraries.

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Food Still Leads the Way

If space is one of Riviera’s luxuries, food is the other.

Oceania famously staffs one chef for every 10 guests Oceania Riviera — an extraordinary ratio that underpins its reputation as a true “foodie line.”

During our visit, lunch in the Grand Dining Room showcased dishes drawn from across the ship’s dining portfolio — from Jacques Pépin-inspired caviar and crushed fingerling potatoes, to Toscana’s porcini mushroom risotto, Red Ginger’s miso-glazed sea bass, and Polo Grill’s indulgent triple chocolate brownie Oceania Riviera .

Importantly, Oceania maintains one of its strongest competitive advantages: no surcharge for speciality dining.

Its updated fare structure includes specialty coffees, soft drinks, bottled water, smoothies, milkshakes and even guest laundry access, with Australians offered a choice at booking between shore excursion credit or wine and champagne with lunch and dinner Oceania Riviera .

It’s a model that resonates strongly in this market.

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Vista’s Arrival Signals Confidence

With eight ships currently sailing and a ninth – Oceania Sonata – arriving in 2027, Oceania is expanding aggressively. The decision to send Vista here reflects a broader global trend: luxury lines are increasingly targeting Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific as competition for high-yield regions intensifies.

Riviera may be heading to Alaska, but she will be back in Australian waters next year — and she still has a handful of suites remaining this season, with limited availability already for her return Oceania Riviera .

For those wanting to experience the ship that helped cement Oceania’s reputation here, the window is closing.

As for Vista? If her launch proved anything, it’s that she represents not just a new ship, but a new era for the brand.

For more, go here.