Luxury Oceania Vista will be sailing out of Sydney next year – here’s what’s on board

• Oceania Vista – the ship with a chef for every eight guests – is on a 180-day world cruise.
• From Versace plates at Toscana restaurant to Picassos on the walls, Vista exudes a quiet ambience of quiet luxury.
• She will return to Australia for an extended season at the end of 2027/28.

Oceania will have two luxury ships sailing out of Sydney next season, an incredible endorsement of the market in Australia and an acknowledgement of the growth in luxury cruising here.

Sydney had its first look at the elegant Oceania Vista when she sailed into Sydney on a world cruise. The ship with a chef for every eight guests will return to Australia for an extended season at the end of next year.

She will offer itineraries sailing in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific for the 2027-28 season.

Vista, which arrived on her maiden voyage to Sydney today, is on her 180-day world cruise. Her itinerary has been slightly altered because of the Middle East conflict. Instead of sailing to Egypt, she will now sail from Singapore to Cape Town in South Africa.

In 2027, Vista will return to Sydney on another world cruise before returning to sail in local waters at the end of 2027 for a longer season.

“We will have Vista and Oceania Riviera in local waters because Australia and New Zealand are very important markets for Oceania,” said Steve Odell, the newly appointed Global Ambassador for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Bringing one of Oceania’s newest fleets to Australia is a vote of confidence in the local market, which continues to experience a surge in demand for upper-premium and luxury cruising. Australia is Oceania’s second biggest market worldwide.

From Versace plates in specialty restaurant Toscana to Ralph Lauren-furnished public places, Vista exudes a contemporary, luxurious ambience. There are 12 dining options, including Polo Grill, Jacques, Red Ginger, renowned for its Pan-Asian cuisine and Aquamar Kitchen for a healthy dining experience. After all, Oceania Cruises is known in the industry to serve the Finest Cuisine at Sea.

Vista has an extensive collection of fine contemporary artworks on her walls, from Picassos to originals by Damien Hirst. She has a popular coffee bar next to a spacious library. But her Aquamar spa and vitality centre is so indulgent.

During a media visit to Vista, we ate an exquisite lunch at Jacques with matching wines from Gerard Bertrand Chateau located in Southern France.

We started with vodka-lime chantilly potato fritter with caviar, followed by duck and foie gras pate en croute paired with Gerard Bertrand Grand Vin Blanc.

Entrée of slow-braised beef short rib and pressed potato cake, which was paired with Gerard Bertrand AOP Minervois La Liviniere.

Dessert was a gold chocolate cake filled with caramel and white chocolate paired with Chateau du Levant Sauternes.  

All in all, an amazing meal. Guests can book this special meal at US$175 pp. ($253).