Oceania Cruises will bring new ship Allura into service a week earlier than planned in summer 2025.
The inaugural cruise will now depart Trieste on July 18, 2025, sailing to Athens via ports in the eastern Mediterranean.
Guests who were due to sail on the original inaugural voyage, which had been scheduled for July 24, 2025, were offered the chance to book onto the new trip before it went on public sale.
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Oceania Cruises president Frank A. Del Rio said: “Thanks to the progress made by our valued partners at [shipbuilder] Fincantieri, we are thrilled to bring Allura into service a week earlier than planned.”
The six-day inaugural sailing will call at Rijeka in Croatia, Ravenna in Italy, Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Kotor in Montenegro.
Allura is Oceania Cruises’ eighth vessel and the second 1,200-guest Allura-Class ship.
The line has also confirmed it has opened sales of a four-day roundtrip New York sailing on Allura called Taste of Oceania Cruises, which will depart in September 2025.
Del Rio said: “I’m excited to be able to present Allura on a one-time taster voyage to showcase the ship to aspirational travellers who are looking to sample an ultra-premium cruise experience, and even better, sailing from downtown Manhattan, the heart of New York City.”
Allura will feature the brand’s first crêperie, which will serve made-to-order products.
Chef Alexis Quaretti, one of Oceania Cruises’ two newly appointed culinary directors, alongside Eric Barale, said: “Oceania Cruises is a cruise line founded by foodies, for foodies, and food is at the heart of everything we do.
“The team and I are busy testing and tasting a wonderful array of waffles and crêpes, which will be enjoyed by our guests next year aboard Allura.”
Allura will have one chef for every 10 guests, five speciality dining venues and a Grand Dining Room for which more than 300 new recipes are currently in development.
Following the ship’s summer season in the Mediterranean, it will sail to Canada and New England for a series of “immersive voyages” in North America. It will then have a winter season in the Caribbean, with Miami being the homeport.