Oceania Sonata Floats Out in Italy Ahead of 2027 Debut
The 1,390-passenger ship has moved to a fitting-out berth as Oceania Cruises prepares for a five-ship expansion.
Oceania Sonata has been christened and floated out at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. The vessel was transferred from the assembly dry dock to a fitting-out berth, where work on its interior spaces will be completed ahead of its scheduled 2027 entry into service.
Oceania Cruises says the ship will be about 30 percent larger than Allura and Vista while carrying 1,390 passengers, compared with 1,200 aboard the earlier vessels. Oceania Sonata will add 90 staterooms, with suites accounting for one-third of its accommodations. The selection will include four Owner’s Suites and two new suite categories. The ship will also offer 13 dining venues.
Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has expanded the order to five ships. Sister ship Oceania Arietta is scheduled for delivery in 2029, followed by three additional sister ships in 2032, 2035 and 2037.
The fleet changes also include departures. Oceania Regatta completed its final voyage for the cruise line in Istanbul on August 27 and is beginning a two-year charter with Australia-based My Cruises, which plans to operate the vessel on 365-day world cruises. Oceania Sirena has been sold and is expected to be delivered to its new owners in spring 2028.