On 27 August 2026, Oceania Sonata floated for the first time at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard near Venice. That milestone moves Oceania Cruises’ first new ship class since Allura from drawings to a hull in the water. She now moves from dry dock to the fitting-out berth, where work continues on her interiors. She is due for delivery in August 2027 and sails her maiden voyage from Rome on 7 August 2027. Her inaugural season has been on sale since January.
Sonata is a step up in size for Oceania, at around 86,000 gross tons and 1,390 guests. The line’s pitch is that the food scales with it: one chef for every eight guests, and a new restaurant developed with the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the association of French master chefs.
Oceania Sonata: Key Facts
- Floated out: 27 August 2026, Fincantieri, Marghera
- Delivery: August 2027
- Maiden voyage: 7 August 2027, 14 days from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Trieste via Catania, Valletta, Katakolon, Bar and Zadar
- Size: about 86,000 gross tons
- Guests and crew: 1,390 guests, 855 crew
- Accommodation: 695 staterooms and suites, all with verandas; about a third are suites
- New dining: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen, alongside Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill, Toscana and the Grand Dining Room
- Sister ships: four more Sonata-class ships planned, due in 2029, 2032, 2035 and 2037
The Restaurants Are the Point
Oceania has always sold itself on food first, and Sonata’s two new venues show where it wants to go. La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France brings in France’s best-known chefs’ association, which is a statement of intent on a ship this size. Nikkei Kitchen takes on the Peruvian-Japanese cuisine that has become one of the most fashionable on land. Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill and Toscana return from the existing fleet, with the Grand Dining Room at the centre.
The Suites
Oceania says Sonata is nearly 30 percent larger than Oceania Allura but has only 90 more staterooms and suites. About a third of them are suites. They include four two-bedroom Owner’s Suites, a first for Oceania; Horizon Suites of more than 600 square feet with separate living and sleeping areas; and a Penthouse Deluxe Suite of 488 square feet with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Oceania also describes the ship as an adults-only environment.
The Maiden Season
After the maiden voyage from Rome to Trieste, Sonata spends her first season, from August 2027 to April 2028, across Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America. That includes a daylight Panama Canal transit. Oceania says the season covers more than 90 destinations.
Why It Matters
Sonata is the ship that will show whether Oceania’s food-led formula survives at scale. At 1,390 guests she is far larger than the ultra-luxury ships in this section. Oceania calls itself luxury, but it competes more closely with the premium all-inclusive lines than with Regent or the yacht brands. Readers should weigh her on that basis. She is also ten months from service, so this is a preview of a ship you can book, not one you can board yet.
Prices and How to Book
Oceania has not published a from-fare for Sonata on the official pages I checked, and it has not yet set out what the fares include. The inaugural season opened for booking on 28 January 2026 and is available through Oceania Cruises and cruise specialists. Check what is included in the fare at the time of booking, because Oceania’s inclusions vary by promotion.
This article contains affiliate links. If you book through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This preview is based on official announcements — I haven’t sailed aboard Oceania Sonata yet. Read more about how I review or visit my Work With Me page.
