Oceania Cruises has moved up the date for the debut of its new ship Vista in response to much higher than anticipated demand as the cruise industry recovers from the COVID-19 shutdown.
Oceania Cruises will be introducing a new “Founder’s Cruise”, departing Rome on May 13th, 2023, a week earlier than initially planned.
The earlier cruise will be a week-long itinerary visiting Sorrento, Messina, Argostoli, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Zadar, before ending the voyage in Venice.
A rendering of Vista.
Vista had been scheduled to debut on May 20, 2023, but unprecedented demand for the ship’s inaugural season prompted the line to bring the maiden voyage forward by a week, according to a press release.
“Vista has been driving exceptional demand from the moment we first revealed her inaugural voyages,” said Howard Sherman, President & CEO, Oceania Cruises. “With all of her maiden season voyages sold out or on waitlist status, we are introducing an additional voyage to satisfy that exceptional demand.”
The new “Founder’s Cruise” will be hosted by Oceania Cruises’ Founder Frank J. Del Rio in celebration of the new ship and to commemorate the brand’s 20th anniversary.
Full itinerary for the Founder’s Cruise (May 13-20, 2023)
May 13: Rome, Italy
May 14: Sorrento/Capri, Italy
May 15: Messina, Italy
May 16: Argostoli, Greece
May 17: Corfu, Greece
May 18: Dubrovnik, Croatia
May 19: Zadar, Croatia
May 20: Venice, Italy
Vista set an all-time single day booking record with the opening for sale of her inaugural April, 2023 itineraries. Her 18 debut cruise itineraries opened for booking on September 15th and sold out on the same day, 60% faster than Oceania’s previous booking record.
Vista is a new 67,000-ton, 1,200-guest cruise ship for Oceania under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy.
The ship is the first of two all-new Allura-class cruise ships for Oceania. She will debut signature lounges, bars, wellness facilities and new dining experiences for the cruise line.
The ship will also feature three Owner’s Suites designed by Ralph Lauren home, and some of the largest cabins in the fleet, with Veranda Staterooms, Penthouse Suites, Oceania Suites and Vista Suites.
Public rooms that have become synonymous with Oceania Cruises will return aboard Vista, such as the Grand Staircase in the social heart of the ship, along with a redesigned Martini Bar and a Grand Lounge that evokes the feeling of a private club.
Vista’s casino will be even more elegant than those found on other ships in the fleet, with art nouveau-inspired touches, while the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center offers a host of tranquil treatment areas, state-of-the-art workout and personal training spaces as well as a spacious new salon and barbershop.
On the upper decks, Horizons Lounge, the ship’s de facto observation lounge, will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping 180-degree views, with Afternoon Tea served here, along with live music later in the evening.
The huge pool area will feature modern beach-club cabanas and a variety of textures and soothing natural tones that come together in a natural oasis to reconnect with nature.
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