Oceania Cruises has placed the Middle East at the heart of its newly announced 2027/28 programme, unveiling a 96-day Best of East & West Grand Voyage that will transit the Red Sea and call at multiple Arabian Gulf ports for the first time in years.
The sailing reflects growing confidence in the Arabian Gulf as a luxury cruise destination, even as the wider industry navigates shifting geopolitical conditions in the Red Sea.
The voyage, departing Auckland on January 4th, 2028 aboard Oceania Vista, will carry guests across more than 50 ports in Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe before arriving in Rome on April 9th.
With fares starting at US$37,999 per guest, the 96-day itinerary forms the centrepiece of Oceania’s newly announced 2027/28 Collection of Voyages.
“Our 2027–2028 Collection of Voyages pairs iconic ports with compelling new discoveries – designed to delight even the most seasoned explorers,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises.
Midway through its journey, Oceania Vista will sail into the Arabian Gulf, with overnight calls in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as stops in Oman and Saudi Arabia. The itinerary also includes a full Suez Canal transit and visits to Egypt, with opportunities to explore Luxor and Alexandria.
These calls mark Oceania’s return to extended Middle East deployment, integrating the region into one of its flagship Grand Voyages.
For regional stakeholders, the announcement reaffirms that luxury cruise lines see long-term potential in Arabian Gulf itineraries. Oceania Vista’s presence will add a high-profile luxury product to a market already attracting ships from MSC Cruises, TUI, Costa, Celestyal, and Saudi Arabia’s own AROYA Cruises during the winter months.
The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, with heritage-driven tourism projects now integrated into cruise itineraries, reflects the Kingdom’s growing cruise ambitions.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to position themselves as modern hubs, while Oman leverages its 3,000km of coastline for cultural and expedition-style experiences. The Grand Voyage will give international passengers a rare chance to explore these destinations sequentially, as part of a single luxury sailing.
Reintroduction of the Red Sea
The Red Sea segment of the itinerary is notable, as many global cruise lines have reduced or avoided transits in recent years due to security concerns, opting instead for longer repositioning routes around the Cape of Good Hope.Oceania’s decision to reinstate a Suez Canal crossing as part of a marquee product suggests a measured return of confidence in the Red Sea’s viability for luxury operations by 2028.
The ship will sail north from India to Cochin, Mumbai, and Goa before making its way into the Gulf. After calls in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Saudi Arabia, passengers will sail through the Red Sea to Port Suez and Luxor, before heading on to the Mediterranean.
Onboard, Oceania Vista will deliver Oceania’s hallmark cuisine, entertainment, and immersive cultural programming. Guests can choose from multiple open-seating restaurants, enjoy enrichment experiences, and take advantage of the line’s all-inclusive packages, which now offer a choice between a wine and beer package or up to US$4,800 in shore excursion credit.
Oceania Cruises’ wider 2027/28 programme
Oceania Cruises’ wider 2027/28 programme features an extensive array of itineraries across other regions. In total, more than 230 cruises have been scheduled across the fleet, ranging from short week-long sailings to voyages of nearly three months.
In Europe, the line is introducing its most comprehensive collection to date, spanning the French Riviera and Turkish coast to the fjords of Norway and Greenland. Guests will be able to visit established capitals such as Rome, Istanbul, and Stockholm, alongside less-travelled destinations including the Greek island of Milos and the Icelandic village of Djupivogur.
Oceania Allura will also operate the company’s first-ever winter Mediterranean season between November 2027 and March 2028, with itineraries that coincide with Europe’s holiday markets.
In the Pacific, Oceania Vista is scheduled to sail a 59-day Grand Voyage from Miami to Sydney in October 2027, transiting the Panama Canal and visiting Hawaii, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Australia.
Asia remains a core focus, with Oceania Riviera and Oceania Vista operating a series of cruises in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, mixing major cities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo with smaller coastal towns and cultural sites.
North America itineraries include a return of Oceania Riviera to Alaska, offering 7- to 11-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle. On the East Coast, fall itineraries will take in Canada and New England, while transatlantic crossings from Miami and Vancouver will connect guests with European and Asian ports.
The season will also see Oceania Insignia sail her final programme before retirement in late 2027. Her farewell tour will cover the British Isles, Nordic shores, and the Baltic, concluding with a final call at Civitavecchia, the port of Rome.
Taken together, the 2027/28 deployment marks one of Oceania Cruises’ most wide-ranging programmes, spanning all seven continents and positioning the line’s fleet across a diverse mix of long-haul and regional markets.
Categories: Cruise News, Middle East Cruise News
