Oceania Cruises marks keel laying and reveals itineraries for upcoming Sonata

Oceania Cruises has marked the keel laying of Oceania Sonata, the first ship in its new Sonata Class, as construction continues ahead of the vessel’s scheduled debut in summer 2027.

The milestone ceremony took place at the Fincantieri shipyard, formally signalling the start of the ship’s assembly phase.

The event was attended by Harry Sommer, Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Oceania Cruises’ parent company, alongside Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, and representatives from the shipbuilder and project partners.

Oceania Sonata is the first of four new ships planned for the line, all designed to carry 1,390 guests.

She will be followed by Oceania Arietta in 2029, with two further Sonata Class vessels scheduled for delivery in 2032 and 2035. The programme represents the next phase of fleet renewal for Oceania Cruises, which positions itself in the upper-premium and luxury segment.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that is luxury orchestrated and luxury elevated, where design, craftsmanship, and experience come together in extraordinary harmony,” the cruise line said in a statement. “Extravagant yet thoughtful. Sprawling yet intimate. Opulent, stunning, and deeply personal. Sonata is being created with a singular purpose: more than being cared for, you’re cared about.”

Alongside the construction milestone, Oceania Cruises has also outlined details of Oceania Sonata’s inaugural deployment.

Bookings are set to open on January 28th, 2026, with the ship’s first season comprising 22 voyages between August 2027 and April 2028. The programme will span more than 90 destinations on itineraries ranging from seven to 16 days.

The ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled to depart from Rome (Civitavecchia) on August 7th, 2027, on a 14-day sailing to Trieste. Ports of call on the inaugural cruise will include Catania, Valletta, Katakolon, Bar, Split, and Zadar.

The wider Mediterranean season will feature a mix of established capitals such as Barcelona, Athens, and Lisbon, alongside lesser-visited ports including Paros, Koper, Sarandë, and Palamós. Several itineraries will include overnight stays in destinations such as Istanbul, Livorno, and Bordeaux.

“Oceania Sonata’s inaugural season is defined by the cultural diversity and geographic variety of the destinations she visits,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “As the first of four ships in the Sonata Class, her premiere sets the tone for the thoughtfully designed itineraries, exceptional comfort and meaningful, unrushed freedom to explore the world that underscore the continued evolution of Oceania Cruises.”

Following her European programme, Oceania Sonata will cross the Atlantic to begin a tropical season sailing from Miami. Caribbean and Latin American itineraries will include calls in Bridgetown, Tortola, Cartagena, and Puerto Quetzal, as well as a daylight transit of the Panama Canal.

Later voyages will extend to Mexico, Central America, and the west coast of the United States.

Oceana Sonata will feature 13 dining venues included in the cruise fare, including La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen, a restaurant blending Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions.

New social and learning spaces will include the Opus Lounge, expanded cafés, and enhanced culinary and digital enrichment venues.