Oceania Cruises’ much-anticipated Vista has finally been unveiled, following a glamorous christening ceremony at Valletta, Malta on Monday evening.
Here’s Travel Weekly Asia’s first-hand account of the ship as we join
Oceania Cruises on the inaugural christening voyage for the 1,200-pax
ship, sailing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Naples.
First impressions
Upon stepping foot onto Vista, guests will be greeted by the Grand Staircase. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Upon arrival on Deck 5, guests will be welcomed by the magnificent
sight of a two-deck Grand Staircase that gracefully curves upward,
setting the tone for the contemporary elegance that pervades the entire
ship.
The extensive use of Italian marble, paired with the seamless
integration of rich wood panels, modern art pieces, and top-notch
finishings, transforms Vista into a masterpiece of contemporary design,
exuding a vibe that is both sophisticated and modern.
With a remarkable ratio of two staff members to every three guests,
cruisers can expect attentive and personalised service, a luxury that we
were fortunate enough to experience firsthand.
Residential-style living
The Concierge Stateroom boasts ample nature light. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Bringing the contemporary design alive is the directive given to
Miami-based Studio Dado, the design house behind Vista’s public areas,
staterooms and suites.
Vista's residential-style suites and staterooms are adorned in
beautiful greys and neutral tones, offering luxurious touches such as
wool carpets with naturally-occurring colours, plush beds fitted with
1,000-threadcount linen that reduces temperatures by two degrees, and
verandas that provide breathtaking views of the seas and ports of call.
Vista's bathrooms have rainforest showers, abundant storage, and backlit mirrors. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
The bathrooms are exceptionally spacious, even by cruise ship
standards, and guests on the Vista christening voyage showered them with
compliments for their rainforest showers, copious storage drawers, and
cleverly tucked backlit mirrors.
A culinary-focused cruise line
Oceania Cruises has long upheld its reputation of its motto for
offering “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”, and Vista is no exception. With 12
dining outlets, each offering its own unique and memorable culinary
experience, guests can indulge in a gastronomic adventure like no other.
The Grand Dining Room’s luxurious seafood spread ranging from oysters to langoustines. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Notably, Vista boasts an unprecedented chef to guest ratio of 1:10,
an industry first that ensures each guest receives the utmost attention
and personalised service.
The appointment of Giada Pamela De Laurentiis – an Italian-American
chef, writer, and television personality – as Vista's godmother is a
testament to Oceania's unwavering commitment to culinary excellence.
Among the new dining spots on board is Aquamar Kitchen, a
health-oriented food haven that offers a variety of delectable options
ranging from avocado toast to alcohol-free cocktails. This spot is often
bustling with guests for breakfast and lunch, and asking ‘Have you been
to Aquamar yet?’ was a common refrain among the travel advisor guests
on the sailing.
Lobster medallion scallop. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Ember is yet another dining hotspot onboard Vista, offering a fresh
take on American-style cuisine with its captivating decor and open
kitchen.
Meanwhile, Baristas, the ship's coffee shop, has been receiving
glowing reviews from guests and Oceania executives alike since the
addition of a new bakery, becoming the go-to spot for coffee and
croissants.
Other favourites include the signature steakhouse, Polo Grill,
adorned with rich dark wood, and the Asian-inspired Red Ginger, as well
as Toscana, which showcases Tuscan favorites and features two brand new
dishes by Vista's godmother, Giada.
With a wide variety of international specialties and indoor/outdoor seating, the Terrace Café is a perfect spot to enjoy spectacular views all day. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
The Grand Dining Room impresses guests with its tasteful gold and
silver accents, global flavors, and luxurious ambiance. The all-day
Terrace Café offers a diverse selection of international specialties and
indoor/outdoor seating with spectacular views.
Martinis and the Grand Lounge exude sophistication with their opulent
gold tones and are perfect spots to savour a drink before or after
dinner. Founders Bar serves up signature craft cocktails that will
satisfy any palate.
For a truly unforgettable experience, guests should head to Horizons,
named for its panoramic 180-degree views, which provides the perfect
setting for a convivial atmosphere, breathtaking vistas as its name
suggests, and top-notch drinks.
Relaxing amenities
The pool deck on Vista exudes a resort-at-sea vibe, eschewing the
typical rectangular designs in favour of curved shapes and wooden
elements, and featuring two hot tubs and six round daybeds at the
water's edge. And at no time during sea days, even on days when the sun
shone, did the pool deck feel crowded.
The Culinary Center on Riviera is a hands-on cooking school at sea with fully equipped workstations and passionate chef instructors. Photo Credit: Oceania Cruises
Then there’s also the hands-on Culinary Center that has tripled in
size, now boasting a small dining room, and offering an array of
culinary experiences for foodie guests, including lectures, mixologist
classes, and wine tastings, among other offerings.
The Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, meanwhile, is the cruise line’s
first purpose-built wellness space. Elsewhere on Vista, there’s a
dedicated art studio, luxury boutique stores, and the Vista Lounge where
guests can catch evening performances.
Redefining standards
With its rich culinary offers and contemporary vibes, Vista is an
outstanding choice for travellers seeking a luxurious and contemporary
cruise experience, catering to discerning individuals, couples, and
groups of friends alike.
Its debut has undeniably solidified Oceania Cruises' position as a
leading force in the upscale cruising segment, and it is thrilling to
envision how Vista will continue to steer Oceania towards an even more
remarkable future.