Oceania Cruises has officially welcomed its newest luxury ship, Oceania Allura, with a grand pierside christening ceremony in Miami. In a first for the cruise industry, the ship was blessed by a group of acclaimed chefs from Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs franchise, who collectively served as godparents. The tradition was marked by breaking a Champagne bottle across the bow, wishing good fortune to the vessel and its future guests.
The celebration began with a ship-wide cocktail reception and dinner, followed by speeches from Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague, Chief Commercial Officer Nathan Hickman, and Food & Wine publisher Tom Bair. Guests later embarked on a special three-day round-trip voyage from Miami.
The event also brought together past godmothers of the fleet, including Giada De Laurentiis, Cat Cora and Claudine Pépin, underscoring the cruise line’s long-standing ties with the culinary world.
Montague said Allura’s christening in Miami was a perfect fit for a ship that symbolizes “vibrancy and sophistication,” adding that the ceremony marks a new milestone in the brand’s collaboration with Food & Wine.
Bair highlighted the shared values between the two brands, calling the partnership a celebration of “craftsmanship, creativity and the future of dining.”
The newly launched Allura will sail to more than 92 destinations on voyages ranging from 7 to 34 days. Sister ship to the 2023-launched Oceania Vista, the Allura spans 791 feet, accommodates 1,200 guests, and features some of the most spacious standard staterooms at sea, measuring over 290 square feet.
Onboard, guests can choose from 12 dining venues, including the all-new Crêperie and an updated version of Jacques, the French restaurant inspired by culinary legend Jacques Pépin. The Grand Dining Room alone offers 270 new recipes across breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Oceania Cruises continues to position Allura as a showcase of small-ship luxury, elevated cuisine and curated travel experiences for discerning travelers.
