By Dianne Cox
I recently had the fabulous opportunity to sail on Oceania’s newest ship, Allura, and from the moment I stepped on board until the moment I left, I was impressed by the beautiful décor, fabulous service, wonderful food and luxurious feel throughout the ship.
I joined Allura in Athens on a very hot day and was immediately welcomed by cool air, friendly smiles and a welcome drink. My initial thought was simply, “Wow!” After walking through the stunning main atrium and Grand Lounge to our muster station, we were escorted to our cabins.
I stayed in a Concierge Level cabin, which included additional amenities and unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace. My luggage had already been delivered when I arrived, and I was delighted to find a bottle of chilled Prosecco waiting for me. The cabin was beautifully designed with a modern, contemporary feel, featuring a huge, comfortable bed, a large and well-appointed bathroom and a wonderful private terrace.
Our cruise took us around the Greek Islands, and although we experienced a couple of itinerary changes due to high winds, these were handled extremely professionally. Shore excursions were adjusted accordingly within hours, demonstrating just how efficiently the team managed unexpected changes.
Each evening brought a different dining experience, with an impressive variety of restaurants on board. Toscana, the Italian restaurant, offered a fabulous choice of dishes, all of superb quality. Red Ginger, serving Asian cuisine, was incredibly attentive, with the staff offering excellent recommendations that were absolutely delicious. Polo Grill provided an elegant dining experience, with fabulous window views and a menu to impress.
The Grand Dining Room was equally impressive, offering an extensive dinner menu in a luxurious and tranquil setting, accompanied by excellent service and wonderful food. Breakfast provided an abundance of choice, with the same friendly and attentive service. The Terrace Café offered a more casual alternative, with a great range of food from breakfast through to dinner. The outdoor terrace at the back of the restaurant was a particular highlight, providing fabulous views of the setting sun while dining — definitely an experience not to be missed.
Entertainment was varied and enjoyable, with an abundance of bars and lounges, each offering its own atmosphere. The Grand Lounge provided tranquil evening music from live musicians, while Martinis featured a pianist. Horizons Lounge and the theatre also offered plenty of entertainment throughout the cruise.
One evening not to be missed is Blue Horizons. The dance floor was packed, and with an abundance of entertainment throughout the evening, it really got the party started!
I normally travel on larger ocean ships, so I wondered whether I might find Allura too small. However, this was certainly not the case. Allura is beautifully appointed, with a clear focus on the guest experience. The spaciousness of the venues, sun deck and accommodation was very impressive and made the ship feel much larger than it actually is.
My outstanding memories of Allura will be the incredible food — not only the flavours but also the
presentation and attention to detail — the luxurious and contemporary design throughout the ship,
and, above all, the exceptionally friendly and attentive staff.
I absolutely loved my time on Allura and can’t wait to sail on her again!
