Oceania Sonata

The 2027-built Oceania Sonata cruise ship is the first of four “SONATA Class” vessels, representing a modified VISTA Class design. Sonata’s sister ships are Arietta (2029), TBN3 (2032), and TBN4 (2035).

The newbuild Sonata is the Oceania fleet’s ninth vessel. She was designed and constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Venice (Marghera Yard) and is currently scheduled for inauguration in August 2027.

Like all fleetmates, the vessel (IMO number 1036276) will be Marshall Islands/France-flagged (MMSI TBA) and registered in Majuro.

History - construction and ownership

Oceania Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company and luxury travel brand owned by NCLH-Norwegian (shipowner). Between April 2007 and September 2014, the company (as part of “Prestige Cruise Holdings”) was owned by Apollo Management LP, one of the world’s largest private equity investment firms.

Since September 2014, Oceania and sister company RSSC-Regent have been owned by NCLH, acquired at a total cost of USD 3 billion.

Since January 2026, Oceania has operated as an adults-only cruise line and sea travel brand.

Oceania ships offer luxury cruises with relatively shorter itineraries, as well as Around The World voyages lasting up to 180 days.

The Sonata ship’s design philosophy harmonizes grand, light-filled public spaces with serene private enclaves, creating an ambiance that is both uplifting and indulgent for the discerning traveler.

Oceania Cruises’ SONATA Class vessels are the fleet’s largest, most spacious, and most amenity-rich ships.

Decks and Cabins

Oceania Sonata staterooms (613 total in 16 grades) include 149 Suites, 444 Balcony cabins (including six Solo/Studio units), and 20 French Balcony cabins. Most accommodations measure 245 ft2 (23 m2). The largest passenger accommodations are the aft-facing Owner’s Suites (1,335 ft2 / 124 m2 plus a 665 ft2 / 62 m2 wraparound terrace).

Unlike older fleetmates, Oceania Sonata has no Oceanview cabins (with non-opening windows) or Interior cabins (without windows).

Around 30% of all passenger accommodations are top-tier suites, in addition to the Veranda Suites (standard balcony cabins). With the SONATA design, Oceania also introduced two new suite categories (Horizon Suites and Penthouse Deluxe Suites), expanded the Owner’s Suites (now with two full bedrooms), and redesigned the Vista Suites (aft-facing), Oceania Suites (with separate living and sleeping areas), and Penthouse Suites (now paired with the new Deluxe Penthouses).

The Suite & Concierge Lounge (Deck 9) is an exclusive space for guests staying in Suites and Concierge Level staterooms. The lounge is a quiet, conveniently located retreat near these premium accommodations. Access is controlled via keycard, ensuring a private environment.

Each cabin deck is equipped with a self-service laundry room with laundromats.

The ship has 15 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible and eight feature cabins.

Ship review (facilities and amenities by deck)

Oceania Sonata offers 12 dining options, of which four are fleet-firsts and four are reservation-only restaurants, in addition to a Lido buffet and casual food venues. All specialty restaurants are complimentary but require reservations for dinner.

The nine main and specialty restaurants are the Grand Dining Room, Jacques (French), Red Ginger (Pan-Asian), Polo Grill (steakhouse), Toscana (Italian), La Table (French), and Nikkei Kitchen (Peruvian-Japanese).

Oceania Sonata features 12 distinct lounges and bars, including Sonata Lounge (theater), Casino Bar, Martinis (piano bar), Upper Hall, and Grand Bar (wine bar), along with additional lounge and bar venues throughout the ship.

Deck 4

Sonata Lounge (Theatre/Show Lounge) serves as the ship’s primary entertainment and performance venue, hosting evening live shows, production performances, and themed entertainment. During daytime hours, the venue is also used for lectures, presentations, quizzes, and enrichment programs. The lounge features tiered seating, excellent sightlines, and professional lighting and sound systems, creating a more formal atmosphere compared to casual bars and lounges.

The theater hosts four main show productions developed by a professional team of producers, technicians, and performers. The productions are titled “Into the Night,” “Headliners,” “The Anchor Inn,” and “The Music Triangle.”

• “Into the Night,” choreographed by Britt Benae Stewart, an American professional dancer and choreographer from the TV series “Dancing with the Stars,” is a dance-themed production blending choreography, styling, and American Idol-style entertainment.
• “Headliners” is a VIP concert showcasing a resident cast of vocalists and instrumentalists performing popular songs from artists such as the Bee Gees, Cher, Celine Dion, and Adele.
• “The Anchor Inn” is a UK-themed song-and-dance production set in a pub-style venue, celebrating British music with hits by artists including Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Dusty Springfield, and Madness.
• “The Music Triangle” is themed around the history and evolution of music.

LYNC Digital Center is a technology-focused enrichment space offering complimentary classes and interactive sessions on topics such as smartphone photography, videography, social media, and photo editing, led by onboard Digital Concierges. The center also serves as a connectivity hub supported by high-speed onboard Wi-Fi.

Opus Lounge is a stylish bar lounge offering inventive cocktails and a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, highlighted by tableside-prepared Old Fashioneds and attentive service.

La Table (La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France) is an ultra-exclusive fine-dining restaurant introduced with Oceania Sonata. Endorsed by the prestigious Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the 18-seat, dinner-only venue (at surcharge, reservations required) offers rotating menus crafted by Oceania’s Executive Culinary Directors and MCF chefs Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, including the revived Dom Pérignon Experience with a six-course tasting menu paired with vintage Champagnes.

Toscana is a 96-seat signature Italian specialty restaurant serving classic regional Italian cuisine. It is complimentary, dinner-only, and requires reservations. Two signature dishes created by Oceania Vista’s godmother, chef Giada De Laurentiis, are featured in Toscana and the Grand Dining Room.

Polo Grill is an upscale American steakhouse-style specialty restaurant, complimentary but reservation-only for dinner, offering premium aged beef cuts, classic starters, and seafood specialties in an elegant club-like setting.

The Lobby Hall houses the Reception Desk, Destination Services Desk, Concierge Desk, and Future Cruise Sales Desk.

Adjacent to the Lobby is the Library, a quiet reading lounge offering more than 1,000 books, including numerous destination guidebooks.

Deck 5

The Upper Hall is a relaxed lounge-style social space near the aft elevators, featuring comfortable seating and a grand piano for live music. It is served by Martinis and functions as an intimate gathering area throughout the day and evening.

The Boutiques are duty-free shops offering luxury goods, including jewelry, watches, perfumes, cosmetics, designer fashion, and Oceania-branded merchandise. Retail operations are managed by Harding UK and feature brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Foreo, Sisley, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Augustinus Bader, Hermès, and Gucci.

Martinis is a classic cocktail and piano bar offering an extensive martini menu in an elegant, club-style atmosphere with live piano music in the evenings.

Artist Loft is a creative enrichment studio where artists-in-residence lead informal workshops in painting, sketching, and mixed media, welcoming guests of all skill levels.

The Casino offers table games and slot machines and operates only in international waters. Guests must be 18 years or older. A dedicated Casino Bar serves beverages within the gaming area.

The Grand Lounge is an elegant yet relaxed aft-located bar lounge with plush seating, alcoves, contemporary decor, and a well-stocked bar. It may also host wine tastings and small musical performances.

The Grand Dining Room is the ship’s main complimentary restaurant, offering open-seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner with daily-changing menus, international cuisine, and French-inspired dishes. The 340-seat venue features expanded menus with new items by Chef Jacques Pepin.

Deck 12

Horizons is a forward-facing indoor observation lounge served by the Horizons Bar, featuring slanted floor-to-ceiling windows, live entertainment, full bar service, and white-glove Afternoon Tea. In the evenings, the venue transforms into a nightclub.

The Smoking Lounge provides a designated indoor area for smoking away from main public spaces.

The Culinary Center is a hands-on cooking school offering demonstrations and interactive classes, including the “Gourmet Explorer Series” and the exclusive “La Technique” class focusing on Jacques Pepin’s culinary techniques.

Chef’s Studio complements the Culinary Center and hosts chef-led tastings, events, and intimate dining experiences.

Aquamar Kitchen is a 24-seat casual venue focused on wellness-inspired cuisine. Complimentary and reservations-only, it also functions as a wine bar offering tastings and a seven-course dinner menu.

Nikkei Kitchen is a complimentary specialty restaurant celebrating Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine, developed by chef Gustavo Sugay in collaboration with Oceania’s Executive Culinary Directors. The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations.

Waves Grill is a poolside casual dining venue serving made-to-order American favorites, pizzas, desserts, and gelato. In the evenings, it transforms into an alfresco pizzeria.

Waves Bar is the poolside beverage venue adjacent to Waves Grill.

The Pool Deck is the main outdoor leisure area, featuring a large swimming pool, two whirlpools, and surrounding sunbathing space.

Terrace Cafe is a buffet-style restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the evenings, it becomes “Tapas On The Terrace.” The Sushi Station serves 45 sushi varieties, including sashimi, uramaki, nigiri, and a daily vegetarian option.

Deck 14

Aquamar Spa is the ship’s full-service wellness complex, offering a wide range of treatments, fitness classes, wellness consultations, and access to serene spa terrace areas with loungers and whirlpools.

The Fitness Center is equipped with modern cardio and strength-training equipment and offers complimentary group fitness classes and optional personal training.

The Crêperie serves freshly made French crêpes, waffles, and ice cream sundaes in a relaxed daytime setting.

Baristas & Bakery offers complimentary espresso-based coffee drinks and freshly baked pastries, sweets, and finger sandwiches prepared daily by the ship’s pastry team.

Jacques Restaurant is a 124-seat complimentary French specialty restaurant (reservations required for dinner), offering classic French cuisine. The venue also hosts exclusive wine-pairing experiences and specialty luncheons.

Red Ginger is a signature Pan-Asian specialty restaurant serving fusion cuisine with a five-course tasting menu and an extensive à la carte selection, including Nikkei dishes introduced fleetwide in 2026.

Deck 15

The Fitness Track is an outdoor walking and jogging track wrapping around the aft section of the ship and features two outdoor whirlpool hot tubs.

Deck 16

The Recreation Deck is the ship’s highest deck, dedicated to outdoor leisure, sports, and relaxation areas.

Skylight is a large glass feature atop the Atrium, allowing natural light to cascade through multiple decks into the ship’s central interior spaces.

Itineraries

Oceania Sonata’s itinerary program, including Maiden Voyage details and inaugural deployment of 7- to 16-day itineraries visiting more than 90 destinations, opened for booking on January 28, 2026.

The schedule includes voyages in Europe and the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Latin and South America.

The inaugural cruise is currently planned for August 7, 2027, as a 14-day voyage from Civitavecchia-Rome to Trieste, visiting ports in Italy (Salerno), Malta (Valletta), Greece (Katakolon, Heraklion Crete, Paros, Piraeus-Athens, Mykonos, Kefalonia, Corfu), Montenegro (Bar), and Croatia (Split and Zadar).

Following the European deployment, the ship is scheduled for a transatlantic crossing to homeport Miami (Florida, USA) for her inaugural Caribbean season. Caribbean itineraries include destinations in Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Netherlands’ ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), Grenada, St Lucia, and Guadeloupe. Latin American calls include Mexico (Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa) and Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), followed by a Panama Canal transit to Los Angeles. A return 14-day Panama Canal voyage from Los Angeles to Miami is scheduled for January 6, 2028.

In April 2024, shipowner NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd) announced a shipbuilding order with Fincantieri for two vessels planned for Oceania Cruises. The ships are of the new SONATA Class (Sonata and Arietta), representing a modified VISTA Class design and the next phase of the OceaniaNEXT fleet expansion project.

The SONATA Class units are designed and constructed by Fincantieri at its Marghera shipyard.

The 86,000-GT SONATA Class vessels are currently the largest in the Oceania fleet. On July 10, 2025, NCLH placed an additional order for two more units, scheduled for delivery in 2032 (TBN3) and 2035 (TBN4).

Construction of the Sonata vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard hull number 6359) officially began on June 4, 2025, with the steel-cutting ceremony held at the Marghera shipyard. The event was attended by Harry Sommer (NCLH President and CEO), Jason Montague (Oceania’s Chief Luxury Officer), Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri’s General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division and Newbuilding Cruise Ships), and Marco Lunardi (Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard’s Senior Vice President). Also present were Patrik Dahlgren (NCLH Executive Vice President, Vessel Operations) and Daniele Fanara (Fincantieri Senior Vice President, Newbuildings).

The ship’s namesakes are the riverboat AmaSonata (2014) and the large Russian river vessel Lunnaya Sonata (1988).

The vessel's physical construction/assembly started with the keel-laying ceremony on January 26, 2026, held at Fincantieri Marghera. The special event was attended by Harry Sommer (NCLH's President and CEO), Jason Montague (Oceania's Chief Luxury Officer), and representatives from Fincantieri and other project partners (senior shipyard and construction team members).