MIAMI, 27 August 2026 – Oceania Cruises® has floated out Oceania Sonata™ at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, marking a major construction milestone for the first vessel in the new Sonata Class, according to the official Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings release.
The ship, which will feature 695 rooms and suites, has moved from dry dock to the fitting-out berth, where interior work will continue ahead of its scheduled debut in August 2027.
First of Five Sonata Class Ships
Oceania Sonata™ is the first of five ships planned for the Sonata Class. Sister ship Oceania Arietta™ is due to follow in 2029, with three additional vessels scheduled for delivery in 2032, 2035 and 2037.
Paolo Novarino, Senior Director, Project Owner at Oceania Cruises, represented the cruise line at the float-out ceremony alongside Fincantieri leadership and team members.
Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri have worked together for nearly two decades. Their shipbuilding relationship began with Oceania Marina™, delivered in 2011, followed by Oceania Riviera™ in 2012, Oceania Vista in 2023™ and Oceania Allura in 2025™.
“The float out of Oceania Sonata is an incredibly exciting moment as we move one step closer to welcoming our first guests aboard next August,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “We are tremendously grateful to our partners at Fincantieri whose expertise and craftsmanship are bringing Oceania Sonata to life. As the first ship in our new Sonata Class, she represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand and a defining milestone in the continued evolution of Oceania Cruises.”
Interior Work Continues After Float-Out
With the ship’s exterior structure complete, work will now focus on the ship’s interiors and onboard spaces. At approximately 86,000 gross tons, Oceania Sonata™ will be nearly 30% larger than Oceania Allura™ while adding 90 guest accommodations. One-third of its accommodation will be suites.
The ship will introduce four two-bedroom Owner’s Suites, a first for Oceania Cruises, along with two new suite categories. Horizon Suites will offer more than 600 square feet, with separate living and bedroom areas, a walk-through closet and an oversized veranda. The 488-square-foot Penthouse Deluxe Suite will feature an expanded layout and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Oceania Sonata will also offer a serene adults-only environment with spacious public spaces including bars and lounges.
Thirteen Dining Venues Planned
Dining aboard Oceania Sonata will comprise 13 venues. Two new concepts, La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen, will join existing Oceania Cruises restaurants including The Grand Dining Room and specialty restaurants Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill and Toscana.
The ship is scheduled to begin its inaugural season in August 2027 and operate through April 2028, visiting more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Mexico, Central America and South America.
Maiden Season Spans Europe and the Americas
Oceania Sonata’s maiden voyage, Mediterranean Collage, will depart Rome on 7 August 2027 for a 14-day sailing to Trieste. The itinerary includes Malta, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia, with seven ports in Greece as well as Bar in Montenegro, Split and Zadar in Croatia.
A seven-day Greeks & Byzantines voyage will sail from Athens to Istanbul on 14 October 2027, with calls including Paros, Heraklion, Rhodes, Patmos and Izmir. The ship then arrives in Istanbul for an overnight stay, giving guests additional time to discover the city before disembarking the following morning.
On 6 January 2028, the 16-day Panama Canal Coastlines itinerary will depart Los Angeles for Miami, visiting Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica before a daylight transit of the Panama Canal and continuing on to Cartagena, Colombia, and George Town, Grand Cayman before arriving in Miami.
The 10-day Tropical Coves voyage will sail round-trip from Miami on 1 March 2028, calling at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. John’s, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with three days at sea.
Oceania Aurelia™ will also operate a 31-day Holiday Crossing from Athens to Miami departing on 18 December 2027. The itinerary will visit destinations in Italy, France and Spain before continuing to the Canary Islands and crossing the Atlantic. A call at San Juan is scheduled before arrival in Miami.
The highlighted voyages form part of Oceania Cruises’ wider collection of itineraries ranging from seven to 180 days.
Source: Official announcement by Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line on 27 August, 2026, Miami
