Cruising on Oceania Allura

First Impressions: A Calm, Grown‑Up Ship

Stepping on to Oceania Allura in Athens felt more like arriving at a chic city hotel than boarding a traditional cruise ship. The Grand Staircase makes a beautiful first statement: soft neutrals, crystal and light, and a sense of space without ever feeling cavernous.

Allura is designed as an adults‑only ship, so the atmosphere is calm and refined. There are no water slides, kids’ clubs or loud pool games. Instead you have:

• Elegant lounges like Martinis and the Grand Lounge for pre‑dinner drinks and live music.
• Horizons, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and 180‑degree sea views, perfect for sailaways and afternoon tea.
• A real library with cosy chairs, and quiet corners everywhere to read, chat or simply watch the sea.

For someone who is not sure if they will like cruising, this sort of environment feels very reassuring: you are not “stuck on a boat”, you are staying in a contemporary, design‑led hotel that just happens to change view every day.

Staterooms: Space, Storage and That All‑Important Balcony

New cruisers often worry that cabins will be tiny. One of the pleasant surprises on Allura is how generous the standard veranda staterooms are.

Key things that stood out to me:

• Around 290 square feet in a typical veranda stateroom, which is very comparable to a good hotel room.
• A proper seating area plus a private balcony with space to sit out and enjoy breakfast or a glass of wine as you sail in or out of port.
• A lovely modern bathroom with a large vanity and a walk‑in rainforest shower that feels much more “boutique hotel” than “ship shower cubicle”.
• Thoughtful touches: plush towels and robes, good quality toiletries, interactive TV, daily replenished soft drinks in the mini‑bar and very comfortable bedding.

For those who like an extra level of pampering, the Concierge and Suite categories add access to exclusive lounges, butler service in suites, larger living spaces and extra indulgences. One thing I really noticed, though, is that even the entry‑level balcony cabins felt special and well finished.

“The Finest Cuisine at Sea”: Dining That Feels All‑Inclusive

Food is where Oceania comes into its own, and it is also where you really begin to see the value compared with many mainstream lines.

On our 10‑night cruise we had:

• The Grand Dining Room: a beautiful, chandeliered restaurant serving multi‑course, fine‑dining style dinners with menus that changed daily, plus a la carte breakfast (which I love!) and lunch on sea days.
• Speciality restaurants, all included in the fare:
• Polo Grill: a classic steakhouse with excellent cuts of beef and beautiful seafood.
• Toscana: refined Italian dishes with lots of tableside touches.
• Red Ginger: a smart Pan‑Asian restaurant, great for something a little different.
• Jacques: French favourites in a brasserie‑style setting.
• Terrace Café: a relaxed indoor–outdoor buffet, but with quality very much in line with the main restaurant and a wide range of freshly cooked dishes.  Great sunset views from here, which was lovely.  
• Aquamar Kitchen: a light, wellness‑focused venue serving things like avocado toast, grain bowls and fresh fish, ideal when you want something a little lighter but still delicious - my favourite place for lunch!  
• Waves Grill & Pizzeria by the pool: made‑to‑order burgers, salads and an evening pizzeria.  I like that, even for a causal venue, you still have table service and proper cutlery.
• Baristas & the Bakery: serious coffee, complimentary pastries and gorgeous baked treats all day long.  
• Traditional Afternoon Tea complete with string quartet and tiered cake stands.

The important point for new cruisers is this: all of these venues are included in your cruise fare. There are no “nickel and diming” surcharges every time you want to eat somewhere nice.  On other lines, speciality restaurants often cost extra per visit, so the daily spend can quickly creep up. On Allura, you are free to focus on enjoying the food rather than constantly checking your bill.

What Is Actually Included? The “Your World Included” Difference

This is where Oceania really helps first‑time cruisers feel comfortable, because so many of the things you will use every day are already built in:

• Dining in all main and speciality restaurants: no dining fees for the core venues.
• Soft drinks, juices and speciality coffees: sodas, still and sparkling water, coffees and teas are included throughout the ship.
• Unlimited Wi‑Fi using Starlink
• Gratuities for your stateroom attendant, butler (where applicable) and dining staff are included in the fare.
• Laundry facilities: self‑service launderettes are complimentary, which makes packing lighter much easier. Concierge and suite guests also enjoy included laundry services.
• Speciality ice creams and gelato, smoothies and juices: again, no need to pay extra for a simple treat.

On top of this, there is a choice of extra included benefit when you book. At the moment this is typically either:

• Champagne, wine and beer by the glass at lunch and dinner, or
• A generous shore excursion credit per stateroom.

That flexibility is perfect for different styles of travellers: some will want to relax onboard with a drink; others will prefer to invest more in immersive tours ashore.

When you factor in all of the above, plus the quality of what is offered, you begin to see why comparing only the “lead‑in price” with other cruises can be very misleading.

Value for Money: Why the Lowest Fare Is Not Always the Best Deal

Let us take a simple example that many new cruisers face.  A lower‑priced cruise elsewhere might look tempting, but once onboard you may find that:

• Gratuities are added daily to your bill.
• Most speciality restaurants carry a cover charge.
• Soft drinks, bottled water and speciality coffees are extra.
• Wi‑Fi packages are chargeable, sometimes by device and by minute or by day.
• Self‑service laundry, if available, may be chargeable, or you rely on per‑item laundry pricing.
• Fares may not include any drinks with meals or any credit towards excursions.

By the time you have added those “little extras” each day for two people, a cheaper‑sounding cruise can end up costing very similar to, or even more than, a higher‑quality product like Oceania.

On Allura, it felt very refreshing to know that the essentials of our daily life onboard were already looked after. We were free to choose the shore excursions and indulgences that genuinely added to our experience, instead of feeling we were constantly topping up with add‑ons that really should have been included.

For new‑to‑cruise guests, that simplicity is incredibly reassuring. You can budget in advance without worrying about a big surprise at the end of the cruise.

Life Onboard: Space, Enrichment and Quiet Luxury

Between ports, Allura offers plenty to do, but nothing felt forced or over the top.  Highlights that new cruisers might appreciate:

• Stunning Pool deck with ample loungers, whirlpools and drink service. No frantic “towel wars” at dawn.
• Aquamar Spa & Fitness Centre: a well‑equipped gym, fitness classes and a serene spa area, plus a dedicated Aquamar Spa Terrace for certain cabin categories.
• Culinary Centre & Chef’s Studio: hands‑on cooking classes where you actually prepare dishes at your own workstation, perfect if you love food and want to bring something home beyond souvenirs.
• Artist Loft: creative workshops led by artists in residence.
• Guest lecturers and destination talks in the Allura Lounge to help you understand the history and culture of each port.
• Evening entertainment in the main lounge: production shows, vocalists and guest performers, complemented by live music in the bars and the quieter pleasure of the casino if you fancy a flutter.

Nothing felt loud or brash; it was more about relaxed enjoyment, good conversation and having the freedom to do as much or as little as you liked.

Who Is Oceania Allura Perfect For?

Based on my own time onboard, I would especially recommend Allura to:

• New‑to‑cruise couples and friends who like the idea of seeing several destinations in one trip, but are nervous of huge “floating resorts”.
• Food‑lovers and wine‑lovers who care as much about what is on the plate and in the glass as what is on the itinerary.
• Solo travellers who enjoy a calm, sociable environment, with dedicated Solo Veranda staterooms at Concierge level and plenty of hosted activities.
• Experienced land‑based travellers who have enjoyed boutique hotels and want that same standard at sea, with the added benefit of unpack‑once convenience.

If you are expecting water slides, climbing walls and children’s clubs, this is not the right ship. If you want a serene, grown‑up, design‑led environment with excellent food and straightforward inclusions, it is a superb match.

If you would like to chat about whether Oceania Allura might be the right first cruise for you, I would be delighted to help you compare options and see how the real‑world value stacks up for your dates and budget.