Oceania Cruises has reached a major milestone with its next generation of ships. Oceania Sonata has officially floated out at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Italy, moving the vessel from dry dock to the fitting-out phase ahead of its planned August 2027 debut.

The new ship will be the first of five vessels in Oceania's Sonata Class and will introduce larger accommodations, new suite categories and 13 dining venues while continuing the cruise line's adults-only, destination- and culinary-focused approach.

With the exterior structure now complete, attention turns to finishing Sonata's interiors and onboard spaces before the first guests arrive next summer.

Oceania Sonata Moves Into Its Next Construction Phase

The float out marks the point when Oceania Sonata leaves the dry dock and moves to a fitting-out berth, where construction will focus on interiors and other onboard spaces.

Representatives from Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri gathered at the Marghera shipyard for the milestone. The companies have worked together for nearly two decades, beginning with Oceania Marina, delivered in 2011.

Fincantieri also built Oceania Riviera, delivered in 2012, Oceania Vista in 2023 and Oceania Allura in 2025.

Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises, described Sonata's float out as both a construction milestone and the beginning of a new chapter for the cruise line as it prepares to introduce its first new ship class.

Sonata Class Will Eventually Include Five Ships

Oceania Sonata is the first of five ships planned for the Sonata Class. Sister ship Oceania Arietta is scheduled to follow in 2029, with three additional vessels planned for delivery in 2032, 2035 and 2037.

The new class is intended to evolve Oceania's small-ship luxury concept by providing more space, expanded suite accommodations and additional culinary experiences.

Sonata will be approximately 30% larger than Oceania Allura while adding only 90 guest accommodations. Oceania says the difference is intended to create more space and comfort throughout the ship's interiors and public areas.

One-Third of Accommodations Will Be Suites

Oceania Sonata will have 695 rooms and suites, with one-third of the ship's accommodations falling into suite categories.

Among the biggest changes will be four Owner's Suites with two bedrooms, a first for Oceania Cruises.

The ship will also introduce two new suite categories. Horizon Suites will provide more than 600 square feet of space with separate living and bedroom areas, a walk-through closet and an oversized veranda.

The new Penthouse Deluxe Suite will measure 488 square feet and feature an expanded layout with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors framing ocean views.

Like Oceania's other ships, Sonata will operate as an adults-only environment. Public spaces will include bars, lounges and other areas designed around the cruise line's small-ship approach.

Oceania Sonata Will Have 13 Dining Venues

Food will remain a major part of the onboard experience, with Oceania Sonata featuring 13 dining venues.

Two will be new concepts: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen.

They will join established Oceania restaurants including Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill and Toscana, along with The Grand Dining Room.

The expanded dining lineup reflects Oceania's emphasis on culinary travel while giving guests more choices during longer destination-focused voyages.

Oceania Sonata's Maiden Voyage Sails From Rome

Sonata's inaugural season will begin August 7, 2027, with Mediterranean Collage, a 14-day maiden voyage from Rome to Trieste.

The itinerary will visit Malta, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia, including seven ports in Greece. Other highlighted calls include Bar in Montenegro and Split and Zadar in Croatia before the ship reaches Trieste.

The inaugural season will continue through April 2028 and include more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Central America and South America.

Eastern Mediterranean Cruises Include an Istanbul Overnight

One highlighted voyage, Greeks & Byzantines, departs Athens on October 14, 2027, for seven days.

The itinerary visits Paros, Heraklion, Rhodes and Patmos in Greece before continuing to Izmir, Turkey. Sonata will then arrive in Istanbul for an overnight stay, giving guests additional time in the city before disembarkation the following morning.

Sonata Will Transit the Panama Canal in 2028

After its European program, Oceania Sonata will head toward the Americas. A 16-day Panama Canal Coastlines voyage departs Los Angeles on January 6, 2028, and ends in Miami.

The cruise includes calls in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica before making a daylight transit of the Panama Canal. Sonata then visits Cartagena, Colombia, and George Town, Grand Cayman, before arriving in Miami.

Caribbean Cruises Round Out the Inaugural Season

Sonata will also offer Caribbean itineraries from Miami, including a 10-day Tropical Coves voyage departing March 1, 2028.

The roundtrip sailing visits Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, Basseterre in St. Kitts, St. John's in Antigua and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Three sea days are included during the itinerary.

For travelers following Oceania's expansion, Sonata's float out represents more than another new ship reaching the water. It marks tangible progress on a five-ship class that will continue growing through 2037.

The next stage will focus on completing the interiors, suites, restaurants and public spaces that will define the new class before Oceania Sonata begins her maiden Mediterranean voyage in August 2027.

Source: Oceania Cruises