Oceania Sonata and Oceania Vista share the same core DNA – small‑ship luxury, strong destination focus and standout food – but Sonata is a larger, next‑generation evolution with more suites, more dining and more space per guest. Here’s a concise comparison.
Quick overview
| Feature | Oceania Sonata (Sonata Class) | Oceania Vista (Allura Class) |
| Launch | August 2027 (maiden season Aug 2027–Apr 2028) | May 2023 |
| Size (gross tons) | ~86,000 gt (approx., larger than Vista) | 67,000 gt |
| Length | ~804 ft / 245 m (similar to Allura) | ~791–823 ft / 241–251 m |
| Guests (double occupancy) | ~1,390 guests | ~1,200 guests (up to ~1,218–1,469 max) |
| Crew | ~855 crew | ~800 crew |
| Space per guest | Higher (bigger ship, only ~190 more guests) | Slightly lower, still generous for premium luxury |
| All‑veranda accommodations | Yes – all staterooms/suites with private verandas | Effectively all‑balcony staterooms |
Suites and staterooms
- Sonata
- Most suite‑heavy ship in the fleet, with about 30–33% of accommodations as suites, including two new suite categories.
- New Penthouse Deluxe Suite (~488 sq ft) with larger living and veranda space.
- Dramatically evolved Owner’s Suites (up to ~2,530 sq ft / 238 m²) and Vista Suites (>1,900 sq ft / 179 m²) with wraparound aft balconies, soaking tubs, larger dining areas and enhanced butler‑level perks.
- All rooms, including standard veranda suites, have private verandas and refreshed residential décor.
- Vista
- Around 148 suites within 613 cabins total, with top categories including Owner’s, Vista and Oceania Suites; overall suite share is lower than on Sonata.
- Vista’s Vista Suites are slightly smaller (about 1,450–1,850 sq ft) than those planned for Sonata.
- All staterooms have balconies, but design and variety are a bit less expansive than Sonata’s reimagined suite portfolio.
Net effect: Sonata is more suite‑centric and “villa‑like”, aimed at guests who want larger living spaces and more choice at the top end. Vista already feels spacious, but Sonata pushes that envelope further.
Dining and culinary concepts
- Shared strengths
- Both ships lean into Oceania’s “Finest Cuisine at Sea” positioning, with a chef‑to‑guest ratio of roughly 1:8 and multiple included specialty restaurants.
- What’s new/different on Sonata
- 13 included culinary experiences, the most diverse program in the fleet.
- Debut of La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, billed as the most exclusive fine‑dining restaurant at sea, launched with the formal seal of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France.
- New Nikkei Kitchen evening venue, fusing Peruvian flavours with Japanese techniques in an open‑kitchen, light, contemporary setting.
- Enhanced Baristas café and upgraded Crêperie as bigger, more central social hubs.
- Vista today
- Features Oceania staples such as the Grand Dining Room, Toscana, Polo Grill, Red Ginger and Ember, plus Baristas and a patisserie, but does not have La Table or Nikkei Kitchen.
If food is your priority: Vista already offers outstanding dining; Sonata layers on new “event” restaurants and more casual touchpoints for coffee and crêpes.
Social, wellness and enrichment spaces
- Sonata
- New Opus Lounge near the lobby and Library: a calm living‑room space by day that evolves into a chic bar at night.
- Expanded experiential learning, including a larger culinary centre and the LYNC Digital Center for digital workshops and destination content.
- Broadly similar pool, spa and fitness offering to Vista, but with more overall volume and seating thanks to the larger hull.
- Vista
- Established venues like Grand Lounge, Horizons, Martinis and a full spa and fitness area; enrichment includes cooking classes and lectures but in slightly smaller dedicated spaces than Sonata’s next‑gen facilities.
Itineraries and deployment
- Sonata (maiden season 2027–2028)
- 22 itineraries, 7–16 days, visiting 90+ destinations from August 2027 to April 2028.
- Focus: Mediterranean and wider Europe (including some lesser‑known ports like Paros, Koper, Sarandë, Palamós), then a transatlantic to Miami and a tropical season in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central/South America (incl. Panama Canal daylight transit).
- Vista
- Already in service since 2023 with a global deployment pattern, focusing heavily on Europe, the Caribbean and transatlantics, plus some extended seasonal itineraries; choices vary by year and schedule.
If you want the newest ship and newest restaurants, Sonata (from 2027) is the draw; if you want to sail sooner with a similar style, Vista is available now.
Which ship is better for you?
- Choose Oceania Sonata if:
- You prefer larger suites, more suite categories and higher space per guest.
- You’re excited by new venues like La Table and Nikkei Kitchen and want the brand’s latest design language.
- You’re planning for 2027–2028 and like the idea of a brand‑new ship on headline Europe + Americas routes.
- Choose Oceania Vista if:
- You want to sail in 2026–2027 and don’t want to wait.
- You like a slightly smaller guest count while still having plenty of dining choice and strong service.
- You’re drawn to existing Vista itineraries that may differ from Sonata’s inaugural program.
Oceania Sonata and Oceania Vista ultimately cater to the same traveller: someone who values small‑ship luxury, strong destination immersion and top‑tier cuisine, but they do it at slightly different scales and timelines. Sonata is the bigger, more suite‑centric, next‑generation ship with new signature restaurants and more space per guest, ideal if you’re planning from 2027 onward, while Vista offers a very similar experience on a slightly smaller, already‑sailing platform that’s perfect if you want to cruise sooner without sacrificing style or culinary quality.
