Oceania Lays Keel for Sonata at Fincantieri, Due in 2027

Oceania Cruises marked a key construction milestone for its newest ship, Oceania Sonata, with a keel-laying ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy. The 86,000-gross-ton vessel is scheduled to enter service in August 2027 as the first ship in Oceania’s new Sonata Class.

The traditional shipyard ceremony brought together executives from Oceania Cruises, parent Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Fincantieri, including Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings President and CEO Harry Sommer; Oceania Cruises Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague; Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Executive Vice President and Chief Vessel Operations & Newbuild Officer Patrik Dahlgren; and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.

“We are incredibly proud to reach this important milestone,” Montague said, crediting the Fincantieri workforce for helping bring Oceania’s plans for the ship into reality. Matarazzo described the keel laying as “a crucial milestone,” adding that the project reflects the cruise line’s ongoing relationship with the builder and builds on experience and technical work developed during construction of Oceania’s Allura Class ships.

How Oceania Sonata fits into the fleet and newbuild pipeline

Oceania Sonata is set to become the line’s ninth ship and the first of four Sonata Class vessels currently planned through 2035. Oceania has said Oceania Arietta is scheduled to follow in 2029, with two additional sister ships, not yet named, slated for delivery in 2032 and 2035.

The Sonata Class follows the Allura Class, which includes Oceania Vista, introduced in 2023, and Oceania Allura, scheduled to launch in 2025.

• Ship and class: Oceania Sonata will inaugurate the Sonata Class, which Oceania has outlined as a four-ship series extending through planned deliveries in 2035.
• Shipyard and location: The vessel is being built at Fincantieri in Marghera (Venice), Italy, where the keel-laying ceremony was held.
• Size and onboard complement: Oceania has listed the ship at 86,000 gross tons with capacity for 1,390 guests and 855 crew, positioning the ship for a high level of staffing relative to passenger count.
• Entry into service: The ship is scheduled to debut in August 2027, beginning an inaugural season that Oceania has mapped out through April 2028.

Suite-forward design, new categories, and butler service

Oceania has positioned the Sonata Class around space and accommodation upgrades, highlighting that about one-third (33 percent) of staterooms on Oceania Sonata will be suites. The cruise line has also emphasized details aimed at the “modern luxury traveler,” including marble-clad bathrooms, expansive verandas, and in-room illy coffee machines in select suite categories.

Montague said the company reworked accommodations based on guest feedback. “We have listened closely to the desires of our guests and are delighted to unveil the Oceania Sonata’s thoughtfully reimagined suite accommodations,” he said, adding that the ship is designed to deliver “spacious design and meticulous craftsmanship.”

The ship introduces new suite categories, including two-bedroom Owner’s Suites. Oceania said it will offer four Owner’s Suites measuring more than 2,500 square feet, located on the aft corners of Decks 10 and 11 and designed to provide wide-angle views from their aft placement. The cruise line has also described Owner’s Suites as featuring panoramic 180-degree views.

• Vista Suites: Oceania has listed eight Vista Suites ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 square feet, positioned among the ship’s largest accommodations.
• Oceania Suites: The line said it will offer 16 Oceania Suites ranging from 1,000 to more than 1,400 square feet.
• Horizon Suites: Oceania described 50 Horizon Suites as a new category positioned between Penthouse and Oceania Suite categories, at more than 600 square feet.
• Penthouse and Penthouse Deluxe: Oceania listed 63 Penthouse Suites at 426 square feet and 82 Penthouse Deluxe Suites at 488 square feet, adding capacity in upper-tier categories.

Across the suite inventory, Oceania said all suites include dedicated butler service. The company also stated that Owners, Vista, Oceania, and Horizon Suites will include in-suite illy coffee machines.

13 bars and restaurants, plus new dining concepts and public spaces

Dining remains a core part of Oceania’s brand positioning, and the cruise line has said Oceania Sonata will debut its most ambitious culinary program to date, with 13 bars and restaurants. Two new venues are set to headline the lineup: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, developed with Master Chefs of France, and Nikkei Kitchen, described as blending Peruvian flavors with Japanese techniques.

Additional onboard venues and spaces highlighted by the company include the Opus Lounge near the library, a larger Baristas café, an updated Crêperie, and the LYNC Digital Center.

Inaugural season plans across Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America

Oceania has outlined an inaugural season of 22 voyages running from August 2027 through April 2028. The sailings are scheduled to range from seven to 16 days and collectively call at more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America.

The ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled for Aug. 7, 2027, departing from Rome (Civitavecchia) on a 14-day itinerary ending in Trieste, Italy. Ports highlighted for that sailing include Catania (Italy), Valletta (Malta), Katakolon (Greece), Bar (Montenegro), and Zadar (Croatia), with Oceania also pointing to Mediterranean stops that include Sicily and Montenegro.

Beyond the maiden sailing, Oceania has said the Europe program will combine major destinations such as Barcelona, Lisbon, and Athens with smaller calls including Paros (Greece), Koper (Slovenia), Sarandë (Albania), and Palamós (Spain). The line has also referenced Istanbul, Livorno, and Bordeaux among the season’s destinations, with extended port stays and overnight visits planned in key ports including Istanbul and Bordeaux.

After completing its initial Mediterranean program, Oceania Sonata is scheduled to cross the Atlantic to Miami to begin a tropical season. Oceania has pointed to a mix of established Caribbean calls, including Bridgetown (Barbados) and Tortola, along with Latin America itineraries that include Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa (Mexico) and Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala). A daylight transit of the Panama Canal is also part of the inaugural season lineup.

Booking dates and early sales performance

Oceania said the inaugural season itineraries were set to be available for viewing on Jan. 21, 2026, with bookings opening Jan. 28, 2026. The company later reported that Jan. 28 delivered its strongest launch-day booking performance for a new ship, surpassing first-day results for Oceania Allura by 45 percent.

“I’m absolutely thrilled by the exceptional results that Oceania Sonata has produced,” Montague said, attributing the response to travelers eager to secure spots on the ship’s inaugural-season voyages.

Nathan Hickman, Oceania’s Chief Commercial Officer, tied the ship’s positioning to demand for experience-led travel, saying guests want “memorable experiences worth sharing at the dinner table.”

With the keel now laid and the inaugural season already mapped out through April 2028, Oceania Sonata moves into its next stage of construction ahead of its August 2027 debut, with Oceania Arietta scheduled to follow in 2029 and two additional Sonata Class ships planned for 2032 and 2035.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does Oceania Sonata start sailing, and what is the maiden voyage itinerary?

Oceania Sonata is scheduled to debut in August 2027. Its maiden voyage is set to depart Rome (Civitavecchia) on Aug. 7, 2027, on a 14-day itinerary ending in Trieste, with ports highlighted by Oceania including Catania (Italy), Valletta (Malta), Katakolon (Greece), Bar (Montenegro), and Zadar (Croatia).

Where is Oceania Sonata being built?

The ship is under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Venice), Italy, where Oceania held the traditional keel-laying ceremony.

How many ships are planned in the Sonata Class, and when are they due?

Oceania has outlined four Sonata Class ships in total: Oceania Sonata (scheduled for August 2027 entry into service), Oceania Arietta (2029), and two unnamed sister ships planned for delivery in 2032 and 2035.

When could travelers preview and book Oceania Sonata’s inaugural voyages?

Oceania said the inaugural season itineraries were set to be available for viewing on Jan. 21, 2026, with bookings opening on Jan. 28, 2026.