Oceania Cruises’ much-anticipated Vista has finally been unveiled, following a glamorous christening ceremony at Valletta, Malta on Monday evening.

Here’s Travel Weekly Asia’s first-hand account of the ship as we join Oceania Cruises on the inaugural christening voyage for the 1,200-pax ship, sailing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Naples.

First impressions

Upon stepping foot onto Vista, guests will be greeted by the Grand Staircase. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

Upon arrival on Deck 5, guests will be welcomed by the magnificent sight of a two-deck Grand Staircase that gracefully curves upward, setting the tone for the contemporary elegance that pervades the entire ship.

The extensive use of Italian marble, paired with the seamless integration of rich wood panels, modern art pieces, and top-notch finishings, transforms Vista into a masterpiece of contemporary design, exuding a vibe that is both sophisticated and modern.

With a remarkable ratio of two staff members to every three guests, cruisers can expect attentive and personalised service, a luxury that we were fortunate enough to experience firsthand.

Residential-style living

The Concierge Stateroom boasts ample nature light. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

Bringing the contemporary design alive is the directive given to Miami-based Studio Dado, the design house behind Vista’s public areas, staterooms and suites.

Vista's residential-style suites and staterooms are adorned in beautiful greys and neutral tones, offering luxurious touches such as wool carpets with naturally-occurring colours, plush beds fitted with 1,000-threadcount linen that reduces temperatures by two degrees, and verandas that provide breathtaking views of the seas and ports of call.

Vista's bathrooms have rainforest showers, abundant storage, and backlit mirrors. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

The bathrooms are exceptionally spacious, even by cruise ship standards, and guests on the Vista christening voyage showered them with compliments for their rainforest showers, copious storage drawers, and cleverly tucked backlit mirrors.

A culinary-focused cruise line

Oceania Cruises has long upheld its reputation of its motto for offering “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”, and Vista is no exception. With 12 dining outlets, each offering its own unique and memorable culinary experience, guests can indulge in a gastronomic adventure like no other.

The Grand Dining Room’s luxurious seafood spread ranging from oysters to langoustines. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

Notably, Vista boasts an unprecedented chef to guest ratio of 1:10, an industry first that ensures each guest receives the utmost attention and personalised service.

The appointment of Giada Pamela De Laurentiis – an Italian-American chef, writer, and television personality – as Vista's godmother is a testament to Oceania's unwavering commitment to culinary excellence.

Among the new dining spots on board is Aquamar Kitchen, a health-oriented food haven that offers a variety of delectable options ranging from avocado toast to alcohol-free cocktails. This spot is often bustling with guests for breakfast and lunch, and asking ‘Have you been to Aquamar yet?’ was a common refrain among the travel advisor guests on the sailing.

Lobster medallion scallop. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

Ember is yet another dining hotspot onboard Vista, offering a fresh take on American-style cuisine with its captivating decor and open kitchen.

Meanwhile, Baristas, the ship's coffee shop, has been receiving glowing reviews from guests and Oceania executives alike since the addition of a new bakery, becoming the go-to spot for coffee and croissants.

Other favourites include the signature steakhouse, Polo Grill, adorned with rich dark wood, and the Asian-inspired Red Ginger, as well as Toscana, which showcases Tuscan favorites and features two brand new dishes by Vista's godmother, Giada.

With a wide variety of international specialties and indoor/outdoor seating, the Terrace Café is a perfect spot to enjoy spectacular views all day. Photo Credit: Travel Weekly Asia/Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

The Grand Dining Room impresses guests with its tasteful gold and silver accents, global flavors, and luxurious ambiance. The all-day Terrace Café offers a diverse selection of international specialties and indoor/outdoor seating with spectacular views.

Martinis and the Grand Lounge exude sophistication with their opulent gold tones and are perfect spots to savour a drink before or after dinner. Founders Bar serves up signature craft cocktails that will satisfy any palate.

For a truly unforgettable experience, guests should head to Horizons, named for its panoramic 180-degree views, which provides the perfect setting for a convivial atmosphere, breathtaking vistas as its name suggests, and top-notch drinks.

Relaxing amenities

The pool deck on Vista exudes a resort-at-sea vibe, eschewing the typical rectangular designs in favour of curved shapes and wooden elements, and featuring two hot tubs and six round daybeds at the water's edge. And at no time during sea days, even on days when the sun shone, did the pool deck feel crowded.

The Culinary Center on Riviera is a hands-on cooking school at sea with fully equipped workstations and passionate chef instructors. Photo Credit: Oceania Cruises

Then there’s also the hands-on Culinary Center that has tripled in size, now boasting a small dining room, and offering an array of culinary experiences for foodie guests, including lectures, mixologist classes, and wine tastings, among other offerings.

The Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, meanwhile, is the cruise line’s first purpose-built wellness space. Elsewhere on Vista, there’s a dedicated art studio, luxury boutique stores, and the Vista Lounge where guests can catch evening performances.

Redefining standards

With its rich culinary offers and contemporary vibes, Vista is an outstanding choice for travellers seeking a luxurious and contemporary cruise experience, catering to discerning individuals, couples, and groups of friends alike.

Its debut has undeniably solidified Oceania Cruises' position as a leading force in the upscale cruising segment, and it is thrilling to envision how Vista will continue to steer Oceania towards an even more remarkable future.