Oceania Cruises Officially Welcomes New Ship Vista
Image Caption: Giada De Laurentiis, Celebrity Chef and Godmother to Vista, Christens Line’s First Ship in More Than a Decade; Acclaimed Musician Harry Connick, Jr. Delivers Unforgettable Performance at Portside Gala Ceremony in Valletta, Malta
Oceania Cruises Unveils Vista - First of All-New Allura Class
A Culinary and Entertainment Marvel
Oceania Cruises, renowned for its culinary and destination-focused voyages, marked a historic milestone with the christening of its latest ship, Vista, at a dazzling ceremony in Valletta, Malta. The first of the Allura Class vessels, this 1,200-guest, all-veranda ship debuted amidst a star-studded celebration featuring the ship's godmother, the celebrated Italian-American chef Giada De Laurentiis, and a performance by Grammy and Emmy award-winning musician Harry Connick, Jr.
Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, expressed excitement about the occasion, stating, “We have been eagerly awaiting this historic day as we christen our first new ship in more than ten years and pave the way for an exciting future.”
Vista, at 791 feet long and over 67,000 tons, offers a market-leading staffing ratio and boasts spacious standard staterooms, measuring over 290 square feet. The ship introduces new onboard activities, including Aquamar Kitchen, The Bakery at Baristas, and the signature restaurant, Ember, contributing to its elevated variety of experiences.
Giada De Laurentiis, honoured as the ship's godmother, remarked, “I am so honoured to have been chosen as godmother of this incredible new ship and be a part of this glorious night in Malta. Vista is truly a dream ship.”
Vista continues to elevate The Finest Cuisine at Sea®, featuring 11 culinary venues, including new additions like Aquamar Kitchen and The Bakery at Baristas. The ship also introduces The Casino Mixology Bar, a concept focused entirely on the art of the cocktail.
As godmother, Giada De Laurentiis will create two signature dishes for Toscana and The Grand Dining Room. The christening ceremony included an opening performance of “Into the Night,” Vista’s dance-centric theatrical show, followed by De Laurentiis officially naming and christening Vista with a ceremonial Champagne bottle break.
Harry Connick, Jr., headlining the celebration, stated, “I’ve been honored to perform at countless special occasions but have to say that celebrating this beautiful ship’s entry into service was extra special. Bon voyage, Vista.”
Following the VIP christening cruise, Vista will set sail on its maiden voyage from Rome to Venice, embarking on a sold-out summer in the Mediterranean. The ship's 2024 summer season will feature Grand Voyages in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas, exploring iconic cities and boutique ports throughout Italy, Turkey, Greece, and the Holy Lands.