Oceania Sonata: Keel Laying in Marghera
The future of luxury at sea is taking shape in Italy. Oceania Cruises has celebrated the keel-laying of its new ship, Oceania Sonata, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, marking the official start of construction of what is set to become one of the most highly anticipated vessels in the luxury segment.
The ceremony was attended by Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises; Patrik Dahlgren, Executive Vice President, Chief Vessel Operations and Newbuild Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; and Franco Semeraro, Chief Experience Officer of Oceania Cruises, together with Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, and Marco Lunardi, Senior Vice President of the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard.
Oceania Sonata keel (3)
Oceania Sonata keel (5)
The traditional keel-laying ceremony represents a symbolic milestone in shipbuilding and confirms the strength of the collaboration between the cruise line and the Italian shipbuilding group, a long-standing partner for the brand’s new vessels.
Debut in 2027 and a new class of ships
Scheduled for its inaugural voyage in August 2027, Oceania Sonata will inaugurate a new generation of ships designed to deliver an even more exclusive experience. With a gross tonnage of 86,000 and a capacity limited to 1,390 guests, the vessel will emphasize spacious environments and highly personalized service. Approximately one-third of the accommodations will consist of suites, including four two-bedroom Owner’s Suites and two new categories: Horizon Suites and Penthouse Deluxe Suites.
The ship will become the ninth vessel in the fleet and will follow the Allura-class ships, including Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura. The project also calls for the arrival of additional sister ships, starting with Oceania Arietta, scheduled for 2029.
New culinary experiences on board
A defining element of the Oceania experience will once again be its culinary offering. Oceania Sonata will introduce two new dining concepts: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, set to become one of the most exclusive restaurants at sea, and Nikkei Kitchen, which will offer a refined fusion of Peruvian cuisine and Japanese techniques.
La Table par Maitres Cuisiniers de France
Oceania Sonata Horizons
According to Jason Montague, the company’s Chief Luxury Officer, the new ship represents a significant evolution in the brand’s offering and further strengthens Oceania Cruises’ position in the high-end cruise segment. Luigi Matarazzo, meanwhile, emphasized that the keel laying of Oceania Sonata represents an important milestone not only for Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri, but for the entire luxury cruise sector. He highlighted how the ship embodies innovation and craftsmanship—values that define the long-standing partnership between the two companies—and added that, thanks to the experience and technical excellence developed through the construction of the previous Allura-class vessels, Fincantieri is proud once again to turn Oceania Cruises’ vision into reality with this remarkable new ship.
With Oceania Sonata, the company continues to invest in relatively small yet highly exclusive ships, focusing on space, service quality, and culinary innovation to redefine the standards of luxury travel at sea.
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