As a couple in our 40s, we weren't sure what to expect when we stepped onboard the new Oceania Allura, a ship where 75% of guests are over 65. We share our honest take on the dining, ship amenities, activities, staterooms, and more to see if an @OceaniaCruises is right for you.
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In this Oceania Allura review, we're breaking down everything from the ship's 12 dining venues to the spacious 290-square-foot staterooms to help you decide if this premium cruise line is worth the investment.
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At just 1,200 passengers, Oceania Allura is roughly one-third the size of typical megaships. That means no waterslides, no Broadway shows, and no kids' clubs—but it also means no fighting for deck chairs, no long buffet lines, and significantly more space per passenger. The ship launched in July 2025 and represents Oceania's most luxurious vessel to date.
The real standout is the dining. Oceania Cruises bills itself as offering "The Finest Cuisine at Sea," and with half the crew dedicated to culinary operations, they take food seriously. All four specialty restaurants are complimentary—no upcharges—including Polo Grill steakhouse, Toscana Italian, Red Ginger Asian fusion, and Jacques French bistro. We tested multiple venues and share our honest opinions on what exceeded expectations and what fell short.
Beyond dining, we cover what's actually included in your Oceania cruise fare. Unlike mainstream cruise lines where you're constantly pulling out your wallet, Oceania includes specialty coffee, WiFi, all specialty restaurants, gratuities, room service, and your choice of either beer and wine with meals or shore excursion credits. When you factor in these inclusions, the price gap between Oceania and mainstream lines shrinks considerably.
We also discuss the staterooms, which are genuinely spacious with every cabin featuring a veranda. Our Concierge Level cabin came with additional perks, but we share our honest thoughts on the layout and storage—not everything was perfect.
For activities and entertainment, Oceania takes a completely different approach. Instead of pool deck parties and game shows, you'll find cooking classes in the Culinary Center, art workshops in the Artist Loft, guest lectures, and intimate evening performances. The pace is slower and the atmosphere more refined, which appeals to their core demographic but might bore those seeking constant stimulation.
Finally, we break down exactly who will love an Oceania cruise versus who should stick with larger ships. If you're a foodie tired of crowds who values inclusions and doesn't need high-energy entertainment, Oceania Allura delivers. If you feed off megaship energy and want maximum activity options, this isn't your ship.
Whether you're considering your first Oceania Cruises sailing or comparing premium cruise lines, this Oceania cruise review gives you an honest look at what to expect from someone who's sailed both megaships and boutique vessels.
We Sailed on a Cruise Ship Built for 70-year-olds (We are in our 40s)
0:30 Stepping Onboard Oceania Allura
3:30 Really the Finest Cuisine at Sea?
4:30 The Grand Dining Room
5:30 Specialty Restaurants
7:00 Casual Dining
9:10 Oceania Allura Staterooms
11:45 Activities and Nightlife on Oceania Allura
16:35 The Real Costs of Sailing on Oceania Allura
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We just returned from Oceania Allura, the newest ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet, and this boutique vessel operates completely differently than the megaships we typically sail. With 75% of passengers aged 65 or older, we were among the youngest onboard—but that didn't stop us from having an excellent experience.