Oceania Cruises Welcomes Eighth Ship to Fleet

With splashes of blue all around, Oceania Cruises welcomed an eighth ship – the Oceania Allura – to its fleet in a ceremony at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ terminal B in Miami on Thursday night.

“Allura marks the next chapter in Oceania’s remarkable story,” said Silas Cook, cruise director of Allura, kicking off the festivities that included remarks from Jason Montague, chief luxury officer for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Nathan Hickman, chief commercial officer of Oceania Cruises, as well as the ship’s master, Captain Pavle Silic, and general manager, Damien Lacroix.

Montague spent most of his time on stage thanking a variety of Oceania Cruises partners and supporters.

Speaking to members of the travel trade in the room, Montague said, “As I reflect on the early days of being a startup in 2003, all the way until now, there is no doubt in my mind that Oceania has grown to be the company we are today because of all of you. Your belief and support in us from those very early days is what fueled our growth and we are forever grateful.”

He also thanked past guests, including 30 of the highest-level members of the line’s Oceania Club who were in attendance. Together, these 30 guests have sailed a combined 19,628 nights with the brand, Montague said.

With six chefs as Allura’s collective godparents, much of the ceremony was dedicated to reinforcing the importance of food to the brand.

(The six alumni of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs selected as godparents of Allura are: Tavel-Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes, and Lawrence “LT” Smith.)

“From the very beginning, even before Oceania welcomed its first guests, there was a decision that set us apart. This would be a brand anchored in food, not just the finest ingredients, but experiences that bring people together,” said Hickman. “That’s been our heartbeat from the start.”

Hickman paid tribute to Jacques Pépin, who led Oceania’s culinary program from its earliest days in 2003 until 2024 when he stepped down as executive culinary director. Pépin’s daughter, Claudine, the godmother of Oceania Serena, among the dignitaries in the audience.

Two other godmothers, both chefs in their own right, were also in attendance: Cat Cora (Riviera) and Giada De Laurentiis (Vista). De Laurentiis also serves as a culinary brand ambassador for Oceania.

Speaking of the choice to select six of Food & Wine’s past “Best New Chefs” as the collective godparents for Allura, Hickman said, “The choice reflects Oceania’s unwavering commitment to culinary excellence… They embody the spirit that we value here at Oceania, creativity, dedication, and pushing the boundaries of the culinary craft.”

Accepting the honor of being godparent on behalf of the new chef godparents was Brian Kightlinger, CRO and group publisher of Food & Wine Magazine.

“Both Food & Wine and Oceania share a simple, but powerful belief that excellence never goes out of style… By naming Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs as the godparents of Allura, Oceania celebrates the future of dining. These chefs are innovators, redefining how we experience food and now they’ll bring that creativity to the sea.”

Montague took to the stage immediately afterward to bring the new chefs up, along with other dignitaries, for the traditional blessing and Champagne christening.