Oceania Vista: Future perfect

The pizza in my hands is almost the size of my head. Piping hot and straight from the oven, it’s a wonderful molten mixture of stringy mozzarella cheese, tangy fresh tomato paste and charred edges.

As I take my first bite, I pinch myself and realise that I’m standing on the street eating a genuine Napoli pizza in the birthplace of this famous dish. Now that’s what I call an immersive tour.

This is my first visit to Naples and it’s a sensory overload. From the jostling crowds in the narrow streets to graffiti on every corner and steam bellowing from the espresso machines in the cafes, nothing feels more Italian than this.

Chatting with the charming guide who is giving us a great potted history of the city as we chomp down our pizzas, I realise that this is how all cruise shore excursions should be – informative but fun too.

Great food is important to Oceania Cruises and with the tagline ‘The greatest cuisine at sea,’ it’s no surprise that the line sets out to offer guests great culinary experiences, both on and off board, with over 300 foodie-inspired shore excursions on offer throughout the world.

Whether that’s eating a humble pizza on a street corner in Naples or enjoying a sumptuous six-course tasting menu at a farmhouse in Sardinia, there’s something on offer for all tastes (and waistlines!).

My visit to Naples is just one of the stops on my port-heavy Med cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ eagerly awaited new ship Vista and as the first new ship to be built by the company in 10 years, a lot is resting on her reputation.

The first in a new Allura class, she’s a sleek 1,200 passenger luxury vessel with 613 staterooms, 12 eateries and 8 bars and lounges.

The line has promised passengers a more contemporary style of cruising with some exciting new additions, so I’m keen to see what’s in store as I board the ship in Rome.

Top marks to the team for making first impressions count – I’m instantly wowed by the stunning cream and coffee-coloured atrium on deck 5. With a sexy curved staircase and striking double-story light display, it’s easy to forgot that you’re on a ship. Blink and you’ll think you’re in a White Lotus style hotel lobby – it’s that good.

Miami-based design team Studio Dado were given the brief to design the ship as a modern floating hotel where casual luxury teamed with first-class service is the order of the day. And boy, have they nailed it.

From my sumptuous Veranda Stateroom on deck nine, decorated in soft creams and navy blues that boasts an incredibly roomy power shower (the best at sea) to the super stylish pool deck that looks like a private beach club with curved wooden balconies and plenty of private cabanas, this ship is a game changer.

Oceania Cruises’ bosses have been brave enough to give the green-light to a contemporary ship that boasts stunning public areas as well as some of the most beautifully decorated restaurants at sea (more of that later) plus some exciting new additions to the Oceania fleet.

Like any new ship, there’s a delicate art between retaining popular areas and restaurants that have always been popular with guests, while introducing some new more contemporary ideas and Vista has managed to hit the sweet spot.

On board, you’ll find new dining experiences – healthy-eating breakfast and lunch café Aquamar Kitchen with delicious poke bowls, made-to-order smoothies and avocado toast; Ember, a modern take on the US-dining experience where the lobster mac n’cheese is sublime; and the new onboard bakery, next to Barista’s, where an Illy coffee and croissant hits the sweet spot when you’re looking for a quick breakfast before you leave the ship.

Such is the instant popularity with all these new areas, that new Oceania boss Frank. A. Del Rio is already talking about adding two onboard bakeries when Vista’s sister ship Allura launches in 2025.

The Grand Dining Room has been given a total makeover too with a creamy interior and an extensive menu. If you can nag yourself a table by the windows, even better – this restaurant has some of the best views on the ship.

Equally impressive are the onboard bars with new cocktail joint Founders Bar on deck six packing a punch. The talented team offer a menu of really unusual craft cocktails that include whisky-smoked tipples and herb-infused gin and tonics. Equally popular is the Horizons bar where you can enjoy a tipple as the sun sets and Martinis with its in-house pianist.

And while other luxury ships grapple with the dress code, Vista is very relaxed so you’re free to turn up in a pair of jeans at the Terrace Café or maybe dress up a bit for a night at the Polo Grill.

If food’s your thing, you’ll be pleased to know that the Culinary Center, where you can learn to cook with the onboard chefs, has been tripled in size and there is also a programme of food talks and lectures too.

On sea days (or on those days when you just want to relax on board) you can treat yourself to a day at the spa with its outside private pool or head to the library and enjoy the old skool pleasure of getting lost in a novel.

But let’s be honest, you’re going to want to send loads of photos to your friends and family when you’re cruising on Vista - lounging by the pool, enjoying a sundowner, drinking champagne on your balcony - so it’s great news that Oceania has installed the Starlink wifi system on all its ships which means sending selfies is now a cinch.

I really love this ship – there’s an easy rhythm to life onboard where you are totally spoilt and looked after by the excellent crew. The hardest decision is working out whether it’s ok to treat every day as a sea day and enjoy every inch of the ship.

Get onboard
A 12-night ‘Mediterranean Tapestry’ cruise aboard Vista, from Venice to Barcelona via Korcula, Split, Kotor, Igoumentsa, Katakolon, Sicily, Amalfi, Rome, Ajaccio, Monte Carlo and Marseille, departs June 29, 2024, from £5,339 per person.

VICKY'S VERDICT
Great for: Cruise fans looking for a modern, relaxed luxury ship with excellent cuisine, fantastic cabins and great design
Don’t miss: Trying out all the great places to eat on board – you’ll never want to leave the ship
Best bar & restaurant: The Founders bar for modern experimental cocktails and the Polo Grill for exemplary steaks and sides served in a stunning dining room with an ocean view
Value for money? It’s expensive, but if you buy an all-inclusive package you’ll get to enjoy some of the finest cuisine and drinks at sea
Saving the planet Waste from the ship is compacted, separated or incinerated and residual waste is safely offloaded
Star rating 5/5