What it’s really like on Oceania Vista according to our staff

When Andrea Tardioli, a CAA Travel Consultant, and her husband stepped aboard their ship for a Hawaiian and Tahitian voyage with Oceania Cruises, the first thing they noticed was the warm welcome from the staff.

“We were on the ship for just two hours, and everybody knew our name already,” says Tardioli.

Known for offering an upscale but relaxed atmosphere, Oceania Cruises added the Oceania Vista to its fleet in 2023. Tardioli says she was struck by the elegant, shared spaces throughout the ship, which boasts a capacity for up to 1,200 guests.

“The lobby just outside the Grand Dining Room was where we’d sit for a few minutes before a meal,” she explains. “They’d have classical music performers, including violinists – it was really quite beautiful.” 

Aboard the Oceania Vista, guest staterooms and suites feature beautifully appointed bathrooms with oversized rainforest showers, large vanities and copious storage spaces. Tardioli and her husband stayed in a concierge-level veranda stateroom; they were delighted to find a welcome gift waiting for them when they arrived at their room.

“With the concierge, you actually get a little bar in the corner, plus it comes with a bottle of prosecco and some champagne glasses,” enthuses Tardioli. “You have access to a concierge lounge on the ninth floor, as well as  great amenities such as free laundry.”

Elevated culinary experiences

For Tardioli, the wide range of exceptional restaurant options with Oceania Cruises was a definite highlight of the trip.

“Everybody knows the food on Oceania Cruises is just fantastic,” she says, adding that the restaurant service was always top-notch. “We had several meals in the Grand Dining Room, and the staff got to know that we prefer sitting near a window.

“When we got there, they’d immediately put us at a table for two near a window; they pay really close attention to your preferences.” 

In addition to the Grand Dining Room, guests can dine at four specialty restaurants, each offering distinct culinary experiences. One of Tardioli’s favourites was Red Ginger, offering pan-Asian dishes rooted in Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian flavours.

“The spring rolls at Red Ginger were incredible; I think we had three plates of them,” says Tardioli. “I also had the sea bass, and the plating was so pretty.”

At Toscana, the ship’s Italian restaurant, the couple enjoyed decadent lobster gnocchi and succulent chicken entrées.

On-board activities and expeditions

Catering largely to couples aged 50 and older, Oceania Cruises offers a wide range of accessible, on-board activities.

“They had a lot of daytime offerings, such as cooking classes, art classes and photography classes,” explains Tardioli. “If you wanted to know how to use your social media a little bit better, they even had a drop-in social media class.” 

Evening entertainment often featured live music and a low-key, relaxed atmosphere.

“The band was really good; they featured some 70s and early 80s music,” says Tardioli. “There was an ABBA night, and everyone really loved it.”

In addition to on-board entertainment, guests on Oceania Cruises are always offered the option to book expeditions at port cities. With a wide range of offerings, activities can be catered to each guest’s interests and level of mobility. 

“We experienced some inclement weather in Honolulu, but we decided to brave the rain and visit the Pearl Harbour National Memorial,” says Tardioli.

However, her favourite expedition was snorkelling and admiring marine life in crystal-clear water.

“It was my first time snorkelling,” shares Tardioli. “We went swimming with stingrays and sharks. 

“Our guide, Kiki, was so amazing; he would hold the stingrays up for us, and we would pet them. It was wonderful – I loved it so much.”

Start planning your dream cruise with CAA

Ready to book a floating adventure with Oceania Cruises? Learn more about Member-exclusive benefits and book an appointment with a CAA Travel Consultant.