Oceania Cruises has named celebrated Italian-American chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy Award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis as godmother of its newest ship Vista, debuting May 2023.

The godmother reveal took place during an event last Friday at Soho Beach House—coinciding with the South Beach Food and Wine Festival—where media and Oceania Cruises executives and travel partners were present.

In making the announcement, Oceania Cruises president Frank A. del Rio, Jr., said, “Family and food is very much a part of our DNA. From day one, we made sure that everybody that we touched we treated like family—our guests of course, our travel partners, who are every part of our success today. And I really feel that we’ve been able to achieve what we have over the last 20 years because of that family approach. That’s something that I am very proud of.

“So, when we set out to find the right godmother for Vista, it was something we took very seriously,” he continued. “We needed to find someone that really embodied and exemplified everything that Oceania Cruises stands for. I and the rest of the team are extremely happy where we landed—we feel that Giada is the perfect fit for us for so many reasons and I am just so excited to announce the godmother of Vista, someone who does not need much introduction…Giada De Laurentiis.”

“This is a very special honor,” De Laurentiis said. “I have never been a godmother before [to a ship], so I am thrilled and incredibly excited. I will say that in doing my research on Oceania Cruises I realized that we both love our food and our family. Food has always been an integral part of how we celebrate and how we travel. Food is very important when I think of destinations that I go to and where am I going to eat; if the food isn’t going to be very good then I’m probably not going there. So, it’s really exciting, and we’re cruising in Italy—doesn’t get better than the Med.

“I realized, too,” she continued, “how important food is to Oceania and, of course, to me it’s the hallmark of what I do. I am looking forward to seeing their culinary set up, and I’m going to create two signature dishes for Oceania Cruises—I am looking forward to working with all of the chefs and I think it’s going to be a really fun adventure.”

Adding to the glamour of the star-studded christening and naming ceremony of Vista, which will take place on May 8 in Valletta, Malta, is that multiple Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, pianist and actor Harry Connick Jr. will appear alongside De Laurentiis.

Connick will perform an exclusive concert for VIP guests at the christening event in Valletta during Vista’s 7-night roundtrip voyage from Rome, Italy. There, Godmother De Laurentiis will officiate the ceremonial breaking of a Champagne bottle on the ship’s bow to bestow good luck over the vessel and to all guests and crew who sail on the ship.

Giada De Laurentiis Will be Godmother to First New Oceania Ship in 10 Years

Providing a stylish new way of seeing the world and featuring all-verandah accommodations, the 1,200-guest Vista’s interiors will reflect a fresh new perspective through organic elements inspired by the land and sea. Vista, and her sister ship Allura, which is set to debut in May 2025, will feature several unique firsts when it comes to dining, accommodation and guest experience. Vista will offer an inventive new mixology program, plus new and unique culinary concepts, including Aquamar Kitchen, offering an array of wellness-inspired dishes with a hint of indulgence, The Bakery at Baristas, serving tempting freshly baked pastries; and new signature restaurant, Ember.

This is Oceania Cruises’ first new ship in more than 10 years, and her inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean is already sold out. In September, Vista will sail to Canada and New England before heading south for a series of winter itineraries exploring Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Vista’s 2024 summer season will see her sail a series of Grand Voyages in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas, visiting an array of iconic cities and smaller boutique ports throughout Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Holy Lands. A full overview of Vista’s 2023 and 2024 itineraries can be found at oceaniacruises.com.