Oceania Cruises officially welcomed its newest ship, Oceania Allura, during a festive christening ceremony at PortMiami last night. The pierside event brought together executives, past godmothers, distinguished guests and a roster of acclaimed chefs as Allura prepared to launch a new era of refined cruising anchored in what Oceania is best known for: “The Finest Cuisine at Sea.”
A Night Framed by Culinary Brilliance
The evening began with cocktail receptions across the ship, giving guests a first look at Allura’s sophisticated spaces before culminating in gala dinners held at restaurants on Allura. At the Polo Grill, diners indulged in standout dishes including black truffle risotto, Chilean sea bass with asparagus and sea urchin sauce and Wagyu beef.
Culinary excellence has long been Oceania’s hallmark, guided by the vision of Master Chef Jacques Pepin, the line’s Executive Culinary Director. Aboard Allura, that legacy expands with 12 diverse dining experiences, including the Grand Dining Room showcasing 270 new recipes across all three meal services, the debut of The Creperie with its French crepes, Bruxelles waffles, bubble waffles and gelato sundaes, and the return of Jacques, the line’s reimagined French restaurant developed in collaboration with Chef Pepin and Master Chefs of France Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale.
A Ceremony Steeped in Tradition
The pier at PortMiami became the stage for remarks from key leaders, including Jason Montague, Oceania Cruises’ Chief Luxury Officer; Nathan Hickman, Chief Commercial Officer; and Tom Bair, publisher of Food & Wine. The ceremony also included blessings by Pastor Peter Pera and Rabbi Rachel Greengrass, followed by a salute from the ship’s officers and crew.
In a modern twist on maritime tradition, Oceania named the Food & Wine Best New Chefs collective as godparents of Allura. Chefs Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes and Lawrence “LT” Smith jointly carried out the time-honored ritual of breaking a Champagne bottle across the bow—officially bestowing good fortune on the ship and all who will sail her.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to officially welcome Oceania Allura to our fleet,” said Montague. “It is only fitting that she be christened in our hometown of Miami—a city that embodies vibrancy and sophistication. We are deeply honored to celebrate this moment alongside her distinguished godparents.”
Tom Bair added: “We both share a simple but powerful belief: excellence never goes out of style. By naming Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs as godparents, Oceania Cruises celebrates the future of dining.”
The guest list reflected Oceania’s culinary pedigree, featuring past godmothers Giada De Laurentiis, Cat Cora and Claudine Pepin, daughter of Jacques Pepin.
A sister ship to the 2023-launched Oceania Vista, Allura becomes the line’s eighth vessel. Designed for 1,200 guests with a ratio of two crew members for every three guests, Allura’s inaugural season features itineraries spanning more than 92 destinations, sailing 7- to 34-day voyages.
For more information, visit oceaniacruises.com.
