Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), have held the keel laying ceremony for the Oceania Sonata cruise ship at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. The event marks an important milestone in the construction of the new vessel, which is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
With a gross tonnage of about 86,000 tonnes, Oceania Sonata will accommodate up to 1,390 guests and feature large public spaces and high levels of comfort. This is in line with Oceania Cruises’ focus on luxury travel and onboard experiences.
The ship is the first vessel in the new Sonata class, a next-generation cruise ship series developed from the Allura class. The Allura-class ships Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura were built by Fincantieri at its Sestri Ponente shipyard and delivered in 2023 and 2025, respectively.
The Sonata class program includes three additional vessels, with Oceania Arietta scheduled to join the fleet in 2029, followed by two further Sonata-class ships planned for delivery in 2032 and 2035. As a new generation of cruise ships is being built, it will be interesting to see how they cater to the evolving needs of passengers.
The focus on luxury travel and onboard experiences suggests that Oceania Cruises is committed to providing high-quality amenities and services to its guests. With the delivery of the Oceania Sonata in 2027, Fincantieri has taken another step towards meeting the growing demand for cruise ships in the Mediterranean region.
The construction of new-generation cruise ships like the Oceania Sonata represents a significant investment by shipbuilders and cruise lines in the latest technology and design trends. As such, it will be interesting to see how these vessels perform in terms of efficiency, comfort, and overall passenger experience.
