Oceania Allura: Europe at Ease

I’m a travel advisor, but I’m not an avid cruiser. For my own vacations, cruising isn’t always my first instinct.

For multigenerational travel, however, it can work beautifully. Steve’s parents love cruising, and our Mediterranean sailing aboard Oceania Allura gave us time together while allowing everyone to travel at their own pace. It was also my opportunity to evaluate a cruise line I hadn’t experienced before.

I hadn’t expected to enjoy it quite so much. Allura delivered beautiful surroundings, relaxed evenings, and an interesting itinerary. The food was the best I’ve had at sea—and consistently excellent by any standard.

My overall rating: nine out of ten.

Food worth remembering

Our first dinner at Polo Grill set the tone for the week. My in-laws ordered surf and turf, Steve had a filet, and I had grilled prawns I still dream about. Everyone had an exceptional meal. That quality continued throughout the cruise.

Allura’s four specialty restaurants offer Italian at Toscana, French at Jacques, Asian cuisine at Red Ginger, and steakhouse classics at Polo Grill. On our seven-night sailing, we could reserve one dinner at each without an additional dining charge. I made our reservations before sailing and recommend doing the same. Reservation windows open according to your suite or stateroom category, so knowing your date matters.

We finished the cruise at Red Ginger. It hadn’t been the restaurant we were most excited about beforehand, but it became one of our favorite meals.

The Grand Dining Room was consistently excellent, and Terrace Café was far more thoughtfully done than the word “buffet” suggests. One evening featured a Greek market dinner with ingredients the chef had purchased ashore that morning. That connection between the destination and our dinner was really fun and having the chef leave the boat to go to the local market is something you can only do on a smaller ship. Aquamar Kitchen was another favorite, especially the fresh juice. The surf-and-turf burger was a lunchtime hit at the grill.

Everything tasted fresh, and I felt good after eating. I never experienced the overly full, bloated feeling I sometimes have on cruises. There were abundant options for all dietary needs and preferences. My one frustration was lunch after late excursions. When the other lunch venues had finished serving, we found the grill was our only option. It was good, but I would have welcomed more choice.

A comfortable ship with thoughtful details

At approximately 1,200 guests, Allura felt like the right size: enough restaurants and lounges for variety, with a personal, intimate atmosphere.

The interiors were elegant and comfortable. Beautiful upholstery, considered details, and inviting places to sit made the ship somewhere I enjoyed spending time.

Our Concierge Level Veranda stateroom worked well for us. The bathroom was spacious enough for two people to use comfortably, and the balcony had chairs we actually wanted to linger in. Only Virgin Voyages’ balcony hammock ranks higher for me.

Small conveniences made our days easier. We refilled the provided water bottles around the ship and took them on excursions each morning. Complimentary self-service laundry was useful, and our stateroom category included additional laundry and pressing benefits.

On excursion mornings, we often ordered breakfast to the room at a scheduled time which was complementary. The team called before delivering it—a thoughtful touch that helped us start the day without rushing.

Together, without doing everything together

Steve’s dad was managing hip pain and mobility limitations, so flexibility mattered.

Steve and I generally chose more active excursions. His parents took gentler outings, explored closer to the ship, or returned earlier. Later, we met for a cocktail or dinner and shared our days.

We didn’t have to do everything together to enjoy traveling together.

We saw other families with adult children, parents, and grandparents doing much the same. The guests were welcoming, with a broader range of ages than some might expect, including travelers younger than us on our October sailing.

For families considering Oceania, its adults-only policy applies to new reservations for guests 18 and older; earlier bookings involving children are being honored.

Relaxed evenings and personal service

Our evenings often began with a drink at Martinis or Founders Bar. Both were excellent. Founders Bar had several smoky cocktails and a memorable bartender who called himself “the Doctor.” His humor and expertise made returning a ton of fun.

We received the Prestige beverage package through a booking promotion and appreciated having it. We also received shipboard credit through recognition of our Norwegian loyalty status. Both are worth reviewing when planning a sailing, since offers and benefits depend on the booking and applicable terms.

Live music and enjoyable shows gave us plenty to do without dominating the experience. Afternoon tea was another delight. By around midnight, things generally quieted down. That suited me, after the crazy summer and college move in, I really needed to relax on this trip. I enjoyed having evening options without feeling that I was missing the main event by going to bed.

Our Mediterranean itinerary

We sailed from Trieste to Athens, with stops in Italy, Croatia, and Greece. I loved the route, though I would change a few excursion choices.

Ravenna: The Ferrari museum excursion wasn’t worth the journey for me. Returning to port was also frustrating: we were caught in another ship’s embarkation traffic and security lines.

Rijeka: This working Croatian port offered a glimpse of everyday life. We toured downtown and Trsat Castle, but watching locals start their mornings over coffee stayed with me most.

Split: A favorite we want to revisit. We explored medieval Split and the Roman ruins of Salona, while my in-laws enjoyed walking independently through the historic center.

Brindisi: Our excursion took us to beautiful, whitewashed Ostuni and an olive oil producer for a tasting and a look at the production process. Even with rain, it was a lovely day.

Corfu: Our four-by-four village excursion was a highlight, with extraordinary views, traditional mezze, and an olive wood workshop. Our route was paved, but drivers needed to handle a manual transmission, hairpin turns, and narrow roads.

Gythio: Mystras had lovely Byzantine frescoes, although I would probably choose another excursion next time. The tender operation was very smooth.

Who I think Oceania is right for

I especially like Oceania for Europe. Its smaller ships can include ports that larger vessels cannot access, opening up opportunities beyond the busiest cruise stops.

That doesn’t guarantee empty streets or quiet ports. But experiences like our morning in Rijeka offered the smaller, more personal encounters I value when traveling.

I would particularly consider Oceania for couples, friends, and adult multigenerational families who care about food, destinations, and a comfortable pace. It also deserves a look from travelers who are curious about cruising but hesitant about a larger ship.

If late-night dancing, big attractions, and a party atmosphere are priorities, I would recommend a different fit.

If you’re looking for calm luxury—beautiful surroundings, exceptional food, thoughtful service, and time to unwind—Oceania is well worth considering.

Would I sail again?

Absolutely.

I would choose a few excursions differently and pay closer attention to lunch hours. Those were small frustrations within a vacation we thoroughly enjoyed.

Allura gave us interesting days ashore, relaxed evenings, memorable meals, and meaningful time with family. It felt peaceful and restorative. It felt like things were taken care of.

And I’m still thinking about those prawns.

Wondering whether Oceania is right for you? Connect with Two Birds Travel, and let’s choose a sailing that fits the way you like to travel.