'Oceania Cruises' new ship Allura has just set sail and I got a sneak peek'
"Yes, Chef, I'm on pasta! Coming right up.' So far, no kitchen nightmares, but my cooking confidence is a sham.
I haven't quite admitted that my previous pasta experience does not go much beyond warming-up a tin of Alphabetti Spaghetti then making rude words with the letters. And why are we making it for 'Al's dentist '?
Apparently, at this Culinary Center class for passengers on board fabulous new cruise ship Oceania Allura -appropriately sailing right around Italy – I am required to do more than find a can opener. Mamma mia! This durum wheat dumbo is surely going to be all at sea? Well, yes. I panicked early, put the lemon juice in the pan with olive oil, not a bowl to mix with cheese, and it went downhill.
Luckily, tutor chefs Kathryn and Noelle did not witness my spaghetti malfunction – and now, actually following instructions, it ended up tasting reasonably pleasant, to my eternal surprise. And food is very much the focus of this sleek 1,200-passenger Vista-class ship, where everyone gets at least a French balcony cabin and accommodation goes all the way up to the incredible apartment-sized Owner's, Ocean and Vista Suites.
I was on board last week's media and travel trade 'shakedown' cruise (effectively a dress rehearsal), sailing from Genoa to Trieste via Split in Croatia, and left feeling I'd enjoyed a culinary journey – not just with the fun lesson, which also took in cocktails and crepes, but some excellent food, courtesy of the 144 chefs in the galley.
Highlights were French restaurant Jacques's lobster thermidor and cheese soufflé and the Grand (it really is) Dining Room's Korean BBQ beef and a piquant Cornelia salad. Another standout was the Aquamar Kitchen, which specialises in healthy dishes with hints of indulgence (avocados are heavily involved).
I loved it, and it quickly became a go-to for breakfast and lunch with a terrific array of juices (the Pure Immunity orange, lime, ginger, turmeric and cayenne is awesome), energy bowls, tacos, sandwiches, salads and wraps.
The Terrace Cafe buffet serves a wide variety of international dishes and has a lovely shaded ship-width patio at the stern, while Waves Grill is a poolside venue for all-American favourites.
For your caffeine fix with a pastry treat and sea views, head to Vienna-inspired Baristas, which also features a flipping good creperie, or arrive very hungry at the Grand's eye-popping weekly brunch, which makes those Friday ones in Dubai look like a British football ground burger van.
Drinks-wise, there are some fine wines, prosecco and Champagne, various beers and some clever cocktails from expert mixologists. I never knew I liked mocktails but the ones on Allura are terrific. If I was being picky, the restaurant service in Grand was sometimes too brisk with mains being brought as starters were still being eaten.
So, 2% elastane trouser material thoroughly tested, what of the rest of Allura? First impressions are strong with elegant, sweeping external lines and a raked bow (less common these days) with the lightness of glass to the fore.
Inside, expect a calming, spacious contemporary design that feels high-end yet informal. It features subtle mixes of ocean-inspired blues, shades of alabaster and bronze, and the use of marble, granite, teak, oak, and glass, topped off with hints of gold.
My cabin was a Deck 8 Concierge Level Veranda at an airy 290 sq ft with a fawn and cream decor and perfectly appointed throughout with one of the best showers I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Exploring the ship, I wandered into the Aquamar spa. I wouldn't normally get too excited about a spa, but this is seriously impressive with a sun terrace and pool at the bow. Quartz bed massage, anyone?
I gave up golf (again) 15 years ago after a 'rabbit-hole-in-one' lost ball fiasco (golf bat was thrown), but I did stroll by the Deck 15 driving ''range'', missed one, biffed one, called it quits. However, the putting green variety is much more my (golf) bag and the ship-wide course by the ''range'' looked more fun.
Other assets include swish bars (Martinis is the pick), a lovely pool deck, the LYNC tech/learning hub, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, an excellent library, the main theatre and Horizons lounge, upscale shops, casino, jogging track, padel court and artist loft. Wi-fi is fast(ish) Starlink.
A rich array of entertainment is promised, though on my short trip I did catch part of a Broadway-style musical show which I enjoyed.
The 'Your World, Your Way' line – owned by the Norwegian cruise brand – mostly appeals to young-at-heart, still active baby boomers who are semi-retired or retired and seek fine food plus destination-rich voyages. Americans are the line's core clientele, with Brits the brand's third-biggest market.
Allura is sailing a short inaugural Med season, then repositioning to eastern Canada and New York before heading to Miami for her official naming in November (appropriately, a group of chefs are godparents) then winter Caribbean voyages.
If this beautiful, superbly-appointed ship is within your budget, you enjoy fine food, clever cocktails, a sumptuous wellness spa and immersive itineraries, then Oceania Allura is an altogether alluring proposition.
Only selected signature restaurants were allocated to media last week, all are now open to passengers, including pan-Asian Red Ginger and Italian Toscana. \
Ship shape Allura
Book the holiday
Oceania Cruises offers a 10-day Mediterranean voyage on Oceania Allura starting at £3,030pp (promotional prices subject to change). Sails from Civitavecchia (Rome) on August 27 to Monaco (overnight), calling at Salerno, Taormina, Valletta, Ibiza, Valencia, Barcelona, Marseille and Cannes. Your World Included amenities – gratuities, dining at all speciality restaurants, soft drinks, coffees and teas, unlimited Starlink wi-fi, artisan ice cream, fitness classes and laundry. Flights extra. oceaniacruises.com
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