Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

New Allura-class ships ordered for Oceania Cruises at Fincantieri

RENDERING: Oceania Cruises
The Allura-class ships will be the same size as Marina and Riviera, while carrying fewer passengers
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced an order for the next generation of ships for Oceania Cruises. The Allura-class pair will be built at Fincantieri for delivery in 2022 and 2025.

Each 67,000gt vessel will accommodate approximately 1,200 passengers—consistent with the brand's latest ships, 2012's Riviera and 2011's Marina, also built at Fincantieri. Those, built at Sestri Ponente, are 66,084gt with 1,250 lower berths. So the Allura class will carry fewer passengers and have a higher crew to passenger ratio.

€575m each

The contract price is approximately €575m per ship. NCLH said it has has obtained export credit financing with favorable terms to fund 80% of the contract price, subject to certain Italian government approvals.

This new class of mid-size ships is promised to retain all the warmth, popular design elements and signature amenities of Marina and Riviera while affording an elevated level of comfort and convenience with the addition of new luxury offerings.

'We are excited to expand the Oceania Cruises fleet with our new Allura-class ships to meet the strong demand for upscale culinary- and destination-focused cruise vacations around the globe,' said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO, NCLH. 'This new class of ships will further elevate the already best-in-class guest experience at Oceania Cruises and meaningfully strengthen demand from both new and loyal returning guests, which will ultimately drive further returns for shareholders.'

Most spacious standard staterooms afloat

Oceania Cruises president and CEO Bob Binder underscored the newbuilds will continue the elements that distinguish the brand, including a residential feel, adding that the ships will have the 'most spacious standard staterooms afloat, amazing suites and, of course, the finest cuisine at sea.' New enrichment elements are planned, too.

Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono hailed the order as a further demonstration of 'our ability to capitalize on product innovation and diversification to meet the needs of every type of customer, a capability that distinguishes us in the world.'

The Italian builder has a backlog of 55 cruise vessels for most of the brands operating in the market, and deliveries extending to 2027.

10 ships on order for NCLH

With this, NCLH has 10 ships on order for delivery through 2027, including seven for Norwegian Cruise Line and one for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The company will next take delivery of Norwegian Encore from Meyer Werft in fall 2019.

All the other ships are coming from Fincantieri, which is developing NCL's Project Leonardo newbuilds, with six orders in place for delivery from 2022 to 2027, and building Regent's Seven Seas Splendor in Ancona for 2020 handover.

See also 'Allura newbuilds cost 30% more than Oceania's Riviera, Marina'