Oceania Cruises Newest Ship Aurelia Sets Sail: First Voyages Announced

Oceania Cruises just made a big announcement for travelers who dream of seeing the world from the deck of a luxury ship. Meet the Oceania Aurelia — a reimagined vessel with an impressive lineup of inaugural sailings.

What Is the Oceania Aurelia?

The Aurelia was formerly known as the Oceania Nautica. The ship is getting a full makeover and will be reborn under its new name. A christening ceremony is planned for January 2028 in Miami.

Oceania is calling the Aurelia “The Ultimate Explorer.” The first sailings go on sale May 13, 2026, and you can already preview the voyages online.

“We are thrilled to welcome Oceania Aurelia, The Ultimate Explorer, to the fleet next year. She will be perfectly designed for extended global travel, so to be able to launch two Around the World voyages plus spectacular Grand Voyages at the same time is a true milestone for us,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises.

The Inaugural Season Kicks Off in Europe

The Aurelia’s first sailings begin in late November 2027. The early itineraries focus on Europe, giving travelers a chance to explore the Mediterranean and beyond.

Here’s a look at the first group of sailings:

• Mediterranean Debut — Rome to Trieste, 7 days, departing Nov. 29, 2027
• Oceania Club Reunion Cruise – Venetian Tides — Trieste to Athens, 12 days, departing Dec. 6, 2027
• European Holiday — Athens to Barcelona, 10 days, departing Dec. 18, 2027
• Iberian New Year — Barcelona to Lisbon, 7 days, departing Dec. 28, 2027
• Festive Crossing — Lisbon to Miami, 14 days, departing Jan. 4, 2028
• Autumnal Aurelia — Boston to Montreal, 11 days, departing Oct. 4, 2028
• Colonial Journey — Montreal to Miami, 12 days, departing Oct. 15, 2028

These itineraries are a great fit for travelers who want more port time and fewer crowds. As Montague put it, these voyages will give guests “the chance to enjoy more time ashore and experience well-loved and new favorite destinations in depth.”

Two Epic Around the World Voyages

If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing around the globe, the Aurelia is ready to make that happen. Two 180-day world voyages are on the schedule.

2028 Around the World Voyage — Miami to New York (departing Jan. 18, 2028)

This voyage launches right after the ship’s christening ceremony in Miami. Guests on this sailing are invited to attend the christening event.

The route passes through the Panama Canal and heads to Hawaii. From there, the ship spends more than two weeks in French Polynesia and the South Pacific.

After that, it’s on to Australia, with an overnight stay in Sydney. The ship then heads to Southeast Asia and spends nearly two weeks exploring Japan’s coastline.

The journey continues through India and the Arabian Peninsula. Nearly three weeks in the Mediterranean follow, covering Greece, Italy, the French Riviera, Spain, and Portugal. A transatlantic crossing brings the voyage to a close in New York.

2029 Around the World Voyage — Los Angeles to New York (departing Jan. 6, 2029)

This circumnavigation starts on the West Coast and heads south along the Pacific coast. The route takes in Central America, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

The ship then crosses to the South Pacific and spends two weeks in French Polynesia. Three weeks of exploring New Zealand and Australia come next, followed by Southeast Asia.

The voyage then visits Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. Mediterranean stops across Greece, Croatia, Italy, Spain, and France follow. The journey wraps up with visits to the British Isles before an Atlantic crossing into New York.

A Nice Loyalty Perk for World Voyagers

Booking either the 2028 or 2029 world voyage comes with a loyalty bonus. New guests will automatically receive Gold level Oceania Club status. Returning guests will be bumped up to Platinum level or higher.

Two Grand Voyages Worth Knowing About

Not ready to commit to six months at sea? The Aurelia also offers two shorter (but still epic) Grand Voyages.

Grand Nordic & Baltic Discovery — 78 Days, New York to Boston (departing July 18, 2028)

This voyage explores some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The route covers Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands before heading to the British Isles and Norway. Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Western Europe round out this northern adventure.

Grand South America Adventure — 71 Days, Miami to Los Angeles (departing Oct. 27, 2028)

This voyage starts in the Caribbean before circling all of South America. Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru are all on the itinerary. Guests also get a rare visit to the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Bottom Line

The Oceania Aurelia is shaping up to be a standout ship for serious globe-trotters. With world voyages, grand adventures, and shorter European sailings, there’s something here for many types of luxury cruisers. Reservations open May 13, 2026, so now is a great time to start planning.