Oceania cruise ship Allura. Photo: Shutterstock Oceania Cruises is significantly expanding its operations in Europe and announcing a new move: for the first time in the company's history, it will operate a full winter season in the Mediterranean.
The new season will take place between November 2027 and March 2028 and will include 17 sailings, ranging in length from 9 to 26 days, all aboard Oceania Allura.
To date, the company's activity in the Mediterranean has focused mainly on the warm seasons, and the new move marks a strategic change that expands the region into an almost year-round cruise destination.
The new routes will pass between some of the most sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean, including: Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Cyprus, Malta, the Greek Islands, Sicily and the Balearic Islands.
One of the most prominent routes is expected to depart from Athens on December 8, 2027 and end in Barcelona, with stops in Limassol, Rhodes, Ephesus, Crete, Malta and Mallorca.
The company notes that the winter season allows it to offer a different destination experience than the summer months, with less congestion in ports and cities, mild weather in some destinations, and the possibility of staying longer in each area.
As stated, the cruises will be operated aboard Oceania Allura, one of the newest ships in the company's fleet.
The ship was built with a luxurious positioning, with a strong emphasis on culinary delights, personal service, and a limited number of passengers compared to the largest cruise ships on the market.
The move to a full winter season in the Mediterranean is part of Oceania Cruises' expansion of its European sailing schedules for 2027 and 2028.
Oceania Cruises' decision to operate a full winter season reinforces this trend and also brings a distinct luxury brand deeper into the competition for winter travelers in Europe.
Oceania Cruises is part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), one of the world's largest cruise groups. The group also includes Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.