A beloved ship, completely reimagined
Oceania’s Nautica has long been a quiet favorite among discerning small-ship cruisers—her club-like intimacy and exceptional cuisine earning her a 4.5 out of 5 in our own review. Now she is being transformed into something entirely new. In 2027, Nautica will emerge from an extensive refurbishment reborn as Oceania Aurelia, redesigned specifically for guests who crave extended time at sea.
Fewer guests, more of everything else
At a time when much of the cruise industry is chasing scale—squeezing ever more passengers onto ever larger ships—Oceania has taken a pointedly different approach with Aurelia. The ship’s approximately 335 cabins will be reconfigured into just 238 suites, deliberately reducing the onboard population to fewer than 500 guests. With 400 officers and crew remaining, the effect is transformative: more space per guest, more attentive service, and an ambiance that feels closer to a private residence than a cruise ship.
Of those 238 suites, 179 are true suites ranging from 300 to 1,000 square feet, many featuring separate living and dining areas and butler service. New suite categories—including the Oceania and Horizon suites—join the existing Owner’s, Vista, and Penthouse offerings, giving long-voyage travelers a genuinely residential sense of home.
Dining evolves in step, with a new Chef’s Studio for culinary workshops, a Bakery and Creperie, and a Founders Bar joining the line’s established specialty restaurants, including Polo Grill and Toscana.
Two circumnavigations, two exceptional routes
The newly transformed ship will make her debut in late November 2027 with European inaugural sailings before embarking on her headline mission: two 180-day around-the-world voyages—the first time Oceania has released two world cruises simultaneously. Reservations open May 13, 2026.
The 2028 world voyage departs Miami on January 18, with guests on board for the ship’s christening ceremony, before threading the Panama Canal into the Pacific. The itinerary takes in Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, India, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean, concluding in New York.
The 2029 circumnavigation departs Los Angeles on January 6, tracing the Pacific coast of the Americas south to Peru—with access to Machu Picchu—before calling at remote Easter Island, then continuing through French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean, sweeping through the British Isles before a transatlantic crossing into New York.
Both voyages feature overnight stays in Bora Bora, Sydney, Bali, Tokyo, and Bordeaux, with mid-cruise overland programs to Machu Picchu, Petra, and the Taj Mahal. Nearly 100 UNESCO World Heritage sites are within reach across each circumnavigation.
Grand voyages for the long-haul traveler
Two grand voyages complement the world cruise program: a 78-day Nordic and Baltic exploration from New York in July 2028, and a 71-day South America adventure—including the Antarctic Peninsula—from Miami in October 2028. Guests on either world voyage automatically receive Gold-level Oceania Club status from embarkation—rewards felt across every one of those extraordinary days at sea.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
