I spent a night on Oceania's new luxury ship. I thought it was boring but it's great for dipping your toes into upscale cruising.

Until then, it had been over 10 years since Oceania debuted a new vessel. The next Allura class vessel will sail in 2025.

MSC Group's Explora Journeys' new luxury Explora I cruise ship starts at $3,000 per person in 2024 for a six-night sailing.

To compare, Vista's least expensive 2024 itinerary will set cruisers back $2,500 for a seven-day roundtrip sailing from Miami to Mexico, Belize, and Honduras.

While it's no floating five-star resort, the ship is still more posh than most mega cruise ships while being less pricey than the likes of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Oceania says its 791-foot-long Vista is sailing with a two-crew to three-guest ratio. (The ship can accommodate 1,200 guests and 800 crew across its 15 decks, 11 for guests.)

This includes hot destinations in Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. For US travelers, there are several itineraries roundtrip from Miami as well.

She created two dishes that are now being served in the Grand Dining Room and the ship's Italian restaurant, Toscana, according to the cruise brand.

For travelers craving a healthy breakfast — think fresh juices and avocado toasts — Aquamar Kitchen is the go-to option. But if you'd rather dine in a relaxed yet modern American restaurant, Ember is your best bet.

If you love cruises for the buffet, you'll find that at the Terrace Cafe with options like sushi, steak grilled to order, and a pasta station.

Here, travelers can indulge in plates like ceviche with hummus foam, halibut, and roasted guinea fowl, according to its sample menu.

The night I was there, the caviar, monkfish, and lobster options were obvious hits at my table. As expected, my meal was great — one of the better ones I've had aboard a ship.

But for travelers who need a more caffeinated afternoon pick-me-up, the ship also has a coffee shop, Baristas.

This isn't like the Starbucks outposts on some Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships. Instead, Baristas has views of the pool deck, an adjacent bakery, and drinks like melange (which Oceania says is an espresso with whipped cream) and Illy crema (a frozen beverage with Illy coffee, cream, and milk).

There are eight watering holes, lounges, and entertainment options on the ship.

When I walked by, my nose was instantly hit with the residual smell of smoked wood used in the preparation of some of its cocktails.

But for those who prefer the classics, the Vista also has its staple martini bar and what Oceania calls "beverage carts" where travelers can design their own bloody mary and bubbly drink.

As a massive cruise show cynic, I didn't enjoy a second of this. But judging by the cheers and applause, some of the attendees would probably disagree with me.

Or you could take cooking classes in the Culinary Center and art classes in the Artist loft.

It was quiet and studious inside.

While these classes weren't available during my one-night visit, I would've been first in line to book them if I could.

There were no waterslides or colorful designs. Instead, this outdoor retreat was neutral, calm, and modern. It's one of the most luxurious I've ever seen.

The deck above this had lounge chairs that faced the pool, making this outdoor space feel enclosed and secluded.

And let's not forget everyone's new favorite: a pickleball court.

But in my opinion, it's the staterooms — which start at 290 square-feet — that set the Oceania Vista apart from most ships.

For starters, the ship also has "concierge level" solo veranda staterooms for travelers who prefer to sail alone.

I spent the night in the 290-square-foot veranda stateroom.

And it quickly became one of my favorites, second only to the more expensive Explora I.

Inside, the Bulgari toiletries, large balcony and bathroom, complimentary beverage station, and subtly elevated design won me over.

And that's coming from a picky cruiser: It's not often I walk away from my cruise ship cabin with no complaints.

After all, the new ship still had the recognizable classics — a buffet, main pool deck, bars, and dining venues — all with a more upscale twist.

Being on the Vista was not as mentally draining as traveling on the new amusement park-like ships that have been flooding the market (like its distant cousin, the Norwegian Prima with a flashy go-kart track and a thrilling 10-story slide).

While this is great for travelers who enjoy a quiet cruising experience, I personally found the ship to be a bit boring.

But for younger cruisers who prefer nonstop fast-paced entertainment and visual stimulation, I wouldn't recommend the Vista.

It's a great entry point for travelers looking to dip their toes into the upscale cruise market. After all, I still think the ship's strengths lie in its dining options, staterooms, and bar concepts. And starting at $357 per person per day in 2024, vacationing on the Vista is definitely less expensive than its more luxury-oriented counterparts.