My $2,350 stateroom on Oceania Cruises' new Vista cruise ship is now my favorite I've ever stayed in

Brittany ChangJan 13, 2024, 00:01 IST

My veranda stateroom on the Oceania Vista had comforts like Bulgari toiletries and a large balcony.Brittany Chang/Insider

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' Oceania Cruises invited me to spend a night aboard the new Oceania Vista.
The Vista's veranda stateroom starts at $2,350 per person through 2023.

A veranda stateroom on Oceania Cruises' newest Vista vessel isn't cheap. But after spending one night in the room, I now see why travelers are paying at least $2,350 for a vacation in the floating hotel room this year.

After sailing on four cruise ships from four different cruise lines, I've seen my fair share of mediocre staterooms. From confusing decor to insufficient toiletries, I don't expect much from the average cruise ship stateroom.

But Oceania isn't the average cruise line.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, the company focuses on a premium segment with smaller vessels and elevated dining options.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This new vessel launched in early May and will home port in Miami for most of what's left of 2023.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Before I tapped my key card to enter the room, I had reasonably high expectations for a brand like Oceania.

Brittany Chang/Insider

While my staterooms aboard the Norwegian Prima and Celebrity Apex were the nicest of this list, neither compare to my veranda stateroom on the new Oceania Vista.

Brittany Chang/Insider

At a little over 290 square-feet, this was the largest hotel room at sea I've stayed in.

Brittany Chang/Insider

While this private outdoor space was only furnished with two cushioned chairs and a small table, it could've easily accommodated more than two people.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Back inside, the living room was as expected — but with one surprise addition.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But it's worth calling out the latter, which was the first I've had in a stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's a minor — arguably unnecessary — addition given the adjacent desk.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Speaking of comfort, Oceania's beds are so iconic, you can buy them for yourself.

Brittany Chang/Insider

After a comfortable night's sleep, I can see why travelers would want to invest in one of these cruise-branded beds.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Next to the slumber space, the small beverage station was one of the most obvious signals that this accommodation was more luxurious than average.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The still and sparkling water bottles were also "free."

Brittany Chang/Insider

I've already mentioned the famed Bulgari toiletries.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I don't think I've ever seen built-in bathroom cup holders before.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's not like the shower worked better than any of the other ones I've used before.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Storage can be tight in cruise ship bathrooms. But the same can't be said for the one in this veranda stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's not hard to make a bathroom feel luxurious — just toss in some nice toiletries, marble walls, and clean countertops.

Brittany Chang/Insider

That's my general impression of this veranda stateroom: no complaints.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The decor pieces didn't draw attention to themselves. But at least there were no unnecessary murals or bland walls.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Through the remainder of 2023, vacations in the veranda stateroom start at $2,350 per person.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But it's the small details in this stateroom that make the loftier price tag worth it.

Brittany Chang/Insider

My stateroom on the Oceania Vista was a great way for me to dip my toes into the higher-end cruise market.

Brittany Chang/Insider

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My $2,350 stateroom on Oceania Cruises' new Vista cruise ship is now my favorite I've ever stayed in

But Oceania isn't the average cruise line.

Instead, the company focuses on a premium segment with smaller vessels and elevated dining options.

This new vessel launched in early May and will home port in Miami for most of what's left of 2023.

Before I tapped my key card to enter the room, I had reasonably high expectations for a brand like Oceania.

While my staterooms aboard the Norwegian Prima and Celebrity Apex were the nicest of this list, neither compare to my veranda stateroom on the new Oceania Vista.

At a little over 290 square-feet, this was the largest hotel room at sea I've stayed in.

While this private outdoor space was only furnished with two cushioned chairs and a small table, it could've easily accommodated more than two people.

Back inside, the living room was as expected — but with one surprise addition.

But it's worth calling out the latter, which was the first I've had in a stateroom.

It's a minor — arguably unnecessary — addition given the adjacent desk.

Speaking of comfort, Oceania's beds are so iconic, you can buy them for yourself.

After a comfortable night's sleep, I can see why travelers would want to invest in one of these cruise-branded beds.

Next to the slumber space, the small beverage station was one of the most obvious signals that this accommodation was more luxurious than average.

The still and sparkling water bottles were also "free."

I've already mentioned the famed Bulgari toiletries.

I don't think I've ever seen built-in bathroom cup holders before.

It's not like the shower worked better than any of the other ones I've used before.

Storage can be tight in cruise ship bathrooms. But the same can't be said for the one in this veranda stateroom.

It's not hard to make a bathroom feel luxurious — just toss in some nice toiletries, marble walls, and clean countertops.

That's my general impression of this veranda stateroom: no complaints.

The decor pieces didn't draw attention to themselves. But at least there were no unnecessary murals or bland walls.

Through the remainder of 2023, vacations in the veranda stateroom start at $2,350 per person.

But it's the small details in this stateroom that make the loftier price tag worth it.

My stateroom on the Oceania Vista was a great way for me to dip my toes into the higher-end cruise market.