Oceania Allura Review: Exploring the Greek & Adriatic Havens

I’ve just returned from a wonderful 10-night Greek & Adriatic Havens voyage with Oceania Cruises aboard their stunning new flagship, Allura. As someone who has spent almost four decades in the cruise industry and sailed on countless ships, I can honestly say Allura is a beautiful addition to the luxury cruise market.

From the moment we embarked in Athens, everything ran like clockwork. Embarkation was seamless, followed by the mandatory muster drill before heading to our stateroom to begin exploring our home for the next ten nights.

Santorini – Worth the Wait

Our first port of call was the iconic island of Santorini, and surprisingly, it was my first visit. Five cruise ships were in port that day, so we were warned to expect long queues for the cable car into Fira. In reality, we waited around 30 minutes, which wasn’t nearly as bad as expected.

Once at the top, the views were everything I’d imagined, whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, dramatic cliffs and the breathtaking caldera, with Allura sitting elegantly below.

I also took part in one of Santorini’s famous flying dress photoshoots. It was great fun, and the photographs were spectacular, although I have to admit the island seemed to be overflowing with brightly coloured dresses! If you were staying in one of the nearby hotels, you’d probably see a flying dress every few minutes.

Despite the crowds, Santorini absolutely lived up to its reputation, and it’s somewhere I’d happily return to for a longer stay.

Rhodes – A Beautiful Surprise

Our next stop was Rhodes. A short walk from the ship brought us into the beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, enclosed by impressive ancient walls.

The narrow streets, charming cafés and endless little shops made it a delight to wander around. Although I’d heard good things, I wasn’t prepared for just how attractive Rhodes would be. It was definitely one of the surprises of the cruise.

An Unexpected Sea Day

Our planned visit to Agios Nikolaos in Crete unfortunately had to be cancelled due to strong winds, making it unsafe for the ship to dock.

While it’s always disappointing to miss a port, an extra sea day turned out to be a welcome opportunity to enjoy everything Allura has to offer.

Whether you prefer relaxing by the pool, attending lectures, enjoying spa treatments, joining trivia, watching live entertainment or simply indulging in exceptional food, there’s never a shortage of things to do onboard.

Katakolon & Ancient Olympia

Katakolon is the gateway to one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.

After a short journey, we arrived at Olympia, where history truly comes alive. Walking through the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, seeing the original Olympic stadium and standing on the ancient starting line was incredibly special.

The afternoon heat was intense, so the air-conditioned Archaeological Museum was a welcome relief. Filled with fascinating artefacts and magnificent marble sculptures discovered during excavations, it added so much context to everything we’d seen outside.

For anyone interested in history, this is an unforgettable excursion.

Corfu – Time to Relax

Having visited Corfu several times before, I decided to stay onboard.

An empty luxury ship is never a bad place to spend the day, and it gave me the chance to explore more of Allura, enjoy the facilities without the crowds and simply relax.

Kotor, Montenegro – A New Favourite

Kotor was a first for me, and without doubt one of the highlights of the cruise.

Sailing into the Bay of Kotor is spectacular, with towering mountains surrounding the calm waters. The approach alone is worth getting up early for.

The UNESCO-listed Old Town is immaculately maintained, incredibly picturesque and wonderfully easy to explore on foot.

Kotor is also famous for its cats, which are looked after by the local community and seem to be part of the town’s identity. They were everywhere, adding even more charm to an already beautiful destination.

Dubrovnik – A Timeless Classic

I’ve visited Dubrovnik several times, but it never disappoints.

Its magnificent city walls, polished limestone streets and maze of alleyways are simply magical. It was busy, as expected, with several ships in port, but that’s the nature of one of the Adriatic’s most popular destinations.

It was also fun spotting the many filming locations used in Game of Thrones, adding another layer to an already fascinating city.

Bari – Italy’s Hidden Gem

Our final port was Bari, in Italy’s Puglia region, and another destination I hadn’t visited before.

Oceania provided a complimentary shuttle into the city, where the contrast between the modern shopping district and the atmospheric old town was immediately apparent.

The historic centre was another beautifully preserved walled city, reinforcing just how important fortified towns were throughout this region’s history.

Beautiful churches, basilicas, hidden squares and authentic Italian streets made Bari a lovely place to spend the day.

One Last Day at Sea

Our final sea day gave everyone the opportunity to relax, pack and reflect on what had been a wonderful itinerary before returning to Athens for a smooth and efficient disembarkation and our flight home.

Life Onboard Oceania Allura

Allura herself is simply stunning.

The service throughout the voyage was exceptional; warm, attentive and genuinely personal. Every crew member seemed determined to make guests feel welcome.

The food was outstanding and undoubtedly one of the ship’s biggest strengths.

The speciality restaurants, all included in the fare, each offered something unique:

Red Ginger delivered exceptional Pan-Asian cuisine and was deservedly one of the most sought-after reservations.
Jacques, the French restaurant, served beautifully executed classics alongside some more contemporary dishes.

Toscana was hugely popular, offering authentic Italian cuisine with an impressive selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, creating a wonderfully interactive dining experience.
Polo Grill was my personal favourite, serving superb steaks, lobster and seafood in an elegant setting.

Beyond the speciality restaurants, there was no shortage of choice. The bakery, patisserie, pizzeria, crêperie and Baristas coffee shop meant there was always somewhere tempting to stop throughout the day.

Entertainment was equally varied, ranging from string quartets and live bands to comedians, singers and guest performers.

The Stateroom

I stayed in a standard Veranda Stateroom, and I was genuinely impressed.

The accommodation felt spacious, beautifully designed and extremely comfortable. What stood out most was the bathroom, without question one of the largest and best-designed bathrooms I’ve experienced in a standard balcony cabin on any cruise ship.

It’s a small detail perhaps, but one that makes a noticeable difference on a longer voyage.

Final Thoughts

Oceania Allura represents an exciting new chapter for Oceania Cruises.

While retaining the line’s renowned focus on exceptional cuisine and destination-rich itineraries, Allura introduces a more contemporary feel that perfectly complements the brand’s luxury positioning.

The Greek & Adriatic Havens itinerary combines breathtaking scenery, fascinating history and beautiful ports, making it an ideal introduction to this wonderful part of Europe.

For me, the standout destinations were Kotor, Santorini and Ancient Olympia, while the culinary experience onboard was among the best I’ve enjoyed at sea.

Would I sail aboard Allura again?

Without hesitation.

It’s a ship that delivers understated luxury, outstanding dining and exceptional service and one I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a refined cruise experience.

One point here also is I travelled the end of July where daily temperatures at times reached almost 100 degrees. That’s an important factor to remember if you plan on visiting this part of the world at this time of year. View our Mediterranean masterpiece offer here.

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