Oceania Cruises has floated out its new 1,200-guest ship Vista.

The destination-focused cruise line’s 67,000-ton vessel touched water for the first time on Friday (February 25) at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

Shipyard director Giuseppe Torrente presided over the ceremony and the ship was blessed by the archbishop of nearby Genoa, Monsignor Tasca.

The ship’s madrina, Anna Trucco, smashed a bottle of prosecco against the hull in line with maritime tradition.

Howard Sherman, president and chief executive of Oceania Cruises, said: “Vista is Oceania Cruises’ most-anticipated ship in the history of our company, and I am thrilled to be here with our partners from Fincantieri as the ship morphs from blueprints and steel into reality.

“Vista is truly a ship of dreams, and we cannot wait to welcome her inaugural season guests next year.”

Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s merchant ships division, said: “Ten years have passed since we delivered Riviera to our friends at Oceania Cruises, from the same Sestri shipyard.

“The launch of this new ship therefore represents an important milestone not only of her construction, but also in the consolidation of the relationship with the shipping company.

“I am sure that Vista will give life to a new class of ships that will stand out for its refinement and technological advances.”

Vista is due to sail its maiden voyage from Rome to Barcelona on April 14, 2023, followed by 12 European voyages before repositioning the US.