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Debuted in May 2023, Oceania Cruises' first new ship in more than a decade can hold up to 1,200 passengers and 800 crew members. Vista is the inaugural ship in Oceania's Allura Class, featuring top-of-the-line amenities like a culinary center, an artist loft and an extensive library, along with facilities like a pool, a casino, a spa and a fitness center. Additionally, Vista offers enrichment opportunities like destination-focused seminars led by guest speakers and dynamic musical performances.

One of the highlights of Oceania Vista is its wide array of dining venues, from specialty restaurants like Ember (American fare) and Toscana (Italian cuisine) to the poolside Waves Grill and daily afternoon tea service. In the evening, guests can grab a drink at their choice of several bars and lounges; Vista's immersive mixology program utilizes innovative techniques and trends to create an elevated cocktail experience.

Vista's well-appointed staterooms – which range from 240 to 2,400 square feet – boast balconies, queen-size beds, rainforest showers, flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service, among other amenities. If you splurge for a suite, you'll enjoy added benefits like iPads, cashmere blankets, complimentary laundry and shoeshine services, access to the Executive Lounge and butler service.

Oceania Vista explores an array of popular destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean and more.

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The design of the Vista creates more expansive and contemporary public areas than other ships in Oceania's fleet, so even when the ship is at full capacity, it never feels crowded. Also, since it is an all-veranda ship, all guests have the same great ocean view. – Julie L. Kessler, Contributor

oceania cruise lines reviews

As part of Oceania's fleetwide revamp, Regatta was completely redesigned in September 2019. Passengers in Veranda Staterooms and Suites will enjoy verandas and spaces ranging from 216 to 1,000 square feet, while Inside and Ocean View cabins are smaller. The ship now offers solo staterooms for those who are traveling alone. No matter which you choose, all staterooms are equipped with minibars, flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service, plus all-new furnishings and marble bathrooms.

The 670 passengers will receive Oceania's signature service, with 400 crew members catering to guests' needs. Recent cruisers noted they rarely encountered crowds in the ship's public areas. The atmosphere aboard Regatta is decidedly adult, as the ship caters to older, affluent cruisers.

Entertainment varies from nightly musical performances to table games at the casino. Dining is also diverse: Regatta offers five venues ranging from the formal dining room to a casual grill. All-new plant-based menu items are also available. 

Regatta sails to destinations in Mexico, Asia, Australia and more.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Oceania's Marina accommodates up to 1,250 passengers and employs 800 crew members, maintaining the personalized service that the line is known for.  Marina offers signature amenities like the Aquamar Spa, a casino and a 2,000-book library. Onboard entertainment includes nightly live shows, painting and sketching lessons at the Artist Loft and cooking demos at The Culinary Center. While Marina went through a refurbishment in 2016, the ship will have an updated renovation in late 2023.  

Cruisers can choose from seven dining venues, including specialty restaurants like Jacques (with menus crafted by chef Jacques Pépin) and the Asian-inspired eatery Red Ginger, which recent passengers highly recommend.

Similar to its sister ship,  Riviera , cabins range from 174-square-foot Inside staterooms to 2,000-square-foot Suites. Higher category Veranda cabins and Suites come with perks like balconies, access to a Concierge Lounge, in-room iPads and more. All staterooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, full-size bathtubs, and minibars stocked with soda and bottled water.

Oceania Marina sails to destinations in Europe, South America and more.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Launched in 2012, Oceania Riviera is scheduled to complete a refubishment in December 2022. The upgrade will feature new furnishings, remodeled bathrooms, lighting and additional outlets and USB ports.  Oceania Riviera features larger staterooms than the line's older ships. The 1,250-passenger, 800-crew-member ship is identical to Oceania Marina and includes Inside, Ocean View and Veranda staterooms. The ship also offers suites that range from 420 to 2,000 square feet. While all cabins include minibars, full-size bathtubs and flat-screen TVs, suites add perks like 24-hour butler service.

When it's time to dine, cruisers can choose from eight venues. These include options not available on all Oceania ships, like Jacques (French fare) and Red Ginger (Asian-focused dishes). Bar and lounge venues are also varied, with specialty spots mixing martinis, offering wine tastings and serving poolside cocktails.

Other pursuits available on the ship include treatments at the spa, painting at the Artist Loft and cooking classes at The Culinary Center. With amenities and organized events geared toward older cruisers, Riviera isn't a great choice for those traveling with children.

Riviera will split its time between the Middle East,  the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia and more.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Originally launched as a  Princess  ship, the 648-passenger Sirena was revived in 2016 under the Oceania  name. The ship was most recently revamped in 2019 and features many of the amenities found on its sister ships, including the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center and duty-free shopping boutiques.

Sirena's dining venues include the Red Ginger Asian restaurant and Tuscan Steak, both of which require reservations and an additional fee. Passengers can also choose from four more casual dining options included in the cruise fare. Recent guests gave the food on the ship mixed reviews. After dinner, evening entertainment includes musicals and theatrical productions, as well as games at the casino. 

Passengers can choose from Inside, Ocean View, Veranda and Suite category cabins. While Inside staterooms start at 160 square feet, those who opt for a suite will find more space and added amenities, such as free internet access and butler service. The ship also now offers solo staterooms for those who are traveling alone.

Oceania Sirena offers sailings in the Caribbean, South America, Europe and some transoceanic itineraries.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Nautica welcomes up to 670 passengers and 400 crew members, so cruisers can expect plenty of attention along with a less congested (and typically kid-free) onboard atmosphere. All cabins are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and minibars, and the majority have private verandas. Oceania Nautica underwent a dramatic, $100 million fleetwide refresh in 2022. With the updated renovation, guests can enjoy freshly revamped Suites, Staterooms and marble bathrooms, plus new fixtures all around the ship.  

When it's time to dine, passengers can choose from five restaurants, including the Terrace Cafe and the elegant Grand Dining Room. There are also plant-based gourmet menu items available. Onboard activities are geared toward an older crowd, ranging from afternoon tea to services at the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center. Nighttime entertainment offerings include musical acts and craft cocktails at the martini bar. 

Oceania Nautica sails to various destinations in North America, Asia, Africa and Europe and more.

oceania cruise lines reviews

The 670-passenger Oceania Insignia, which was dramatically redesigned in December 2018, maintains a nearly a 1-to-2 crew-to-passenger ratio, which means staff members can provide personalized attention to guests. The expansive redesign included new marble bathrooms, redesigned suites and staterooms and a facelift for the ship's public spaces. 

When it comes to dining, guests can choose between five sit-down venues and sip libations at one of several bars and lounges. Activities on the ship are geared toward older cruisers; they include afternoon tea, board games, a casino and nightly live shows.

Insignia offers four cabin types: Inside, Ocean View, Veranda and Suite. Inside and Ocean View cabins are smaller, while Veranda cabins and Suites offer more legroom (between 216 and 1,000 square feet). All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars and 1,000-thread-count linens. Suites include extra perks, like 24-hour butler service and in-room iPads.

Oceania Insignia sails to destinations in Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and more.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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oceania cruise lines reviews

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If you ask for feedback at least respond to the problems

One thing you are taught in customer service is if there are issues deal with them. Oceania failed in this regard spectacularly! We were asked for comments on day 7 of the cruise – my negative comments (with examples went over the given space by 50%. I was never approached on the cruise about them. Comments from other passengers were along the lines – they probably have so many passenger issue comments to deal with that they have not got around to mine! As I say passenger niggles were too common and them not being addressed was common place.

Date of experience : December 16, 2023

Guest abandonment at quay

At time of writing we should have been on SIRENA cruising to Panama. With the cruise lines permission we were boarding at Costa Maya but the ship decided not to dock. This decision was made with full knowledge that they were abandoning us in Mexico 6000 miles from home . They made no attempt to contact us ( or our emergency contacts) either by phone SMS what’s app or e mail .The final insult to this gross misconduct is that they are refusing to give us any refund.To anyone thinking of using this line …. Don’t … as they really don’t care about you or your welfare

Date of experience : March 09, 2024

Our Favourite cruise line by far

We have travelled with Oceania cruises over ten times. All wonderful experiences. The food is simply the best. Lobster, steaks , excellent Dover soles. Their Asian fusion restaurant Red Ginger is as popular as the French ‘chez Jacques’. The Polo Grill serves t-bones which have to be seen to be believed! We love their format. Great destinations, great shows, no extra charges , no charges for coffee and soft drinks. We’ve cruised with Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent, all very good too, but Oceania is the best - relaxed glamour at very reasonable prices. (BEWARE those companies who charge for all drinks including soft drinks - when you get the bill it’s eye watering). Oceania also have the best choice of onboard activities and the staff are marvellous. Our next cruise with them is in 3 weeks around the Caribbean and we can’t wait! One tip - Sam in the Southampton office is our go to customer service agent who can help with any queries. Go book!

Date of experience : March 25, 2023

Sirena Food no better than ok. Staff great.

Our first (and last) cruise with Oceania. Azamara far better. Went Miami to Mexico etc on Western Caribbean Wonders and then back to Miami. Ship old (‘99) but ok. Staff great but not trained to be observant. Food no better than ok. Basic drinks package (included for us) was very good. Free WiFi worked very well. Cruise Director unbelievably camp which most passengers found very irritating. Evening entertainment awful. Only two group shows, two performances from a not funny comic, two performances from a violinist TWO FILMS and one evening of the life story of the camp director. Didn’t get to stop at Costa Maya so two days at see. Last two days in the incredibly awful Cozumel which is a resort island dedicated to big cruise ships. Sorry Oceania but you need to sharpen your act. All those we met who had previously cruised with Oceania were doubtful about returning.

Date of experience : January 25, 2024

Extremely dangerous food hygiene practices

I and many other guests on Oceania marina sailing from Lima to Peru developed food poisoning. The food was served cold, inadequately defrosted. smelt rotten tasted awful and gave us all food poisoning at many points over the dates we spent on board. diarrhoea, vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal pain, days of abdominal pain. All were denied by the general manager on board but when you pay over £10,000 for a cruise the least you can expect is good quality food. Dr Fiona French

Date of experience : December 25, 2023

My cruise round Australia

I had been with this line before but found it has definitely lowered its standards? As per person below's review, I also found the food limiting eating vegetrian and chicken, Food always came up luke warm. One evening my meal was served and the other 5 got their's 40 minutes later which was when my jacket potsto arrived as well, The fruit plates were boring, same old melons, orange and occasionally papaya. Apart from strawberries, no berries and I did not see a banana the whole trip The last day at sea was cold and yet no lectures were programmed and the evening show was cancelled , A very boring day My friends and I each had 950 US dollars to spend but found the shop had very old fashioned but overpriced stock, the dresses looked like they had come out if a charity shop. The perfumes like Dune and white linen were popular in the 70s. Standards have definitely gone down and I doubt I will use Oceania again.

Date of experience : November 27, 2023

Not vegetarian friendly at all

Oceania hold thenselves out as Vegetarian specialists - they are not. They say they have a veg menu, but all they have is a regular menu we could pick items off. They turned back the veg clock 30 years. Over promised, under delivered. P&O did a better job. There was also an oddly disengaged crew. It was like everyone had a really big argument and were not speaking.

Date of experience : October 30, 2023

Oceania Cruises Need Improvements

Outrageous prices for shore excursions. Tour guides could hardly speak English and the itineraries were mostly uninteresting. Marina ship was old and dated needing new furnishings and carpets. Our toilet was clogged for 3 of the 9 days. Food was excellent though but the specialty restaurants were mediocre at best.

Date of experience : June 20, 2023

Efficient and helpful staff

My request to cancel a cruise was dealt with efficiently and sympathetically. I had really good interaction with a number of staff. Money held by Oceania was returned to the cruise agent, for refund to the client, within the agreed timeframe. Unfortunately the cruise agent Planet Cruise were not as easy to deal with and kept the money for six months. I really hope that I get the opportunity to book another cruise with Oceania in the future, directly of course and not through an agent.

Date of experience : November 14, 2020

Oceania create expectations they fail to meet

I have just arrived back from 2 back to back cruises on Marina to South America. On every level it was disappointing. Communication was poor reliant on an inarticulate cruise director. A good example is that the Captain was taken off ill. Rumours spread rather than a simple statement in the news letter. Attention to detail is haphazard. Staff not managed or badly trained. Management were uninterested, complacent or ... Food, best on ocean, is a joke and any comments went to junior staff who, I suspect, never passed comments on. Simple errors were everywhere.

Date of experience : December 02, 2023

Salmonella Poisoning Alert

Five days short of a 14-day cruise on the boat Regatta, (Sydney-New Zealand-Sydney), I was struck down with salmonella poisoning from a club sandwich delivered to my room. I suffered vomiting with stomach pains and cramps. All I could stomach for the rest of the cruise was sips of cold water. The food supervisor and other staff went into denial and I was treated as though it was my fault I caught the poisoning. I asked, as the poisoning took place on the high seas, on the boat, did they think I'd had Uber deliver me a KFC take-away meal. I was told if I wanted medical advice on the ailment, I could see a nurse at a cost of US$300.00. Their customer care policy is non-existent. And the 'beer, wine, champagne and more' is a blatant rip-off. The cabins are tiny with a minute bathroom and terrible shower cubicle (too small for large-bodied people).

Appalling customer service

We went on the Vista in Nov 23, cruise was good. However, I was charged incorrectly for a spa treatment and ever since I have been trying to get this refunded. The post cruise customer service provided by Oceania, in my opinion, is absolutely appalling. They either don’t answer emails or if they do, it takes a long time to get an acknowledgement, let alone a reply. I have incurred mobile phone charges in excess of £70 attempting to call them in USA, which I have asked them to reimburse me for, but they have refused. I have asked for the email address of the Chief Executive but this has not been provided. I have requested that my complaint be escalated which has to date been ignored. This company really needs to improve its customer service and this experience will deter me from ever cruising with Oceania again.

Date of experience : November 20, 2023

Oceania not what they used to be

The Marina customer service in the restaurants/ bar was outstanding. The food was not as they brag about, being the best cuisine on the seas. The food in the restaurants and buffet was fair to average. The hamburgers were always burnt and red inside. The chicken was consistently dry. Steaks were very grizzly and unedible. The desserts were amazing though. They had promised wifi but it was only available for 2-3 days of our 24 day cruise. Save your money and book elsewhere as this is not NOT a luxury cruise line.

Date of experience : December 19, 2023

Avoid this company

Cruised with them to Antartica from Lima. A disaster from start to finish. The list of complaints is too long to list in detail . From the 2.5 hours in the baking mid day sun with no shade or water or toilet facilities To the lack of WiFi we paid for for all of the cruise. To the poor service and terrible entertainment . This is the worst cruise I have ever been. Management of the ship needed firing

Was on a 10 day Mediterranean cruise on…

Was on a 10 day Mediterranean cruise on the Oceania Nautica October 17th to 27th, 2023. The ship itself was clean and well maintained. The service was average. Little entertainment and few things to do.The food was fine... not as hyped as mentioned by our Cruise Agent suggested. The staff were mostly friendly. The ports were amazing excluding Igoumenitsa, Greece which was a complete waste of time... We docked on a Sunday and there were no private tours available and very little was open that day. Cruise ship tours were prioritized, so if you had a private tour scheduled you'll be the last one off even though you have a private reservation booked. My largest complaint was the loss of my luggage on the morning of disembarkation. The staff take the luggage the night prior to the port terminal and keep it in a 'secure' location. When we arrived the following morning being the first to disembark and the first in the terminal to grab our luggage my suitcase was no where to be found. We were scrambling to find it. I filled out a lost luggage form and left an hour later. My brother in law arriving at the same port terminal 2 hours later said they did finally find my suitcase and informed my brother in law that it would be returned to me. As of now, after having spoken to Oceania numerous times it has now been lost (or even better someone took my luggage). This is unacceptable! My advice keep your luggage with you always and disembark with it... SO DISAPPOINTING!!!

Date of experience : October 27, 2023

Great cruise and ship but the…

Great cruise and ship but the transportation arrangements before, during and at the end of the cruise were appalling. Too much to write here but, book your own flights and avoid cruises with Venice.

Date of experience : June 07, 2023

NEVER book a cruise on Oceania if…

NEVER book a cruise on Oceania if having reliable Internet matters. Or an app to plan and keep up to date with goings on onboard and off-shore. And whoever is in charge of marketing at Oceania has not yet claimed its Google knowledge panel…so guests cannot even leave a review. In 2023, what global hospitality brand doesn’t allow guests to engage digitally? Sadly, and surprisingly, it’s Oceania Cruises. My bad for not checking before we booked what will be our last cruise with this brand.

Date of experience : September 03, 2023

Unbelievable spammers/junk mailers

Unbelievable spammers/junk mailers. They buy lists of names from companies like Travel + Leisure (who sold them without permission) and then Oceania Cruises proceed to send mailing after mailing. Doesn't matter if you try to opt out, call them or send message asking them, to stop - they'll keep dumping junk mail at you. They don't answer calls or messages. Imaging if you actually paid for the service how dreadful it would be,

Date of experience : June 26, 2023

Having paid a great deal of money for three previous family cruises, in August 2021, hoping for the end of the Pandemic, I booked another for April 2022. Alas, the pandemic got worse. So, in December 2021 I attempted to cancel the cruise. Oceania only agreed to refund half of the deposit, with the other half becoming a credit note which would expire at the end of 2022. With then the war in Ukraine and the ‘cost of living crisis’ taking its grip, after protracted argument, Oceania agreed to extend the credit note until the end of 2023. Alas in May 2023 my wife was diagnosed with leukaemia. I asked for a further extension of the credit note, so that I could take my family away when my wife had made a full recovery, which Oceania have point-blank refused. Having now read the massive dissatisfaction with Oceania, they obviously need my funds. I will never spend my hard-earned money with them again.

Date of experience : January 02, 2024

Excellent experience

Excellent experience. Great service, all was perfect. We will be back.

Date of experience : January 01, 2024

Review: Oceania Vista

oceania cruise lines reviews

Reviewed by Madison Flager

What is the line? Oceania Cruises

Name of ship? Vista

Passenger occupancy? 1,200

Itinerary? Rome to Rome

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Oceania has long prided itself on being a culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, and Vista upholds that reputation. While the newest ship is still geared toward the line’s core demographic—travelers 55 and up—the flexible dining options, health-conscious menus, inventive bars, and well-balanced itineraries are likely to appeal to a slightly younger audience, too.

Tell us about the ship in general.

Oceania’s first new ship in over a decade set sail in spring 2023, and can hold 1,200 passengers. It marks the start of the line’s new Allura Class, and boasts all-veranda cabins (a first for Oceania), a staff-to-guest ratio of 2:3, three new culinary venues, and stronger Wi-Fi, thanks to the adoption of SpaceX’s Starlink technology.

Who is onboard?

During the christening sailing, passengers consisted of journalists from around the world, travel agents, longtime fans of the brand, and friends and family, with nearly every decade accounted for. Typically, Oceania guests tend to be 55-plus, with a mix of couples, solo travelers, and families with adult children looking for a food and beverage-focused experience, and a mix of well-known and off-the-beaten-path ports of call. While children are allowed onboard, there is no kids’ programming.

Describe the cabins.

I stayed in a Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom, which had more than enough elbow room for two guests, thanks to the seating area—there’s a small couch and a chair in front of the dresser and mirror—and balcony. Decorated with cool gray tones, marble and leather accents, and crisp white bedding, the rooms feel upscale but not ostentatious. We were particularly delighted by the large bathroom, especially the shower, and the seemingly endless storage space throughout the cabin; little things like the USB chargers on either side of the bed were appreciated as well.

New to the ship are Concierge Level Solo Veranda Staterooms, offering solo travelers a spacious room in which to rest their head (though that shower size definitely leaves something to be desired), a generous balcony, and access to an airport-like lounge on their floor with snacks and beverages. Guests in Concierge Level cabins also get perks like priority embarkation, a welcome bottle of Champagne, and free laundry service (up to three bags).

On the other end of the spectrum, the Oceania Suite is like a luxury apartment at sea, with a dining table, wet bar, massive balcony, and two bathrooms, one with a standalone bathtub. The Vista and Owner’s Suite are even more elaborate.

Tell us about the crew.

The crew was kind and welcoming, though not overly attentive. Our cabin steward introduced himself on the first day and was a friendly face throughout the week. As the ship is on the smaller side, you can expect to recognize crew members quickly (some may pop up in more than one dining venue). The hero of our sailing was Pablo at the shore excursions desk, who was incredibly patient and helpful when we showed up on day one without a clue what we wanted to do, and a long line behind us.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Of the ship's 11 culinary spaces, three are new: Aquamar Kitchen, where you can offset richer meals with poké bowls, smoothies, or avocado toast; the Bakery at Baristas, serving freshly baked pastries, finger sandwiches, and an impressive breakfast assortment (so much smoked salmon!); and a new signature restaurant, Ember, which was designed to mimic New American restaurants in northern California. It has a cozy feel and is meant to be a slightly quicker dining experience, with family-style sides and hearty entrees (lobster mac and cheese, porcini-dusted bone-in ribeyes).

Returning guests will be happy to see Oceania staples like Toscana, an Italian restaurant where a cart filled with a dozen or so oil and vinegar bottles gets rolled over to you with your bread, and Red Ginger, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring dishes with Thai, Korean, Japanese, and Malaysian influence (the watermelon duck salad came highly recommended, and was in fact delicious). It’s worth nothing that none of these specialty restaurants come with an upcharge.

While not new, Vista ’s Waves Grill stays open for dinner as a pizza joint, and is a great place to dine on days when you come back to the ship late or are eager for a casual dining experience—the pizza was fantastic, and there are at least three different burrata appetizers to choose from, along with a great selection of wine.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

The Aquamar Spa and Vitality Center is one of the most beautiful spaces on the ship. Don’t skip a visit to the terrace, where you can relax on plush lounge chairs (including heated ones) in between dips into the plunge pool or hot tub. While the main pool is by no means a party scene, this space is markedly more serene, thanks to its tucked-away location at the back of the ship. As for the treatments, standard fare is offered: massages, facials, hair and nail services, salt scrubs.

Tell us about the activities and entertainment.

Pickleball devotees will be happy to know there is an outdoor court; golf putting greens, shuffleboard, and lawn games like cornhole line the top deck, too. The resort-like pool is a popular space to hang, and at night, guests can visit the casino, the adjacent Founder's Bar (where drinks come smoking, scented, and otherwise made to be photographed), the theater, and the piano bar.

There’s tons of experiential programming on offer as well. Head to the Artists’ Loft to take a class with the talented artists-in-residence, or visit the expanded Culinary Center for cooking demos and classes developed by executive chef Kathryn Kelly.

How was the experience for families?

This isn’t the line to choose if you’re looking for a kids’ club, wave pools, or Go-Karts (Oceania’s sister brand, Norwegian Cruise Line, is better suited for that). Guests under 18 (and over six months) are allowed, but must stay in the same stateroom as an adult, and can’t participate on shore excursions or land tours without an accompanying adult.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

The christening cruise sailed from Rome to Rome, with stops in Naples; Valletta, Malta; and Ajaccio, France in between. ( Vista will spend most of 2023 in Western Europe, then move to North America and the Caribbean.) We had an overnight in Valletta, something Oceania is working to do more of, along with offering more late-night stays for single-day ports, so that guests can spend more time on land. Their itineraries do a good job of mixing well-known cities with smaller, lesser-known ports, and the shore excursions include both highlights tours of historical sites and landmarks and programs geared toward returning visitors; we heard great things about the pizza crawl in Naples.

Anything we missed?

Oceania offers a great middle ground in terms of experience and offerings—both grand and cozy, with a wider range of fare options than luxury lines, since it’s not all-inclusive. Go for excellent food and beverage, unique ports, good service, and a comfortable space you’ll be happy to come back to at the end of busy days on land.

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Oceania Cruises: The Complete Guide

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Oceania Cruises is a high-end cruise line with a reputation for excellent dining and the ability to visit a wider variety of ports because its ships aren’t as large as the typical cruise liner.

Oceania Cruises, part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, launched in 2002. It focuses on travelers who want more privacy and personalized service when they sail. Oceania sits between its two sibling lines — the higher-end Regent Seven Seas and family-friendly Norwegian — when it comes to ship size and prices.

Here’s what you need to know about Oceania.

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About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises sails to all seven continents and visits more than 600 ports in more than 100 countries. The line recently introduced a new base fare, which includes round-trip airfare and Wi-Fi.

Cabin types: The cruise line offers cabins at various prices, ranging from inside staterooms to oceanview rooms with furnished balconies. Suites are also available in a variety of sizes. Oceania ships have a concierge level, which gives passengers access to a private lounge and concierge assistance.

Main U.S. routes: Oceania covers the globe. Those who want to depart from the U.S. will find itineraries for Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Mexico and New England, among others.  

Loyalty program: Oceania Club awards credits based on the length of the trip. The more credits you earn, the higher the elite status you’ll achieve. Benefits include perks like onboard credit, discounts on spa treatments and complimentary wine and prepaid gratuities. 

Oceania Cruises destinations

Oceania Cruises ships' smaller size gives them access to ports that larger ships can’t visit. The line also offers world cruises that circumnavigate the globe in 180 days, as well as a range of longer, regionally focused sailings.

Antarctica.

Canada and New England.

Middle East.

New Zealand.

South Pacific and Tahiti.

Panama Canal.

South America.

Depending on how long you want to sail and where you’re going, you can find itineraries as short as seven days and longs as a whopping 200 days.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of cruises

Oceania cruise prices

Oceania sailings range in price depending on such factors as cabin type, ship, destination and length of trip. Keep in mind that Oceania is an upscale brand that prides itself on gourmet cuisine and onboard service — and its rates tend to reflect that.

For those looking for a weeklong cruise in the Caribbean, a trip departing from Miami and stopping in Mexico, Belize and Honduras starts at $1,399 per person. If you’re interested in Europe, a 10-day trip from Rome to Barcelona starts at $2,470 per person. Both rates are based on double occupancy in an inside stateroom.

Those who want to make like Magellan can book the 180-day around-the-world cruise starting at $48,499. A shorter, but still luxurious, 72-day itinerary in Asia starts at $19,599. Suites will increase the cost of the cruise but add more space for you to relax in your cabin.

The cruise line has announced a new base fare package called “simply MORE,” which comes with a host of inclusions. These include round-trip flights, airport transfers, shore excursions and a beverage package for all guests in the cabin.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

What is the best Oceania ship?

Oceania has eight ships in a range of sizes; the smallest accommodates just under 700 passengers, while the largest can hold up to 1,250. The cruise line has a low staff-to-passenger ratio, between 1.5 and 1.7 staff per passenger, which allows for more personalized service. Many of its ships have capacity for 684 passengers, which means they can feel less crowded than larger ships.

The best Oceania cruise ship is its newest one — Vista. Every room has a veranda, plus space for storage, rain showers in the bathrooms and upscale furnishings.

What is the newest Oceania ship?

The newest Oceania ships are the Vista, which set sail in 2023, and the Allura, which is scheduled to sail in 2025. Both of these are on the larger end of its fleet, with a capacity for 1,210 passengers.

They’re also part of a new class of Allura ships, which feature more onboard amenities and features compared with the other six ships in the fleet. Some examples of this on the Vista include four new dining venues, concierge-level staterooms for solo travelers and larger standard staterooms with over 290 square feet of space.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

What’s included on Oceania cruises?

Accommodations in the category you select.

All meals and snacks at buffet restaurants, dining rooms and specialty restaurants. 

Water, juice, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas.

Champagne, wine and beer during lunch and dinner.

Wi-Fi access for two devices.

Fitness center with guided classes.

Shows and entertainment.

Pool access.

Onboard activities.

Round-trip airfare and airport transfers.

Shore excursions.

In-port shuttles.

Cooking school sessions with chef instruction.

Government fees and port taxes.

The mostly all-inclusive nature of Oceania sailings makes the pricing and experience simpler, since you won't need to pull out your credit card for every soda or latte. That said, there are still some things you’ll need to pay extra for, such as spa services, gratuities and certain beverage packages.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Oceania Cruises loyalty program: Oceania Club

Oceania Club members earn credits on each cruise they take, with more points awarded for longer cruises. For example, a cruise that lasts up to 24 days earns one credit, cruises for 25-34 days receive two credits, and trips longer than 158 days get 15 credits.

Earning status can take a while unless your first cruise is lengthy. If you’re looking for elite status on a cruise line, Oceania isn't especially rewarding for people who cruise occasionally.

Oceania Club elite status tiers

The Oceania Club loyalty program has seven levels:

President’s Circle. 

With your first cruise, you automatically become a Blue member after signing up. The more nights you spend on Oceania ships, the higher your status tier and benefits. Here’s how to reach each tier along with some of the best benefits at each level.

To earn: Accrue at least five credits.

Best benefits: $100 shipboard credit, members-only offers and discount on Wi-Fi packages.

To earn: Accrue at least 10 credits.

Best benefits: $250 shipboard credit, complimentary prepaid gratuities and VIP shore excursion check-in.

To earn: Accrue at least 15 credits.

Best benefits: $400 shipboard credit, $300 spa treatment credit and two custom air fee waivers (worth $398).

To earn: Accrue at least 20 credits.

Best benefits: $500 shipboard credit, a free cruise, priority terminal check-in and an invitation to dine with the ship's officers.

To earn: Accrue at least 40 credits.

Best benefits: $750 shipboard credit, $400 spa treatment credit and complimentary wine tasting.

President’s Circle

To earn: Accrue at least 60 credits.

Best benefits: $1,000 shipboard credit, complimentary prestige beverage package and free laundry service.

How to earn Oceania Club credits

Travelers earn credits based on the length of a sailing. Even a three-week cruise earns just one credit, which means it can take some time to reach the first elite tier — Bronze, which requires five credits. Even though they’re part of the same holding company, you won’t earn Oceania credits when sailing with Norwegian or Regent Seven Seas.

How to redeem points

There are no points to redeem with Oceania Club. The primary purpose of the program is earning credits to reach different elite status tiers. At each level, there are various benefits you receive when on a cruise.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

What is Oceania Cruises known for?

Oceania is best for travelers who want to go beyond the most commonly visited ports and foodies who prioritize onboard dining. Its smaller ships usually make for a more customized and personal experience. While Oceania has launched a new Allura Class of ships that nearly doubles its average passenger count, the staff-to-passenger ratio is still excellent.

Yes. There’s no need to worry about paying an additional fee to stay connected aboard an Oceania cruise ship, as it’s included in the cruise fare. Each cabin receives two free Wi-Fi logins.

Yes, for the most part. Oceania sailings include accommodations, shore excursions, port shuttles, activities, food and most beverages, specialty dining and entertainment. Not included in the fare are some beverage packages, gratuities, spa treatments, laundry and specialty excursions.

The recently-introduced new base fare, “simply MORE,” also includes round-trip flights, airport transfers and a beverage package for all guests in the cabin.

House Select (included for all passengers)

Premium wine, champagne and beer with lunch and dinner. Specialty coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices.

Prestige Select ($30 per guest, per day)

All House Select drinks.

Unlimited premium wine, champagne, beer and spirits anywhere and whenever you like.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

oceania cruise lines reviews

oceania cruise lines reviews

Oceania Cruises Riviera Cruise Review

Oceania’s riviera is the newest upscale cruise ship in the market. it’s a splurge—does it deliver the goods.

Anonymous Cruise Editor

Updated June 2, 2015

Following hot on the heels of Oceania’s Marina that debuted in 2011, sibling Riviera launched in May 2012 and was quickly established as one of cruising’s most elegant options for the upscale audience. With menus overseen by chef Jacques Pépin, a Canyon Ranch spa, sumptuous bedding and tasteful cabin décor, Riviera caters to a discerning crowd that expects deferential service and a refined atmosphere.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

About Our Cruise

Comparing splurges, our cabin: veranda cabin, cabin amenities, other cabins, grand dining room, terrace café, waves grill, in-room dining, canyon ranch spa club, other activities, shows & entertainment, other venues, kids programs, ship communications, internet facilities, dress codes, laundry facilities, general health & safety, smoking policy, tips and service charges, alcohol policies, loyalty program.

One of the youngest operators in the business, Oceania Cruises was formed in 2003, coming onto the scene with three of the 684-passenger “R-class” ships from Renaissance Cruises, a luxury line that went belly-up in 2001. When it came time to build two new ships, Oceania started with a clean slate, creating vessels that were double the size of the existing ships—the 66,084-ton Riviera carries 1,258 passengers. Features were carried over, but new ones were established, and the larger ships quickly won a devoted following. Oceania is not as inclusive as most high-end lines, instead following an à la carte model for gratuities and drinks.

Riviera winters in the Caribbean, offering 10-day voyages out of Miami that explore some of the region’s more exotic ports, such as Roatan, Samaná and St. Barths; summers are spent in the Mediterranean’s choicer locales, with itineraries ranging from 7 to 14 nights. We busted out our piggy bank for the splurge, eagerly anticipating smart service and fine dining.

Check-in went smoothly. We arrived shortly after noon and waited about 25 minutes in the lounge while suite and concierge guests were provided preferential embarkation. Upon boarding, we were a little surprised there was no one to show us to our quarters (something we’ve appreciated on most other luxe lines), but the cabin was easy to find, and luggage was delivered well before cast-off. This allowed time to explore the ship at leisure, and Riviera’s public area lived up to all expectations. This is a handsomely designed vessel with generous public spaces and a bevy of fine art. We’d rank the art collection alone as the best we’ve seen at sea—mostly early- and mid-20th century paintings from Cuban and other Latin American artists, with a few provocative, edgy pieces mixed in for good measure.

Oceania’s Riviera offered an adult cruise experience. No children were aboard for our itinerary. Children are allowed but there’s no facility or staff dedicated to them (something we think might be an issue in summer or during school holidays). Instead, Oceania caters to a well-heeled, older crowd—with few exceptions, virtually all guests were over 50. Although there’s no formal night, this crowd doesn’t waltz around after dusk in tracksuits and flip-flops. There’s also no poolside Hairy Chest Contest, no tacky souvenir glasses, and no gold chains sold by the inch. Yet for the most part, an easy-going atmosphere prevails, akin to that of an upscale resort geared to retirees.

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Our veranda cabin was very comfortable—definitely a step up in quality, amenities and size from mainstream cruise lines. It was not, however, the size of entry-level cabins on Seabourn, Silversea, or Regent Seven Seas (by our measurements, the square footage Oceania claims for cabins is overstated).

Cuisine is a major focus for the line and, by industry standards, we found most dining on Riviera to be excellent, with a few exceptions. In addition to the rewarding main dining room and a terrific buffet, there are four specialty restaurants, and there’s no surcharge for these meals (though this is where we found food and service to be most uneven). Even the pool bar had tasty grilled fare, starting with a luscious surf and turf sandwich—sliced filet mignon and lobster medallions on toasted ciabatta. There was also a special wine pairing meal offered several nights of the cruise at La Reserve, which we found superb—the $95 add-on was worth it for foodies and wine aficionados.

Deck areas felt relatively spacious, and although we observed loungers to be in short supply around the pool, it wasn’t hard locating a place to stretch out on the decks above (the one pool, by the way, is larger than average for the luxury sector). Though activities were limited, there was a tennis court, mini-golf course and an art studio staffed by an artist. One sterling feature not found on any other cruise ship (except Marina) is hands-on cooking lessons—for a fee—with instruction overseen by the Culinary Institute of America. Shows on Riviera were rudimentary at best—okay if nothing else was going on, but nothing to go out of our way for. This isn’t uncommon with small-ship luxury lines, but given that Riviera has a larger showroom (and more guests), a better entertainment program was in order. There was, however, a good variety of live music on the ship, including a string quartet playing for afternoon tea and a pianist trolling through the standards at the Martini Bar each evening.

Riviera is noteworthy for a few things it doesn’t have. There was no camera crew on board, plaintively asking for poses. The ship lacks a traditional promenade deck, below the lifeboats. But for the most part, guests will be impressed with the number of features available that aren’t found on smaller luxury ships. The atmosphere is somewhat comparable to that of a Ritz-Carlton resort—slightly sterile and corporate, but appealingly polished.

For this reason it’s difficult to make apples-to-apples comparisons about whether Riviera provides good value. But just prior to publication we reviewed per-day rates for cabins on comparable itineraries for the upcoming year, for ships that offer an experience that is a notch above the Oceania product. Riviera’s veranda cabins for Mediterranean cruises averaged about $455 per day, per person—a fare that does not include gratuities or drinks, costs that can top $75 a day, per person (Riviera’s auto-gratuity is $15 to $22 per day and the all-inclusive drink package runs $59.95 per day).

Beyond the initial cruise fare, there are other cost issues to be aware of. Airport transfers arranged through Oceania were outrageous—the per-person rate was about three times the price of a taxi. Oceania’s gratuity rate is the highest in the industry. And shore excursions were extortionate—we dodged the herd and made all our own arrangements for considerably less. By contrast, we noted that Oceania’s airfare add-ons can be reasonable compared to these other lines. And for those who drink no alcohol, Oceania’s à la carte model works well.

Oceania’s Riviera is an undeniably beautiful ship, and it’s the newest vessel at sea designed for the upscale crowd. Not only does Oceania Cruises straddle an underserved market segment between the mass-audience cruise companies and the pure luxury cruise lines, but Riviera (and sister ship Marina) provides a unique bridge between smaller luxe ships with limited amenities and activity-filled large ships that can feel crowded. Only one other upmarket line, Crystal Cruises, has ships (almost) the size of Riviera (though both of Crystal’s ships are now more than a decade old).

We don’t take issue with Oceania marketing its product as “upper premium”—at least not in regard to Riviera. Elegant and classy, with dining that is among the best in the industry, the ship possesses many fine attributes that make a voyage memorable. The size of the ship is just about perfect for our taste—not too big, not too small, easy to get around. We would absolutely look forward to sailing on Riviera again, but for one caveat: It’s overpriced.

While current demand may be allowing Oceania to boost fares, we feel that there are other cruise lines offering similar itineraries that, for comparable fares or just a few dollars more, may provide discernably better value. And for spendthrifts, it’s not hard to find alternatives offering quality suites and good food and service that sell for quite a bit less than Riviera.

Choices fall into four general categories. Inside cabins, the most economical option, are located on decks 8 through 10. Lacking any view, Oceania says they measure a fairly compact 174 square feet, and the bathrooms have a shower stall only, no tub. There are 20 Ocean View cabins, all found at midship on Deck 7 and, with a larger bathroom and floor-to-ceiling window, these represent a significant step up from Inside units.

We stayed in one of the Veranda cabins, located on decks 7 through 11. Though all are the same size, these come at various price points based on location (higher decks being more expensive). A majority of the Veranda cabins (decks 9 and higher) are designated as Concierge Level, and although square footage is the same, extras include early check-in and embarkation, a welcome bottle of Champagne, priority restaurant and shore excursion reservations, unlimited access to the Spa Terrace, in-room laptop computer and discounted internet, iPad for use onboard, Bulgari toiletries, and other extras. There are also four types of Suites , described below.

There was a lounge on Deck 9 for guests in Concierge level cabins. TVs, reading materials and refreshments were available. Guests occupying Owner’s, Vista, Oceania and Penthouse suites could utilize an Executive Lounge on Deck 11.

Tastefully appointed with a generous use of dark walnut wood hues, our Veranda cabin was slightly larger than a typical balcony cabin on a mainstream cruise line (more on that below). With a bathroom featuring a full tub and a balcony decked in teak flooring—a rarity on newer ships—it was a very comfortable space to reside in. Speaking of contented, our bed was sumptuous, engulfed by quality linens that left us snug as a bug in a rug. Oceania says these are a “custom designed mattresses with 700-thread count cotton linens.” Hyper-allergenic pillows were available on request. Our photos below show the bed configuration in both queen-sized and twin layouts.

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Cabin lighting was discrete, with recessed lights in the ceiling plus adjustable reading lights on either side of the bed—combined we had sufficient illumination. Fronting the balcony doors were three curtains—one that was a sheer, the other two completely blocked out light. Next to the sofa was an oval coffee table, and facing these was a small desk with a lamp and chair. Between the bathroom and beds was the closet, fronted by sliding doors. The closet measured 41 inches in width and contained 31 wood clothes hangers (plus two for robes). Next to the closet was a cabinet with three drawers and a shelf for the safe; one of the drawers contained a hair dryer. While we heard a few guests grumble about storage space being constrained, we found closets and drawers more than adequate for a trip of longer than a week (it’s not a suite, after all)—then again, we don’t travel with steamer trunks! Next to the drawers was the minibar and ice bucket, and above these were a couple slender shelves for glasses.

Our cabin had a marble- and granite-lined bathroom that was somewhat larger than what we usually get on mainstream cruise ships, however the additional space was devoted to a full-size bathtub (56 inches long, 17 inches deep). This is a terrific amenity for those who take baths, but for those of us who don’t it would have been nice to utilize the square footage toward a less-cramped bathroom (the floor of the shower stall was a fairly average 31 by 37 inches, though this is larger than showers on Oceania’s R-class ships). The shower and bathtub each had handheld showerheads on adjustable poles, and there was a rain showerhead in the shower stall.

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Oceania says all Veranda cabins measure 282 square feet, including the balcony, but we take issue with this generous assessment. The inside of our cabin and bathroom came to 210 square feet; our balcony measured 110 inches by 66 inches, or 50.5 square feet. We can only assume that the extra 21 square feet Oceania claims represents unusable space behind walls (i.e., counting the space between cabins, plumbing areas, and between our cabin and balcony). While our cabin was larger than that of a typical mainstream cruise liner, it was not comparable in size to those of most upscale lines. Veranda cabins on Riviera (and Marina) are, however, a good bit larger than veranda units on the line’s three older, “R-class” ships.

The balcony was a decent sized space for two to hang out, with woven synthetic “wicker” chairs, each with a cushion. There was a small table, sufficient for coffee or drinks, but not much else.

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Our cabin came with a pair of plush robes and slippers—the bathrobes were available for purchase ($75). Our stocked mini-fridge included complimentary sodas; there was a charge for other items. A corkscrew and bottle opener was provided, along with an ice bucket that was refilled twice daily. Above the fridge were two 100ml bottles of Oceania branded mineral water, replenished as needed.

There was a safe, but it wasn’t large enough for a typical laptop (13.5 inches wide, 8.5 inches deep). A hair dryer and sewing kit were located in a drawer next to the closet. The Oceania branded bathroom amenities included shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and body lotion—above-average products by our estimation. There were, however, no bath salts, and when we called the front desk to request these we were transferred to the spa—a jar of salts was available for $52. Fortunately, when we checked again with our cabin attendant he swiftly delivered a bowl of salts that were ample for a couple soaks.

The TV in our room was a good quality, high-definition 32-inch Insignia model, a smart TV with a built-in Blu-ray player. However not all channels were available with a high-def signal. The problem was probably with the monitor adjustments; some channels appeared in standard definition, some were incorrectly sized for the monitor dimensions. For the ship’s movie channel the grainy image was cropped on the sides, meaning the picture was not displayed as it was meant to be (see photos below).

The channel selection was detailed in a printed guide valid for the whole cruise. There was a typical range of news and sports channels, and channels dedicated to Oceania programming (shopping and shore excursions got the usual plugs). There were five movie channels that played about 100 different movies during the cruise. Some played a few times on one day, others repeated a second or third day, but the range was pretty solid, with some of the biggest commercial hits from the past six months, plus a few unexpected classics, like “Tom Jones” and “Midnight Cowboy.” There was also a DVD library maintained at the reception desk in the lobby. With more than 600 titles encompassing oddities such as the TV show Bewitched (13 discs), as well as both classic and current movies, children’s fare and TV shows, there was something for pretty much everyone.

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We did not stay in the rest of these cabins, but we have summaries here provided by Oceania Cruises. Note that photos below have been provided by the cruise line and not our reviewer.

Inside Cabin Wonderful sanctuaries unto their own, these 174-square-foot staterooms boast beautiful designs and handsome furnishings that add to the serenity. Highlights include an oversized bathroom resplendent with marble and granite, and thoughtful touches such as a refrigerated mini-bar, vanity desk, breakfast table and a choice of a queen-size or two twin beds.

Deluxe Ocean View These spacious 242-square-foot staterooms with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows feel even more commodious with the curtains drawn back, the ocean in full view and natural light streaming in. The rich hues, custom-designed furnishings and stylish fabrics are equally enchanting. Queen or twin bed accommodations, a spacious seating area, vanity desk, breakfast table and oversized marble and granite-clad bathroom with separate tub and shower, are among the many conveniences.

Penthouse Suite Our collection of elegant Penthouse Suites rivals any world-class hotel for comfort. The design of each suite is ingenious, which maximizes its generous 420 square feet of space and puts every creature comfort at your fingertips. At its heart is a spectacularly luxurious queen-size Prestige Tranquility Bed that can be converted into two twin beds, if you wish. Commodious enough for private en-suite dining, the living area features a table and comfortable seating, refrigerated mini-bar and lighted vanity desk. The large marble and granite-clad bathroom features an indulgent, full-size bathtub and separate shower and is conveniently located next to the full-size walk-in closet. For the ultimate view, simply open the sliding glass door and relax on the exquisitely furnished private veranda.

Oceania Suite This new category of suite accommodation combines exquisite elegance with a premier location high atop Marina and adds in a wealth of amenities and copious space for good measure. Sprawling more than 1,000 square feet, each offers a living room and dining room, walk-in closet, expansive private veranda and much more. Enjoy a brisk morning workout followed by a therapeutic whirlpool in either your private Jacuzzi overlooking the sea or in the Jacuzzi tub in your Master Bath. Spend an evening screening first-run movies on your 50-inch LCD flat-screen television in your state-of-the-art media room. Indulge in course-by-course en-suite dining in your dining room or with the caress of a soft sea breeze on the expansive veranda. Wake up refreshed and rested on the king-size Prestige Tranquility Bed. Open the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, walk out on the private teak veranda and take in the stunning panoramic views from the comfort of the resort-style lounge furniture. Everything imaginable is provided in your Oceania Suite, even a second bathroom for guests.

Vista Suite Among the most spacious and luxurious of accommodations at sea, the eight Vista Suites surely will be in high demand. That is no surprise given their premier location overlooking the bow and that every inch of their 1,200 to 1,500 square feet (depending on location) has been meticulously designed for your enjoyment. Indulge in a relaxing soak in one of your suite’s two Jacuzzis – on your private veranda or in your lavish Master Bath. Watch first-run Hollywood films on the 42-inch LCD flat-screen television, enhanced by Bose® surround sound, or view them from the comfort of your bed on a second LCD flat-screen television. Access the Internet with the laptop computer that’s provided for up-to-the-minute news, to research upcoming ports, and to email friends. Wake up refreshed and rested on the king-size Prestige Tranquility Bed. Draw back the curtains from the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, walk out on the wraparound teak veranda and take in the panoramic views from the comfort of the resort-style lounge furniture. Everything imaginable is here in your suite, including a walk-in closet, a second bathroom for guests and your own private fitness room.

Owner’s Suite Even the most lavish superlatives fail to adequately describe the three Owner’s Suites onboard. With rich furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home, each spans the entire beam of the ship and measures more than 2,000 square feet. Boasting a large living room and dining room, spacious bedroom with a king-size Prestige Tranquility Bed, sumptuous bathroom, his and hers walk-in closets, and a dramatic entry foyer and music room overlooking the sea, they are truly palatial. A professional entertainment system with flat-screen televisions, 3D movies, and media library is provided as well as a laptop and iPad® with wireless access. Indoor and outdoor whirlpool spas beckon you for a relaxing soak – the latter has a flat-screen television for alfresco viewing. Enjoy en-suite gourmet dining from any of our six restaurants, served course-by-course by your Butler. No expense has been spared to ensure your total satisfaction.

{{photo_gallery "Oceania Riviera p2 g5"}} Oceania’s Executive Culinary Director is noted chef and cookbook author Jacques Pépin, and with seven different meal options for dinner alone, Riviera has upped the ante for fine dining on cruise ships. Of course, Monsieur Pépin is not actually working in the galley but, for the most part, we found the dining aboard Riviera to be among the best we’ve experienced at sea—it’s certainly a deserved calling card for the line. The Grand Dining Room , Riviera’s main restaurant, provided above-average meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. What surprised us was the Terrace Café , the buffet venue, where we had a succession of tasty meals.

There are four specialty restaurants on Riviera, open for dinner only, though we found the dining a little more uneven here. Still, with menus ranging from French to Asian, Italian to steakhouse, the variety was pleasing, and there’s no add-on fee for dining at these venues (as is common on mainstream cruise lines). The ne plus ultra was La Reserve , a small dining room used several nights each cruise for intimate wine-pairing meals with a surcharge.

Oceania claims its guests have the “freedom to dine whenever, wherever and with whomever you wish,” but we found tables for two in short supply for the four specialty restaurants, especially at Jacques. Guests in non-suite cabins were allowed to make one reservation for each of the specialty dining venues using Oceania’s clunky online booking system (four reservations total). Yet despite going online weeks ahead of our cruise we were unable to secure a two-top for any of these meals, except very early or late in the evening. Before the cruise we were told by a reservation agent to request changes soon after boarding; we did, but non-shared tables were still not available for two of these meals.

Guests staying in Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites were allowed to make more than four restaurant reservations ahead of their cruise; these guests were also allowed to order course-by-course in-room dining through their butler from the Grand Dining Room menu or from any of the specialty restaurants, during regular operating hours.

With its bright crystal chandelier floating above, Riviera’s main dining room is, indeed, a grand spot, looking like a luminous space from a regal European hotel. Fine china, Riedel stemware and formal service complete the setting. The room slopes down gently from Deck 6 on terraces leading aft, and there are a number of tables for two lining the windows. For those who decry the dim lighting in many restaurants, request to be seated toward the center of the room and you’ll be basked in the chandelier’s glow. The room seats 566, nearly half the ship’s capacity, and we never waited more than 3 or 4 minutes for a table, even at prime time.

The dinner menu changed nightly, featuring seven different entrées that were notable for their variety (an additional three entrées—steak frites, poached salmon and rotisserie chicken—were available every night). Each evening, one appetizer, a soup and an entrée would be highlighted as part of Canyon Ranch’s Healthy Living menu, focused on healthy fats, whole grains and lean proteins; there were always several vegetarian appetizers and one entrée. And four courses were highlighted each night as the menu dégustation, with recommended wine pairings for each course.

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Among the appetizers, we enjoyed the cheese soufflé sitting amid a chive velouté, the scallops served in shell with lemon, capers and seaweed, and a hearty terrine of tomato and eggplant. Looking like shrimp tails engulfed in a bird’s nest, the crispy Albanian kadaif-wrapped tiger prawns were delightful nuggets—a few more, please. There was a faro salad with grilled zucchini that seemed promising, but the dressing overwhelmed the dish—it was almost like a cold risotto. Salads could have used a little more imagination, but we enjoyed the lettuces with paper-thin beets and celery rémoulade, and the spinach salad with pine nuts, shaved parmesan and a bacon dressing. The basket of diverse, hearty breads on our table was hard to resist.

For entrées we loved the Florida lobster, served with a cognac sauce (different lobster entrées were served on several nights). We tried the vegetarian option one evening—potato and vegetable curry over rice; it was pretty ordinary. But the shrimp and zucchini risotto was a melt-in-the-mouth dish, as was the simple rotisserie chicken, smothered in jus de rôti. Desserts were modest in size, but rewarding, from the Cointreau-marinated strawberries in a brandy-snap basket to the chocolate “volcano” with passion fruit lava. There was a nightly ice cream, a sorbet, and a lighter dessert, along with cookies and petits fours. We adored the cheese plate option, which changed nightly and was served with various chutneys, olives and pressed cakes.

If the breakfast menu was fairly conventional, it was beautifully served and the venue was lightly visited. We found juices (the orange was fresh squeezed), stewed fruits, cold cereals and Bircher muesli, hot oatmeal, eggs and omelets, pancakes and waffles, along with typical sides. Among the more unusual offerings were steamed Finnish haddock or broiled kippers, buckwheat pancakes, and breakfast steaks or lamb chops.

We were delighted to find the Grand Dining Room open for lunch daily, even on port days—what’s more, the menu changed daily. We found the salad Niçoise to be perfectly rendered (with a choice of tuna, salmon or halibut), and the hanger steak stroganoff with a paprika cream sauce was rich and satisfying. Other lunch items steered to burgers, sandwiches, and salads, with a number of lighter and vegetarian options available.

Located on Deck 12 aft, the Terrace Café offers one of the best buffet spreads we’ve experienced on any cruise ship. While the space suffered slightly from limited seating during breakfast and lunch peak hours, we enjoyed all of our meals here, many of them on the outer deck where two dozen tables offered fine views and fresh air. A number of items were prepared à la minute—on the spot—and no, we’re not just talking about the omelet station. Servers were stationed throughout the buffet, and almost all food items were placed on our plate for us (helpful in minimizing the spread of food-borne illness).

The breakfast selection featured everything we expected, and a little more—from cold cuts and cheese to a fruit station with delectable options like papaya, raspberries and blackberries. We loved the array of pastries, and there was a station for fried eggs and omelets, and bacon, sausage, potatoes and other sides were nearby. One complaint: We found the brewed coffee not as good here as other restaurants on the ship (cappuccinos and the like could be had from the automated coffee station).

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For lunch, the hot buffet station included such fare as grilled king clip fillet with vegetable aioli, veal scaloppini saltimbocca, and the grill had various meats cooked to order. In addition to a salad bar there was a variety of prepared salads that changed daily—Tuscan lentil salad, Caesar with grilled chicken, marinated tomato and fennel with prawns, Thai beef salad, etc. There was a carving station, a sushi spread, and a pasta bar with sauces that changed daily. Every couple days a lunch theme emerged—Mexican, Oriental, Seafood and Italian were featured on our cruise. We didn’t try all of these, but the south-of-the-border spread was probably our only disappointing lunch here.

Unexpectedly, it was at dinner where Terrace Grill really showed its strength, and a few of the dishes mirrored the offerings at the main dining room. We didn’t dine here in the evening till late in the cruise—some of the fare we missed included coq au vin, Palermo-style grilled swordfish, risotto with fava beans and morel mushrooms, a tajine of winter vegetables over couscous, a classic paella. There was a carving station nightly, which included beef Wellington one night, veal rack loin another. The night we dined at Terrace Grill we dived into Malaysian fish curry—prepared to order—king crab legs, coconut-miso sea bass wrapped in banana leaf, a sliver of prime rib, and sampled some of the competently prepared sushi. We didn’t have room for dessert, but the array was impressive.

While many guests enjoyed Jacques, we were somewhat disappointed by our meal here, especially considering this is the one venue that Oceania’s Executive Culinary Director Jacques Pépin chose to put his name on. The restaurant is designed to be an elegant French bistro, and the menu certainly looked appealing, with such traditional offerings as terrine of foie gras, escargots in garlic butter, sautéed frog legs, bouillabaisse, and Iberian rack of pork.

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For our starter we tried the baked French onion soup, which was capped with a crusty ceiling of Gruyère. We also sampled the pumpkin soup, which was impressively presented in a terrine made from a real pumpkin. But the soup that was spooned into our bowl was tepid. We asked our waiter to replace it, and a hot portion arrived seven or eight minutes later. For entrée we ordered the Dover sole, which was deboned at the table—the classic preparation with lemon and caper butter was enhanced with croutons that sopped up the juice. Dessert was an apple tarte, served Tatin-style. A cheese trolley was wheeled over and the selection of AOC French offerings was mouth-watering.

We liked the effort for tableside presentations, and the salmon-colored room is attractive, filled with pickled wood furnishings and a glass and brass show rotisserie. But despite a few windows, the view is obscured by curtains and, with only six two-top tables, we were unable to secure a reservation here for anything but a shared table. Maybe wit hit Jacques on an off night and perhaps we would have enjoyed it more with a table to ourselves, but we felt this meal should have been stronger, more nuanced.

Unique to Riviera and Marina, Red Ginger is one of the ship’s most popular specialty restaurants, an Asian fusion venue with a strong emphasis on a jazzy contemporary décor, and equally jazzy food. While our dinner was good, satisfying in the main, it was not quite the rapturous experience we’d been lead to expect. For instance, every diner receives a small bowl of traditional edamame to start, but this is kind of like receiving a basket of French bread. How more interesting it would have been to be served edamame presented with a dynamic new angle.

But we’re in the minority on this—a number of passengers we spoke to described Red Ginger as their favorite meal. And there’s no denying that the room itself—black, with red and gold accents—was quite handsome, each table graced with a flower-burst of flame ginger. The acoustics weren’t great, it’s a noisier room than the other specialty restaurants—we’d request one of the tables along the walls.

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For appetizer we had caramelized tiger prawns—succulent shrimps in a very sweet chili sauce. Another starter, crispy ginger calamari, was better, smartly seasoned and cooked. We found the tom kha gai too creamy, and not spicy enough—it tasted flat (and despite a red chili pepper on the menu used to indicate hot items). Spicy duck and watermelon salad could have been edgier, and we would have preferred seeded watermelon. The Thai beef salad, however, was lovely, studded with eggplant, shallots and basil.

Our entrées were more satisfying. The miso-glazed sea bass was excellent, the tender fish beautifully presented in what appeared to be a ginger leaf. Lobster pad Thai was a fine twist on a well-traveled road, with generous hunks of lobster flesh bursting from the silky noodles. Various sides were available—brown or jasmine rice, stir-fried udon noodles, broccoli and shitake mushrooms, and a meager portion of asparagus. For desserts, the cake was fine, if a bit filling after our feast; the trio of fruit sherbets was an excellent alternative, especially the coconut, which found just the right balance of cream and coconut flakes.

Our most disappointing meal on Riviera was undoubtedly Polo Grill, and that sentiment was shared by all four of us at our table, as well as other passengers we spoke with. A steakhouse on a cruise ship shouldn’t require reinventing the wheel, but we find it amazing how often cruise lines deliver a subpar steakhouse experience (and usually with an up-charge—not the case on Riviera). The room is fine, located on Deck 14 aft, tricked out with masculine dark wood paneling, contemporary art and padded leather chairs—it certainly looks the part.

Our appetizer was the shrimp cocktail, which won us over with massive shrimp served in a martini glass, hovering around a small puddle of cocktail sauce. When more cocktail sauce was offered we said yes and an avalanche was spooned on. The salad we ordered was described as “honey smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and aged cheddar cheese,” but it was decidedly ordinary: a few leaves of Romaine with tomatoes to the side topped with a grate of undistinguished cheddar and bacon crumbles. Dressing for this deconstructed dish was provided in ramekin—it was quite zesty and overwhelmed whatever flavor was to be found.

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The menu promised USDA prime, but for a main we ordered the Colorado rack of lamb, a quartet of plump, if petite chops. The dish was okay, but the lamb could have been better seasoned. Off-the-shelf mint jelly was spooned on the side; we would have preferred a savory mint sauce. A side dish of potatoes au gratin was good, a smallish portion suited for one. We also sampled the prime rib—available in a 16-ounce queen’s cut or a 32-ounce, bone-in king’s cut—we found it mediocre. The dessert selection aimed higher, and key lime pie emerged as the standout for our table. For sheer gumption, the chocolate mousse “burger” on an almond bun with apricot jelly was a delight to see. The first bite was a surreal taste sensation, but thereafter it seemed ordinary.

Our service here was attentive, but the courses came out in ponderous fashion, making our meal at Polo Grill a near-three hour experience.

Located just opposite Polo Grill on Deck 14, Toscana is Riviera’s Italian restaurant. Although we didn’t experience anything groundbreaking here, we found our meals here satisfying. Many tables are next to or near the venue’s floor-to-ceiling windows, so it’s a good place to be parked for a scenic sunset sail-away. The long and diverse menu encourages a second visit. The selection of olive oils and vinegars alone is surprisingly inviting, sampled with bread and a roasted bulb of garlic.

For starters we enjoyed the decadent sformatino, a timbale of parmesan, served with black truffle sauce and spiked with fried artichoke leaves. Breaded, fried calamari came with spicy marinara and aioli sauces. Carpaccio of beef tenderloin with shaved parmesan and arugula was presented in classic style, as was the Caesar salad, prepared tableside. Sautéed jumbo shrimp was wrapped in prosciutto, while spinach salad was graced by Sardinian goat cheese and Kalamata olives. Not a loser in the bunch.

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For mains, we liked the filet mignon topped with sautéed garlic spinach and Gorgonzola cheese, flanked by grilled polenta tiles. And the pasta trio was perfect for those of us who couldn’t decide on a pasta dish: There was risotto with lobster, tortellini with ricotta and spinach, and fettuccini lathered in way too much cream—we lapped it up.

The wine tasting room just outside the Terrace Café on Deck 12 is the setting for a gourmet meal held on several nights of each cruise. It’s not a restaurant per se, more like a wine cellar that borrows the adjacent kitchen of Terrace Café for an occasional feast. Floor-to-ceiling windows line one side of the room, allowing passengers to drool over the event. Affiliated with Wine Spectator magazine, La Reserve has three different menus, each offering seven courses matched with seven wines. Two of the menus are priced $95 per person, plus 18-percent gratuity; the Connoisseur Menu (starring Kobe beef sous vide and Brittany blue lobster) is $165 plus gratuity. With a maximum of 24 guests each evening we’d strongly recommend booking before boarding (at least two of the nights filled weeks ahead of embarkation).

We chose the Discovery Menu for our evening at La Reserve, a night which began with the ship’s Executive Chef coming out to introduce his team, including sommelier, two waiters and a crew of three assistants. We were provided a glass of Bouvet brut for toasting, a French bubbly from the Loire, then seated at the long, walnut table for the amuse bouche of sea urchin panna cotta topped with caviar—a surprising spoonful of sea and dairy. The evening’s first course was a lobster and mascarpone pancake with carrot emulsion and rock chive cress, a dish that provided the crustacean the elegant stage it deserved. This was paired with Champagne Pommery brut rosé. A cream of porcini soup was sparked by three nuggets of duck foie gras interspersed with three wonderfully oily croutons—a Cervaro Castello della Sala chardonnay from Umbria was the rich and balanced accompaniment.

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Our third course was pumpkin ravioli with a sprinkle of crushed amaretto biscotti. The dish was sweet, and we expected a viognier would be too much for the pairing, but the Novelty Hill viognier from Washington was surprisingly complex, a fine marriage of equals with the ravioli. Bay scallops topped with Jamón Ibérico pata negra was petite but scrumptious—the scallops, we were assured, were fresh, loaded onto the ship during embarkation. Our fifth course was the 72-hour braised short rib, cooked sous vide and enticingly pink. It was ravishing in taste and texture, and nicely paired with Silver Trident’s Twenty Seven Fathoms, a cabernet sauvignon from Napa that quickly emerged as the table’s favorite (interestingly, the winery is owned by one of Oceania co-founders).

There was a cheese course, a slab of AOC Brie de Meaux, fragrant and perfectly ripe atop a toast with raisin-onion compote and quince jelly. Another cabernet sauvignon—Hess Collection Allomi Vineyard—was a voluptuous fruit bomb to contrast with the cheese, seducing us down the aisle to dessert. This was a mille-feuille comprised of a hundred sheets of paper-thin dough, interspersed with raspberry and vanilla cream—it was sweetly fragile and flavorful. Alas, the late harvest chenin blanc from Château la Varière accompanying this final course was the only one we found to be a letdown, a 2001 vintage that was metallic and discordant.

The overall meal consumed 3 hours, and wines were poured a healthy half-glass at a time (requests for refills were not refused). While we would not consider Riviera’s cuisine to be Michelin-star quality, La Reserve came close. It was a memorable meal and the wine selection was smartly chosen.

Located on the pool deck, just outside the Terrace Café, the Waves Grill was open for al fresco breakfasts and lunch till 4 p.m. daily. The morning selection was a streamlined version of what was offered at Terrace Café, and also served buffet style. This included an array of fresh fruits, cold cuts, yogurt and muesli. There was an egg station where omelets and fried eggs were cooked to order; next to it was a counter with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and potatoes.

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The lunch menu stuck primarily to hot sandwiches and Black Angus burgers. Star offering was the surf and turf sandwich—a couple grilled Florida lobster medallions and slices of filet mignon served on toasted ciabatta. It was quite tasty. The burgers were available in various formats—the Texan (grilled onions, bacon and BBQ sauce), the Romano (provolone, roasted peppers, pesto on ciabatta), the Maguro (soy and ginger marinated ahi tuna seared rare), etc. Hot dogs, Cajun chicken paillard, grilled mahi mahi and veggie burgers were also on offer.

Waves also served as the ship’s ice cream stand, and cups or cones were available with various toppings, along with milkshakes, malts and fruit smoothies.

This is Riviera’s private, eight-seat dining room, located between Polo Grill and Toscana. The decadent room, cast in bold red and white tones, can be reserved for the evening for $250. Guests may order off the menu of either Polo Grill or Toscana while relaxing on throne chairs upholstered in supple, white baby crocodile leather.

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With so many good dining options available on Riviera it seemed anathema to order in, but room service was available 24 hours. Duty called. The breakfast menu was limited to continental—a little surprising on an upmarket ship. We could order with a tag hung outside the room by 11 p.m. the night before; ordering by phone was also possible. The breakfast selection covered just about anything cold we would want—juices, fruit, yogurt, packaged cereal, along with toast, pastries, muffins and hot coffee.

We filled out our room tag and asked for breakfast to be delivered at 7:45 a.m. Nine minutes prior we received a call to the room to alert us that delivery was on the way, and 2 minutes later came the knock on the door. The table in our cabin was barely adequate to contain a meal for two (even a continental breakfast); the table on the veranda was even smaller.

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Our English muffin arrived warm warm, and pitchers of milk brought were hot for coffee and cold for our cereal. But the pot of coffee was not on par with what we were served in the Grand Dining Room. And the fruit plate was unimpressive—simply diced fruit, more like fruit cup. All in all it was fairly mediocre. We also noted that room service breakfast was not available on disembarkation morning (the one time when we’d otherwise consider it).

The 24-hour menu was a little more diverse. There was a selection of salads, including a chef’s pantry salad (with ham, roast beef, turkey, shrimp and cheese), an antipasto selection with cold cuts, and shrimp cocktail on bruschetta. Chicken consommé and French onion soup were offered. Sandwiches included grilled ham and cheese, turkey, roast beef and a club sandwich. Entrées included grilled strip steak, broiled chicken breast, salmon supreme—all served with steamed vegetables—spaghetti all Bolognese or hamburger. During the evening, guests residing in suites could order off the standard restaurant menus through their butler. Riviera had five bars covering most areas of the ship. There was another bar for the Riviera Lounge (open when shows were held), plus an excellent little coffee bar that was one of our favorite hangouts on the ship. Unlike most of the mainstream lines, bottled water, soft drinks, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, iced tea, dispensed juices and milk were all included in the cruise fare. However, unlike most of the luxury cruise lines, alcoholic drinks involved a surcharge.

Wines by the glass started at $8 for a chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon from La Terre; other options for a dollar or two more included Nobilo sauvignon blanc, Danzante pinot grigio, Estancia pinot noir reserve and Spellbound petite sirah; the Champagne available by the glass was Perrier-Jouet grand brut, for $18. The list was stronger for wines by the bottle and included such offerings as La Crema chardonnay ($52), Domaine Huet la Haut-Lieu vouvrey sec ($78), Greg Norman shiraz ($39), and Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($132). The very limited selection of beers included the usual American name brands for $5 to $6—Samuel Adams was the most exotic label we spotted.

Each day, a trio of drinks were listed in the Currents newsletter; the cocktails of the day could be had for $5. Happy hour (two-for-one) was offered each evening from 5 to 6 p.m. at most of the bars.

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This was a great spot on Riviera, a coffee bar on Deck 14 with seats overlooking the pool and out to the sea. With real Italian baristas preparing proper espresso-based drinks (using Trieste’s best, illy coffee), we almost felt transported to a seaside café in Italy. We came here often. The coffees may be spiked with various liquors for an add-on. There are small bites available from a deli case—pastries, croissants, cookies and biscotti—and juices in the morning. Don’t miss the delicious caramelized French pound cake, known as canelé (and you are forewarned: they are highly addictive).

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Riviera’s piano bar percolated with conversation and soothing music each evening—it was the busiest bar leading up to mealtime. During the day this spot was largely empty except when various activities transpired on sea days, announced in the ship’s newsletter. This included martini and vodka tastings (with a $15 add-on), presentations from the spa (culminating in a product pitch), social gatherings and, most entertainingly, lively Spanish lessons.

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This wasn’t a bar, per se, but an art-filled corridor that served as another preprandial gathering spot, with potted palms interspersed between chic couches and chairs. The ship’s string quartet played here for much of the evening. The full bar menu was available (drinks were prepared at the adjacent Casino Bar), and waiters were staffed in the evening. On one of the two evenings we stopped by for a drink, between sitting down and receiving our drink we waited almost 25 minutes. The server seemed unable to multi-task.

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Located next to the casino, this was Riviera’s most garish venue, awash in bright light that flooded the room from behind plexi wall coverings. The color of the lighting was adjustable, but usually the volume was set to full-on lavender. We wouldn’t call it ugly, but it was pretty brash compared to the rest of the ship. A half-dozen framed Picasso drawings were showcased here—wonder what he would have thought?

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This was Riviera’s one al fresco bar option, serving the pool area and those dining at the Waves Grill. Servers effectively canvassed the area for orders.

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Located on Deck 15, this was the bar with a view, a 270-degree panorama from Riviera’s highest indoor venue. The full bar menu was available here, and the bar was also used for various presentations on sea days, including Bingo, a needlepoint gathering, etc. In the evening there was live music and dancing, though this is not a ship that parties late.

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Each day at 4 p.m., Horizons was the setting for afternoon tea. This was a pretty great spread, with assorted finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a station for caramelized fruit. We only tried it once during our cruise—wish we’d stopped by earlier.

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The Tucson, Arizona-based wellness resort company Canyon Ranch has been operating on cruise ships since 2004, when the brand was brought onboard Queen Mary 2. Since then they have become a competitor to Steiner Leisure, the dominant name in cruise ship spas, currently found on most of the major cruise lines. Occupying the forward portion of Deck 14, Riviera’s Canyon Ranch Spa Club is a sleek and impressive facility, with a steam room, a Finnish sauna, men’s and women’s changing rooms, full salon and boutique selling Canyon Ranch (and other) products.

Costs for massage and skin care treatments ranged between 20 and 50 percent higher than typical Steiner Leisure prices on other cruise lines. But the list of treatments was expanded from the typical cruise selection, incorporating more Asian modalities than we usually see. Massage prices ranged from $165 for the 50-minute Canyon Ranch treatment to $278 for 80-minute deep tissue or sports massages; couples massages started at $330; facials started at $159 for the 50-minute deep cleaning or gentlemen’s facials. An 18-percent gratuity was added to all treatments, services and training in the spa, salon and gym. Other treatments included reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki, Ayurveda, acupuncture, wraps and scrubs, waxing, hair styling and coloring, manicures and pedicures. A few shorter treatments were offered daily at a discounted rate.

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Forward of the spa itself was the quiet Spa Terrace , a private area of the ship that contained shaded loungers, heated ceramic tile loungers, and a thalassotherapy pool, with a butler stationed for drink service. Capacity was limited, and access to the Spa Terrace involved an add-on fee: $25 per person for 1 day, $60 for 3 days, $175 for 10 days.

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The Fitness Center had more than 50 pieces of cardio and weight-training equipment featuring the latest from Technogym, including a pair of Kenesis stations. We found plenty of treadmills and bikes, and the gym was never over-crowded when we visited. Complimentary morning stretch, abs training, and legs, bums and tums sessions were available. Spinning, Yoga, and Pilates were offered for $11 per session; one-on-one training was available, starting at $77 for 25 minutes.

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Located mid-ship on Deck 12, Riviera has just one pool, but it is one of the more attractive swimming facilities we’ve enjoyed at sea, and generously sized for a midsized ship. Although the pool was usually adequate for the number of passengers, the two small whirlpool tubs were insufficient, and the loungers surrounding the pool were often at a premium (we usually grabbed one easily one deck above).

Bar (and food) service is available from the Waves Bar and Waves Grill, on opposite ends of the pool. For the most part there was no music at the pool, though on sea days a live band played (with great moderation) during the lunch hour.

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Although there’s no real promenade deck on Riviera, there was a decent amount of outdoor sunning space, with loungers available beyond the pool deck. Deck 14 had a good number of loungers overlooking the pool area, along with a pair of covered relaxation areas leading to the spa; the port side area was known as the Sanctuary , and we had a lovely nap here on a couple occasions when the sun was too bright.

The outdoor section of Deck 15 extended for only about one-third of the aft section of the ship. Accessed by stairs from Deck 14, this is where the jogging track was located, but it was fairly short—we’d estimate a lap was less than 600 feet in length. The ship’s Shuffleboard and Croquet/Bocce courts were also found here. Deck 16 , accessed by stairs from Deck 15, was a small forward section only, but with plenty of empty loungers for sunning. This is also where the mini-golf green was found, along with a practice golf cage and tennis court.

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One of the unique features of Riviera (and its sibling Marina) is the Bon Appétit-sponsored Culinary Center on Deck 12, with cooking stations for lessons conducted by guest chefs. Two classes on each sea day and (usually) one on port days were offered in the studio for hands-on cooking lessons covering subjects and recipes for topics such as pasta, fish, desserts and regional cuisines. There were 12 cooking stations shared by two students, and the charge for the two-hour classes was $69. We signed up for one based on food from the ship’s restaurant Red Ginger, preparing three of the venue’s most popular dishes (and receiving recipes for several others). The class was enjoyable and fast-paced, and we look forward to crafting the lobster pad Thai at home someday. We were impressed by the careful attention to health and sanitation requirements.

More hands-on creativity was invited at the Artist Loft , located opposite the Culinary Center. The ship brings aboard artists-in-residence to provide tutoring in their particular areas of expertise, in a class setting equipped with the tools and supplies for guests to create their own artworks. The artist on our particular cruise was undeniably talented and pleasant to interact with, but his classes leaned toward collage, with varying results. There was no charge for the classes, and they were packed on the days we peeked in.

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On Deck 15 there was an artificial green set up for Croquet and Bocci, along with a Shuffleboard court. Several competitions were organized (especially on sea days). On Deck 16 we found a tennis court, nine-hole mini-golf, and a practice golf cage. Next to the pool was an area for table tennis. Other activities included Team Trivia (held in the Riviera Lounge or Martinis once or twice daily), Duplicate Bridge, art auctions, and Bingo.

Located on Deck 5 forward, the Riviera Lounge was the ship’s showroom. While just one deck high the sightlines were generally acceptable in the center of the room, but we found on the sides, latecomers often blocked the aisles and view. But we didn’t feel like we were missing much. No matter whether the music showcased Andrew Lloyd Webber or the Rolling Stones, after a few days, a sense of sameness started to emerge.

Jean Ann Ryan Productions takes credit for the stage shows. The first, “Up in Flames,” was a tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, with three lead singers and six dancers; the backing band—at least it was live—featured eight musicians. The sound mix was thin, with the highs and lows clipped to avoid offending tender ears. The singers were good, but the dancers had very little room to work with, forcing the most basic staging an choreography. It was a very conservative, play-it-safe entertainment. Another night, “Now and Forever” was organized around the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and while the sound mix was still free of bass or treble, the costumes and staging were a little more assertive. We were not enticed to see the two remaining shows, “Rock On” and “Flower Power.”

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Other shows that took place in the lounge included a ventriloquist/singer with Muppet-like props and a musty routine, a comedian, and one of the ship’s singers performing a solo concert. Movies were also played here.

Other entertainment included the ship’s band playing by poolside at lunch on sea days, a pianist during the evening at Martini’s, and a string quartet that played in the Grand Bar, all of which we were enjoyed. There was also a band playing light dance music in Horizons most evenings (before 9 p.m.).

Riviera’s casino was at midship on Deck 6 and, though modestly sized, it was usually adequate for the number of passengers using it. There were a few dozen slot machines plus tables for Poker, Blackjack, Craps and a Roulette wheel. We noticed a surge of business on a couple nights as shows let out from the nearby Riviera Lounge—the Roulette table would go from empty to standing room only. As the chips dwindled, the players left, and within 20 minutes the table was virtually empty again.

Smoking was not allowed in or near the casino.

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Riviera’s graceful lobby was located on Deck 5. This is where the Reception Desk was found, along with Destination Services (shore excursions) and the Concierge . There were fine paintings, a couple carved pieces and an elegant curved staircase designed by Lalique, topped by a sparkling chandelier. There was rarely a line at the Reception Desk.

The Library was located on Deck 14, conveniently next to Baristas coffee bar. There was a fairly good range of books offered here, and we could “check out” two at a time (no one was on hand to monitor what went in and out). The leather chairs and ersatz fireplace were excellent spots to while away the day when the weather wasn’t cooperating.

In addition to the books, Oceania offered a worldwide newspaper service that provided full-format printed newspapers delivered direct to cabins on the morning of publication. The price was $6.50 per day, per newspaper (Sundays excepted). The periodicals included New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, the Times UK and a number of others, including major European papers.

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Also located on Deck 14 next to Oceania@Sea was the Board Room was where we found most of the ship’s games, along with a few card tables for informal play. There was a sign-up sheet for Chess, Mahjong and other games.

On our cruise there was a duo teaching Bridge and overseeing Duplicate Bridge games on sea days; the lessons and games were held inside the Polo Grill. We sat in on a couple of lessons and found the teaching style a bit confused—beginners were quickly in over their heads. We also sat in on a round of Duplicate Bridge one day, joined by about 35 other very competitive guests.

There is no facility or program for children on Riviera. “We don’t really cater to families,” explained an Oceania sales representative.

Shopping on Riviera was concentrated into a trio of side-by-side boutiques located on Deck 5, next to the lobby. The selection wasn’t broad, but the stores were spacious and uncrowded. We saw little that we haven’t seen on most other cruise ships.

One shop carried men’s and women’s clothing from brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Joseph Ribkoff, and Las Olas. There was Oceania logo merchandize—T-shirts, golf shirts, visors, mugs, backpacks, and teddy bears—a few books, snacks and a small selection of sundries such as razors, deodorant, etc. One space was reserved for handbags, including Furla, Chopard, and Alviero Martini, while next door was fragrances and beauty products. The jewelry store featured David Yurman and H. Stern, along with watches from Rado, Yarmond Weill, Dior, DKNY and Fossil.

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With a crew of 800 aboard Riviera, there were 1.6 guests for each crewmember, an above-average amount of staff for the cruise industry. For comparison, on the newest Cunard and Celebrity ships there are 2.1 to 2.4 passengers (respectively) for each crewmember; on Seabourn and Silversea ships it’s 1.3 to 1.5 passengers per crewmember.

We found overall service to be quietly discrete—that is, not showy. The senior officers of the ship did not (that we observed) mingle with most passengers. Things got taken care of, but we found that in the specialty restaurants service could was a little uneven, sometimes rushed.

Overall, we didn’t find the crew much more polished than those on less expensive mainstream cruise lines, so Oceania’s $15-per-day day (per person) automatic gratuity seemed out of line. To justify the highest gratuity rate in the industry, we’d expect service on par with what we experience at a typical Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton resort. It wasn’t.

A daily newsletter, Currents, was distributed to our cabin each evening, covering the activities schedule and hours of operation for the following day. All announcements by the cruise director were handled in English, and they were kept to a minimum, which was refreshing.

Letters and postcards with appropriate postage can be dropped off at the Reception Desk for mailing. Postage may be purchased for a “nominal fee;” mail is collected one hour prior to sailing from each port of call. We had one brief phone call home from our room, which was charged at a rate of $4.95 per minute.

The guest directory says passports will be collected by ship staff upon embarkation, “in order to facilitate the ship’s clearance in each port.” For our cruise, passports were checked but not collected during embarkation.

Right behind the ship’s espresso bar on Deck 14, and opposite the Library, Oceania@Sea was Riviera’s internet station. There were 33 PCs available for use, but we could also log onto the ship’s WiFi signal with our own devices.

The per-minutes rate was a steep 99 cents a minute (the highest we’ve seen at sea), plus $3.95 activation fee, but a more-reasonable 200-minute package was available for $160 (.80/min). The best deal was an unlimited internet access package, priced $27.99 per person, per day.

{{photo_gallery "Oceania Riviera p6 g2"}}

Oceania maintains a fairly relaxed dress code, and no formal nights were designated on our cruise. The recommended attire throughout the cruise was “resort or country club-casual.” For evening dining, “elegant casual resort wear is suggested.” Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, athletic footwear and sandals were not permitted in the Grand Dining room or specialty restaurants. At the Terrace Café dressy shorts and casual shirts were allowed in the evening. Tank tops and swimsuits were not permitted in any restaurants at any time of day.

Self-service laundry facilities are located on decks 7 through 11. Self-service laundry tokens were available through the reception desk. Tokens were $2 per wash and $2 per dry. Detergent, irons and ironing boards were available for use here.

For the safety drill held just prior to sailing away, we were required to bring our life jackets from the cabin, and room keys were checked against a list. Those not in the muster station during the drill were called for over the P.A. system.

Riviera was generally very clean through, as we would have expected (being a new ship).

A clinic is located on Deck 4. Hours were 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. (medical/nurse assistance was available 24 hours).

There were only two designated smoking areas on Oceania Riviera, one inside and one out. These were in the port-side corner of Horizons Bar on Deck 15, in a glassed room set apart from the rest of the bar; and on the forward starboard side of Deck 12, the pool deck. Smoking was not allowed in any other outdoor areas, inside the casino, or in cabins and on their balconies. The policies appeared to be well enforced, as we never saw anyone abusing them.

Oceania Cruises has what is probably the highest gratuity surcharge in the industry. For those in standard cabins a “suggested gratuity” of $15 per guest, per day is automatically added to shipboard accounts “for your steward or stewardess and all restaurant staff.” Guests in Owner’s, Vista, Oceania or Penthouse suites are charged an additional $7 per guest, per day for butler service. Gratuities are pooled. An 18-percent gratuity was automatically added to all beverage purchases, spa and salon services, and for dinner in La Reserve.

Cash advances were available, applied to your credit card, up to $500 per day, incurring a 5 percent service fee. Foreign currency exchange was limitedly available—euros while sailing in Europe—also incurring a 5 percent service fee.

A $25 corkage fee is applied for wine bottles brought aboard for consumption in the restaurants or bars. However, Oceania also “reserves the right to confiscate and retain all alcohol bought ashore for consumption onboard the vessel.” This policy seemed to give the cruise line a lot of latitude to make alcohol decisions on a case-by-case basis. Alcoholic beverages are served to guests age 21 and up only.

Oceania Club is the frequent-cruiser program of Oceania Cruises. Credits are issued for each voyage—1 credit for itineraries up to 24 days, 2 credits for cruises of 25 to 34 days, etc.

With 2 to 4 credits—Blue level—members are invited to a cocktail reception, receive members-only offers and receive a 10-percent discount on Oceania logo merchandize. Bronze level is achieved with 5 to 9 credits and members additionally receive a $200 shipboard credit and a 20-percent discount on internet packages. At 10 credits members attain Silver status, which boosts the shipboard credit to $400, adds in pre-paid gratuities and avails a 10-percent discount on shore excursions and beverage packages. Additional levels and benefits are attained at 15 points (Gold), 20 points (Platinum) and 40 points (Diamond). A free cruise, with certain restrictions, is offered when reaching the Platinum and Diamond levels.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Review: Oceania Riviera cruise ship

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Riviera cruise ship facts

  • 1,250 guests
  • 2012 launched
  • 2022 refurbished

Riviera is a great choice for those who like a mid-sized ship. It has lots of restuarants and on board activities, as well as designer-style accommodation.

In this review

  • Riviera FAQs
  • Our review ratings
  • Riviera deck plan
  • About Oceania’s Riviera
  • Food on Oceania’s Riviera
  • Nightlife on Riviera
  • Staterooms and suites
  • Fitness and recreation
  • Riviera’s shore excursions
  • Activities on Riviera
  • What’s included on Riviera
  • Oceania Riviera dress code
  • Fellow guests
  • Riviera review conclusion

Riviera has all the benefits of a large cruise ship while being small enough to visit places the big ships can’t reach. Indeed, Riviera has itineraries stretching from the far east to remote polar regions. On board, guests are spoilt for choice with eight dining venues, as well as a wide range of refurbished staterooms and suites.

The Riviera deck plan  is easy to get around and it never feels crowded. There are lots of lounges and public spaces for relaxing, and the open decks are a treat. However, there are things worth knowing; like what your cruise fare includes, which restaurants are the best and how your choice of accommodation can change the cruise experience.

  • The outstanding Red Ginger restaurant.
  • Refurbished staterooms and suites.
  • Never feels crowded
  • Service can be patchy.
  • Not as intimate as Oceania’s smaller vessels.

Is Oceania’s Riviera luxury?

Riviera is considered to be a luxury cruise ship. The food can be very good and it has up-market, resort-style amenities.

Does Riviera have formal nights?

No, Riviera does not have formal nights.

What is the average age on Riviera?

Most guests range in age from 35 to 75-years old.

Are drinks included on Oceania’s Riviera?

Soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea and juices are included. Special promotions like Simply More cruise fares also include alcoholic drinks at lunch and dinner.

Does Riviera included gratuities?

No, gratuities are not included; with the exception of residents from Australia and New Zealand where gratuities are bundled into the cruise fare.

The Riviera deck plan is easy to get around. There are a total of 9 passenger decks, the highest of which is deck 16.

  • Reception : Deck 5
  • Accommodation : Decks 7 to 12
  • Main dining room : Deck 6
  • Theatre : Deck 5
  • Observation lounge : Deck 15

It is worth noting that there is no deck 13 on Riviera.

Riviera is an Oceania-class cruise ship built in Italy and launched in May 2012. It is larger than most other ships in the Oceania Cruises fleet. Indeed, Riviera is 239 m. / 785 ft. long with 15 passenger decks.

The Grand Staircase on Oceania's Riviera cruise ship.

The cruise ship has room for 1,250 guests, that is the same number as Marina and the newer Vista. By contrast the smaller R-class ships like Nautica and Regatta carry just 656-guests.

Riviera was entirely refurbished in 2022. Oceania Cruises boast every surface of every suite and stateroom is entirely new.  

The Grand Dining Room on Oceania's Riviera cruise ship.

On my review voyage I found that many of Riviera’s public spaces also have a fresh new look, including restuarants like The Grand Dining Room. The decor is inspired by the palette of the ocean. I think it strikes just the right balance; Riviera looks luxurious, but it never feels pretentious.

The food on Riviera is central to the cruise experience. Indeed, the cuisine is given a reverence rarely found on a ship this size. As if to underscore that point there are no fewer than eight dining venues to choose from.

Riviera has a main dining room, a buffet, a poolside grill and a cafe for light bites. What’s more there are also six speciality restaurants, four of which are free-of-charge. Indeed, they are among the main reasons for choosing a Riviera cruise vacation.  

Red Ginger's Miso Glazed Seabass.

I rate the Asian-inspired Red Ginger as the best restaurant on board . Indeed, it is one of the best Asian restaurants at sea. With signature dishes like Spicy Duck & Watermelon Salad and Miso-glazed Sea Bass it is not to be missed.

Jacque Pépin's Iberian Pork Rack with Oven Roasted Red Delicious Apple.

There is classic French fare in Jacques which serves an excellent Lobster Thermidor as well as succulent Carré de Porc – Iberian Pork Rack with Oven Roasted Red Delicious Apple. The Polo Grill steakhouse has a delightful Roasted Beetroot & Garlic Goats Cheese Napoleon as well as prime steaks, chops and seafood from the grill. The Italian Toscana restaurant prepares delicious al dente pasta along with northern Italian specialties.

There is also La Reserve with a food and wine pairing experience as well as private dining in Privée, both for an additional fee.

It’s worth noting that you must have a reservation to dine in one of the specialty restaurants – walk-ins are usually not admitted.

Insider’s tip: To book speciality dining whilst on board visit the restaurant reservation desk, located in the foyer on deck 5. I could often make same-day bookings any time after 3:00pm; so long as I took a late sitting.

The Grand Dining Room's Pistachio Semifreddo.

The magnificent Grand Dining Room retains a classic charm, not to mention an impressive menu which changes each night. That said, on my review voyage the quality of the cuisine was, on occasion, inconsistent.

If you prefer a more casual dining experience there is a buffet in the Terrace Cafe, as well as poolside pleasers like burgers and hot dogs at Waves Grill.

Light snacks as well as tea and coffee are available at Baristas cafe. In-room dining is also available 24-hours a day.

Riviera has a good selection of nightlife entertainment . The Quadrivium String Quartet play in the Grand Bar most evenings and there is a lively pianist in Martinis bar.

A cast performance on Oceania's Riviera cruise ship.

You can see cast shows in the Riviera Lounge theatre. Though it’s worth noting these can have a hint of cruise ship cliche about them. On the other hand, the guest entertainers were thoroughly enjoyable. Showtime is usually 9:30pm.

There is also late-night entertainment in Horizons bar with hosted karaoke and performances by the Riviera band.

All of Riviera’s staterooms and suites were entirely refurbished in 2022. They are bright and airy with a decor that reflects the tone and palette of the sea.

Riviera has a wide range of staterooms and suites to choose from. There are Inside Staterooms – these are the least expensive rooms on board. Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms have a lovely picture window. These can be a good choice for cold climate voyages when poor weather can make a veranda unpleasant.

A Veranda Stateroom on Oceania's Riviera.

That said, Riviera’s Veranda Staterooms are a delight. So too are the near identical Concierge Level Staterooms which come with extra perks like laundry allowances.

A Veranda Stateroom on Oceania's Riviera.

It’s worth noting that the bathrooms in the Veranda and Concierge Staterooms have been entirely remodelled. The bathtub has been removed making way for a large walk-in, rain-water shower.

For those who like more space there are also four large suite categories on Riviera. The Penthouse Suite is the most popular of these. It is like a junior suite in a hotel. However, the one-bedroom Oceania Suite is our preference, especially those with enviable midship positions. The extra spacious Vista Suites are even larger while the palatial Owner’s Suites are perched high at the stern and span the entire beam.

Keeping fit and looking good on Oceania’s Riviera is easy. There is a large gym with free weights and exercise machines, as well as pilates and yoga classes. You can play shuffleboard, practice your golf swing in the driving nets or enjoy the views from the jogging track on the top deck.  

The gym onboard Oceania's Riviera cruise ship.

Riviera has a large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a glorious teak deck with lots of comfortable sun loungers.  

Also, there are wellness treatments in the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center as well as a steam room, a spa terrace and a full service salon.

Riviera’s shore excursions

There are shore excursions for people of all abilities and interests on Oceania’s Riviera. They range from panoramic bus tours to small group cultural explorations.  

A whale wachting excusrion in Iceland.

There are cooks tours of local markets, hiking trips and journeys to white sand beaches. On my review voyage I went whale watching in Iceland and also visited a prize-winning Norwegian garden on a small group tour.  

A private garden in Forresfhord, Norway.

Oceania’s Riviera has some unique on board activities like cookery classes in the Culinary Center. On my review voyage these were enormously popular. There are also painting lessons in The Artists Loft with the ship’s artist-in-residence.  

The Culinary Center on Oceania Riviera.

In addition, the usual shipboard activities are also available including lectures from guest speakers, bridge, trivia, mar jongg, table tennis and a Mensa Daily Quiz. Other activities include dance classes, Diamond Parties in the boutique, Wine Tasting (for a fee) and a free Captains Cocktail Celebration.  

Riviera also has get-togethers for friends of Dorothy, friends of Bill W and solo cruisers.  

All the activities are posted in the daily Currents newsletter.

The Library on the Riviera cruise ship.

Riviera has a popular and well stocked library with cozy nooks for reading. Next to the library is a games room with chess, backgammon, Scrabble, Monopoly and more.

There are also boutiques on Riviera selling jewellery, designer clothing and travel essentials.

A basic Oceania Cruises fare on Riviera includes all meals, even in the specialty restaurants. Soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea and juices are also included.

Oceania Cruises Simply More brochure.

At the time of writing Oceania Cruises Simply More fares also included a House Select Beverage Package as well as a shore excursion credit of between USD600 – 1,600 per stateroom or suite.

However, gratuities are no longer included for most people. Interestingly, residents from Australia and New Zealand will continue to have gratuities included in their cruise fares.

In addition, Riviera usually has a free shuttle bus service between the port and downtown.

There is also a self-service laundry, although guests staying in Concierge Level staterooms and Suites get a free laundry allowance.

The Riviera dress code is described as ‘country club casual’. In other words, smart casual wear is ideal.

During the day guests wear shorts, jeans and T-shirts. However, it is important to note that tank tops or swimsuits should not be worn in any of the restaurants.

After 6:00pm the Riviera dress code steps up a notch. Men wear slacks and a shirt (jacket optional). Women wear slacks or a skirt, and a blouse.

Riviera does not have formal nights.

Riviera is a popular cruise ship. Indeed, on my review voyage many guests had sailed on Riviera before.

Guests generally range in age from 35 to 75-years old. However it’s worth noting that there can be families on board too, especially on warm weather voyages.

Most guests come from the U.S.A, but there are usually Britons, Canadians and Australians as well.

Oceania Riviera is gay-friendly.

Riviera is a great choice for those who like a mid-sized ship with lots of dining options and on board activities. It is also well suited to people who want unique excursions ashore.

However, Riviera’s larger size means some guests might find it a little bit impersonal. Also, on busy voyages the service can occassionaly be patchy.

That said, I think Riviera offers a very good cruise vacation experience. 

Read the accommodation section of this Oceania Riviera review by clicking the images below.

The author sailed as a guest of Oceania Cruises .

About the Author: Jason Kerr

oceania cruise lines reviews

Riviera Rooms

Riviera dining, riviera nightlife, riviera wellness.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Thanks for the details. Are you going to review this ship again after the refurbishment last year? Photos of the updated cabins and suites would be excellent.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Thanks for your note. We certinaly hope to!

Regards Jason Kerr Managing Editor

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T+L's Review of Oceania Cruises' Vista

Oceania Cruises' new ship, Vista, has a resort-style pool, a stunning cocktail bar, and spacious cabins.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

​​I woke up to gray skies as Oceania Vista pulled into the port of Naples, Italy. Determined to reverse my weather luck, I went to deck 12 for a Morning Sunrise smoothie at Aquamar Kitchen. It worked. Some combination of the restaurant’s white-tile backsplash and baby-blue accents and the tropical smoothie brightened my mood. Heartened, my husband and I decided to brave the rain and set out in search of life-changing pizza. 

Last week, I was one of 1,200 passengers on Oceania Cruises’ first new ship in 11 years. With the debut of Vista , the brand, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, rolled out its new Allura class of ship. It’s the first Oceania vessel where every room has a balcony, and it launched with Starlink (yes, the Elon Musk Wi-Fi), which was strong enough for me to take a Zoom call in the middle of the Tyrrhenian Sea with my camera on. Of Vista ’s 11 bars and restaurants, three are entirely new to Oceania — including a high-end cocktail counter that’s giving Death & Co. at sea, and the health-focused Aquamar with made-to-order salads, protein-dominant lunch bowls, and pressed juices.

There are, however, venues that faithful Oceania cruisers will recognize, like steak house Polo Grill and Italian restaurant Toscana, also on the Oceania-class ships, Riviera and Marina , and the older Regatta-class vessels. I was particularly excited to eat at Toscana, not only because I’d heard about the olive oil cart, but because Giada De Laurentiis — the ship’s godmother who sailed with us and christened Vista in a portside ceremony in Valletta, Malta — supplied two recipes for the menu. As someone who watched a lot of Everyday Italian in the early aughts, I felt strongly about trying her signature Capri-inspired lemon spaghetti. The lemon-cream sauce with grilled shrimp and capers delivered . It was easily the most talked-about dish on board, with the exception of the duck-and-watermelon salad at pan-Asian restaurant Red Ginger.

I hit the jackpot – which, on Vista , isn’t winning big at the deck-six casino, it’s scoring a Red Ginger reservation — about halfway through our cruise, as we sailed from Malta to Naples. From our corner table, my husband and I took in the glass-and-gold light fixtures and the geometric black aluminum dividers that created cozy seating nooks near the windows. We dug into tuna and salmon sashimi, pork-and-vermicelli spring rolls, and — of course — the famed duck-and-watermelon salad (which lived up to the hype), all paired with a Sonoma chardonnay. The showstopper, though, was the medium-rare bulgogi rib-eye plated on chic, blue-rimmed Tokyo Design Studio ceramic. We capped our night at Martinis — bet you can guess what that bar serves — where a pianist plays every night and the well of Elton John covers and The Botanist gin seemingly never runs dry.

Maya Kachroo-Levine/Travel+Leisure

Most nights, though, Founders Bar was the spot. New to Oceania, its most ambitious bar aboard has a menu of 26 intricate cocktails that use house-made syrups and top-shelf booze like Whistle Pig and parsley-infused Grey Goose. Of those cocktails, we tried nine (a decent showing, but not our best), and kept coming back to the Not So Sure, a potent take on an old fashioned made with Earl Grey tea–infused Woodford Reserve bourbon.

We marveled over the mixology — smoke, bubbles, and botanical spritzes were all part of the show — with other industry insiders, including Oceania executives and travel advisors who’d joined the preview sailing. Still, the onboard demographic was typical for Oceania, which tends to attract travelers in their 60s. That’s where the stories are. We dined with one couple, in their mid-80s, who have done two month-long stints on Oceania ships. They spent our meal at Ember, Vista ’s new American restaurant, telling us about the preparations that go into cruising the east coast of Africa to safeguard against Somali pirate attacks. Another gentleman, who grew up visiting Malta, sent us to the Valletta pub where actor Oliver Reed spent his time while shooting “Gladiator.” (Apparently, one night, Reed challenged British sailors to a drinking contest — and died in that very bar. At the unassuming pub on a Valletta side street, you can buy a shirt with Reed’s final, unpaid bar tab: eight pints; 12 double rums; 14 whiskeys. We opted for a slightly more restrained order.)

That said, the ship really is putting in the work when it comes to appealing to millennials. There’s the excellent Wi-Fi; pickleball ( America’s fastest growing sport , by the way, with NPR reporting “the strongest growth among players under 55”); a very Sweetgreen-like salad counter at Aquamar; and a coffee shop that looks like one in walking distance of my home in L.A. (marble counters, gold accents, leather bar stools) and pulls an espresso shot of similar quality. 

Meanwhile, Oceania has vastly expanded the number of tours and excursions available, something that should also appeal to a younger crowd. “These aren’t the run-of-the-mill shore excursions that everyone is used to on cruises,” promises Frank Del Rio, Jr., the new president of Oceania Cruises, in an interview with Travel + Leisure . All in, the company has developed more than 100 of these new, smaller-group choices, which leverage the expertise of locals and unlock under-the-radar activities, as T+L   contributing editor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon recently reported . These “Go Local” tours brought Greaves-Gabbadon to locals’ homes in little-known destinations, like the “Croatian hamlet of Škopljanci (population: nine), where a local farmer welcomed me with homemade cherry schnapps.” 

Eager to find my own version of a nine-person town with cherry schnapps, I opted for a spin around Corsica that promised a visit to the mountains of Vizzavona and “Corsican snacks.” We took an astounding drive from the western port city of Ajaccio to Hôtel-Restaurant Monte d'Oro in the center of the island. I found our guide easy to tune out (she was, indeed, a local, but her monologue felt more suited to an old-school cruise tour of 50 people, rather than a group of 20 snack enthusiasts). But I loved watching the landscape transform from beach and sparkling sea to Alps-rivaling mountain views as our bus climbed 3,815 feet to Vizzavona. Waiting for us inside the hotel, the oldest on Corsica, dating back to 1880, was an impressive charcuterie spread, served under vines weeping down from wood-paneled ceilings. After lunch, I chatted with a server about the biodynamic red wine they were pouring and cozied up in the hotel’s sitting room, where I pulled a Molière biography from a paperback-cluttered shelf and read quietly aloud to my husband. I assume he loved it.

I did absolutely no research on Corsica  – beyond reading the excursion pamphlet on my flight from Paris to Rome, and skimming Napoleon's Wikipedia page. And yet, I still wound up on a stunning stretch of the island I would have never known about. I didn’t have to worry about how to get there. All I had to worry about was how long I had before my husband’s patience ran out on my very slow French-to-English translation of Molière’s life.

Other culinary adventures are a key part of Oceania’s effort to appeal to all age ranges. On Vista, there are 17 new culinary tours on top of an already robust lineup of cooking classes. Executive chef Kathryn Kelly says, in various ports, foodies will head to the market (like the main open-air agorá on Corfu, Greece ), with shopping assignments and euros from Vista chefs. Then, they’ll come back on board for a class at the ship’s culinary center, which is three times larger than the ones on older ships.

After a morning of shopping and an afternoon of Corsican charcuterie, I returned to my cabin and posted up on my balcony to watch as we pulled away from Ajaccio. My concierge-level stateroom, at 270 square feet, had a sizable balcony, a queen-size bed, and a double shower. (I spoke to several experienced Oceania cruisers who were beyond excited about the increased size of the showers.) Though the rooms are about the same square footage as those on other Oceania ships, the Vista designs make smarter use of the floor plan, said Greg Walton, CEO of Studio Dado, the firm that designed most of the ship. To take one example, closets were moved from next to the bed to a spot closer to the door, which freed up room to expand those showers, Walton explained in a conversation with T+L.

The new Allura-class Vista has more suites than others in the Oceania fleet, too: there are 14 Oceania Suites (up to 1,200 square feet); eight Vista Suites (up to 1,850 square feet); and three Owner’s Suites with Ralph Lauren Home decor, two massive terraces, and 2,400 square feet of space. 

As we sailed away from Corsica, I went up to the main pool area, which Walton said is “designed to feel like a resort” with cabanas and light wood–colored accents, ordered a barrel-aged Negroni, and took it with me to the whirlpool. After my soak, I watched the sunset from Polo Grill, over martinis and filet mignon, and then went back to Founders Bar, to continue my absolutely crucial cocktail-sampling mission. 

After seven days on Vista — the longest I’ve ever spent on a ship — I was surprised by how much I wanted to stay on board. I wasn’t ready to part with my new routine, from early Morning Sunrise smoothies to Not So Sure cocktails before bed. “Next year, 40 percent of our trips will be 30-plus days or longer,” Del Rio says. Dubbed Grand Voyages, those itineraries have been extremely popular among Oceania guests as they return to cruising. “We have the 180-day around-the-world cruise that we also sell in segments,” he adds.

Vista will sail in Europe this summer — a June itinerary, for example, goes from Athens to Istanbul in 10 days, from $5,089 per person , including food; select wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages; six shore excursions; and a $600 credit to use on board toward spa services or top-shelf drinks. The ship will come stateside in the fall, starting with an 11-day sail from New York to Montreal, then head to the Caribbean for the winter. A seven-day round-trip cruise from Miami, visiting Mexico, Belize, and Honduras, starts at $2,228 per person (or $318 a day for the trip, including food, non-alcoholic drinks and house wine, four excursions, and a $400 onboard credit).

Cruise the world for six months on Oceania's newest ship for around $70K

oceania cruise lines reviews

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship is heading on a world tour.

The upscale cruise line’s 2026 Around the World voyage will take place on its Oceania Vista ship, which launched last year. The 180-day journey will take guests to 101 ports in 43 countries, and the ship will have all the trappings of a state-of-the-art vessel − a novel combination for the line.

“We always as operators considered the world cruise itinerary best used for older tonnage,” Frank A. Del Rio, the line’s president, told USA TODAY. “There was always this mindset that your newest and best ship had to go towards the … best-yielding itineraries, perhaps in the old days.”

World cruises often take place on older ships .

But in talking with guests, he heard previous Oceania world cruisers express excitement about Vista’s updated technology, open spaces and expanded onboard programming (particularly handy on the many sea days of a longer voyage).

What is a world cruise? It's not a 'shoot-from-the-hip decision'

When the cruise opened for bookings earlier this month, Del Rio said, the line saw record bookings. “We've never taken that many inquiries for a world cruise ever,” he said.

The response also speaks to “where our base guest is at in terms of further exploration.”  

But it’s not too late to book. Here’s what travelers can expect from the cruise.

When is Oceania’s 2026 Around the World voyage?

The 1,200-passenger Vista will sail round trip from Miami on Jan. 6, 2026. The line also is offering a slightly longer 197-day version beginning Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles or a shorter 120-day voyage starting in San Diego on March 7.

Story continues below.

Where will the cruise sail?

Guests will spend six weeks cruising around South America, followed by visits to Mexico and California. The sailing will continue with stops at South Pacific islands, including Moorea and Bora Bora, before heading to Australia.

There, guests will visit marquee ports such as Sydney and lesser-visited destinations like the Whitsunday Islands. Del Rio said that while Vista is bigger than Oceania’s typical world cruise vessel, “she’s still of a good size where we can still get into a lot of the smaller ports and definitely offer a better array of ports” than larger ships.

Southeast Asia, India, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and the Nordic region will follow before the trip winds down along the U.S. East Coast, with final visits in New York and Charleston, South Carolina.

The itinerary features 11 overnight stops , including in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Papeete on Tahiti and Phuket in Thailand, giving guests extra time to explore.

How much does the cruise cost?

Available staterooms start at $68,099, according to Oceania’s website . The fare includes meals on board, Wi-Fi, an $8,800 shore excursion credit per stateroom and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Oceania Insignia Deck Plans & Reviews

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Oceania Insignia

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Activities & entertainment

  • Wine Tastings *
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  • Terrace Café - Casual
  • The Patio - Casual
  • Waves Grill - Casual
  • Lounge - Clubby Lounge *
  • Baristas / Grand Bar - Gourmet Coffee
  • Grand Dining Room - International
  • Toscana - italian
  • Martinis - Martini Bar *
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  • Horizons - Sophisticated Bar *
  • Polo Grill - Steakhouse
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  • Very Good 5
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Starlink on cruise ships: Which lines have faster internet connections on board?

View from cruise ship with laptop on table, Alaska, USA

No matter how far your cruise roams, staying connected to the internet can be as important for some cruisers as oxygen and water. Whether you're keen on live-streaming penguins from your balcony on an Antarctica cruise, catching up on your favorite TV series or hopping on a Zoom call in the middle of the Pacific, connectivity and high-speed access are now considered essentials when cruising.

In the past, cruise lines struggled to keep up with the demand for seamless connectivity at sea. In the middle of an ocean, ships had to rely on satellite systems that could be unreliable, prohibitively expensive and maddeningly slow. Satellite systems allotted only so much broadband for each ship, and every ship carried thousands of people, each with multiple devices.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

A better solution was required. Enter Starlink, the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet. Part of Elon Musk's SpaceX program, Starlink now provides many cruise ships with bandwidth that can support streaming, online gaming, video calls and more worldwide. Starlink debuted in 2019 and has quickly revolutionized how hundreds of cruise ships provide internet access, boosting connectivity and capacity as ships roam the world.

Will your next cruise offer landlike Wi-Fi speeds? Here is everything you need to know about Starlink on cruise ships.

How does Starlink work?

oceania cruise lines reviews

Compared to standard communications satellites, which orbit from 22,000 miles away, Starlink's thousands of satellites orbit the atmosphere from about 340 miles above the Earth's surface. With much closer proximity to Earth, Starlink's data connections offer stronger and faster connections and provide the opportunity for more bandwidth on cruise ships.

The coverage of the Starlink satellites is extensive and growing, with more than 5,400 satellites currently in orbit and plans in future years to reach up to 42,000 satellites in orbit at once. Traditional satellite networks have a much more limited fleet and reach, especially in some of the ocean's most remote areas. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation, with near-complete coverage of all the world's oceans and waterways.

The Starlink system is affixed to ships as a series of flat panels positioned on upper decks, replacing the now antiquated domes often placed near the ship's funnel and radar masts.

Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

How fast is Starlink internet access?

Starlink's website estimates download speeds that range from 40 to over 200 Mbps and upload speeds that come in at 8 to more than 25 Mbps, with a latency of less than 99 milliseconds. These are wide-ranging estimates that don't factor in cruise ship-based throttling, cruise ship capacity, global positioning and the costs and challenges of outfitting a cruise ship with bow-to-stern Wi-Fi connectivity.

The industrial-strength steel frames and fireproof materials used throughout the ship make a strong, consistent signal throughout a cruise ship an industry-wide challenge. There will be patches on a ship, regardless of which line you're sailing, where you'll find a weaker signal. Signals are often at their strongest in the main public gathering areas.

Similar to traditional satellites, severe weather can be a factor in Starlink connections while at sea. Intense storms can bring temporary service interruptions or reduced speeds, while heavy rain or snowfall can cause signal attenuation, which might cause a brief loss of connectivity.

Cruises with Starlink

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Here's a full rundown of all the major cruise lines sailing with the new Starlink technology. How much will the connectivity cost you? Check TPG's guide to Wi-Fi access on cruise ships.

Note: Starlink on cruises can be a white label service, depending on the line. While the cruise line might not advertise that it uses the new Wi-Fi technology, the list below will help to identify which lines are sailing with Starlink.

Azamara 's fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There are three levels of bandwidth available: Social Wi-Fi (with access only to popular social media and airline websites), Value Wi-Fi (for email, news, weather, banking and other basic websites) and Premium Wi-Fi (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises ' entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There are two levels of bandwidth available: Basic Wi-Fi (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium Wi-Fi (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Cunard 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There are two levels of bandwidth available: Essential (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line does not currently use Starlink Wi-Fi.

Holland America

Holland America offers fleetwide Starlink Wi-Fi. There are three levels of bandwidth available: Surf (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging), Premium (for Wi-Fi audio and video calls) and Stream (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

Lindblad Expedition offers complimentary, basic Starlink Wi-Fi to all guests aboard their ships, with the exception of Delfin II. There are two levels of bandwidth available for purchase: Enhanced (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is currently rolling out Starlink throughout its fleet, with two-thirds of the line's ships currently sailing with the upgraded service. The ships in the fleet that do not have the service include MSC Opera and MSC World Europa (both will receive Starlink in the coming weeks) and MSC Armonia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Splendida (scheduled to receive Starlink before the summer 2024 season.)

There are two levels of bandwidth available for purchase: the Browse Internet Cruise Package (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and the Browse & Stream Cruise Package (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is currently rolling out Starlink throughout its fleet this year, with select ships presently sailing with the upgraded service. Currently, the ships with upgraded internet include Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl.

NCL offers two levels of bandwidth available for purchase: the Unlimited Wi-Fi Package and the Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package. As part of the line's Free at Sea promotion , guests can receive a limited number of Wi-Fi minutes for free.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi on all its ships and will have its entire fleet outfitted with the service by the end of 2024. Oceania Cruises offers fleetwide basic complimentary internet with a premium option available for streaming.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises ' fleet features MedallionNet, the only Wi-Fi network in the cruise industry that combines multi-orbit satellites — Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Mid-Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO/Starlink) with 5G terrestrial networks to deliver a strong connection regardless of ship location. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Starlink Wi-Fi can currently be found on two Regent Seven Seas ships, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Grandeur. The entire Regent Seven Seas fleet will be equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of 2024. There are two levels of bandwidth available on Regent Seven Seas: A complimentary basic package for emails and news and an upgraded package for streaming services and high-bandwidth usage that's available for a fee.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Seabourn offers fleetwide complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises ' entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi. There are two levels of bandwidth available: Standard Internet (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium Internet (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage). Your suite and ship class determine which option you receive at no extra charge. Upgrades in service are available for an additional fee.

Viking 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at no additional cost. There is one level of bandwidth, though the line advises users that it can limit heavy-bandwidth usage to ensure all have equal access.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages ' entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at no additional cost. The included plan allows for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging. There is an upgraded Premium bandwidth option available for streaming and high-bandwidth usage for an additional fee.

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9 Cruise Lines With the Best Food

T aking a cruise vacation transports you to coveted destinations in places around the world. For many people, though, it's all about the culinary experience, especially for those who return time and again to dine at their favorite onboard venues – many of which rival the best restaurants you'll find on land. While most cruise lines still offer all-you-can-eat buffet-style venues, some also feature next-level culinary experiences with world-renowned chefs at the helm, menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs, and immersive food and beverage programs.

If you're a foodie looking for the cruise lines with the best food, U.S. News has compiled this list of cruise lines focused on delivering an extraordinary dining experience, based on expert opinion and reviews. We've also highlighted two of the venues on each line that receive accolades for outstanding food and service.

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Luxury cruise lines

Oceania cruises.

Oceania Cruises' culinary program has long been regarded as one of the best of any cruise line – and the company has even trademarked the term "The Finest Cuisine at Sea." Jacques Pépin, the renowned French master chef, has been the executive culinary director since 2003; he has inspired the menus and cuisine on board the line's seven small luxury ships since that time, including the newest vessel, Vista . Oceania is also committed to sourcing the best ingredients from destinations around the world. In addition, the line has a high ratio of culinary staff to guests, and the ship's galleys are outfitted with equipment you'd typically see in Michelin-starred restaurants.

Guests can book exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours on two of the ships, Marina and Riviera . Hone your culinary skills or learn to prepare new types of cuisine at The Culinary Center, found on Marina, Riviera and Vista. You'll also find special wine-tasting and Champagne events in partnership with La Reserve by Wine Spectator. In addition, the line has just announced its first Culinary Masters' Cruise featuring Oceania's two French master chefs aboard Marina in October 2024.

Most of the dining venues are complimentary on Oceania Cruises (except for Privée and La Reserve), and options run the gamut from French and Asian cuisine to Italian fare and steakhouse specialties. There are also new culinary concepts on board Vista – including Ember, which features American classics, as well as Aquamar Kitchen, a venue focused on healthy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Here are two of Oceania's best restaurants:

  • Red Ginger: Red Ginger's colorful red and gold interiors, designed with feng shui in mind, draw guests in when they enter the restaurant, but it's the bold Asian flavors that keep them coming back for more. With Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese specialties to choose from, diners will enjoy selections such as caramelized tiger prawns, crispy ginger calamari, red and green curries, and bulgogi rib-eye steak. Red Ginger is available on Marina, Riviera, Sirena and Vista.
  • Toscana: The hearty cuisine inspired by Tuscan and northern Italian flavors at Toscana is served on Versace china that's custom designed for the restaurant. Diners should come with an appetite to enjoy several courses before the main event, including a hot or cold antipasti or soup, a selection of pastas, and a classic version of Caesar salad prepared tableside. Traditional main dish favorites include osso buco alla Milanese, veal scaloppini, lobster fra diavolo and Dover sole. Toscana is available on Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera and Vista.

Book an  Oceania Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea is another cruise line known for its culinary excellence. Guests will find a selection of international venues featuring Italian, Asian and French cuisine on board the line's fleet of 12 ships.

S.A.L.T., an immersive dining experience that stands for "Sea and Land Taste," is available on Silver Nova , Silver Moon and Silver Dawn . The S.A.L.T. program was created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine and three-time James Beard journalism award winner. The innovative program invites guests to experience the destination and local food culture through on-board hands-on activities, including making local recipes in the S.A.L.T. Lab. You can also attend cooking demonstrations and lectures, or book in-depth culinary excursions to working organic farms, Sicilian pasticcerias (where you'll learn how to make pastries) and vineyards in destinations around the world.

The all-inclusive luxury line's restaurant venues are complimentary with the following exceptions: French fine dining restaurant La Dame; the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table experience available on Silver Nova; Seishin Restaurant, which serves Asian fusion dishes on Silver Spirit; and Kaiseki, the Japanese, sushi and teppanyaki venue available on five Silversea ships.

These are two standout dining venues on Silversea:

  • S.A.L.T. Kitchen: S.A.L.T. Kitchen's menu changes daily inspired by the destination, but diners will also find a "Voyage" menu that reflects the influences from the overall region of the itinerary. The daily "Terrain" menu in Italy might include dishes likes prawns cooked in a cherry tomato sauce with garlic, white wine and parsley or a classic risotto with clams topped with a pan-fried filet of sole. The "Voyage" menu on an Eastern Mediterranean sailing would feature dishes from Greece, Croatia and Italy. The immersive dining experience is available on Silver Ray, Moon, Dawn and Nova.
  • La Dame: The curated menu at La Dame was created by Silversea's top chefs and is served in an elegant contemporary space with white-glove table service. The cuisine pays homage to classic French gastronomy along with modern techniques and flair. Guests can expect to dine on traditional French dishes such as seared duck foie gras, French onion soup, lobster bisque, Dover sole and souffles for dessert. La Dame is available on all the line's ships, except for Silver Origin.

Find a  Silversea Cruise  on GoToSea.

Explora Journeys

MSC Group's new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, features a top-notch culinary program with a team of international chefs at the helm. Acclaimed chef Franck Garanger, the line's head of culinary, has been recognized as a French master chef since 2008; he has also overseen the culinary programs for both Silversea and Oceania cruises before joining Explora.

According to Garanger, Explora Journeys has one of the highest chef-to-guest ratios and food costs of any cruise line, which is why you'll see offerings like freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, ceviche, free range and organic chicken, made-to-order grilled fish, and other freshly prepared items in Emporium Marketplace, Explora's globally inspired all-day dining venue. There's also a large focus on plant-based dishes, wellness and healthy menu selections in venues across the ship.

The first of six 922-guest superyacht-style vessels, Explora I, offers guests a choice of six restaurant venues, including the French-inspired Fil Rouge; Marble & Co. Grill, an elegant European steakhouse; and Med Yacht Club, which features delightful Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will also enjoy boutique international and regional wines; try a glass of Moët & Chandon, Explora's "house" Champagne.

During your "journey," you can also attend cooking classes at the Chef's Kitchen, a private dining and culinary school with lead enrichment chef Jean-Louis Dumonet at the helm. Another world-class chef, Dumonet received the distinction of becoming a French master chef in 1994 and has had a very successful culinary career, including achieving his first Michelin star at age 28.

Explore these standouts in Explora's culinary program:

  • Sakura: This beautiful Pan-Asian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The bright and airy design features cherry blossoms suspended from the ceilings and Asian-inspired decor. The authentic dining experience also boasts an open kitchen and a sushi bar with many ingredients sourced from Japan, and the venue has outdoor seating and indoor tables with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Begin your evening with an Asian-inspired cocktail and a starter of crispy duck leg confit, wagyu beef tataki or soft-shell crab tempura. Main dish highlights include a miso black cod fillet, 72-hour slow-cooked short rib beef panang and an addictive lobster pad Thai.
  • Anthology: The innovative concept at Anthology "is imagined as a unique culinary stage showcasing global cooking talents and cuisines, provenance and rare ingredients along with wines by highly coveted winemakers." The tasting menus are curated by a rotation of top chefs that changes throughout the year. The first chef who opened the new ship, Mauro Uliassi, has a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the coastal town of Senigallia, Italy. The second chef (through April 2024) is Swedish-born Emma Bengtsson, executive chef at the two-Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. Anthology is the only dining venue on Explora I that comes at an additional cost. There's also an optional wine pairing.

Compare  Explora Journeys  cruises on GoToSea.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas' culinary program, "Epicurean Indulgence," features top-notch dining experiences on board the luxury line's six ships. Guests will also find educational hands-on cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Epicurean Explorer tours focused on the wines, spirits and regional foods in destinations around the world. Regents' all-inclusive cruise fares include as many as seven dining venues (depending on the ship), that feature French, Italian, Pan-Asian and steakhouse restaurants as well as 24-hour in-suite room service. You can also enjoy fine wines and spirits in all the restaurants, bar and lounges.

Regent Seven Seas boasts a variety of excellent restaurants, but here are two top options:

  • Pacific Rim: The entrance to Pacific Rim is just as impressive as its food with the floor-to-ceiling bronze Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel that sits just outside the venue. Inside, your evening experience in this beautiful zen-like space begins with a signature cocktail and a difficult decision of which Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Vietnamese dishes to order for dinner. Begin your meal with a selection of sushi and sashimi, then sample pork and shrimp siu mai or thom kha gai soup. For a main dish, don't miss elevated dishes like miso black cod, Canadian lobster tempura or aromatic duck.
  • Compass Rose: Compass Rose is the largest specialty restaurant on Regent's ships, and you'll find the elegant venue across the fleet. The menu features classic favorites and dishes that are always available, including foie gras, escargot, Alaskan crab salad, black Angus cuts of beef, New Zealand lamb chops and a daily choice of pasta. The additional chef's gourmet menu changes daily. If you prefer lighter fare, choose one of the healthy Serene Spa & Wellness selections. Guests can also customize their dining preferences and order from any of the menus.

Explore  Regent Seven Seas  deals on GoToSea.

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Viking's nine 930-guest and adults-only ocean-going ships offer destination-focused dining highlighting regional cuisine and local specialties. In addition, cruisers will find their favorite classic dishes (some with a twist), such as a Norwegian baby shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin and linguine with clams in The Restaurant, Viking's main dining venue.

Other dining options include an open kitchen and international fare at World Café, which also has a large alfresco dining area called Aquavit Terrace. For more casual fare, head to Mamsen's, a favorite spot for Norwegian specialties, or stop by the Pool Grill, where you'll find made-to-order burgers and light bites. All of these venues – plus two specialty restaurants, Manfredi's and The Chef's Table – are included in the cruise fare.

Guests on board Viking's ships are also treated to a daily afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, a Scandinavian-inspired, light-filled space located next to the main pool. If you're interested in learning more about destination-focused cuisine, reserve a spot in one of the hands-on cooking classes at The Kitchen Table to learn how to prepare some of the local dishes. These special excursions and culinary classes begin with a visit to a local market and end with an evening of cooking (or watching the dinner preparation) – plus multiple courses of food and wine pairings. There is a fee for the class.

The two specialty restaurants provide an exceptional experience with Viking :

  • Manfredi's: Plan to make a reservation at Manfredi's, Viking's Italian restaurant. It features an impressive menu of Italian specialties, including dishes with influence from Tuscany and Rome. Start the evening with a selection of antipasti for two and pasta e fagioli or crème of porcini soup. Then, choose between traditional offerings like osso bucco alla Milanese, rosemary parmesan-crusted lamb or the Tuscan favorite dish bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine-style steak). There are also wonderful fresh pasta dishes and several types of risotto.
  • The Chef's Table: The Chef's Table menu changes several times throughout the cruise, allowing guests to sample a variety of multicourse tasting menus that highlight international and regional specialties. The beautiful venue is perfect for a special evening and a "food journey" where you'll savor a selection of Asian, Norwegian, French or other cuisines paired with wines by the ship's master sommelier.

Book a  Viking Ocean Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea.

Mainstream cruise lines

Holland america line.

Holland America's master chef and creative culinary artist, Rudi Sodamin, has been with the line for around 20 years. He also heads up the Culinary Council, a group of well-known chefs who will be on board for culinary cruises scheduled throughout the year. During these special voyages, guests can attend cooking demonstrations and coffee chats and make reservations for exclusive chef-hosted dinners and events throughout the cruise.

Holland America also has a new initiative with Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef and TV personality Masaharu Morimoto (you'll recognize him from "Iron Chef"). The Global Fresh Fish program affords the line the ability to source more than 80 varieties of fresh fish in destinations around the world. In addition, you'll find certified sustainable Alaskan seafood on the menu during Alaska cruises .

Wine aficionados can look for wine tastings and wine blending sessions on board the ship and excursions to wine regions ashore, some in partnership with Food & Wine magazine. Rudi's Sel De Mer is an excellent choice for a fine dining evening, but the French brasserie-inspired venue is only available on three ships.

Here are two of Holland America's top specialty restaurants:

  • Pinnacle Grill: Pinnacle Grill, an upscale steakhouse, is a specialty restaurant (with an additional fee) that's available on all of the line's 11 ships. It's a favorite spot for couples to enjoy a romantic evening and features classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, jumbo lump crab cakes, lobster bisque, filet mignon, surf and turf, and grilled lamb chops. Seafood lovers will also find Alaskan king salmon and halibut. Be sure to save room for a twist on a timeless dessert – the not-so-classic baked Alaska with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
  • Tamarind: Tamarind's elegant atmosphere and flavorful Pan-Asian cuisine make this another top pick for Holland American cruisers. The specialty restaurant is available on four ships (for an additional fee) and features dishes from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and other Asian countries. Appetizers include specialties like crispy duck with a steamed bao bun, shrimp tempura and Chinese five-spice baby back ribs. For the main course, choose from several types of curries, sample Mongolian barbecue lamb chops, or feast on wok-seared shrimp and lobster. Plan to come early to Tamarind Bar to enjoy a cocktail such as a saketini while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Find a  Holland America  cruise on GoToSea.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers excellent family-friendly dining options with over-the-top Disney- and movie-themed venues with live character performances and shows. The ships also have upscale adults-only lounges, bars and restaurants that are perfect for a romantic date night. Disney Cruise Line 's unique rotational family dining concept allows guests to experience three different restaurants while having the same dedicated servers every one of those evenings, so the service is personalized throughout your voyage.

Guests on board Disney Wish can dine in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The "Frozen"-themed evening includes Nordic-inspired dishes, musical performances by the characters and even singalongs for the audience. On Disney Wonder , guests are treated to a night filled with New Orleans-style jazz and street parties plus Southern-influenced fare at Tiana's Place. You can also meet Princess Tiana from Disney's animated feature "The Princess and the Frog."

Other top dining venues on Disney Cruise Line include:

Palo: This adults-only Venetian-inspired venue is an upscale spot ideal for a quiet evening without the kids (who will be very happy to spend time at the onboard kids club). The fine dining experience features northern Italian cuisine and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views from nearly every perspective. The specialty restaurant also serves brunch on longer cruises. The prix fixe (or "prezzo fisso") menu includes four courses, or you can opt to choose from the regular menu with a selection of appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta and main dishes that are individually priced. Guests will find Palo on Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

On Disney Wish, there's an updated version of the dining concept, Palo Steakhouse. The modern steakhouse and Italian restaurant – inspired by Cogsworth, the enchanted clock from "Beauty and the Beast" – offers cuts of Australian wagyu, Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef as well as delightful Italian cuisine and spectacular ocean views. Be sure to splurge on a cocktail at The Rose before dinner if you're dining at Palo Steakhouse. Note that meals at Palo and Palo Steakhouse come with an additional charge.

Remy: The exquisite dining experience at Remy is a collaboration between French chef Arnaud Lallement from l'Assiette Champenoise (a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in France) and Walt Disney World Resort 's chef Scott Hunnel from the renowned restaurant Victoria & Albert's. Your leisurely evening of fine wines and a tasting menu of French fare begins with a signature Taittinger Champagne cocktail prepared tableside.

Special touches in the "Ratatouille"-inspired venue include Frette linens, Christofle silverware, exclusive Bernadaud china made for Remy, Riedel glassware, tableside international cheese service and decanting stations for wines. A Champagne brunch is served on sea days and select port days. There is an additional charge to dine at the restaurant, which is available on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

Explore  Disney Cruise Line  deals on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' creative approach to cruising can be found in nearly every aspect of the line's three ships, including its adults-only vibe and fresh approach to dining. Virgin Voyages does not have a traditional main dining room – and there's no onboard buffet or large dining halls. What you will find is more than 20 eateries with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs that are included in the cruise fare. These smaller and more intimate venues include The Galley, a food court-style spot for casual and grab-and-go fare like bento boxes, tacos, salads, sushi, burgers, noodle bowls and desserts.

Meat lovers and vegetarians will love the veggie-forward dishes and indulgent pork or chicken specialties at boldly designed Razzle Dazzle. At Extra Virgin, sample trattoria-style Italian fare like crispy artichokes, seafood pasta, grilled Mediterranean sea bass and a special tableside preparation of affogato for dessert. For a Korean barbecue experience, head over to Gunbae, a fun spot where your evening begins with a shot of soju – Korea's national drink and the best-selling liquor in the world. The Wake is the largest venue on board and the closest restaurant to a main dining room; it sits at the back of the ship and features a raw bar in addition to a selection of steaks and seafood (some offerings come with an upcharge).

There are many excellent options for dinner, but these are two cruiser-favorite venues:

  • The Test Kitchen: Inspired by Auguste Escoffier's "Ma Cuisine," The Test Kitchen is a favorite spot for its laboratory-like eatery and cooking school. The interior decor features metal furniture, beakers and test tubes to get diners in the mood for the exploratory culinary evening. Menus at this innovative venue are presented as a list of ingredients, and guests get to watch the chef combine the selected ingredients of the day for the six-course tasting menu. The upscale experience takes about 2.5 hours. Wine, beer or cocktail pairings come at an additional fee.
  • Pink Agave: Virgin's stylish Mexican dining venue, Pink Agave, was inspired by the vibrant streets of Mexico City – and the restaurant features what the line calls the most extensive selection of mezcal and tequila at sea. The menu offerings include small, medium and large plates plus desserts. To begin the evening, order a few small bites to share, including esquites (a grilled corn dish) and aguachile, which is a ceviche made with raw tuna, avocado and jicama. Then, for the main course, choose between options like roasted duck or chicken, achiote marinated pork, or a vegetarian stuffed poblano pepper.

Compare  Virgin Voyages  cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's selection and quality of restaurant venues – and attentive service – have made the line a favorite for food-focused cruisers for many years. If you're sailing on one of the Celebrity Edge-class ships ( Ascent , Beyond , Apex or Edge ), you'll have up to 32 restaurants to choose from with globally inspired menus created by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher.

You can also look for special culinary cruises and onboard events designed in partnership with renowned Michelin-star French chef Daniel Boulud, the line's global culinary brand ambassador. Some of the onboard programs include wine-blending classes, whiskey and scotch tastings, mixology classes, and food and wine pairing workshops.

With so many complimentary dining and specialty options on Celebrity ships (making it hard to choose where to dine), here are two of the unique experiences not to be missed:

  • Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud: Daniel Boulud's first signature restaurant at sea is inspired by the chef's global travels. The interior of the specialty restaurant, designed by the Parisian architect-design team of Jouin Manku, is as much of an experience as the meal with its intimate decor and banquette seating. Guests can choose between a standard dinner menu, a regular five-course tasting menu or a plant-based tasting menu. Le Voyage is available on the new Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond and costs an additional fee.
  • Le Petit Chef: The innovative and fantastical 3D dining experience at Le Petit Chef is one of the most unique ways to spend an evening at sea. The immersive meal, which is either served in the quirky Qsine restaurant or Le Grand Bistro, depending on the ship, will delight cruisers of all ages, especially younger children. The tiny, animated chef (think about the size of your hand) entertains guests while preparing each dish. You may see him firing up a grill to sear a steak, picking fresh vegetables from a garden or even going on a fishing adventure in search of lobster. After each dish is prepared by "the chef," waiters will arrive with the actual dish. The 1.5-hour-long experience is an additional cost.

Explore  Celebrity Cruises  deals on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

  • Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
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  • The Best Food Cities in the U.S.
  • Cruise Packing List Essentials
  • The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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Mongolian Beef Lamb at Tamarind on a Holland America Line ship.

Concert promoter Live Nation is getting into the ultra-luxury cruise business — see what it'll be like on weeklong superyacht sailings starting at $3,000 a person

  • Live Nation's Vibee is getting into the ultra-luxury cruise business.
  • The music event curator says it'll charter two superyachts for three weeklong Croatia cruises this summer.
  • Like other vacation operators, Vibee says it's seen increasing demand for cruise and yacht-based trips.

Insider Today

Forget concerts — Live Nation wants music fans to start going on yacht vacations .

In 2023 and amid a boom in experiential travel , the entertainment company established Vibee, a music-based event curation arm. Less than a year later, Vibee has already executed affairs like a weekend Bahamas getaway headlined by singer Lionel Richie and a three-day Cabo San Lucas, Mexico party featuring DJ Tiësto.

Now, it's moving off-land and to the high seas with its new segment: Vibee Yacht Club.

This summer, Vibee says it'll charter two superyachts for three weeklong Croatia itineraries that are set to be, of course, centered on music.

Vibee is capitalizing on yet another increasingly popular concept: themed cruises.

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Themed cruises can vary vastly, from Star Trek-centered sailings to itineraries helmed by famous comedians. And as of late, many of these niche voyages have been selling out faster than ever before.

Themed cruise operator Sixthman's November 2023 hip-hop itinerary sold out in less than five days with no publicly announced lineup.

Similarly, Vibee's first cruise, the 2023 EDSea — a wordplay on the electronic dance music festival Electric Daisy Carnival, or EDC — was fully booked in three days, again with an undisclosed lineup.

Armed with EDSea’s success, Vibee wants to dive deeper into the cruise segment — this time with a luxurious spin.

oceania cruise lines reviews

"We see the desire for cruise and yacht experiences continuing to rise," Harvey Cohen, president of Vibee, told Business Insider, echoing sentiments of the cruise industry's booming demand.

And not just the mass-market players: Over the last year, luxury cruise lines have also seen a rise in interest.

In its fourth-quarter earnings report from February 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said its two high-end brands, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, had both seen "strong demand."

The latter had launched its latest $517.9 million luxury ship a few months prior, complete with caviar and a $6 million art collection.

Luxury cruises and superyachts aren’t known to be super-affordable.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Vibee says it's chartering the 141-foot-long Lupus Mare and nearly 161-foot-long Prestige for its three yacht sailings.

Vibee Yacht Club's cheapest option starts at $3,100 per person for a two-person cabin. Comparatively, EDSea's 2024 itinerary starts at $1,405 per person for a double occupancy interior cabin.

Yet, it could be a bargain for some superyacht fans: Weeklong charters for Lupus Mare start at about $71,000 a week, according to YachtCharterFleet.

Everything is better on a yacht. Champagne? Tastes better on a yacht. Cruises in general? Better on a yacht.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Going to an international music festival? Well, Vibee thinks it would be better to stay on a yacht than in a hotel.

On July 13, the first itinerary would start on day two of Ultra Europe, a popular three-day electronic dance music festival in Split, Croatia.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Following the event, the two yachts would sail to three Croatian islands before concluding in Hvar, Croatia. Along the way, the itinerary would include daytime swims, a sunset winery visit, and several parties (day and night).

Unsurprisingly, Vibee expects the itinerary to draw in younger travelers, specifically Gen Zers and millennials.

Lupus Mare is set to be chartered for two more itineraries: “Rock the Med” and “Marafiki on the Adriatic.”

oceania cruise lines reviews

A three-person cabin for both starts at $3,500 per person.

On Rock the Med, the week is set to begin with VIP tickets to a Lenny Kravitz show at the historic Pula Arena.

Afterward, it would sail to Croatian destinations with an itinerary that would include beach excursions and clubs.

Marafiki on the Adriatic isn’t centered on a single music event.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Instead, the roundtrip Split itinerary would feature on-board musical performances, daily yoga, "cultural outings," and, of course, beach clubs.

A bonus trip to Sonus Festival, a five-day rave, is an optional add-on.

Like a typical luxury cruise, travelers would have preorganized water taxis, chefs to prepare daily breakfasts and lunches, and all the yacht amenities.

oceania cruise lines reviews

The 20-cabin, 40-guest Prestige flexes indulgences like an indoor lounge, a hot tub, and a sundeck with plenty of beds.

Meanwhile, the 15-cabin, 34-guest Lupus Mare has comforts like a sauna and gym.

oceania cruise lines reviews

Travelers could wind down in the yacht's movie theater or hot tub. Or, they could take a slide into the water.

It’s no surprise Vibee is going the more sumptuous route with its itinerary-focused yacht concept.

oceania cruise lines reviews

" Revenge travel " might as well be known as "regular travel" at this point: People have continued to spend big on extravagant vacations, especially on luxury small cruise ships and trips planned around experiences and adventures.

Both are niches Vibee is trying to carve out for itself: Looking ahead, the new brand is already planning more music and sea-based vacations, Cohen told Business Insider.

oceania cruise lines reviews

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  7. Oceania Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Oceania Cruises

    First and last time on low end Oceania Cruises. Review for a Caribbean - Western Cruise on Oceania Vista. desertcruise. First Time Cruiser • Age 60s. Read More. Sail Date: February 2024. Traveled with children. Helpful. Beautiful ship, inconsistent service, lower value for price paid.

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  19. Oceania Cruises' Marina Review

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  28. Nautica Ship Review

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  29. Live Nation Using Superyachts for 3 Ultra-Luxury Music Cruises

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