oceania riviera cruise ship

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Oceania Riviera Deck Plans & Reviews

Oceania Riviera

Activities & entertainment

• Afternoon Tea
• Artist Loft
• Canyon Ranch SpaClub *
• Coffee Chats
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Croquet / Bocce
• Culinary Center
• Enrichment Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Track
• Games and Activities
• Golf Putting Greens
• Hot Tubs (2)
• Late Night Disco
• Oceania@Sea
• Paddle Tennis
• Sanctuary *
• Scotch and Spirits Tastings *
• Shuffleboard
• Spa Seminars
• Spa Terrace *
• Steam Room / Sauna
• Styling Salon
• Team Trivia
• Wine Tastings *
• Red Ginger - Asian
• Terrace Café - Casual
• Waves Grill - Casual
• Grand Bar - Clubby Bar *
• Baristas - Coffee Bar
• La Reserve - Degustation *
• Jacques - French
• Grand Dining Room - International
• Toscana - italian
• Martinis - Martini Bar *
• Waves Bar - Pool Bar *
• Privée - Private Dining *
• Horizons - Sophisticated Bar *
• Polo Grill - Steakhouse
• Excellent 37
• Very Good 25
• Terrible 22
• All languages ( 116 )
• English ( 113 )
• German ( 2 )
• Dutch ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

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• Oceania Cruises

Oceania Riviera

Cruise line Oceania Cruises

• Seattle (Washington)
• Singapore (Singapore)

Oceania Riviera current position

Oceania Riviera current location is at South East Asia (coordinates 5.88221 N / 95.32143 E) cruising en route to Colombo. The AIS position was reported 9 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Oceania Riviera

Oceania Riviera current cruise is 31 days, one-way from Yokohama to Dubai . The itinerary starts on 13 Apr, 2024 and ends on 14 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Oceania Riviera

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Oceania Riviera Itineraries

Oceania riviera review, review of oceania riviera.

The 2012-built Oceania Riviera cruise ship is one of the fleet's newest , with sistership Marina . Both liners were constructed by Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard (in Genoa Italy ) and designed by the Norwegian marine architecture company Y&S "Petter Yran and Bjorn Storbratten".

The vessel (IMO number 9438078) is currently Marshall Islands /France- flagged (MMSI 538004353) and registered in Majuro .

A modified version of this design is Oceania's new ALLURA-Class represented by the ships  Vista (2023) and Allura (2025).

History - construction and ownership

Oceania Cruises is a US passenger shipping company and luxury travel brand owned by NCLH-Norwegian (shipowner), Between April 2007 and September 2014, the company (as part of "Prestige Cruise Holdings") was owned by Apollo Management LP - one of the world's largest private investment equity funds. Since September 2014, Oceania and the sister company RSSC-Regent are owned by NCLH - acquired at a total cost of USD 3 billion. Oceania ships offer luxury cruises with relatively shorter itineraries, as well as Around The World voyages up to 180 days in length.

The 1300-passenger ship Riviera was launched on May 11, 2012. MS Riviera's godmother was "Iron Chef" and Food Network star Cat Cora, a fitting choice for a cruise company that is aimed at enthusiastic foodies.

In February 2016, Oceania Cruises won six "best for" awards for the luxurious mid-sized mv Riviera, voted for by Cruise Critic readers. The sophisticated ship dominated by being voted for having the best service, dining, staterooms, public rooms and embarkation process on board. Not only this, but Oceania Cruises was also cited in the top 5 in an additional 3 categories. Oceania Riviera awards are in the following categories: Best Cruise Ship for Embarkation, Best Cruise Ship for Dining, Best Cruises Ship for Service, Best Cruise Ship Cabins, Best Cruise Ship Public Rooms and Best Cruises Overall. Riviera features the 5-star luxury that Oceania has always been well known for. The cruise ship reflects the line’s key pillars of service, comfort and the finest cuisine at sea.

Decks and Cabins

Oceania Riviera staterooms (629 total, in 17 grades) include 147 Suites, 444 Balcony, 20 Oceanview, 18 Interior. Most (94%) are the 240 ft2 / 22 m2 sized Balcony cabins. The largest passenger accommodations are the aft-facing Owners Suites (1335 ft2 / 124 m2 plus 665 ft2 / 62 m2 wraparound terrace).

The boat has 15 decks , of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Oceania Cruises Riviera ship offers four reservations-only restaurants, plus a buffet restaurant and casual snack spots. Speciality restaurants come with no additional charge but require reservations. The most high-profile of all is Jacques, the first restaurant ever created, on land or sea, by celebrity chef Jacques Pepin. Jacques is designed with the feel of a French bistro and focuses on traditional French cuisine. Other speciality restaurants include the Polo Grill steakhouse and the Mediterranean Toscana - both carry-overs from the earlier ships of the line, and Red Ginger, which is an excellent pan-Asian spot.

Follows the complete list of Riviera restaurants and food bars.

• Red Ginger (feng shui Asian specialty restaurant with a 5-course “tasting” and a la carte menu)
• Jacques (124-seat complimentary dinner restaurant, reservations-only; features French cuisine by chef Pepin)
• Grand Dining Room (complimentary 340-seat restaurant for open seating Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; offers French-inspired dishes, and menus change daily)
• Waves Grill (casual dining fast-food bar; serves the pool deck area with made-to-order daily specialities and gelato ice cream)
• Terrace Cafe & Bar (casual buffet restaurant, complimentary; open for breakfast and lunch; features indoor and outdoor sitting areas; the Terrace Bar serves as a small pizzeria as well; the Terrace Cafe transforms into “Tapas On The Terrace” at night serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine)
• Culinary Center (for cooking classes and demos; hosts the “Gourmet Explorer Series” which consist of 20 new cooking classes; there is also "La Technique" - an exclusive cooking class focusing on the techniques of master chef Chef Jaques Pepin.
• La Reserve (24-seat wine bar at surcharge; offers wine tastings and a 7-course dinner menu)
• Toscana (96-seat Italian fine dining restaurant, dinner-only, reservations-only, complimentary; offers traditional Italian cuisine)
• Polo Grill (96-seat Steakhouse restaurant, complimentary; reservations required)
• Privee (a limited capacity private dining room, between Toscana and Polo, 10-seat, charge $1000 for the entire room; features Chef’s Table and 7-course gourmet menu)
• In October 2015, Oceania announced its plan to combine the Toscana and Polo Grill speciality restaurants into a new venue - “Tuscan Steak”, with quality wood paneling decorated with platinum and silver. The gourmet dinner menu of the new restaurant includes items, such as “Bistecca alla Fiorentina”, “Maine Lobster & Shrimp Fra Diavol”, “Tuscan Porterhouse Steak”, and the signature pork chops of Oceania Cruises “Iberico de Bellota”. At the entrance, there is a wine cellar with a selection of fine wines.

During the ship's last refurbishments were introduced three new dining venues/options: Aquamar Kitchen, Ice Cream Bar (poolside) and Alfresco Pizzeria (at Waves Grill in the evenings).

Aquamar Kitchen is a wellness-themed dining venue (introduced on Oceania Vista in 2023). This signature restaurant is complimentary and without reservations. It offers wellness-inspired food and beverages including smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, mocktails (made with Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits), energy bowls, avocado toasts, salads, wraps, tuna tacos, chicken sandwiches, Oceania's "Impossible Burger".

The poolside Ice Cream Bar serves the gourmet Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream as well as milkshakes and smoothies.

Waves Grill in the evenings transforms into an alfresco trattoria/Pizzeria/casual restaurant serving Italian food including fresh-baked pizza (by the slice), burrata and gourmet desserts.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Such as her sister ship Marina, Riviera cruise liner sports some of cruising's most palatial rooms, featuring furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home and layouts by Dakota Jackson of New York and S.B. Long designers of Greenwich, Connecticut. The cruise liner also has a Lalique-designed grand lobby, ten restaurants and many bars and lounges. Amenities include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Bon Appetit Culinary Center (for demos and cooking classes), and the La Reserve by Wine Spectator wine bar lounge.

Follows the complete list of Riviera lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Riviera Lounge (main showroom/theatre for live evening entertainment and themed dancing parties; hosts daily trivia quizzes, lectures and presentations)
• The Casino (operates with USD bets; served by the Casino Bar)
• Martinis (a piano bar serving a variety of Martinis)
• Three Boutiques (duty-free perfumes, jewelry, Oceania-logo merchandise, clothes, gifts, convenience goods)
• Upper Hall lounge area (with grand piano for live performances; served by the Martinis Bar)
• Grand Bar (wine bar; hosts wine tastings; served by Baristas making complimentary illy beverages)
• Concierge Lounge (Concierge Level and Suite guests lounge)
• Executive Lounge (Concierge-Level Balcony and Suite guests)
• Artist Loft (educational center for Oceania Cruises’ enrichment programs)
• Aquamar Wellness Center (includes a Spa Terrace, Spa Whirlpool, Steam Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Styling Salon, Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Fitness/Gym, and Boardroom (card playing and board games; Canyon Ranch Spa Club treatments include: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Healing Energy, Body Wraps and Scrubs, Skin Care, Tanning, Massages and Exotic Treatments.)
• Oceania@Sea (24-hour Internet computer room; Private lessons/group classes are also provided)
• Pool area (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area and a Band Stand; served by the Waves Bar)
• Sanctuary (outdoor shaded area with loungers)
• The Patio (outdoor shaded lounge with chairs, daybeds, sofas)
• Baristas (patisserie/specialty coffee bar serving illy coffees, complimentary)
• Horizons (Lounge & Bar served by the Horizons Bar; has floor-ceiling windows, live entertainment, full bar; also serves Afternoon Tea; becomes a nightclub at night)
• Fitness Track (Power Walking/Jogging Track); Promenade (on Deck 6)
• The Library (1000+ books of which many port-destination guide books); Board Room
• Sun Deck (served by the Polo Bar; has sunloungers, showers, deck games - Shuffleboard, Golf Driving Net, 9-hole Mini-Golf putting greens, tennis court).

Itineraries

MS Riviera's itinerary program is based on seasonal Caribbean deployment with roundtrips out of PortMiami (Florida USA) . During summer, the ship cruises in Europe/Mediterranean with departures mainly from Barcelona , Civitavecchia-Rome , Venice , with Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com) on seasonal relocation.

In 2024, the ship starts an inaugural season in Asia, operating voyages that visit ports in Arabia, India, Burma/Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, China and South Korea. The Asian itineraries (25 total) ranged between 10-82 days. Departure ports included Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UAE), Mumbai (India), Singapore, Laem Chabang-Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Korea), Yokohama-Tokyo (Japan).

Oceania Riviera - user reviews and comments

Photos of oceania riviera.

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Other Oceania Cruises cruise ships

• Oceania Allura
• Oceania Insignia
• Oceania Marina
• Oceania Nautica
• Oceania Regatta
• Oceania Sirena
• Oceania Vista

Oceania Riviera Wiki

Oceania Riviera ship is sister to the fleetmate ms Marina . The vessel was christened on May 11, 2012, in Barcelona. Her Godmother is the professional chef Cat Cora, the "Iron Chef" of America. Her Inaugural cruise was in the region of the Mediterranean Sea. It started in Italy (Venice) and ended ten days later in Greece (Athens).

On September 2, 2014, the NCL Norwegian company purchased the company "Prestige Cruise Holdings" (owner of Oceania and  RSSC-Regent Seven Seas ) for USD 3,025 billion, thus becoming the official owner of all vessels in both fleets.

The Apollo Group company provides all Oceania ships with the entire onboard hotel product and services. This includes administration, food staff (preparation and serving), housekeeping staff, also the vessel's provisioning and crewing. Other cruise lines served by Apollo are Thomson UK (Marella Cruises)  and RSSC-Regent .

Oceania Riviera 2019 refurbishment review

The ship's drydock refurbishment in April 2019 (an OceaniaNEXT project) resulted in several deckplan changes (details to be announced soon). What is known so far is adding a new cabin category (Owner Suite) designed by Trevor R. Howells (Los Angeles-based interior design firm).

Owner Suites are 2-room cabins furnished with Ralph Lauren Home furniture. The color scheme is white-navy blue-camel-creme. Upholstery and fabrics are in melange (stripes and solids), with pops in silver-gold-metallic. The Suite's foyer features premium wood paneling and stone flooring (limestone, black cabochon). The in-cabin bar is mahogany and with a quartzite stone top.

The suite's living room has floor-ceiling windows, Grimaldi-weave sail white fabrics, self-playing piano (made from polished ebony-black hardwood), sectional sofa (with navy blue cushions), mahogany lounge chair. The suite's dining room has a Mayfair table and Barrett Medium Knurled chandelier (natural brass). The Master Bedroom has a King-size bed, Mayfair Bergere armchairs, nickel-trimmed lighting.

The Suite's wraparound balcony is premium teak-floored and fitted with custom-made (by Ralph Lauren) outdoor lounge furniture.

During drydock 2022 (Nov-Dec, at Chantiers Naval de Marseille ), all staterooms were fully refurbished, new culinary options were added. All public spaces (hallways, stairs, bars, lounges, dining venues/Grand Dining Room, Polo Grill) were also renovated, receiving new furnishings, fabrics, lighting fixtures, artworks, Tuscan marble. The hull's underwater portion was cleaned and repainted with AQUATERRAS (Biocide Free Self-Polishing Coating paint by Nippon Paint Marine Coatings Co Ltd/subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paint Holdings Co Ltd).

Review: Oceania Riviera

Reviewed by Janice Wald Henderson

What is the line?  Oceania Cruises

Name of ship?  Riviera

Passenger occupancy? 1,238

Itinerary? Venice to Athens

Riviera hits the sweet spot for food and wine devotees, delivering exceptional cuisine, wine pairing extravaganzas, and culinary and vintner-driven shore excursions. 

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

Oceania Cruises maintains a strong focus on quality food and wine with complimentary specialty dining. Its loyal clientele, often younger than on luxury lines (Oceania Cruises is ranked premium, with luxury-level cuisine), love to eat and drink in style as they sail the globe. And sail the globe they do, as Oceania’s six ships cover more than 450 destinations. (Vista, Oceania’s newest and most glam ship, debuts in May 2023.) Port-intensive itineraries, including many late-nights and overnights. Among the well-maintained vessels, Riviera and twin Marina rank the largest, and arguably, the most stylish. The two were purpose-built for foodies, showcasing more dining choices and a Culinary Center offering hands-on cooking classes. 

Tell us about the ship in general  

The 1,238-passenger Riviera was built in 2012 and underwent a massive refurbishment in late 2022, including all staterooms and suites and many public venues. Its smart design emphasizes contemporary cool with lavish flourishes, like the Lalique-embellished grand staircase and gleaming Italian marble. Designed for foodies, this vessel lures connoisseurs with seven complimentary dining venues, mostly astonishingly good. Fares depend on the category of stateroom or suite booked, and can run from budget-minded to as pricey as a luxury line (with similar amenities.) Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center includes a large, well-equipped fitness center and features complimentary wellness lectures and fitness classes, a comprehensive list of treatments and medi-spa services. Come nighttime, passengers move between the casino, bars, and Riviera Lounge for primarily musical revues. 

Who is onboard?  

Riviera draws an active crowd of repeat guests, mostly American, who indulge well onboard and explore energetically ashore. While 55+ might cover the age range, I saw plenty of couples and groups of friends who looked younger. These cruisers are a friendly bunch and engage with other passengers in bars and lounges. Passengers definitely utilize the fitness center, although I always found a treadmill or free weights when needed. The jogging track draws many cruisers, too, if not to run, then leisurely walk at sunset. Complimentary classes, like yoga, do fill up. I packed casual-to-elegant country-club-ish attire, and fit right in. 

Describe the cabins  

Staterooms and suites were gutted during the recent redo, receiving a more modern design in tasteful neutral-driven brown and grey hues. Bathrooms were enlarged for all but the largest suites (Oceania, Vista and Owner’s), with passengers losing tubs but gaining oversized showers. The makeover also added better storage space, roomier closets and more USB outlets and power sources. 

The variety of staterooms and suites do provide distinctly different experiences. Entry-level inside staterooms are but 174-square-feet yet still possess Riviera signatures, like a custom plush bed and granite and marble bath stocked with Bulgari toiletries. Veranda staterooms kick it up a big notch, with 291 square feet of space including a furnished teak veranda, and a larger bath. Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms are the next notable level, providing a private lounge with a dedicated concierge, complimentary laundry and Grand Dining Room (main restaurant) room service. 

I stayed in a Penthouse Suite, the lowest suite level. I loved it. My 440 square feet included a dining table, spacious veranda and access to the Executive Lounge with its concierge and coffee, soft drinks and snacks. I only used the lounge once, but I really appreciated Penthouse amenities, like welcome Champagne, priority restaurant reservations and laundry service. I didn’t interact with my butler other than for breakfast room service, but I liked the idea of  having one. The biggest, fanciest suites are dubbed Oceania, Vista and Owner’s and grouped behind an etched glass door. Those lucky occupants wallow in more than 1,000 square feet and up, with media rooms, indoor and outdoor whirlpool spas and other luxurious appointments.  

Tell us about the crew  

Enthusiastic servers in lounges and restaurants were keen to please. I actually felt sad saying goodbye to a few. They struck the perfect chord midway between formal and casual. Butlers, who service Penthouse Suites and up, leaned more formal, befitting their roles. Concierges, including those available to all passengers, calmly handled questions about, well, everything. A shoutout to the shore excursion desk, who fielded lots of questions and kept their cool. I came away impressed with the sommeliers, too; they knew their wines and sometimes gently steered me to better selections than what I chose.

What food and drink options are available on board?  

The absolutely best aspect (besides the ports) of my sail was the food and wine. There are now seven venues; the newest (which I have yet to experience) is an al fresco trattoria and pizzeria. Reservations are needed for Toscana, Polo Grill, Jacques and La Reserve; passengers are promised at least one reservation in each (other than La Reserve) per cruise. Book as far in advance as possible; once onboard, add your name to waitlists to score additional bookings.

It’s astonishing that all complimentary restaurants use primo ingredients with abandon. You can indulge on lobster or aged prime beef every night. I tried, and liked, many new plant-based plates, such as power bowls with sea vegetables.  Main restaurant Grand Dining Room felt as festive as specialty eateries and delivered sophisticated delicious plates night after night.

I had my favorites. French restaurant Jacques presented exquisite onion soup. Polo Grill steakhouse’s bacon rolls were insane; don’t do as I did, which is eat the entire breadbasket before the big beefy main event. If Asian-fusion Red Ginger ever loses the lobster pad Thai, I think passengers (including me) would revolt. I often revisited Toscana, for its hand-fashioned pastas and rolling olive oil cart. What’s better than dipping fresh-baked focaccia into markedly different olive oils?  I barely went to the beautiful afternoon teas but when I did, the flaky scones made me swoon. La Reserve, the only fee-based eatery, offers multi-course meals with wine pairings. The Dom Pérignon six-course extravaganza was worth the decidedly steep $295 charge per person on my cruise; different vintages were paired with excellent cuisine and glasses were generously refilled. The passionate head sommelier explained each vintage and pairing in depth. Speaking of wine, I adored the bin finishing sheet added to restaurant wine lists; I found really good bottles at substantial discounts.       

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

Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center is a rather glam and worthwhile destination for its vast array of services, from facials, detox wraps and massages to medi-spa. It offers complimentary fitness classes, like spinning and Pilates. The sauna and steam are open to any guest; no need for a treatment. Same goes for relaxing on heated ceramic loungers. Aquamar Spa Terrace features a thalassotherapy pool and whirlpools, open post-treatment or to spa-dwellers. The big adjacent fitness center offers the typical TechnoGym equipment like stair climbers, weight machines and treadmills. This spa also offers specific shore excursions dubbed Wellness Discovery Tours, like visiting hammams in port.

Activities and entertainment  

Riviera offers activities galore – even pickleball. My favorite was a hands-on cooking class with recipes from Red Ginger in the Culinary Center. Our chef instructor expertly demonstrated each dish and then we tried – and succeeded – in duplicating them at our well-equipped stations. In the Artist Loft, a resident artist displays his work and offers workshops. The big library tempts with diversified tomes and beckoning comfy chairs with ottomans. I saw lots of the same faces playing table tennis, paddle tennis, putting, croquet, bocce and shuffleboard. Some passengers attended port enrichment lectures. The pool and hot tubs stayed popular. Pre-dinner, I relished a talented female string quartet playing classical music in the Grand Bar, although the adjacent Martinis lounge was the busiest and buzziest. Post-dinner, I attended a musical show or two starring shipboard singers and dancers in the Riviera Lounge, which were okay, much like those on luxury lines. The casino was sometimes busy when I looked; with many early morning excursions, passengers tend to turn in early, although some head to Horizons for nightcaps and dancing to a live band. Props, too, to Riviera’s inclusiveness; my cruise featured an LGBTQI+ social evening.  

How was the experience for families?  

Riviera vibes like an adults-only ship, although children aged one-year-old and up are allowed to board. There are no kids clubs or programming and I didn’t see any little ones on my cruise.

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

My cruise sailed from Venice to Istanbul, with visits to Athens, Mykonos and Croatia’s Split and Rovinj. It’s a fairly common route with competition from other premium and luxury lines. Plentiful shore excursion choices meant choosing was challenging. My standouts were food and wine-driven. In Kusadasi, Turkey, when most visitors toured Ephesus, I joined a small group for a cooking demonstration and sumptuous Turkish lunch prepared by local cooks at a mountain resort hideaway. In Santorini, our guide whisked us to vineyards and wineries. How fascinating to learn how grapevines here thrive on dew alone, and that many island residents make wine with grapes grown in their backyards. 

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

On all ships, Oceania Cruises offers Go Green Tours, where cruisers engage with residents and businesses on conserving and sustaining surrounding environments. For example, in St. Kitts passengers may learn about hydroponic farming in rainforests, or in Athens, observe injured and ill sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation.

Anything we missed  

My food memories astonish me. Months later, I can still taste the illy crema, a frozen blend primarily of espresso and cream, at Baristas. I currently crave Waves Grill’s fragrant vanilla-forward milkshakes, and Wagyu burgers, their juices dripping down my hands. I see the tall chef in a tall toque expertly carving a crackling-skinned whole suckling pig at lunchtime in the Terrace Café. Long story short, the cuisine pretty much blew my mind.   

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

If you’re passionate about food and wine and exploring the world in style, you’ll love life onboard Riviera.