Oceania Riviera

The 2012-built Oceania Riviera cruise ship is one of the fleet’s newest vessels, with sistership Marina. Both ships 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-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 USA-based 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 equity investment funds.

Since September 2014, Oceania and its sister company RSSC-Regent have been owned by NCLH, acquired at a total cost of USD 3 billion.

Since January 2026, Oceania has operated as an adults-only cruise line and sea travel brand.

Oceania ships offer luxury cruises with relatively shorter itineraries, as well as Around The World voyages lasting up to 180 days.

The 1,300-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 line strongly focused on culinary excellence.

In February 2016, Oceania Cruises won six “Best for” awards for the luxurious mid-sized Riviera, as voted by Cruise Critic readers. The ship was recognized for best service, dining, staterooms, public rooms, and embarkation process, and Oceania Cruises also ranked in the top five in three additional categories. Riviera received awards in the following categories: Best Cruise Ship for Embarkation, Best Cruise Ship for Dining, Best Cruise Ship for Service, Best Cruise Ship Cabins, Best Cruise Ship Public Rooms, and Best Cruise Line Overall. The ship reflects Oceania’s core pillars of service, comfort, and fine cuisine at sea.

Decks and Cabins

Oceania Riviera staterooms (629 total, across 17 categories) include 147 Suites, 444 Balcony cabins, 20 Oceanview cabins, and 18 Interior cabins. The majority (94%) are Balcony staterooms, each sized approximately 240 ft2 / 22 m2. The largest accommodations are the aft-facing Owner’s Suites, measuring 1,335 ft2 / 124 m2, plus a 665 ft2 / 62 m2 wraparound terrace.

The ship has 15 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 6 contain staterooms.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Oceania Riviera offers four reservations-only specialty restaurants, along with a buffet restaurant and several casual dining venues. Specialty restaurants carry no additional charge but require reservations. The most high-profile venue is Jacques, the first restaurant ever created, on land or at sea, by celebrity chef Jacques Pepin. Designed as a traditional French bistro, Jacques focuses on classic French cuisine. Other specialty restaurants include the Polo Grill steakhouse, Mediterranean Toscana (both carried over from earlier Oceania ships), and Red Ginger (Pan-Asian).

Jacques also hosts the “Gérard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing Experience,” offered through an exclusive partnership with Gérard Bertrand (1965-born French winemaker who owns or manages 13 estates in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France). The experience features a six-course gourmet menu, with each course paired with regional wines. Seating is limited to 40 guests per service.

Below is the complete list of Riviera restaurants and food venues.

• Red Ginger (Pan-Asian specialty restaurant)
• Jacques (124-seat complimentary dinner restaurant, reservations required; French cuisine by chef Jacques Pepin)
• Grand Dining Room (complimentary 340-seat restaurant with open seating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; French-inspired menus that change daily)
• Ice Cream Parlor (pool deck; offering favorite flavors, including Humphry Slocombe, plus milkshakes and smoothies)
• Culinary Center (for cooking classes and demonstrations; hosts the “Gourmet Explorer Series” and “La Technique,” an advanced class focusing on the techniques of chef Jacques Pepin)
• La Reserve (24-seat wine bar with surcharge; wine tastings and seven-course dinner menus)
• Toscana (96-seat Italian fine dining restaurant; dinner-only, reservations required, complimentary; traditional Italian cuisine)
• Polo Grill (96-seat steakhouse restaurant; complimentary, reservations required)
• Privee (private dining room between Toscana and Polo Grill; 10-seat capacity, USD 1,000 per room; Chef’s Table experience with a seven-course gourmet menu)
• In October 2015, Oceania announced plans to combine Toscana and Polo Grill into a new venue, “Tuscan Steak,” featuring rich wood paneling with platinum and silver accents. The dinner menu includes items such as “Bistecca alla Fiorentina,” “Maine Lobster & Shrimp Fra Diavolo,” “Tuscan Porterhouse Steak,” and Oceania’s signature “Iberico de Bellota” pork chops, along with a wine cellar showcasing fine selections.

Red Ginger is a Pan-Asian specialty restaurant serving fusion cuisine and offering a five-course tasting menu (à la carte pricing). The menu includes shareable selections for two to four guests, soups, salads, appetizers, seafood, vegetarian and meat main courses, and a variety of sides. Fleetwide since 2026, Red Ginger’s menu also features 12 Nikkei dishes (Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine developed by master chef Gustavo Sugay), combining traditional Peruvian ingredients with Japanese culinary techniques.

During the ship’s most recent refurbishments, three new dining venues were introduced: Aquamar Kitchen, the poolside Ice Cream Bar, and an alfresco Pizzeria (operating at Waves Grill in the evenings).

Aquamar Kitchen is a wellness-focused dining venue (introduced fleetwide with Oceania Vista in 2023). Complimentary and reservation-free, it offers wellness-inspired cuisine and beverages, including smoothies, cold-pressed juices, mocktails made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits, energy bowls, avocado toast, salads, wraps, tuna tacos, chicken sandwiches, and Oceania’s “Impossible Burger.”

The poolside Ice Cream Bar serves gourmet Humphry Slocombe ice cream, along with milkshakes and smoothies.

Waves Grill is a casual fast-food venue serving the Pool Deck with made-to-order specialties and gourmet gelato or freshly made ice cream. The menu includes more than 20 items, such as burgers with fresh salads, coleslaw, hand-cut fries, Surf & Turf Wagyu Burger, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, and cold sandwiches. In the evenings, Waves Grill transforms into an alfresco pizzeria serving freshly baked pizzas, grilled Italian specialties, salads, rosemary focaccia with burrata, and desserts such as Nutella pizza.

Terrace Cafe & Bar is a complimentary casual buffet restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with both indoor and outdoor seating and rotating menus. The Terrace Bar also serves as a small pizzeria. In the evenings, Terrace Cafe transforms into “Tapas on the Terrace,” offering traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Once per cruise, an Indian Corner opens during dinner service, featuring a themed station with 15 authentic Indian dishes.

The Lido Buffet’s Sushi Station offers approximately 45 recipes, including sashimi, uramaki, nigiri, and a daily vegetarian sushi option.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Like her sister ship Marina, Riviera features some of the most palatial public spaces at sea, with furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home and layouts by Dakota Jackson (New York) and S.B. Long (Greenwich, Connecticut). The ship also boasts a Lalique-designed grand lobby, numerous restaurants, and an extensive selection of bars and lounges. Amenities include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub, the Bon Appétit Culinary Center for cooking demonstrations and classes, and La Reserve by Wine Spectator wine lounge.

Below is the complete list of Riviera lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues.

• Riviera Lounge (main showroom and theatre for live evening entertainment and themed dance parties; also hosts daily trivia, lectures, and presentations)
• The Casino (operates with USD wagers; served by the Casino Bar)
• Martinis (piano bar serving a wide selection of martinis)
• Three Boutiques (duty-free perfumes, jewelry, Oceania-branded merchandise, clothing, gifts, and convenience items)
• Upper Hall lounge area (with grand piano for live performances, served by the Martinis Bar)
• Grand Bar (wine bar hosting tastings, served by Baristas offering complimentary illy coffee)
• Concierge Lounge (for Concierge Level and Suite guests)
• Executive Lounge (for Concierge Level Balcony and Suite guests)
• Artist Loft (educational center for Oceania Cruises enrichment programs)
• Oceania@Sea (24-hour Internet center with computers; private lessons and group classes available)
• Pool area (one swimming pool, two whirlpools, sunbathing area, and bandstand, served by the Waves Bar)
• Sanctuary (outdoor shaded relaxation area with loungers)
• The Patio (outdoor shaded lounge with chairs, daybeds, and sofas)
• Baristas (patisserie and specialty coffee bar serving complimentary illy beverages)
• Horizons (lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling windows, live entertainment, full bar, and afternoon tea service; transforms into a nightclub at night)
• Fitness Track (power walking and jogging track); Promenade (Deck 6)
• The Library (over 1,000 books, including numerous destination guides); Board Room
• Sun Deck (served by the Polo Bar; features sun loungers, showers, and deck games including shuffleboard, golf driving net, nine-hole mini-golf putting greens, and a tennis court)

Aquamar Wellness Center includes a Spa Terrace, swimming pool, two spa whirlpools, steam rooms, treatment rooms, styling salon, Canyon Ranch Spa Club, fitness center/gym, and a boardroom for card and board games. Canyon Ranch Spa Club treatments include acupuncture, Ayurveda, healing energy therapies, body wraps and scrubs, skincare, tanning, massages, and exotic treatments.

Aquamar Kitchen (added in 2024) is a signature wellness restaurant offering health-focused menus. Breakfast options include smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and energy bowls, while lunch features avocado toast, salads and wraps, an Impossible Burger, yellowfin tuna tacos, and a crunchy chicken sandwich. The beverage menu includes premium non-alcoholic wines from Pierre Zéro and mocktails made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits. Aquamar Kitchen is complimentary and does not require reservations.

Itineraries

MS Riviera’s itinerary program is centered on seasonal Caribbean deployments with roundtrips from PortMiami (Florida, USA). During the summer season, the ship operates in Europe and the Mediterranean, with departures primarily from Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Venice, including Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

In 2024, the ship began an inaugural season in Asia, operating voyages to ports in Arabia, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, China, and Korea. The 25 Asian itineraries ranged from 10 to 82 days, with departure ports including Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UAE), Mumbai (India), Singapore, Laem Chabang (Bangkok, Thailand), Hong Kong, Incheon (South Korea), and Yokohama (Tokyo, Japan).

Alaskan itineraries 2025

In September 2024, Oceania announced Riviera’s first Alaska deployment for the 2025 summer season (May through September).

The Alaska voyages include the following themed itineraries:

• “Alaska Reflections” (8 days from Vancouver, BC, Canada to Whittier, Alaska) – departure May 13
• “Explorer’s Alaska” (8 days from Whittier to Vancouver) – departure May 21
• “Wilds of Alaska” (12 days from Vancouver to Whittier) – departure May 29
• “Alaskan Accolades” (7 days from Whittier to Vancouver) – departure June 10
• “Majestic Alaska” (9 days from Vancouver to Seattle, Washington) – departure June 17
• “Gems of the Last Frontier” (12-day roundtrip from Seattle) – departures June 26 and July 17
• “Wonders of Alaska” (9-day roundtrip from Seattle) – departure July 8
• “Radiant Alaska” (10-day roundtrip from Seattle) – departure July 29
• “Frontier Adventures” (10-day roundtrip from Seattle) – departure August 8

Each voyage will be accompanied by a naturalist providing expert commentary on Alaska’s diverse wildlife. Cruises will also feature a family-friendly experience through Oceania’s Alaska Explorer Youth Program, designed for children aged 5 to 12, with games, educational activities, and Alaska-themed events.

Optional pre- and post-cruise land programs include the Discover Denali extension, a fully guided excursion through Denali National Park with two full days of exploration and scenic rail travel.

Oceania Riviera is sister to her fleetmate MS Marina. The vessel was christened on May 11, 2012, in Barcelona. Her godmother is professional chef Cat Cora, America’s “Iron Chef.” The inaugural cruise was in the Mediterranean Sea, sailing from Venice, Italy, and concluding ten days later in Athens, Greece.

The vessel (Fincantieri Sestri Ponente, hull number 6195) is powered by four WARTSILA marine diesel engines (models 12V46C/2x12.6 MW and 8L46C/2x8.4 MW) with a combined output of 42 MW. Total propulsion power is 30.3 MW, comprising bow thrusters (2x2.2 MW), a stern thruster (1x1.9 MW), and fixed-pitch propellers (2x12 MW). The registered shipowner is NCL BAHAMAS LTD, while the current ship manager is RIVIERA NEW BUILD LLC.

On September 2, 2014, NCLH Norwegian purchased Prestige Cruise Holdings (owner of Oceania Cruises and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas) for USD 3.025 billion, thereby becoming the owner of all vessels in both fleets.

The Apollo Group provides all Oceania ships with comprehensive onboard hotel products and services, including administration, food preparation and service staff, housekeeping, provisioning, and crewing. Other cruise lines served by Apollo include Thomson UK (Marella Cruises) and RSSC-Regent.

Oceania Riviera refurbishments review

During the 2024 drydock refurbishment (April–May), two new dining venues were added: Aquamar Kitchen (a wellness-inspired concept introduced fleetwide with Oceania Vista in 2023) and the Pizzeria (an alfresco venue serving Italian dishes, including pizzas and burrata). The poolside ice cream parlor was expanded to include milkshakes and smoothies. The refit also included renovations to all Penthouse Suites (custom-crafted furniture, new closets and cabinetry, upgraded lighting, carpets and upholstery, additional power outlets and USB ports), as well as all cabin bathrooms (Italian marble finishes, additional storage drawers, and oversized showers). All public areas were refreshed, including hallways, stairways, and venues. Martinis, Horizons, the Grand Dining Room, and the Library received new carpets and upholstery, while the Polo Grill steakhouse was revamped with new carpeting, window treatments, and pillowed leather dining chairs.

The ship’s drydock refurbishment in April 2019 (as part of the OceaniaNEXT project) resulted in several deck plan changes. Among the most notable was the introduction of a new cabin category, the Owner’s Suite, designed by Trevor R. Howells (Los Angeles-based interior design firm).

Owner’s Suites are two-room accommodations furnished with Ralph Lauren Home furniture. The color palette features white, navy blue, camel, and crème tones. Upholstery and fabrics combine stripes and solids, accented with silver- and gold-metallic highlights. The suite’s foyer features premium wood paneling and stone flooring (limestone and black cabochon), while the in-suite bar is crafted from mahogany with a quartzite stone top.

The suite’s living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, Grimaldi-weave sail-white fabrics, a self-playing piano made of polished ebony hardwood, a sectional sofa with navy blue cushions, and a mahogany lounge chair. The dining room features a Mayfair table and a Barrett Medium Knurled chandelier in natural brass. The master bedroom is fitted with a king-size bed, Mayfair Bergere armchairs, and nickel-trimmed lighting.

The suite’s wraparound balcony is teak-floored and furnished with custom-made Ralph Lauren outdoor lounge furniture.

During the November–December 2022 drydock at Chantiers Naval de Marseille, all staterooms were fully refurbished and new culinary options were introduced. All public spaces (including hallways, stairways, bars, lounges, and dining venues such as the Grand Dining Room and Polo Grill) were also renovated, receiving new furnishings, fabrics, lighting fixtures, artwork, and Tuscan marble finishes. The hull’s underwater portion was cleaned and repainted with AQUATERRAS (a biocide-free self-polishing coating by Nippon Paint Marine Coatings Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings Co Ltd).