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October 22, 2018

In service since May 2012, Riviera is a medium-sized ship, capable of accommodating up to 1,250 passengers in 625 cabins. Alongside with Marina, also O-Class, it represents the most modern generation of the Oceania Cruises fleet.

The on-board atmosphere is characterized by elegance, created by a combination of sophisticated environments but also by an informal and never rigid style. On Riviera you immediately notice the excellence of the service, made possible thanks to the crew/passenger ratio of 1:2, synonymous with attention and great care for the guests.

Of the 15 bridges, 11 are dedicated to passengers. The internal public areas are distributed on the bridges 5 and 6, while other restaurants and outdoor areas are housed on the bridges 12, 14 and 15. On the 16th bridge, finally, you have the sports field and the MiniGolf in the bow area.

On the 5th deck you can find the elegant atrium with a double stairway, an ideal place to immediately start to breathe in the elegance and relaxation that this ship can infuse into the passenger. Around the atrium are the Reception, the Excursion Office (Destination Services), the Concierge (where you can also book restaurants), and two elegant and bright conversational living rooms.

Moving towards the bow you enter the theater, called Lounge, which is also very elegant and spacious. Towards the stern, however, you cross the Boutiques area, which offers many shopping opportunities, from jewelry to clothing, to cute souvenirs with the Oceania logo. Here you can also find two of the four free specialty restaurants on board: Red Ginger and Jacques, dedicated respectively to Oriental and French cuisine.

Up, on the sixth deck, around the Upper Hall, above the main atrium, is the Ocean Club Office, where you can book your next cruise or request information on your loyalty program status. Moving back towards the center of the ship you will find the Bar Martinis, specialized in the homonymous cocktail, with many variations and types. But it is also the ideal place to listen to music on the piano or to have a chat on soft velvet couches and immersed in original paintings. A bit further there is the Casino, equipped with tables and slots and served by the lively purple Bar.

On the parallel corridor, the Grand Bar has a very classic style, an ideal setting for waiting for dinner with a good aperitif to the sound of violins. The entire stern area is occupied by the main restaurant, the Grand Dining Room. Open for breakfast, lunch (while in navigation) and dinner; it is cozy and bright, here you can savor the Oceania Cruises’ cuisine served by an always impeccable staff.

Bridges from the seventh to the eleventh are occupied by various types of cabins. The Lido is located on bridge 12, it’s served by the Waves Bar at the bow and the Waves Grill towards the stern. On the sides of the pool there are two Jacuzzis. Before entering the Suites, you will find the Culinary Center on the left side, a space for cooking lessons, and the Artist Loft on the right side, where you can learn to paint in the company of artists.

On the opposite side of the Waves Grill, back towards the stern, is La Reserve, an exclusive room to taste prestigious wines accompanied by combined delicacies. An experience in collaboration with The Wine Spectator that, although paid, is certainly worth trying for wine and food lovers. The Terrace Café, which leads to the open terrace of the aft, is the buffet restaurant. Every day we offer various specialties, the Grill and the pasta station are always available and will cook for you right on the spot.

On deck 14, in the bow, we have the Spa, managed in collaboration with the famous Canyon Ranch brand, synonymous with quality and refinement. In addition to the gym there is an aerobics room, the Styling Salon, the treatments rooms, the sauna with Turkish bath and two relaxation rooms. Suite guests have access to an outdoor area equipped with sun loungers and a large central Jacuzzi.

Once out of the Spa, still on deck 14, there are two outdoor relaxation areas, the Patio and The Sanctuary. They are ideal to enjoy navigation comfortably lying on the couches. The balconies on the pool are the Solarium area, which has direct views of the sea. Moving towards the stern you can taste the best coffee on board, served at the Barista’s. On both sides of the Bar there is a library, one of the most beautiful in the sea, and the Oceania@Sea, the Internet Center. In a room decorated with model ships there are cards, puzzles and board games available.

On the stern there are, on the left side and on the right side of the ship, respectively, the Ristorante Toscana and the Polo Grill. The first is dedicated to predominantly Italian cuisine, while the second one is the ideal place for a huge steak or for shellfish lovers. Between the two restaurants there is a private room that can be booked on request. It is the elegant oval table of Le Privèe, where you can taste the dishes of the two neighboring restaurants in an exclusive atmosphere overlooking the bow of the Riviera.

On the fourteenth deck, above the Spa, you can find the Horizions, a large lounge suitable for every hour of the day. We read in the morning silence, we celebrate the tea ceremony in the afternoon and dance in the evening. All with a 270-degree view of the sea. There is an area reserved for smokers. On the stern, the Fitness Track and the areas for Shuffleboard and Croquet are developed outside.

Riviera offers different types of cabins. Some suites are also located in the forward part of bridge 12. The interior ones measure about 16 square meters and are equipped with furniture and services very similar to the ones in other categories. In all the rooms there is a bathtub with a shower and bath products from famous brands, a minibar, bathrobes and slippers. The cabins with windows rise to 22 square meters and 26 the ones with a balcony. Concierge-level cabins, similar in appearance, have several additional services, including priority in restaurant selection and access to the private lounge (Concierge Lounge and Executive Lounge for Suites). Spectacular are the Owner’s Suites, 190 square meters wide, occupying the entire width of the ship.

Oceania Cruises is a company that dedicates great attention to high gastronomy, offering a series of free specialty restaurants that allow you to dine every evening in a great context and with a different menu. This is in “informal luxury” environments, pampered while visiting exclusive destinations all over the world.

Riviera, a medium-sized next-gen cruise, is definitely an opportunity you have to try.

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