Iron Chef Christens New Ship

Photo courtesy Oceania Cruises

Oceania Riviera

Christened in Spain

by Iron Chef Cat Cora

Barcelona, Spain was the site Friday for the traditional Christening Ceremony for Oceania Riviera. Iron Chef Cat Cora, Godmother of the new ship, arrived onboard the ship Wednesday, where she was presented with a gift of a stunning diamond necklace and earrings during a luncheon attended by executives of Oceania Cruises.

In keeping with the nautical traditions, Godmother Cora reached for the jewel-studded lever and released a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin champagne, declaring...

“I name this ship Riviera. May God bless her and all who sail with her.”

Chef Cora was beaming as she approached the stage. “I want to say as the mother of four boys – finally I have a girl! And isn’t she a beauty!”

She went on to say how honored she was to be joining the Oceania Cruises family. “I couldn’t be more thrilled. With the Oceania family I feel like I share so many of their values: loyalty, friendship, and excellence as well as the best of travel, food and wine. I want to thank Frank, Bob and Kunal as well as…all of the hundreds of crew members that are the soul of this ship and that will be making me proud as it sails around the world.”

This naming ceremony had a Spanish flare with the port decked in the vibrant reds and yellows of Catalonia. Flamenco dancers and Spanish guitarists were on hand to entertain those fortunate to be present for the event.  See Oceania Cruises photo album, #Riviera's Christening in Barcelona, for more pictures of the Christening.   Congratulations on the launch of another beautiful luxury ship.

Ship Specifications

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Riviera: Debuts in 2012 Tonnage: 66,084 Length: 785 feet Beam: 106 feet Maximum Draught: 24 feet Stabilizers: Yes Cruising Speed: 20 knots Guest Decks: 11

Total Decks: 15 Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy) Staff Size: 800 Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1 Nationality of Officers: European Nationality of Staff: International Country of Registry: Marshall Island

Oceania Riviera Maiden Voyage Delayed

Year	2012
Gross Tonnage	66,000 t
Length between Pp	210 m
Moulded  Breadth	32.2 m
Number of Cabins	629
Max Speed	19.5 knots

Artist Rendition of  Oceania Riviera            Courtesy Fincantieri

Oceania Riviera Facts

Oceania Cruises announced that the debut of its next ship, the 1,250-passenger Riviera, has been delayed due to recent strikes at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa, Italy where it is being built.  It is a sister ship to Marina which debuted last year.  It was also built by the same shipyard.

Delay Cancels Two Cruises

The maiden voyage of the 66,000-ton vessel has been pushed back to May 16 from April 2, 2012. Two cruises scheduled to take place between April 24 and May 16 are being canceled.

"We sincerely regret any inconvenience that this may cause our guests," Oceania President Kunal Kamlani says in a statement accompanying the announcement. "We are working very closely with the shipyard to ensure Riviera is completed to meet Oceania's high standards of quality and service."

Second Delay for Debut

This is the second announced delay, within the last six months, to the maiden voyage of the Riviera. The line announced in August that the ship's debut was being pushed back from April 14 to April 24.  Delays to maiden voyages, while rare, can happen for a number of reasons.  In this case, a strike over reorganization planned at the shipyard due to a slowdown in newbuild orders, lasted longer than expected.


Oceania says customers on the canceled cruises will be contacted by the line or their travel agents to discuss alternative cruise dates. Those who choose to rebook onto a later voyage will receive a credit ranging from $250 to $1,000 per person, depending on category of accommodation. Those who do not wish to rebook will receive a full refund.

The new maiden voyage is a 10-day ‘Pearls of the Aegean’ cruise that includes an overnight aboard ship in Venice before departing for Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Crete, Santorini, Delos, Mykonos and Athens.

Oceania Riviera Maiden Voyage Date Changed

Photo Courtesy Oceania Cruises

Riviera Floated Out At The Fincantieri Shipyard in Genoa

Oceania Riviera

Currently Under Construction

Oceania Riviera, the latest ship to be commissioned by Oceania Cruises, is currently under construction by Fincantieri Shipyard in Genoa, Italy.

Last month, Riviera completed a successful float from the construction dock to the fitting-out pier that will be Riviera's home for the next nine months.  Thousands of craftsman now begin fitting out and finishing her magnificent, designer interiors so that she can join her sister ship, Marina, in European waters.


Maiden Voyage Date Changed

Oceania Cruises announced the rescheduling of the maiden voyage of the Riviera.   The 1,250-passenger ship is now scheduled to sail on April 24, 2012, 10 days later than originally planned. According to Oceania Cruises, the delay will “allow additional time for the staff to familiarize themselves with the ship’s facilities and fine-tune the countless details required to deliver the acclaimed Oceania Cruises experience.”

The Riviera's inaugural voyage will be a 12-day Ancient Grandeur cruise from Athens, with calls at Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt; Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel; Alanya, Rhodes and Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; and an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Since the maiden voyage is now 10 days later and 2 days longer, Oceania Cruises is allowing guests to modify their plans if they desire.  Guests have the following options:

• Keep reservation -  receive 2 bonus days at no extra cost & $250 per guest in shipboard credit
• Book a different voyage - receive $250 per guest toward a future cruise
• Cancel cruise - receive a full refund

Oceania Riviera Ship Profile | Itineraries & Pricing | Deck Plans | Ship Reviews | Photos
Riviera: Debuts in 2012 Tonnage: 66,084 Length: 785 feet Beam: 106 feet Maximum Draught: 24 feet Stabilizers: Yes Cruising Speed: 20 knots Guest Decks: 11	Total Decks: 15 Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy) Staff Size: 800 Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1 Nationality of Officers: European Nationality of Staff: International Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

 Watch for more posts about Oceania Riviera as construction continues.