The newest upper-premium
cruise ship will offer voyages in
the Mediterranean and
Caribbean.
GREEK-American celebrity chef Cat Cora
officiated as godmother at a gala ceremony
held in Barcelona over the weekend to name
Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera.
As a traditional christening, Deacon Ricardo
Rodriguez-Martos, of Apostleship of the Sea,
was also on hand to bestow blessings on the
vessel, a sister ship of Oceania’s awardwinning
Marina.
Among the 1,300 guests were the cruise
line’s Founder and Chairman Frank Del Rio, its
President Kunal Kamlani, and the Mayor of
Barcelona, Xavier Trias.
“Today, the baton as the world’s premiere
ship has passed to Riviera,” said Del Rio.
“I’ve repeatedly said that it was going to be
hard to improve on Marina’s perfection, but I
didn’t say it would be impossible.
“And we have done just that – improved on
perfection,” he added.
The event included renditions of the Spanish
and American national anthems, a tribute to
the ship’s home-ports of Barcelona and
Miami.
Riviera will offer 20 Mediterranean sailings
this year before heading to the US in
November for a series of Caribbean cruises.
Following the christening cruise, Riviera
begins a 10-day maiden voyage from Venice to
Athens, departing tomorrow (16 May).
During its European season, the ship will
visit ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain,
Portugal, Turkey Croatia, Cyprus,
Montenegro and Monaco, as well as Morocco
and Israel, with maiden calls in Cephalonia
(Argostoli), Motril (Granada) and the Canary
Islands.
A 14-day ‘Classic Crossing’ from Barcelona to
Miami, departs 15 November 2012, and after
its Caribbean season, on 28 March 2013,
Riviera will return to Europe, sailing from
Miami to Barcelona on a two-week
‘Enchanted Passage’.
The 1,250-passeger Riviera features
luxurious suites by Dakota Jackson, Ralph
Lauren Home-furnished owner’s suites, a Bon
Appétit culinary centre, a Canyon Ranch
SpaClub, an extensive Latin American artwork
collection and an Artist Loft with hands-on
instruction.
The mid-size ship measures 52.8 tonnes per
passenger, offering approximately one-third
more space per passenger compared to most
modern ships.
For bookings, call (02) 9959 1371 or see
www.oceaniacruise.com.
