Oceania Cruises’ Riviera Completes Successful Sea Trials

March 27, 2012 — Oceania Cruises’ eagerly anticipated new ship, Riviera, successfully completed sea trials on March 26. The twin sister of Oceania Marina endured three days of functional evaluation on the Mediterranean Sea under countless variations of ocean conditions and internal technical settings. She passed the test with flying colors.

Riviera’s Captain, Luca Manzi, was thrilled with the ship’s performance. The ship “handled perfectly,” he said.

Technicians and engineers from the Fincantieri Sestre shipyard, near Genoa, Italy, along with Oceania Cruises’ technical teams, put the 66,084 ton ship through grueling tests of speed, maneuverability, equipment function – including hydrodynamics and propulsion systems – and safety features. It was the final assessment to deem Riviera seaworthy. Now she gets outfitted with finishing touches and decorative details.

As with Marina, Riviera focuses on the upper-premium segment of traveler in design and on-board accoutrements. The Grand Staircase features a double stairway, resplendent with crystal, designed and created for Oceania by master artisans from Lalique Crystal. Staterooms are decorated by an award-winning interior designer using the crisp and tailored look of Ralph Lauren Home linens and furnishings.

Epicureans will be overjoyed with Oceania Riviera’s spotlight on gourmet dining and elegant wine. Riviera features 10 dining venues, including six gourmet restaurants, a hands-on cooking school and professional facility for wine tastings and wine-pairing dinners.

Guests who are missing their own kitchens, or who want to take advantage of a state-of-the-art culinary center, need look no further than the Bon Appétit Culinary Center on the Riviera, the only custom-designed cooking school at sea. Not only will guests prepare a variety of superb dishes from master chefs, they may even accompany chefs ashore to shop for local ingredients.

Wine enthusiasts may enjoy an evening at La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a well-appointed setting where a maximum of 24 guests are served a gourmet meal, with each course thoughtfully paired with the perfect wine. Wines are hand-selected by Oceania Riviera’s head sommelier and the pairings are explained. Informational wine-tastings are also held here.

Oceania Riviera will be christened in Barcelona in May 11, 2012 by her godmother, Chef Cat Cora, master chef, media personality and philanthropist. Then Oceania Riviera will set sail on her maiden voyage from Venice on May 16.