Perspectives OCEANIA CRUISES’ RIVIERA By Bob Miller A Cruise Holidays franchise owner among the most beautiful cruise ships afloat. A vast, multimillion-dollar original art collection only adds to the ship’s ambience. The staterooms on the Riviera are spacious and comfortable. Standard ocean view and balcony category rooms boast a full 242 square feet of living space, marble baths with full-sized bathtub and separate shower, and refrigerated mini bars restocked daily with complimentary soft drinks and bottled water. The three Owner’s Suites on board offer an amazing 2,000 square feet with furnishings from the Ralph Lauren Home collection. EVERYONE HAS HIS OR HER OWN IDEAS of what makes the perfect cruise ship. For me, the top three considerations are quality cuisine, top-notch service, and space. I found all three, and more, on Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, the Riviera. The Riviera, christened in Barcelona, Spain, in May, 2012 is the fifth addition to Oceania’s fleet. Celebrating the latest culmination in the company’s remarkable success story, the ceremony was complete with Flamenco dancers, Spanish guitarists, and the official naming of the ship by Riviera’s Godmother, Cat Cora. Cat Cora is a particularly appropriate choice for Godmother. As a celebrity chef and co-host of many food-oriented television shows, she symbolizes Oceania’s promise to offer the finest cuisine at sea. The Riviera delivers on Oceania’s promise in spades with a plethora of dining choices that all offer consistently high-quality and tasty food choices. Complementing the Riviera’s European-inspired Grand Dining Room are a whopping six alternative dining venues, offering everything from steak and fresh seafood to French to Italian and Asian Fusion, all of which are complimentary. The Riviera also offers La Reserve, a food-and-wine pairing restaurant run in partnership with Wine Spectator magazine, and Privee, a private dining room guests can reserve for an intimate dining experience. The public spaces aboard the Riviera exude sophisticated elegance. From its centerpiece – the crystal Lalique Grand Staircase – to its warm colors and rich fabrics and generous use of granite throughout, the Riviera unquestionably is The Riviera also offers some firsts for the cruise industry. The Bon Appetit Culinary Center, for example, is the only cooking school at sea offering hands-on instruction. Executive Master Chefs lead classes of 24 guests at 12 individual cooking stations complete with sink, stove, and utensils. At last check, the Riviera is offering 26 distinct classes for the 2013 European cruise season, including classes entitled “Perfect Provence,” “Tuscan Treasures,” and “Gloriously Modern Greek.” The Riviera also offers another first – the Artist Loft – where talented artists offer step-by-step instruction in such things as watercolors, needlepoint, and a variety of other crafts. The Riviera’s Canyon Ranch Spa provides a full menu of services, including massage, acupuncture, and body wraps. And when you feel the need to work off some of the calories you have ingested from the sumptuous cuisine on board, the Riviera’s gym is complete with weights, instructors, and the latest in fitness equipment. Finally, the Riviera advances Oceania’s reputation for exceptional on board service. With 800 staff to service its 1,250 guests, the Riviera’s guest-to-staff ratio is one of the best in the cruise industry. Staff members anticipate guests’ needs, consistently delivering attentive yet unobtrusive service. This year, the Riviera is offering 7- to 14-night cruises in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Rates on the Oceania Riviera include round trip airfare, bottled water, and soft drinks. Plus, on select sail dates, Cruise Holidays offers additional moneysaving amenities, including prepaid gratuities. 14 CRUISE HOLIDAYS