Reviewed by and sailed to: Kathy & Stephy – Melbourne to Sydney (via Burnie, Tasmania)

Date: 7 to 10 December 2025

Cruise line and ship: Oceania Cruises, Riviera

Size of ship: ~66,084 gross tons

Passenger capacity: 1,250 guests

Crew size: 800 crew members

Crew-to-guest ratio: About 1:1.6 (very high level of service)

Year built (refurbed): Built in 2012; refurbished in 2022 (part of Oceania’s fleet-wide refresh)

Currency onboard: U.S. Dollar (USD)

Where the ship cruises: Worldwide itineraries, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, South America, Asia, Australia & New Zealand.

Most suited to:
Riviera is best suited for travellers who appreciate a more refined, relaxed style of cruising. It felt ideal for couples, solo travellers, and seasoned cruisers who value great food, attentive service, and immersive destinations rather than high-energy nightlife or large numbers of children on board.

Embarkation/Disembarkation process:
Embarkation was smooth and stress-free, with minimal waiting and a very calm, organised feel. Disembarkation was just as efficient, which really set the tone for how well-run the ship felt overall.

Atmosphere:
The atmosphere onboard was elegant but never stuffy. It felt quietly luxurious, with a peaceful, sophisticated vibe. Even during sea days, the ship never felt crowded or noisy.

Staterooms: We cruised in a Veranda Stateroom # 8091
The staterooms were spacious, beautifully designed, and extremely comfortable. The spacious marble bathroom had plenty of drawers and cupboards, and the full double glass door walk-in shower felt very luxurious with its rainshower head and a second handheld shower head. Excellent water pressure.

The bathroom amenities were Aquamar, Oceania Cruises’ signature wellness line. The scents from the infused essential oils and organic ingredients were relaxing and invigorating. 

The sitting area and very comfortable beds made it easy to feel at home. Everything felt thoughtfully laid out and well-maintained.

The veranda was spacious, with two very comfortable and padded arm chairs and a small table- perfect for enjoying a morning barista coffee ( ordered from the included room service).

Dining options & service:
One of the standout parts of the experience was the food. Dining is truly a highlight on this ship,  and what we loved most was that all the specialty restaurants were included. We enjoyed everything from classic French cuisine at Jacques to steaks and seafood at the Polo Grill, and the Pan-Asian flavors at Red Ginger. Afternoon tea in the main dining room was also a lovely daily treat on offer.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to sample Italian at Toscana, but heard it was also amazing.

Breakfast in the main dining room was equally delicious, serving a wide variety of options – freshly baked pastries, breads, made-to-order eggs and omelettes, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, smoked salmon, cheeses, and hot breakfast items. There were also lighter, healthier choices alongside more classic breakfast dishes.

 The Terrace Café is the ship’s main casual dining venue, and it’s surprisingly high quality for a buffet-style space.

Waves Grill is the ship’s casual, poolside spot and perfect for relaxed daytime dining. It serves classic grill favourites like gourmet burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches, along with grilled fish, chicken, and other rotating specials. You’ll also find fresh-cut fries and lighter options such as salads and healthy bowls, so it’s not just heavy comfort food.

It’s a casual, unfussy spot that’s really popular for lunch or a relaxed afternoon bite.

We also loved the option of room service, especially for that early morning coffee, pastry and a fruit platter.

Entertainment:
Entertainment was more low-key and refined rather than flashy. There were live music performances, evening shows, and enrichment-style talks, which suited the overall calm and sophisticated feel of the ship.

We enjoyed the trivia afternoons and there is bingo for the more serious punters with great prizes!

Onboard activities:
Onboard activities focused more on enrichment and relaxation than high-energy fun. There were guest lectures, spa time, poolside relaxation, an artist’s loft, a culinary centre and plenty of quiet spaces to read or enjoy the ocean views.

A highlight for us was the Crew Market Fair, on the outdoor Lida deck, during one of the sea days. Various departments presented wholesome and hilarious funfair-style games, where you would compete for tickets. At the end of the 45-minute fair, Jason the Cruise Director, pulled out a plethora of tickets where the winners were lucky enough to receive fabulous prizes from branded hats and caps, to cookbooks, bottles of wine and soft toys. 

The library is also spectacularly large, with a great variety of books to choose from.

Favourite experiences on the ship:
Some of our favourite moments were dining in the specialty restaurants, the gym, the spa and its facilities (jacuzzi, quiet room, sauna and steam room) and simply appreciating how uncrowded and peaceful the ship felt throughout the journey. Stephy indulged in several spa treatments and found them to be of excellent therapeutic benefits.

Laundry:
We didn’t use the laundry but there are convenient, complimentary self-service guest laundrettes available.

Uniqueness:
What really sets Riviera apart is the outstanding cuisine, high crew-to-guest ratio, the quality of the crew, and the overall sense of understated luxury. It felt more like staying in an upscale boutique hotel at sea than being on a traditional cruise ship.