Oceania takes delivery of Riviera

Oceania Cruises took delivery of its new 1,250-guest Riviera at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa on April 27. The line’s newest vessel comes just 15 months following the launch of sister ship, Marina. The 66,172-ton Riviera is purpose-built to engage and inspire epicureans with 10 dining venues, including Jacques, the namesake restaurant of Master Chef Jacques Pépin. The ship also boasts a Bon Appétit Culinary Center for hands-on learning and La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a professional facility for wine tastings and pairing dinners. On May 11 in Barcelona, Riviera will be officially christened, presided over by godmother Cat Cora, a master chef, restaurateur, humanitarian, author and co-host of Bravo’s new “Around the World in 80 Plates.”Riviera departs on its 10-day maiden voyage from Venice to Athens on May 16. From May 16 through Nov. 29, it will offer a total of 20 Mediterranean voyages, calling at ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco, with maiden calls in Cephalonia (Argostoli), Motril (Granada) and La Palma, Canary Islands. (http://www.OceaniaCruises.com)