Oceania Riviera to sail in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the year

• The line known for its food is bringing the 1,250 passenger ship to the region from November.
• She will sail 14-35-day itineraries.
• She will help fill the void left by premium lines like Princess, which is reducing its fleet.

Oceania Cruises is set to homeport a vessel in Australia for the first time, a move that will help fill the void left by other premium lines and the first good news about our wave season for some time.

Oceania Riviera , which carries 1250 passengers and a crew of 800, will offer exclusive itineraries with a gourmet foodie focus. The Culinary Centre will feature “Down Under Abundance”, special features including local produce.

The line, which recently moved away from the upper premium space to become “luxury with choice”, already enjoys considerable success with Australian passengers who like its relaxed but upmarket style and strong food focus.

Oceania is a regular winner in the Cruise Passenger Readers’ Choice Awards for food.

The deployment was announced this morning from the US, and Oceania is to offer a broad array of small-group shore excursions including visits to local markets, rice fields, and truffle farms, incorporating everything from Australia’s globally revered seafood to New Zealand’s world-famous lamb.

The vessel’s deployment in Australia and New Zealand will run from November 2025 to March 2026, featuring a diverse selection of itineraries ranging from 14 to 35 days, with departures from multiple ports across the region.

Itineraries will feature Mystery Island in Vanuatu, Dunedin in New Zealand, and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. She will also be sailing from Sydney.

Oceania is known for chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours and these will be offered featuring local restaurants.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Riviera to Australia and New Zealand for the first time,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer, at Oceania Cruises.

“This new chapter reflects our commitment to offering exceptional, immersive experiences that celebrate the region’s diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes. Riviera’s voyages will offer travellers an unmatched opportunity to savour the finest local cuisine while exploring some of the world’s most iconic destinations in unparalleled comfort and style.”

The move will help ease the disappointment of local cruisers over big ship lines like Princess, Cunard and others who are planning to sail fewer vessels in our region.

It follows similar moves by Silversea, Seabourn, Ponant, Azamara and others to step up their presence to take advantage of a lack of capacity for premium cruisers and above.

Yesterday, the New Zealand Cruise Association put out figures showing a massive 40 per cent drop in cruise activity out of the country, blaming a lack of government support, high costs and over-regulation on things like bio security.

Riviera will feature Aussie food

Riviera features The Culinary Center, a state-of-the-art cooking school at sea where guests can participate in hands-on cooking classes inspired by regional flavours. 

The ship’s culinary team has introduced a new class for this year designed to showcase local foodie highlights, the “Down Under Abundance” – a culinary experience inspired by the richness of ingredients found in Australia and New Zealand.

Carefully crafted with Aussie chef colleagues, the class will feature Australian offerings from the sea, the mountains, and the vineyards.

Riviera’s Restaurant offerings

Riviera boasts a selection of gourmet dining venues, each providing a unique culinary experience: 

• Toscana – Authentic Italian cuisine utilising seasonal ingredients
• Polo Grill – Elegant steakhouse in a refined setting
• Jacques – French bistro curated by Jacques Pépin
• Red Ginger – Innovative approach to pan-Asian gastronomy 
• The Grand Dining Room – Where the menu is as sophisticated as the dining room itself
• Terrace Cafe – Open sky dining featuring a special destination-themed Chef’s Market Dinner
• Waves Grill – Relaxed and casual deckside diner-style dining 
• Horizons – Enjoy decadent high tea with 180-degree views

Riviera also features the Artist Loft, a creative space where guests can be taught painting and pottery, plus mini golf and digital classes at a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The line’s Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center offers a full suite of spa services. 

Guests can also book pre-or post-cruise land programs, including the Great Barrier Island Adventure in Auckland, New Zealand, which has chartered fishing trips, star-gazing experiences, and a tour of Auckland’s vibrant metropolis.

There is also a Scenic Journey to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, Australia. Here guests will soak up the landscapes before joining an informative hike with a National Park Ranger who will share Dreamtime stories of the Aboriginal people who first inhabited the area.

Riviera’s Ocean Highlights

Komodos & Kangaroos: 22 days from Singapore to Sydney visiting Surabaya, Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Waingapu Sumba, Perth, Busselton, Albany, Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island), Adelaide, Melbourne and Burnie. Departs 18 November, 2025.

South Pacific Archipelagos: 19 days from Sydney to Papeete visiting Noumea, Mystery Island, Lautoka, Suva, Nuku’alofa, Vava’u, Apia, Pago Pago, Rarotonga, Bora Bora, Huahine and Moorea. Departs 10 December, 2025. 

Azure Atolls to Auckland: 18 days from Papeete to Auckland visiting Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Rarotonga, Alofi, Pago Pago, Apia, Suva, Nuku’alofa and Bay of Islands. Departs 6 January, 2026.

Maori Heritage Route: 14 days from Auckland to Sydney visiting Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart and Melbourne. Departs 25 January, 2026.

Outback to Verdant Bali: 14 days from Sydney to Bali visiting Brisbane, Whitsunday Island, Cairns, Cooktown, Darwin, Komodo and Bali. Departs 8 February, 2026. 

Melanesian Marvels: 21 days from Bali to Sydney visiting Komodo, Kupang (West Timor), Darwin, Port Moresby, Alotau, Honiara, Luganville (Espiritu Santo), Port Vila, Lautoka, Suva and Noumea. Departs 22 February, 2026. 

Kiwi & Coral Seascapes: 21 days from Auckland to Singapore visiting Bay of Islands, Sydney, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Komodo and Bali. Departs 30 March, 2026. 

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