Oceania Riviera Christened at Gala in Spain

Oceania Cruises' Riviera was christened in Barcelona at an invitation-only, gala ceremony.

Chef Cat Cora, restaurateur, author and co-host of Bravo's "Around the World in 80 Plates" named the ship while Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez-Martos of Barcelona's Apostleship of the Sea bestowed the traditional blessings.

Frank Del Rio, the line's founder and chairman, and Kunal Kamlani, the line's president, presided over festivities that concluded with a 15 liter, 250 pound bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne breaking against the ship's hull. Nearly 1,300 guests, including Xavier Trias, the Mayor of Barcelona, were in attendance.

Following the christening cruise, Riviera begins a 10-day maiden voyage from Venice to Athens, departing on May 16. Until November 29, she will offer a total of 20 Mediterranean voyages calling at ports in France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco, with maiden calls in Argostoli, Granada and the Canary Islands.

The Riviera features a Bon Appetit Culinary Center, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, suites by Dakota Jackson, Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner's Suites, and a grand Lalique staircase lit from above by a custom-made chandelier. She contains a museum-worthy collection of fine arts focusing on the works of some of Latin America's most accomplished and admired contemporary artists.