It was quiet at Victoria Quay at 5 am this morning. Just a lone fisherman, three night herons and myself beneath a powder blue sky as Riviera slipped into port.
All her passengers must have been fast asleep as none were on deck to witness the ship’s arrival – her very first – in Fremantle.
As it happens it is also her very first season in Australia and New Zealand.
Oceania Cruises is a US passenger shipping company and luxury travel brand.
Riviera is currently undertaking a 63-day one way cruise from Yokohama to Sydney. Her last port of call was Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
On this visit to Freo she has 1,064 transit passengers, with 19 leaving in Fremantle and 38 embarking for the next leg. And she has 760 crew. Not all that far off her capacity of 1,250 passengers and 800 crew.
336 passengers on pre-booked tours, leaving 728 passengers free to explore Fremantle for the day.
City of Fremantle will run free shuttle buses from the Fremantle Passenger Terminal into Walyalup Koort from 08:30 am – 4 pm to assist in bringing passengers into the city centre and returning them to the ship.
More generally, passengers on this cruise are treated to a blend of tropical escapes and iconic Australian destinations, with optional shore excursions—from city tours to bush walks and culinary adventures.
The 2012-built cruise ship is a sister-ship to Marina. Both ships are Marshall Island/France flagged. Her last major refit was in 2022.
The origin of the word Riviera is Italian and simply means a coast or coastline. Think of the Italian Riviera and images of shimmering turquoise water, colourful seaside villages, fresh seafood, pesto and pasta, the smell of the sea and people promenading.
The cruise ship has 11 decks and is 239 metres long and boasts the following outstanding features:
• The Horizon Skywalk: A glass-floored walkway suspended 50 metres above the water. Imagine the breathtaking views of Fremantle and the Indian Ocean.
• Infinity Cove Pool: Australia’s largest cruise ship pool, perfect for a dip on a warm arvo without worrying about lurking sharks.
• Culinary Centre: Home to six world-class restaurants, including a seafood grill featuring fresh WA produce and a contemporary Asian fusion eatery.
• Eco Smart Innovations: The ship boasts solar panels and advanced water recycling systems, setting a new standard for sustainable cruising.
• Oceanic Spa & Wellness Retreat: Offering indigenous-inspired treatments and panoramic ocean views.
Riviera’s arrival marks another milestone for Fremantle as a premier cruise destination. She’ll be back again in 2026 on a 23-day cruise from Sydney to Freo.
Riviera is in port for the day and weighs anchor at around 8.20 pm tonight.
Why don’t you pop down to Victoria Quay and see her off!
Her next stop is Busselton.
*Story and photographs by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey
Jean Hudson is our Shipping and Sailing Correspondent and also a regular feature writer, reviewer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may also like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.
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