“What kind of olive oil would you like?” the waiter asked.

Before I had a chance to respond, he whisked over a cart with six bottles to choose from.

When I asked him about the difference, he described the flavours with as much detail as a wine expert.

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I’m out for dinner at Toscana, an authentic Italian restaurant on board Oceania’s Riviera, and this is for the bread at the beginning of the meal.

The cruise line has a firm focus on food, billing itself as “finest cuisine at sea”, so every detail matters.

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The ship boasts a range of specialty restaurants, eateries and small-group shore excursions designed with foodies in mind.

I was invited to join part of Riviera’s maiden voyage to Australia to find out more about what’s on the menu for guests.

Here’s what you can expect.

The ship

Riviera is a luxurious small ship, which is one of eight in Oceania’s famous fleet.

The vessel embarked on its first journey to Australia in December 2025, kicking things off with a 22-day Komodos and Kangaroos itinerary.

Travellers had the opportunity to experience the beauty and charm of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Melbourne and Sydney on the Australian leg of the journey.

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The ship has 625 staterooms for 1250 guests, 15 decks, a range of gourmet dining options, bars, a fitness centre, a day spa and an array of entertainment options.

A range of amenities are included in the price: access to all restaurants, complimentary soft drinks, speciality coffees and juices.

There is also free WiFi, 24-hour room service and laundry service.

I stayed in the veranda stateroom which is a 27-square metre room with a comfortable bed, air conditioning and a private balcony.

With prime ocean views, it was the perfect place to kick back, relax and watch the world go by.

The food

There are eight all-inclusive dining venues to choose from on-board.

Specialty restaurant Toscana gives guests a taste of Tuscany with its authentic Italian cuisine.

Many of its recipes originate from the mothers and grandmothers of the ship’s culinary staff. Diners also get a lesson in Italian specialities including olive oil, vinegar and wine.

Jacques, which is curated by world-renowned chef Jacques Pépin, is home to French classics.

This restaurant was a particularly popular option on Riviera and had a limited number of bookings available when I was on board.

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If you miss out on the chance to dine at Jacques, there is a selection of Jacques Pépin meals served in the Grand Dining Room.

The Grand Dining Room is a great option when you’re in the mood for upscale dining without the reservation. The menu, which changes every day, includes a range of continental dishes.

Pan-Asian restaurant Red Ginger is home to a range of amazing and flavourful meals. Don’t miss the chance to explore the menu, which centres around contemporary interpretations of Asian classics.

Another popular option is Riviera’s signature steakhouse Polo Grill. The restaurant prides itself on its prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood and classic caesar salads which are prepared tableside.

Waves Grill offers a range of casual meals during breakfast and lunch with ocean views. The eatery also has a pizzeria which is open for dinner.

The Terrace Café boasts a great buffet with a wide range of options.

If you’re in the mood for a decadent high tea with 180-degree views, Horizons is the place to be.

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If it is a special occasion, there are two exclusive dining options on board to choose from, which come at an additional cost.

I was invited to join a seven-course La Reserve dinner, which deserves a special mention.

I sat down with a group of 24 travellers for The Odyssey menu and wine pairing. Each dish was created for the wine rather than the other way around.

The standout courses on the night were the mushroom risotto with smoked ricotta and black truffle, the beef Wellington with harvest vegetables and the floating island with pralines and roasted pistachio cream.

The La Reserve experience offered a night of great food and a lesson from the experts.

The second dining experience is Privee, which offers multi-course wine pairing dinners with small groups of 10 people.

One thing is for sure, you’ll never go hungry on the ship – or be caffeine-deprived for that matter.

If you’re looking for coffee with a view, head over to Baristas Coffee on deck 14, which is situated next to a cosy library overlooking the ocean.

It’s a favourite with guests and crew members alike.

“That’s a peaceful corner that everyone should enjoy,” destination services manager Alexandra Rus tells me.

“A proper coffee, done by the book with a machine, the quietness of the library, plus the view.”

The service

The crew is on standby to assist travellers around the clock, whether guests need breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midnight snack.

Behind the scenes, this service requires between 40,000 to 60,000 tonnes of food and careful planning months in advance.

“If the weather is cold, there are certain items that will not move and the consumption will be very low,” procurement manager Norman Bailey says.

“There’ll be another item that will hit the roof, so all of these things have to be taken into consideration when we’re preparing the orders for the ship.”

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The icing on the cake is the excellent hospitality and the fact that the crew takes the time to get to know the guests.

“The crew do a wonderful job,” cruise director Peter Roberts says.

“We come from over 50 nationalities, we’re all well trained and want to see people have a great time.

“We do get a lot of repeat guests and people who come back time and time again. Obviously you build up relationships and rapport with them.

“They always like the fact that we remember them and vice versa.”

The entertainment

If you want to come home with a few new tricks up your sleeve, head over to the Culinary Centre and enrol in hands-on cooking classes inspired by regional flavours.

A new class called Down Under Abundance has recently been launched inspired by the richness of ingredients found in Australia and New Zealand.

If you’re looking for live entertainment, Riviera has you covered.

There is a daily schedule of competitions, quizzes, theatre shows and live bands.

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Guests also have access to the Aquamar Spa and Vitality Centre, which is a great place to unwind.

Although many of the spa treatments are expensive, as the Australian dollar is weak against the US dollar.

If you’re feeling creative the Artist Loft provides a sanctuary for aspiring artists.

Technology enthusiasts can grow their knowledge with digital enrichment classes.

Oceania also offers pre and post-cruise land programs to keep the adventure going.

What to pack

The Oceania Cruises dress code is “country club casual”, which means smart casual.

There is a quick explainer on the Oceania Cruises website.

The staterooms have different power outlets to those in Australia so it’s worth packing some travel adapters.

The rooms generally have 2-110 volt outlets, 2-220 volt outlets and USB ports.

The verdict

This cruise is all about slowing down, savouring good food and discovering new places. This particular journey is a good option for solo travellers, couples and groups.

However, if you’re looking for a getaway with the kids, this cruise is not for you. Oceania Cruises recently announced they would no longer welcome guests under 18.

Overall a trip on Riviera is a special experience, particularly for those who are foodies.

Its focus on food makes it a destination in itself, giving guests a taste of the world before they step off the ship.

This writer travelled as a guest of Oceania Cruises.