The six night sailings, which depart on 3rd and 9th November 2012, cost from £1026 per person, including a $300 shipboard credit per stateroom, free return UK flights, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water.  In addition, the first 20 bookings made will receive a complimentary upgrade from a Veranda stateroom to a Concierge Level Veranda, which includes complimentarychampagne on arrival and free use of theexclusive onboard Concierge Lounge.

By offering the two new shorter sailings, the company is providing first time cruisers and who haven’t experienced the Oceania Cruises’ fleet, the opportunity to sample the company’s legendary cuisine, to take a cookery lesson in the only hand-on cookery school at sea, to enjoy complimentary crafts and digital photography courses in the `Artist’s Loft’, food and wine pairing and tastings in `La Reserve’ wine tasting centre or the opportunity to relax in the Canyon Ranch Spa.

The first of the taster cruises embarks on 3rd November with an overnight onboard in Venice and calls into Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Sorrento and Capri before arriving into Civitavecchia on 9th November. The second sector embarks in Civitavecchia on 9th November and calls into Livorno for Florence & Pisa, Monte Carlo, Marseille and Barcelona, where guests disembark on 15th November after a full day and overnight in the city.

Oceania Cruises’ MD for UK and Europe, Bernard Carter, said “This is an excellent opportunity to experience a brand new, luxury cruise ship, without committing the time and cost of being on board for a long duration. The offer could appeal equally to a first time cruiser, or to a guest who hasn’t cruised with Oceania before but wants to try our legendary dining, or even to our many repeat guests who now have the opportunity to squeeze in another sailing before the end of the year”.

Design details aboard Riviera Oceania Cruises’ newest entry in the upper-premium category, reveal a seamless blend of the line’s signature country club casual atmosphere with the sophisticated elegance of a private yacht. Two of its most noteworthy design features are visible from the moment guests embark in the ship’s reception area: a specially commissioned two-story Lalique Grand Staircase and a custom-crafted Italian chandelier accented by 380 crystal spheres.

Together they form a dramatic design statement that underscores Oceania Cruises’ commitment to creating experiences that will “inspire and engage our guests,” said Kunal S. Kamlani, Oceania Cruises’ president.

The ship’s magnificent Grand Staircase is a striking focal point. Designed by Lalique, the fabled French glassware firm, it features double-curved staircases and a balcony with balustrades of crystal medallions and scrolled iron. Six crystal pillars rising from the landing enhance the two-story, glass elevator surround. An Italian-made, 1,300-pound chandelier measuring 78 inches tall by 80 inches in diameter adds a dramatic focal point. Its decorative spheres cast a radiant glow that reflects off the staircase and illuminates the reception area.

Each of Riviera’s 625 suites and staterooms are imbued with a warm and smart contemporary look. Veranda and Concierge staterooms – at 282 square feet among the most spacious at sea – feature a defined sitting area and balcony furnished with a chaise lounge, armchair and table. The 124 Penthouse suites measure an industry-leading 420 square feet. The layout includes a living/dining room separate from the sleeping area, walk-in closet and bathrooms with a double vanity.

Oceania Cruises partnered with preeminent American designer Dakota Jackson, who fashioned more than 40 exquisite pieces of furniture and lighting to lend the Vista and Oceania suites the feel of a chic city apartment. Exuding style and innovation, they feature surfaces combining glass, stone, wood and metals together with rich, weighty fabrics such as mohair and silk chenille. Three Owner’s Suites measure more than 2,000 square feet, spanning the beam of the ship, and feature furnishings from the acclaimed Ralph Lauren Home collection.

The ship is also a showcase for more than 100 works by some of Latin America’s most accomplished and admired contemporary artists, a collection personally curated by Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman and CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. Original and highly expressive works by renowned artists from Cuba’s Vanguard Movement, from 1927 to 1950, among many other notable works, are integrated through-out the public areas of Riviera and positioned to provide surprising and delightful touches throughout the ship.

To find out more about Oceania Cruises visit OceaniaCruises.com