52 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE FROM THE ROAD The Ship This is not one of those ships where guests spend half their time navigating crowds or circling for a lounge chair. The Riviera carries just over 1,200 guests, a fraction of the capacity of many ships, which immediately shifts the experience, creating an atmosphere that feels comfortable, considered and, most importantly, uncrowded. The staterooms approach 300 square feet, already generous by cruise standards, but it is the suites that push things into a different level of sophistication. Ranging from roughly 420 to more than 2,000 square feet, they feel genuinely livable, the kind of spaces that welcome guests back after a full day ashore. Neutral palettes, oversized bathrooms and enough storage to fully unpack reinforce the idea that this is less a cabin and more a retreat. Separate living areas, expansive verandas and butler service elevate the experience further, delivering a level of comfort that aligns more closely with a high-end resort than a traditional cruise. What truly ties it all together is what’s included. Specialty dining, Wi-Fi, shore excursion credits and gratuities are included in the fare, minimizing the usual onboard add-ons and allowing the focus to remain on the destination. Additional options — from wine and cocktail packages to cooking and wellness classes — can be layered in for those who want to further tailor the experience. Speaking of wellness, it plays a central role in all Alaska itineraries thanks to Riviera’s Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center . Treatments there go well beyond the standard menu, with options such as deep- tissue bamboo massages, full-body detox wraps and advanced anti-aging facials.

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE | 53 Before Setting Sail For those beginning their journey in Anchorage — often used as a gateway to Alaska’s cruise ports — pre-cruise extensions, easily arranged through Oceania, set the tone in a way that feels intentional. A journey aboard the Wilderness Express Train delivers Denali-bound scenery through glass-domed railcars, where moose sightings along riverbanks are not uncommon and the scale of the landscape begins to settle in. Meanwhile, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers an up-close look at Alaska’s wildlife, including rescued brown and black bears, musk oxen, caribou and wood bison, creating an early, grounded connection to the animals that define the region. Ports of Call Once sailing, Alaska truly unfolds, each port offering not just a different landscape, but a different way to experience it. Among the top ports in Oceania’s expansive list of stops: • Anchorage serves as a natural gateway, where Alaska’s largest city meets immediate wilderness, and excursions can include glacier hikes, flightseeing tours over massive icefields and coastal drives where beluga whales occasionally surface in nearby waters. • Haines is known for its remarkable concentration of bald eagles, particularly along the Chilkat River, where guided excursions often reveal dozens perched in a single stretch of trees, along with bears feeding on salmon and moose moving through wetlands just beyond the shoreline. • Ketchikan is equal parts history and working waterfront, often referred to as the Salmon Capital of the World, where excursions reveal harbor seals bobbing near docks, sea lions stretched across rocky outcroppings, and humpback whales feeding just offshore during peak summer months. Outings with Experience Alaska Tours might include rainforest treks through dense cedar and spruce, cultural visits to totem parks or hands-on crabbing excursions that end with a fresh-caught Dungeness feast. Wrangell, Alaska during the Midnight Sun FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE | 53