Riviera was built by Fincantieri in Sestri Ponente, Italy, and was launched in July 2011.

[4] The vessel was originally scheduled to be christened in Monte Carlo on 19 April 2012,[5] but in January 2012 it was announced that the ship's maiden voyage would be delayed to May due to shipyard labor strikes.

[6] Riviera was christened in Barcelona on 11 May 2012, and embarked on her 10-day maiden voyage from Venice to Athens on 16 May 2012.

[8] Riviera has tonnage of 66,084 gross tons,[1] with a capacity of 1,250 passengers housed in 625 staterooms.

[4] During the coronavirus pandemic, the CDC reported, as early as 22 April 2020, that at least one person who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 was symptomatic while on board.