Norwegian Viva Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

Table Of Content

• Day Greek Isles From Venice to Athens: Santorini, Mykonos & Croatia
• Hotels
• NCL's Norwegian Viva ship departs Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera to undergo sea trials
• Norwegian Viva review: What to expect on Norwegian Cruise Line's 2nd Prima Class ship
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• Solo cabins and lounge
• Norwegian Viva restaurants and bars

So, whether you're taking a seaside stroll on Ocean Boulevard, swimming up to the horizon on Infinity Beach or delighting in culinary excellence at Indulge Food Hall, nothing comes between you and the sea. In the evenings, the Theater transforms into a Vegas-style disco nightclub with live DJ programming and high-energy music. Daily at Viva Theater are held enrichment lectures, bingo, trivia games with prizes. "The Haven by Norwegian" on PRIMA-class NCL ships (designed by Piero Lissoni & Partners) spans 8 decks and groups suites, public areas, and exclusive venues, all positioned in the aft/stern section. Indeed, after just four days onboard, we found we didn't miss the traditional cavernous upper-deck buffet.

Day Greek Isles From Venice to Athens: Santorini, Mykonos & Croatia

Wrapping round the stern of the ship, floor-to-ceiling windows offer 180-degree panoramic views. Aside from some comically-sized menus (they're so large we joked they should be an SNL-skit prop), the food and service here wowed us -- particularly on a ship where you could argue that the extra-fee restaurants probably offer a higher end experience. To be sure, Norwegian Viva can be definitely all of those things sometimes. The ship is, after all, 142,500 gross tons, and can carry 3,219 passengers at double occupancy. But the ship -- a direct sister to 2022's Norwegian Prima -- is also a fresh, modern take on the big-ship, mainstream cruise experience that offers considerable amount of surprise and delight -- even for this experienced cruiser. Things like the high-tech mini-golf setup, where the ball has a digital sensor that counts how many times you do -- or, don't -- hit it.

Hotels

Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own. Feel the rush of the fastest slides on the open ocean and then zoom around a three-level race track at sea. From exploring virtual worlds to sipping bubbly at Vibe Beach Club there’s excitement for everyone aboard Norwegian Viva. Welcome to a place where the ocean meets the healing waters within — the breathtaking new Mandara Spa.

NCL's Norwegian Viva ship departs Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera to undergo sea trials

There's no dress code to dine at Le Bistro, but you might want to embrace the experience by making an effort. Rooms are serviced only once per day, but your room steward is available by phone if you need extras like fresh towels or more hangers. They will deliver a paper copy of the daily schedule to your room each evening and leave it in the mailbox outside your door. This was particularly true on the day we sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar.

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Norwegian's newest cruise ship. Here's what a windowless cabin on Viva looks like - Cruise Blog

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Norwegian's newest cruise ship. Here's what a windowless cabin on Viva looks like.

Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Norwegian Viva review: What to expect on Norwegian Cruise Line's 2nd Prima Class ship

It's a much more pleasant — albeit much louder — space than on some of Norwegian's previous vessels. Like many items on this list, Indulge Food Hall isn't new to Norwegian. It debuted on Norwegian Prima, but it's new to me since this is my first experience with the Prima class. I'm halfway through the ship's nine-night inaugural sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Lisbon, Portugal, and I've rounded up some of my favorite things, as well as some that aren't so great.

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And that aesthetic carries through to the Studio Lounge, a space exclusive to passengers booked in studio cabins. Not only does Indulge Food Hall provide an additional complimentary food option, but some of the food available there comes with a fee at the corresponding stand-alone restaurants (Q and Bayamo, for example) on other ships. The racetrack goes around and through the funnel/smokestack, max capacity 15 cars (racing simultaneously) and allows max speeds 50+ kph (30+ mph).

Even after hours, you'll run into blasting music, teens being raucous and the sounds of crew members vacuuming. I also tried the Observation Lounge on Deck 17 forward, but I found teenagers holding court, families loudly playing board games and other noises that added to a cacophony so intense I couldn't focus. I understand that any new ship takes a few days to figure out, but some of the layout on Norwegian Viva still doesn't make sense to me, even after nine days on board. On Viva, I had a Wi-Fi plan, powered by Starlink, that allowed streaming for two devices for the duration of my voyage. It was my first time on a ship where I wasn't constantly disconnected, and the service was solid for everything from FaceTime calls to watching Netflix. Norwegian Prima features a Starbucks at Indulge, but the food hall concept proved so popular that the line removed the coffee shop on Viva to make room for more tables.

Enjoy Beetlejuice The Musical straight from Broadway, then dance the night away at Ocean Music Fest, the ultimate jam session at sea. Specifically designed and priced for solo travelers, our Studios feature a full-size bed, separate bath area and access to the private Studio Lounge — no single supplement required. The ship also lacks a dedicated Guppies space for children from 6 months to 2 years old. Instead, parents are allowed to utilize the existing space (toys provided) for parent-supervised play with their youngsters when there are no planned activities for the 3-to-12 set.

Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewelry, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco. Hidden at the top of the ship, The Haven features our most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations as well as 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundeck.

A group of friends and I selected one that had us searching for Mystere, a magician who went missing after a magic trick gone wrong. That's particularly notable for a line like Norwegian, which is notorious for its nickel-and-diming. Not only does Indulge Food Hall provide an additional complimentary food option, but some of the food available there comes with a fee at the corresponding stand-alone alternative restaurants (Bayamo, Q) on other ships. When you simply want to grab a coffee or evening drink and spend some time leisurely people-and-horizon-watching, head to the Penrose Atrium. This gorgeous space is three magnificent stories high, with breathtaking views at every angle.

If you're a U.S. citizen departing on a Norwegian Viva cruise in Europe, you must have a passport for travel. For round-trip sailings from San Juan, you can use your original birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. If you're using a passport, it must have a least six months' validity from the day your voyage ends. Inside, you'll find a small stage, a bar, walls adorned with rock memorabilia and a few tables with intentionally mismatched chairs and stools. In fact, seating is in such short supply that if you don't get to the club at least 30 minutes prior to showtime, you'll be standing. The place is so popular that if you don't arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time, you won't even be able to get through the doors.

The Haven’s public areas and 107 suites designed by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy’s most renowned designers, will feature an expansive sundeck, a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ship's wake and an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room. When you imagine Viva, envision yourself swimming on top of the ocean. This ship was built around a myriad of pools, including two Infinity Pools, a main pool, an Aqua Park, a tidal wave slide and countless hot tubs.

Note that the ship does not have laser tag or a basketball court, as do other NCL ships. You can spend or possibly win money at the Deck 6 casino or at bingo games hosted throughout the cruise. Check out The Stadium, a large alcove of games like table shuffleboard, Ping-Pong, Foosball and beer pong — but without the beer. You'll also find a pickleball court, as well as Subsoccer tables that allow you to play soccer against a single opponent while seated and looking down through a clear table. Also on Deck 18 is the entrance to Viva Speedway, the ship's go-kart track.

While passengers are predominantly American in the Caribbean, Mediterranean sailings offer a compelling mix of European, Asian and North American passengers from all walks of life. After just four days aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Viva, we became converts. Sailing from the Italian port of Trieste to Civitavecchia, we stepped aboard expecting to find the ship's superlatives got in the way of the experience. Our gift shops onboard carry everything you’ll need for fun in the sun.