Cruising Journal

Norwegian Cruise Line: V!VA – Live it Up!

November 28, 2023 marked the day Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) christened the 19th ship into its fleet.  That ship, Norwegian Viva is the second of its Prima Class and follows Norwegian Prima which made her debut last year.

These ships represent a new direction for NCL, as the line endeavors to become the most premium brand in the contemporary market.  The ships feel elevated compared to previous NCL ships, from the world class art work to the stunning interiors.  Norwegian relied on several designers to bring Viva to life.  Lessoni & Partners, Studio Dado, Rockwell Group, and SMC Design were each charged with various areas of the ship and the result is superb.  Viva feels like it could belong to a much higher end cruise line, and that was the intent.  Studio Dado in fact designs the newest Regent ships, which is the ultra-luxury brand under the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) corporate umbrella.  Viva is classified as a mega-ship, coming in at 143,535 gt and carrying 3099 passengers (double occupancy) but she doesn’t feel it.  She almost feels intimate in comparison to other ships of her size.

The christening took place at The Pearl of Miami.  This is NCL’s beautiful bespoke terminal located at PortMiami.  Five-Time Latin Grammy winner Luis Fonsi was chosen to be godfather of the ship.  He was a natural choice given his roots in Puerto Rica where Viva will be home-ported, and the fact he now resides in Miami which is NCL’s hometown.  After the christening Fonsi performed a high energy concert in the The Theater onboard VIVA including his mega hit “Despacito”.  Viva wasn’t the only thing christened that day, as NCL also christened the opening of Kloster Hall located inside The Pearl of Miami cruise terminal.  Knut Kloster was the founder of NCL and a visionary in the industry.  He can be credited (along with his peers at the time) for creating the modern day cruise industry we all enjoy today.  Kloster Hall is a tribute to the man and the company he created.  I highly recommend browsing the exhibit before your next NCL cruise out of Miami.  What a great way to pass the time before boarding and learn a bit about the line you’re about to sail on.  Kudos to NCL for embracing its history and displaying it for so many future guests to enjoy.

Stepping onboard Viva you enter into the Penrose Atrium.  This beautiful space connects all the major public spaces of the ship and is a great gathering spot.  Starbucks, the Whisky Bar, and the Penrose Bar, each on different levels ensure the Penrose Atrium is always a lively space.  The Viva Theater & Club is another space deserving accolades.  It’s a truly transformative space capable of hosting concerts, a nightclub, and the NCL Production shows such as Beetlejuice the Musical, featured on Viva.  I was able to experience this space in all three adaptations, watching the Luis Fonsi concert, dancing into the night as a high-energy nightclub, and seated theater style watching the Broadway production of Beetlejuice.  The space worked remarkably well in each case, and watching it transform is mesmerizing.  Other lines feature multi-use spaces but in my opinion often fall short.  NCL seems to have perfected the concept with this space.  Walking aft on Deck 8 you may opt to take advantage of the outdoor full wrap around promenade deck.  It features everything from The Concourse which is an outdoor art installation, to outdoor bars and restaurant seating, the Oceanwalk which is a glass walkway several decks above the sea, to something truly unique called Infinity Beach. Here are two infinity pools, one starboard and one port.  This class of ship is the first to offer swimming pools on the promenade deck. This leads to another first for NCL, the Indulge Food Hall.  It’s located all the way aft on Deck 8 with seating both inside and out, and with great views of the ship’s wake.  Like food halls ashore, you can expect a great variety of cuisine offerings all made to order and fresh.  Once seated you order via the tablet at each table, and can order from multiple food kiosks at the same time.  Food is brought out when ready and not simultaneously. This venue tends to be crowded and in that respect is a victim of its own success.  There is also a traditional buffet topside, but it’s much smaller than a typical buffet for a ship this size, as the Indulge Food Hall is expected to divide the demand.  Some tweaking will probably occur on the next Prima Class ship as this new concept finds its way.

Dining is a highlight of any cruise and Viva delivers!  She takes NCL’s Freestyle concept to the next level with no fewer than 18 dining options, some complimentary and some requiring an extra charge or dining package.  Whatever cuisine you desire Viva has you covered.  On my short cruise I dined at Hudson’s the first night, which is one of the two complimentary main dining rooms.  It’s a gorgeous space all the way aft with sweeping views from the stern of the ship.  Service and cuisine were excellent.  Equally excellent was Le Bistro, featuring French cuisine.  Le Bistro was actually the first modern speciality restaurant at sea, pioneered by NCL on the s/s Norway back in the 80’s.  The venue survives to this day and is more stunning than ever with its oversized chandeliers on floor level.  On my last night I dined in the The Commodore Room, which is the second complimentary main dining room.  I splurged and ordered a steak with an uncharge, that apparently came from the speciality restaurant Cagney’s.  Other dining options include Cagney’s for steaks, Onda by Scarpetta for Italian, Palomar for Mediterranean, Food Republic for international, Nama for Sushi, and Hasuki for teppanyaki.  Late night eats can be found at The Local Bar & Grill, advertised as a 24 hour venue but curiously listed with opening and closing times.  One would be hard pressed to experience all the dining options featured on Viva during a weeks cruise.

Viva features entertainment options for the entire family, day and night.  Outdoors are multiple slides (dry & wet), pools, a kid’s waterpark, and Viva Speedway which is the longest racing track at sea.  I was skeptical of go-cart racing at sea, but the three level track surrounding Viva ’s funnel with 14 turns and 8 laps won me over.  It was great fun and something I would surely repeat.  A clever use of space below the tracks is used for a sports court (think Pickleball), miniature golf, darts, ping pong, shuffleboard, and various other sports activities.  Galaxy Pavilion is the place for state of the art virtual reality experiences and even two escape rooms.  The video arcades from my childhood have sure come a long way.  As night falls there is something for everyone as the ship comes alive with music and entertainment.  Various cocktail bars feature live music, while comedy plays at The Improv at Sea and a house band is featured at Syd Norman’s Pour House.  Both venues are perhaps a tad too small based on their popularity. The Viva Theater & Club hosts various interactive game shows, but the showstopper is Beetlejuice the Musical.  To my surprise I thoroughly enjoyed the production, with catchy tunes and plenty of laughing out loud.  There was extensive ad lib by Beetlejuice himself which left you guessing what his next antics might be. As mentioned earlier, once the evening shows have concluded the Viva Theater transforms into an incredible nightclub with impressive sound & lighting.  Truly a remarkable space.

If you’re looking to relax & escape, the Observation Lounge is a quiet space offering amazing views over the bow of the ship.  Light fare is served here during the day so you can grab a bite without having to venture far.  The Mandara Spa is one of the most expansive spas I’ve experienced at sea.  The centerpiece is a gorgeous two level jetted pool reminiscent of the indoor pools on ocean liners of a bygone era.  In addition to various treatment rooms, there is a thermal suite with steam rooms, saunas, cold room, and even a salt room.  Forward is a spacious relaxation room with heated loungers and some of the best views on the ship.  One deck up is the Pulse Fitness Center with the latest workout equipment and equally amazing views.  I personally loved the unfinished black ceiling and LED lighting which gave the fitness center a very cool and modern vibe.  If you’re looking for an outdoor escape from the crowds and kids, the Vibe Beach Club offers prime deck space, padded loungers, a beautiful bar, and large hot tubs port and starboard.  It’s one of the nicest outdoor spaces on the ship, but it will make a dent in your wallet as it incurs an extra charge and advance booking.  Space is limited.  I admit I love the concept but find it somewhat off-putting having to pay extra for a serene spot on deck.  If you don’t purchase a Vibe pass you end up missing out on all the prime deck space aft on the ship, as it’s either reserved for Vibe or The Haven.

Two very unique areas of VIVA are The Haven and the Studio Complex.  They are as different as can be, but equally impressive.  The Haven is a ship within a ship suite concept pioneered by NCL back on Norwegian Epic.  It was groundbreaking then and has evolved with each new NCL ship.  The most luxurious accommodations are located here, along with exclusive indoor & outdoor dining, cocktail bar, concierge, lounge, private elevators, infinity pool, sauna, hot tub, and two decks of outdoor sunning space.  In fact the best deck space on the ship is dedicated to The Haven.  It’s quite possible to never leave the confines of The Haven and enjoy a truly luxurious and elevated experience, but the true success of this concept is choice.  You have the entire ship at your disposal with all its amenities and activities, with the luxury of returning to your private enclave to escape the bustle of the ship at anytime.  Truly the best of both worlds.  The other unique concept is the Studio Complex.  This again originated on Norwegian Epic and has evolved as well.  The Studio Complex is an all-interior space occupying two decks dedicated to singles.  Like The Haven it’s key card accessed, with its own private lounge and pantry area.  Single’s activities are hosted here with direct access to the 73 single studio cabins.  The studio cabins are compact at 95 sq ft but incredibly well designed and stylish.  Pricing for studios is a flat rate with no single supplement, but they are not always the best value depending on the sailing and demand.

The majority of guests will not be staying in The Haven or Studio Complex, but in standard staterooms which include inside, oceanview, balcony, club balconies, family suites, and non-Haven suites.  The cabins are beautifully designed and very stylish.  Like the entire ship, elevated compared to previous NCL vessels.  A standard balcony is 186 sq ft with a 45 sq ft balcony so quite roomy.  I loved the soothing neutral decor with splashes of color and even a feature accent wall behind the bed.  The bed is high off the floor to accommodate storage of most luggage sizes below it.  Personally I found storage plentiful but for longer cruises it could be challenging.  Bathrooms are a delight as they are large, appealing, and beautifully appointed.  Plenty of storage space, great lighting, glass shower doors, spacious shower, and even art work!  I think these are probably the most appealing and roomy standard bathrooms of any ship in the contemporary market.  Wifi is available in every cabin and ship wide, and Starlink provides excellent service in most locations around the globe.  An interactive TV and touch screen control panel (temperature, lighting, cabin service) round out the cabin technology.  If you can forego a balcony, the larger oceanview cabins on Deck 5 are a great value (category 04 & OA).  I was impressed with the size and layout of these cabins as they are larger than standard balcony cabins, and include an extra dresser for more storage space.  They even offer a decorative partial room divider separating the bed and sitting area.

Our sole port of call on this special christening cruise was NCL’s private beach island, Great Stirrup Cay (GSC) in the Bahamas.  NCL has pioneered so many concepts in its 57 year history, and the private beach island is at the forefront of those innovations.  NCL has owned the 270 acre private island since 1977.  Many lines have jumped on the private island bandwagon, each offering their own take on the concept, but NCL was the first.  Its been years since I’ve visited GSC and during my time away NCL has invested heavily in the property.  Unlike some islands of the competition, GSC is light on amusement park-like attractions.  Yes there is a zip-line from atop the lighthouse that provides an adrenaline rush to thrill seekers, but that is extent of the “attractions”.  Instead the focus is on relaxing, water sports, branded refreshment venues, dining, and great excursions like swimming with the pigs.  Like VIVA herself, GSC feels elevated thanks to the $400 million Norwegian Edge investment program that included the island.  You could see it in the landscaping, the infrastructure, the structures, the beach, and even the beach chairs.  It seems as if everything was upgraded since my last visit.

One thing that remains the same is that GSC still requires tendering from the ship to shore.  I personally don’t mind it as it provides a great vantage of the ship and can be quite fun if the swells kick up.  This will soon be a thing of the past as GSC has been approved to build a pier for docking.  I personally will miss the tendering especially because the original tender boats that the S/S Norway carried on her bow are still in use.  Little Norway I & II are still in active service on GSC and are truly workhorses of the island.  It’s fantastic something actively survives the late great S/S Norway to this day.  A brand new private section of GSC has recently debuted, called Silver Cove.  It’s sort of like The Haven for the island, but surprisingly it’s not dedicated to Haven guests.  Anyone can access Silver Cove by renting a villa, and this includes Haven guests as it’s not part of their inclusive experience.  Silver Cove features a sit down restaurant, reception lounge, several bars including a branded Moet & Chandon champagne bar, a freshwater infinity pool at the waters edge, and multiple villas of various sizes surrounding the private beach and lagoon.  One final amenity is a stand-alone Mandara Spa.  Located in a building on the water’s edge, you can enjoy various treatments in this beautiful setting.  A little secret is that you can access Silver Cove if you book a spa treatment, avoiding the cost of a full villa rental.  Silver Cove has the feeling of an all inclusive luxury resort.  The buildings are white, pristine, and modern.  The Villas have the same modern look and are luxurious with air conditioning, TV’s, private bathrooms, and butler service.  Silver Cove is designed to be an all-inclusive experience for those looking for the very finest that GSC has to offer.  What a great way to spend your day at GSC!

Norwegian Viva marks a milestone year for NCL’s parent company NCLH.  For the first time in company history, a new ship was delivered for each of the NCLH brands in a single year.  The Vista for Oceania, Viva for NCL, and Seven Seas Grandeur for Regent.  Christening VIVA was a proud moment for NCL but there is much more to come.  The next ship in the Prima Class series will be Norwegian Aqua.  She will not be a replica of Prima and Viva as the class evolves to something slightly larger with different amenities and attractions.  One thing we already know is that an aqua-coaster water ride will replace the Viva Speedway as the feature attraction around the ship’s funnel.  More to come on Norwegian Aqua in the coming months with her inaugural sailing scheduled for April 2025.  In the meantime you can book passage today on the beautiful Norwegian Viva either to the Caribbean during the winter months or Mediterranean in the summer.

Don’t miss more updates, news and reviews about Norwegian Cruise Line on Cruising Journal.

Ernest Roller

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