Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima-class ship, Norwegian Viva, debuted in summer 2023. The Prima class is smaller than other recent classes in the NCL fleet, with both vessels coming in at around 143,000 gross tons and able to hold 3,250 passengers.
To give you an idea of everything the second ship in the Prima class has to offer, we’ve put together this guide to the Norwegian Viva cruise ship.
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Overview of the Norwegian Viva Cruise Ship
Dining on Norwegian Viva
Like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva offers a variety of dining options, some of which are included in the cruise fare. This new cruise ship also features several specialty dining venues with a few that are exclusive to the Prima class. Of course, these restaurants will cost extra money.
Included Dining
Norwegian Viva has two main dining rooms. Hudson’s offers 270-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows at the aft on deck 7, complete with a white, aqua, and blue interior design. The Commodore Room, located on deck 6, serves classic favorites alongside new dishes in an interior featuring a white, navy, and gold color scheme.
Surfside Café & Grill is the ship’s classic buffet. It is open at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both indoor and outdoor seating available. The Local Bar & grill, open 24 hours a day, serves classic pub fare and comfort food and includes both indoor and outdoor seating as well.
Additionally, Indulge Food Hall offers a food truck-esque dining experience. This food hall features options like smoked meats at Q Texas Smokehouse, noodle dishes from around the world at Nudls, Indian cuisine at Tamara, Mexican fare at The Latin Quarter, and soups and salads at The Garden. All of this food is complimentary, among others.
However, there is one spot in Indulge Food Hall that costs extra. Coco’s, which serves elevated desserts like gelato, milkshakes, and a variety of delectable chocolatey options comes with an extra charge.
Norwegian Viva also features an exclusive dining room just for those staying in The Haven, called The Haven Restaurant. It’s open three meals a day and has both indoor and outdoor tables.
Specialty Dining
As the innovator of Freestyle Dining, the Norwegian Viva cruise ship has a number of extra charge restaurants as well. Palomar is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first-ever Mediterranean restaurant. It offers a light-filled dining space where fresh seafood — and other ingredients native to the Mediterranean region — are the stars of the show.
Similarly, the ship’s Italian restaurant Onda by Scarpetta offers a modern Italian dining experience with signature pastas and seafood creations. Having meals here family-style is encouraged, but not required.
Nama Sushi & Sashimi is a contemporary sushi bar located on deck 7. Hasuki is a fun teppanyaki experience where shrimp, chicken, steak, and fried rice are prepared right in front of guests for both dinner and a show. Food Republic offers a fusion of shareable foods from destinations around the world such as Mexican street food bites, Japanese sushi rolls, and Thai noodles.
Two classic venues for Norwegian Cruise Line, the French fine-dining restaurant Le Bistro and American steakhouse Cagney’s can also be found on Norwegian Viva. Finally, Los Lobos offers a fun, colorful atmosphere, serving up traditional Mexican flavors with a modern twist.
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Norwegian Viva Bars and Lounges
There are a number of bars and lounges on Norwegian Viva. We’re going to go over all of them starting at the top of the ship and working our way down.
At the very top, on deck 18, is the Viva Speedway Bar — aptly named due to its proximity to the Viva Speedway racetrack. This is the place to grab a drink and watch your friends race around the go-kart track. Just one deck below, you’ll find the Waves Pool Bar next to the pool and wave water slide on the main lido deck. Deck 17 is also home to the extra-fee adults-only Vibe Beach Club sundeck, which has its own full-service bar as well. Finally, at the front of the ship is the Observation Lounge with an accompanying bar.
Deck 16 holds part of The Haven complex, which includes its own bar serving cocktails and small bites just for those staying in The Haven. Similarly, deck 12 is home to the Studio Lounge. This lounge has beverages and light bites just for those staying in Studio staterooms.
Further, there are a number of spots to grab a beverage down on deck 8. The Local Bar & Grill has its own bar complete with beers and cocktails on tap. Indulge Food Hall has two bars: the indoor Luna serving up cocktails and draft beers along with the outdoor Soleil Bar, which offers many comfortable seating options. Deck 8 also includes the ship’s Whiskey Bar on the upper level of the Penrose Atrium.
Deck 7 is home to Syd Norman’s Pour House — part live music venue, part bar serving up rock hits alongside specialty cocktails and other beverages. Then, the Humidor Cigar Lounge is one of the few places on board where guests can smoke cigars.
The Metropolitan Bar is a new bar concept for Norwegian Cruise Line, launched aboard Viva’s sister ship Norwegian Prima. It serves sustainable craft cocktails that utilize food scraps that would otherwise be tossed, such as pineapple skins, banana peels, and day-old croissants. As weird as it sounds, the concept is a hit with many passengers.
The Improv at Sea comedy venue can also be found on deck 7, which has its own bar. Lastly on this deck is a large Starbucks outpost, serving the same espresso and tea-based drinks that guests know and love on land.
On the lower level of the Penrose Atrium is the Penrose Bar, open from morning into the night. It’s the perfect place to grab a glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail and people-watch. Back near Cagney’s and The Commodore Room main restaurant is the Belvedere Bar — a modern cocktail lounge serving, among other things, craft bottled cocktails.
Things to Do on the Norwegian Viva Cruise Ship
There are several amenities and activities to enjoy aboard Norwegian Viva, some included in the cruise fare and some not.
Included Amenities and Activities
Norwegian Viva features two 10-story dry slides called The Drop and The Rush. The Drop is one of the world’s first free-fall dry slides complete with a trapdoor that opens underneath guests for a speedy ride to the bottom. The Rush is more of a traditional dry slide, with two chutes so that two people can ride at once.
A number of pools can be found across Viva, including the main pool on deck 17 along with two infinity hot tubs, plus two infinity pools on deck eight. Speaking of water, Viva features The Wave — a thrilling tidal wave water slide on the upper deck.
The Stadium is an outdoor game space that includes pickleball, shuffleboard, foosball, and beer pong — sans the actual beer. The ship also includes a state-of-the-art fitness center.
A sculpture garden called The Concourse is part of the ship’s outdoor promenade deck, Ocean Boulevard. It features six sculptures that guests can walk around and explore.
Extra-Fee Amenities and Activities
The Norwegian Viva cruise ship is home to four family-friendly activities that are available for an extra fee. Viva Speedway is a three-level racetrack, where guests zip around twists and turns in electric go-karts. Nearby is the Tee Time interactive and techy mini-golf course as well as The Bull’s Eye darts lounge, reminiscent of a classic pub.
Norwegian Viva also includes an indoor virtual gaming area called The Galaxy Pavilion. It features a number of virtual reality experiences, two escape rooms, and a TopGolf Swing Suite.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s classic Mandara Spa is available aboard Viva, featuring the line’s second two-story waterfall. Also found in the spa’s thermal suite are charcoal and infrared saunas, a snow room, a steam room, hot stone loungers, a salt room, a hydrotherapy pool, and more. Classic spa treatments, such as massages and facials, are also available in the spa. A salon and a barbershop offer haircuts, shaves, blowouts, and more.
Deck 17 plays host to an adults-only, extra-fee sundeck called Vibe Beach Club. It includes two infinity hot tubs, a full-service bar, daybeds, and cushy loungers. The same deck houses the sundeck exclusive for guests staying in The Haven, which has its own hot tubs and premium lounge seating.
Entertainment on Norwegian Viva
The center of entertainment on Norwegian Viva revolves around the transformational main theater, which spans decks six, seven, and eight. The venue is home to the ship’s much-lauded Broadway production Beetlejuice: The Musical, which is based on the movie by Tim Burton.
Other shows in the theater include Icons, a concert-style show with a live orchestra featuring songs from the last six decades and Ocean Music Fest, a party-style show where guests can dance to party favorites performed by multi-talented musicians. A game show called Press Your Luck Live also takes place in the Viva Theater & Club.
Additionally, Norwegian Viva plays host to an at-sea version of the game show Deal or No Deal, where contestants play and deal for cash in a high-energy contest.
As previously mentioned, There’s The Improv at Sea comedy club and Syd Norman’s Pour House complete with a rock house band. Reservations are required for many of the signature shows; though, Syd Norman’s is first-come, first-served.
Lastly, live music can be found in various spots around the ship too. Some of these spots include the main pool deck and the Penrose Atrium.
Norwegian Viva Staterooms and Suites
Norwegian Viva’s 1,646 guest staterooms are broken down into six base categories, which are then broken down into further sub-categories.
Studios
Studios are designed for solo travelers. They feature a full-sized bed and access to the Studio Lounge — a space exclusive to those staying in studio cabins. Studio staterooms are located on decks 12 and 13.
Inside
Interior staterooms are located on decks five and 9-16 and include two sub-categories. Regular interiors include two twin beds that can convert to a queen and hold two guests. Family inside staterooms have a similar setup, but also include two Pullman beds to accommodate two additional guests.
Oceanview
There are four staterooms categorized as Oceanview. Oceanview with Round Window staterooms can hold two guests and feature two twin beds that can convert to a queen. Large Oceanview with Round Window cabins are essentially the same thing, but feature more square footage. Family Oceanview cabins include two twin beds that can convert to a queen as well as a double sofa bed that can hold two more people. In all three of these categories, some cabins have connecting doors so that larger groups can share a space.
The final oceanview category, just called “Oceanview,” doesn’t just have a window — it actually has a balcony. It’s categorized as an oceanview instead of a balcony because the view is obstructed by the ship’s free-fall dry slide. These cabins accommodate two people in twin beds that can convert into a queen.
All oceanview staterooms are located on decks five, 11, and 14.
Balcony
Norwegian Viva has three types of traditional balcony staterooms located on decks 9-16. A standard balcony cabin has two twin beds that can convert to a queen, while a family balcony also includes a double sofa bed that can accommodate two additional people. Aft-facing balcony cabins are a bit larger; also able to accommodate four people due to the inclusion of a double sofa bed.
Some cabins have connecting doors so that extended families or larger groups can share a space.
Norwegian Viva also has obstructed balcony cabins, which it sells as guarantee staterooms or “Sailaway Balconies.” This means that you pay a cheaper cruise fare, but you will not get to choose your specific cabin. Instead, it will be assigned to you by the cruise line.
All stateroom categories except Suites and The Haven have the guarantee cruise fare option.
Club Balcony Suite
Club Balcony Suites are located on decks 9-13 and have four sub-categories. The standard Club Balcony Suite is at the back of the ship and accommodates two guests. Family Club Balcony Suites are able to accommodate up to four guests.
Forward-Facing Club Balcony Suites are at the front of the ship and can accommodate two guests. Some of these suites, plus the other two mentioned above, have connecting doors. A Forward-Facing Club Balcony Suite with Large Balcony accommodates two to four people with twin beds that can convert into a queen; some also include a single or double sofa bed.
Suite
Standard suites on Norwegian Viva are located on decks 9-16. They feature butler and concierge service. The Family Suite with Master Bedroom & Balcony has a separate bedroom with two twin beds that can convert to a queen, plus a double sofa bed and spacious bathroom. A Forward-Facing Suite with Master Bedroom & Large Balcony is essentially the same thing at the front of the ship and with a larger balcony.
There are two types of Aft-Facing Suites with Large Balcony at the back of the ship. Category SH can accommodate four guests and has about 635 indoor square footage and a 370 square foot balcony. Category SI accommodates two people with indoor square footage of around 448 and a 195 square foot balcony. These can connect to a Club Balcony Suite.
The final category is the Family Suite with Large Balcony, which are forward-facing. They include two twin beds that can convert to a queen and a double sofa bed.
The Haven
The Haven is Norwegian Viva’s ship-within-a-ship complex. It comprises both suites and public areas that are only accessible to those staying in The Haven. There are eight Haven suite categories to choose from, all located on decks 10-15. They come with butler and concierge service.
The Haven Penthouse with Balcony features a king-size bed, a bath with jetted shower, a sitting area, and a large balcony. Some of these suites come with bedding to accommodate one additional person. The Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse with Master Bedroom & Large Balcony includes a separate bedroom with a king-size bed. Some include a double sofa bed to accommodate two additional people.
The Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse with Large Balcony features a king-size bed, a bath with jetted shower, and a large balcony with an outdoor hot tub. The Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony has a separate bedroom with king-size bed, a double sofa bed, a living area, and a luxury shower.
The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa with Large Balcony feature two bedrooms — one with a king-size bed and one with a queen — as well as a double sofa bed and two bathrooms with jetted showers. This stateroom can accommodate six people total.
The Haven Aft-Facing Owner’s Suite with Master Bedroom & Large Balcony can accommodate four people — two in the master bedroom with a king-size bed and two on a double sofa bed. It also features a luxury bath with jetted shower and a large aft-facing balcony — some with an outdoor hot tub.
The Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony is at the back of the ship. It includes a separate living and dining area, two bedrooms with king-size beds, two baths with jetted showers, a half-bath for guests, an outdoor hot tub, and additional bedding to accommodate six total guests.
The Haven Premier Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony, coming in at a whopping 2,100 square feet (not including the 828 square foot balcony). It can accommodate eight guests and is located at the ship’s aft. It includes separate living and dining areas, three bedrooms with king-size beds, a double sofa bed, three bathrooms with jetted showers, a half-bath, and an outdoor hot tub.
Kids’ Clubs and Activities on Norwegian Viva
Dedicated clubs for kids of different ages are available on Norwegian Viva. But you won’t find a dedicated space for teens like you can on most other NCL ships. Instead, the teen program, called Entourage, schedules activities in different places around the ship.
Similarly, the program for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to three years old, called Guppies, has no dedicated venue on Viva either. Instead, toys are available for tots in the kids’ club rooms — called Guppies Open Play — when they’re not in use by the older kids.
The focus on kids aboard Norwegian Viva is centered around guests that are three to 12 years old. They share a space comprising two rooms. Here, youth counselors host activities including scavenger hunts, crafts, and dance parties. A splash area for little kids is located on deck 18, which includes sprayers and cascading water features.
Shops on Norwegian Viva
Beauty by Design & Afficionados is the ship’s classic duty-free store, offering a variety of cosmetics, fragrances, and liquors.
On the jewelry front, Norwegian Viva has an EFFY Jewelry outpost, as well as Bali-inspired jewelry at the John Hardy shop. There’s also the Pandora Jewelry & Lifestyles shop that — in addition to jewelry — also sells clothing and exclusive Norwegian Viva merchandise.
The Gateway offers a variety of brands and items, and The Zone & Eye Style sells designer sunglasses. Tech @ Sea sells speakers, headphones, and other electronic gear. The Photo Gallery is the place to purchase a camera and any photo prints the ship’s photographers take of guests during the cruise.
Norwegian Viva Itineraries
Norwegian Viva will spend the winter 2023-2024 and winter 2024-2025 seasons sailing in the Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico. During the spring and summer months, the ship will operate longer voyages in the Mediterranean from a variety of homeports.
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