Fresh from Norwegian Viva’s maiden voyage, I’m already eager to return.
The second NCL Prima class cruise ship, the Norwegian Viva represents the cutting edge in cruise ship design and indulgence.
Digital art, immersive VR entertainment, fine dining and a dive bar – it has it all.
As you explore its decks, you move from minimalist cocktail bar to sports casual diner, via the unapologetically lush. There is literally a place for every occasion.
The attention to detail throughout is a delight, the interior design chic and contemporary. It’s cruising upgraded.
There are 1,586 staterooms in total on the Viva, and guest capacity is 3,099. Even so, there’s a surprising amount of free deck space to enjoy.
For solo passengers, the ship boasts 94 single-occupancy ‘Studio’ staterooms.
If you want exclusivity, the Viva offers that too. The Haven is a five star ‘ship within a ship’ experience, with its own dining, bar and deck areas, accessed only by Haven key card holders. Just 107 high-end suites are available in this gloriously gated community.
You might need to snag your superior stateroom early though. “The Haven is always the first to sell out on a cruise,” I was told.
I joined the Norwegian Viva for the culmination of its maiden voyage this August, boarding the ship in Civitavecchia, and visiting Florence, Cannes, and Ibiza before disembarking in Lisbon.
There’s no shortage of excursions to book on this short leg, from the Can Marçà caves in Ibiza to a Tuscan winery. I opted for the latter, visiting Fattoria Il Poggio, a remote farmhouse in the Tuscan hills, to sample its red and white wines, and eat pasta.
24 hours later, I’m strolling La Croisette, ogling the supercars on the Cannes waterfront promenade, no excursion required.
The Norwegian Viva shares many similarities with its Prima predecessor, albeit embellished and updated.
The staterooms with balconies are spacious, and entertainment options many and varied. The Viva Speedway is a three storey racetrack, part of an entertainment complex that also includes high tech darts (The Bull’s Eye) and crazy golf (Tee Time).
The Speedway caters for either solo or dual riders. You know when it’s running because you can hear the squeal of tires around the pool.
It’s well worth booking a Speedway slot early in your cruise, as spaces go fast. Kids will love it.
Away from the racetrack, the ship is a veritable floating gallery. Art pieces are dotted throughout.
The Metropolitan bar has a stunning 16-metre wide, 48 million pixel, interactive artwork created by British artist Dominic Harris (pictured below). Dubbed ‘Every wing has a silver lining’ it’s the biggest commission to date for Harris, and features his signature butterfly motif.
Touch the panel and the AI butterflies take flight. You don’t even need to touch the glass to get a reaction, sensors register any close quarter movement and the digital insects react accordingly.
Its execution adds an extra level of sophistication to what is already a great cocktail bar.
The ship’s Penrose Atrium is bright and functional. It’s the centre of much hubbub during the day, as passengers book excursions, shop or meet for coffee. In the evening, the Whiskey Bar becomes a social magnet, a favourite catch-up spot with fellow like minded cruisers, eager for a dram or specialty cocktail.
One of the great things about a cruise is how quickly you make friends, and develop a rapport with the bar staff!
The ships Concourse is a revelation. Located on deck 8, it features playful sculptures from Arik Levy, Jonathan Prince and Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson. My favourite was a towering take on ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors.’
It leads on to Infinity beach, a lounge and pool area that offers plenty of comfy seating for those eager to escape the sun.
The main pool enjoys live music and dance lessons, with cocktails on tap (it’s definitely worth getting the Premium drinks package!). My vice was the Whiskey Orchard Press, but I would never say no to a Smoked Peach Margarita.
Viva’s Captain, Giorgio Voussolinos, confesses to being something of a foodie, during an onboard conversation, and he’s clearly in the right place. The choice and variety of eateries onboard is immense – and (here’s a top tip) some of the best dining can be found in Viva’s complementary restaurants!
Hudson’s is the main dining room. With stunning floor to ceiling windows offering 270-degree views, elaborate chandelier lighting and impeccable service, it’s one of the best MDRs I’ve experienced at sea.
Definitely make time for the Indulge food hall. With 11 different food stations, serving a variety of global cuisines, there’s something for everyone, and the quality is excellent.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you sit at a booth and order from a touchscreen menu, and mix and match dishes from India to Italy. Within minutes, your chosen meal is whisked to your table. Whatever you do, don’t miss the fish tikka, with freshly baked naan bread. It’s sensational.
The Surfside Cafe and Grill is home to breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Always popular, you’re certain to find something that ticks the hunger box, including bottomless ice cream.
The Local bar & Grill, a well equipped sports bar serving comfort food, was a particular favourite. It’s a great place for brunch, particularly when seated outside.
You’ll need nerves of steel for some of the ship’s attractions. The Ocean Walk is a glass floor over open ocean, while The Drop and The Rush are dry slides. The screams of descending passengers can be heard when you’re dining in the nearby sports bar, bringing much amusement. There’s also The Wave, a spiraling waterslide.
High tech amusements can be found in the pay to play Galaxy Pavilion. VR entertainments include a gyroscopic space ride that spins you like a top. More stable, old school arcade attractions, including Pac-Man, can be found elsewhere on the ship.
Swanky bars are all well and good, but what if you’re looking for something a little more intimate? NCL have that covered with Syd Norman’s Pour House. Lit by neon signs, this atmospheric bar is home to live music acts.
During our cruise, we had a Beatles tribute and an excellent Fleetwood Mac playthrough of Rumours. A few more rock tribute acts, in keeping with the dive bar ambiance, would go down a treat.
The neighbouring Improv at Sea theatre is home to karaoke, where classics are murdered nightly.
With its huge glass windows, the Observation Lounge is a rather quieter escape, ideal for afternoon tea.
Feeling lucky, there’s a casino too.
Premium specialty restaurants include Nama Sushi, a convincing little Japanese sushi bar, and Onda by Scarpetta, a celebrated Italian known for its posh pizza and pasta dishes.
Cagney’s Steakhouse offers a fine selection of meat and seafood. The French onion soup and Filet Mignon are superb.
Then there’s French cuisine from Le Bistro, the Mediterranean Palomar, and Asian fusion with Food Republic.
One of my favourites on Viva’s specialty roster was Los Lobos, a colourful, unpretentious Mexican eatery, where the art of guacamole making becomes tableside theatre. If you want a full-on entertainment, the Hasuki teppanyaki is a riotous feast of steak, shrimp and chicken.
Discovering new cocktails is always fun, and onboard the Norwegian Viva they take the whole process extremely seriously. NCL’s Sail & Sustain ethos takes surplus food and incorporates it into a range of signature cocktails. Highly recommended is a Croissant Mai Tai, which uses pastries surplus to requirements to create a base for a unique syrup.
The Metropolitan bar also serves Norwegian’s own-brand sustainably sourced gin ‘66, made with sustainable botanicals.
Norwegian Viva Verdict
The Luxe Review rates the Norwegian Viva a stunning new entrant on the contemporary cruising scene. The ship looks gorgeous, with exceptional interior design and offers a fabulous variety of food and drink. I’ll wager you’ll not manage to experience all it has to offer on one cruise, but it’s fun to try.
Norwegian Viva is currently sailing in the Mediterranean, before transitioning to Miami for its christening ceremony on November 28. She’ll then homeport in Puerto Rico, offering Caribbean itineraries. In May 2024, Norwegian Viva returns to Europe, to cruise the Mediterranean.
Sumo fans visiting Tokyo have a new attraction to add to their itinerary. Opening January 7 is a 150-seat show restaurant that brings together Japan’s national sport, sumo, and traditional kaiseki cuisine. The Sumo Live restaurant, located in Ginza, features a full-size sumo-ring stage, where wrestlers will perform demonstration bouts for diners. The opening follows…
One of the world’s leading bespoke shipyards is setting up shop in the heart of London. Sanlorenzo Yachts UK will open a flagship showroom at 61 Park Lane, Mayfair, in March 2026. Designed as a working studio rather than a traditional retail space, the showroom will allow prospective Sanlorenzo owners and charter clients to begin…
As befits a brand long associated with magic, Disney is looking forward to a particularly busy spell in 2026. From major transformations at Disneyland Paris to new shows at Walt Disney World and fresh itineraries for Disney Cruise Line, the next 12 months look certain to keep the Disney faithful entranced. One of the most…
The Luxe Review 
Fresh from Norwegian Viva’s maiden voyage, I’m already eager to return.
The second NCL Prima class cruise ship, the Norwegian Viva represents the cutting edge in cruise ship design and indulgence.
Digital art, immersive VR entertainment, fine dining and a dive bar – it has it all.
As you explore its decks, you move from minimalist cocktail bar to sports casual diner, via the unapologetically lush. There is literally a place for every occasion.
The attention to detail throughout is a delight, the interior design chic and contemporary. It’s cruising upgraded.
There are 1,586 staterooms in total on the Viva, and guest capacity is 3,099. Even so, there’s a surprising amount of free deck space to enjoy.
For solo passengers, the ship boasts 94 single-occupancy ‘Studio’ staterooms.
If you want exclusivity, the Viva offers that too. The Haven is a five star ‘ship within a ship’ experience, with its own dining, bar and deck areas, accessed only by Haven key card holders. Just 107 high-end suites are available in this gloriously gated community.
You might need to snag your superior stateroom early though. “The Haven is always the first to sell out on a cruise,” I was told.
I joined the Norwegian Viva for the culmination of its maiden voyage this August, boarding the ship in Civitavecchia, and visiting Florence, Cannes, and Ibiza before disembarking in Lisbon.
There’s no shortage of excursions to book on this short leg, from the Can Marçà caves in Ibiza to a Tuscan winery. I opted for the latter, visiting Fattoria Il Poggio, a remote farmhouse in the Tuscan hills, to sample its red and white wines, and eat pasta.
24 hours later, I’m strolling La Croisette, ogling the supercars on the Cannes waterfront promenade, no excursion required.
The Norwegian Viva shares many similarities with its Prima predecessor, albeit embellished and updated.
The staterooms with balconies are spacious, and entertainment options many and varied. The Viva Speedway is a three storey racetrack, part of an entertainment complex that also includes high tech darts (The Bull’s Eye) and crazy golf (Tee Time).
The Speedway caters for either solo or dual riders. You know when it’s running because you can hear the squeal of tires around the pool.
It’s well worth booking a Speedway slot early in your cruise, as spaces go fast. Kids will love it.
Away from the racetrack, the ship is a veritable floating gallery. Art pieces are dotted throughout.
The Metropolitan bar has a stunning 16-metre wide, 48 million pixel, interactive artwork created by British artist Dominic Harris (pictured below). Dubbed ‘Every wing has a silver lining’ it’s the biggest commission to date for Harris, and features his signature butterfly motif.
Touch the panel and the AI butterflies take flight. You don’t even need to touch the glass to get a reaction, sensors register any close quarter movement and the digital insects react accordingly.
Its execution adds an extra level of sophistication to what is already a great cocktail bar.
The ship’s Penrose Atrium is bright and functional. It’s the centre of much hubbub during the day, as passengers book excursions, shop or meet for coffee. In the evening, the Whiskey Bar becomes a social magnet, a favourite catch-up spot with fellow like minded cruisers, eager for a dram or specialty cocktail.
One of the great things about a cruise is how quickly you make friends, and develop a rapport with the bar staff!
The ships Concourse is a revelation. Located on deck 8, it features playful sculptures from Arik Levy, Jonathan Prince and Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson. My favourite was a towering take on ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors.’
It leads on to Infinity beach, a lounge and pool area that offers plenty of comfy seating for those eager to escape the sun.
The main pool enjoys live music and dance lessons, with cocktails on tap (it’s definitely worth getting the Premium drinks package!). My vice was the Whiskey Orchard Press, but I would never say no to a Smoked Peach Margarita.
Viva’s Captain, Giorgio Voussolinos, confesses to being something of a foodie, during an onboard conversation, and he’s clearly in the right place. The choice and variety of eateries onboard is immense – and (here’s a top tip) some of the best dining can be found in Viva’s complementary restaurants!
Hudson’s is the main dining room. With stunning floor to ceiling windows offering 270-degree views, elaborate chandelier lighting and impeccable service, it’s one of the best MDRs I’ve experienced at sea.
Definitely make time for the Indulge food hall. With 11 different food stations, serving a variety of global cuisines, there’s something for everyone, and the quality is excellent.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you sit at a booth and order from a touchscreen menu, and mix and match dishes from India to Italy. Within minutes, your chosen meal is whisked to your table. Whatever you do, don’t miss the fish tikka, with freshly baked naan bread. It’s sensational.
The Surfside Cafe and Grill is home to breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Always popular, you’re certain to find something that ticks the hunger box, including bottomless ice cream.
The Local bar & Grill, a well equipped sports bar serving comfort food, was a particular favourite. It’s a great place for brunch, particularly when seated outside.
You’ll need nerves of steel for some of the ship’s attractions. The Ocean Walk is a glass floor over open ocean, while The Drop and The Rush are dry slides. The screams of descending passengers can be heard when you’re dining in the nearby sports bar, bringing much amusement. There’s also The Wave, a spiraling waterslide.
High tech amusements can be found in the pay to play Galaxy Pavilion. VR entertainments include a gyroscopic space ride that spins you like a top. More stable, old school arcade attractions, including Pac-Man, can be found elsewhere on the ship.
Swanky bars are all well and good, but what if you’re looking for something a little more intimate? NCL have that covered with Syd Norman’s Pour House. Lit by neon signs, this atmospheric bar is home to live music acts.
During our cruise, we had a Beatles tribute and an excellent Fleetwood Mac playthrough of Rumours. A few more rock tribute acts, in keeping with the dive bar ambiance, would go down a treat.
The neighbouring Improv at Sea theatre is home to karaoke, where classics are murdered nightly.
With its huge glass windows, the Observation Lounge is a rather quieter escape, ideal for afternoon tea.
Feeling lucky, there’s a casino too.
Premium specialty restaurants include Nama Sushi, a convincing little Japanese sushi bar, and Onda by Scarpetta, a celebrated Italian known for its posh pizza and pasta dishes.
Cagney’s Steakhouse offers a fine selection of meat and seafood. The French onion soup and Filet Mignon are superb.
Then there’s French cuisine from Le Bistro, the Mediterranean Palomar, and Asian fusion with Food Republic.
One of my favourites on Viva’s specialty roster was Los Lobos, a colourful, unpretentious Mexican eatery, where the art of guacamole making becomes tableside theatre. If you want a full-on entertainment, the Hasuki teppanyaki is a riotous feast of steak, shrimp and chicken.
Discovering new cocktails is always fun, and onboard the Norwegian Viva they take the whole process extremely seriously. NCL’s Sail & Sustain ethos takes surplus food and incorporates it into a range of signature cocktails. Highly recommended is a Croissant Mai Tai, which uses pastries surplus to requirements to create a base for a unique syrup.
The Metropolitan bar also serves Norwegian’s own-brand sustainably sourced gin ‘66, made with sustainable botanicals.
Norwegian Viva Verdict
The Luxe Review rates the Norwegian Viva a stunning new entrant on the contemporary cruising scene. The ship looks gorgeous, with exceptional interior design and offers a fabulous variety of food and drink. I’ll wager you’ll not manage to experience all it has to offer on one cruise, but it’s fun to try.
Norwegian Viva is currently sailing in the Mediterranean, before transitioning to Miami for its christening ceremony on November 28. She’ll then homeport in Puerto Rico, offering Caribbean itineraries. In May 2024, Norwegian Viva returns to Europe, to cruise the Mediterranean.
To book your cruise head to NCL online.
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