Norwegian Viva: The Norwegian Cruise Line Review For Everything You Need To Know
This post is all about Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line Review For Everything You Need To Know
Whether it’s your first time cruising or you’ve done it before, it can be challenging to figure out if the newest cruises like Norwegian Viva are worth going to.
Norwegian Viva is supposed to offer great food, amazing service, and entertainment in a modern, luxurious design. But does it? And is it actually worth going?
We did the Norwegian Viva itinerary 2024, and I will let you know my honest Norwegian Viva Review. From the rooms to the cleanliness on board Norwegian Viva, what I wish I had known beforehand, what I loved and didn’t, here’s a brutally honest Norwegian Cruise Line review of the Norwegian Viva.
This post is all about Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line Review For Everything You Need To Know
Table Of Contents
What I Loved About Norwegian Viva
What I Didn’t Love on the Norwegian Viva
Which Norwegian Viva Excursions are worth it?
Norwegian Viva Itinerary 2024
We did a 7 day sail starting from Puerto Rico that went to the following islands:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
St. John's, Antigua
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
And it was absolutely epic to say the least, we got to visit so many different islands. It was very fast-paced, and there were no sea days, so my suggestion is not to book too many excursions every day, so you have time to rest.
What I Loved About The Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Viva Food: Norwegian Cruise Line Review
If you’re looking for the BEST Norwegian Cruise Line review, you HAVE to mention the amazing food at sea. Norwegian Viva had some of the best meals we had, from the buffet, to indulge dining, specialty dining, and the many mini restaurants they had.
The food was so different everyday too, there was always a main like roast pork or roast chicken, a plethora of options from salads, pasta, soups, sides, and don’t get me started on the dessert. I never felt sick of any of the dining options and instead admittedly overindulged on all my meals. I gained so much happy weight and wasn’t mad about it at all. My Norwegian Viva review of the food has to be a 10/10.
For specialty dining, our favorites were the Steakhouse at Cagneys and the Onda by Scarpetta. Everything was indulgent, and the specialty dining packages were priced so fairly for what you got, lamb chops, prime rib, and filet mignon.
Norwegian Viva Tip: book your dining packages early before you get on board for the best deals! Once you get on board, get those reservations in and double-check entertainment times to make sure nothing overlaps.
2. Norwegian Viva Rooms: Norwegian Cruise Line Review
We stayed in a family balcony room on the Norwegian Viva and it was beautiful with a lot of artistic touches on the wall, plenty of space, and a big balcony.
But a complaint I had were the beds. Were the beds the most comfortable? I didn’t really think so, the pillows were a little flat so it was hard to get a good night’s sleep, but besides that, the room felt really clean, there was a vanity for makeup and the bathroom was a great size.
If you can splurge, I highly recommend getting a balcony room, there’s nothing like waking up and seeing the ocean. My Norwegian Viva review of the rooms is a 7/10.
3. Cleanliness on Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line Review
The ships were immaculately clean and throughout the ship and at any given time, you could find staff cleaning the walls, ledges, windows, and floors. The spa especially was spotless and smelled heavenly. (I’ve been on a cruise where the spa just smells like sweat).
If you pay for a thermal pass, (ours was $349 for 7 days(, you get access to the thermal lounge with 2 saunas, a salt room, red light therapy, an ice room, wet sauna, and multiple hot tubs. I highly recommend this! It was one of the places that were never crowded onboard and felt so relaxing. My Norwegian Viva review of the cleanliness is a 10/10!
4. Staff on Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line
It wouldn’t be a Norwegian Cruise Line review without talking about the staff. I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again, Norwegian Cruise Line has the friendliest and nicest staff.
They’re happy to be there, trained well, and go above and beyond for you as a customer. From the chefs to the waiters, and cabin stewards, they make you feel so welcome, and know exactly what they’re doing. My Norwegian Viva review of the customer service and staff is a 10/10!
5. Extra Little Details You Get: Norwegian Cruise Line Review
For this Norwegian Viva review, I HAVE to add the extra little details I noticed on Norwegian Viva that made the experience even more enjoyable.
On one of the islands, we docked next to Carnival and I was surprised to see when getting off their staff didn’t provide any drinking water, flavored water, music, or towels to the guests.
It was something I took for granted as I walked into the island with fresh new towels and island music every day.
On an MSC cruise last year, I remember we had to pay for icecream onboard. On Norwegian Viva, I was surprised to see there was a 24/7 free icecream station. You could even have chocolate ice cream for breakfast! My Norwegian Viva review of the way the ship presents itself is a 10/10.
6. Entertainment on Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line Review
It wouldn’t be a Norwegian Cruise Line review without mentioning the free entertainment on board. They were amazing. There was one show in particular that was New York City Broadway Theater worthy - Beetlejuice.
I couldn’t believe how funny, witty, and talented the staff were. It was so captivating and a 90-minute performance that flew by. My Norwegian Viva review of the entertainment is a 10/10!
Norwegian Viva Tip: make sure to book these on the app as soon as you board or you’ll miss out on alot of great shows. Arrive 15-30 minutes early for the shows - they get PACKED
7. Cocktails/Drinks on Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line Review
To create the best Norwegian Cruise Line review possible, we had the premium plus package and tried almost every single drink. They were amazing. From fresh juices like orange juice, celery juice, and carrot juice, to Starbucks, and cocktails like pina coladas, all the drinks felt expertly made on Norwegian Viva.
The cocktails on Norwegian Cruises are always amazing too. Thoughtfully curated and the bartenders are always happy to serve with a smile on their face.
My Norwegian Viva review of the drinks is a 7/10!
What I Didn’t Love About The Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line Complaints
It wouldn’t be a Norwegian Viva review without talking about the things I didn’t love so much. With the good, also comes the bad so in this Norwegian Viva review, let’s talk about the things that we didn’t like so you can see if these are deal breakers before booking.
Norwegian Cruise Line Review: Norwegian Viva Extra Charges:
A Norwegian Cruise Line complaints we have is that almost everything had an extra charge on board. From the games at the Galaxy Pavilion on board, to the two story race track, specialty dining, excursions, and drink packages, prepare to add additional costs to your cruise when you get on board.
Norwegian Cruise Line Review: Norwegian Viva Crowds:
It wouldn’t be a good Norwegian Cruise Line review without talking about the crowds on board, and boy did it feel crowded.
Norwegian Viva at double occupancy can hold up to 3,219 passengers at the time and the pools onboard certainly felt like it. There would be 8-10 people, 2-3 different groups in one hot tub at a time, and it was quite hard to find an open seat at the pool area if you didn’t arrive early.
There was only one section for the buffet as well, so during peak times there would be mass crowds and lines. One of the days during lunch, the buffet reached max capacity and the staff made us go downstairs to Indulge to eat.
Norwegian Viva Tip: to avoid the crowds, I recommend waking up super early, 6-7AM, eating at the beginning of end of buffet hours, and paying extra for a thermal pass at the spa.
Norwegian Cruise Line Review: Norwegian Viva Excursions
That’s all the complaints I had for Norwegian Viva, lets talk about the three different Norwegian Cruise Line excursions we did, so you can decide what’s worth your time.
BOSS UNDERWATER ADVENTURE in ST. Thomas US Virgin Islands:
I had no expectations for this one but it was absolutely epic. You take a ship out into the water, snorkel, and ride a scooter underwater to see a shipwreck and other fish. Who wouldn’t want to do that?! Priced at $175 this one was a 10/10.
VIRGIN GORDA BATHS & SNORKEL:
This was in the British Virgin Islands and the bath was absolutely stunning. Slow-paced and a great way to see the amazing beach.
The only downfall is that it is a 45-minute ferry ride there, so make sure to grab your seasickness wristbands for the trip.
VOLCANIC MUD BATH EXPERIENCE Castries, St. Lucia
This was probably my least favorite excursion of the trip, not because the mud baths weren’t amazing but simply because we spent over 4 hours in the car going up windy roads and alot of the people in our group got sick. It was an experience in the mud baths which you can read about more here.
My Norwegian Viva review of the excursions is a 7/10! They were amazing but a little pricey.
Norwegian Cruise Line Review: Tips To Know Before You Go On Norwegian Viva
Passengers are allowed to bring their own bottle of wine but it’s a corkage fee of $15 per bottle.
Book all spas, excursions, and dinners in advance - you can do this on the app.
Make embarkation easier by checking in online beforehand.
You don’t need to bring alot of cash for tips, it’s easy to charge to your stateroom.
Consider getting a weekly pass to the spa's thermal suite (this was the best decision we made)
Wifi on board was pretty good if you want to purchase
The Musical Beetlejuice is a must-see, arrive in advance for best seats.
Norwegian Cruise Line Review: Would I Go On The Norwegian Viva Again?
Absolutely. I was surprised by how sad I was to leave on the last day and how much I would miss the cruise. (AND the amount of weight I had gained, but that was happy weight!)
It was extraordinary to check off 6 new islands on my bucket list and we made so many memories riding the tallest slide at sea and playing VR games at the Galaxy Pavilion.
And here’s my Norwegian Viva review! I even went to the CruiseNext station to buy credits to book my next cruise and put my parents on it. If you’re considering going on a Norwegian Viva cruise or even going on any ships in the Prima class, I would highly highly recommend doing so.
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