Five Things to Love About Norwegian Viva
05.09.2023 - 18:07
/ travelpulse.com
/ Claudette Covey
I’ve been a fan of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Class ships ever since I laid eyes on Norwegian Prima at the Fincantieri’s Marghera. Italy, shipyard where it was built. My admiration for the ship was bolstered when I sailed on its maiden voyage out Iceland.
I had the same reaction to the second Prima Class ship, Norwegian Viva, when I sailed on its inaugural itinerary out of Trieste, Italy, earlier this month.
Here are five things of many things to love about 143,535 gross ton, 3,100-passenger ship – from my perspective, of course.
The crew is exceedingly friendly and efficient without being obsequious. From what I observed, they remembered guests names immediately, along with their food-and-drink preferences. As a case in point. Craig, who served as a bartender at the Whiskey Bar when I sailed on Prima and now serves in the same position on Viva, remembered my name as well as the name of my companion.
Guests who do not purchse specialty dining packages have five excellent complimentary options to choose from, including two main dining rooms, Hudson’s and The Commodore Room. Although the two restaurants originally featured fixed menus on Prima, that has changed. Both now offer rotating menus, providing guests with more daily entrée options.
The Indulge Food Hall, which features 11 different culinary options, has been expanded to include more outdoor space and additional tablets for guests to order from. Another option is The Local Bar and Grill, which is open from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 a.m. (Recommend the sweet chili chicken wings to your clients.)
The Surfside Grill serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, with delicious options that change from day to day.
Guests accommodated at the Haven by Norwegian are privy to complimentary dining at the Haven Restaurant, which serves signature dishes with indoor and outdoor seating.
Travelers who purchase dining package receive a significant bang for their buck. There’s eight dining options – Cagney’s Steakhouse, Onda by Scarpetta, Le Bistro, Palomar, Food Republic, Nama Sushi|Sashimi, Hasuki and Los Lobos – in addition to Starbucks.
Viva features a generous number of public areas that will appeal to a wide swath of travelers. There’s the gorgeous three-deck Penrose Atrium, which serves as a jumping-off point for shops, restaurants, bars and public areas.
One of the things I love most about Viva is its myriad outdoor bar and lounge areas, including the Soleil Bar, set at aft end of the Indulge Food Hall’s on the Ocean Boulevard walkway, which encircles the vessel.
And coming soon – Viva’s multifaceted three-story theater will debut an adaption of “Beetlejuice The Musical.”
The full-service Mandara Spa includes a Zen-inspired thermal pool area on Deck 17 with a