Tully on Tour: Our Travel Designers on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Viva
By Tully Luxury Travel | 01-08-2024 |
Members of the Tully Luxury Travel team, Brenna Keenan and Michelle Gerovac, recently returned from a voyage on the new Viva, the second ship in Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima class. Traveling to and from Miami, the Designers had fun checking out the ship’s beautiful design and many amenities, including a walkway that encircles the ship, infinity pools that melt into the horizon, a three-level go-kart track and almost a dozen restaurants and cafes.
Norwegian has a terrific new terminal
Brenna Keenan:
Norwegian Cruise Line has a brand-new cruise terminal, which is gorgeous! Just two years old, and very sleek and modern.
Michelle Gerovac:
We were blown away by the big, beautiful terminal, which made embarkation seem like more of an event.
Brenna:
Our check-in was quick and easy, with lots of staff on hand to assist anyone with mobility issues.
Viva suites are spacious and comfortable
Brenna:
The room was nicely decorated in blues, gold and beige. We had a balcony suite (BB Category) on Deck 10.
Michelle:
Our room was very clean and nicely designed, with a spacious bathroom and shower. The balcony was right above a main deck but still felt private.
Brenna:
The balcony was very large with two comfy chairs and a table, perfect for enjoying a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine later on.
There are multiple food and beverage options
Brenna:
The Indulge Food Hall showcases foods from around the world, with outdoor and indoor seating options. It has a very cool atmosphere, with each area set up differently – even a food truck offering nachos and guacamole and an Airstream trailer serving tapas. You find a table and order from a tablet – with Indian, Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Mexican options, just to name a few.
Michelle:
My server at Indulge was very accommodating to my gluten intolerance, and made sure the kitchen would follow through with my dietary requests.
Brenna:
We found breakfast, lunch and late snacks at the Local Bar & Grill. The pretzel bites with beer cheese fondue and the loaded nachos were both heavenly!
Michelle:
Guests find 24-hour, buffet-style dining at the Surfside Café, the best spot for breakfast. It has an omelet station and other stations that change daily. Gluten-free options were available on request. At the terrific specialty restaurant Nama Sushi & Sashimi, servers provided me with gluten-free soy sauce, and adjusted some menu items so that I could try them.
Great entertainment is everywhere you look
Michelle:
There were so many things going on every night, it was hard to choose what to do. The main stage is huge and can accommodate multiple different kinds of entertainment. We frequented karaoke nights in The Improv at Sea Bar, which was always a great time. We also attended a Fleetwood Mac cover band show at a very cool venue called Syd Norman's Pour House. Throughout the whole ship, there are more intimate musical acts in each public space.
On-deck experiences keep you busy
Brenna:
The Viva Speedway is a three-level racetrack with TVs around the track and in the viewing area, so everyone could keep track of who was in the lead.
Michelle:
I was expecting the Speedway to be very loud, but the vehicles were almost silent.
Brenna:
There was a podium at the end where you could pose for a photo op. Very cool! The racetrack was an extra US$15 per person. I also enjoyed playing darts in The Bull’s Eye, a British-style pub.
Michelle:
The Drop is a free-fall dry slide. I found a lounge chair underneath it during a sea day and watched people scream or laugh their way down it. Virtual reality arcade Galaxy Pavilion is a fun space, with multiple arcade games set up among the virtual reality game stations. I joined in on a racing video game, where you have to sit in a virtual car with a steering wheel. The Vibe Beach Club, accessible with an Access Pass, has a private bar, comfortable lounge chairs and private pools. As you can imagine, it fills up fast. I was also surprised at how large the casino was, with lots of slot machines and poker tables.
Brenna:
There are numerous lounge areas to enjoy either the sun or shade on deck. Swings and hammocks are available, too, as are pools and infinity hot tubs along the sides. Outdoor dining areas provided a patio-like experience.
Norwegian has its own private island
Michelle:
The Viva stopped at beautiful Great Stirrup Cay, its very own private island with excursions that included ziplining and swimming with pigs! There was also a private area called Silver Cove, which offers private villas of various sizes and a Moët Champagne bar.
Brenna:
There were activities for the whole family, but perhaps geared toward older children.
Michelle:
Yes, very family-friendly, with the private retreat more suitable for just the adults.
Always something new to discover
Brenna:
The Viva is a large and beautiful new ship with many things to do on board. It felt like a hotel and a destination all in one.
Michelle:
I also felt very safe during the trip, so I could easily recommend the Viva to female solo travelers. Be sure to download the NCL app, which will come in handy for navigating the numerous decks and spaces.