10 Reasons to Holiday on NCL Viva
Date Posted: 12/10/2023
Recently our Social Media Manager, Natalie set sail for 4-nights on Norwegian Cruise Line’s BRAND-NEW ship, Viva! Sharing her inside knowledge, here are all the reasons why you should start planning your Norwegian Viva holiday today…
One: Great Value for Money
With a wide range of culinary delights onboard every NCL cruise ship, you never have to worry about running out of options. And what’s even better, so much of it is included in the price of your holiday meaning you don’t have to spend any extra pennies if you don’t want to! Hudson’s is your main food hall and the perfect spot for breakfast. If you have a sweet tooth like me, I recommend the Belgium waffles (Yum)! Looking for a quick meal? Why not try the Surfside Café buffet with plenty of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or if you’re missing the taste of home head to The Local Bar & Grill for all your classic pub favourites accompanied by a laid-back atmosphere. To explore dishes from around the world, head to the Indulge food hall. Think Spanish tapas, pulled pork sandwiches and pad thai to name a few. There’s no need to choose, have it all!
Like to go with the flow? Well, NCL give you the freedom and flexibility to dine when you want, with who you want. There’s no set dining times in the main restaurants so you can follow your mood, not a schedule.
Two: Top Class Comedy
As a big comedy fan this was a highlight for me, and something totally unique that I haven’t experienced onboard a cruise before. We tended to head for the early show before dinner which lasted around 45 minutes. The Improv at Sea venue gave authentic comedy club vibes and provided a good old laugh, the perfect way to start any evening! Pull up a seat and grab your favourite cocktail ready for the show to begin.
Three: Free at Sea
Free at Sea is a package offered to NCL customers to make their time onboard even more special! Enjoy premium drinks including spirits, wines, draft beers, cocktails, and soft drinks as well as at least one meal at a speciality dining restaurant. You can also expect WIFI at no extra cost and discounts on excursions, the perfect way to experience more for less. Based on a 6–8-day sailing, this whole package will cost you as little as £149pp. With such good value for money, it’s certainly a no-brainer!
Four: Fun, fun, fun
You’ll find yourself spoilt for choice with so many fun and thrilling activities onboard to keep you entertained during sea days. If you’re a big kid at heart, the Wave waterslide is a total must! Rush down the slide and rocket right out over the ocean; but be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for something a bit more out of the ordinary but still just as thrilling, why not head to the Galaxy Pavilion! Get ready to be blown away as you step into a virtual world at sea filled with simulators and escape rooms, an experience that is definitely worth paying that little bit extra for! Or maybe the Viva Speedway will be more up your street, a three-level racetrack perfect for a little family competition. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to try everything out myself as there was just so much to choose from. I’d love to return to Viva purely to experience the rest of the ship’s activities.
Five: Enjoy a Drink (or Two)
As I recommended earlier, the Free at Sea package comes in super handy when it comes to one of the most important parts of any cruise… the drinks. Everyone needs a good cocktail on holiday and with Viva’s vast selection, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you need a starting point, let me recommend my personal favourite, the smoked peach margarita! After my first sip I was sold and it quickly became the drink of the holiday, although I had to try others too of course. The frozen strawberry daiquiri was ideal for chilling by the pool on those hot sunny days. While the choice of wine was second to none and complimented our evening meals perfectly. Basically, any drink up to the value of $15 is included meaning you really do get your money’s worth over the course of the holiday.
Six: Beautiful Décor
Probably the biggest surprise I got when boarding Norwegian Viva was how beautifully decorated the ship was overall. The interiors were calming, sophisticated and fresh. Although cohesive, every space had its own vibe which I think is exactly what you need on a cruise ship. It made every experience feel completely new meaning you never felt bored or limited by the options. The wide selection of bars and restaurants are stunningly designed to fit the various moods whether that be relaxed and casual or full-blown fine dining. My favourite had to be the Observation Lounge, grab a book, make a coffee, and watch the world go by.
Seven: Indulge in the Specialty Dining
Although speciality dining isn’t a necessity due to the extensive complimentary dining options, it’s certainly nice to treat yourself every now and again! If you choose to purchase the Free at Sea package, then you get at least one free speciality dining meal which is definitely worth making use of. If you’re a foodie like me, you’ll love taste-testing all the options on board and making each mealtime extra special. Each restaurant has its own appeal to it, but my personal favourites were Cagney’s Steak House and Hasuki, both were fantastic experiences.
Eight: Spacious
For some, the thought of being on a ship may make them feel constrained however I’m glad to say this is certainly not the case onboard Viva. The ship was almost at full capacity when sailing and it never once felt crowded. There was always a sunbed available to catch some rays, a spare seat at the bar to grab a cocktail or a free table for the all-important mealtimes.
Norwegian Viva is NCL’s most spacious accommodation to date, and I can vouch for that. I was lucky enough to stay in a balcony cabin and I could not believe the size of the room (I must say my mind was blown by the spacious shower). If you fancy stretching your legs and getting a bit of fresh air, there’s also plenty of space for a leisurely lap around the Waterfront. A quiet, peaceful way to end any evening onboard.
Ten: Live music
All of the onboard entertainment was fantastic! With so much variety, there is something for everyone. I, of course, sampled as much as I could including the ‘Icon’s’ concert which was so much fun. It featured songs from iconic music legends, think everything from Dolly to Gaga and more. The vibe in the evening was great with the theatre turning into a nightclub ready for those who want to party the night away. If you’re after a more low-key evening, then there is live music to enjoy across the ship. We loved enjoying a pre-dinner drink accompanied by live vocalists, it created such a laid-back atmosphere.
Start planning your NCL holiday today: https://bit.ly/3Ffo4Ju
