5 issues I really like and do not love on new cruise ship Norwegian Viva

So, what precisely is Indulge? It is a meals court-style expertise that has taken a few of the finest eateries from across the Norwegian fleet and put them in a single place to permit passengers to strive a little bit of the whole lot. You may discover a tapas meals truck that gives small plates harking back to what you’d be capable to order from Bayamo on Norwegian Escape, in addition to a tiny outpost of barbecue restaurant Q Texas Smokehouse, serving pulled pork sandwiches like those you may get on Norwegian Pleasure, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss.

On Norwegian Viva, the road eliminated Starbucks from the house to make room for extra tables and alleviate congestion. (Starbucks is now a stand-alone venue on Deck 7 within the atrium space.) You sit wherever you would like and order from a touchscreen. My group’s meals confirmed up in mere minutes, and it was scrumptious. I extremely suggest the Indian dishes from a counter known as Tamara.

The very best half is that the meals is free. That is significantly notable for a line like Norwegian, which is infamous for its nickel-and-diming. Not solely does Indulge Meals Corridor present a further complimentary meals possibility, however a few of the meals obtainable there comes with a charge on the corresponding stand-alone various eating places (Bayamo, Q) on different ships.

Solo cabins and lounge

Norwegian was the primary cruise line to make an actual effort to accommodate solo vacationers with the studio cabins it launched on Norwegian Epic in 2010. The idea has carried by way of to the road’s latest vessels, together with Norwegian Viva. However what’s particular about them on Viva is how upscale they appear.

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The impartial, timeless shade scheme — a far cry from the intense purples and greens that punctuated the studio idea’s unique iteration — carries by way of to a devoted Studio Lounge, to which all passengers booked in studio cabins have entry. There, they’re going to discover seating, free beer and soda on faucet, plus day by day breakfast objects and snacks. Devoted solo meetups are sometimes scheduled, too.

Norwegian Viva has 73 cabins for one, every of which is an inside room (no window) and affords 93 sq. toes of house. The lodging are tiny however cozy and properly appointed, that includes a single full-size mattress, a small desk/vainness and an open-concept closet. Loos are shower-only and don’t have any doorways — as a result of why would you want privateness from your self?

Talking of cabins basically, one other level price noting is the distinctive lighting. It may appear small, however seeing what you are doing in each nook of the room makes a distinction. Make-up lighting across the vanities can also be a godsend.

Atrium

I sailed on Norwegian Encore shortly earlier than boarding Norwegian Viva, and one of many greatest causes I prevented the atrium space on Encore was that it made me claustrophobic. The colours have been darkish, and the ceilings felt low. That is not the case on Viva.

The Penrose Atrium on Deck 6 is lighter, brighter and has a extra open feeling. It is a way more nice — albeit a lot louder — house than on a few of Norwegian’s earlier vessels.

Along with a impartial white, tan and inexperienced shade scheme, the three-deck house is outfitted with cozy seating (the felt loungers are wonderful), an summary central banquette and an overhead glass lighting show that appears a bit like a sky filled with cartoon stars. You may additionally discover Starbucks, a whiskey bar, just a few retailers, and desks for visitor companies, shore excursions, Wi-Fi help and future cruise bookings within the central space.

Escape rooms

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Galaxy Pavilion virtual-reality recreation house makes a return on Norwegian Viva, and it options two escape room decisions. A gaggle of pals and I chosen one which had us looking for Mystere, a magician who went lacking after a magic trick gone flawed.

All through the 45-minute expertise, we looked for clues to assist us find him and escape the locked space. Sadly, the ultimate piece of kit glitched — though we did the whole lot proper, based on the crew member overseeing our progress — so we by no means acquired to see the conclusion, regardless of fixing the entire puzzles appropriately.

Regardless, it was a enjoyable strategy to spend a while, particularly in case you’ve acquired a gaggle touring collectively. Every of the 2 rooms can maintain as much as six individuals. It prices $15 per individual to play, and I felt it was properly well worth the worth.

Wi-Fi

I do know many individuals prefer to disconnect throughout trip, however for these of us who need (or want) to stream, submit, examine e-mail or do work, a strong onboard Wi-Fi connection is essential.

On Norwegian Viva, I’ve a Wi-Fi bundle that features streaming for 2 gadgets, and the efficiency has been nothing wanting astounding. That is the primary time I’ve sailed on a ship the place each gadgets (my laptop computer and my cell phone) stayed related to the community all the time. I have not misplaced service, and I have not been involuntarily disconnected.

Maybe the connection pace and reliability aren’t shocking, provided that Norwegian Viva (in addition to lots of Norwegian’s different ships) runs on Starlink Wi-Fi.

Costs are steep, although. You possibly can activate one gadget for basic internet searching, checking emails and messaging for $29.99 per day. To buy a streaming and VPN bundle for one gadget, it is $39.99 per day. A second gadget might be added for $15.99 per day or $25.99 per day, respectively. 4-device packages are additionally obtainable, however charges will not be posted. Costs are topic to vary by ship and itinerary.

Observe that lots of Norwegian’s cruise fares include a set variety of free Wi-Fi minutes based mostly on cruise size. The supply is nice for 2 gadgets per cabin.

5 disappointing issues about Norwegian Viva

Leisure

Norwegian Viva’s different spotlight productions embrace a stay model of fashionable recreation present “Press Your Luck,” the place passengers can win cash, and “Icons,” a track revue that options bits of well-known tunes by everybody from Whitney Houston and Bruno Mars to Celine Dion and Elton John. The previous is not prepared but, both, and the latter would not arise when it comes to modern-day cruise leisure.

Though the “Icons” singers are immensely gifted, the present jogs my memory of one thing straight off cruise ships within the Nineties. The one issues lacking are feather boas, big headdresses and maybe some excessive kicks.

Different fashionable and extremely touted leisure choices are the interactive musical performances at Syd Norman’s Pour Home, a separate lounge that goals to move passengers to the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll. I attempted to attend one of many reveals, however the venue is not sufficiently big to accommodate the demand. I arrived two minutes earlier than showtime, and it was standing room solely, shoulder to shoulder, spilling out into the hallway at each entrances. I plan to strive once more later within the crusing after I can present up earlier to seize a seat.

Youngsters membership

I do not even have youngsters, and I am scratching my head concerning the state of Splash Academy, Norwegian Viva’s youngsters membership. Most different vessels within the fleet have devoted areas for various age teams. On Viva, two areas on Deck 15 ahead accommodate all youngsters from 6 months to 17 years.

Though the youth employees runs separate age-appropriate actions for kids from 3 to 12 years, they’re all held collectively in the identical house, which is bizarre. I am unable to think about any 12-year-old eager to be lumped in with toddlers.

The ship additionally lacks a devoted Guppies house for kids from 6 months to 2 years previous. As a substitute, dad and mom are allowed to make the most of the present house (toys offered) for parent-supervised play with their children when there are not any deliberate actions for the 3-to-12 set.

Much more odd is that there is no house allotted solely for tweens and youths. Different ships supply Entourage, a lounge for older youngsters, the place there are supervised however much less structured actions. On Norwegian Viva, teenagers can attend age-specific actions all through the vessel and within the Splash Academy space when it is not in use.

That answer is a problematic one. I’ve by no means seen so many unsupervised teenagers and tweens working by way of public areas, lounging in stairwells, being loud and customarily making a disturbance. As a result of I’ve not seen this on another ship I’ve sailed, I assume it is as a result of programming and lack of a devoted teen hangout.

Format

I am OK with taking time to get used to a brand new ship. Nevertheless, I have been on board Norwegian Viva for 5 days, and I nonetheless discover it troublesome to determine the place issues are. Most of the ship’s inside areas aren’t symmetrical, so it is easy to overshoot the place you are making an attempt to go in case you’re on the flawed aspect of the vessel — I am you, Le Bistro. Looking for the Oceanwalk outside promenade and alfresco eating space? It is easy to overlook the automated doorways on Deck 8.

And it would not cease there. The on line casino is a labyrinth, and you will doubtless need to ask somebody tips on how to discover your manner out of it the primary time you cross by way of. To succeed in the minigolf course, I needed to stroll partway by way of the buffet to discover a set of stairs that will take me to Deck 18 because it would not run the complete size of the ship. (The ahead elevators solely go to Deck 17, so you need to stroll aft, throughout the pool deck, enter the buffet after which go up.)

Then there are the site visitors movement points. It is troublesome to maneuver your manner across the seating space by Starbucks in Deck 7’s atrium, and the hall that runs down Deck 8 aft on the starboard aspect is a sizzling mess. It feels slim and runs proper by way of The Native, an almost round the clock eatery that serves free pub grub. When looking for The Native, I walked by way of it with out realizing what it was (due to poor signage) and wound up all the way in which aft at Indulge Meals Corridor earlier than turning round and doubling again. It is a mistake that I noticed a number of others additionally make, and it prompted congestion within the space.

Lack of quiet areas

Should you get pleasure from taking part in playing cards or studying in peace, or want a quiet place to loosen up or examine e-mail, Norwegian Viva is not the ship for you. It has no onboard library, card room or different out-of-the-way house that is not loud. In contrast to on a few of the line’s different ships, Starbucks is out in the course of the atrium’s hustle and bustle, and late at evening, there’s music blasting, youngsters screaming and crew members vacuuming the carpet there.

I attempted working within the Statement Lounge on Deck 17 ahead, however I used to be met with households loudly taking part in board video games, youngsters displaying off for each other and different issues that made it unattainable to pay attention with out headphones.

I’ve resorted to staying in my cabin after I want some peace, to the dismay of my great room steward, who cannot get in to do her job. However even in my room, it is not as quiet as I might like. I’ve a connecting room, and I can hear each phrase spoken by the household on the opposite aspect, together with the motion of balcony furnishings and basic sounds from the port the place we’re docked. This is without doubt one of the least soundproof rooms I’ve had on any ship, and I have been woken up a few occasions by slamming doorways or individuals speaking loudly.

Lacking fish

Should you’re a Norwegian Cruise Line common, you doubtless know all concerning the fish that seem on the carpeting within the cabin corridors on a lot of the line’s ships. They function a directional assist. Should you’re making an attempt to determine the place you are headed, look down. The fish are at all times swimming ahead towards the entrance of the vessel.

Sadly, the fish have been changed by extra delicate triangles that time ahead on Norwegian Viva. (Prima additionally would not have the fish, and an business colleague informed me they have been faraway from Hawaii-based Pleasure of America throughout its final refit.) I am certain there was a cause for it, however it makes me unhappy. The carpet fish have been each whimsical and practical and set Norwegian’s ships other than these in different strains’ fleets.

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