Name: Norwegian Viva
Brand: Norwegian Cruise Line
Availability: InStock

At a glance

Norwegian Viva is a large-size cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, in service since 2023. It carries 3,223 guests and 1,506 crew (2.1 guests per crew member) at 142,500 gross tons. It is the 11th largest of 22 Norwegian Cruise Line ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for family friendly (9/10) and lowest for adventure & nature (5/10). It is rated 3.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable and 4.5 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 36 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $369 to $4,139. 21 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable: 3.5 / 5
Cruise Critic: 4.5 / 5

Guests: 3,223
Crew: 1,506
Gross tons: 142,500
Decks: 20
Length: 965 ft
Beam: 133 ft
Maiden voyage: 2023
Space ratio: 2.1; Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew: 2.1
Speed (mph): 26
IMO: 9823998

Bliss scores

What Norwegian Viva is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

Active 7.0
Adventure and nature 5.0
Cultural 6.0
Dining 7.0
Entertainment 6.0
Family friendly 9.0
Party 7.0
Romantic 7.0
Spa and fitness 7.0
Staterooms 7.0

Our review

Norwegian Viva: Smooth sailing in the Med & Caribbean

The 3,223-passenger Norwegian Viva debuted in July 2023 and sails the Greek Isles and Mediterranean in spring to fall and Caribbean itineraries in winter.

The smartship from Norwegian Cruise Line is the second ship in the Prima class (following Norwegian Prima). Viva features a modern cruising experiences with roomy staterooms, including studio staterooms for solo travelers.

In the Prima class, ships are smaller and roomier than the cruise line's prior Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus class ships, carrying 3,223 (at double occupancy) rather than more than 4,000. That adds up to guests getting 150 to 1,000+ more cubic feet per passenger compared to comparable ships.

Norwegian said Prima ships offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship, including more pool deck space than other NCL ships, multiple infinity pools and more outdoor walkways. And the Haven, the premium space reserved for guests who pay more, has been moved to the aft so all staterooms, the sundeck and dedicated restaurant face the water.

The ship also caters to families with dedicated kids’ venues and a variety of ways to play and soak up the sun, ensuring there's something for every traveler.

Who will like sailing on Norwegian Viva

Norwegian Vivs should appeal to those who enjoy a vibrant, adult-oriented cruise experience with a focus on entertainment, dining and relaxation. The passenger mix includes a significant number of Americans, particularly on Caribbean sailings, while Mediterranean cruises attract a more diverse group of Europeans, Asians and North Americans.

Where Norwegian Viva sails

Norwegian Viva sails the Med and Caribbean:

April to November: The ship voyages to such popular Mediterranean ports as Barcelona, Rome, Gibraltar, Mallorca, Ibiza, Malaga, Cartagena, Naples, Malta, Athens, Santorini and Istanbul.
December to April: The ship visits Caribbean ports such as San Juan, Bonaire, Curacao, Tortola, St. Lucia, Antigua, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Aruba.

Read the full review

Ship highlights

Standout features on the ship include:

Ocean Boulevard is a 44,000-square-foot section that wraps around the entirety of deck 8 and features a number of upscale restaurants.
The Concourse is an immersive, ready-for-social-media outdoor sculpture garden, with several dramatic installations designed by sculptor Alexander Krivosheiw.
Infinity Beach features two infinity pools at the edge of the deck and two glass bridges for views over the water.
Indulge Food Hall is an open-air global food marketplace with a choice of 11 different cuisines with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating.
La Terraza is an open-air lounge that offers expansive sea views.

A Japanese ramen dish on Norwegian Viva.

Dining

Complimentary dining

Surfside Café & Grill: The ship's too-busy traditional top-deck buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hudson's and The Commodore Club: The two primary main dining rooms on board offer a menu of selections that rotate daily.

Indulge Food Hall: Guests will encounter an iPad ordering system featuring specialties from around the world, including American and Asian fare. Enjoy either indoor or outdoor seating. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Local Bar & Grill, set in an upscale beach club, features live music that complements cool cocktails and classic American cuisine.

Seaside Rotisserie, with an array of rotisserie-style meats cooked over a spit

Nudls, an emporium serving noodle dishes from around the world, from Chinese to Italian to Thai

Tamara, featuring classic Indian dishes and lots of vegetarian options

The Latin Quarter, serving classic Latin food with a twist

Tapas Food Truck, with Spanish-inspired street food

Garden Kitchen, where guests can order custom salads.

Specialty restaurants

Cagney's: Norwegian's traditional steakhouse features cuts of Angus beef and other classic fare.

Le Bistro: Guests can dine on such classic French-inspired fare as escartgots a'la Bourguignon, steak tartare, coq au vin and homard thermidor.

Los Lobos: Head here for casual but perfectly prepared Mexican fare. Check out the sweeping outdoor promenade for a less busy seating area.

Onda By Scarpetta: Enjoy bold, modern Italian cuisine and an elegant dining experience at this dining venue that reflects the flavors of the Scarpetta restaurant brand.

Palomar: Munch on grilled octopus, Greek salad and other Mediterranean cuisine.

Food Republic: You'll find cuisine from a wide array of Asian culinary traditions — Vietnamese pho, Japanese ramen, sushi, dumplings, spicy Korean fried chicken — in this top-deck restaurant.

Hasuki Teppanyaki: You'll find Japanese hibachi-style meals (and culinary entertainment) in an attractive setting. Hasucki dishes come with a fixed price.

Nama Sushi: Fresh sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes rule at this handsome, intimate specialty restaurant.

The Metropolitan Bar is Norwegian’s first sustainably focused bar featuring zero-waste cocktails.

Bars and lounges

Norwegian Viva features a diverse array of bars and lounges:

Belvedere Bar: Ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks, located between Cagney’s Steakhouse and the Commodore Room main dining room

Improv at Sea: A small venue hosting comedy shows on Prima-class ships, seating around 75 guests

Luna Bar: Situated in the outdoor area of the Indulge Food Hall, offering a serene ambiance

Metropolitan Bar: Focuses on sustainable cocktails with ingredients sourced from food waste on the ship

Observation Lounge Bar: Offers sweeping views off the ship's front, perfect for enjoying a cocktail

Penrose Bar: A busy bar located in the Penrose Atrium, also serving the casino area

Proof Whiskey Bar: A circular bar in the Penrose Atrium, known for its beautiful views and vibrant atmosphere

Soleil Bar: Located at the back of the Indulge Food Hall

Speedway Bar: Hidden behind the Speedway entrance, it provides views of the race track and water

Starbucks: Offers premium coffee, tea, or smoothies, with special drink packages available

Syd Norman's Pourhouse: A rock-and-roll themed venue featuring live music most nights

The Haven Bar: An exclusive area for guests staying in the Haven, offering privacy and luxury

The Local Bar: A dedicated bar area within the 24/7 restaurant, the Local, featuring a large TV for sports

Vibe Beach Club Bar: An exclusive bar within the Vibe Beach Club, accessible only to guests who purchase access

Waves Pool Bar: Perfect for enjoying a frozen drink, beer or tropical cocktail poolside.

The venues offer a range of atmospheres and experiences, from casual and lively to intimate and exclusive.

Entertainment & activities

Guests on board can enjoy activities and entertainment such as the Prima Speedway, a racetrack for go-karting, Broadway-style shows, virtual reality games, water slides and pools. You'll also find live shows and interactive experiences, along with various dining and lounge venues offering unique twists. Art lovers will appreciate the extensive onboard artwork, and wellness enthusiasts can indulge in the comprehensive spa services.

For families

Norwegian Viva offers lots of options for families, including family-friendly accommodations, kids' clubs with age-appropriate activities, entertainment options like shows and interactive experiences, and pools and water features designed for family fun. Additionally, you'll find multiple dining venues that cater to different tastes and kids of all ages, ensuring that families have a variety of choices to enjoy together.

Note that the ship isn't ideal for families with young children under 10 years old due to limited kids' facilities. Teens, however, might enjoy the ship's entertainment options like the go-kart track and escape rooms.

Staterooms

Prima class vessels feature the largest Inside, Ocean View and Balcony staterooms in the fleet, with up to 50 percent more room and larger bathrooms and showers.

For guests sailing solo, there's a Studio stateroom perfect suited for one traveler — a welcome development for a cruise industry that typically caters to couples.

The ship has 13 suite categories as well. Premier Owner’s Suites in the Haven enclave are 50 percent larger than the most spacious suites of the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes.

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Norwegian Viva, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.

SEE ALL NORWEGIAN VIVA SAILINGS

On board highlights

Thermal Pool Deck 15
Penrose Atrium Decks 6-8
Observation Lounge Deck 17

Dining

Where to eat on Norwegian Viva

Photos

Inside and out

Dining 9

Datiles con almendras (bacon-wrapped Medijool dates, almonds, cabrales) is one of the special dishes aboard Norwegian Viva.
A Japanese ramen dish on Norwegian Viva.
Enjoy dining at Cagney’s Steakhouse on your next Norwegian cruise.
Hasuki Japanese Grill is an updated take on Norwegian's Hibachi restaurant.
Hudson's, the main restaurant on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The specialty French restaurant Le Bistro is the most elegant and formal restaurant in the Norwegian fleet.
Taste the essence of Europe on the Mediterranean/seafood-infused Palomar restaurant on your Norwegian cruise.
The Commodore Room is one of the new main restaurant on Norwegian’s Prima-class ships.
A porterhouse steak prepared to your tastes on a Norwegian cruise.

On board 11

Enjoy a restorative spa on Norwegian Viva.
Passengers can enjoy the laid-back Belvedere Bar on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
The Metropolitan Bar is Norwegian’s first sustainably focused bar featuring zero-waste cocktails.
Check out the views and grab a cocktail at the Observation Lounge on your Norwegian sailing.
The glass-walled Penrose Atrium on decks 6 to 8 of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
Whiskey lovers can indulge in the upscale Whiskey Bar for an additional cost on your Norwegian Prima class sailing.
Step into an infrared sauna on your Norwegian sailing to take advantage of infrared lamps that directly warm the body.
Thermal Suite guests can head to the Salt Room to help alleviate respiratory issues, allergies and skin irritations.
The Thermal Pool and its cascading waterfall will be a highlight of your Norwegian sailing.
Sink into a thermal chair for some deep relaxation.
The podium area on deck 20 of Norwegian Viva (digital rendering).