an old company with a new venture - Viva Cruises by Scylla

[UDChE89]

Update…. I have a feeling I might have been the first, or one of the first, Americans to book with Viva.  The US Rep called me early yesterday to get my credit card information as he was going to be on a call with HQ in Düsseldorf and they would process my card and send a new itinerary.  I didn’t see anything all day yesterday (I get a notification when there’s a charge to my card) and I resisted the urge to call him.  Woke up this morning to see the charge had been processed and a new itinerary had been provided.

 

Will report on my impressions of the cruise once I take it.  This will be my fourth cruise but first river cruise.  My aunt has done a few river cruises with Viking so it will be interesting to compare.

[notamermaid]

Thank you so much for your updates. Very interesting to follow along with the early steps of Viva in the US.

 

16 minutes ago, UDChE89 said:

a new itinerary had been provided

Do you mean there is an itinerary change from the one on the website? Low water issues?

 

Have a great cruise. Looking forward to reading your impressions and comparison.

 

notamermaid

 

[UDChE89]

6 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Thank you so much for your updates. Very interesting to follow along with the early steps of Viva in the US.

 

Do you mean there is an itinerary change from the one on the website? Low water issues?

 

Have a great cruise. Looking forward to reading your impressions and comparison.

 

notamermaid

 

No changes that I can tell.  I think it’s just a “final” document noting that the fare has been paid.

[notamermaid]

Themed cruises for 2023: https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tourism/viva-cruises-introduces-themed-sailings-fro-2023

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

Viva Cruises' new ship will enter service in April 2023. The christening of the Viva Two has been announced for 23 March: https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tour-operators/viva-cruises-second-ship-to-enter-service-in-april-next-year

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

Last year's winter cruises had a successful first season. The popularity has encouraged Viva Cruises to offer them again. The first departure is on 27 January: https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Viva-Cruises-winter-Europe-sailings?ct=river

 

While it is a little too cold for long excursions for me, I must admit that four nights on my river with a massage and just relaxing on a cosy ship sounds a great idea.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[notamermaid]

Viva Cruises, the company as such, is celebrating its 5th birthday. There are some special sailings. Perhaps in this context Cruisecritic - the company is increasingly targeting the North-American market -  has been on the Viva Two:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2937126-cruise-critic-feature-what-its-like-on-a-river-cruise-with-viva-cruises-just-back-from-viva-two/

 

Here is an interview with the COO: https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Andrea-Kruse-Viva-Cruises

and a look at the Viva Two from another writer's perspective: https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Viva-Two-inviting-design-is-a-conversation-starter

 

notamermaid

 

 

[notamermaid]

Viva Cruises new ship named "Viva Enjoy" will come in September 2024:

https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Viva-Cruises-introduce-Enjoy-September-2024?ct=river

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

Viva Cruises is going from strength to strength. Now due to popular demand - as a German website says - they have made an early release for 2025 river cruises. All are bookable now: https://www.viva-*****/en/river-cruises-2025?fbclid=IwAR261I50Pr7oLzIgv_MMvZU56nYwRJxAc7iBb6lV46OdtwndavMBPXQcV7g

 

notamermaid

 

[Daisi]

I've been looking at Viva and CroisiEurope for some tours that aren't mainstream. There is one that looks interesting with Viva that goes from Prague to Berlin, and the CroisiEurope one on the Loire river looks good as well.

[notamermaid]

On the Elbe and in the Northeast they use the Swiss Ruby. Interesting - in 2024 they offer a couple of great cruises on the tributaries of the Rhine but then send her via the canals in the North to the Elbe and Vltava. In 2025 I cannot see any West German itineraries on the Swiss Ruby.

 

notamermaid