Live onboard Norwegian Viva: Ask Us Your Questions

[laudergayle]

@CruiseCriticAaron  Looking forward sailing Viva someday (when the $$$ go to $$ lol).  My question is about the soft seating around the ship…especially in OL and Deck 8.  Does the Viva still have the fabric upholstery or have they changed it to be more durable against staining?

 

Also, did they increase the size of Surfside Cafe, and is it still a through-way for some to get from aft to pool?

[CruiseCriticAaron]

3 hours ago, Beer Belly said:

We sailed on the Prima, outside the Indulge Food Hall there was a kiosk that I believe started as a serve yourself beer taps......it was next to what I call the "Bird Cage" hanging seats, is that kiosk still there ?....is it in use ???.....when we sailed, it was used to store Mops and Mop Buckets. Is the rear of the ship covered in soot as it was on the Prima ?

 

The Indulge Food Hall has been reconfigured from Prima, and has some layout differences. There are still self-serve beer taps, but they seem to function as designed.

 

No soot on the aft decks that I've seen so far.

[CruiseCriticAaron]

2 hours ago, B-Russell said:

Are there power outlets near the beds?   We use cpap machines and hate having to have power cords strung across the room to the desk area.   

There are USB and USB-C connectors on the lamps near the beds and a single US-style outlet near the bed, so you should be good to plug at least one machine in.  My balcony room has, in total, four US-style outlets, one two-pronged EU outlet, three USB and three USB-C connectors.

Edited August 12, 2023 by CruiseCriticAaron

[CruiseCriticAaron]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

@CruiseCriticAaron  Looking forward sailing Viva someday (when the $$$ go to $$ lol).  My question is about the soft seating around the ship…especially in OL and Deck 8.  Does the Viva still have the fabric upholstery or have they changed it to be more durable against staining?

 

Also, did they increase the size of Surfside Cafe, and is it still a through-way for some to get from aft to pool?

It's generally fabric, and quite comfortable. But how stain-resistant it is remains debatable.

 

The Surfside Cafe has not increased in size, and it is still a bit of a thoroughfare between midship and aft.

[Coffeeluvr05]

Going to be on the viva in October. Is everything in the indulge food hall complimentary? Is it basically the buffet just reimagined?  Is there any complimentary room service or is it all for a fee like on the rest of the ships? This will only be my second ncl cruise. Mostly sailed with Princess. 

[CC Help Michell]

Hi, Aaron,

 

Thanks so much for taking questions from the Community during this eagerly-awaited maiden voyage!  For those who don't know him, Aaron is Cruise Critic's Senior News & Features Editor, and you can see many of his expert reviews, first looks, and live reports at https://www.cruisecritic.com.

[CruiseCriticAaron]

17 hours ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

Going to be on the viva in October. Is everything in the indulge food hall complimentary? Is it basically the buffet just reimagined?  Is there any complimentary room service or is it all for a fee like on the rest of the ships? This will only be my second ncl cruise. Mostly sailed with Princess. 

Everything in Indulge Food Hall -- save for drinks like alcohol, of course -- is free of charge. It's all quite good, too. You're correct that it is basically a re-imagining of the buffet. The entire idea aboard Norwegian Viva is that rather than having a big, cavernous buffet, several separate eateries serve that same purpose. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I quite like it.

 

Room service still incurs a fee - $4.95 + 20 percent gratuity for breakfast, $9.95 + 20 percent gratuity for the All Day Menu

[Beer Belly]

Have they enlarged Syd's on the Viva ?....if not, they should consider it moving forward. 

[graphicguy]

Thank you Aaron.....I have some Cruise Next certs just languishing in my account.  This helps with looking at my next cruise booking.  I'm leaning more towards the Viva over the Prima and your review is quite helpful in making that decision.

[Eggs2Go]

I've read that the outside decks on the Prima are very slippery, especially when wet. Was a different (safer) flooring used for the decking on the Viva?

[RektorOfTroy]

After a particularly pleasant surprise on the Jade last year, my spouse has asked if there is ever a small buffet of snacks in the casino at night. 

[CruiseCriticAaron]

On 8/13/2023 at 5:26 AM, Beer Belly said:

Have they enlarged Syd's on the Viva ?....if not, they should consider it moving forward. 

Sadly, no -- it's standing room only most nights.

[CruiseCriticAaron]

On 8/13/2023 at 10:06 AM, Eggs2Go said:

I've read that the outside decks on the Prima are very slippery, especially when wet. Was a different (safer) flooring used for the decking on the Viva?

Never noticed this to be an issue on Viva, even while walking with dress shoes that are often slippery on some kinds of decking. It must have been fixed.

[CruiseCriticAaron]

On 8/13/2023 at 10:27 AM, RektorOfTroy said:

After a particularly pleasant surprise on the Jade last year, my spouse has asked if there is ever a small buffet of snacks in the casino at night. 

Not that I noticed, though I'll be honest -- I didn't spend a lot of time in the casino.

[CruiseCriticAaron]

On 8/13/2023 at 8:51 AM, graphicguy said:

Thank you Aaron.....I have some Cruise Next certs just languishing in my account.  This helps with looking at my next cruise booking.  I'm leaning more towards the Viva over the Prima and your review is quite helpful in making that decision.

Glad to be of help!

[www3traveler]

I asked this question earlier in this thread: could you please post a list of both the Senior Bridge and Hotel Management staff.

 

There is a current CC thread always wanting to know a listings of the current current officers.

 

Thank You

[JIMESOPUS]

@CruiseCriticAaron Thanks for taking the time in responding to us, did you also take the pictures?

[CruiseCriticAaron]

58 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

@CruiseCriticAaron Thanks for taking the time in responding to us, did you also take the pictures?

I did, yes. I always try to take as many photos onboard as possible; gives people a better idea of what the ship looks like.

[CruiseCriticAaron]

2 hours ago, www3traveler said:

I asked this question earlier in this thread: could you please post a list of both the Senior Bridge and Hotel Management staff.

 

There is a current CC thread always wanting to know a listings of the current current officers.

 

Thank You

So I must admit: they had a display of Senior Officers and Crew somewhere on the ship, and I never could find it again. My apologies.

[The Traveling Man]

21 minutes ago, CruiseCriticAaron said:

So I must admit: they had a display of Senior Officers and Crew somewhere on the ship, and I never could find it again. My apologies.

They usually hand out cards listing the names and phone numbers of most all the senior officers at the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet (aka Meet & Mingle).  Did they have a M&G on your cruise?

[StellaTN]

Thank you so much for the excellent review and pics! We will be boarding in Trieste in 2 weeks.
1. Very interested to see any of the dailies if it isn’t too much trouble 🙂 

 

2. I hear our sailing is sold out - I’m also interested to see pics of the venues with people in them (like Indulge at peak lunch time or Local. All the pics I can find are of empty venues 🙂
 

thanks again for fielding all these questions! You are the best!

[spdwain]

Are there actual opening sofabeds in balcony cabins.  The futons with a removable back on Escape and Breakaway are OK for kids, but it is like sleeping on a hospital gurney for an adult. 

[pandncruisers]

I can't see where the pictures are posted, can you let us know where they are.  Thx We just booked the Viva for next year and would love to see some pics.  Thx

[JIMESOPUS]

@pandncruisers https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/norwegian-viva-photo-tour-live-from-norwegian-viva-s-first-cruise

[All-ready2cruise]

@JIMESOPUS thank you, you are so good!