Norwegian viva experience

Norwegian Viva Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Viva

7 Night Caribbean: Barbados Antigua & St. Lucia (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 22, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Viva

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 14128

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 11 months ago

Review summary

We enjoyed the ship and our trip. Hope cruise can offer better onboard activities and entertainment options. They need to use their theater as there is no atrium on the ship

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Embarkation process was very smooth and easy. We felt welcomed by all staff members

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
We tried different dining areas and restaurants. We liked indulge food hall (especial Mexican and Indian place called Tamara). Best staff and delicious food. Hudson: seating dining, very professional staff, we liked Italian food. Surfside cafe and grill: less vegetarian options, crowded and poorly managed. The local bar and grill: best carrot cake Observation lounge: best coffee cake Timing of main dining area and restaurant need improvement as there is no food option available between 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm when you come back to shop from excursions except surfside grill and local grill. Less vegetarian options.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
This ship charges you for each and every activities. Nothing is free on this ship. No basketball hoop. Even you have pay to play mini golf. Poole were crowded and you can not use certain areas as there were just for heaven guests. Hopefully, Norwegian can improve onboard activities on ship by providing 2-3 free activities per stateroom.

Entertainment

1 out of 5
The beetle juice and special Christmas show performances were nice but they need to have more main theater shows or activities during day time. Comedy performances were in area where no room for enough people. They get crowded if there are more than 75 people in the room.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5
Splash academy and entrounge area for teenagers were well organized.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
We were impressed by waiters (especial Tamara and hashuki) and they made our diet experience even better. Room steward was very professional and obedient. Most of staff members except some photo shop staff and guest service area staff were highly skilled and friendly.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Ship is really modern in design. There is no real atrium in this ship. Thee is no 24- hours restaurant (like sorento’s in royal Caribbean)on this ship. There are plenty of common sitting areas and neat places on the ship. One of best interior decoration (especially elevators) was main attractive design

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Spacious and neat cabin. Very well designed to accommodate 4 people per stateroom.

Ship tip

Please be prepared to stay hungry between 2.30 to 5.30 pm if you come back to ship from excursion. Please do not forget to enjoy food at Tamara restaurant

Ports of call

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

3 out of 5
Needs to get cleaned Less excursion options We enjoyed island tour

St. John's, Antigua

2 out of 5
Nice port Booked an excision from the port and it was way cheaper and had personalized experience. Went to valley church beach….one of the best beach we visited in the recent past

Bridgetown, Barbados

2 out of 5
Well organized Bridgetown port We hired a local guys from port to get island tour (way cheaper). Saw Rihanna’s old house, Northen part of island with crystal clear water, green monkey park, had fresh coconut water from the street and went to a couple nice beaches (Carlisle and rocklel)

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5
Clean and organized port We had to book excursion through a cruise line (touch the pitons) and was amazed to have this experience. Trip was too long and tiring as it takes 90 minutes from the port to get there.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

4 out of 5
Congested port. Lots of shopping areas We used water taxi but it was useless as you can walk to the same area from the port in 8 minutes.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5
Well organized port with different shopping options. Local vendors are expensive and they have fixed taxi fare one way. Better to walk out of port and look for a local tour guide to provide better proce. Very safe for travelers

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
San Juan port is one of dirtiest places I have experienced. Needs more manpower and
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8 Comments

mckey70hotmailcom     11 months ago

There was the Local open all day, and a small portion of the buffet was also open every afternoon and snacks were available in the observation lounge from 2-5 daily.

Ruby13     11 months ago

Nice itinerary

byhisgrace     11 months ago

bubbles60     11 months ago

We were on the Prima, the local restaurant was opened midday and late night. Sorry it was not on the Viva. We loved the new design.

javawoody     11 months ago

Thanks for the detailed review

Gwbigdog     11 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Niavlys     11 months ago

Tks for sharing

cruising2004     11 months ago

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thank you for sharing.