viva cruise boat

5 things I love about new cruise ship Norwegian Viva — and 5 that disappoint me

Editor's Note

Norwegian Viva, the second ship in Norwegian Cruise Line 's Prima class, is nearly a carbon copy of its older sister, Norwegian Prima — but that doesn't mean you won't have plenty to love.

What Norwegian uses to differentiate Norwegian Viva from Norwegian Prima are art installations, entertainment ("Beetlejuice," anyone?) and additional seating at Indulge Food Hall, among other minor tweaks.

I'm halfway through the ship's nine-night inaugural sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Lisbon, Portugal, and I've rounded up some of my favorite things, as well as some that aren't so great. Find out what you should absolutely try and what might annoy you if you're planning to sail.

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5 great things about Norwegian Viva

Indulge food hall.

Like many items on this list, Indulge Food Hall isn't new to Norwegian. It debuted on Norwegian Prima, but it's new to me since this is my first experience with the Prima class .

So, what exactly is Indulge? It's a food court-style experience that has taken some of the best eateries from around the Norwegian fleet and put them in one place to allow passengers to try a bit of everything. You'll find a tapas food truck that offers small plates reminiscent of what you'd be able to order from Bayamo on Norwegian Escape, as well as a tiny outpost of barbecue restaurant Q Texas Smokehouse, serving pulled pork sandwiches like the ones you can get on Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss.

On Norwegian Viva, the line removed Starbucks from the space to make room for more tables and alleviate congestion. (But caffeine fans need not worry; Starbucks also has a stand-alone venue on Deck 7 in the atrium area.) You sit wherever you'd like and order from a touchscreen. My group's food showed up in mere minutes, and it was delicious. I highly recommend the Indian dishes from a counter called Tamara.

The best part is that the food is free. That's particularly notable for a line like Norwegian, which is notorious for its nickel-and-diming. Not only does Indulge Food Hall provide an additional complimentary food option, but some of the food available there comes with a fee at the corresponding stand-alone alternative restaurants (Bayamo, Q) on other ships.

Solo cabins and lounge

Norwegian was the first cruise line to make a real effort to accommodate solo travelers with the studio cabins it introduced on Norwegian Epic in 2010. The concept has carried through to the line's newest vessels, including Norwegian Viva. But what's special about them on Viva is how upscale they look.

The neutral, timeless color scheme — a far cry from the bright purples and greens that punctuated the studio concept's original iteration — carries through to a dedicated Studio Lounge, to which all passengers booked in studio cabins have access. There, they'll find seating, free beer and soda on tap, plus daily breakfast items and snacks. Dedicated solo meetups are often scheduled, too.

Norwegian Viva has 73 cabins for one, each of which is an inside room (no window) and offers 93 square feet of space. The accommodations are tiny but cozy and well appointed, featuring a single full-size bed, a small desk/vanity and an open-concept closet. Bathrooms are shower-only and have no doors — because why would you need privacy from yourself?

Speaking of cabins in general, another point worth noting is the exceptional lighting. It might seem small, but seeing what you're doing in every corner of the room makes a difference. Makeup lighting around the vanities is also a godsend.

I sailed on Norwegian Encore shortly before boarding Norwegian Viva, and one of the biggest reasons I avoided the atrium area on Encore was that it made me claustrophobic. The colors were dark, and the ceilings felt low. That's not the case on Viva.

The Penrose Atrium on Deck 6 is lighter, brighter and has a more open feeling. It's a much more pleasant — albeit much louder — space than on some of Norwegian's previous vessels.

In addition to a neutral white, tan and green color scheme, the three-deck space is outfitted with comfy seating (the felt loungers are amazing), an abstract central banquette and an overhead glass lighting display that looks a bit like a sky full of cartoon stars. You'll also find Starbucks, a whiskey bar, a few shops, and desks for guest services, shore excursions, Wi-Fi assistance and future cruise bookings in the central area.

Escape rooms

Norwegian Cruise Line's Galaxy Pavilion virtual-reality game space makes a return on Norwegian Viva, and it features two escape room choices. A group of friends and I selected one that had us searching for Mystere, a magician who went missing after a magic trick gone wrong.

Throughout the 45-minute experience, we searched for clues to help us locate him and escape the locked area. Unfortunately, the final piece of equipment glitched — even though we did everything right, according to the crew member overseeing our progress — so we never got to see the conclusion, despite solving all of the puzzles correctly.

Regardless, it was a fun way to spend some time, especially if you've got a group traveling together. Each of the two rooms can hold up to six people. It costs $15 per person to play, and I felt it was well worth the price.

I know many people like to disconnect during vacation, but for those of us who want (or need) to stream, post, check email or do work, a solid onboard Wi-Fi connection is crucial.

On Norwegian Viva, I have a Wi-Fi package that includes streaming for two devices, and the performance has been nothing short of astounding. This is the first time I've sailed on a ship where both devices (my laptop and my mobile phone) stayed connected to the network the entire time. I haven't lost service, and I haven't been involuntarily disconnected.

Perhaps the connection speed and reliability aren't surprising, given that Norwegian Viva (as well as many of Norwegian's other ships) runs on Starlink Wi-Fi.

Prices are steep, though. You can activate one device for general web browsing, checking emails and messaging for $29.99 per day. To purchase a streaming and VPN package for one device, it's $39.99 per day. A second device can be added for $15.99 per day or $25.99 per day, respectively. Four-device packages are also available, but rates are not posted. Prices are subject to change by ship and itinerary.

Note that many of Norwegian's cruise fares come with a set number of free Wi-Fi minutes based on cruise length. The offer is good for two devices per cabin.

5 disappointing things about Norwegian Viva

Entertainment.

Because entertainment is one of the few areas that sets Norwegian Viva apart from Norwegian Prima, I was excited to experience the new shows, especially after NCL told us it was bringing Broadway production "Beetlejuice" on board . Unfortunately, the musical isn't ready yet, so I won't be able to see it on my voyage. (The PR team has told me it's scheduled to begin its run in late August.) It's understandable since new ships often have a few kinks to work out, but it was still disappointing.

Norwegian Viva's other highlight productions include a live version of popular game show "Press Your Luck," where passengers can win money, and "Icons," a song revue that features bits of famous tunes by everyone from Whitney Houston and Bruno Mars to Celine Dion and Elton John. The former isn't ready yet, either, and the latter doesn't stand up in terms of modern-day cruise entertainment — at least not for the time being.

"What's to come is ... a different version of 'Icons,'" said Julie Valeriote, director of entertainment operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, who offered an explanation for why the show didn't seem to stack up.

Although the "Icons" singers are immensely talented, the show reminded me of something straight off cruise ships in the 1990s. The only things missing are feather boas, giant headdresses and perhaps some high kicks. But Valeriote told TPG during an exclusive interview that eventually the show will utilize the thrust portion of its stage, which will come out partway into the audience. Tables will be set up throughout the space, and the singers will interact with attendees as they perform.

For now, though, it's not what passengers have come to expect from the line.

Other popular and highly touted entertainment options are the interactive musical performances at Syd Norman's Pour House, a separate lounge that aims to transport passengers to the golden age of rock 'n' roll. Although the performances I saw there were phenomenal, the space is far too small for a ship the size of Norwegian Viva. If you don't show up half an hour ahead of showtime, you'll be lucky if you can even find standing room inside.

I don't even have children, and I'm scratching my head about the state of Splash Academy, Norwegian Viva's kids club. Most other vessels in the fleet have dedicated spaces for different age groups. On Viva, two spaces on Deck 15 forward accommodate all kids from 6 months to 17 years.

Although the youth staff runs separate age-appropriate activities for children from 3 to 12 years, they're all held together in the same space, which is weird. I can't imagine any 12-year-old wanting to be lumped in with toddlers.

The ship also lacks a dedicated Guppies space for children from 6 months to 2 years old. Instead, parents are allowed to utilize the existing space (toys provided) for parent-supervised play with their youngsters when there are no planned activities for the 3-to-12 set.

Even more odd is that there's no space allocated exclusively for tweens and teens. Other ships offer Entourage, a lounge for older kids, where there are supervised but less structured activities. On Norwegian Viva, teens can attend age-specific activities throughout the vessel and in the Splash Academy area when it's not in use.

That solution is a problematic one. I have never seen so many unsupervised teens and tweens running through public areas, lounging in stairwells, being loud and generally creating a disturbance. Because I've not seen this on any other ship I've sailed, I assume it's due to the programming and lack of a dedicated teen hangout.

I'm OK with taking time to get used to a new ship. However, I've been on board Norwegian Viva for five days, and I still find it difficult to figure out where things are. Many of the ship's interior spaces aren't symmetrical, so it's easy to overshoot where you're trying to go if you're on the wrong side of the vessel — I'm looking at you, Le Bistro. Trying to find the Oceanwalk outdoor promenade and alfresco dining area? It's easy to miss the automatic doors on Deck 8.

And it doesn't stop there. The casino is a labyrinth, and you'll likely have to ask someone how to find your way out of it the first time you pass through. To reach the minigolf course, I had to walk partway through the buffet to find a set of stairs that would take me to Deck 18 since it doesn't run the full length of the ship. (The forward elevators only go to Deck 17, so you have to walk aft, across the pool deck, enter the buffet and then go up.)

Then there are the traffic flow issues. It's difficult to maneuver your way around the seating area by Starbucks in Deck 7's atrium, and the corridor that runs down Deck 8 aft on the starboard side is a hot mess. It feels narrow and runs right through The Local, a nearly round-the-clock eatery that serves free pub grub. When trying to find The Local, I walked through it without realizing what it was (thanks to poor signage) and wound up all the way aft at Indulge Food Hall before turning around and doubling back. It's a mistake that I saw several others also make, and it caused congestion in the area.

Lack of quiet spaces

If you enjoy playing cards or reading in peace, or need a quiet place to relax or check email, Norwegian Viva isn't the ship for you. It has no onboard library, card room or other out-of-the-way space that isn't loud. Unlike on some of the line's other ships, Starbucks is out in the middle of the atrium's hustle and bustle, and late at night, there's music blasting, teenagers screaming and crew members vacuuming the carpet there.

I tried working in the Observation Lounge on Deck 17 forward, but I was met with families loudly playing board games, teenagers showing off for one another and other things that made it impossible to concentrate without headphones.

I've resorted to staying in my cabin when I need some peace, to the dismay of my wonderful room steward, who can't get in to do her job. But even in my room, it's not as quiet as I'd like. I have a connecting room, and I can hear every word spoken by the family on the other side, along with the movement of balcony furniture and general sounds from the port where we're docked. This is one of the least soundproof rooms I've had on any ship, and I've been woken up a couple of times by slamming doors or people talking loudly.

Missing fish

If you're a Norwegian Cruise Line regular, you likely know all about the fish that appear on the carpeting in the cabin corridors on most of the line's ships. They serve as a directional aid. If you're trying to figure out where you're headed, look down. The fish are always swimming forward toward the front of the vessel.

Sadly, the fish have been replaced by more subtle triangles that point forward on Norwegian Viva. (Prima also doesn't have the fish, and an industry colleague told me they were removed from Hawaii-based Pride of America during its last refit.) I'm sure there was a reason for it, but it makes me sad. The carpet fish were both whimsical and functional and set Norwegian's ships apart from those in other lines' fleets.

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Norwegian Viva

Former name: fincantieri venice 6299.

Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line

• San Juan (Puerto Rico)
• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)
• Galveston (Texas)
• Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)
• Lisbon (Portugal)

Norwegian Viva current position

Norwegian Viva current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 43.08004 N / 5.30883 E) cruising at speed of 18.1 kn (34 km/h | 21 mph) en route to VILLEFRANCHE, FRANCE. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Viva

Norwegian Viva current cruise is 10 days, one-way from Lisbon to Civitavecchia-Rome . Prices start from USD 1229 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 26 Apr, 2024 and ends on 06 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Norwegian Viva

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Norwegian Viva Itineraries

Norwegian viva review, review of norwegian viva.

The 2023-built Norwegian Viva cruise ship is the second of all six PRIMA-Class NCL liners constructed in Italy by Fincantieri (Marghera Yard/ Venice ). By volume (142500 GT-tons) Viva's sistership is Prima (2022). From the PRIMA PLUS series are the 10% larger (158000 GT-tons) sisterships Aqua (2025) and TBN4 (2026), as well as the 20% larger (172000 GT-tons) sisterships TBN5 (2027) and TBN6 (2028).

The vessel (IMO number 9823998) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001127) and registered in Nassau .

Each NCL PRIMA class unit's building cost is EUR 730 million (USD 850M).

NCL's previous BREAKAWAY PLUS-Class boats were all built by Meyer Werft Germany (in Papenburg ).

The design is based on 20 decks, 1646 staterooms, gross-tonnage/volume 142500 GT-tons, passenger capacity 3215 (double occupancy), 16 elevators (passenger lifts, including 2 dedicated to The Haven complex). The Haven complex (public areas and all the 107 staterooms) were designed by the Italian interior design company Lissoni & Partners (Piero Lissoni).

Like the sistership Prima, NCL Viva's hull artwork will be designed by the Italian graffiti artist Manuel Di Rita (aka Peeta).

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE ( NYC ). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American).

In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue).

NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL , Oceania , and RSSC-Regent .

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Viva staterooms (1646 total) are in 35 grades and 7 types - The Haven Suites (107x total), Suites, Club Balcony Suites (Mini-Suites), Balcony-Oceanview- Interior staterooms, and Studios (single-occupancy Interior cabins / no single supplement is required). The NCL PRIMA design boasts 18x Suite categories (including the fleet's first 3-bedroom suites) and the NCL's biggest-ever Inside-, Oceanview- and Balcony staterooms.

The ship has a total of 41 handicap staterooms (ADA-certified, wheelchair-accessible cabins) in the following categories/types: HB-Haven Aft Penthouse (1), BA-BB-BF-Balcony (16), O4-Oceanview (7), IA-IB-IF-Inside (17). "Guaranteed" cabin categories are MX-Club Balcony Suite, BX-Balcony, OX-Oceanview, IX-Inside.

The smallest category is T1-Studio (95 ft2 / 9 m2). Inside cabins are sized 160-255 ft2 (15-24 m2). Oceanview cabins are with a Large Round Window and in types Standard (185 ft2 / 17 m2), Large (235 ft2 / 22 m2) and Family (235-370 ft2 / 22-34 m2). Balcony cabins vary in sizes between 230-270-360 ft2 (21-25-34 m2), with step-out balconies sized between 45-70-100 ft2 (4-7-9 m2). The largest accommodation is The Haven Premier Owner's Suite (capacity 8 passengers) sized 2100 ft2 (195 m2) and with a wraparound terrace sized 830 ft2 (77 m2).

The boat has 20 decks , of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Staff/crew cabins are 912.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

NCL's PRIMA-class ship design features more and larger public spaces (both indoor and outdoor), smaller passenger capacity (in comparison to the preceding designs/BREAKAWAY and BREAKAWAY PLUS), new dining and entertainment options, a total of 35x dining venues and bars/lounges (including 7x fleet-first food venues), higher service levels.

The Waterfront (outdoor Promenade deck space found on other NCL vessels) was reimagined by doubling the space on the Ocean Boulevard. The 360-degree Promenade complex (sized 44000 ft2 / 4090 m2) completely wraps around the entire deck 8 , offering unobstructed seaviews and housing multiple spaces. The Ocean Boulevard features two large infinity pools, Oceanwalk (glass-bottomed bridges), Indulge Food Hall (NCL's first open-air marketplace), The Concourse (outdoor sculpture garden with "selfie" installations/metal sculptures by Alexander Krivosheiw and David Harber.

Penrose Atrium is NCL's first 3-level atrium (spanning decks 6-7-8). The glass-walled Atrium is marked by scenic sea views, futuristic architecture, a 3-ton crystal chandelier (custom-built by Lasvit / Czechia, constellations-themed), a full-height wall artwork (resembling a topographic map), retail shops and bars on each level (including Starbucks Coffee Shop, Whiskey Bar, Penrose Bar, Viva Casino).

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Viva restaurants and food bars.

• The Commodore Room and Hudson's (Main Dining Room, fine dining, complimentary). Both MDRs (Hudson’s Room, The Commodore Room) are with revamped fixed menus that offer a sampling of various international dishes, fully vegetarian and vegan options, as well as build-your-own-pasta (24 combinations/custom-made dishes can be requested by selecting the Italian pasta, sauce, topping) plus Specialties menu (you can select/sample a dish from one of the specialty restaurants).
• The aft-located "Indulge Food Hall" (with a Firepit) is an open-air Marketplace that houses total 11x eateries (with indoor-outdoor seating, 120 items in 3x different menus/breakfast, lunch, dinner), Luna Bar, Indulge Outdoor Lounge, Soleil Bar, Waves Pool Bar, Viva Speedway Bar, a seating area serving Starbucks coffee.
• "Los Lobos Cantina" is new for NCL dining concept. Los Lobos is a la carte-priced restaurant that has both indoor and outdoor seating and offers traditional Mexican cuisine specialties. The menu includes tableside-made guacamole, fresh-baked corn tortillas, Tacos Al Pastor (with marinated pork, similar to doner kebabs/gyros), Chicken Enchiladas de Mole, handcrafted cocktails.
• "Onda by Scarpetta" is an Italian specialty restaurant (reservations-only, cover charge, kids charged a full cover) with both indoor and outdoor seating. The Onda restaurant is open between 5:30-9:30 pm and has large tables. The liner's Italian dining experience is marked by a casual atmosphere and large portions (perfect for family dinners) and traditional fine Italian wines and gourmet cuisine specialties - including oven-baked pizzas, homemade daily pasta, top-quality seafood, classic salads, freshly-baked bread, gourmet desserts (including gelato ice cream). Onda by Scarpetta features an outdoor terrace (Waterfront seating area).
• "Coco's" (patisserie shop) serves artisan sweet treats.
• "Seaside Rotisserie" offers a variety of grilled and spit-roasted meat dishes.
• "Nudls" is a food bar offering noodle dishes and global street food.
• "Tamara" serves classic Indian dishes along with multiple vegetarian options.
• "Tapas Food Truck" offers Spanish-inspired street food.
• "Q Texas Smokehouse" offers Southern USA comfort food and barbecue dishes.
• "The Local Bar & Grill" provides a beach club experience and serves classic American cuisine and premium cocktails.
• "Garden Kitchen" offers customized salads with 12+ ingredients to choose from.
• "The Concourse" is an outdoor sculpture garden (located midship-starboard) featuring an art wall designed by David Harber (who specializes in outdoor sculptures, sundials and water features) and 6x "Instagrammable/selfie" installations by Alexander Krivosheiw and David Harber, both specializing in bronze and aluminum sculptures. The cruise ship's 7x sculptures are valued at USD 2+ million (~EUR 1,7M).
• "La Terraza" is an open-air Promenade lounge featuring a quaint retreat with forward-facing sea views.
• "Infinity Beach" (sundeck) has 2 infinity swimming pools (at the edge of the deck / aft-midship) and two Oceanwalks (glass-bottom bridges / midship) - a first feature for the NCL brand.
• Palomar (specialty Mediterranean seafood restaurant)
• Hasuki (specialty Japanese hibachi restaurant, decorated with original Japanese artworks and handcrafted pottery)
• Nama (specialty Japanese sashimi and sushi bar house)
• Le Bistro (specialty French restaurant)
• Cagney's Steakhouse is a specialty dinner restaurant (open 5:30-10:30 pm) for prime steaks (Certified Angus Beef) and gourmet seafood specialties. The Cagney's restaurant is reservations-only, with a cover charge of US$30 per person and a free Kids Menu. At Cagney's, kids are charged a full cover. Additionally, the steakhouse is open for suite guests only serving Breakfast (7:30-9:30 am) and Lunch (12-1:30 pm).
• Food Republic (Asian-fusion restaurant) is an exclusive dining concept (via a partnership with the Pubbelly Restaurant Group). This specialty restaurant is open from lunch through dinner and offers international cuisine with an a-la-carte menu and an iPad ordering system.
• Observation Lounge & Bar (also has telescopes)
• Humidor Cigar Lounge (cigar shop and bar)
• The Belvedere Bar (cocktail lounge)
• Surfside Cafe and Surfside Grill offer self-serve casual food and a-la-minute items (upon request).

Metropolitan Bar (deck 7) is NCL's first "sustainable bar" serving zero-waste cocktails, "green spirits" (produced with renewable energy), 20+ biodynamic wines (organically farmed). NCL Viva ship's Metropolitan Bar also houses the "Every Wing Has a Silver Lining" - an interactive/transformative artwork by Dominic Harris Studio (London England-based studio of the 1976-born artist Dominic Harris who specializes in digital and interactive artworks). The artwork is wall-mounted, has length ~16 m (52 ft) and features the British artist's popular digital butterflies responding dynamically to passing viewers.

Both MDRs/Main Dining Rooms (aft on decks 6 and 7) are with revamped fixed menus that offer a sampling of various international dishes, fully vegetarian and vegan options, as well as build-your-own-pasta (24 combinations/custom-made dishes can be requested by selecting the Italian pasta, sauce, topping) plus Specialties menu (you can select/sample a dish from one of the specialty restaurants).

Other culinary choices on the cruise ship include "The Latin Quarter" (classic Latin food with a twist), "Just Desserts" (including pies and cakes), "Just Ice Cream".

"The Haven by Norwegian" on PRIMA-class NCL ships (designed by Piero Lissoni & Partners) spans 8 decks and groups suites, public areas, and exclusive venues, all positioned in the aft/stern section.

NCL's luxury ship-within-a-ship exclusive/keycard-access-only area has 107x Haven Suites (aft-positioned) and 2x private elevators - exclusively for Haven passengers. The aft lifts rise into The Haven's public areas and interconnect decks 6 through 18. For the first time, every public area offers sea views from floor-ceiling windows.

The Haven Sundeck is an exclusive sunbathing area with plenty of padded sun loungers and deckchairs and is located aft on decks 16-17.

• Deck 16's Sundeck has an infinity pool at the stern (swimming pool overlooking the ship's wake), an outdoor Spa (featuring a glass-walled Sauna Room and Cold Room), Concierge Desk, Haven Outdoor Restaurant, Haven Outdoor Lounge & Bar (offering a limited buffet for breakfast and lunch, with traditional Chinese and Western cuisine specialties).
• Deck 17's Haven Sundeck has two Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpool hot tubs) and outdoor Showers.
• Deck 18's Haven Sundeck has an infinity pool (with a stern-facing glass wall) and a large sunbathing area with padded loungers and Showers.

The 24-hour butler service is provided complimentary.

The ship's wellness complex groups the facilities of the Mandara Spa and the Pulse Fitness Center.

• The Gym is fitted with ultra-modern equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, steppers, free weights) and features a separate Aerobics Studio (for classes/spinning, yoga, pilates, dance, cardio, fitness and strength training, TRX workouts) and a Performance Recovery Room (for group fitness classes and gym workshops using Hyperice products).
• The indoor Spa features a charcoal Sauna Room and a 2-story/2-deck cascading waterfall, as well as Salt Room, Steam Room, Ice Room, Infrared Sauna, Finnish Sauna, Experiential Showers, Vitality Pool, Flotation Salt Pool, Relaxation Lounge (fitted with 22x hot-stone loungers), 20x Treatment Rooms (for massages), Changing/Locker Rooms.

With the PRIMA-class ships, NCL also introduced new spa services, including computer-controlled acoustic and vibrational therapies (via 2x Gharieni massage beds - Welnamis, and Wellmassage5D), as well as "Ocean Spa Wave Massage" (therapeutic warm wrap using sea plants and marine algae, based on seaweed masks, aromatherapy essential oils, massages/scalp and feet), "Zero Gravity Wellness Massage" (8x tables/the body is suspended on the treatment table) and ELEMIS' "Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap" (beneficial for rheumatism, arthritis, muscle spasms, fatigue, based on essential oils/pine and rosemary) and "Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap" (reducing cellulite and fluid retention, based on detoxifying essential oils/juniper and lemon).

The Aqua Park (3-decks high) has 2x swimming pools, 5x multi-level waterslides (Ocean Loop), 2x racing-slides (The Rush), 1x freefall dry slide (The Drop), "Tidal Wave" waterslide (fleet's first to allow innertube surfing), 4x Jacuzzies (2x infinity pools/hot tubs), poolside bar, sundeck/sunbathing area.

Vibe Beach Club is an adults-only relaxation area (surcharges per day apply) with cantilevered whirlpools (2x infinity spa pools/hot tubs), an outdoor pool bar, sunbathing area (with loungers and luxury chaise lounge chairs), private cabanas.

Syd Norman's Pour House (debuted on Norwegian Breakaway in 2018) is a rock-and-roll-themed bar lounge with live band music (all-time-greatest songs).

At the Headliners Comedy Club & Lounge are presented the shows "The Second City" (comedy), "Howl At The Moon" (piano), "The Improv at Sea" (standup performances), "Science of Comedy" (intellectual).

The Viva Theater & Club is a large bar lounge that spans 3 decks (6-7-8) and features a large stage (for live performances), a huge dance floor, customizable seating, a large LED moving screen lowering down from the ceiling (sized nearly half the venue's size), UHD media, surround sound, special visual effects. In the evenings, the Theater transforms into a Vegas-style disco nightclub with live DJ programming and high-energy music. Daily at Viva Theater are held enrichment lectures, bingo, trivia games with prizes.

• Exclusively for NCL PRIMA ships was developed the interactive "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" themed on the American singer and actress Donna Summer (born as LaDonna Adrian Gaines/1948-2012). The 75-minute show features 20+ of her hits including "Heaven Knows" (1978), "Last Dance" (1978, from the "Thank God It's Friday" film's soundtrack), "Hot Stuff" (1979), "Bad Girls" (1979), "Dim All the Lights" (1979).
• Viva Theater also houses the NCL's series of interactive game shows "LIVE on NCL", featuring grand prizes and themed "The Price is Right", "Supermarket Sweep", "Press Your Luck", "Beat the Clock".

Norwegian Viva's interactive show productions are the first at sea when the Viva Theater transforms into a nightclub and all guests participate in the show. The shows were developed via partnership with Fremantle (fka FremantleMedia, British/London-based TV production and distribution company, subsidiary of the RTL Group/Luxembourg-based media broadcasting corporation). In 2023 on NCL Viva was introduced "Beetlejuice The Musical" (90-min production) based on the Beetlejuice movie (March 1988-released fantasy-horror-comedy directed by Tim Burton). The musical show is hosted at Viva Theater & Club. The lounge also hosts the 2023-debuted game show "Press Your Luck LIVE".

Like all boats from the BREAKAWAY and BREAKAWAY PLUS series, NCL's Viva has the "Viva Speedway" (fleet's largest racetrack), "The Rush" (2-tube/dueling dry slides) and "The Drop" (world's first freefall dry slide).

"Viva Speedway" is NCL fleet's largest racetrack on 3 levels/decks (the old racetracks are 2-level), with a longer straightaway/straight section, 14 turns and total length 420 m (1378 ft), which is ~1/5th larger than the racetrack on Norwegian Encore (fleet's previous largest). The racetrack goes around and through the funnel/smokestack, max capacity 15 cars (racing simultaneously) and allows max speeds 50+ kph (30+ mph). The unique sports facility is served by the Speedway Bar (located beneath the racetrack).

The "Galaxy Pavilion" is an indoor complex for virtual-world and multi-player gaming, equipped with interactive video walls and virtual reality technology.

• On NCL Viva ship, the complex has 14 total attractions, including 4x new simulators and 2x Escape Rooms.
• Also new is the Topgolf Swing Suite (fleet's first golfing venue to deliver "social experiences") fitted with Topgolf's games (virtual golf courses, multi-player gaming) and powered by Full Swing Golf (the same simulation technology used by PGA Tour professionals).
• "The Bull's Eye" is a new competitive gaming experience (based on the classic darts game) featuring a video tracking system that automatically calculates each gamer's score and offers instant replays.

On Viva, NCL offers "Tee Time" (interactive mini-golfing) where gamers can play on a 9-hole Mini-Golf Course.

The list of Norwegian Viva's lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults also includes:

• Viva Theater & Club (Bar/Disco Nightclub)
• Penrose Atrium
• Penrose Bar (a morning and late-night venue serving wine, beer, cocktails, and more)
• Cruise Next, Sales Office, Shore Excursions & Guest Services Desk
• Casino (VIP & Smoking)
• Belvedere Bar is a contemporary bar & cocktail lounge serving crafted bottled cocktails
• Splash Academy (kids 3-12 yo, is a 2-story facility with Nickelodeon-themed activities, a light-up floor (interactive dancing), a resident clown at the circus school, Nintendo and PS3 consoles, kids cinema, crafts-arts activities, pirate parades), Guppies Nursery (for kids 6 months to 2 yo), Kid's Aqua Park (with a splash pool, Nickelodeon characters entertainment).
• I-Connect Internet Cafe (24-hour), Art Gallery
• Whiskey Bar
• The Gateway mini mall offers various brands and items.
• Beauty by Design & Aficionados (shop) sells top-brand cosmetics/fragrances, including IT Cosmetics, NYX, Clinique, Chanel, Lancome, and more. Guests can save up to 50% on spirits, including Viva exclusives.

The ship's other shops include Roberto Coin (jewelry), Effy Jewelry, Timeless Luxury & Fine Watches, Pandora Jewelry & Lifestyles, The Zone & Eye Style, Tech @ Sea, Perspectives Photo Studio & Gallery.

Itineraries

Norwegian Viva's inaugural season starts on August 10, 2023 (Maiden Voyage) in Europe/Mediterranean, followed by a Transatlantic repositioning to the USA for a Caribbean deployment.

The shortened (due to cancellations/construction delays) Mediterranean 2023 season is based mainly on 9-10-day voyages leaving from homeports Lisbon, Civitavecchia-Rome, Trieste-Venice, Piraeus-Athens.

The Adriatic-Mediterranean itineraries visit ports in Spain (Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona), Croatia (Dubrovnik), Slovenia (Koper), Sicily Italy (Siracusa, Messina), Italy (Ravenna), Turkey (Istanbul, Kusadasi), Greece Islands (Santorini, Mykonos), Malta (Valletta), Gibraltar UK.

In the Caribbean, NCL Viva ship is homeported in San Juan (Puerto Rico) for 7-day roundtrip itineraries.

The inaugural Caribbean season 2023-2024 (starting December 15th) is based on 7-8-9-day itineraries leaving out of Puerto Rico and visiting Tortola (BVI), St Maarten (Philipsburg), St Thomas (USVI), Barbados (Bridgetown), St Lucia (Castries), Antigua (St Johns).

In summer 2025 (May-Sept) the ship is deployed in Europe/Mediterranean and homeported in Piraeus-Athens Greece .

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Other Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships

• Norwegian Aqua
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Pride of America

Norwegian Viva Wiki

On February 16, 2017, the shipowner NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd) signed with Fincantieri an order for 4x NCL LEONARDO Class (renamed to "NCL PRIMA" in 2021) units for the NCL brand.

• The newbuilds were scheduled for deliveries in 2022 through 2025 (one ship per year), with an option for two more units to be added to the order in the future. On July 12, 2018, NCLH ordered two more units (PRIMA PLUS series) currently scheduled for deliveries in 2027 and 2028.
• The NCLH-Fincantieri deal was backed by CDP (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA/1850-founded, Turino-based Italian investment bank) and SACE SpA (Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero/1977-founded Italian Export Credit Agency).
• All shipbuilding orders were signed by Frank Del Rio (NCLH's President and CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri SpA's CEO).

The vessel's name (Norwegian Viva) was officially revealed on January 11, 2022.

The NCL ship's namesake is the A-Rosa Cruises ' riverboat Arosa Viva (2010-built).

Like all units from this series, Norwegian Viva's shipbuilder is Fincantieri (Marghera Yard near Venice Italy ).

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6299) has a powerplant based on 5x main Wartisla diesel engines - 3x model 8L46 (8-cylinder) and 2x model 12V46 (12-cylinder), plus 1x Caterpillar diesel generator (model 3516C HD) and 6x Alfa Laval auxiliary boilers (1x oil/gas fired plus 5x exhaust gas heated).

The propulsion system is diesel-electric and based on 3x bow thrusters (model Brunvoll FU115) and 2x aft thrusters (model ABB Azipod XO).

The registered shipowner is Leonardo Two Ltd (subsidiary of NCLH) while as ship manager is listed NCL Bahamas Ltd.

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock on August 2, 2022. The ceremony was attended by Harry Sommer (NCLH's CEO and President), Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri's Merchant Shipping Division's Managing Director) and Frank Del Rio (NCLH's CEO and President).

NCL's Viva was officially delivered by Fincantieri Marghera to NCLH/shipowner on August 3, 2023. The delivery was postponed and originally scheduled for June 30th.

The ship left Fincantieri Maghera on May 5th and arrived at Fincantieri Trieste on May 7th, for final outfitting and painting. Next are planned the Adriatic Sea trials.

On June 23, 2023, David J. Herrera (NCL's President) announced the name of Viva ship's godfather - Luis Alfonso Rodriguez Lopez-Cepero (aka Luis Fonsi/1978-born Puerto Rican singer and songwriter). Luis Fonsi is best known for his hits "Despacito" (2017/featuring the rapper Daddy Yankee/Ramon Luis Ayala Rodriguez) and "Echame La Culpa" (2019/duet with Demi Lovato).

The ship's official christening ceremony was held on November 28th (2023) in PortMiami (Florida USA) . The naming event featured live performances by celebrity entertainers like Paulina Susana Rubio Dosamantes/Paulina Rubio (1971-born Mexican singer), Pedro Capo (1980-born Puerto Rican singer), Marcello Hernandez (1997-born American stand-up comedian/actor/writer). The special event was attended by David J. Herrera and Harry Sommer

Norwegian Viva's homeporting in Puerto Rico (San Juan) starts on December 15th.

Refurbishment 2024

The ship's first refurbishment was "on-the-go" project conducted during the Transatlantic crossing (itinerary April 7-26/relocation voyage from San Juan Puerto Rico to Lisbon).

In an email sent to booked customers, NCL informed them that during the voyage, several of the ship's spaces/venues will be temporarily closed for planned upgrades and enhancements.

Among the changed venues was the Speedway Bar (deck 19) converted into Entourage (teen club lounge). Upgrades received the Galaxy Pavilion (deck 17), The Bull’s Eye (deck 18), Tee Time (mini-golf/deck 17), The Stadium (game space/deck 18), The Wave (waterslide/deck 20).

Inaugural itineraries 2023

Due to construction issues (mainly ongoing supply chain shortages caused by the COVID crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict), the inaugural cruise in 2023 was rescheduled from June 15th first to July 3rd and eventually to August 10th. A total of 8x voyages in Europe/Mediterranean were canceled (departures June 15 & 24, July 3-12-21-30, and Aug 8 & 17).

Next tables show the ship's inaugural itineraries (by homeport/destination/region) with prices in USD per person with double occupancy.

( MAIDEN VOYAGE 2023 ) 9-day Mediterranean from Venice/Trieste to Lisbon - from US$1800 pp

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing 2023) 16-day westbound from Europe to the Caribbean - from US$2480 pp

(inaugural Caribbean cruise) 7-day "Caribbean, Curacao, Aruba and and St Lucia" itinerary - from US$1330 pp

(inaugural New Year Holiday 2023-2024) 7-days "Caribbean, Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia" - from US1550 pp

The Luxe Review

Norwegian Viva cruise review: cruising just got an upgrade with this fabulous new NCL flagship

Fresh from Norwegian Viva’s maiden voyage, I’m already eager to return. 

The second NCL Prima class cruise ship, the Norwegian Viva represents the cutting edge in cruise ship design and indulgence.

Digital art, immersive VR entertainment, fine dining and a dive bar – it has it all.

As you explore its decks, you move from minimalist cocktail bar to sports casual diner, via the unapologetically lush. There is literally a place for every occasion.

The attention to detail throughout is a delight, the interior design chic and contemporary. It’s cruising upgraded.

There are 1,586 staterooms in total on the Viva, and guest capacity is 3,099. Even so, there’s a surprising amount of free deck space to enjoy. 

For solo passengers, the ship boasts 94 single-occupancy ‘Studio’ staterooms.

If you want exclusivity, the Viva offers that too. The Haven is a five star ‘ship within a ship’ experience, with its own dining, bar and deck areas, accessed only by Haven key card holders. Just 107 high-end suites are available in this gloriously gated community.

You might need to snag your superior stateroom early though. “The Haven is always the first to sell out on a cruise,” I was told.

I joined the Norwegian Viva for the culmination of its maiden voyage this August, boarding the ship in Civitavecchia, and visiting Florence, Cannes, and Ibiza before disembarking in Lisbon.

There’s no shortage of excursions to book on this short leg, from the Can Marçà caves in Ibiza to a Tuscan winery. I opted for the latter, visiting Fattoria Il Poggio, a remote farmhouse in the Tuscan hills, to sample its red and white wines, and eat pasta.

24 hours later, I’m strolling La Croisette, ogling the supercars on the Cannes waterfront promenade, no excursion required.

The Norwegian Viva shares many similarities with its Prima predecessor, albeit embellished and updated.

The staterooms with balconies are spacious, and entertainment options many and varied. The Viva Speedway is a three storey racetrack, part of an entertainment complex that also includes high tech darts (The Bull’s Eye) and crazy golf (Tee Time).

The Speedway caters for either solo or dual riders. You know when it’s running because you can hear the squeal of tires around the pool.

It’s well worth booking a Speedway slot early in your cruise, as spaces go fast. Kids will love it.

Away from the racetrack, the ship is a veritable floating gallery. Art pieces are dotted throughout.

The Metropolitan bar has a stunning 16-metre wide, 48 million pixel, interactive artwork created by British artist Dominic Harris (pictured below). Dubbed ‘Every wing has a silver lining’ it’s the biggest commission to date for Harris, and features his signature butterfly motif.

Touch the panel and the AI butterflies take flight. You don’t even need to touch the glass to get a reaction, sensors register any close quarter movement and the digital insects react accordingly. 

Its execution adds an extra level of sophistication to what is already a great cocktail bar.

The ship’s Penrose Atrium is bright and functional. It’s the centre of much hubbub during the day, as passengers book excursions, shop or meet for coffee. In the evening, the Whiskey Bar becomes a social magnet, a favourite catch-up spot with fellow like minded cruisers, eager for a dram or specialty cocktail.

One of the great things about a cruise is how quickly you make friends, and develop a rapport with the bar staff!

The ships Concourse is a revelation. Located on deck 8, it features playful sculptures from Arik Levy, Jonathan Prince and Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson. My favourite was a towering take on ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors.’

It leads on to Infinity beach, a lounge and pool area that offers plenty of comfy seating for those eager to escape the sun.

The main pool enjoys live music and dance lessons, with cocktails on tap (it’s definitely worth getting the Premium drinks package!). My vice was the Whiskey Orchard Press, but I would never say no to a Smoked Peach Margarita.  

Viva’s Captain, Giorgio Voussolinos, confesses to being something of a foodie, during an onboard conversation, and he’s clearly in the right place. The choice and variety of eateries onboard is immense – and (here’s a top tip) some of the best dining can be found in Viva’s complementary restaurants! 

Hudson’s is the main dining room. With stunning floor to ceiling windows offering 270-degree views, elaborate chandelier lighting and impeccable service, it’s one of the best MDRs I’ve experienced at sea.

Definitely make time for the Indulge food hall. With 11 different food stations, serving a variety of global cuisines, there’s something for everyone, and the quality is excellent. 

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you sit at a booth and order from a touchscreen menu, and mix and match dishes from India to Italy. Within minutes, your chosen meal is whisked to your table. Whatever you do, don’t miss the fish tikka, with freshly baked naan bread. It’s sensational.

The Surfside Cafe and Grill is home to breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Always popular, you’re certain to find something that ticks the hunger box, including bottomless ice cream.

The Local bar & Grill, a well equipped sports bar serving comfort food, was a particular favourite. It’s a great place for brunch, particularly when seated outside. 

You’ll need nerves of steel for some of the ship’s attractions. The Ocean Walk is a glass floor over open ocean, while The Drop and The Rush are dry slides. The screams of descending passengers can be heard when you’re dining in the nearby sports bar, bringing much amusement. There’s also The Wave, a spiraling waterslide.

High tech amusements can be found in the pay to play Galaxy Pavilion. VR entertainments include a gyroscopic space ride that spins you like a top. More stable, old school arcade attractions, including Pac-Man, can be found elsewhere on the ship. 

Swanky bars are all well and good, but what if you’re looking for something a little more intimate? NCL have that covered with Syd Norman’s Pour House. Lit by neon signs, this atmospheric bar is home to live music acts.

During our cruise, we had a Beatles tribute and an excellent Fleetwood Mac playthrough of Rumours. A few more rock tribute acts, in keeping with the dive bar ambiance, would go down a treat.

The neighbouring Improv at Sea theatre is home to karaoke, where classics are murdered nightly.

With its huge glass windows, the Observation Lounge is a rather quieter escape, ideal for afternoon tea.

Feeling lucky, there’s a casino too.

Premium specialty restaurants include Nama Sushi, a convincing little Japanese sushi bar, and Onda by Scarpetta, a celebrated Italian known for its posh pizza and pasta dishes.

Cagney’s Steakhouse offers a fine selection of meat and seafood. The French onion soup and Filet Mignon are superb.

Then there’s French cuisine from Le Bistro, the Mediterranean Palomar, and Asian fusion with Food Republic.

One of my favourites on Viva’s specialty roster was Los Lobos, a colourful, unpretentious Mexican eatery, where the art of guacamole making becomes tableside theatre. If you want a full-on entertainment, the Hasuki teppanyaki is a riotous feast of steak, shrimp and chicken.

Discovering new cocktails is always fun, and onboard the Norwegian Viva they take the whole process extremely seriously. NCL’s Sail & Sustain ethos takes surplus food and incorporates it into a range of signature cocktails. Highly recommended is a Croissant Mai Tai, which uses pastries surplus to requirements to create a base for a unique syrup.

The Metropolitan bar also serves Norwegian’s own-brand sustainably sourced gin ‘66, made with sustainable botanicals.

Norwegian Viva Verdict

The Luxe Review rates the Norwegian Viva a stunning new entrant on the contemporary cruising scene. The ship looks gorgeous, with exceptional interior design and offers a fabulous variety of food and drink. I’ll wager you’ll not manage to experience all it has to offer on one cruise, but it’s fun to try. 

Norwegian Viva is currently sailing in the Mediterranean, before transitioning to Miami for its christening ceremony on November 28. She’ll then homeport in Puerto Rico, offering Caribbean itineraries. In May 2024, Norwegian Viva returns to Europe, to cruise the Mediterranean. 

To book your cruise head to NCL online.

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The VIVA TWO is the second new building of VIVA Cruises and invites with 95 cabins up to 190 passengers to feel-good moments on board. On the Diamant Deck there are eight luxurious suites, which with 24 m² in size and a French balcony invite you to enjoy the beautiful view. On the Diamond Deck as well as on the Ruby Deck there are 15 m² 2-bed cabins, which have a French balcony. On the Emerald Deck, the 2-bed cabins have windows that cannot be opened. All cabins are perfectly equipped with flat screen TV, included mini-bar, Nespresso® machine, beauty products from RITUALS®, hairdryer, safe, air conditioning, shower and toilet and leave nothing to be desired.

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They missed the boat — literally.

An elderly American couple was left behind by Norwegian Cruise Line in Spain this week after they returned late to the ship and the vessel refused to wait for them — despite it routinely departing behind schedule during the voyage.

“I am a very experienced traveler and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime,” Salt Lake City resident Richard Gordon, 84, told CNN .

“Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system.”

Gordon and his wife Claudene, 81, had gone on an independently booked excursion to view the city of Grenada while their ship, Viva, was docked in Motril on Monday. Due to a rainstorm, they ran late for the 5:30 p.m. all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6 p.m. departure.

At 5:45 p.m. the Gordons, who were taking the cruise to celebrate Richard’s 85th birthday this week, notified a relative on board that they were running late but were nearby.

The family member was told that the Viva had to leave on time and would not wait. By the time the octogenarians arrived at 6:10 p.m., the boat had left the harbor, Gordon told the outlet.

“Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4 p.m.,” he claimed.

“Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

When the Viva set sail, the Gordons were left without their medication, eyeglasses and spare hearing aid batteries, which were on board.

Back in Salt Lake City, their daughter Marilee Baker, stayed up into the wee hours of the morning trying to book her parents a flight to Palma de Mallorca, where the boat was making its next call Wednesday morning, according to CNN.

The Gordons claim Norwegian didn’t make first contact with them until late Tuesday, and by the time they got to Mallorca, they were met with a luxury taxi service to bring them to the Viva.

“They picked us up at the hotel in a beautiful black BMW limousine to take us to the ship. There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin,” Gordon told CNN, adding the boat blamed the Motril harbormaster, who they said was supposed to organize travel with the couple.

Despite their reception, Gordon said the boat’s failure to communicate with them left a sour taste in their mouth.

“The ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them,” he said.

Norwegian Cruise Line disputed the couple’s account of what happened, telling The Post they were a full hour behind the 5:30 p.m. all-aboard time, and that it tried numerous times without success to contact the couple after they were left behind.

“After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel,” a Norwegian Cruise Lines spokesperson said.

“It is important to note that a delayed departure has the potential to impact the ship’s ability to deliver its planned itinerary and thus influence the experience for all guests onboard. While this was a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”  

The Gordons are the second set of passengers to complain about being left behind by Norwegian Cruise Lines in just a month.

Earlier in April, nine passengers — including six Americans — missed their boat in Africa and were left to fend for themselves to catch up with the boat in Senegal.

The passengers — including a paraplegic person and an elderly man with a heart condition — were left stranded on the island without any belongings like money, medicine and necessary travel documents.

Norwegian reimbursed some costs they endured while trying to make it back onto the ship, the cruise line said .

Though not waiting for passengers late by their own doing is a common procedure on cruise ships , Norwegian has faced scrutiny in recent weeks after one of the passengers left behind in Africa had recently suffered a stroke and was sent to the hospital when the ship departed.

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Elderly couple stranded without medication after being left behind by Norwegian Cruise ship

A n elderly couple were left stranded in Spain without their medication after a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship left part without them.

Richard, 84, and his wife Claudene, 81, had gone on an independently booked excursion to view the city of Grenada while their ship, Viva, was docked in Motril on Monday. Due to a rainstorm, they ran late for the 5.30pm all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6pm departure.

At 5.45pm, the Gordons, from Salt Lake City, who were taking the cruise to celebrate Richard's 85th birthday this week, notified a relative on board that they were running late but were nearby. The family member was told that the Viva had to leave on time and would not wait.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cancels all cruises to popular island destination for the whole of May

By the time the octogenarians arrived at 6:10 pm, the boat had left the harbour, Mr Gordon told CNN. He said: "I am a very experienced traveller and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime. Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system."

He added: "Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4 pm. Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled."

When the cruise ship set sail, the Gordons found themselves without their necessary items such as medication, glasses, and spare batteries for hearing aids which were on board. Back in Salt Lake City, their daughter Marilee Baker was up till the early hours booking a flight for her parents to Palma de Mallorca, where the boat was due to stop next.

The Gordons alleged that they didn't hear from Norwegian until late Tuesday. Once they reached Mallorca, they were greeted with a luxury taxi service to take them to the ship.

"They picked us up at the hotel in a beautiful black BMW limousine to take us to the ship. There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin," Mr Gordon said. The ship maintained the Motril harbormaster was responsible for the confusion and travel arrangements with the couple.

Despite this warm welcome, Mr Gordon expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, particularly the lack of communication from the ship. He said: "The ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn't speak so well for them."

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Norwegian Cruise Line refuted the couple's narrative, informing The Post they were an hour late behind the scheduled 5.30 pm all-aboard time and that it made multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach out to the couple after they were left stranded.

"After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel," a Norwegian Cruise Lines spokesperson said.

"It is important to note that a delayed departure has the potential to impact the ship's ability to deliver its planned itinerary and thus influence the experience for all guests onboard. While this was a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time."

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Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces Norwegian Viva

Second of Six Cutting-Edge Ships Opens for Sale 

Launching June 2023, Norwegian Viva to Homeport in Four Marquee Mediterranean Destinations: Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today unveiled Norwegian Viva , the next ship in its brand-new Prima Class.

Providing guests with elevated experiences including more wide-open spaces, thoughtful and stunning design and exceptional service, Norwegian Viva will begin sailing remarkable Mediterranean itineraries in June 2023, homeporting in key Southern European port cities including Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece. She will then sail the Southern Caribbean for her 2023-2024 Winter Season offering warm-weather getaways from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mirroring the upscale design and structure of her record-breaking sister ship Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, also built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Marghera, Italy, will debut at 965 feet long, 142,500 gross tons and accommodate 3,219 guests at double occupancy. Travelers will live up every second of their journey in the most spacious accommodations including the brand's largest inside, ocean view and balcony category staterooms.

The world-class vessel will not only offer the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise categories and largest variety of suite categories available at sea, but will also boast a redefined The Haven by Norwegian , NCL's ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept. The Haven's public areas and 107 suites designed by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy's most renowned designers, will feature an expansive sundeck, a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ship's wake and an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.

The Prima Class’ variety of recreational activities also make their elevated comeback on Norwegian Viva with only-available-on-Prima-Class experiences including the fastest freefall drop dry slides at sea with The Rush and The Drop and the largest three-level racetrack at sea with the Viva Speedway.

Norwegian Viva sets the standard in the premium segment, illustrating our commitment to pushing boundaries in four main areas: wide open space, service that puts guests first, thoughtful design and experiences beyond expectation. We have taken everything our guests love to the next level with this brand-new class of ships designed with them in mind.  

Norwegian Viva will feature Ocean Boulevard , the 44,000 square foot outdoor walk way which wraps around the entire ship;   Indulge Food Hall featuring 11 varieties of eateries; The Concourse boasting an outdoor sculpture garden; expansive pool decks and infinity style pools at Infinity Beach and Oceanwalk, showcasing glass bridges above water.

Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: "Norwegian Viva sets the standard in the premium segment, illustrating our commitment to pushing boundaries in four main areas: wide open space, service that puts guests first, thoughtful design and experiences beyond expectation. We have taken everything our guests love to the next level with this brand-new class of ships designed with them in mind."

Norwegian Viva will boast eye-catching hull art designed by Italian graffiti and sculpture artist Manuel Di Rita, commonly known as “Peeta,” who also illustrated the exceptional hull design on Norwegian Prima. World-class architects who helped design Norwegian Prima including Rockwell Group, SMC Design and Miami-based Studio Dado, also have returned to influence the aesthetic of various restaurants, staterooms and public areas.

"Norwegian Viva, the second of six Prima Class vessels being built with us, reinforces the great collaboration between Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri," said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division at Fincantieri. "We were extremely satisfied that Norwegian Prima, the first of the new class, earned record-breaking bookings and we are excited to see how Norwegian Viva will live up to her sister ship. As we proved our resilience during these challenging times, this announcement represents another testament to Fincantieri´s global leadership role in the cruise sector."

The first two Prima Class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, will feature cutting-edge alternative technologies, such as a NOx reduction system (SCR), that reduce the ship's overall environmental impact.  SCR catalysts filter out sulfur oxides up to 98% and nitrogen oxides up to 90%, ensuring the vessels meet Tier III NOx compliance. Further, they will be equipped with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), an Advanced Wastewater Treatment System to treat and clean all wastewater to meet stringent international standards and Cold Ironing functionality to connect to onshore power grids to further reduce emissions while in port. For more information about the Company's environmental, governance and social efforts, please click here .

LIVELY ITINERARIES ON THE BRAND'S NEWEST SHIP 

Summer 2023: Mediterranean from Rome, Athens, and Lisbon

Following a string of inaugural cruises and beginning June 2023, Norwegian Viva will be the newest ship embarking in the Mediterranean . From June 15, 2023 to Nov. 6, 2023, she will sail a series of eight, nine and 10-day voyages from Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece, offering guests the opportunity to explore the Mediterranean’s Spanish, Italian and Greek regions.

Winter 2023-2024: Southern Caribbean from San Juan

Norwegian Viva will become the largest new ship to ever homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. On Dec. 15, she will depart San Juan on a seven-day Caribbean voyage with her first stop in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. She will then make her way to Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands for her last stop before returning to San Juan on Dec. 22. Future sailings will also include notable ports in the Caribbean for seven- and nine-day sailings.

For more information about the Company's award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com .

B-roll for Norwegian Viva is available here . For b-roll with lifestyle footage, click here .

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

The one thing cruise ship passengers do that drives crew mad

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Cruise ships have their own set of rules , and a holiday at sea isn’t like your average getaway.

Lucy Southerton, 28, from  Birmingham , has been working on cruise liners for the past nine years, meaning she knows all the tips and tricks to get the most from your time aboard .

On her YouTube channel, Cruising as Crew , she shares her knowledge to ensure first-time passengers avoid common pitfalls – and the mistake cruise newbies make most can end up ruining your break.

According to Lucy, ‘treating a cruise like an all-inclusive holiday’ is the main faux pas she notices at work.

She said: ‘If some people have solely done all-inclusive holidays, they make the mistake of thinking a cruise vacation is very similar to that.

‘So a lot of people do not budget for extra expenses while they are on board because they have the misconception that most things will be free.’

The crew member says that although things like buffet meals will be included in the price of your trip, dining at certain restaurants on board or going on excursions often costs extra.

Forgetting to factor this into a budget can ‘really ruin people’s vacation’, Lucy says, as they have to miss out on things they perhaps looked forward to.

Gratuities are a big deal on a cruise too, so it’s recommended to set aside some cash to tip staff at the end of your holiday.

She said: ‘With a lot of cruises, you get hit with the gratuity bill at the end, which I have also seen a lot of people not budget for.’

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Alongside this, Lucy claims first-time ‘cruisers’ can struggle with the tight timings ships have to adhere to and miss their departure after a stop.

She said: ‘They get off at the port, go off and explore by themselves, which is part of the fun – but what they don’t allow for is time to get back. It obviously makes things very difficult for the cruise line and it is just an all-around mess.

‘So, when you’re on a cruise, it is very different from a hotel that is going to stay stationary. You absolutely have to make it a priority to get back to the ship on time and ask crew members what the traffic is like at each port if you’re getting a taxi to a certain destination.’

Her next warning is around travel insurance, which is particularly vital to get at the time of booking because cruises can get cancelled or flights to your starting destination can be delayed.

Lucy said: ‘Unlike a land holiday, where if your flight is eight hours late and the hotel stays where it is, the cruise ship moves so if your flight is eight hours delayed that’s going to mean you’ll miss it.

‘You absolutely have to get travel insurance as soon as you book the cruise.’

Overbooking excursions is another no-no, so try to balance ‘some exciting days but some relaxing days’ when planning out your itinerary to avoid ending up exhausted.

Lucy also advises pre-booking activities or excursions rather than leaving it to the last minute, ensuring you pack essentials (including medication), researching ports ahead of time, and listening carefully to safety briefings so you’re prepared for emergencies.

And, last but not least, she urges first-timers to always consider where their cabin is – particularly if they might be prone to seasickness.

She says: ‘You want to be in the centre of the ship. You don’t want to be in the back, you definitely don’t want to be in the front, because that’s where you’re going to feel the movement the most.

‘So when you book a cabin, make sure it is in the centre of the ship, and make sure the cabin you book is surrounded by other cabins.’

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Lucy adds: ‘The cheaper cabins will have a restaurant or a gym above them and it’s going to be noisy, so cabin location is really important.’

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Couple who have been on 30 cruise ships left stranded after breaking golden rule

Cruise ships have specific rules you should be following to avoid your holiday being ruined.

Tom Earnshaw

A couple who have journeyed on 30 cruise ship holidays have found themselves stranded after breaking a golden rule.

Cruise ship holidays are truly like no other you can go on , full of immersive experiences on a massive floating hotel that often comes with on board streets full of shops as well as cinema screens and even ice skating arenas.

They're an engineering marvel and are rightly celebrated.

But as with any particular holiday, they come with their own very specific rules that you might only truly understand by experiencing or listening to the experts on .

And for this particular story, it shows that experience is no guarantee of anything and stresses the importance of following departure times more than ever.

Sadly for Richard and Claudene Gordon, the experience of the 30 cruises they had previously been on ended up counting for nothing.

That's because the American couple, from Salt Lake City in Utah , were left stranded on a Mediterranean cruise around southern Europe.

It follows on from eight passengers being left stranded on an African island following an 'unfortunate' error.

Travelling on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship with their family and close friends, Richard was just days away from celebrating his 85th birthday on-board.

But he and wife Claudene were left in the Spanish town of Motril on Monday (29 April) after a rain storm saw their bus back to port delayed by an hour.

Speaking to CNN Travel, Gordon said: "I am a very experienced traveler and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime.

"Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system.

"Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4pm. Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

One British cruise ship worker, Lucy Southerton, posted on her YouTube channel about the importance of following departure times.

She said: "When you're on a cruise it is very different to a hotel in that the hotel is going to stay stationary. It's not going to go any where.

"The cruise ship will so you absolutely have to make it a priority to get back to the ship on time. Ask crew members about what the traffic is like in this port if you are thinking about you know getting a taxi to a certain destination because missing the ship could really put a damper on your vacation."

Richard and Claudene stayed in a B&B for the night before getting up at 3am to find flights to nearby Palma Airport on the Spanish island of Majorca, where Norwegian Viva was docking on Wednesday.

Thankfully for the couple, Norwegian Cruise Line offered a taxi from the airport to the ship to get them back on board.

After arriving back with their family on the ship, they said: "We really received the royal treatment today. They picked us up at the hotel in a beautiful black BMW limousine to take us to the ship.

"There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin.

“We simply told them that we were abandoned at the dock with no one to meet us or tell us where to go, and they said they have already complained about the harbour master who was supposed to take care of things for them.

"But of course the ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them."

Norwegian Cruise Line said it 'worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel'.

Topics:  Cruise Ship , Hacks , Holiday , Travel , US News , World News

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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They missed the boat — literally.

An elderly American couple was left behind by Norwegian Cruise Line in Spain this week after they returned late to the ship and the vessel refused to wait for them — despite it routinely departing behind schedule during the voyage.

“I am a very experienced traveller and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime,” Salt Lake City resident Richard Gordon, 84, told CNN.

“Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system.”

Gordon and his wife Claudene, 81, had gone on an independently booked excursion to view the city of Grenada while their ship, Viva, was docked in Motril on Monday. Due to a rainstorm, they ran late for the 5:30pm all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6pm departure.

At 5:45pm the Gordons, who were taking the cruise to celebrate Richard’s 85th birthday this week, notified a relative on board that they were running late but were nearby.

The family member was told that the Viva had to leave on time and would not wait. By the time the couple arrived at 6:10pm, the boat had left the harbour, Gordon told the outlet.

“Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4pm,” he claimed.

“Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

When the Viva set sail, the Gordons were left without their medication, eyeglasses and spare hearing aid batteries, which were on board.

Back in Salt Lake City, their daughter Marilee Baker, stayed up into the wee hours of the morning trying to book her parents a flight to Palma de Mallorca, where the boat was making its next call Wednesday morning, according to CNN.

The Gordons claim Norwegian didn’t make first contact with them until late Tuesday, and by the time they got to Mallorca, they were met with a luxury taxi service to bring them to the Viva.

“They picked us up at the hotel in a beautiful black BMW limousine to take us to the ship. There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin,” Gordon told CNN, adding the boat blamed the Motril harbourmaster, who they said was supposed to organise travel with the couple.

Despite their reception, Gordon said the boat’s failure to communicate with them left a sour taste in their mouth.

“The ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them,” he said.

Norwegian Cruise Line disputed the couple’s account of what happened, telling The Post they were a full hour behind the 5:30pm all-aboard time, and that it tried numerous times without success to contact the couple after they were left behind.

“After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel,” a Norwegian Cruise Lines spokesperson said.

“It is important to note that a delayed departure has the potential to impact the ship’s ability to deliver its planned itinerary and thus influence the experience for all guests on-board. While this was a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The Gordons are the second set of passengers to complain about being left behind by Norwegian Cruise Lines in just a month.

Earlier in April, nine passengers — including six Americans and two Australians — missed their boat in Africa and were left to fend for themselves to catch up with the boat in Senegal.

The passengers — including a paraplegic person and an elderly man with a heart condition — were left stranded on the island without any belongings like money, medicine and necessary travel documents.

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Norwegian reimbursed some costs they endured while trying to make it back onto the ship, the cruise line said.

Though not waiting for passengers late by their own doing is a common procedure on cruise ships, Norwegian has faced scrutiny in recent weeks after one of the passengers left behind in Africa had recently suffered a stroke and was sent to the hospital when the ship departed.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and has been republished with permission

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Elderly couple left at Spanish port after Norwegian Cruise sails off

A couple in their 80s say they were left in Spain by Norweigan Cruise Line a month after the same cruise company sailed off from an African island, leaving eight passengers behind.

Richard and Claudene Gordon, ages 84 and 81, had left their home in Salt Lake City , Utah, to embark on a vacation around the Mediterranean aboard the Norweigan Viva cruise ship, along with their family and friends to celebrate Mr Gordon’s 85th birthday, this week.

However, their trip took a drastic turn on Monday when the couple booked an independent excursion, not organised by the cruise line, while docked in Motril, Spain, to the historic city of Granada, the pair told CNN.

On their return back, their bus was delayed for an hour while a rain storm hit the region, meaning the couple missed the ship’s all-aboard time of 5.30pm to sail away at around 6pm.

“I am a very experienced traveller and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime,” Mr Gordon told the outlet. “Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port . So we are not someone who abuses the system.”

Along with the rest of their party, the ship sailed away to its next destination with Ms Gordon’s medication, Mr Gordon’s eyeglasses and both their spare hearing aid batteries and phone chargers.

The incident occured almost a month after eight passengers with Norweigan Cruise Line were left on the island nation of São Tomé and Principe after a private tour overran.

While the passengers claim they had to spend thousands in attempts to catch up with the ship, the cruise line said the passengers were “responsible” for returning to the vessel at the designated all-aboard time.

The Gordons told the outlet that they eventually made it to the dock by taxi at 6.10pm, but their cruise ship had already started to set sail.

At around 5.45pm, Mr Gordon said he phoned a relative on board, who told the cruise staff that they were nearby but running late; however, the staff allegedly replied that the ship needed to sail on time and nothing could be done.

“Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4pm,” Mr Gordon told CNN. “Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

Stranded on the Spanish dock, the couple tried to talk to local police, but they said they could not do anything, so they took a bus up to Granada and stayed in a little B&B since they had not heard from Norweigan Cruise Line at that point.

The couple’s daughter then booked them on a flight to Palma de Mallorca, where the ship would be docking at 8am on Wednesday.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the couple said that Norweigan Cruise Line had made contact with them for the first time since they were left on the port, and offered them a taxi from their Palma hotel to reunite them with the vessel, the outlet reported.

The couple said they said that they received “royal treatment” when a BMW limousine turned up and took them to the ship where they were met by senior cruise staff who escorted them to breakfast.

“We simply told them that we were abandoned at the dock with no one to meet us or tell us where to go, and they said they have already complained about the harbor master who was supposed to take care of things for them. But of course, the ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them,” Ms Gordon told the outlet.

Norwegian Cruise Line, however, disputed the couple’s arrival time at the pier. It said they were “approximately an hour late,” in a statement to CNN.

“A cruise ship follows a set itinerary with designated arrival and departure times. Itineraries are carefully coordinated and planned out well in advance of each voyage to ensure that all of our guests have the experience they are expecting.” It added that while they keep a small window for late guests to be accommodated, the Gordons arrived outside of this.

“After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel.”

The cruise spokesperson added that prior to their hotel pick-up on Wednesday morning, the ship had coordaited an airport pickup for them at Palma de Mallorca the evening prior, but were still unreachable by phone.

The Independent has contacted Norweigan Cruise Line for comment.

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By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. 

So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

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On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit.    So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete.  Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.  

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow.  And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks!   I will check.  We are in Moscow May 16.  I know May 9 is a holiday. 

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer! 

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!! 

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  You are right...we just want a taste of both cities.  In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste.  We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train.   Come back the same way.   From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.  

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). 

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).    Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?  

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too.  A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160.  I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa.  We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that. 

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow.  I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2.   Seriously considered them.   I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.  

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248   (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500. 

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30 

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs. 

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30). 

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50. 

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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