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Castles, camaraderie & cocktails: We tried an all-inclusive river cruise

VIVA Cruises launched its new ship VIVA TWO in March 2023 and Sailawaze joined the German river cruise line for a short sailing along the Rhine and Main rivers to experience it for ourselves.

Words by Harriet Mallinson

The soaring, craggy hillsides are studded with gothic mansions and crumbling castles as I float along while an idyllic riverside town intermittently pops up brimming with turrets, church spires and traditional, colourful houses.

It’s certainly not hard to see why Germany is the birthplace of so many fairytales; even the entrances to railway tunnels resemble a castellated tower. Much like Pocahontas, I start to wonder, what’s around the next river bend, and more importantly, what mysterious Count might dwell inside that romantic fortress perched amid the bank’s green cape?

Luckily for me, my imagination has several days to run wild as these gorgeous views of the Rhine River are available morning, noon and night onboard VIVA Cruises’s newest river cruise ship VIVA TWO .

Lazing in my bed of a morning – oo what’s inside that intriguing mansion? Munching on four types of herring at lunch (yes really) – ee look at that beautiful village. Quaffing champagne in the evening – aah those twinkling lights are so pretty!

Yes, there’s no escaping Germany’s gorgeous countryside from a river cruise, making it perfect for anyone who fears being ‘stuck’ out at sea.

Indeed five-year-old brand VIVA Cruises is a great option for anyone looking to try their first cruise. VIVA TWO holds up to 190 passengers so never do you feel overwhelmed by crowds and there is none of that cheesiness many fear when it comes to cruising.

Well-appointed cabins are comfortable, modern and boast a classic design with muted tones making for very chic accommodation and the elegance continues in the fairly spacious bathrooms, furnished with lovely Rituals products.

As for the aforementioned room with a view, no dreaded inside cabins here. The most affordable lower deck rooms on VIVA river cruises all have windows while on two of the three decks floor-to-ceiling windows open up entirely, converting the whole room into a luxurious balcony without eating up floor space.

Talking of which, there are three restaurants to choose from on VIVA TWO – all stylishly designed and decorated, naturally.

Riverside is the main restaurant (featuring a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner menus) and is my personal favourite. As I dine by the window on tasty marinated veal tartar, tiger shrimp ‘thermidor’, slow-roasted beef stripling and molten lava cake (no going hungry on this trip), I relish the cheerful chatter of fellow guests, the sight of the water flowing just beneath me and the vistas beyond.

That is, of course, until another vessel shimmies over and moors up just alongside us – commonplace in the river cruise world but something of a shock on the first occasion. We inadvertently join a couple’s romantic dinner date on the other side of the glass and tacitly toast to the night when our eyes meet. River cruising is nothing if not awash with camaraderie.

On the deck below, Mediterranean restaurant MOMENTS serves top-class speciality food, accompanied by light entertainment (just remember to pre-book) while for more intimate, casual eats there’s VIVA’s Bistro.

The latter – perhaps best during the day thanks to the views at the back of the ship and the option to dine al fresco – specialises in seafood, think shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, seafood risotto and tuna fillet.

After dark a DJ strikes up in the ship’s lounge – his deck pulling out of a grand piano like a rabbit from a hat – and guests congregate around the spacious bar at the front of the ship, to drink and dance.

In fact, a huge perk of sailing with VIVA Cruises is the signature all-inclusive products – comprising snacks, full board, high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi and all tips and gratuities.

Consequently, it’s not surprising that VIVA river cruises attract a younger audience than other similar lines as such travellers are frequently drawn to all-inclusive voyages, not only because they can knock back as many drinks as they like (and spend as much time on phones as they want) but one never has to worry about the costs adding up while away – the upfront price is exactly what the holiday will cost.

The only place you’ll have to get out your wallet while away is when you head ashore; and the beauty of European river cruising is that ships generally moor within accessible distance of a city centre so you can amble off the ship and begin your land escapades immediately.

What’s more, with more overnight stops than ocean cruising it’s easy to head into town for dinner or a night out if you fancy exploring the destination and soaking up its culture past dusk.

My cruise takes in the German cities of Mainz and Frankfurt, both of which prove super easy to visit from the ship. Holidaymakers can do their own thing or join the well-priced VIVA shore excursions – the line offers a two-hour walking tour of Mainz for just €24.

The Rhineland city is famous for its university (thanks to which a whopping 55 percent of people in the city are under 35), wine and Mainz Cathedral, one of the most important religious buildings in Germany; the Christmas markets are fab too. Consider brushing up on Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press before you visit on a Rhine river cruise – he was born in Mainz and homages to the great craftsman can be spotted throughout the charming city.

Frankfurt, on the Main (the longest tributary of the Rhine), also has plenty of fame to shout about. Anne Frank, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the Rothschild family all hailed from the German city and the financial hub is now home to the European Central Bank.

Consequently, Frankfurt (above) may bristle with glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers and whiff of money, but its old town is really quite delightful. It’s all superficial of course – the medieval-esque half-timbered buildings in the Römerberg, Frankfurt’s old central square, were all reconstructed after the heavy bombing of World War II – but wonderful to wander around nonetheless. Come in August on a Main River cruise and you’ll see wine pouring out of The Fountain of Justice!

Of course, if it’s free-flowing wine (no pun intended) you’re after, VIVA TWO delivers at all times of day, and coming back for afternoon tea is lovely after a day of culture.

Looking for more activity back on board during your VIVA river cruises? There’s a small gym complete with weights, a bike, a running machine and a rowing machine to help you keep the infamous cruise weight gain at bay, plus a spa with a sauna and steam room. Note this needs booking but it’s free and will be yours for the hour – just the ticket after a day of tramping around the continent’s urban gems.

For further relaxation when the day’s adventure is done – or if you fancy simply having a lazy day – books and board games are available in the lounge, while on deck there’s a heated pool open 24/7. In warm weather this upper deck is perfect for reclining in a deck chair and watching the world go by – VIVA is even installing hammocks for the ultimate chill out.

Oo look, another castle.

Rhine, Main, Danube with VIVA Cruises

Duration: 9 nights

Where: Düsseldorf | Coblenz | Rüdesheim | Frankfurt | Miltenberg | Wertheim | Würzburg |Marktbreit | Volkach | Bamberg | Nuremberg | Regensburg | Passau

Ship: VIVA TWO

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Our River Cruises 2025

If there's one thing that makes our river cruises so special, it's this: a perfect balance between rest and adventure . A promise that our new departures in 2025 also keep - like on the Rhine, Moselle, Main, Danube, Rhône, Seine, Elbe and tributaries and now also on the Douro.

For sure: there are many new things to discover with us in 2025. Fans of our cultural cruises, for example, will be particularly pleased: The SWISS RUBY will be weighing anchor, freshly renovated and with eight suites on board. The highlight 2025: the PORTO MIRANTE - a brand new ship with which we are once again expanding our VIVA fleet and also cruising the picturesque waters of the Douro in Portugal for the first time. A success that we owe above all to you, our guests. Without your loyalty, our continuous growth and the expansion of our cruising areas would not be possible.

Check out our Highlights in 2025

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5 Ways VIVA Cruises Differs from River Cruising as You Know It

Photo: Ming Tappin

Travel Market Report recently returned from a week onboard VIVA Cruises' brand-new vessel VIVA Two, sailing on the Danube River. Joining us onboard were the company's COO Andrea Kruse and vice president of sales and marketing for North America, John Dennis.

If you haven't heard of VIVA Cruises, it's because the German-based cruise line launched in 2018 but due to the pandemic, the introduction to the North American market was delayed until now. 

Headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany, VIVA has a fleet of eight ships: VIVA Moments, VIVA Tiara, VIVA Voyage, VIVA Gloria, Swiss Diamond, Swiss Ruby, VIVA One, and VIVA Two. A new vessel (which will be identical to VIVA Two) will launch in 2024. Its parent company is Scylla AG, a builder of luxury river vessels.

Undeterred by the number of river cruise lines already in the market, VIVA Cruises' executives told TMR its mission is to deliver a distinctive cruise experience coupled with outstanding value.

Here are five ways VIVA Cruises differs from the competition. 

1. VIVA Cruises offers an International Cruise Experience Although based in Germany, VIVA markets itself as an international brand. Roughly 50% of its guests are from German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg), and the rest are primarily from the Scandinavian countries, Israel, and a smattering of others. At this point, the line has only had a smattering of North American cruisers, but Kruse and Dennis told us the line aims to grow its North American customer base to 10%.

Guests are mainly couples, age 60+, and retired.

German and English are the official languages spoken onboard. Announcements, lectures, and printed materials are in both languages. Guests are congenial and social, and we observed many European guests speaking English as well as their mother tongue, with German being most prominent. 

With a large European clientele, your clients might wonder about the smoking situation onboard VIVA Cruises. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas. On VIVA Two, these were located at the bow and stern of the ship. All interiors (including staterooms) and all other outdoor areas including the top viewing deck are smoke-free.

So, who are the perfect clients for VIVA Cruises?

We'd recommend advisors target clients who are well-traveled, open to meeting travelers from other parts of the world, and are comfortable cruising with people who speak different languages. VIVA Cruises is not for clients who prefer to be around others just like them.

2. VIVA Cruises Sails Year-Round VIVA Cruises is the only cruise line that operates year-round in Europe. All others generally shut down between January and March. As such, VIVA offers its guests a chance to see the rivers and cities from a different perspective – away from the busy season, large crowds, and heat.

Clients also benefit from lower pricing during the winter months.

3. VIVA Cruises Offers Unique Itineraries VIVA's Winter program offers four-night wellness cruises on the Rhine that include a massage treatment, and wholesome menus featuring low-carb meals, healthy bowls, freshly-squeezed juices, detox waters, and organic teas. Other winter cruises include four-night “City Trips” that sail through Belgium or The Netherlands.

VIVA is currently working on cruise-tour packages that combine short sailings with city stays in places such as Munich, Passau, and Dusseldorf.

In the spring, summer, and fall, VIVA sails on the Rhine, the Rhône, the Main, the Moselle, the Seine, and the Danube. Its itineraries range from three- and four-night "highlight" sailings, as well as standard week-long cruises to longer Danube sailings of up to 15 nights.

VIVA also operates unique seven- and nine-night sailings along Germany's Baltic Coast, which is a rare offer. Sailing roundtrip from Stralsund in north-eastern Germany, the cruise visits quaint coastal villages and into Poland via the Szczecin Lagoon. It's a great option for clients with German and Polish heritage or those who have done a lot of European river cruising and want to try a different destination.

4. VIVA Cruises Offers Outstanding Value For the North American market, VIVA Cruises operates on an all-inclusive basis. VIVA's fares include all meals, all-day beverages (including a stocked mini-bar), Wi-Fi, crew gratuities, and one excursion at every port. 

Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet-style, accompanied by cooked-to-order eggs at breakfast and a selection of hot entrees at lunch. Dinner is table service. Restaurants operate open-seating style, meaning guests can dine any time during the posted hours and sit wherever they like.

A secondary restaurant – VIVA's Bistro – specializes in seafood and offers table-service lunch and dinner.

Debuting on VIVA Two is the Moments restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch, and serves a special five-course wine-pairing dinner. Other than reservations being required for dinner at VIVA's Bistro and Moments, there is no extra charge to dine in either restaurant. VIVA's menus feature local specialties as well as international cuisine, and every meal we sampled was beautifully prepared and delicious.

The beverage menu is quite extensive, but there is one difference wine-loving clients will want to know about. Local wines are only featured on occasion or by request. The house wine on our sailing was from South Africa, but if you wanted something different, the staff was happy to fetch it.

Standard in river cruising, the excursion included at every port is a port-highlight walking tour. Special interest excursions are available for purchase. All excursions operate in English and German, with separate buses and guides for each language.

5. VIVA Cruises is Green VIVA Two has received the gold certificate from the Green Award Foundation, given only to vessels with the highest environmental standards. Sustainable practices onboard VIVA's fleet include using virtually sulfur-free fuel that reduces emissions, and using shore power where available. Guests receive reusable water bottles, which can be filled with sparking or still mineral water at centrally-located dispensers. There are also 76 solar panels built into the top deck on VIVA Two to help offset some of the ship's energy usage.  

How to Present VIVA Cruises to your clients With the plethora of river cruise lines in the market, it is important to differentiate between the brands and present the right one to your clients. Here are VIVA Cruises' top-selling features: 

• VIVA's all-inclusive pricing offers one of the best values in the marketplace. The lead-in rate for a seven-day sailing is just under $2,000. Other than VIVA, all-inclusive river cruises are only offered onboard luxury brands, and those are at a much higher price.
• Short river cruise sailings are uncommon, so VIVA's three- to five-night voyages make great add-ons to a land-based vacation or as sampler cruises for those wanting to try river cruising for the first time.
• VIVA's variety of embarkation/debarkation ports – such as Passau, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Strasbourg – gives clients lots of options of where to begin and end their cruise, and are great for pre- or post-cruise stays. (Other river lines typically start and end their sailings in Amsterdam, Budapest, and Basel.)
• While VIVA's international guest mix is an excellent way to meet people from all over the world and engage in cultures different from our own, not all clients are comfortable with the concept. It's important to qualify properly and to ensure they are open to sailing onboard a line with an international clientele and atmosphere.

Selling VIVA Cruises With a goal of expanding its North American clientele to 10% of its total, VIVA Cruises' Kruse and Dennis told TMR they are eager to help travel advisors with product and sales training. Advisors can email [email protected] to register themselves to earn commission and receive notices on upcoming training opportunities such as webinars and FAM trips. Once registered, advisors can make bookings online. VIVA offers  15% commission with no NCFs. The VIVA Cruises North American office is located in Ft Lauderdale, and its U.S. website has company and ship information, itineraries, and pricing. VIVA's call center can be reached at 1-833-YES-VIVA (9am to 9pm ET) or by email at [email protected] . 

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Viva Cruises – The Best European River Cruise Line You Don’t Know….YET!

River cruise specialist, VIVA Cruises,

is running brand new European cruises in January, February and March next year – becoming the only river cruise line operating every single month of 2022. New art, cultural and wellness themed cruises will be introduced in Q1 2022 on board VIVA TIARA, VIVA MOMENTS and SWISS RUBY.

VIVA TIARA, fully renovated last year, will start its new “Arts, Culture and Culinary Delights” cruise on January 20, 2022 – with 13 departures from January to March. The four-night itineraries will depart from Düsseldorf and be visiting Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp, before making the way back to Düsseldorf. On this cruise, guests will have the chance to visit, amongst other sights, the Rijksmuseum Museum in Amsterdam, dedicated to the art and history of the Netherlands; the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam’s famous art museum; as well as enjoying a beer and chocolate tasting in Antwerp. Prices start from approximately $395 per person in a double cabin.

VIVA MOMENTS will be offering two different four-night itineraries along the Rhine focused on wellness and relaxation – all of them starting and ending in Düsseldorf. The “Wellness trip Middle Rhine” cruise will take guests to characterful German towns such as Boppard and Bonn; while the “Wellness trip Rhein-Main” itinerary will be calling at the old towns of Koblenz, Frankfurt and Speyer. All these wellness itineraries, with nine scheduled departures each, will include a wider food and drinks menu with low carbs meals, organic teas and detox water; a spa package with a complimentary 30-min massage and unlimited use of the fitness and spa facilities; free bike rental; and special wellness excursions. Prices start from approximately $445 per person in a double cabin.

Finally, SWISS RUBY, with capacity for just 88 guests, will be offering a series of “Crime cruises” to Berlin and Düsseldorf. The 7-night themed itineraries will feature a variety of authors on board, who will give exciting readings of their crime novels to guests. Prices start from approximately $1,125 per person in a double cabin.

Andrea Kruse, COO of VIVA Cruises, said: “While many river cruise lines take a winter break after the Christmas holidays, VIVA Cruises will be offering new and exciting themed cruises along Europe’s greatest rivers. Whether it is arts, culture, wellness or even crime novels what they are into, we want to give our customers the opportunity to spend a pleasant break with us in what seems to be a promising 2022.”

VIVA Cruises releases 2022 program with two new build ships

VIVA Cruises has unveiled exciting news for the 2022 season: two brand new ships will be joining the fleet in 2022 and two further vessels will be given a fresh new look and sailing exclusively for VIVA Cruises next year. With these additions, VIVA Cruises will be running a total of 238 departures across seven ships for the 2022 season. All itineraries can now be booked online.

VIVA Cruises’ first new build ship, VIVA ONE, will set sail from the port of Düsseldorf in April 2022, offering a variety of exciting itineraries on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. VIVA ONE, whose name refers to being the very first ship built by VIVA Cruises, will feature a modern design in blue tones, two restaurants, a spacious sun deck, and a spa and wellness area, amongst other features. VIVA ONE will have 88 cabins (double beds, suites and junior suites, most of them equipped with French balconies) for a maximum of 176 guests.

VIVA ONE will also be the first ship in the VIVA Cruises fleet to use state-of-the-art hybrid technology that is kinder to the environment. The ship will use using sulphur-free GTL (Gas to Liquid) fuel, which significantly reduces CO² consumption and emissions. VIVA ONE will also see an important reduction of plastic on board and the use of more environmentally friendly materials.

VIVA TWO will be VIVA Cruises’ second new build ship, which will complement the fleet primarily on the Danube river from July 2022. VIVA TWO will feature 95 stylish and comfortable cabins (including eight suites) which will reflect the casual lifestyle of VIVA Cruises. VIVA TWO’s lounge and restaurant area, on two different levels, will be connected by wide set of stairs offering the feeling of light and space.

The culinary offering on board both VIVA ONE and VIVA TWO will have something to suit all tastes. VIVA’s Bistro will offer a casual atmosphere and a wide selection of snacks and smaller dishes available from early morning until late at night – including salads, sandwiches and burgers. Riverside will be the main restaurant on both vessels, featuring a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner menus – including vegetarian and vegan meals. VIVA TWO will also have a third restaurant, MOMENTS, the place to go for top-class specialty food, accompanied with light entertainment. All dining options will be included in the cruise package part of the VIVA All-Inclusive product.

Special discounts for families are also available on all 2022 departures. Children up to the age of three can travel for free in their parents’ cabin; a 50% discount will be applied to children between four and 10 years old; and 30% discount to those between 11 and 15 years old.

All 2022 itineraries will also include VIVA Cruises’ signature VIVA All-Inclusive product, which includes snacks, full board, high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, minibar, beauty products from luxury cosmetic brand, Rituals, Wi-Fi and all tips and gratuities.  

About VIVA Cruises

VIVA Cruises invites you to experience the very best of Europe, the way it was meant to be discovered: with good company, unique perspectives and award-winning service and amenities. Knowing that not all travelers are the same, VIVA Cruises has made it their mission to give customers greater ease, flexibility and choice. With decades of experience cruising to Europe’s most popular destinations, they are proud to offer a cruise experience like no other, designed to enrich, inspire and renew. Following all the greatest rivers (Danube, Elbe, Moselle, Rhine, Rhône, Seine and the Main-Danube Canal) and Baltic Sea, guests will delve into the heart of timeless towns and villages as well as the world’s most thriving capitals. VIVA Cruises also offers expedition itineraries in Northern and Western Europe, as well as Arctic cruises on board SEAVENTURE.

For more information about VIVA Cruises, please visit: www.viva-cruises.com/en

Review overview

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Review: the VIVA One river cruise ship

City hopping from Belgium to Germany and back on the VIVA One.

Last year, we almost booked a 14-day VIVA cruise on the Danube.

However we hadn’t traveled with VIVA before, and felt like it would be a better option to travel with and experience this company during a much shorter trip if possible. Just imagine that it is not really what we like, that would be a very long 14 days.

We receive an offer for a 5-day river cruise on board the VIVA One, from Antwerp to Rotterdam, Düsseldorf and Amsterdam back to Antwerp.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to get to know VIVA river cruises!

Did we like it, and would we book again?

Let’s find out!

We fully paid for our trip on board the VIVA One and didn’t get or ask anything in return for this review.

We made a video of our stay on board the VIVA One.

You can watch it here:

The VIVA One was built in 2022.

The ship has 88 cabins and suites, accommodating a total of 176 passengers. On board there are 2 restaurants: the VIVA Bistro and the Riverside restaurant, both included in the price.

VIVA Cruises offers an extensive all-inclusive formula in which meals, drinks, tips and minibar on board are all included.

Embarkation starts at 2:30pm.

The VIVA One is docked right at the Antwerp Cruise Terminal, that is a 25 minute walk from our doorstep. We get there around 3pm, a staff member writes our cabin number on a little label, attaches is to our luggage and has his colleague take the luggage up to the ship.

We follow, head up the short passenger boarding bridge and receive our room keys at the reception desk.

Our cabin is located on the Ruby deck of the VIVA One, one flight of stairs down from the reception and bar area.

We are staying in stateroom 216, a ‘double cabin’ class room on the starboard side of the ship.

As soon as we step inside, we like the soft colors and wood tones. Even though it is a very cloudy and grey rainy day, still a lot of light is flowing in from the large French balcony windows that reach from the floor all the way up to the ceiling.

The cupboards, desk, bed, linens, walls, decoration… It all looks very pristine and clean.

Let’s start off with the bedroom itself.

Cozy is the feeling we get here: the colors, yellow light, wood tones and rug all give this room a very homey vibe. Plus it is nice and warm inside. The bed looks very inviting, with its high mattress and fluffy pillows.

On both sides of the bed is a bedside table, a lamp and light switches to control the lights in the room. Also on both sides is an electric socket, no USB port though, which we find surprising since a ship built in 2022.

A digital clock is also present, however we unplugged it was too bright during the night.

Next to the window is a comfortable soft chair and a coffee table, a nice spot for a cup of coffee in the morning.

Opposite the bed is a wall full of cupboards and storage space , a wardrobe, a TV and a small desk.

The wardrobe holds a large safe, 2 bathrobes and 2 pairs of slippers, a blue blanket, shelves and plenty of clothes hangers. Underneath the TV are 2 more large drawers to store stuff. You can easily put your empty luggage under the bed once you have unpacked.

Plenty of storage room to arrange and organise our stuff, we thought!

Also underneath the TV is a mini bar that is free: it contains fruit juice, Fanta, regular Coke, Coke zero and 2 beers. A bottle of sparkling wine was waiting for us on the desk when we arrived so we put it in the fridge as well. A bottle opener is also present, as well as 2 wine glasses.

The mini bar is restocked if you drink something.

We used the coffee machine daily: it comes with 6 coffee capsules, milk, sugar and sweetener. Same thing here if you drink a coffee: the capsules are restocked daily.

The transparent plastic reusable VIVA water bottles are a nice touch, you can refill them with water and sparkling water at the water station near the reception. And you can take them home at the end of your river cruise.

Was there anything we didn’t like?

The aircon and heating unit was a bit loud we thought. We didn’t need or use the TV, however if you are a TV watcher, all the TV and radio channels were German. Again, not a problem for us but other guests might find that disappointing.

We also thought that the room wasn’t very soundproof, the cabin door was quite thin and we could hear quite a lot of noise from the hallway from people walking past, whether they were talking or not. We had cabins under, above and next to us but no noise complaints there.

The bathroom is brightly lit and again looks immaculate.

Very clean and well maintained vanity and shower, as if it has never been used before.

The shower is not spacious but still large enough. Good water pressure and temperature from the rain shower. Both glass shower doors open to the inside and outside. We loved the fragrant Ritual bath products, excellent quality shower gel, shampoo and conditioner!

The one sink vanity provides enough space to organize and store your bathroom amenities.

Provided are a shower cap, Rituals soap bar and body lotion, hand towels, a spare toilet roll and hair dryer. Kleenex can be found on the desk in your room.

The bath towels were good, and were changed every time you would put them on the floor during morning service and turndown service in the evening.

Very good bathroom here on the VIVA One, can’t fault it.

There is a turndown service in the evening while you enjoy dinner. Beds are not really made up like the staff does in the morning, just neatly rearranged. Towels are changed if necessary, minibar and coffee is restocked.

Next day’s daily program is left on your bed together with 2 small hazelnut chocolate bars.

The reception area is in the centre of the ship.

It is where all 3 stateroom floors, bar and lounge area and Riverside restaurant kind of connect. A small atrium let’s call it. There is an elevator as well if necessary.

The reception has 2 desks where you can find at least one receptionist at all times during your stay. Here you are welcome if you have any type of questions, want to make a restaurant reservation, book a massage or pedicure, connect your devices to the onboard wifi, or if you have any type of question or request.

Right after checkin in and getting to know our cabin, we requested 2 extra pillows at the reception which were delivered within 10 minutes. Making a dinner reservation for the next day was taken care of instantly as well.

The staff was very polite, friendly and hands on. Excellent service at the reception!

Also in this area opposite the reception desk is the excursions desk where you can book your guided trips and tours, or get extra information about the cities you are about to visit, rent (free) bikes, specific docking location etc. We didn’t book any excursions with VIVA, we decided to explore Rotterdam, Düsseldorf and Amsterdam on our own.

Next to the excursions desk is a small shop that sells accessories such as scarfs, jewellery, sunglasses, hats, caps, handbags, Ritual perfumes etc.

One flight of stairs down is the atrium where you can find the water refill station for your reusable VIVA water bottles, public toilets, and a messaging board where you can check today’s menus for both restaurants.

Lounge and bar

Next to the reception area is the lounge and bar area.

It is the heart of the ship where evening entertainment, captain’s welcome drink, afternoon tea and events take place. It is nicely decorated with lovely colors, comfortable chairs and fresh flowers.

The wide windows give you a lovely view on the surroundings once the ship is on the move, very enjoyable.

Here you can come and sit to read a book, meet up with people, enjoy a drink and relax.

The bar opens at 10am and closes at midnight.

All drinks a la carte are included: water, hot beverages, soft drinks, beers (bottled and on tap), cocktails, prosecco, champagne, wine, liquors and spirits… It is all included and of good quality.

We thought that the service was quite attentive and fast.

Afternoon tea

On some days afternoon tea is served in the lounge, check the daily program in your room for the right hours.

Come and enjoy a collection of sweet and savory treats such as sandwiches, pies, tarts, patisserie, pan cotta, cheese, crackers, biscuits and warm bread pudding.

Plenty of choice, we really liked the quality of the treats on offer. Excellent patisserie, scones with cream and jam, yummy sandwiches. That together with a cup of tea or a glass of champagne, made it a lovely afternoon bite. Very enjoyable moment. A pianist plays some classic tunes on a grand piano as well, excellent.

If afternoon tea isn’t served, you can still ask the bar staff for a slice of cake or pie in the afternoon.

The lounge is pretty quiet in the morning, after lunch it tends to fill up fast. When afternoon tea is served and live piano is played, this place is packed and it gets extremely noisy. We have been on other river cruises and the lounges were very comparable in size. It was never this noisy before, so we blamed it on the bad acoustics?

The seating area at the very end behind the bar was more enjoyable so we preferred to sit there before and after dinner. More about evening entertainment later in the post.

Riverside restaurant

The Riverside main dining room is located under the reception and bar lounge area.

Here breakfast, lunch and dinner is served.

Again it is a nicely decorated place that looks very inviting.

But again the unbelievable bad acoustic design really made it hard to have a proper conversation with fellow guests at our table without shouting.

The service at the restaurant was really excellent, with again a very attentive and super friendly staff.

Breakfast on the VIVA One is served buffet style in the Riverside restaurant.

It is open from 7:30am until 9:30am.

We very much liked the choice there was.

Cold items included several Danish pastries, a nice choice of breads, marmalades, cold cuts, cheeses, smoked salmon, pickled herring, fruit juices, prosecco, raw vegetables, muesli, granola, yogurts.

On the hot station: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, potato croquettes, and a daily changing choice of waffles, pancakes, tomatoes, mushrooms, roast potatoes.

Besides the buffet items, you also have the possibility to have eggs to order. Omelettes with ham, cheese, smoked salmon, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and/or onions. Fried eggs, freshly scrambled eggs, boiled or poached eggs.

Warm cereal was also on the menu: semolina or oat porridge.

Our eggs to order were always cooked perfectly, and made in no time. We never had to wait long to get them delivered to our table. The scrambled eggs on the hot buffet were delicious as well, we have to add. Nicely seasoned and creamy, not the dry powdery stuff you often get in hotels. The bacon wasn’t crispy but very flavorful and nicely salty though.

Excellent quality, we really enjoyed our breakfasts here. Yum!

Staff was great, always welcoming and fast to prep a table if necessary. Coffee was also served in coffee jugs that were placed on your breakfast table. We really appreciate that. We drink quite a few cups of coffee for breakfast and always find it annoying to having to ask for extra coffee refills 10 times or more.

Great start of our day, very happy with the breakfast on board the VIVA One!

Lunch is served in the Riverside restaurant from 12:30pm until 2pm.

It consists of a starter, main dish and dessert.

Mains included steak, fish and chips, and pasta or a salad. Vegetarian options are available as well.

We had lunch on the VIVA One just once, in the Bistro (more on that later). On all other days we visited the cities where we were docked and had lunch in town.

Dinner is served in the Riverside restaurant from 7pm until 9pm.

It consists of an appetizer, soup, main (meat, fish or vegetarian) and dessert.

We had dinner here 3 times, and apart from one main course we loved all the dishes that we ordered. Excellent food, fresh ingredients, perfect execution and top notch seasoning.

The dishes that we loved the most were the juicy beef tenderloin, rosé duck fillet and turbot. Every single one was amazing, and served in excellent company of perfectly cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, celeriac puree and gnocchi.

The only time we were let down was when we ordered the pot of fresh mussels cooked in white wine with vegetables. The mussels were chewy, as if they had been cooked in advance and then reheated. Pity.

The appetisers, salad and soups on the dinner menus were also very appetising: we remember the poached egg with broad beans and prosciutto, smoky split pea soup, cream of cauliflower soup with truffle foam and roasted vegetable medley with bresaola and bread sticks.

Same song for the desserts: the sweet desserts were excellent, but what we loved the most was the cheese plate. Lovely mix of flavorful hard and soft cheeses, served at room temperature with fresh fruits, crackers and nuts. Yum.

During dinner there are 2 wine suggestions, red and white. You can also get rosé wine but you have to ask for it. The wines were OK, French and South African wines. We were expecting to see more German wines on this ship since VIVA is a German river cruise company, and Germany was the destination of the trip. Germany has excellent and very affordable wines, our trip would have been even better to see some here on the VIVA One to accompany our dinners.

Staff again was always very hands on, extremely friendly and attentive.

On the third night on the VIVA One a Gala dinner was announced on the daily program we received the night before, and a captain’s cocktail right before that. What wasn’t mentioned is that all guests were supposed to sit down for dinner at 7pm. We went for a drink in the lounge at 7:30pm and the bar man asked if we were skipping dinner. He said that tonight dinner started at 7pm for everyone, so we made our way to the Riverside restaurant with our drinks. A waiter showed us to a table of 6 where 4 other guests were in the middle of eating their starters. He brought us our appetiser, soup and starter in no time, so that by the time the main dish was served we had already caught up with everyone.

Bistro restaurant

At the end of the Diamond deck hallway in the back of the ship is another restaurant called VIVA’s Bistro.

It is a small place with seating for about 32 people.

The Bistro is open for an early bird breakfast from 7am until 7:30am, lunch from 12:30pm until 2pm and dinner from 7pm until 9pm. When it is the Gala dinner night at the Riverside restaurant, the Bistro is closed.

For dinner you need to make a reservation in advance at the reception.

As the VIVA One was leaving Rotterdam at 1pm, we decided to have lunch here at the Bistro.

There were only 2 other couples who had the same idea, so it was very quiet. We had a table by the window and enjoyed our lunch while watching our ship leave Rotterdam and head for Düsseldorf. Even though it was a grey and cold autumn day, the landscapes and panorama were great.

The waiter promptly brought us menus and took care of our drink order.

On the menu simple items such as soup, salads, grilled sandwiches and burgers. Which sounded perfect after walking around in Rotterdam in the cold icy weather.

We ordered the tomato soup, caesar salad with chicken, and both the grilled pastrami sandwich.

The food is prepared in a small kitchen on the spot, and since there is almost no one in the restaurant our food arrives at light speed. The waiter also tops up our wine glasses and gets us an extra portion of bread and butter.

The soup is creamy and hot, just what I was craving after our walk. Yum, excellent.

On the opposite side of the table sits the caesar salad with chicken, super crispy and fresh little gem lettuce in a light dressing covered with shaved parmesan cheese, croutons and juicy strips of chicken breast. Perfectly seasoned, very good caesar salad. Loved it!

Our sandwiches arrive not much later after our waiter has cleared our table.

Grilled caraway seed rye bread, stuffed with pastrami, sauerkraut and cheese. It looks a little thin at first, but the flavor is absolutely there. There’s extra mustard on the side if you like.

And the fries that come with the sandwich are good as well. Crispy and well cooked, with ketchup and mayo on the side.

We decide to skip dessert and go to our room for a shower and a nap.

This was a delicious lunch!

On our second night on the VIVA One we booked a table for dinner at the Bistro.

The place is fully booked.

We get the last free table, a table for 2 near the entrance. The same waiter who took care of us during lunch here the other day hands out menus and brings a bottle of water. Another waiter stops by with bottles of red and white wine and fills our glasses.

It takes a while before we can place our order. It seems like a lot of dishes are coming out of the kitchen at the same time. Some plates are dying in the window, it feels like the staff doesn’t know where to look first. Anyway, the wine is still being topped up, and the bread and butter are again delicious to munch and snack on. We are in no hurry.

20 minutes later service is back on track and our orders are taken. Cured meats and roasted vegetables for starters, chimichurri steak and prawns for mains and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Both starters are cold, so they arrive pretty fast.

Prosciutto and salami, served with bread sticks and a spicy tomato jam. Good, not mind blowing but a nice little starter.

The roasted vegetables are a mixture of carrot, zucchini, bimi broccoli and tomatoes, served with a dipping sauce drizzled with balsamic vinegar and bread sticks as well.

Again a simple starter, nice. Opens up our palates.

Our mains arrive.

The prawns are steaming hot, clearly microwaved. But they are surprisingly juicy and plump. The buttery sauce that is served with it is a tad spicy and quite pleasant. It could have been served with some more grilled bread than just 2 slices.

The side dish consists of oven baked cauliflower with cheese and capers. An odd flavor combo but it works. Just not alongside these buttery spicy prawns we think.

The steak is supposed to be a sirloin, however it is not what you would expect it to be. No sear on it, it looks like this slice was cut off a larger cooked beef cut. Even though the chimichurri is zippy, it can’t hide the poor an pale look. Not a lot of flavor in this ‘steak’. And it was lukewarm at best. We left more than half of it on our plate. Nobody asked why.

The sweet potato fries were crispy, but a bit dry. And again a surprising side dish that sounded odd at first but turned out to taste really nice: cooked black beans topped off with feta cheese.

Happy with our main meals? Not really, if we had more days left on this VIVA One cruise trip, we would not come back here in the evening.

Fortunately dessert was absolutely to die for: sticky toffee pudding served warm with ice cream, strawberries, sliced banana and syrup. What a heavenly treat!

Sundeck and jacuzzi

Take the outside steps at reception level and they will lead you to the sundeck on the very top of the VIVA One.

Plenty of space here to enjoy the surrounding landscapes when the ship is on the move, or just docked in a beautiful place. This is also the only place where smoking is allowed.

There are sun loungers, chairs and tables, covered by a removable sun canopy and even a couple of hammocks.

At the end of the sundeck is a small jacuzzi.

On our trip the weather wasn’t great, lots of rain, cloudy skies and wind. So not the best time to sit outside, however the jacuzzi was working and the water was nice and warm. Not that we ever saw anyone brave enough for a quick dip in the pool.

But we can imagine that when the sun is out, this sundeck must be lovely to come sit in a lounger, read, nap, have a drink and enjoy.

Entertainment

After dinner the bar and lounge area fills up again with guests.

Drinks are being served, the bar staff is extremely busy and fast to take and bring your order.

Depending on the day, evening entertainment starts at 9pm or 9:30pm.

ON our VIVA One trip a singing duo would entertain guests with a synthesiser and perform songs by Tom Jones, Boney M., Barry White and so. The people loved it, the dance floor would be packed each night. However this kind of music is not our cup of tea, a bit too tacky and mellow. Other guests were having a great time, which is great. It was just not for us. We would usually stay for a drink or 2 and then go to our room.

During afternoon tea a pianist plays classics on the grand piano next to the bar.

One morning after breakfast an Antwerp comedian and singer would perform, but we left before that to explore Düsseldorf instead.

Wellness and gym

The VIVA One has a sauna, steam bath, gym and wellness on board.

You can book your treatments at the reception area.

Internet connection was great and very fast.

Upon embarkation, link your device(s) to the wifi network and have a member of the reception team scan the QR code to connect you to the onboard wifi.

The internet speed was good enough even to download episodes on Netflix and such, excellent!

Bike rental

VIVA One has (non-electric) bikes on board that you can use for free.

Ask a member of the reception or excursion staff if you are interested.

Depending on the capacity, it is possible to take your own bikes with you on board the ship. Make sure to ask in advance when you book your trip.

Would we recommend the VIVA One river cruise ship?

Yes, it is a beautiful ship.

We really liked the feeling of being surrounded, in our room and public spaces, by things looking very spic and span, and fresh and bright.

The food in the Riverside restaurant for us was a true highlight. Excellent, a real treat.

The staff all around the ship was superb, extremely helpful and fast.

There were a couple of things that we didn’t quite like, however keeping those in mind we now know what to expect on a VIVA cruise.

So would we book again with VIVA and on the VIVA One?

Yes, definitely!

This 5 day trip was an excellent way to find out if VIVA cruises is a river cruise company for us.

• fresh, bright and modern river cruise ship
• comfortable and beautiful design of the cabin and bathroom
• very good mattress and pillows
• excellent housekeeping
• all inclusive food, drinks, tips and minibar
• excellent food on the Riverside dinner menu
• very helpful and attentive staff and service
• excellent and fast internet connect
• unbelievably bad acoustics, very noisy lounge bar and main restaurant
• underwhelming quality of the Bistro dinner menu
• evening entertainment was not our cup of tea

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The 7 Best Mississippi River Cruises for 2024

T he more than 2,300-mile Mississippi River invites travelers to discover its multifaceted heritage, with a vast range of deeply rooted culture, music and history. A cruise is a fantastic way to discover many of the riverfront cities on a single trip, from the comfort of your modern riverboat or traditional paddle-wheeler.

The following Mississippi River cruise itineraries can help you choose from cruises of various lengths and options for the Lower and Upper Mississippi. Note that all fares are listed as double occupancy (based on two people per cabin), and that they might not reflect taxes, port fees or gratuities. The itinerary availability listed is also subject to change.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines operates small ships accommodating between 90 and 180 passengers that are built, flagged and crewed in the U.S. – and it's the only company in the world operating a 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and cruise ships. ACL's itineraries traverse waterways across 35 states, with 11 itineraries dedicated to the Mississippi River. Cruisers can choose to sail on modern riverboats with a sleek interior design or while away their time aboard classic paddle-wheelers reminiscent of days gone by.

ACL offers variety as well as versatility: This line boasts both the longest and shortest sailings on this list with cruises ranging from eight to 60 days in length, including The Great United States. This inaugural 60-day voyage spans four major rivers and 20 states, making it the longest U.S. river cruise in history.

Complimentary hotel and transportation packages are available from every departure city before your cruise. You can book certain premium packages for added perks, such as two nights spent next door to Graceland in Memphis – with VIP tickets and a city tour included in the price.

Music Cities Cruise

Length: Eight days

Price: Starts at $3,610 per person

Spend a week getting lost in the sounds of the Memphis blues, rock 'n' roll and country music legends on the seven-night Music Cities Cruise. A hotel stay the night before your sailing is included, but embarking in Memphis means you also have the chance to splurge on a two-night pre-cruise package near Elvis' former home Graceland .

Ports of call include Paducah, Kentucky; Dover, Tennessee; and Clarksville, Tennessee, with an overnight in Nashville and an included excursion to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Two scenic sailing days feature picturesque views of America's Heartland along the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland rivers as well as Lake Barkley.

2024 dates: In 2024, there are two available itineraries in September and November.

Grand Heartland Cruise: St. Paul to New Orleans

Length: 15 days

Price: Starts at $9,455 per person

This 15-day voyage allows you to explore America's rich history in towns along the Upper and Lower Mississippi River. The immersive voyage covers six states and 12 cities including St. Paul, Minnesota ; Dubuque, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri ; Memphis, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; and more.

Take a step back in time while visiting Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, exploring stately historic estates in Natchez and Civil War sites in Vicksburg. At the end of a busy day ashore, you'll have plenty to chat about with fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour.

2024 dates: American Heritage – ACL's traditional paddle-wheeler – and three modern riverboats set off on this journey from August to October in 2024.

Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul

Length: 22 days

Price: Starts at $14,935 per person

If you want to see the entire Mississippi in one shot, check out this multiweek sailing that begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota. Along the way, you'll sail 1,393 miles, visit 10 states and experience a staggering 20 ports of call as you tour Louisiana and then head northbound to Minnesota.

In the South, walk the battlefields of the Civil War and sample delicious Southern barbecue before listening to the rhythms of jazz, the blues and rock 'n' roll. Then, explore the small and larger cities along the upper parts of the river. Remember to take time to gaze out at the picturesque scenery and the rolling farmlands of America's Midwest before disembarking in St. Paul.

2024 dates: Three of ACL's modern riverboats sail this itinerary in May, June and August in 2024.

The Great United States

Length: 60 days

Price: Starts at $51,000

This two-month long journey – the longest domestic itinerary ever created – will check all the boxes for U.S. history and Civil War buffs, music and nature lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and beer and distilled spirits aficionados alike as the ship traverses America's iconic waterways through 20 states and 50 ports of call.

This epic journey showcases the natural beauty and living history of the U.S. from sea to shining sea. The sailing embarks in Portland, Oregon , on the Pacific Coast before traveling east to the Atlantic shore along four major rivers that highlight some of the country's most stunning coastlines. Upon arrival in New York Harbor, guests will have an unforgettable view of one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S.: the Statue of Liberty .

Passengers can follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Snake and Columbia rivers; cruise along Ol' Man River in search of Mark Twain and Elvis; see the vibrant colors of fall during peak season on the Hudson River; and take in the coastal breezes (and fresh seafood) along New England's rocky coastline.

This curated adventure also includes two flights: Jackson, Wyoming , to New Orleans as well as St. Paul to Portland, Maine , plus a land package through Glacier , Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. All-inclusive pricing covers the pre-cruise hotel stay, all flights and hotels between cruise segments, an ACL jacket and gear pack, daily excursions, all meals and beverages, gratuities and port charges, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

2024 dates: The inaugural cruise sets sail on August 16, 2024.

Raw HTML : Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Viking River Cruises

Viking is no stranger to sailing Europe's rivers; the brand is synonymous with river cruising worldwide aboard its dozens of ships. However, Viking River Cruises is a newcomer to U.S. rivers, with its purpose-built ship: the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi. Looking to carve out its own niche in the American river cruising category, Viking claims it has the region's "first truly modern cruise ship" with its distinct Scandinavian design and expansive top sun deck with an infinity plunge pool.

Viking's mostly all-inclusive fares include a complimentary excursion in each port, destination lectures and performances, beer and wine at meals, free Wi-Fi, specialty coffees and teas, and more. The line offers five itineraries ranging in length from eight to 22 days along the Mighty Mississippi. Pre- and post-cruise extensions can be added to all voyages for an additional expense.

New Orleans & Southern Charms: Round-trip from New Orleans

Price: Starts at $3,999 per person

If you don't know which Viking Mississippi itinerary to choose, start here. A round-trip voyage from New Orleans is convenient for booking flights and offers an excellent opportunity to extend your stay in NOLA. Six guided tours are included across eight days, from the historic estates of Natchez to Vicksburg National Military Park. A stop in St. Francisville gives you the chance to marvel at some of the 140-plus buildings it has on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you extend your stay in New Orleans, plan to sample the local Creole cuisine and take in some of the city's nightly jazz entertainment. In the morning, grab a beignet and a steaming cup of chicory coffee au lait at the original Café du Monde in the French Market.

2024 dates: This itinerary is available on select dates in February, November and December.

Heart of the Delta: New Orleans to Memphis

Length: Nine days

Price: Starts at $4,299 per person

Similar to its round-trip New Orleans Southern Charms itinerary, the Heart of the Delta cruise begins in New Orleans and calls on the same five ports, before sailing through the Lower Mississippi and disembarking in Memphis. Enjoy scenic views of the serpentine river route – perhaps with expert commentary or a local cooking demonstration – and then take time to explore the birthplace of the Memphis blues, which is also a center of civil rights history.

2024 dates: In 2024, this cruise is available in February, March, April, May, June and November.

America's Great River: St. Paul to New Orleans

Price: Starts at $12,999 per person

This Viking voyage sails from St. Paul to New Orleans on a two-week trip that calls on 13 ports with one day of scenic sailing. This itinerary combines the best of Viking's other Mississippi sailings for an all-encompassing Midwestern and Southern experience with 12 guided tours.

Included in the fare is a tour of Graceland; a stroll through small-town Burlington, Iowa, to see Snake Alley, deemed the most crooked street in the world; and a visit to the National Eagle Center of Red Wing, among others. For an additional fee, hop on an airboat ride through the Atchafalaya Swamp in Baton Rouge or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery of St. Louis.

2024 dates: Viking has availability for this itinerary in July, September and October.

Want to cruise the Mississippi River? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

FAQ Module : Travel - Top Mississippi River Cruises FAQs

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on America's waterways, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Most recently, she traveled on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries, specializing in cruises, for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top River Cruise Lines
• The Top All-Inclusive Cruises
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Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

Norwegian Viva Gets Anchor Reinstalled in Puerto Rico

• April 6, 2024

The Norwegian Viva saw its anchor reinstalled during a recent visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The work was done by Cruise Plus Services.

According to At Line, LLC, the local shipping agent that also was contracted for line handling and barge operations, the equipment was successfully reinstalled on the ship on March 31, 2024. It was previously said to have been removed for repair purposes.

The portside anchor was installed back with the help of a forklift and barge, which brought the equipment close to the Viva’s bow.

The procedure was carried out during the regular operations of the Norwegian Cruise Line ship. Presently based in Puerto Rico, the Norwegian Viva was starting a seven-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean on that day.

Currently wrapping up its winter season in the region, the Prima-Class vessel has been sailing from San Juan since December .

During the winter, the ship offered a series of seven-night cruises that explored several destinations in the region, including Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and more.

On April 7, the Viva is scheduled to set sail on a trans-Atlantic crossing to Europe ahead of a summer program in the Mediterranean.

Marking the ship’s second season in the region, the schedule includes different nine- to 11-night itineraries that visit destinations in Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Malta and Turkey.

Following another trans-Atlantic crossing, the Norwegian Viva is set to return to Puerto Rico on December 15, 2024.

The ship then offers a second winter season in the Southern Caribbean, with seven-night cruises to destinations to ports in Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and more.

A sister to the 2022-built Norwegian Prima, the Norwegian Viva entered service in August 2023 . Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 142,000-ton vessel can accommodate up to 3,215 guests in double occupancy.

Continuing the Prima Class, Norwegian Cruise Line is scheduled to receive the Norwegian Aqua in April 2025 .

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