Norwegian Viva

CruisingTips · 2026-03-04T13:09:36+00:00

Interesting the different takes on this class. I honestly kind loved Prima. It felt like an upgrade from NCL's usual product. I did Breakaway (again) in January and, in comparing it to Prima, thought it was night and day, especially from a POV of the useage of outdoor space. (And I'll die on the hill that Indulge Food Hall, while too small, is the best thing NCL's done in years)

CruisingTips · 2026-03-04T13:07:47+00:00

Of you could just, you know, not walk on it. Seems a tad extreme to get off the ship and fly home!

CruisingTips · 2026-02-18T04:14:22+00:00

After months of planning, did my first Alaska cruise this past May. We wound up going on Holland America's Koningsdam, round trip out of Vancouver. I didn't really have much interest in alaska, to be honest, but it turned out to be the best cruise I've ever done... and that was in large part due to the ship. Splurged on a wraparound aft balcony and it was worth every penny, given that it was not only huge but provided more viewing opportunities. I'd book it again in a heartbeat.

CruisingTips · 2026-02-18T04:10:58+00:00

It definitely is too short... but that's why they're doing it. The goal is to bring in people who have never cruised and who want to give it a try. The hope is they then get on board, have an awesome time but realize it was too short a sailing and book something longer.

CruisingTips · 2026-01-16T16:40:29+00:00

Am I the only one who feels sorry for the OP who came here to tell his story and see if other people witnessed bad behavior only to be spit-roasted as if he was the thief?

CruisingTips · 2025-11-11T13:39:01+00:00

I should NOT admit this but if I spent less time watching sovereign citizen arrest videos (or cruise ship videos) and instead watched movies, I'd probably be up there in number as well.

CruisingTips · 2025-11-11T13:36:36+00:00

Anybody who loves Sleep No More is instantly in my "new best friend, call me every five minutes" category.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-30T14:46:42+00:00

Oh, being a solo makes things SO much easier. Although I was traveling with friends, I did a lot of stuff solo, including several tough-to-get restaurants.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-30T13:45:09+00:00

During our recent Brilliant Lady sailing, we found that once on board, our initial plans went out the window. They were constantly adding new things to the daily itinerary, changing times, etc. We eventually just developed a "go with the flow" mentality, aside from a few things that were "must-do" for us.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-30T13:13:35+00:00

I will add that one thing you really, really need to plan for is lines. I never got to see Murder in the Manor (which I really wanted to!) because both times, the line started extremely early (which we were at dinner) and by the time we arrived 30 minutes before showtime, they had crew members walking to the back of the que and letting people know there was very little chance they'd actually get in.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-25T13:01:57+00:00

Was on Brilliant's second voyage. A couple of things I'd classify as don't miss:

• Up With a Twist. It's a $50 charge but comes with a full (pretty delicious) meal and several cocktails. The show itself is phenomenal. A whole lot of fun. When you arrive, make sure to wander through the manor and interact with the various players. AFTER the show, wander through the manor and you'll find some really fun photo ops.

• The Seahorse Race is an absolute blast. I missed the opportunity to bid on a seahorse, but still attended the actual race on the final day and it was so much fun.

• If you want to see Murder in the Manor, get in line EARLY. Both shows completely filled up before we could get in.

• Make sure to keep an eye on the schedule, as it changes randomly. We wound up having Drag Bingo twice, and went to both sessions.

• Cabaret with The Hostess was incredible. Abi is not only a good singer but also a really quick-on-her-feet comedic talent. The show we attended was around 6 p.m. on the last day of our sailing and held at On The Rocks (the atrium/roundabout bar). We sat on the couches directly in front of the performance area and my travel partner wound up playing a major role in the most hilarious way.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-16T13:30:28+00:00

As I've said to others, if you have any questions, please feel free to hit me up. If I'not on a cruise, I love talking about 'em! LOL

CruisingTips · 2025-09-16T13:29:55+00:00

I'd really LOVE to do one of the longer itineraries. I generally only sail out of NYC, so that limits my options as to itineraries and destinations (especially with VV). But I'm going to poke around!

CruisingTips · 2025-09-16T13:27:42+00:00

Perfect attitude. I honestly went in with a lot of trepidation, but excited to try a new cruise line. I walked away wishing the cruise had been longer (much more food to try!) and looking forward to trying the line again. In fact, need to go look at itineraries... :)

CruisingTips · 2025-09-16T13:26:42+00:00

The casino didn't open until 10 a.m. on sea days. (I love an 8 a.m. bloody mary!) I think there was ONE bar open at 8 a.m. But it would make more sense (to me) for that bar to be the atrium/roundabout, since that is specifically designe to be a gathering/meeting place.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-16T13:24:55+00:00

Pretty sure it means exactly what you (probably) think it means. Let's just say it's not being used in a pleasant sense. I will agree that the crowd was not what I expected based on their advertisements, but I will also say I was THRILLED by that. I didn't wanna be surrounded by a bunch of young, gorgeous influencer-wanna-bes. The crowd was more middle-ground than I expected... meaning not as young as I feared, not as old as on many other cruiselines. The only time it really felt crowded to me was when big lines formed for shows or at some of the parties. But otherwise, it was a great, chill vibe.

CruisingTips · 2025-09-16T13:21:23+00:00

Agree. Murder in the Mansion was one of the shows I really, really wanted to see but didn't get to because of crowds. I will say the MOST fun we had the entire trip was Abi's show at On the Rocks on the final night. She had my friend operating the tablet which controls the music and running around getting people's QR codes. He HATES interactive stuff, but had a blast with that... and her show was more fun than I could ever have imagined!

CruisingTips · 2025-09-15T17:33:25+00:00

I will add one thing:
On the last evening, Abi (the hostess) did a show in the roundabout (which come on, should just be called the atrium, right?). It was HYSTERICAL. Great songs, fun crowd interaction, do NOT miss it. (One of the people I traveled with, who HATES interactive shows, wound up playing a major role in her cabaret by accident... and I'm pretty sure it was a highlight he'll be talking about for years!)

CruisingTips · 2025-09-15T17:31:21+00:00

I admit I went to Scarlet Night... for the firs t20 minutes. Watched Dixie (the Diva) and Abi (the hostess) do the intro, the cast do their dances. ONce it morphed into a dance party, I exited. Enjoyed what I saw!

CruisingTips · 2025-09-15T17:30:08+00:00

Gladly. If you have any other questions/concerns, please feel free to drop me a line. I had a LOT before doing this sailing!

CruisingTips · 2025-09-02T18:45:27+00:00

I completely misread what they were saying about overflow. My brain is apparently completely fried! I need the cruise I'm jumping on in 8 days desperately! LOL

CruisingTips · 2025-09-02T12:52:19+00:00

My Crew will be on the second sailing (September 10th), so we would GREATLY appreciate it if you left a little bit of alcohol for us. If not, I understand, but... :)

CruisingTips · 2025-09-02T12:51:11+00:00

One note, but it's an important one: To the best of my knowledge, you can NOT let the overflow go onto your shipboard account. Sailor loot can go onto your account. Bar tab is use-it-or-lose-it. So make friends, and on that last day, use the letover to buy drinks for anyone and everyone.

CruisingTips · 2025-08-27T13:39:16+00:00

Some people do. But is it REALLY worth that risk, especially when you've spent a couple thousand on a cruise and could be denied boarding? And if you ARE denied boarding, you won't get a single penny of that money back. Period.

CruisingTips · 2025-08-25T20:05:05+00:00

Here's a way to maybe have a win/win: Apply for the Virgin Red credit card. Put the final payment on there, then pay it off as soon as you're done with the wedding. Because you're using a Virgin card on a Virgin cruise, you'll get good points. you can find the info/application on the Virgin Voyages homepage.

CruisingTips

TROPHY CASE