Norwegian Viva
Prima · Mediterranean, Caribbean & Bahamas
Norwegian Viva entered service in 2023 as the second Prima-class ship. Although it shares almost the same design as its sister ship Prima, it focuses on the Mediterranean. It retains the class's signature features, including the wraparound Ocean Boulevard deck opened at the stern, a three-story, open-plan theater, and a go-kart course. In summer 2026, it will operate longer 9- to 10-night Mediterranean itineraries based around Istanbul, Ravenna, Barcelona, and Civitavecchia (Rome), covering a wide area from the Aegean islands to the Adriatic Sea. In winter, it moves to Galveston and Miami for Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. It suits travelers who prioritize the number of ports while also wanting to enjoy the ship.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9823998)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese food at extra cost
Some Japanese language support
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
As of 2026, Free at Sea is effectively included as standard with most NCL fares, conditionally covering unlimited drinks for guests aged 21 and over sharing the cabin, 150 minutes of Wi-Fi, several specialty dining visits, and a $50 credit per port. Free at Sea Plus (an additional $49.99 per day) further adds prepaid crew service charges, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, and 50% off specialty dining. With the base fare (without a promotion), everything except meals costs extra.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$10
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3.50
- Extra chargeDrink packageMany fares include Free at Sea, with basic benefits provided at no charge for all guests aged 21 and over sharing a room. A standalone Premium Plus Beverage Package costs about $138/day; upgrading from an existing package costs an additional $29/day.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiWith Free at Sea, all guests sharing a stateroom each receive 150 free minutes of Wi-Fi.
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$20/day (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Club Balcony Suite), $25/day (other suites, The Haven)
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)About $150 to $200 (an estimate based on actual prices for 50- to 75-minute treatments; the confirmed amount for a 60-minute session alone has not been verified)
- Extra chargeLaundryNo self-service laundry. A fill-a-bag service costs about $35, one shirt costs $5.95, and dry cleaning costs $7.95. Latitudes upper-tier members receive discounts and complimentary benefits.
- Shore excursionsNCL-operated shore excursions can be purchased separately (prices vary by content and port, from tens to hundreds of dollars). When Free at Sea applies, a $50 credit is provided for each port (up to 6 ports; limits apply).
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Galveston (Texas; a major home port for winter Caribbean cruises; the season started in autumn 2025), San Juan (Puerto Rico; year-round Caribbean round-trip home port), Barcelona (Spain; a major departure port for the Mediterranean summer season), Civitavecchia (Rome; Mediterranean summer season), Ravenna (Venice; Mediterranean summer season), Istanbul (Mediterranean summer season)
- Departure ports: Galveston, San Juan, Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Ravenna (Venice), Istanbul
- All ages
- An active, casual atmosphere with plenty of experiential attractions, including go-karts (Viva Speedway), interactive mini-golf (Tee Time), and aqua parks. Freestyle cruising offers a relaxed dress code.
- In winter (around November to April), it cruises the Caribbean on round trips from Galveston and San Juan, with casual passengers mainly from North America. In summer (around April to October), it sails Mediterranean open-jaw routes linking Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Istanbul, and the share of European guests rises. Right after entering service (2023) it sailed round trips from Miami, then moved its home port to San Juan and Galveston, operating on a seasonal deployment pattern.
The Prima class, including Norwegian Viva, achieves about 20% greater energy efficiency than conventional ships. The NCL Group is conducting demonstration operations using biofuel (about a 30% blend with heavy fuel oil), expanding shore-power support while in port, and targeting net zero by 2050.
Ship character
- • Mediterranean cruises
- • Port-focused travelers
- • Adults traveling together
- • Travelers able to take 9- to 10-night trips
- • Travelers limited to short itineraries
- • Travelers focused on Northern Europe or Alaska
- • Travelers requiring Japanese-language support
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishGrecian Yearn #4 – Travelogue – Cruise Ship Review – Norwegian Viva
dolphinflyer.blogspot.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- ArticleEnglishNorwegian Viva: Upscale Cruising Meets New Ship Kinks - Luxury Travel Authority
luxurytravelauthority.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishNorwegian Viva Greek Isles Cruise: The Truth About What I Paid • Owen Places • Cruise Blog • Travel Blogger
owenplaces.com · Sailed May 16, 2024 · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishNORWEGIAN VIVA REVIEW: Our 13 Night NCL Tryout
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishI Just Returned from Norwegian Viva's Christening Cruise!
eatsleepcruise.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
Sources
- Officialncl.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Secondary sourcevesselfinder.com
- Secondary sourcefreestyletravelers.com
- Secondary sourcenorwegiancruiselineblog.com
- Secondary sourceeatsleepcruise.com
- Secondary sourcegangwaze.com
- Officialncl.com (2)
- Officialncl.com (3)
- Officialncl.com (4)
- Officialncl.com (5)
- Officialncl.com (6)
- Officialncl.com (7)
- Officialncl.com (8)
- Officialncl.com (9)
- Secondary sourcefincantieri.com
- Officialncl.com (10)
- Secondary sourcecruisehive.com
- Secondary sourcenclhltd.com
- Secondary sourcecruzely.com
- Secondary sourcefrommers.com
- Secondary sourcethepointsguy.com
- Secondary sourcecruisebooking.com
- Secondary sourcenorwegiancruiselineblog.com (2)
- Secondary sourcenorwegiancruiselineblog.com (3)
- Secondary sourcecruzely.com (2)
- Secondary sourcecandidcruisetravel.com
- Secondary sourcecruisebooking.com (2)
- Secondary sourceemmacruises.com
- Secondary sourceicruise.com
Source: Wikipedia “Norwegian Viva” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Inside Cabin The ship's lowest-priced category without windows or balconies. 17 of its 385 cabins are ADA accessible and feature wide doors, roll-in showers, and other accommodations. The cabin configuration is the same as on sister ship Norwegian Prima. 385 cabins / Decks 5 and 9-16 | 15–24 m² (161–258 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twin). Family-type cabins have an added sofa bed and accommodate up to 4 guests. | Accessible | Check the official page |
Studio Single The smallest category for 1-person travel. There is no window or balcony, but it includes a private lounge where solo guests can socialize. A distinctive NCL-style cabin type. 73 cabins / Decks 12-13 forward | 9 m² (97 ft²) | 1 guest (single occupancy) Full-size bed, 1 bed. | Solo | Check the official page |
Oceanview Cabin Cabins with large porthole windows. Three types are available: Standard (17 m²), Large (22 m²), and Family (up to 34 m²), with 7 of 190 cabins ADA accessible. 190 cabins / Deck 5 | 17–34 m² (183–366 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twin). Family-type cabins have an added sofa bed. | WindowAccessible | Check the official page |
Balcony Stateroom The largest category with private balconies. 16 of the 946 cabins are ADA accessible. Smoking is prohibited, including on balconies. 946 cabins / Decks 9-16 | 21–34 m² (226–366 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twin). Family-type cabins have an added sofa bed. | BalconyAccessible | Check the official page |
Club Balcony Suite / Family Suite A group of regular-deck suites and family suites outside The Haven, totaling 80 cabins. Dedicated butlers and concierges are exclusive to The Haven and are not included with this category. 80 cabins / Decks 9-13 (forward, midship, aft) | 22–59 m² (237–635 ft²) | 2-4 people Mainly king beds. Family-type cabins have an added sofa bed and accommodate up to 4 guests. | Balcony | Check the official page |
The Haven The ship's highest-tier dedicated area, The Haven. Its 107 cabins range from penthouses for 2 guests (27 m² or more) to the 3-bedroom Premier Owner's Suite for 8 guests (195 m²). One of the 107 cabins, Haven Aft Penthouse, is ADA accessible. The dedicated area spans 8 decks and has 2 private elevators. 107 cabins / Decks 10-15 (dedicated area, mainly midship and aft) | 27–195 m² (291–2,099 ft²) | 2–8 guests King bed (1 to 3 beds depending on cabin type) | BalconyConciergeAccessible | Check the official page |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Guppies / Splash Academy / Entourage — A lineup of free programs: Guppies (6 months to 3 years, a play area with a guardian), Splash Academy (ages 3 to 12, with age-specific groups), and Entourage (for teens aged 13 to 17).
- • Vibe Beach Club — An adults-only sun deck for guests aged 18 and over on the aft of Deck 17, with large jacuzzis and private-feeling lounge chairs, plus services such as chilled towels and fruit skewers.
- • Casino — A casino centered on slot machines and table games in the middle of Deck 6. Guests must be 18 or older (21 or older in some cases on sailings departing from or arriving in the United States).
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Charged automatically to your onboard account after boarding as the Discretionary Service Charge. Prepayment is also possible. A separate 20% service charge is added to food and drink purchases such as drink packages, specialty restaurants and the spa.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Many ships have both North American-standard 110V-range and European-standard 220/230V-range outlets.
- Formal nights
- Because of the Freestyle concept, no mandatory formal nights are scheduled. There is a "Dress up or not" night that encourages guests to dress up if they wish, but participation is free.
- Medical facilities
- Every ship has a 24-hour medical center, with about 1 to 2 doctors and 2 to 3 nurses on staff depending on ship size. Consultation and treatment costs are not included in the fare and are billed separately to your onboard account (an itemized statement for insurance claims can be issued). Travel insurance is recommended.
- Bringing items onboard
- At embarkation, you may bring up to 1 bottle each of wine and champagne (Other alcohol, beer, and drinks such as water and soda are not allowed). A corkage fee applies when opened in restaurants, bars or cabins ($15 for a 750 ml bottle, $30 for a 1.5 L magnum). Holders of a drinks package (including Free at Sea) are exempt.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Offshore (as a guide, 12 nautical miles or more from land), your home carrier's roaming can be used through Cellular at Sea (an onboard base station, displayed under names such as "cellularatsea"), but both calls and data tend to be expensive. Switching to airplane mode and using Wi-Fi calling (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, etc.) over the onboard Wi-Fi is offered as a cheaper alternative.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
One of Viva's main dining venues. There is no fixed seating; guests can dine at any time in a freestyle cruising format. It shares the same name and format as Prima.
Hours: Breakfast 7:30-9:30, lunch 12:00-14:00, dinner around 17:30-21:30
A complimentary main dining room run in the same way as Hudson's (same rotating menu). Open for dinner only, it also helps spread out crowds when other venues are busy.
Hours: Dinner only, around 17:30-21:30
A standard casual dining venue in buffet format, with themed dinners that change daily.
Hours: Breakfast 7:00-10:00, lunch 12:00-15:00, dinner around 17:30-21:30
A complimentary 24-hour pub dining venue offering burgers, wings, fish and chips, and other late-night favorites.
Hours: Open 24 hours
An indoor-outdoor food hall at the aft of Deck 8 with several booths, including BBQ, noodles, Indian, Latin, tapas, custom salads, and desserts. Most are complimentary; only Starbucks and the ice cream shop charge a fee. It has the same concept as Prima.
Hours: Breakfast 7:00-10:00, lunch 12:00-15:00, dinner around 17:30-21:30
A paid steakhouse known for authentic steaks. It uses the fixed-course set menu ($60) common to the Prima class.
- 8 oz filet mignonIncluded in the set-menu price
- Lobster tail (additional charge)+$25
- Seven-layer chocolate cakeIncluded in the set-menu price
A Mexican restaurant popular for table-side guacamole and margaritas. It uses the set-menu charge ($40) common to the Prima class.
- Tableside guacamole, freshIncluded in the set-menu price
- Cochinita pibil (braised pork)Included in the set-menu price
- ChurrosIncluded in the set-menu price
An Italian restaurant supervised by renowned chef Scarpetta, well known for its pizza and seared octopus. It uses the set-menu charge ($40) common to the Prima class.
- Margherita pizzaIncluded in the set-menu price
- Burrata (with prosciutto)Included in the set-menu price
- Grilled octopusIncluded in the set-menu price
A formal dining restaurant serving traditional French cuisine. It uses the set-menu charge ($60) common to the Prima class.
- Escargot BourguignonIncluded in the set-menu price
- Côte de veau (roasted veal)Included in the set-menu price
A teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurant where chefs cook in front of guests, with a menu that Japanese guests will also find familiar.
- Teppanyaki course (with edamame, soup, salad, main and dessert)$49 (fixed price)
A Japanese restaurant serving sushi and sashimi. It uses the set-price system common to the Prima class.
- Sushi roll and sashimi (choose four-item set)$50 (set, up to 4 items selectable)
An upscale venue said to be NCL's first Mediterranean-concept restaurant. Luxurious add-on options include lobster and whole fish served with head and tail.
- Grilled Mediterranean sea bassIncluded in the set-menu price
- Whole lobster (additional charge)+$25
A casual venue where guests order street food from around the world a la carte on a tabletop tablet, including sushi, schnitzel, nachos, gyoza, and pad Thai.
- Pad Thai$19
- Sushi, schnitzel, nachos, dumplings, and moreVarious a la carte items
Facilities and activities
A three-level go-kart track spanning Decks 18 to 20, approximately 420m long with 14 turns. It is equivalent to Norwegian Prima's Prima Speedway and was renamed Viva Speedway after the ship. It is a separate facility from The Rush slide in the aqua park. The maximum speed is 40mph, but normal operation is limited to about 27mph. Height and weight restrictions apply.
A three-level water area with two pools, several water slides (including the free-fall The Drop, dual-racing The Rush, and tube-float-friendly Tidal Wave), and four jacuzzis. It follows the same concept as Prima.
An interactive and tech-enhanced mini-golf course on Deck 18, described as the first of its kind at sea. Players' scores are linked to their key cards, and features include age-appropriate quizzes. It is a Prima-class facility beside Prima Speedway.
A cushioned outdoor jogging and walking track on the upper deck. It lets guests run while viewing the ocean. Norwegian Prima is said to have no jogging track, offering only walks along Ocean Boulevard, so this may be an addition on Viva. The exact lap distance and deck number have not been confirmed.
An outdoor promenade circling Deck 8, including two infinity pools (one on each of the port and starboard sides), the glass-floored Oceanwalk bridge, The Concourse sculpture garden, and more.
An adults-only sun deck for guests aged 18 and over on the aft of Deck 17, with large jacuzzis and private-feeling lounge chairs, plus services such as chilled towels and fruit skewers.
A large spa on the forward part of Deck 16, following the interior renewed on the Prima class, with a two-level waterfall and a charcoal sauna said to be an industry first, among other features. It offers massages, facials, thermal suites, and more.
A three-level main theater spanning the forward sections of Decks 6 to 8. Production shows are free to watch, and the venue converts into a nightclub at night. It is equivalent to Prima's Prima Theater & Club and was renamed after the ship.
A casino centered on slot machines and table games in the middle of Deck 6. Guests must be 18 or older (21 or older in some cases on sailings departing from or arriving in the United States).
A gym on Deck 16 with 270-degree ocean views. Equipment is free to use, but classes in two studios, including Ryde (cycling) and HIIT, may incur a charge. It uses a brand shared across the NCL fleet.
A lineup of free programs: Guppies (6 months to 3 years, a play area with a guardian), Splash Academy (ages 3 to 12, with age-specific groups), and Entourage (for teens aged 13 to 17).
A dance and nightlife lounge distinguished by neon lighting.
A small live music bar inspired by a rock bar. It can become crowded during live performances.
A beer bar offering more than 50 bottled beers, more than 20 draft beers, and craft cocktails.