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After a refreshing and much-needed sleep, we woke as much as the beautiful coast of Croatia. Viva pulled into the port of Cut up at 10:00 a.m., which gave us further time to discover extra of the brand new Norwegian ship earlier than disembarking for the day.
Exploring the New Norwegian Ship
First up? A tour of The Haven. If you’re unfamiliar with the house, The Haven is Norwegian’s premium suite area and is usually coined a ship-within-a-ship. The house has its personal restaurant, exterior deck, bar, lounge, butler service and a few really stunning (and massively giant) staterooms.
Certainly, expertise doesn’t come low-cost, however — having been lucky sufficient to sail in The Haven as soon as prior to now — it’s every part it’s cracked as much as be and extra. The Haven area on Viva is similar to what you’ll discover on different Norwegian ships, however much more elevated. And one very large distinction is that the whole Haven advanced is perched on the again of the ship on Prima-class ships.
This implies the assorted non-public areas have attractive views of the wake. However it additionally signifies that all of the staterooms are positioned in the identical space, spanning three ranges, requiring particular key card entry. On many different NCL ships, solely a few of The Haven suites are a part of this centralized hub, with others positioned exterior the key-card protected space.
Like on Prima, The Haven space on Viva is bigger than on earlier ships. Cruisers should determine whether or not the expertise is well worth the worth, however for these keen to shell out the large bucks, it looks like a fairly wonderful expertise.
Prime Deck Leisure
One other nice space of the ship is the higher deck house which encompasses every part from water slides to a pickleball courtroom. This entire space feels such as you’ve wandered right into a high-class model of the Jersey Boardwalk or Disney Springs, with the assorted distractions right here combating on your consideration and your {dollars}. As a result of if there’s a draw back, many issues right here include a payment.
For instance, a really cool and interactive miniature golf course exists. And whereas it’s received plenty of bells and whistles, is it price $10 per particular person? I’ll admit, I paid for it (regardless of hardly ever making the most of the free miniature golf obtainable on different ships).
However that enjoyable will price a household of 4 $40. And the cool darts space, which helps you to play in what appears like your coolest uncle’s basement, additionally prices $20 per hour for as much as six individuals. As does the three-level go-karts. I couldn’t assist considering that a lot as I like this space, it’s a nightmare for folks, who both should open their wallets (huge) or disappoint their youngsters by saying “no.”
I haven’t but accomplished the go-karts, however I intend to earlier than the journey ends. I’ve accomplished each different observe obtainable on NCL ships, and I’m not about to interrupt the streak. Plus, this one is three ranges. Go forward, NCL, simply take my cash now! And we haven’t even gotten to the slides but.
Making an attempt out Indulge Meals Corridor
Earlier than we received off the ship, we had a fast chew to eat at Indulge Meals Corridor. That is one other stable win by Norwegian Cruise Line. This runs alongside the identical line as Virgin Voyages’ Galley idea, the place you sit down, order your meal off an iPad, and get desk service.
Since my favourite meals is BBQ, we sat on the Q Texas Smokehouse counter, ordered smoked turkey, and pulled pork sandwiches with fried okra. Different cool areas within the house have been an actual meals truck, an actual airstream camper, and numerous salad, Latin, Asian, and dessert stations.
What’s very cool about this upscale meals courtroom is that in case you sit at one of many tables in the primary space, you’ll be able to order from any (or all) of the venues. Meaning you don’t should wander from one place to the subsequent, getting a sandwich and a dessert.
All it’s essential to do is order on the iPad-like system, and servers will convey it to you. Higher nonetheless, until you order drinks or one thing with a payment (like a Starbucks espresso), the meals right here is complimentary.
If I see one drawback with the Indulge Meals Corridor, the concept is so unbelievable that it could possibly be ridiculously widespread and crowded within the Caribbean. I say that as a result of Europe and Caribbean itineraries are fully totally different cruise experiences.
One factor this ship does nicely is disperse passengers. Regardless of crusing at capability, the ship has by no means felt crowded. I discussed yesterday that even the hallways really feel wider, and all of it comes collectively to offer the ship an open feeling, even whenever you’re indoors.
The quantity of house on this ship had me very curious, so I crunched some numbers. Norwegian Viva is 143,535 gross registered tons and carries 3,250 passengers. That’s 44.16 gross registered tons of house per visitor or 882 sq. toes per passenger.
For comparability, Carnival Celebration has a ratio of 34, and Marvel of the Seas is available in at 41. Many mistake gross registered tonnage for weight when it refers back to the inside quantity of the cruise ship.
Cut up, Croatia, was stunning. The city could be very walkable, and we have been joined by a Movie star and Oceania cruise ship. We had blue skies and did a small hike to get photographs of the ship.
Afterward, we went over to Diocletian’s Palace. This historical construction was constructed for the Roman emperor Diocletian and continues to be the most effective preserved of the Roman palaces. It includes lots of strolling, however given how a lot we’ve been consuming (and nonetheless intend to eat), getting in some train was superb.
Cagney’s Steakhouse on Norwegian Viva
As soon as again on the ship, we set sail once more at 7:00 p.m., sure for the Messina Straits between mainland Italy and the island of Sicily.
Our dinner reservation was at Cagney’s Steakhouse. Anybody who is aware of me is aware of I’m a meat-and-potatoes man, so I’m by no means happier than in a steakhouse. I hit a steakhouse no less than as soon as throughout practically each journey, and I’ve to say that Cagney’s might be my favourite at-sea steakhouse. I’ve thought that since my first cruise on a Norwegian ship, the Sky, again in 2009.
I went with the bread service, a crab cake, French onion soup, an eight-ounce filet, and a sizzling mini apple pie for dessert. The apple pie was cute… and got here with the proper accompaniment, a scoop of ice cream.
The steak was cooked to perfection (medium uncommon). I used to be very impressed with the service, and because the place began filling up, extra employees began working meals and clearing tables. That’s teamwork in motion!
After dinner, we bounced across the ship, listened to music, and talked with buddies earlier than calling it an evening. After all, “calling it an evening” meant heading again to the room, firing up my MacBook, and dealing about 4 hours. However hey, I’d fairly be working remotely from a cruise ship and coping with the six-hour time distinction than being again within the studio!
As a result of we had dinner so early, we ordered room service round 2 a.m. (no less than, that’s how I’m justifying it). It was a $9.99 service cost and an added 20 p.c gratuity on prime of that. Sure, we might have trekked right down to The Native — open across the clock — nevertheless it was price $12 to remain put and have the meals come to me. I miss the times of free room service, however I used to be nonetheless joyful to pay the value if it let me be a little bit lazy.
Room service took half-hour, and the crew member who arrived on our doorstep stored apologizing. I’m unsure why he was so apologetic as a result of, on the telephone, they informed us it will take 30 to 45 minutes.
We went with a big pizza, a BLT, three cartons of chocolate milk (as a result of we’re 5 years previous), and a glass of unsweetened tea. And sure, we ate each final bit.
Tomorrow is a sea day, and as is my norm, I’ll have an interest to stroll round and see how the ship handles passenger stream when everyone’s on board and seeking to be stored occupied. But when it’s something like these first 48 hours have been, it needs to be heavenly.
Crusing Norwegian’s Prima-class? Be taught extra:
Be aware: I’m a visitor of Norwegian Cruise Line on this four-night cruise. All ideas are my very own.
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