Norwegian Viva Review: Did We Make the Same Mistake Twice?
Galveston PortBonaire CountryPapua New Guinea CountryNorwegian Prima Cruise ShipNorwegian Viva Cruise Ship
We were disappointed with Norwegian Prima. So why did we book another Prima Class ship—and spend even more money to sail in The Haven on Norwegian Viva? After a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston, Texas, we're answering the question we asked before boarding: "Did we have buyer's remorse?" In this comprehensive Norwegian Viva review, we share what we loved, what disappointed us, and whether the Haven Penthouse experience justified the premium price. We cover: - **The Haven experience:** Private pools, hot tubs, lounge, bartenders, and exclusive facilities. - **The Haven Penthouse:** Cabin layout, bathroom, storage, balcony, minibar, and unexpected extra charges. - **Ship design:** Ocean Boulevard, crowded public spaces, Surfside Café, Indulge Food Hall, and the Observation Lounge. - **Service:** Our experience with the butler, concierge, and Haven staff. - **Food and dining:** Why the Haven Restaurant disappointed us, plus our experiences at Cagney's, Le Bistro, the sushi restaurant, and other venues. - **Entertainment:** Syd Norman's Pour House, Rumours, Beetlejuice, and Norwegian's production shows. We finish with our signature **3 Ups and 3 Downs**, ranking the three things we loved most and the three things we think Norwegian could improve. We're Jan and Tracey, and we believe cruising is a personal experience. What works for one traveler may not work for another. Our goal is to share our actual experiences so you can decide whether Norwegian Viva—and particularly The Haven—is right for you. **Would you pay extra for The Haven on Norwegian Viva? Have you sailed both Prima and Viva?** Tell us what you thought in the comments! Subscribe for detailed cruise ship tours, candid cruise reviews, destination guides, and practical travel advice. #NorwegianViva #NCLHaven #JanandTraceyTravels Chapters 00:00 Did We Make a Mistake Booking Norwegian Viva? 01:10 Embarkation in Galveston 02:15 Inside The Haven 03:35 Haven Pools, Hot Tubs & Outdoor Spaces 04:35 Haven Lounge & Bartenders 06:00 Norwegian Viva Ship Design 08:40 Indulge Food Hall & Dining Spaces 10:00 Observation Lounge 10:45 Our Haven Penthouse Suite 13:10 Minibar & Beverage Package Frustrations 14:40 Butler, Concierge & Service 16:35 Food & Dining Review 20:15 Entertainment: Rumours & Beetlejuice 21:20 Our 3 Downs 22:20 A Message from the Editor 22:50 Our 3 Ups 24:25 The Verdict: Buyer's Remorse? Recommended Cruise Gear OREI American to European Plug Adapters—Many cruise ships are equipped with 220 European plugs, which are useless unless you have the correct adapter. These are the essentials we pack in our bags every time we cruise or travel to Europe. They come in an affordable six-pack which you can find at this link: https://amzn.to/44ixS0U Strongman Tools Strong Magnetic Hooks—A couple of these 6-pack sets of hooks are always with us when we cruise. Each individual hook can hold up to 30 lbs of weight and is ideal for hanging coats, hats, and the shelves described below. Get your set of these useful magnetic hooks at this link: https://amzn.to/3UDrVbJ Whitmor 5 Section Closet Organizer—Unfortunately, drawer and shelf space are sometimes limited in some cruise cabins. That’s why we always bring at least one of these inexpensive closet organizers, which gives us plenty of room for our folded clothes. We typically use a couple of magnetic hooks, as described above, to hang these from the ceiling in the corner of our room. Here’s the link where you can get yours: https://amzn.to/3w3GvQn Our Recommended Camera Gear DJI Osmo Pocket 3--You’ll usually see Tracey using this in almost all of our videos. Love this wonderful, small, and versatile camera. Basic Camera: https://amzn.to/3UDJJDF Creators Combo: https://amzn.to/4beP6OP GoPro Hero12—This is the best action camera we’ve ever used. Whether taking videos on the Zodiacs in Antarctica, snorkeling in Papua New Guinea, or scuba diving in Bonaire, this camera is always in our hands. Find the link to get yours here: https://amzn.to/3UkTcy1 Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap—If you still carry a DSLR or Mirrorless camera, as Jan does, this is the perfect strap to use. What's great is that this fully adjustable strap can be configured to be worn across your body, distributing the weight of your camera across your back rather than your neck. Additionally, it provides a bit more security when traveling through high-risk pickpocket areas. Get your Slide Lite Strap here: https://amzn.to/3xW6pWR As Amazon Affiliates, we earn from qualifying purchases.