Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled the next ship in its new Prima Class category. Norwegian Viva will begin sailing Mediterranean itineraries in June 2023, homeporting in key southern European port cities Lisbon, Venice, Rome, and Athens, before sailing to the Southern Caribbean for her 2023-24 winter season (from San Juan).
Mirroring the upscale design and structure of sister ship Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, also built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Marghera, Italy, will debut at 295 m. long, 142,500 gross tons and accommodate 3,219 guests at double occupancy.
NCL says the vessel will offer the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise categories, and largest variety of suite categories available at sea, as well as a redefined The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept.
The Haven’s public areas and 107 suites designed by top Italian designer Piero Lissoni will feature an expansive sundeck, infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake, and an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.
The Prima Class’ variety of recreational activities include the fastest freefall drop dry slides at sea with The Rush and The Drop and the largest three-level racetrack at sea with the Viva Speedway.
Other amenities include Ocean Boulevard, a 4,100-sq.-m. outdoor walkway that wraps around the entire ship; Indulge Food Hall, featuring 11 varieties of eateries; The Concourse, boasting an outdoor sculpture garden; and expansive pool decks and infinity style pools at Infinity Beach and Oceanwalk, showcasing glass bridges above water.
“Norwegian Viva sets the standard in the premium segment, illustrating our commitment to pushing boundaries in four main areas: wide open space, service that puts guests first, thoughtful design and experiences beyond expectation,” Says NCL president and CEO Harry Sommer “We have taken everything our guests love to the next level with this brand-new class of ships designed with them in mind.”
Norwegian Viva will boast eye-catching hull art designed by Italian graffiti and sculpture artist Manuel Di Rita, commonly known as “Peeta,” who also illustrated the hull design on Norwegian Prima.
The first two Prima Class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, will feature cutting-edge alternative technologies, such as a NOx reduction system (SCR), that reduce the ship’s overall environmental impact.
ITINERARIES
Summer 2023: Mediterranean from Rome, Athens, and Lisbon
Following a string of inaugural cruises and beginning June 2023, Norwegian Viva will be the newest ship embarking in the Mediterranean. From June 15 to Nov. 6, 2023, she will sail a series of eight-, nine- and 10-day voyages from Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece, offering guests the opportunity to explore the Mediterranean’s Spanish, Italian and Greek regions.
Winter 2023-24: Southern Caribbean from San Juan
Norwegian Viva will become the largest new ship to ever homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. On Dec. 15, she will depart San Juan on a seven-day Caribbean voyage with her first stop in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. She will then make her way to Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John’s, Antigua; and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, for her last stop before returning to San Juan on Dec. 22. Future sailings will also include notable ports in the Caribbean for seven- and nine-day sailings.