Norwegian Cruise Line reveals Prima sister ship Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled Norwegian Viva, the next ship in its new Prima Class and a sister ship to the eponymous Norwegian Prima, which was revealed last year. Norwegian Viva will also be built at Fincantieri and is due for delivery in 2023, with an initial Mediterranean cruise season scheduled for June next year.
“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,” said Harry Sommer, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“We have taken everything our guests love to the next level with this brand-new class of ships designed with them in mind,” he added.
Few details about the ship’s features and amenities have been announced, but Sommer’s comments on Viva were very similar to those he made when sister ship Norwegian Prima was announced, suggesting they’ll be very similar in terms of the onboard experience.
A key feature introduced aboard the Prima-class design is the expansive Ocean Boulevard.
The outdoor space on Deck 8, the ship’s main social and entertainment level, is inspired by The Waterfront aboard the Breakaway-Plus class ships, but has been expanded to the extent that features usually only available up on the pool and sun decks, such as infinity pools and Jacuzzis, are now located much closer to sea level.
Like her sister ship, Norwegian Viva will have hull art designed by Italian graffiti and sculpture artist Manuel Di Rita, commonly known as “Peeta”. She is the second of a planned six vessels in the class.
“Norwegian Viva… reinforces the great collaboration between Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri,” said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division at Fincantieri. “We were extremely satisfied that Norwegian Prima, the first of the new class, earned record-breaking bookings and we are excited to see how Norwegian Viva will live up to her sister ship,” he added.
The bookings Matarazzo was referring to were for Norwegian Prima’s Haven enclave, and her massive standard cabins, which are some of the largest in the global cruise fleet. When Norwegian Prima’s inaugral itinerary went on sale, it sold out faster than any ship in the cruise line’s history.
Norwegian Viva will be 965 feet long, 142,500 gross tons and will accommodate 3,219 guests at double occupancy, putting her just under the Breakaway-class in terms of size, but with a generous design in terms of public areas. “The vessel will not only 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, but will also boast a redefined The Haven,” Norwegian Cruise Line said in a release.
The Haven is Norwegian’s ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept, and aboard Norwegian Viva its public areas and 107 suites will be designed by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy’s most renowned designers.
It will feature an expansive sundeck, a large infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake and an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room. Like Norwegian Prima, The Haven will be located at the stern of the vessel, making her the second ship with this design.
Norwegian Viva will homeport in key Southern European cities for her inaugral season, including Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece.
She will then sail the Southern Caribbean for her 2023/24 winter season, offering cruises from San Juan.
