I spent seven days exploring every nook and cranny of the Norwegian Viva cruise ship in February 2025.
I’ve been on a dozen cruises, usually with my family. In this article I’ll show you all the secrets spots I found on the ship. I’ll go through the ship floor by floor, show you my room, and sneak into premium areas like The Haven.
YouTube Video
Here’s the full YouTube video where I tour the entire ship. Watch it below, and keep reading for the detailed breakdown with my top tips and highlights.
Top of the Ship
I will start with Deck 19– the very top of the ship. Here’s what I found up there:
- On port days, the slides are usually closed, but the lounge chairs? Wide open.
- Hardly anyone comes up there, so if you want uninterrupted views and the best beach chairs, this is your spot.
- I love the hot tubs on the 18th floor. There’s one with a canopy for shade.
- For $5, Tea Time miniature golf on the 17th floor is a blast—RFID-tagged balls track your game. It’s quick (20 minutes) and family-friendly.
- The Stadium has pickleball, shuffleboard, and ping pong. It’s a cool hangout—check the screenshot of that pickleball court.
Surfside Cafe Buffet
Deck 17 is a foodie’s paradise and a great place to unwind. Let’s break it down.
The Surfside Cafe is the main buffet. While it’s a LOT smaller than what you’d find on bigger ships, it’s still solid.
You’ve got salad bars, grilled chicken, bratwurst, and even tropical fruit salsa on fish. It’s not gourmet, but it’s hot, fresh, and free—no wait times! My brother-in-law Aaron loves the pizza here, and my father raves about the moist pork.
Observation Lounge
The Observation Lounge is a hidden gem. Floor-to-ceiling windows, cozy chairs, and no crowds—perfect for reading. Bring your own books, though; the book exchange here is pretty weak with not a lot to pick from.
There’s also a water station with orange-infused water—my favorite—and no lines ever for any of the coffee or tea. These stations are usually the freshest, too.
Gym
Deck 16 mixes workouts with luxury. Here’s what I explored.
The gym is a winner. Kettlebells, Smith machines, rowers, and a secret spin room where I ride bikes with my Peloton app. There were plenty of free weights, tons of Ellipticals and treadmills, and more.
Bonus: free seltzer water! I mix it half-and-half with filtered water—refreshing trick.
The Haven
Thanks to my mom, I got into the Haven—think private elevators, a swanky lounge, and an infinity pool.
The restaurant’s included if you’re a Haven guest. You can bring a friend for $30 at breakfast or lunch. But honestly? The burger took 35 minutes and the fish sandwich was dry.
Balcony Room Tour
Let’s pop into my room on Deck 12—nothing fancy, but it’s got some surprises.
Room 12806 is a standard balcony setup. It has USB-C ports (a game-changer!), a decent desk, and a bigger-than-expected bathroom with a nice shower.
The balcony’s my favorite—perfect for chilling and reading books.
The Haven Suite Room Tour
The suite that my mother had was insane—double sinks, a huge shower, and a balcony bigger than my room.
Indulge Food Hall
Deck 8 is where I saved the best for last—Indulge Food Hall. It’s my top spot on the ship. Here’s why it is the best.
Forget the buffet—this food hall is incredible. Order via iPads at your table, and it’s all free!
My must-have? The chicken korma with cashews—so good, even if you’re not into Indian food.
I also love the Lone Star chili and beef shish kebab.
Here’s a full list of food you should try at this food hall:
- Spinach Caesar salad
- Cobb salad
- Guacamole
- Broiled Tilapia
- Chicken legs
- Urad Dal with Basmati rice
Starbucks and Hidden Seats
Deck 7 has some unexpected gems, but my favorite are some great seats near the Starbucks.
The Starbucks here is a morning hotspot (my girlfriend’s obsessed). Drinks aren’t included in the drinks package, but you can use your onboard credits to buy stuff.
Behind the Starbucks are a bunch of comfortable empty chairs with a killer view. Hardly anyone knows about this spot, as it was always empty when we visited. I found it a nice place to lounge. Definitely check it out.
Conclusion
I liked the Norwegian Viva, but it wasn’t my favorite. The small buffet, the limited room cleanings, and just… I don’t know. I liked my time on Celebrity ships better.
See my other cruise tour videos here for more.
The buffet was smaller than I’d like, and I miss twice-daily room cleaning. But the food hall made up for it. I liked ordering from the iPads and the nice, quality selections there.
Got a cruise planned? Drop a comment with where you’re headed—I reply to everyone. Thanks for reading my article.
