Norwegian Viva

The Viva Speedway is a three-level go-kart track that climbs all the way up to Deck 20, and racing costs extra. You can race with a group or book time where it’s just you on the track. Screens show every lap, and the fastest lap of the cruise wins a trophy. Spectators get seating and laser guns, so hitting a racer’s green light gives them a boost. The Speedway Bar sits just behind the slides.

You can spot Viva’s dry slides from far away. The Rush is a pair of side-by-side slides where two people race on mats from Deck 18 all the way down to Infinity Beach on Deck 8. The Drop, on the port side, is a true drop slide that gets you down to Deck 8 faster than any elevator. Both are complimentary, and The Stadium’s games are right next door.

Vibe Beach Club is an adults-only retreat on the top deck, and it comes at an additional cost. A large horseshoe-shaped bar anchors the space, with comfy loungers, day beds, tables for two and four, and hot tubs on either side facing the sea. The Surfside Cafe and Surfside Grill are right through the door, so you can grab a bite and carry it straight back out to your lounger.

The Mandara Spa has a barbershop, a full salon, a med spa and treatment rooms for massages, wraps and facials. Down a level, the Thermal Suite starts with a water feature that runs the length of the space. Its circuit includes an aromatic steam room, charcoal, Finnish and infrared saunas, a salt room, an ice room, hydrotherapy pools and heated loungers facing forward over the sea. Access is a separate pass or comes with a Spa Balcony.

Viva’s Haven sits at the top aft of the ship, reached by a key card elevator bank that opens right into the Haven. It’s the most expansive Haven Norwegian has built. The lounge has a large concierge area and a bar about double the size of those on Breakaway Plus ships, plus an outdoor bar. The Haven Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner indoors or alfresco, and the sun deck wraps around an infinity pool, a sauna and an ice room.

Danny calls the Indulge Food Hall one of his favorite dining venues ever on a cruise ship. Tamara greets you with its tandoor ovens, and the hall also has Nudls, the Latin Quarter, Q Texas Smokehouse, Seaside Rotisserie, the Garden, a tapas trailer, Just Desserts and Just Sweets. Order from any station on the iPads and the food comes to your table. Viva added more seating inside and out, plus the aft-facing Soleil Bar.

Ocean Boulevard wraps the ship on Deck 8. Infinity Beach sits on both sides, each with an infinity-edge pool, shaded loungers and day beds circled by water you can dip your toes in. Farther along is the Ocean Walk, a glass-floored walkway out over the sea, with an interior path for anyone who’d rather not look down. La Terrazza and an outdoor art walk round out one of the most relaxing loops on board.

Hasuki is Viva’s teppanyaki restaurant, and it’s dinner and a show in one. Chefs cook at tables for eight, and there are also tables for two along the bar. The menu runs from chicken, New York strip, scallops and shrimp to a surprisingly good teriyaki tofu, with fried rice for everyone. Nama Sushi is right outside, so sushi lovers can start or finish the night there.