“DON’T worry, be happy”, the barman said, handing me another rum as we sailed the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, reggae tunes playing in the background.
This wasn’t a difficult order to follow since I was on the new Norwegian Viva cruise ship — a floating oasis of luxury, relaxation and entertainment that took my breath away.
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For a week, the 3,000-capacity vessel was my home and six Caribbean islands were my destinations. Being happy was guaranteed with the fantastic entertainment, luxury food, stunning accommodation, excursions and the promise that you will ‘Live It Up’ no matter how you spend your time.
In fact you can Live It Up in dozens of restaurants and bars, Live It Up watching entertainment like the Broadway adaptation of Beetlejuice and Live It Up visiting sun-drenched stops like Barbados and a catamaran cruise round St Lucia.
The brand new ship began its winter residency sailing from the charming San Juan in Puerto Rico.
While the stops are fantastic, the Viva is a floating paradise in its own right complete with highlights including a go-kart track, casino, luxury spa and pool.
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It was to the bars and restaurants I headed first. There are 14 bars on the ship and the local beer, wine and spirits are all free. That news alone made me smile. But for an extra fee, you can upgrade to include premium spirits and wines, including champagne and expensive whiskeys.
The staple element of cruises up until now has been the buffet but that’s been ripped up by the Viva crew who have designed 14 restaurants — led by ground-breaking eaterie Indulge.
The indoor and outdoor venue serves tapas dishes from all over the world including Indian, Italian, Latino and smokehouse. It’s one of five complimentary restaurants across the ship which will satisfy any craving.
Behind Indulge was my favourite bar, the Soleil, which gave diners a pre or post-dinner chance to enjoy the sunset while sipping on a freshly-made cocktail. As we sailed out of Antigua one night, there was an almost religious silence across the bar as we witnessed the majestic scene of sundown in the Caribbean. If there’s a better view from a bar in the world, I’m yet to see it.
BBQ fans are catered for by the Surfside Grill which is adjacent to the top deck pool area and the Waves bar, another favourite of mine. By day it’s a casual spot for a beer but by night it serves up live music and DJs playing everything from Latin music to 80s classics.
The Viva is also blessed with signature restaurants on board that cut across all cuisines including steak at Cagney’s, Japanese teppanyaki at Hasuki or French at Le Bistro.
We tried Palomar, a Greek themed Mediterranean restaurant, where I loved the grilled octopus and Dover sole which were cooked to perfection.
We also enjoyed a spicy Margarita and fajitas at Los Lobos, the ship’s classy Mexican offering.
The Viva’s entertainment shows cruising has come a long way since the ‘Love Boat’ days.
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We started off most nights in the Penrose atrium where a variety of singers and acts got the party started early. Musical entertainment, expertly arranged by Cruise Director Simon Akinwolere, is mainly aimed at the ship’s demographic to take people down memory lane — music from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
There is also plenty of Puerto Rican flair on offer, with my favourite band Duo Azucar regulars across several venues on the ship. Syd Norman’s Pour House was next on our list.
It’s a pub in the traditional sense but it also hosted a fantastic musical play based on the iconic Fleetwood Mac album Rumours.
The flagship show on the Viva is Beetlejuice, a Tony Award-nominated version of the 80s classic movie. It was brilliant — the new script and songs gave a fresh take on one of my favourite films of all time.
There is a wide variety of accommodation on the ship from stateroom balcony cabins, which I had, to suites at the Haven, a kind of first class ship within a ship.
But the more affordable rooms for those who just want to use them as a place to sleep are available — as well as single traveller rooms to cut down the costs as well.
I loved my cabin which was very spacious and had a balcony looking out onto the sea and all those amazing views.
We visited six destinations on the trip — The British and US Virgin Islands, St Lucia, Barbados, Antigua and St Maarten — each with a multitude of excursions available to enjoy while ashore.
JAW-DROPPING SIGHTS
My favourite excursion, which can be booked through the excursions desk on the ship or online beforehand, was a catamaran cruise on the turquoise waters around St Lucia.
After leaving Castries, we were treated to a feast of shrimp cocktail Caesar salad for starters, local fish and chicken for main and apple pie and ice cream for dessert.
The most famous and jaw-dropping sight on the island is the magnificent Pitons. The twin peaks are a UNESCO world heritage site and the signature attraction on the island.
Our second day trip was round majestic Barbados — the home of Rihanna — and a jewel in the Caribbean crown.
Lunch on the tour was at the exquisite Atlantis Inn which overlooks Tent Bay. Of course, I went for the fish. The calamari to start was perfectly cooked and the main — a local mahi mahi fillet — was divine.
On the trip we learned that rum is a billion dollar industry in Barbados and we were able to try some at the Sunbury Great House, a throwback to the island’s British colonial past.
Indeed, there are 365 churches and 365 rum shops for the Bajan population. The theory being if you don’t get spirit from one you’ll get it from the other!
GO: CARIBBEAN CRUISE
SEVEN-DAY Caribbean cruise onboard Norwegian Viva is from £2,144pp in a balcony stateroom.
Calling at Barbados, Antigua & St Lucia from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 24.
Flights not included but can be added when booking.
After all those excursions, I brought myself back to relaxation with a thermal pass for the Mandara Spa on the ship. The place takes you on an experiential journey through a Finnish sauna, charcoal sauna, infrared sauna, salt room and steam room.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Afterwards, you can relax on the heated loungers gazing out the panoramic front windows of the 16th deck of the vessel.
Viva means ‘long live’ in Spanish — and I certainly hope that’s the case with the Norwegian Viva. Viva Living It Up!
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