NCL Viva: 7-Day Southern Caribbean Cruise

San Juan, PR: Our departure port was San Juan, so we flew in a day early to enjoy some beach time. We stayed at Residence Inn, which was directly across from the beach. This area is not far from the airport if you would like some beach time before hopping on the cruise. If you have not been to San Juan previously, I recommend staying in the Old San Juan area to experience more of the history, architecture, and culture of Puerto Rico. It’s also very close to the cruise terminal.

Embarkation was the smoothest and quickest I have ever experienced on a mega-ship. We were able to get right on the ship and start exploring. The Viva is a beautiful vessel that is easy to navigate and offers something for everyone. Taking the time to orient ourselves and find those nooks and crannies is essential for us. This ship has a lot of great spaces, and our excitement for the week grew stronger as we wandered.

La Romana, Dominican Republic: We had been to this stunning island twice previously so thought we would take advantage of a quiet ship day. There is nothing like starting vacation with a relaxing couples massage at the Mandara Spa onboard followed by a lazy afternoon by the pool.

Oranjestad, Aruba: This island has been highly recommended to us for years and it did not disappoint. We took a taxi to nearby Eagle Beach for a glorious beach day. Taxis were easy to come by after disembarking the ship. The beach drop-off and pick-up are in the same location, which makes it very convenient. There are plenty of vendors to rent chairs and umbrellas from and restaurants and convenience stores across the street from the beach.

Pro tip: Get there early to rent chairs and umbrellas at the drop-off location. If sold out, just continue the short walk to the next vendor.

We had time once we returned to the ship to wander around the shopping area of Aruba. Like most islands, it has a chill vibe with lots of colorful buildings.

Willemstad, Curacao: Willemstad was bursting with color with rows of vibrant Dutch colonial buildings. We walked across the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pedestrian bridge that swings open for boats, adding a fun twist to our stroll. Throwing caution to the wind, we took an island tour with one of the local vendors to see the rest of the island.

At sea: All along the outside area of Deck 9, you will find multiple areas for relaxation, sunbathing, and dining. Each side features two small infinity pools, lounging beds and shallow areas to dip your toes in. We spent most of our free time in this area on our sea day and could always find a spot. The pool deck was lovely however the pool was very small (NCL is changing this configuration on future ships) and crowded as expected.

The Volcanic Mud Bath Experience was such a blast! We rode out on speedboats, and although the water was a bit rough that day, it only added to the adventure. A rogue wave splashed over the back of the boat, and all we could do was joyfully laugh. The mud baths were a unique and fun experience, and my skin felt amazing afterward. We also got a close-up view of the stunning Pitons, which was a real highlight. On the way back to the ship, we made a quick beach stop to soak in a bit more of St. Lucia’s beauty.

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis: For our final day, we chose the Coastal Cruise, Steel Band, and Beach Excursion. It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip. The large party boats are family-owned, with everyone from the captain to the grandkids getting involved. We cruised along the coast to the upbeat rhythm of steel drums, heading toward a peaceful beach where loungers and umbrellas were thoughtfully included. On the return trip, our captain and his grandchildren put on a lively performance of island music that had everyone smiling. Their energy was contagious and you could tell they were having just as much fun as we were.