Ship Happens Travel

This past March, I escaped for a much-needed girls’ trip aboard the stunning Norwegian Viva, bound for the sun-kissed shores of the Southern Caribbean! Our adventure began in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Despite the temporary feel of the cruise terminal, check-in was a breeze – seriously, we practically glided from drop-off to boarding! My first impressions of the Viva were positive. We immediately made a beeline for the buffet, but as you might have heard, it’s… cozy. Let’s just say that was my only visit during the entire 7-night cruise! Not because the food was bad, but because the other dining options were simply too tempting to resist.

However, the pool deck was a bit of a letdown. One main pool area? Seriously? And no overhanging deck space to enjoy the classic cruise ship entertainment, like the “sexy leg” contest? It seems Norwegian prioritized the racetrack on the Viva/Prima over poolside lounging, and I’m not entirely convinced it was the right call. They tried to compensate with the infinity beach area on deck 8, but with seating for maybe 40 people (packed in!), it just wasn’t enough for a ship carrying over 3,000 passengers. That being said, Norwegian seems to have mitigated this issue by designing the Viva’s itinerary to be very port-intensive, so there’s less emphasis on sea days.

Speaking of ports, buckle up! We hit six incredible destinations in six days!

• Tortola: Oh, Tortola, how I love thee! A repeat visit from 2018, I was thrilled to return to the Baths. We hopped on a catamaran to Virgin Gorda, snorkeled our way to the shore, scrambled through the breathtaking rock formations, and then partied our way back on the catamaran, fueled by a potent punch and a whole lot of dancing with 45 new “best friends.”
• St. John’s/Antigua: Next up was St. John’s, Antigua, where we embarked on a catamaran sail with lobster lunch. The weather wasn’t perfect, but the island, the beach, and the overall experience were nothing short of amazing.
• Barbados: Sadly, Barbados didn’t quite capture my heart. As one of the most populated islands in the Caribbean, it lacked some of the charm I’ve come to expect. We took a heritage train ride, which, honestly, I wouldn’t recommend.
• St. Lucia: St. Lucia, however, was a highlight! We opted for a land and sea tour, which was fantastic. We visited a plantation, toured the island for two hours, and then hopped on another catamaran for a scenic ride back to port. Sailing past the majestic Pitons and stopping at a black sand beach provided some incredible photo opportunities.
• St. Maarten: St. Maarten… where do I even begin? This place is paradise! A safe and stunning island, I’m seriously considering moving there. We visited the famous Maho Beach (so cool!) and grabbed lunch at a fantastic nearby restaurant. 10/10 – I’ll be searching for future cruises with St. Maarten on the itinerary!
• St. Thomas: Our final stop was St. Thomas. I’ve been here a few times, but this was my first visit to Magens Bay Beach. Wow! Absolutely gorgeous. It’s definitely a must-do excursion if I ever return.

Final Thoughts:

The Southern Caribbean is undeniably beautiful, and I’m already dreaming of another itinerary that includes St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Kitts (a new destination for me!), and Tortola. While the trip was amazing, I’m not sure I would choose to sail out of San Juan again, due to the expense and lengthy travel time to get there.