Cruising the Eastern Mediterranean on NCL Viva

Setting Sail from Istanbul

Richard and I are just back from an unforgettable adventure aboard the Norwegian Viva, cruising from the vibrant city of Istanbul to a series of breath taking destinations: Alexandria, Limassol, Heraklion, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Kusadasi. It was just the two of us and it was absolutely perfect.

Life Onboard: Fun, Food & Fantastic People

From the moment we stepped onboard, we were welcomed by the incredible staff who made every moment feel special. Going into the buffet, the ‘washy washy’ girls never failed to make us smile and the bar staff were always up for a chat and a joke.

The shows were spectacular, with world-class performances that kept us entertained night after night. We particularly enjoyed Peter Wardell with his comedic magic acts and Anelisa Lamola belting out fantastic soul tunes.

We enjoyed competing against each other at table tennis, crazy golf and shuffleboard, and one of the highlights was meeting David and Cathy from Taiwan who taught us how to play doubles table tennis. We somehow beat them first time! 

A Culinary Voyage

Let’s talk about the food. We indulged in a variety of cuisines, but the bao buns at Food Republic were next-level delicious; I’m still thinking about them! From casual bites to elegant dinners, you could eat almost all day if you wanted!

With the More At Sea package we got 2 speciality dining options included and we chose Food Republic and Cagneys Steakhouse. We rolled out of both and Richard claims the steak he had was the best he’s ever tasted!

Eating evening meal in the Surfside Grill isn’t recommended unless you just want something very casual. I ate in there dressed up one evening and felt very overdressed. It’s also very busy in there so finding somewhere to sit can be difficult. It’s best to eat your evening meal in one of the main restaurants, Hudsons or Commodore, where you get an a la carte meal and sit down service. Beware some of the courses can be very small but it’s completely fine to order more than one starter should you feel peckish.

Other included meal options are the Indulge Food Hall and Local Bar & Grill. In Indulge you order dishes at your table from a tablet. The Chicken Tikka Masala is delicious! In Local the cuisine is American classics such as hot dogs, chicken wings, nachos and burgers. You can also have great breakfast options in here and they start serving at 6am so you really won’t go hungry. 

Exploring the Ports

Each stop brought something new and exciting:

• Alexandria: A city steeped in history where I did an organised shore excursion of the city sights.
• Limassol: Sunny and relaxed, perfect for a stroll.
• Heraklion & Rhodes: Rich in culture, charm and old town realness.
• Santorini & Mykonos: Just as dreamy as the postcards.
• Kusadasi: A vibrant mix of markets and ancient ruins. I visited Ephesus and it was outstanding!

Whether we were wandering through ancient streets or sipping beers with a sea view, every port had its own magic. 

Why We’d Do It All Again

This cruise was the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and connection. The NCL Viva exceeded all our expectations, and we’re already dreaming about our next voyage.

If you're thinking about a cruise that combines stunning destinations, great food, and unforgettable experiences - this one’s for you.