Home Travel Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship: Travel experts experience life on board in two different ways on a Miami sailing… to see if splashing out on a £13k suite is worth it

Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship: Travel experts experience life on board in two different ways on a Miami sailing… to see if splashing out on a £13k suite is worth it

by Merry
0 comment
The Points Guy's Nicky Kelvin in his cheap, windowless 'cabin'

They’re travel experts who decided to spend the day at sea and find out if it’s worth spending over £13,000 on a luxury cruise.

The sailors in question are Nicky KelvinGeneral editor of the travel site The dots boyand former director of Carnival Cruise Matt Mitchamwho packed up their video camera kits and set sail Norwegian cruise line The newest ship, the Norwegian Viva, and experienced it in two different ways on a voyage from Miami to Puerto Rico.

His images are fascinating.

Matt stayed in a stylish Haven Premier Owner’s Suite, which costs from $17,049/£13,320 (plus taxes and fees), and then experienced a host of paid extras, including the Luxury Vibe Beach Club and the Mandara Spa Thermal Suite.

Nicky stayed in a windowless economy ‘cabin’, which cost from $1,479 (£1,155) per person (not including fees), and experienced the ship’s all-inclusive features, from the Infinity Beach club to the ‘scary’ water slides. 10 stories high. Read on to find out their verdicts…

BUDGET

The Points Guy's Nicky Kelvin in his cheap, windowless 'cabin'

The Points Guy’s Nicky Kelvin in his cheap, windowless ‘cabin’

Nicky's room costs from $1,479 (£1,155) per person (not including fees)

Nicky's room costs from $1,479 (£1,155) per person (not including fees)

Nicky’s room costs from $1,479 (£1,155) per person (not including fees)

Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

Nicky told MailOnline Travel that his room on the ship was “basic” but “cozy”.

Nicky and Matt sailed from Miami to Puerto Rico (above)

Nicky and Matt sailed from Miami to Puerto Rico (above)

Nicky and Matt sailed from Miami to Puerto Rico (above)

1710425599 265 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

1710425599 265 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

Nicky describes Norwegian Viva as an “elegant hotel” in the video

Nicky told MailOnline Travel that his room on the ship, which he describes in the video as a “stylish hotel”, was “basic” but “cozy and comfortable for a budget trip”.

He added: “Overall, it was a good way to travel.”

Dinner was also impressive.

Nicky said: ‘The food really blew me away. For an all-inclusive package, you get a lot, with a variety of great quality food – there were plenty of options.

Above is Nicky hanging out at Infinity Beach's eye-catching infinity pool, which is open to all guests.

Above is Nicky hanging out at Infinity Beach's eye-catching infinity pool, which is open to all guests.

Above is Nicky hanging out at Infinity Beach’s eye-catching infinity pool, which is open to all guests.

This image shows the sun lounger area at Infinity Beach.

This image shows the sun lounger area at Infinity Beach.

This image shows the sun lounger area at Infinity Beach.

1710425600 167 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

1710425600 167 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

Yum is the word – travel expert Nicky said the food “really blew me away”.

“It was also great to receive dining credits, which allowed me to try the fancier side of the menu as well.”

Activities offered for boaters on a budget also received a thumbs up.

Pictures of Nicky show him having a great time hurtling down Norwegian Viva’s thrilling slides ‘The Rush’ and ‘The Drop’, splashing around in the eye-catching infinity pool at the Infinity Beach club, which is located right at the edge of the ship. and, with Matt, watch the award-winning Beetlejuice The Musical and race around the ship’s impressive multi-deck go-kart track.

Footage of Nicky shows him having a great time plummeting down Norwegian Viva's thrilling slides 'The Rush' and 'The Drop' (above)

Footage of Nicky shows him having a great time plummeting down Norwegian Viva's thrilling slides 'The Rush' and 'The Drop' (above)

Footage of Nicky shows him having a great time plummeting down Norwegian Viva’s thrilling slides ‘The Rush’ and ‘The Drop’ (above)

Norwegian Viva's slides slide across 10 decks of the ship

Norwegian Viva's slides slide across 10 decks of the ship

Norwegian Viva’s slides slide across 10 decks of the ship

Nicky said: “There’s so much to do on this boat you’ll never get bored.”

Any disadvantages?

Nicky admitted that “while it wasn’t a necessity for the price,” her room “would have been nicer with a balcony” and concluded that while her experience was “very pleasant,” she would “love to try the fancier option next time.” “. .

LUXURY

1710425602 342 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

1710425602 342 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

Above: Matt’s Haven Premier Owner’s Suite, which he described as “very luxurious”

The owner's suite features a living room and three bedrooms, and costs from $17,049/£13,320 (plus taxes and fees) per week.

The owner's suite features a living room and three bedrooms, and costs from $17,049/£13,320 (plus taxes and fees) per week.

The owner’s suite features a living room and three bedrooms, and costs from $17,049/£13,320 (plus taxes and fees) per week.

Matt is clearly delighted with his suite's bathroom, which features a hot tub on the balcony.

Matt is clearly delighted with his suite's bathroom, which features a hot tub on the balcony.

Matt is clearly delighted with his suite’s bathroom, which features a hot tub on the balcony.

Matt’s comments carry weight, as he has lived aboard a boat, and he said of his owner’s suite, which features a living room, three bedrooms, bathrooms and a balcony with a hot tub, that he “had never seen a cabin.” so luxurious’.

Praise indeed.

And the applause kept coming.

He told MailOnline Travel that his entire experience was “amazing”, revealing that the crew were “amazing and very hospitable”, the food at the exclusive Haven restaurant “exquisite” and the Mandara Spa thermal suite ($339/£264pp) ). an outstanding activity’.

The Luxury Vibe Beach Club, which costs $259 (£200) per person for a seven-day sailing

The Luxury Vibe Beach Club, which costs $259 (£200) per person for a seven-day sailing

The Luxury Vibe Beach Club, which costs $259 (£200) per person for a seven-day sailing

1710425604 65 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

1710425604 65 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

Matt and Nicky battle it out on the ship's multi-story go-kart track (top two images)

Matt and Nicky battle it out on the ship's multi-story go-kart track (top two images)

Matt and Nicky battle it out on the ship’s multi-story go-kart track (top two images)

Matt enjoying the 'exquisite' food at the exclusive Haven Restaurant

Matt enjoying the 'exquisite' food at the exclusive Haven Restaurant

Matt enjoying the ‘exquisite’ food at the exclusive Haven Restaurant

1710425605 106 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

1710425605 106 Luxury vs budget on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship Travel

In the video, Matt describes Mandara Spa’s thermal suite as “stunning”, with footage showing him receiving a massage and relaxing in a “floating salt pool”.

The Mandara Spa Thermal Suite costs $339 (£264) per person for a seven, eight, nine or 10-day pass.

The Mandara Spa Thermal Suite costs $339 (£264) per person for a seven, eight, nine or 10-day pass.

The Mandara Spa Thermal Suite costs $339 (£264) per person for a seven, eight, nine or 10-day pass.

In the video, Matt describes this spa as “stunning,” with footage showing him getting a massage, relaxing in a “floating salt pool,” and taking an “ice shower.” “I’d do anything for a paycheck,” he jokes.

He also really enjoys the Galaxy Pavilion entertainment centre, which costs $199 (£155) per guest for the trip, $29 (£22) for an hour and $49 (£38) for a day.

And good times were had at the Luxury Vibe Beach Club, which costs $259 (£200) per person for a seven-day sail.

Any disadvantages?

Matt concluded: ‘This experience had no negative factors for a luxury trip. The cruise had a lot to offer.”

To see the original video visit www.youtube.com/watch. For more information about The Points Guy, visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel.

Galaxy Pavilion entertainment center: $199 (£155) per guest during the trip, $29 (£22) for one hour, $49 (£38) for one day

Galaxy Pavilion entertainment center: $199 (£155) per guest during the trip, $29 (£22) for one hour, $49 (£38) for one day

Galaxy Pavilion entertainment center: $199 (£155) per guest during the trip, $29 (£22) for one hour, $49 (£38) for one day

The Haven Bar, where the staff shows their cocktail-making magic.

The Haven Bar, where the staff shows their cocktail-making magic.

The Haven Bar, where the staff shows their cocktail-making magic.

You may also like