We Spent 9 Nights on One of the Most DISLIKED Cruise Ships - Our Brutal Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- We took a cruise on one of the newest cruise ships in the world. A lot of people hate this type of ship. We review everything onboard and find some huge issues!
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Come aboard the brand-new Norwegian Viva with us as we thoroughly evaluate every aspect of our cruise experience, from the cuisine and entertainment to the cabins and the ship itself! We want to find out why this mega ship and its sister ship the Norwegian Prima is hated so much! It's astonishing to uncover some of the issues associated with this ship type. Plus, we'll take you on a journey to three distinct Mediterranean countries!
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00:00 Introduction to We Spent 9 Nights on One of the Most HATED Cruise Ships
01:00 Breakfast at the Haven Restaurant
05:17 Review: Food
08:44 Port: Cannes, France
12:30 Review: Cabins and Suites
12:36 Port: Pisa, Italy
16:10 Port: Florence, Italy
18:55 Review: The Ship
23:00 Review: Technology
24:18 Review: Service
24:30 Port: Ibiza, Spain
26:45 Review: Specialty Dining
27:25 Room Service
32:30 Review: Entertainment
33:57 Summary
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Many film deals are done on those yachts.
The NCL Epic, is the strangest ship I've been on in 38 cruises!
FYI Guys: NCL is NOT being nice to crew, as it took most of their Deck Privilege's away!
😊😊😊😊😊😊
So what was your overall opinion of the ship as a whole? You rated each area but would be interested to know your overall view…… Thanks…
Breakfast ending at 9am is wild! That alone would take a star off the rating from me.
If you are eating at 10am you essentially are in brunch almost lunch time at that point.
Want it after that? Talk with your butler to have it delivered.
I can't imagine eating at like 10am or 11am breakfast then having lunch at 12/1 pm.
...some people like to start their day early and get off the ship ... others should take note ...
are their 24/7/365 food outlets?
Should start at 9am 😮 😂❤
@@willgaukler8979yes they have a 24 hr food area
I believe they said restaurant, buffet probably available until later?
Breakfast rush usually doesn’t even start until 8am unless going on an excursion. Ending at 9am is a sign of cost cutting. ✂️ They know when the rush is but ending early, they're being cheeky.
... what you wanna pay extra for late breakfast ? or increased fares ?... shhhhh ... adapt
@@willgaukler8979
What you on about? 9am is an early finish for breakfast. Shhhhh! Get real your on holiday and time to relax. I've never been on a cruise that finished breakfast at 9am.
Hi Ben and David. Been looking forward to this video. I agree with the breakfast hours being to short. They should stay open until at least 10am. I'm sorry you didn't have the best Haven experience. It should exceed any expectations especially paying the price for it. As always, love watching your videos and giving your honest opinion. Thank you for all your hard work ❤❤
@@willgaukler8979 I'd rather it be included, but if I had to I'd pay higher fares for later breakfast.
@@maryanncapece2623 I agree whole heartedly with what you said! to say Ben and David paid for 1st class (butler ,exclusive areas ect) the Haven to me looks all glitz and glamour and status (great sevice from staff ect) but when you look a little deeper its realy not that great as in , menus not changing for the whole cruise but they do in the normal restauants on board, breakfast finishing at 9am ( every cruise i have been on its usualy 9 30 or 10 am)...alothough its usualy just me that goes for breakfast my partner stays in bed till around 11 am (im usualy up at 6 am and up and about as im on holiday) ! I suppose when your booking on Viva or Prima you would have to look at what your getting for the cabin/state room your wanting to book ( be it the Haven, a suite, club balcony suite, balcony,ocean view, inside or a studio) and weigh up the pros and cons of what you actualy get for your hard earned cash with each of those options! ...seems to me they limit some of the eating options in the haven (as in NOT changing the menu) so that you will eat and use some of the other restarants onboard (OR book some of the specialty dining options) were you get more choice and changing menus ect! i suppose as well they do that (now im just being cynical lol) so that you will mix with other passengers and not just stay up in the haven all the time when onboard ship at meal times lol
If I’m on vacation and can’t have breakfast after 9 I am going to be very very unhappy.
You'll get over it.
@@rushchairmanhhi nah. I'll complain about it lol
Yes, 9am is absolutely too early to end breakfast.
Dinner on the balcony looked wonderful.
We are so happy for both of you.
“I’m sweating like Ronald McDonald in Burger King” 😆😂🤣 Happy Belated Birthday, Ben!
We’d have no chance of making it to breakfast if it finished at 9am! We like to have a lie in and relax on holiday 😅
Breakfast ends at 9am at budget hotels in the US.. and it's always totally slammed at 8:55 lol. I prefer a later breakfast and a snack instead of lunch!
Who wants a scene out of "FALLING DOWN" when the unemployed, divorced engineer who was stuck in LA traffic on a sweltering hot day w/no A/C, at the end of his rope was 2 minutes too late to order breakfast McDonalds...it wasn't a pretty sight!🥓🥚🍞☕🔫☹
No 9am is absurd. 10:00 am should be close time. Especially what you pay for Haven. Thank you guys for your review. My wife and I are travel agents and appreciate your reviews.
Celebrity's suite dining venue closed really early for breakfast too. So odd
10:30 would be more appropriate and maybe 11 because people are on vacation
9am is definitely early for breakfast to finish,on previous cruises that’s the time I sometimes woke up 😂
9am is seating time not actual end. It's a formal sitdown resturant so your 9am breakfast is going until 10-1030
I don't think that 9am for breakfast is early in general, but when they're putting on entertainment until 1 or 2 in the morning, it definitely is!! I'd say 10 is more reasonable on a cruise at least.
No it closes at nine
@@daylehudson6810Right, yes it closes at 9am but that’s not reasonable for people on holiday.
You two are bloody good at this. Well worth watching.
David was in rare form with his zingers and I laughed out loud several times. As usual you did a good job of your ship review. I think that inaugural voyages are usually problematic and somewhat subpar. I always wait a year or two before trying a new ship and find the price has gone down, the service is superb, the shows and performers are in sync with each other and the ship is still as beautiful as day one. She still seem like a fabulous ship and those destinations are on my wish list. Thanks guys for taking us along...I'll be on this voyage in a couple years.
You guys crack me up! Really love your vlogs for the humor and the honest, balanced reviews. Thank you.
I do not understand some people. In another video, they mentioned being insulted by a passenger who blurted out "Not those bloggers again" (or words to that effect) which prompted some commenters to agree, that filming for commercial purposes shouldn't be permitted and I'm thinking to myself, "Who decides which people get to film anything in public and what about all the people who're walking around filming everything on their phones?"
There's no such thing as banning people from filming in public, no matter what purpose they're filming it for. It's no one else's damn business so stay home people, if you don't want to be seen in public. Simple!
"No, no, put your leg down, nobody wants to see your leaning tower..." was not a joke I expected, and made me burst out laughing.
I know that there was a lot of negative things on this ship but I must say it still looks wonderful to me . The food aspect is a huge factor for us and just having a lot of outdoor seating . It’s a shame you paid so much money and it wasn’t worth the price but hope you still had a wonderful birthday 🥳 cruise . Great video as always guys .
It's a fair review though. Wonderful looking, modern, luxurious ship but way too small venues. I'm hoping to try out Viva in 2025 (fully cruised up until then) and am sure it will be fantastic.
The outdoor seating is nice unless the weather is not nice enough to sit outdoors in which case you're kind of screwed because there's not much to do otherwise, the venues are too small if the weather is bad.
You both always give such fun, honest reviews! The outside areas are way too small! Happy Birthday Ben!
Ok so I got back from our Prima Haven trip. You guys I swear… that was one of the best vacations we ever had. We had a massive balcony with hot tub and multiple seating. The view from the aft was stunning! Service was A+ and food was outstanding. Considering what other cruises charge I say our Haven experience was well worth it!
Just got off an 8 night cruise on the Viva. Absolutely loved the ship and fell back in love with cruising again after a couple of pandemic nightmares.
Happiest of birthdays Ben! Loved the always honest and through review
I haven’t been able to see you gents for awhile and coming back to this has made my day. I laughed so hard! One of your best yet. Thank you, and happy belated birthday, Ben!
You two just make me smile and I love the detail in your videos! Looks like a great time ☺️
I've honestly never rushed to a new Ben and David video so fast... I'm normally never this early 😂
I love all your videos. They are great! Thank you for the review. The food looked great!
Ben, you crack me up when you spoke Italian...MSC ship names. 😂 Thanks for the laugh and the great video! Hi David. 👋
😮😊
I absolutely love your channel!! It’s without a doubt the best cruising channel there is!! The humor you add to your videos always makes me smile. You’re the perfect example of a lovely marriage❤ THANK YOU for all you do.
Happy Birthday Ben🎈. Thank you for your reviews guys. I love hearing your opinions. I never never think your being negative. I love your honesty. Love to you both.
The evolution of cruising and cruise ships has changed a lot since the 1980s. I think most people would've been bored with cruising even in the early 2000s, when the purpose of cruising was just that: to CRUISE, slow down, chill out, reignite relationships with plenty of loving. Dressing up and looking good was a big factor, and eating really good food. Nowadays the energy on most commercial cruise ships especially of those with families, is just too frenetic to achieve the level of chill/nirvana of CRUISING that I know from decades ago. Excellent food and beautiful dining locations, plus comfortable beds in tranquil canins, will remain my top priority. Thanks for your review.
You’re not wrong though I do find the sheer escapism quite liberating and chill. You can relax and dress up and have the classic experience but there’s also the high pace adventure
Virgin Voyages ticks off all of those boxes: chill out, slow if you like, excellent food, hammocks, and no kids!!
Closing for breakfast at 9am is silly.
Great video! Your videos are guiding us to what will be our first cruise one day
Thanks for the extra video! Repositioning cruises are becoming more and more the thing for me.😉
Another excellent review! Love the humor!
Great video boys. The food looks amazing - the decor lovely but yeah, the public space - what's that about! Glad it appear that they have learnt and are making the next ships bigger.
🎉🥳Happy Birthday Ben!🥳🎉Another great video. Thanks for the continued education and adventure. ❤
Thanks so much!
Love your videos. Your evaluations are the same as mine would be and I really connect with these videos. Great job!
You two put on the BEST reviews. Wife and I love it! Thanks! The work you do is legit.
I agree about breakfast time, recently on our cruise we missed breakfast as well because it ended too early. Loved what you had for breakfast so that might encourage me to get up earlier for sure.
I’ve rewatched this video 3 times and found it so informative each time
Thank you so much for your videos. Living vicariously through you!
This came up as a recommendation I wasn’t even looking for cruise videos. I just stuck it on but you two are so likeable so I’m now a subscriber ❤xx
Love your posts-thank you.
My first cruise was on the Norwegian eons ago and it was awesome. Glad to see the food is still up to par. Love your videos. You are my new guilty pleasure. ❤🛳️🛟⚓️🚢❤
I just love you guys and enjoy your description of the cruises, food and all your experiences. You are both true foodies…me too.
Awesome cruise review!! Happy birthday btw..thxx Ben & David!
Only found you recently, but absolutely loving your videos! Have only done one cruise from San Francisco to Alaska . Look forward to more videos as well as having fun going back over previous videos . Thanks again for you energy and content . 🎉
I have to admit I find all that rather conflicting. I am in love with the ship looks and style, but I think I'd agree with your assessments about certain venues being too small. That's something I noticed about the Norwegian Getaway on our last cruise. Some areas of the ship were empty while others - like Sid Norman's - you couldn't get into unless you showed up hours early. (Something I'm not very good at on vacation.)
I really appreciate the brutal review. You two are so positive about everything I take extra notice if you find something lacking.
So thank you and keep them coming!
Nice video. Thanks for your review. The outdoor seating with all the lounges and sofas looks really nice. That atrium looks beautiful but I could see what you mean. I appreciate your reviews.
Well happy belated birthday. Thanks for taking us on your trip.
Outstanding! Never heard of you guys before, this came up on my recommended. Ended up watching the whole thing, which I almost never do.
Happy Happy Birthday!! How fun to be on a cruise for your birthday! ❤️🎊🎉❤️
Ben simply cannot say fravorite enough times for me..warms my heart!
I agree about the breakfast timing! A bit late, perhaps but Happy Birthday Ben!
Looks like a happy birthday Ben cruise!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for honest reviews.
By the way, my husband and I just love watching you two take cruises together. You're just so sweet and wholesome together. We have never taken a cruise but my oldest son and his wife went on a Disney cruise with their daughter and his mother in law. So we are thinking about taking one for an anniversary. Our 25th is coming up soon.
Happy Birthday Ben!!🎉🚢🍾🥂
I have just arrived in KL (late in the night) - & whilst I am pottering about (fiddling with unpacking bits) = such a joy to have you 2 lovely fellows to ‘keep me company’!🎖🎖🎖😎😎😎 Glad Ben had a very happy Birthday!🥂🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾
I do appreciate your honesty!
We just got done with our first cruise ever! It was on the NCL Sun. We are older, so we purposefully chose a smaller ship. There was really only one show that we were interested in seeing, and it was different rock songs from the 60s to 90s or so. The dancers were amazing. They really brought the energy. They had the whole place tapping feet and singing. I loved NCL. Their staff was amazing. We had a balcony and went to Alaska. Would have liked to see more of that dance team.
I think I preferred the DIY Selfie Rome tour you both did last week than this selfie shore excursion . Love watching you guys
We've just come off 11 nights onboard the Getaway and have the same problems with that ship. The venues while great are far too small for the amount of passengers and difficult to get in. Lots of things we wanted to see but just couldn't get in. People were queueing for places like Syd Norman's and Illusionarium an hour and a half before they opened. Loads of entertainment took place in the Atrium which was far too small an area. Half the pool deck taken up by the slides.
just rewatched this cos of your excitement around the birthday!! WELL DONE DAVID!!!!!! Fab sharing your excitement Ben!
Great food , staff, and ports. They almost have it right. Get rid of loud go carts and make the top deck a spa with hot tubs.😎 Happy Birthday 🎂
As always i totally enjoyed traveling with you's ❤️🤗
I went to Antibes when we tendered in Cannes. It was lovely and there was a small Picasso museum.
Great reviews, Ben and David, and I agree with you on so many points. We were on Prima in August in Northern Europe. It's a beautiful ship overall and our balcony cabin and bathroom were lovely and spacious. No complaints about the cabin. We felt like MDR food was excellent and buffet food was mostly tasty. Service was excellent. We avoided the nickel-and-diming. Sadly, some great venues like Sid's Pour House are too small, like you reported about the Viva. Many lovely spaces, such as Hudson's MDR. But true, like you stated about Viva, there are areas that are choppy and set up in odd ways. We did NOT like having to pass the "HAVEN ONLY" elevators as we left our aft cabin and had to walk to the next set of elevators. It creates clear "classism" and we just disagreed with that set up. The program was VERY full and offered so much for everyone. Saw "Donna Summer" and it was okay. We are seniors but not on our last leg so we don't use go carts and water slides. Feel like so much space devoted to those items that we don't use. Due to being in Northern Europe, had lots of misty and rainy days keeping the outdoor areas wet. Some days they were completely closed down due to rough seas. We think the Prima should be in warmer climates so all her outside spaces and be maximized.
Love your honest review. We took the prima in may, hated the small venues, tiny buffet, lack of seating in buffet and indulge area, no maps, no guidance as to where to go. Only 1 large room, only 1 show. That was my 6th ncl cruise. JUst finished jade in athens, escape to canada, loved the escape
9am is like noon when I'm on vacation... SUNRISE watching the ocean sail by.
I loved your video, as usual. The food looked delicious. I was in the Prima and it was fantastic too.
I can rewatch you 2 boys - over & over!🎖🎖🎖😎😎😎🌹🌹🌹 Thank you!🌟🌟🌟
Early breakfast ending is such a bummer. Vacation is time to sleep in your rest up
It seems to me that the quality of your videos have just got even better! such beautiful content you guys
Happy birthday 🎂🎈🎊 Loved the Video ❤
This is very enjoyable video ❤
Thanks for the vid. I’m sailing in July, hope it all goes well.
I started by watching these guys review cruises. But now I’m just here to listen to Ben come up with his delightful made-up expressions when he eats something delicious!
What an amazing birthday you had!!! Happy Birthday 🎂 ❤
Great review!
There should be an area that offers breakfast anytime. We stay up very late and it’s our first cruise next month and it is a blue cruise and there is music drinking and partying. Going on till very very late at night. I’m sure we won’t be joining the crowd. Hoping there’s someplace where we can get a maid to order omelette or something. Otherwise, I guess we’ll be eating the buffet for lunch lol.
Happy Birthday, Ben🎉🎂🍦
9am to end breakfast is crazy. When I was working on ships on a seaday I liked to catch the last breakfast buffet that was open until 11:30
I definitely appreciate your honest review
I have zero interest in ever cruising yet I’ve been watching y’all’s videos all day. So entertaining and Charismatic :D
😂😂😂only went on one checked off my list ..I've been binge watching too...❤❤
We’ve been on both Holland America and Carnival cruises where breakfast in the MDR ends at 9 am and by 10 at the buffet, which took adjusting to. It might, indeed, be a cost cutting measure
I don't think it is cost cutting, i believe they can't get enough staff.
We did room service on most days for breakfast on the Noordam on an Alaskan cruise. I believe HAL is one of the last ones not to charge for room service.
You two are so funny and charming! I am planning my first cruise and am watching all your videos to get ideas and tips.
loving this video! you two are so funny
Thanks Boys! We booked a Repo cruise on the Sister ship, Prima, on April of, 24. 11 day to Miami, out of Galveston, TX. (Fly to Houston the day before, and we will pick you up, and haul you to Galveston!). For us, the ship will be the destination, we have done some of the ports, so we may actually stay on the ship, on port days. For us it’s about rest! The worst day on a cruise, is better than the best day at work! Thanks for the review on the Sister ship!
Just back from a viva cruise in September, we love NCL but this class of ship needs to find its Mojo and who it is trying to appeal to in our opinion. Our balcony suite was really lovely, spacious, light and great sized shower. The Dining venues were great, varied, beautifully styled and the food was fantastic as usual, and we got our free at sea package as usual, which includes 2 speciality dining bookings each, premium drinks package up to $15 per drink which covers 99% of drinks, $50 dollars off one passengers tour each day, plus basic Wi-Fi for 1 guest. Outdoor space was wonderful but very busy on sea days and it’s the first time I’ve seen some many people booking sun beds early morning then leaving them empty for half the day, so selfish despite signs up saying items will be removed if left alone after 15mins, staff do not enforce this. Agree re venues - too small, and the atrium is lovely but odd design, totally agree with you! The racetrack takes up far too much space! Silly addition, I never saw anyone going in to laser tag either. We ended up staying on the ship on some port days(visited before) and it was fab, felt we had the ship and the infinity pool to ourselves and a respite from very noisy groups who have total disregard for other people. The observation lounge on 17 was our favourite for after dinner drinks,. The crew were fantastic as usual, glad we didn’t book haven this time (too expensive) it really didn’t look up to par compared to the haven we stayed in on on the Bliss last year.Thank you for a great video and review as usual, love you guys! 🥰🏴🇬🇧
ps happy birthday Ben, my birthday was on board too, wee bit older than you pair 😂 nice wee cake delivered to our table at the le bistro (fabulous food) and the decor felt like something out of the set of beauty and the beast, those chandeliers! Unfortunately we couldn’t get a booking for idols when we got onboard, just playing one night, we tried before we came on board but the British site was saying not available till October! we asked to if we wanted to stand at the back which might be available! and Beetlejuice wasn’t to our taste and got slated from people we chatted to afterwards but that’s just a sample so might be fine. Loved the jersey boys and Pricilla etc which we had seen previously on NCL, yip looks like they are cutting corners. Oops sorry I normally just write a line or two! Ps again we got room service breakfast occasionally and it was served later than 9am - odd for the Haven not to do the same.
I was there this summer. Amazing!
Great review🎉🎉
“Throw an egg at me and call me an Easter Bunny,” Hilarious!! ❤😂
Great video as usual
Happy Birthday Ben🍾🎂🎉❤️
I love your videos, very thorough and honest reviews of ships, facilities and itineraries. However I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a gym facility review on your videos. I do need my elliptical workout in the morning. Thanks guys.
Hi Ben and David, love all your videos. We were on the NCL Prima in June 2023 and I totally agree with your comments. I loved the food on board however the ship layout and design are terrible and venues are small. The buffet food was excellent however there was never enough seating for everyone. I am glad NCL is taking the feedback and redesigning their future ships. I always look forward to watching your awesome videos and like that you tell the good and bad points of the cruise. 😊
Happy birthday Ben wishing you many more to come with God blessing
Omg I love you guys!!! Love your videos so much. You two are So. Much. Fun.
Happy belated birthday, Ben!
Happy birthday Ben! David you can surprise me with a suite too! I appreciate this video and answers my question of this new NCL ship. I did like everything on NCL Encore to Alaska from last October 2022
I must say that breakfast for me is between 10 and 11 lol. Or even later. So with it ending at 9am, is way too short. Thanks so much for all these videos guys. Love watching you!!
When you said, “throw an egg at me and call me the Easter bunny” I subscribed immediately! Love watching you two! Thank you for your amazing videos!🥰