VIVA is one of the most popular river cruise companies in Europe, and we had an absolute blast sailing with them on their Romantic Moselle tour. Picking the right itinerary is so important when booking a trip like this. However, we’ve found that the actual ship is just as essential! Here’s our review of the VIVA One cruise boat with an exclusive room by room tour of the ship.
About the VIVA One Cruise Ship
So how did the VIVA One come to be? The ships maiden voyage was in 2022, which makes it the companies first new build.
It’s complete with 4 decks, 88 cabins, and has a capacity of 176 passengers. This was one of the larger river cruise boats we’ve sailed on, but was still a far cry from the massive ocean liners you typically see in international ports.
We loved the sleek style of the ship and always found plenty of room to relax. Aside from the beautiful top deck, there are two restaurants, a lounge, small pool, and sauna.
In this article, we’ll share a room by room VIVA One boat tour so you can see exactly what it’s all about! Also, be sure to check out the 7 Reasons Why Viva Cruises is the Ultimate Europe Vacation.
VIVA One Boat Tour
Welcome Entrance & Shops
From the very first moment we entered the VIVA One, we were completely awestruck. The lobby area was stunning and way fancier then we expected.
We were actually in Dusseldorf beforehand, as we spent the prior day exploring the city. It was great that we were able to leave our bags on the boat after we had to check out of our hotel.
At 3pm the staff were there to help us as soon as we got on board. Our bags were waiting for us in our room, and we were ready to set sail!
Diamond Deck Double Cabin
Let’s start off this VIVA One boat tour one of our favorite parts! We spent the week on the diamond deck, which is located on the third level of the ship.
The double cabin was very spacious (17 m²), with a large bed and well equipped bathroom for our stay. The best feature of the diamond deck room was definitely the french balcony.
We almost always had our sliding door open throughout the VIVA One cruise. It was truly an amazing experience watching the small towns pass us by from the comfort of our bed.
Now there are several different room categories, from standard cabins to luxury suites. You can check out the different prices and options on VIVA’s official website here.
Best Things About Our VIVA One Room
🌟 Sliding Doors: As we mentioned, the most exciting feature of our room was how far the doors slid open. This meant we could lay in bed and have the most beautiful views of the countryside.
👕 Closet Space: So often on cruises, you have limited room to organize your clothing. Sometimes, you aren’t even given enough hangers for your items and they get all wrinkled.
We both fully unpacked our bags, as we were traveling with more than enough clothing for a week-long vacation. There was an entire closet for two people and large dresser drawers as well.
🛌 Comfy Bed: Honestly, between the soft mattress topper, large pillows, and blankets, it was hard to get out of bed some mornings! This is easily the nicest bed we’ve slept on in our years of cruising.
💧 Shower Time: Okay, this might not be what you expect on a cruise. On most of our previous trips the showers were a really tight fit.
Yet, on the VIVA One, the showers were noticeably larger. We never felt like we were squeezing in and out or tripping over anything.
☕️ Morning Coffee: One more thing we really enjoyed about the room was the Nespresso coffee maker. While VIVA One cruises are all-inclusive, we always like having a coffee to wake up with in the morning.
You also have full access to the minibar for beer and soft drinks. The seat by the window made for the perfect spot to sit and watch the views while sailing.
VIVA One Cruise Sundeck
Aside from the room, our next favorite spot on the boat was definitely the sundeck! The roof of the VIVA One is full of couches, chairs and sun loungers to relax on.
Something we weren’t expecting to find up there was a small pool. This made for a great place to cool off on a hot day.
It was also an awesome spot to grab an afternoon drink and hang out while the boat was cruising. The views are stunning and give you a panorama view of the scenery.
Make sure to visit the top of the ship when it’s time for sunset! There were a few nights where the sky lit up pink and orange.
VIVA One Bar & Lounge
The bar area is one of the most popular spots on the boat. Outside of dining hours when you’ll be in the Riverside restaurant or bistro, the lounge is a fun area to spend time.
There are small tables, couches, and seats throughout, with the far end being where the bar is setup. Really, there is no reason to go up to the bar as someone will come take your order as soon as you sit.
The ship was stocked with everything from coffee and juice to cocktails and traditional German beers. They also have a full list of mocktails, daily smoothies, and specials to try, too.
There is not only a drink for everyone on the VIVA One River Cruise, but also something for every mood!
The Bistro
Next, you should know that the VIVA One has two restaurants. The Bistro is a more casual dining experience, and is located in the back of the ships third floor.
It’s open for lunch and dinner. However, keep in mind that you do need to make a reservation in advance here.
Unlike the main Riverside restaurant, the menu stays the same at the Bistro for the entirety of your VIVA One Cruise. We were partial to the lunch service, which had delicious burgers, salads, and sandwiches.
This is the best place to eat on the ship if the boat is cruising during lunch hours. Here you’ll have amazing views out of the back towards the river.
Riverside Restaurant
The main place to eat on board is the Riverside Restaurant! This is a massive room on the bottom deck that has enough capacity to fit all the passengers at once on the ship. Each meal is done a little differently, so let us break it down for you.
Breakfast: Starting every morning, there is a large buffet for you to choose from. You’ll find fresh bread, baked goods, lox, herring, fruit, and so much more.
Also, there is a small menu of eggs and hot porridge that you can get made fresh to order. Our favorite was the ham and cheese omelettes!
Lunch: The lunch menu changed daily, but the setup was always the same. There are a selection of appetizers and full salad bar so that you could make your own plate.
Additionally, there is a pasta station with a different dish every day. The dessert section was the star of the show, with a mix of cheese, jams, and sweet treats.
Dinner: The Riverside restaurant dinner is served à la carte. You’ll have an option between several starters, which is normally a hot soup and salad. Then you’ll be able to pick your main course.
This was where the food options really blew us away every night. The VIVA One dinner is upscale dining at it’s finest, and we were so impressed! Read about the 24 most mouthwatering dishes we ate here.
Spa & Fitness Center
If you’re up for a workout, there is a small fitness center on the boat. Honestly, we didn’t get the chance to use it, as we were always walking so many steps off the ship.
The gym is complete with a treadmill, bicycle and elliptical machine. There is also a small section for weights.
If you’re looking to use the spa, you need to reserve it in advance at the reception. The VIVA One river cruise also has a masseuse onboard where you can book several different massages.
Would We Sail on the VIVA One Again?
Yes! Overall, we absolutely loved the VIVA One ship.
We were traveling during high season in the summer when it was fully booked. Yet, it still really never felt crowded. Between all the different areas and many of the guests enjoying their rooms, we could always find a place to sit and relax.
If you’re thinking about booking the VIVA One for your next trip, don’t hesitate! This was such an excellent one week adventure that we’d recommend to even the most avid cruisers.
We even had the chance to take a Christmas Markets River Cruise on the Viva Tiara over the winter!
Have any question on our VIVA One Boat Tour or want to share tips from your own experience? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
This trip was made possible in partnership with VIVA Cruises. As always, any opinions and recommendations remain our own.
Pin for Later ↓
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
