Welcome aboard the VIVA Two

For the second time, we are boarding a river cruise ship from VIVA Cruises. After getting to know the VIVA One, this time we are going on board the VIVA Two. It is the second newbuild from VIVA Cruises from 2023. On board the new VIVA Two, we are going on a 5-day cruise to the Netherlands from Düsseldorf. An extended weekend, so to speak, as we depart on Friday and arrive on Tuesday morning. On our river cruise we will discover Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Nijmegen. If you want to read more about the VIVA One, take a look at our blog post “Welcome aboard the VIVA One“.

The VIVA Two

Just like the VIVA One, the ship features many ecological innovations such as solar panels and a modern water treatment system. We can draw fresh, cool drinking water from this system at two water stations in the lobby. With or without carbon dioxide and as often as you like. A VIVA drinking bottle is provided for everyone in our cabin, which we can take home with us afterwards as a souvenir.

There are 95 cabins spread over three decks, which can accommodate up to 190 passengers. The river cruise ship is 135 meters long and 11 meters wide. On the lowest deck, the Emerald Deck, there are 2-bed cabins with windows as well as the wellness and sports area. The wellness area includes an infrared sauna, a steam bath, a very modern fitness room with treadmill, ergometer and dumbbells as well as a massage room. The Moments Restaurant at the bow of the ship is also located on this deck. On the Ruby Deck, Deck 2, there are 15 m² 2-bed cabins with a French balcony.

The Ruby Deck is the heart of the ship. Here you will find the lobby, the reception, the shore excursion desk and the store. It is also on this deck that we board the VIVA Two for the first time. Directly between reception and the shore excursion desk, we enter the Riverside main restaurant with its open, light-flooded ambience.

Our cabin is located on the Diamond Deck, Deck 3, and is a 2-bed cabin with a French balcony, cabin number 326. In addition to the cabins with French balconies, there are also eight 24 m² suites on this deck. This deck also has a water and coffee dispenser and direct access to the panorama lounge and the bar in the bow area. If we go through to the stern area, we enter the VIVA’s Bistro and can take the stairs directly up to the sun deck.

There are numerous seating and lounging options on the sun deck, which are set up when the weather is nice. The small, square pool is also located there in the stern area. The pool is heated but does not have a whirlpool function. It is also accessible in winter in good weather.

Cruise Sisters test the pool

Relax in the heated pool

Comparison of VIVA Two with VIVA One

The VIVA Two is just as long and wide as the VIVA One, but can carry 190 instead of 176 passengers due to the layout. Both river cruise ships have four decks and offer all passengers an all-inclusive concept that includes all food and drink in the cruise price.

One innovation on board the VIVA Two is the restaurant concept. In addition to VIVA’s Bistro and the main restaurant Riverside, there is a third restaurant, the specialty restaurant Moments, which offers Mediterranean dishes a-lá-carte. Starters and desserts are self-service at the buffet, while the main course is served at the table. We really like this modern concept. All restaurants are included, but you have to reserve a place in VIVA’s Bistro or Moments at reception in the evening.

The Moments restaurant on the Emerald Deck

Another change is the open main restaurant Riverside with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. It is open because a wide staircase towards the bow leads directly to the panorama lounge and bar. This makes it easy to enjoy an aperitif before dinner and then return to the bar or lounge to enjoy a few more relaxing hours in a convivial atmosphere with live music.

Riverside main restaurant and the panorama lounge above it

The cabin design also differs from the VIVA One. While green and blue tones were mainly used on board the first new build, the VIVA Two is dominated by beige, brown and red tones. This makes our cabin look a little more spacious and brighter.

We are expecting the third new build from VIVA Cruises this year, which will be called VIVA Enjoy in line with the motto “Enjoy the Moment”.

Our cabin

Our cabin 326 is located on the Diamond Deck and is 15 m² in size. It has huge panoramic windows and a French balcony. This gives us a breathtaking view of the passing scenery along the river at all times.

The furnishings include reading lamps by the bed, side tables on each side, an armchair, a small table and a desk with chair. So you can enjoy the view as a couple at any time. On the flat-screen TV you will find the on-board program, all information about the journey and, of course, a TV program. This is an environmentally friendly way of saving paper, as there is no printed program in the cabins.

Cabin 326 on the Diamond Deck

Cruise Sister Janice is delighted with the beautiful cabin

In the entrance area of the cabin there is a closet with two doors and space for hanging clothes at different heights. In addition to pants and blouses, you can also hang up dresses here without any problems. We can even store our hand luggage in there without any problems. This is not a matter of course, especially on river cruise ships. Larger suitcases can be stored under the bed. The safe with code is also integrated into the wardrobe. Next to it is a sideboard with the minibar and there are several drawers, so there really is plenty of storage space for two people.

The included minibar stocks soft drinks, juice and beer and is refilled daily. There is even a bottle of Secco in each cabin as a welcome drink. Every passenger has a VIVA drinking bottle in their cabin, which they can use to get cool water with or without carbon dioxide from the water dispensers at any time. The water bottles are super practical as you can also take them with you on shore excursions. There is also a Nespresso® machine.

We also particularly like the bathroom. As on the VIVA One, it has a modern design, offers plenty of space and, in addition to a large rain shower, there are also beauty products (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion) from RITUALS®. In addition to the ceiling and wall lighting, there is also separate floor lighting under the washbasin cabinet, which is very practical at night, for example.

The bathroom in cabin 326

Many thanks to VIVA Cruises for the cruise aboard the VIVA Two. This article is not sponsored, we only report on our own impressions.