The new river travel brand VIVA Cruises (fleet) welcomed its first newbuild to the family.
MS VIVA One was officially christened in her homeport of Dusseldorf (Germany North Rhine-Westphalia) on Thursday, April 7, in a ceremony attended by 160+ guests. The christening ceremony was attended by Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises; Arno Reitsma, CEO of Scylla AG, VIVA Cruises’ parent company; Josef Hinkel, mayor of Dusseldorf; Judith Rakers, a popular German journalist and TV presenter - the Godmother of VIVA One.
The riverboat is owned by the Swiss company Scylla AG (shipowner) and chartered to its German subsidiary company and travel brand VIVA Cruises. VIVA One has an identical sistership - VIVA Two, currently scheduled for inauguration in November 2022 and planned for a deployment on Danube River.
MS VIVA One ship has 4 passenger decks and a total of 88 staterooms for 176 passengers. All cabins are outside and most are sized 16 m2 (170 ft2). The riverboat has all 3 dining options (all complimentary): Riverside Restaurant (fore-located Dining Room), Viva's Bistro (aft-located restaurant and bar lounge), and Alfresco Bar & Buffet (Sundeck). From Viva's Bistro (via two outdoor staircases) is accessed the Sundeck's pool area (Jacuzzi). On Diamond Deck is the boat's Lobby area, Reception Desk, Travel Desk, Boutique (Gift Shop). The riverboat's wellness complex is on Emerald Deck and consists of Fitness (Gym Room), Hair Salon (nail salon, hairdresser/barber services), Spa (Massage Room), Sauna Room (infrared), Steam Bath. On Sun Deck are located the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge), 5x retractable Awnings, fore-located Alfresco Lounge, and aft-located games area (with Putting Green Mini-Golf) and Jacuzzi (spa pool and showers). The fore-located on Ruby Deck Bar Lounge (Panorama) has floor-ceiling windows, comfortable seating (tables, sofas, armchairs), a dance floor, and grand piano (for live performances in the afternoons and evenings), and is served by its own Bar. From Panorama Lounge is accessed the bow-located Lido Terrace - an outdoor lounge (with limited seating) that is wind-protected (by a wraparound glass wall).
VIVA One will offer a variety of 5- and 7-night itineraries on the Rhine and Moselle rivers throughout 2022, with more to come in 2023, most of them departing from Dusseldorf, where VIVA Cruises is based.