Having sailed on several river cruise ships, including Viva Cruises’ new-build Viva Two, I knew I’d love the smaller, intimate feel of the 152-passenger Viva Voyage.
However, as this ship was built almost 20 years ago, I did wonder if the age would be obvious to me, as I favour modern design.
We boarded in Lyon, where the ship was centrally-docked in the city and ready to set for a week’s Charming South of France cruise, taking in pretty towns and vineyards along both the Rhône and the Saône.
Stepping onto Viva Voyage, you’re welcomed into the main hub of the ship which consists of a reception, travel desk and a small shop. There’s no big ‘wow factor’, but there is a glass dome that catches the eye and looks down onto the main dining room.
The ship was given a refurbishment in 2023 and, while there are new furnishings, carpets and lighter wood touches, there are still traditional features including brass fittings and marble tiles.
It’s worth pointing out that Viva Cruises is a German cruise line, and immediately post pandemic 89% of its guests were Germans, but now it’s close to 50% international guests across the fleet, and English is largely spoken. All menus are available in both languages. During our cruise, there were guests from across Europe, the UK and the US and everyone mixed well.
Viva Voyage is the line’s only ship sailing on the Saône and Rhône and Head of Marketing, Patrick El said guests are attracted by the itineraries and shore excursions. “They want to explore the city in tours and we have found they like the traditional ship setting and styles over the more contemporary offerings, so it really works well for us,” he said.
My standard twin/double cabin (number 305) was on deck three, Diamond Deck.
It was located relatively close to the main restaurant, reception and lounge area, but there were no issues with noise during busy times, so I’d definitely recommend this location, especially for clients who don’t want to walk from one end of the ship to the other, or those who have mobility issues. There is a small elevator between the main decks, but not to the sun deck.
Overall, the 76 cabins on Viva Voyage have everything you need for a very comfy stay — Rituals toiletries, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and a minibar that’s always freshly stocked with soft drinks and beer.
The décor is muted, with a mix of neutral/earthy tones, which works well and there are no big differences in style or standards to Viva’s newer ships.
Similar to other river cruise lines, there are just a couple of cabin types: the standard, 15sqm twin/doubles, and the slightly roomier 19 sqm Junior Suites (of which there are just two). Most cabins have balconies, but the 12 doubles/twins on the lower Emerald deck only have windows.
Size wise, I felt that my cabin was roomy and didn’t need any more space, and I slept so well each night. The only reason for upgrading to a Junior Suite would be to have the luxury of having a bed facing the balcony.
The main restaurant, Riverside, offers breakfast and lunch buffets, with options to select from a small menu as well. In the evening, it’s an a-la-carte affair, and no reservations are needed, with free seating. There are tables for two, four and six.
The menus change daily and there’s a good range of European dishes on offer, as well as wine and beer included. Starters included river crayfish and truffled mushroom soup, while mains were dishes such as river trout ‘meuniere’, chicken cordon-bleu and toasted tilapia fillet. For something sweet, the traditional French lemon tart and the dark chocolate mousse were instant hits at our table.
If you have clients with a large appetite, be warned, some of my fellow guests did say portion sizes could have been slightly bigger and ordered extra vegetables, which was no trouble for the waiters but did take a bit of explaining at first.
Service was always quick at breakfast and lunch, but during the dinner service it was a little slower, as it seemed most guests were dining at the same time.
At the back of the ship sits the newly added bistro, Vino Vino. It’s a lovely spot with both al fresco and inside tables to sit and watch the sun go down. On our first night, our group of four decided to sit there for a pre-dinner cocktail as we left port, but there were no staff serving at the bar ,so we had to walk down to the main lounge for service.
We later found out Vino Vino is open for dinner on select evenings during the cruise, but you have to make a reservation. It felt like a bit of a missed opportunity not to be open for drinks only, especially as we were sailing through one of the world’s top wine regions., Dinner in Vino Vino was great for a casual option, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The menu features burgers, nicoise salad, croque madame and vegan curry.
Low key is the name of the game on Viva Voyage.
The Panorama Lounge is the social space for drinks and the place to listen to the ship’s resident pianist at lunchtime and in the evening. A light buffet lunch is served here, but the selection is small, with sandwiches, pasta, and cakes.
During my cruise, guests would usually head to the top deck post-dinner to make the most of the warm weather and have a drink before heading back to the lounge once it was dark. It did get busy on deck, but staff were always on hand to bring in extra tables and chairs when needed, as well as to serve drinks.
There is also a small jacuzzi and putting green, however I didn’t see anyone using them.
While Viva offers an all-inclusive product onboard, excursions aren’t included in the cruise fare but they are bookable in advance, or once onboard. I thought they were reasonably priced.
Our first stop, in Burgundy, was in Chalon-sur-Saône. After a 45-minute transfer we arrived in Beaune, a walled city with historic ramparts. Highlights included the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, a 15th-century charitable hospital, and tasting the famous (and rather stinky) Époisses cheese, which has been rated the best in the world!
Given my location on the Saône – and the wine-producing home of many great Burgundy wines – it was imperative I took part in some wine tasting. So in Mâcon, after visiting the vast former Benedictine Cluny Abbey, we headed to the Chateau De Pierreclos wine estate.
Sitting on the outdoor terrace as we sampled four wines, including a pinot noir and Saint-Veran (now my new favourite wine) while looking out to the picturesque vineyards, was exactly the day I hoped for. This tour costs £59 per person.
In Lyon, a morning walking tour (£25pp) was well worth it to get our bearings as we had a whole night in port. I particularly loved the ‘traboules’, some 270 passageways hidden behind wooden doors which were originally built to transport goods from the river. As you enter each one you really do feel like you are entering secret tunnels into another world!
For those who want to explore on two wheels, there are free bikes to use when docked in port.
Yes, most definitely.
Personally, I preferred the modern style on Viva Two, so if you have guests that are looking for a more contemporary vessel and additional restaurant choices, then maybe point them to one of Viva’s newer ships.
But for most river cruise guests it’s about the destination, so if itineraries in the south of France are tempting your customers, then Viva Voyage certainly ticks the boxes and is great value for money. Prices start at £1,650pp all-inclusive for a Rhône cruise.
The food is just as good as it is on the sister ships, and I must give a shout out to the warm and friendly crew. Our Cruise Director Ann Smets was just brilliant and always made me smile every time we chatted!
I am sure your clients will find their ‘joie de vivre’ sailing along the French rivers, just as I did.
The post Viva Voyage review: A river cruise in France appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
However, as this ship was built almost 20 years ago, I did wonder if the age would be obvious to me, as I favour modern design.
We boarded in Lyon, where the ship was centrally-docked in the city and ready to set for a week’s Charming South of France cruise, taking in pretty towns and vineyards along both the Rhône and the Saône.
First Impressions
Stepping onto Viva Voyage, you’re welcomed into the main hub of the ship which consists of a reception, travel desk and a small shop. There’s no big ‘wow factor’, but there is a glass dome that catches the eye and looks down onto the main dining room.
The ship was given a refurbishment in 2023 and, while there are new furnishings, carpets and lighter wood touches, there are still traditional features including brass fittings and marble tiles.
It’s worth pointing out that Viva Cruises is a German cruise line, and immediately post pandemic 89% of its guests were Germans, but now it’s close to 50% international guests across the fleet, and English is largely spoken. All menus are available in both languages. During our cruise, there were guests from across Europe, the UK and the US and everyone mixed well.
Viva Voyage is the line’s only ship sailing on the Saône and Rhône and Head of Marketing, Patrick El said guests are attracted by the itineraries and shore excursions. “They want to explore the city in tours and we have found they like the traditional ship setting and styles over the more contemporary offerings, so it really works well for us,” he said.
The Cabin
My standard twin/double cabin (number 305) was on deck three, Diamond Deck.
It was located relatively close to the main restaurant, reception and lounge area, but there were no issues with noise during busy times, so I’d definitely recommend this location, especially for clients who don’t want to walk from one end of the ship to the other, or those who have mobility issues. There is a small elevator between the main decks, but not to the sun deck.
Overall, the 76 cabins on Viva Voyage have everything you need for a very comfy stay — Rituals toiletries, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and a minibar that’s always freshly stocked with soft drinks and beer.
The décor is muted, with a mix of neutral/earthy tones, which works well and there are no big differences in style or standards to Viva’s newer ships.
Similar to other river cruise lines, there are just a couple of cabin types: the standard, 15sqm twin/doubles, and the slightly roomier 19 sqm Junior Suites (of which there are just two). Most cabins have balconies, but the 12 doubles/twins on the lower Emerald deck only have windows.
Size wise, I felt that my cabin was roomy and didn’t need any more space, and I slept so well each night. The only reason for upgrading to a Junior Suite would be to have the luxury of having a bed facing the balcony.
The Dining
The main restaurant, Riverside, offers breakfast and lunch buffets, with options to select from a small menu as well. In the evening, it’s an a-la-carte affair, and no reservations are needed, with free seating. There are tables for two, four and six.
The menus change daily and there’s a good range of European dishes on offer, as well as wine and beer included. Starters included river crayfish and truffled mushroom soup, while mains were dishes such as river trout ‘meuniere’, chicken cordon-bleu and toasted tilapia fillet. For something sweet, the traditional French lemon tart and the dark chocolate mousse were instant hits at our table.
If you have clients with a large appetite, be warned, some of my fellow guests did say portion sizes could have been slightly bigger and ordered extra vegetables, which was no trouble for the waiters but did take a bit of explaining at first.
Service was always quick at breakfast and lunch, but during the dinner service it was a little slower, as it seemed most guests were dining at the same time.
At the back of the ship sits the newly added bistro, Vino Vino. It’s a lovely spot with both al fresco and inside tables to sit and watch the sun go down. On our first night, our group of four decided to sit there for a pre-dinner cocktail as we left port, but there were no staff serving at the bar ,so we had to walk down to the main lounge for service.
We later found out Vino Vino is open for dinner on select evenings during the cruise, but you have to make a reservation. It felt like a bit of a missed opportunity not to be open for drinks only, especially as we were sailing through one of the world’s top wine regions., Dinner in Vino Vino was great for a casual option, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The menu features burgers, nicoise salad, croque madame and vegan curry.
Entertainment and Facilities
Low key is the name of the game on Viva Voyage.
The Panorama Lounge is the social space for drinks and the place to listen to the ship’s resident pianist at lunchtime and in the evening. A light buffet lunch is served here, but the selection is small, with sandwiches, pasta, and cakes.
During my cruise, guests would usually head to the top deck post-dinner to make the most of the warm weather and have a drink before heading back to the lounge once it was dark. It did get busy on deck, but staff were always on hand to bring in extra tables and chairs when needed, as well as to serve drinks.
There is also a small jacuzzi and putting green, however I didn’t see anyone using them.
The Excursions
While Viva offers an all-inclusive product onboard, excursions aren’t included in the cruise fare but they are bookable in advance, or once onboard. I thought they were reasonably priced.
Our first stop, in Burgundy, was in Chalon-sur-Saône. After a 45-minute transfer we arrived in Beaune, a walled city with historic ramparts. Highlights included the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, a 15th-century charitable hospital, and tasting the famous (and rather stinky) Époisses cheese, which has been rated the best in the world!
Given my location on the Saône – and the wine-producing home of many great Burgundy wines – it was imperative I took part in some wine tasting. So in Mâcon, after visiting the vast former Benedictine Cluny Abbey, we headed to the Chateau De Pierreclos wine estate.
Sitting on the outdoor terrace as we sampled four wines, including a pinot noir and Saint-Veran (now my new favourite wine) while looking out to the picturesque vineyards, was exactly the day I hoped for. This tour costs £59 per person.
In Lyon, a morning walking tour (£25pp) was well worth it to get our bearings as we had a whole night in port. I particularly loved the ‘traboules’, some 270 passageways hidden behind wooden doors which were originally built to transport goods from the river. As you enter each one you really do feel like you are entering secret tunnels into another world!
For those who want to explore on two wheels, there are free bikes to use when docked in port.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, most definitely.
Personally, I preferred the modern style on Viva Two, so if you have guests that are looking for a more contemporary vessel and additional restaurant choices, then maybe point them to one of Viva’s newer ships.
But for most river cruise guests it’s about the destination, so if itineraries in the south of France are tempting your customers, then Viva Voyage certainly ticks the boxes and is great value for money. Prices start at £1,650pp all-inclusive for a Rhône cruise.
The food is just as good as it is on the sister ships, and I must give a shout out to the warm and friendly crew. Our Cruise Director Ann Smets was just brilliant and always made me smile every time we chatted!
I am sure your clients will find their ‘joie de vivre’ sailing along the French rivers, just as I did.
The post Viva Voyage review: A river cruise in France appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
