The shipping group Scylla will add another ship to its fleet of Viva River Cruise ships. It will be the third new ship in as many years.
The tour operating arm of the Swiss-based Scylla shipping group, Viva Cruises was formed in 2018. Viva One was launched in 2022. Her identical sister ship Viva Two splashed in 2023.
The ship will be the eighth ship in the Scylla fleet. Other similar vessels sail under the control of different river cruise operators the likes of Riviera Travel and Tauck River Cruises
In keeping with the line’s motto, “Enjoy the Moment”, now with their third ship, Scylla have decided to break the pattern. They will name the third new ship Viva Enjoy.
The 190-passenger Viva Enjoy will launch in 2024 and will offer international English-speaking cruises. She will mainly sail on the Danube River offering a variety of cruises. These include four-night round-trip Vienna taster cruises and a seven-night Charming Danube itinerary. She will also sail on round trips beginning and ending in Vienna. Those voyages will take in the Hungarian and Slovakian capitals of Budapest and Bratislava and many other ports of call such as Durnstein and Melk. There are also five-night Christmas market sailings.
New and innovative
Scylla have made some changes to the deck layout on board Viva Enjoy. New and innovative arrangements feature a more open plan design that includes three separate restaurants. Most river ships of this size only have two restaurants.
Riverside, the main restaurant will seat 130 passengers. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Situated on the lower deck, Moments is a cosy 60-seater restaurant with plenty of tables for two. Another feature not seen on many riverboats. Moments will serve a simple continental style breakfast and will then offer Mediterranean-style cuisine for lunch and dinner. Their five-course evening meal will be an upscale and slow-paced special experience. Each course will be paired with wine.
In the stern on the main deck Viva Enjoy will carry the same bistro style restaurant made famous aboard Viva One and Viva Two. Occupying a prime spot overlooking the stern this casual Bistro will serve fish and seafood dishes for lunch and dinner. It is envisaged that the menus in Moments and Bistro will stay the same for the entire cruise. The menu in Riverside will change daily. Eating in any of the restaurants is included in the ships all inclusive tariff, which also includes snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Advantage
The open plan design has another distinct advantage over other ships in the Scylla fleet. The bar is no longer part of the main lounge. Instead, it is located down a flight of stairs at the forward end of the ship. The design makes the ship feel very light and airy. It also means that Riverside has two entrances. That will cut down on dinner time queues when passengers are trying to find a table at busy times.
With Viva Enjoy offering flexible dining times, passengers who prefer to eat later in the evening or don’t want to have to rush for dinner after getting back from a late afternoon excursion, will have more choice of table.
Ninety-five well-appointed passenger cabins are set across three decks. Each features USB ports and a wireless charger for phones. All standard cabins measure 15 square metres. Those on the lower deck have fixed windows that do not open. Those on the other decks have French balconies. Eight larger (24 square metres) cabins located on the uppermost passenger deck, also have French balconies.
All cabins are equipped with a complimentary mini-bar that is replenished daily and coffee machine. Bathrooms are supplied with Rituals toiletries. There are dispensers for still and sparkling water in public areas plus a 24-hour tea and coffee station.
Splash pool and putting green
On the uppermost deck the ship has a splash pool and putting green. Below, there is a massage room, sauna, a small gym and a shop. Elevators serve every deck, apart from the sun deck which is accessed by stairs from the main deck.
All itineraries are all-inclusive meaning all meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, mini-bar, Rituals toiletries and gratuities are included in the fare.
The ship will begin her maiden voyage on 22nd September 2024 sailing an 11-night inaugural voyage from Frankfurt to Vienna.