The shipping group Scylla has add another ship to its fleet of Viva River Cruise ships. She is 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. Their 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 sized vessels owned by Scylla sail under the control of different river cruise operators. These include Riviera Travel and Tauck River Cruises
In keeping with the line’s motto, “Enjoy the Moment“, Scylla have decided to break their previous naming pattern. They have named the third new ship Viva Enjoy.
The 190-passenger Viva Enjoy has just entered service offering 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. They also plan several five-night Christmas market sailings.
Open plan
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 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 paired with wine.
In the stern on the main deck Viva Enjoy will feature the same bistro style restaurant made famous aboard Viva One and Viva Two. 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 restuurants is included in the ships all inclusive tariff which also includes snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Distinct 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. This clever design makes the ship feel very light and airy. It also means that the Riverside restaurant, 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 those who 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 charging ports and a wireless charger for phones. All standard cabins measure 15 square metres. Those on the lower deck have fixed windows and they do not open. Those on the other decks, have French balconies. Eight larger (24 square-metre) cabins located on the uppermost passenger deck, also have French balconies.
Cabins
All cabins are equipped with a complimentary coffee machine and mini-bar. It is replenished daily. Bathrooms are supplied with Rituals toiletries. Dispensers for still and sparkling water are located in public areas. As is a 24-hour tea and coffee station.
On the uppermost deck, the ship has a splash pool and putting green. Below deck, there is a massage room, sauna, a small gym and a shop. Elevators serve every deck, apart from the sun deck. This is accessed by stairs from the main deck.
Itineraries with Viva Cruises are always all-inclusive. This means that all meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, mini-bar, Rituals toiletries and even gratuities are included in the fare.
Viva Enjoy begins her maiden voyage on 22nd September 2024. This 11-night inaugural voyage, will sail from Frankfurt to Vienna