I was recently invited to VIVA BEYOND’s christening ceremony in Paris. As well as seeing Cecilie Kopperud named the ship’s godmother, I spent two nights aboard to see exactly what it has to offer.
My opinion in a nutshell
This river ship marks the debut of VIVA Boutique, a new brand from VIVA Cruises that promises the experience of a boutique hotel on water, infused with a natural savoir-vivre. In practical terms, that translates to smaller, more intimate vessels, a higher suite-to-cabin ratio and itineraries inspired by the culture and cuisine of the region through which it sails.
I found it largely delivered on the brief, with a cosmopolitan ambience that could well convert guests who don’t consider themselves classic river cruisers.
My favourite bits
All-inclusive approach: Guests on VIVA BEYOND will enjoy a generous swathe of inclusions beyond accommodation and full board, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a signature excursion, a mini bar stocked daily and high tea.
Ratio of suites: Half of the 56 staterooms on VIVA BEYOND are suites, including options like the Beyond Suite that measure up to 30 square metres and come with French balconies, as well as perks like the first pick of tables in the onboard restaurants, laundry credits and a welcome aperitif.
Size of the ship: At just 110 metres in length, this is smaller than most ships in the VIVA Cruises fleet. The result is an intimate atmosphere and access to the very heart of cities like Paris. On our final night, we sailed directly to Île aux Cygnes, a small island in the Seine in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, which hosts a replica of the Statue of Liberty dating back to 1889 and offers views of the Eiffel Tower as it sparkled.
Style & character
VIVA BEYOND was designed to feel like a boutique hotel that happens to be able to sail down the Seine. When you enter the ship, you find yourself in a multi-storey atrium full of old-world charm and a keen sense of personality.
Expect hanging brass light fixtures, wrought iron balustrades, Art Deco embellishments and an understated colour palette of cream, warm taupe and dusty mauve. Fresh, seasonal flowers, which appear in generous bouquets, enliven public spaces.
Another thing you’ll likely note is how international the ship feels. While it’s headquartered in Germany, VIVA caters to guests from across German-speaking countries, Scandinavia, the UK, the US and beyond, so expect a mix of languages and cultural sensibilities.
Cabins
I stayed in a double cabin on the Emerald Deck. At 14 square metres it is compact, but every centimetre is put to good use. There’s plenty of storage, coffee and tea-making facilities, a comfortable double bed, air-conditioning, a wall-mounted TV, a safe, slippers and a robe. The complimentary mini bar is a nice touch, and the bathroom has toiletries from Typology.
The lighting is gentle and flattering, which is significant since most of the cabin sits under the waterline, with two high-set windows. For more natural light, consider splurging on a double cabin on the Ruby Deck, which come with French balconies.
If your budget allows, the suites are a genuine step up. The largest sit at 30 square metres and come with a raft of perks, including an extra excursion, priority embarkation and laundry credits.
Best of all, they are set on higher decks, which tend to be quieter than the lower ones. In my cabin, I could occasionally hear pipes and plumbing, and its location near the Panorama Lounge and RIVERSIDE Restaurant means it’s not well suited to light sleepers.
Food & drink
VIVA BEYOND has three restaurants, which is somewhat unusual for a river ship of this size. RIVERSIDE, decked out in crisp white tablecloths, is the main dining venue, where most meals are taken. Menus have been developed in collaboration with the Michelin-starred chef David Görne, a German-born Francophile inspired by haute cuisine.
Alongside his signature pâté en croûte, expect dishes such as camembert with truffle and parmesan, veal tenderloin with asparagus and morels, and white chocolate cake with berries and verbena.
VIVA’s Brasserie, in contrast, offers simpler fare, while MOMENTS is a more intimate alternative. The speciality restaurant hosts just 12 passengers at a time so unless you’re staying in a Beyond Suite, which gives you priority, make your reservation as soon as you board.
Breakfast is back in RIVERSIDE, where a generous buffet is supplemented by à la carte options such as made-to-order omelettes and avocado on sourdough.
Service & facilities
VIVA BEYOND doesn’t reinvent the river cruise formula when it comes to facilities, but it covers the essentials well. Expect a small but well-equipped gym, spa treatments (starting at €39 for 25 minutes) and the Panorama Lounge, where guests can watch the Norman countryside slip by.
The standout feature, however, is the extensive sundeck, complete with plenty of lounge chairs, a small plunge pool and a limited number of bikes to borrow on a complimentary basis. Given the ship is due to sail 11 months out of the year, including July and August when temperatures can climb into the low 30s, it’s easy to see why this part of the ship is likely to prove popular.
Service was personable and warm, if occasionally uneven, which is understandable given the crew were finding their footing on an entirely new vessel. Meals could run long and orders occasionally went astray, but as the first guests ever on board, it would be unfair to read too much into what were almost certainly teething issues.
Entertainment & excursions
Entertainment is one of the areas where VIVA BEYOND feels most polished. During the day, the jazzy stylings of a pianist added a pleasant ambience to the lounge as guests enjoyed freshly shucked oysters. In the evening, a tongue-in-cheek musical inspired by the Roaring ‘20s and circus-style acrobatics had the rapt attention of the audience.
The lively, convivial atmosphere lingered long after the performers had taken their final bow and dispelled any notion that river cruising must be staid or stuffy. It’s a testament to VIVA’s efforts to attract a younger demographic and multi-gen groups.
Additionally, every guest is entitled to at least one signature shore excursion, many of which are exclusive to VIVA.
Depending on your itinerary, you might find yourself among the ruins of Château Gaillard, the medieval fortress built by Richard the Lionheart, before heading to a traditional Norman farm to taste local produce.
Or you might take a tour of Auvers-sur-Oise, the picturesque village that was home to artists including van Gogh, Cézanne and Daubigny, with a visit to the Musée de l’Absinthe included.
Value for money
VIVA BEYOND offers strong value for three clear reasons. Firstly, it operates on an all-inclusive basis, with everything from Wi-Fi and gratuities to alcoholic drinks and at least one excursion covered, removing the pressure of counting every penny as you sail.
Secondly, VIVA rejects dynamic pricing. Fares are set up to 18 months in advance, meaning you can book when you like, safe in the knowledge that you aren’t missing out on a last-minute reduction if you do.
Lastly, it offers shorter itineraries. If you’re new to river cruising, or cruising of any kind for that matter, its three and four-day itineraries are a relatively affordable way to test the waters.
Full list of facilities
- Three restaurants
- Bar and lounge
- Gym
- Spa
- Sundeck
- Plunge pool
- Bikes to borrow
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