Norwegian Viva Starts Galveston Season of Weekly Caribbean Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new seasonal deployment from Texas with Norwegian Viva arriving at the Port of Galveston on Dec. 13, 2025. The 2023-built Prima-class ship is set to sail weekly seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Galveston through April 2026, with two longer 14-night roundtrips also scheduled during the winter season.

Marking the ship’s debut at its new homeport, Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, tied the move to the company’s broader strategy for drive-to cruise demand. “We’re excited to officially welcome the Norwegian Viva to Galveston this season,” Sommer said.

Galveston season built around the port’s newest cruise facility

Norwegian Viva is operating from Cruise Terminal 16, Galveston’s newest cruise terminal. The 165,000-square-foot facility opened in November and is being used to support the ship’s Galveston itineraries.

At the arrival celebration, Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said the ship adds to the port’s appeal as a turnaround option for U.S. cruisers. “The beautiful Norwegian Viva allows our cruisers the opportunity to experience a world-class cruise ship,” Rees said.

Sommer also framed the expansion as a way to broaden access to Norwegian’s product from major ports. “Expanding our offerings from popular, easily accessible ports allows us to bring unforgettable experiences closer to home for more travelers,” he said. “The Norwegian Viva was thoughtfully designed for guests to live life to the fullest, and we’re proud to introduce this world-class cruising option to Texas.”

Weekly seven-night Western Caribbean sailings through April 2026

For most of the Galveston deployment, Norwegian Viva is scheduled to operate recurring seven-night Western Caribbean cruises, with a weekly pattern that includes Saturday departures referenced for the standard itinerary series. The regular route includes calls in Mexico, Honduras and Belize, including a stop at one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destinations.

• Cozumel, Mexico, is scheduled as a port of call on the weekly seven-night itinerary.
• Costa Maya, Mexico, is also included on the ship’s standard Galveston-based Western Caribbean route.
• Roatan, Honduras, is part of the regular seven-night program from Texas.
• Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line’s resort-style destination in southern Belize, is featured as the private-destination call on the weekly itinerary.

Norwegian Cruise Line has described Harvest Caye as a key highlight in the Western Caribbean schedule during the Galveston season.

Two 14-night roundtrips add Eastern Caribbean ports in January

In addition to the weekly program, Norwegian Viva is scheduled to operate two 14-night roundtrip voyages from Galveston during the winter deployment. The first of the longer sailings departed on Jan. 10, 2026, expanding the route to include a wider mix of destinations across the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Ports listed for the Jan. 10, 2026, 14-night itinerary include:

• Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), U.S. Virgin Islands, is among the Eastern Caribbean calls on the two-week sailing.
• St. John’s, Antigua, is scheduled as part of the expanded itinerary.
• Philipsburg, St. Maarten, is included on the 14-night route.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico, is listed as a call during the cruise.
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, is also part of the itinerary.
• George Town, Grand Cayman, is included among the Western Caribbean calls.
• Cozumel, Mexico, appears on the two-week itinerary as well.
• Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island destination in the Bahamas, is listed for the Jan. 10 sailing.

A second 14-night cruise is scheduled for late January 2026. That voyage follows a similar two-week concept spanning Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, but swaps the Great Stirrup Cay call for a visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

After the January 14-night sailings, the ship is scheduled to resume its standard seven-night Western Caribbean schedule through mid-April.

Capacity and what comes after the Texas season

Norwegian Viva’s passenger capacity was listed at 3,215 guests for these Galveston sailings.

The ship’s Galveston season is set to run into mid-April 2026, after which it is scheduled to reposition to Europe. Norwegian Viva is set to start its summer deployment in the Western Mediterranean following a 15-night repositioning voyage from Miami to Barcelona, Spain.

Norwegian Viva is also scheduled to return to Galveston in late October 2026 to begin another winter season from Texas for the 2026-27 period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did Norwegian Viva begin its Galveston season?

The ship arrived at the Port of Galveston on Dec. 13, 2025, launching its inaugural season sailing from Texas.

What terminal is Norwegian Viva using in Galveston?

Norwegian Viva is operating from Cruise Terminal 16, a 165,000-square-foot facility that opened in November.

What ports are included on the regular seven-night itinerary from Galveston?

The weekly seven-night Western Caribbean cruises call on Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, and Harvest Caye in southern Belize.

How do the two 14-night cruises differ from the weekly sailings?

The 14-night roundtrips expand beyond the standard Western Caribbean loop by adding Eastern Caribbean destinations. The Jan. 10, 2026, sailing includes ports such as Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), St. John’s, Philipsburg, San Juan and Puerto Plata, along with Great Stirrup Cay; the later January voyage follows a similar framework but replaces the Great Stirrup Cay call with Ocho Rios.

What is Norwegian Viva’s plan after the Galveston season ends?

The ship is scheduled to reposition to Europe in mid-April 2026, beginning the transition with a 15-night Miami-to-Barcelona voyage ahead of a summer season in the Western Mediterranean, and it is expected to return to Galveston in late October 2026 for another winter deployment.