Viva Cruises Christens Viva Beyond, Its First Boutique Ship

Viva Cruises christened Viva Beyond in Paris on May 8, introducing the first vessel in its Viva Boutique line for river sailings in Northern France. Norwegian travel industry figure Cecilie Kopperud served as godmother for the 112-passenger ship, which becomes the ninth vessel in the Viva Cruises fleet.

The christening gives Viva Cruises a dedicated boutique-hotel-style product on the Seine, with a smaller-capacity ship built around French art, gastronomy and cultural programming. The 2026-built vessel is entering service with three Northern France itineraries during its inaugural season.

The ceremony followed maritime naming tradition, with a ribbon cutting that released a champagne bottle against the ship’s bow. Danish journalist Annamette Fuhrmann hosted the event, which drew more than 160 travel partners and Viva Cruises executives, including CEO and co-founder Andrea Kruse.

“We are so excited to launch the next step in our company’s growth with the christening of the Viva Beyond,” Kruse said. Kruse described the ship as “beyond anything we have offered before” and said Kopperud “epitomizes the passion we share for excellence in river cruising.”

Kopperud said it was “such an honor” to serve as godmother and wish the vessel “smooth seas and good fortune for years to come.” She also said the ship captures “the charm of the French lifestyle.”

Viva Boutique ship enters Seine program

Viva Beyond measures 110 meters, or about 360 feet, and has three decks, 56 cabins and capacity for 112 guests, with about 30 crew. About half of the accommodations are suites of up to 323 square feet, with features including floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, Nespresso machines and Typology amenities.

The ship’s public spaces include three restaurants, a wellness center, a modern fitness room and sun decks. Its dining program includes Moments, where the menu was developed by Michelin-starred chef David Gorne and the Viva Cruises culinary team.

Entertainment on the vessel includes the “Paris Petille” cabaret show, live jazz in the Panorama Lounge and classical concerts. Viva Cruises has positioned the interiors around French design references.

The addition comes less than eight years after Viva Cruises began operating as the in-house tour operator of Swiss shipping company Scylla AG. The company started sailing in November 2018 with MS Savor.

Inaugural season focuses on Northern France

Viva Beyond’s first season includes three itineraries in Northern France. The program is organized around art, gastronomy and culture, with sailings on the Seine and in Normandy.

The “In the footsteps of Impressionism” itinerary focuses on the landscapes associated with Monet and Renoir, including visits to Giverny and its gardens. Optional excursions include Monet’s garden, museums and historic sites tied to the Impressionist period.

The “Culinary delights of Normandy” itinerary is built around the region’s food traditions, with calls and excursions involving local producers, historic chateaux and coastal towns. The “Pure culture along the Seine” itinerary pairs Paris landmarks with smaller-scale encounters with daily life along the river.