'I found the perfect cruise where solo travellers and families can actually coexist.'

There are very few holiday options where solo travellers and families can exist together in harmony.

As a solo traveller who embarked on her first cruise in August of last year, I was not sure what to expect when I boarded Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima Class ship Norwegian Viva for a trip that began in Portugal and sailed through Gibraltar, Spain and France before ending the glorious European adventure in Italy.

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What I discovered while sailing on Norwegian Viva was that a trip like this allows you to travel through Europe with ease and in complete luxury.

Each night I went to bed in my stateroom, complete with a private balcony, and when I woke up in the morning I would immediately pull back the curtains to see which magical new location I'd arrived in.

This particular cruise stopped at a new destination each day, so there was plenty of time to explore a series of beautiful new countries, yet in between those adventures, there was also ample time to relax on the ship as we sailed to the next destination each day.

Norwegian Viva is packed with different decks, activities and areas suited to solo travellers and families, and even a large range of areas that appeal to both.

Here's my guide to what to see and do on Norwegian Viva, no matter what your travel arrangements look like.

You can read a full recap of the European destinations the author of this article visited while sailing on the Norwegian Viva here.

Norwegian Viva leaving Portugal. Image: Supplied.

Just for the adults.

A relaxing slice of heaven that can be found aboard Norwegian Viva is Mandara Spa, where you can experience state-of-the-art pools, a two-story waterfall, and multiple detoxifying saunas, all located just a short stroll from your cabin door.

A visit to Mandara Spa was always an indulgent end to my day while sailing on the Norwegian Viva, especially after a long day exploring different European cities under the hot summer sun.

At Mandara Spa, you can purchase a Thermal Suite Pass, which allows you to refresh and rejuvenate in the adults-only Thermal Suite. It's quite a life-changing experience to alternate between saunas, steam rooms, and thalassotherapy pools.

Here you can indulge in a range of health and beauty services, everything from a fire and ice pedicure to an intensely cleansing salt scrub or even a personal training session (I'm more of a massage girl myself, but absolutely no judgment about how you choose to spend your holiday).

Inside Mandara Spa on the Norwegian Viva. Image: Supplied.

Whether you're travelling in a group or solo as I was, one of the standout elements of Norwegian Viva was how many bars, restaurants and shows there were to indulge in during the sail.

While on board, you'll usually hear the music and merriment coming from Syd Norman's Pour House before you see it. This was the place to sing along to your favourite songs and enjoy some excellent live music from the house band while you sipped on your drink of choice, which included a range of speciality cocktails.

There was also the Humidor Cigar Lounge, where you could enjoy a fine cigar and a drink in a relaxing setting late at night, and then grab a midnight snack at The Local Bar and Grill before heading back to your stateroom.

The view from a balcony stateroom on Norwegian Viva. Image: Supplied

If you're looking for an adults-only spot to hang out during the day and soak in the beautiful sites of the European countries and coasts you're sailing by, you can't go past the experience of Vibe Beach Club.

This section of the ship is exclusively for guests 18 and over, and it's where you can sit back and enjoy the views with a glass of bubbles or a cocktail from the full-service private bar.

At Vibe Beach Club you can laze about in the infinity hot tubs and even have food delivered to your deck chair once you work up an appetite from all that relaxing.

Later at night, you'll want to hit the Viva Theatre & Club, where you can experience the first venue in the world that transforms from a three-storey theatre to a spectacular nightclub if you're keen to spend some time dancing the night away.

Also, because this cruise ship is pretty much a floating city, there are a range of entertainment options on offer, including a full-scale production of Beetlejuice: The Musical. This irreverent musical comedy is based on Tim Burton's beloved film of the same name and is a must-see at some point during your trip. (While this is not a strictly adults-only affair, just be aware that this show contains adult themes that may not be suitable for younger audience members.)

Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Viva. Image: Supplied.

Activities for kids and families.

For families sailing on the Norwegian Viva, the first thing on your list should be hitting Norwegian Viva's Tee Time, which is the first interactive and tech-immersive mini-golf experience at sea.

I think we can all agree that mini-golf is a fun experience at any location, but it's particularly exhilarating when the coast of France or Spain is gliding along in the background (I even saw a few adults sneaking in here while their kids were occupied elsewhere).

If you're a fan of waterslides, you've come to the right place, because at 10 stories tall, Norwegian Viva's newest slides are the fastest at sea. The Drop is the first free-fall dry slide in the world, and the delighted screams I heard from guests using the slides throughout our trip echoed happily across the ship during the day.

Families and kids can also take a spin on the Viva Speedway, where you can speed across the horizon on the first three-level racetrack at sea. When you're done there, head inside the Galaxy Pavilion and explore a virtual reality world filled with immersive VR experiences and thrilling simulator rides. This is where families can use their wits to solve an escape room featuring everything from holograms and to enchanted artifacts.

Entourage is an area dedicated to keeping teenagers entertained and features activities like an air hockey table, video games, and TVs. Then at night, the area is transformed and a dance floor and jukebox are added to turn it into a teen nightclub.

Norwegian Viva's Tee Time. Image: Supplied.

For both solo adults and families with kids.

What I discovered while sailing on Norwegian Viva is that you don't have to be too precious about which areas are best for solo adult travellers and which are best for families with kids, as there are many locations that cater perfectly to both parties — especially on the decks, where you can enjoy the best ocean views.

Let's start with the Waves Pool Bar. This is located next to the main swimming pool on the ship and is the prime location for swimming, lazing about in a deckchair in the sea breeze, and indulging in drinks from Waves Pool Bar, which has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

There's music playing and screens are set up to provide additional entertainment.

Right next door to the pool is the Surfside Cafe, where you can grab a full meal or just a post-swim snack at any time of day, with everything from pizza to salad and fries on offer.

There are many restaurants and eateries on Norwegian Viva that cater to solo travellers and families alike, but one option that will never let either party down is the Indulge Food Hall, which is complimentary and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

At Indulge, every table comes equipped with a device where you can peruse the menu, which offers a range of meals, snacks and desserts from different parts of the world, including India, Italy and Latin America. Simply select what you'd like to eat and drink, and it will be delivered directly to your table.

One of the other areas of the ship where solo travellers and families existed in harmony was Ocean Boulevard's Infinity Beach. This area features two Infinity Pools, which are often filled with adults and kids relaxing in the cool water while enjoying the breathtaking views of the European coastline.

The pools are surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs and daybeds, making it the perfect place to read and relax. There's even a self-serve ice cream machine nearby, which was very popular with guests of all ages.

Enjoying an ocean-side cocktail on Norwegian Viva. Image: Supplied.

Overall, I found Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima Class ship, Norwegian Viva, to be a perfect vessel from which to see the sights of Europe, whether travelling solo or with a large family group.

Feature Image: Supplied.