Ship Spotlight: Norwegian Bliss
Photo Credit: NCL
Coming the summer of 2018, this 1,082 foot ship holding 4004 passengers is the new way to sail the Alaskan and Caribbean seas. With 1,716 crew members, you are guaranteed a trip of a lifetime. The Bliss is the newest of 16 ships sailing the seas for Norwegian Cruise Lines. On this Breakaway Plus Class ship, spend anywhere from 4 to 21 days at sea exploring and relaxing. This 20 deck ship has everything from spas to race tracks, something for everyone.
.Photo Credit: NCL
With 7 different state rooms to choose from, there is a perfect option for solo sailors and a family of sailors. The Studio State Rooms are specifically for those who choose to cruise solo. These rooms have access to the private Studio Lounge. Inside State Rooms have the modern touch and just perfect for a place to lay your head. Oceanview State Rooms have the clear visual site of the oceans. Balcony state rooms have floor to ceiling doors that lead out to your very own private balcony. Spa State Rooms include The Haven Spa Suite, Spa Mini Suite & Spa Balcony room. These rooms have access to the Spa & Fitness Center with complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suites. What better way to relax and get pampered! The Mini Suite State Rooms are perfect for couples & families with their comfortable accents. Last but not least, the luxurious Haven State Rooms. These rooms come with 24 hour butler service & concierge service and lead out to a private sundeck of your own. It’s okay to spoil yourself every once in a while! Dining options are not an issue with 24 hour availability to multiple beverages and foods to please that palate. Q-Texas Smokehouse is every BBQ fan’s dream come true. BBQ chicken, ribs & brisket in so many different varieties, you won’t want to try it anywhere else! The Local is a pub atmosphere with a 2 story TV screen to watch the games on while getting full eating comfort foods like Chicken Pot Pies, Fish n Chips & Prime Rib. Dine inside or outside at the Ocean Blue, a perfect restaurant for you seafood lovers. Try the Ceviche, Grilled Snapper and even the Alaskan Salmon. Feel like Italian? La Cucina is another dine inside or outside restaurant serving Lobster Fettuccine or the simplest Pasta Carbonara. Top it off with their famous Macadamia Nut Ice-Cream! Remember Jimmy Buffet? Who doesn’t! Grab a delicious burger at the Cheeseburger in Paradise while listening to inspired lyrics of Jimmy Buffet. Don’t forget about a margarita from Margaritaville! CoCo’s has the most mouth watering chocolate that comes in crepes, coffee, pralines and so much more. It is a “must try”. There are so many more options on this dream boat, such as The Manhattan Room, The Haven Restaurant, Taste Main Dining Room, The Bake Shop, Garden Cafe, Los Lobos, Le Bistro, Dolce Gelato, Cagney Steakhouse, Teppanyaki & Starbucks. You will not be disappointed!
Photo Credit: NCL
Photo Credit: NCL
Photo Credit: NCL
Prepare those sea legs for there is tons of activities on this blissful voyage. The Waterfront is a wraparound boardwalk with access to Ocean Blue, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Sugar Cane Mojito Bar and an ocean view to die for. 678 Ocean Place is a 3 deck entertainment spotlight. Enjoy an ice cold adult beverage from the Sugar Cane Mojito Bar while throwing some dice at the Bliss Casino. Have lunch at the Ocean Blue and dinner at Teppanyaki. The Cavern Club, where you can rock out with live Beatles music is also available in this large and entertaining gallery. Near the casino is Skyline Bar. Meet with friends and try your luck at the bar top poker screens. Check out the Happy Hour Prohibition- The Musical then head over to The District Brewhouse for a tasty beer from your choice of 50 bottles or 24 taps while listening to live music. Go get your hair done at the Hair Salon or Barber Shop and step into the Mandora Spa to continue on with your relaxing day in the Vitality Pool, Thermal Suite, Snow Room or Salt Room. Want some guy/gal time folks? Head off to Maltys Whiskey Bar to meet the guys and over to the Humidor Cigar Lounge for man talk, all while the ladies can girl talk over at The Cellars enjoying a marvelous glass of Mondavi wine. Meet up later at the Comedy Club or watch the amazing Jersey Boys sing their hearts out about the true story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Other entertainment includes Mixx, Spice H2O and A-List Bar. With so much adult entertainment, I highly doubt anyone will be bored. Wind down at 2 of the most beautiful lounges at sea. The Observation Lounge is a 180 degree indoor lounge spreading out to 3500 square feet with windows from ceilings to the floor. Here you have a full service bar and complimentary snacks. Lay back on one of the comfortable lounge chairs and watch the sun set on the horizon. On deck 17 & 18, the Horizon Lounge is a bit smaller but just as relaxing!
Photo Credit: NCL
Photo Credit: NCL
Need a place for the kids to go while you parents let loose for a couple hours? No problem! The Entourage Teen Club is perfect for teens to hang out with kids their own age, sorry parents but YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED! Take the littlest ones over to Guppies Nursery where you can either drop off or stay for some one on one interaction with your kiddo. At the Splash Academy, children can learn, craft and play with supervision of adults. After some free time, pick up the kids and head over to the Aqua Park! Let them splash and race down the multiple two story waterslides, Aqua Racer & Ocean Loops, while you grab a cold one and head over to the pool or hot tubs. This wet and wild ride will be one for the books! Dry off and head for the tracks! Yes, I said tracks. The largest at sea, this two level competitive Race Track allows you to test your skills as the winds blow through your hair over the ocean. Don’t forget to check out Laser Tag too. Explore an abandoned space ship after losing contact with Earth in this thrill seeking mission. Watch out for those Aliens! While on this magical getaway ship, families can spend time together without the hassle of figuring out what to do that day. Everyone will have the time of their lives!
Photo Credit: NCL
Photo Credit: NCL
Photo Credit: NCL
The Bliss heads to Alaska, Pacific Coastal, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and the Caribbean. Alaskan cruises are during the summer time where you will hit ports in the Mexican Riviera, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Vancouver, Victoria, British Columbia, & San Fransisco. Check out excursions along the way. Journey out and go dog sledding in The Last Frontier. Watch whales breach from yours private balcony and be inspired by beauties of glaciers and snow covered mountains. Thinking of something a little more tropical? The Bliss has that too. During the winter time, head south to the Caribbean on “The Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line”. Here you will port in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Nassau and the Bahamas. Dive in and snorkel Turtle Cove in St. Thomas and take photos of the beautiful Tortola. During these many different options of ports and excursions, keep in mind that you can also go get splashed by the waterfalls in Puerto Vallarta, dive off cliffs in Mazatlan and catch that family picture in Cabo San Lucas’ beaches. Go shopping in Cartagena and search the hills of Costa Rica for their exotic rivers. I don’t know about you but all of these destinations around extravagant!
Photo Credit: NCL
From the lit up skies of Alaska all the way down to the crystal clear water of the Caribbean, The Bliss is the way to go. Take a relaxing and quiet trip by yourself or have the family tag along for adventures of plenty. Either way, the memories will last a life time!
Lindsay Kunz
