Norwegian Bliss Overview
The beautiful Norwegian Bliss docked in Alaska.
Bliss in Brief
The Norwegian Bliss is one of the newer ships in the Norwegian fleet. Elegantly decorated while still warm and inviting, the Bliss is one of the finest ships sailing the seas today. It’s also the first ship that was built specifically to take in the spectacular vistas of an Alaskan Cruise. With many areas of the ship featuring massive floor to ceiling windows and plenty of outdoor spaces on deck, it was designed to give you a deeper connection to nature. This 170,000 ton behemoth has everything! Theaters & entertainment areas, restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, pools and hot tubs, adults only areas, kids only areas, a casino, a spa, an ice cream shop, a laser tag arena and even an onboard go cart track! In short, if the Norwegian Bliss doesn’t have it - you probably don’t need it. In this blog post I’ll try to give an overview of this incredible ship.
Today’s modern ships truly are like floating cities. It’s essentially like checking into a luxury resort and waking up in a new city every day. One of the best parts about cruising is that you can do as much or as little as you like! Want to relax in a hot tub, enjoy the spa, or curl up with a good book on deck watching the awe-inspiring views of Alaska slowly drift by? You can do that! Want to race go-carts, or take a terrifying drop over the side of the ship on one of the water slides? You can do that too! You get all of this while exploring incredible destinations worldwide, and you only have to unpack once. Getting to visit extraordinary places like Alaska during the day, all while having wonderful entertainment and dining onboard in the evening, is a pretty sublime way to spend a week.
The Observation Lounge
What sets the Norwegian Bliss apart from other vessels sailing to Alaska is the Observation Lounge located on Deck 15. The Norwegian Bliss was built specifically for Alaskan cruises, and while part of the year is you’ll find this ship in the Caribbean, Alaska is where the Bliss truly shines. That’s mostly because of this area right here. The Observation Lounge was made to provide breathtaking views of glaciers and mountains in Alaska. It covers the front three quarters of the ship, and it includes a plethora of seating areas, buffets, bars, and often there is live music as well. It’s a great place to relax with a book, grab something to eat, play a board game or simply stare out the windows at the scenery as you float by. But what really makes it spectacular are the towering, floor to ceiling windows that provide 180 degree views at the very front of the ship.
Front Deck
In addition to the amazing views afforded from The Observation Lounge, weather permitting, they will also sometimes open up the front deck of the ship, providing unobstructed, incredible views of glaciers and wildlife in places like Glacier Bay.
The front deck of the Norwegian Bliss offers unobstructed views of glaciers in Glacier Bay.
The Slides, Pools & Decks
The decks, slides and pools are very popular, and for good reason! Those with the fortitude enough to brave the Ocean Loops slide get a thrill as the floor drops out from under them before being wooshed over the side of ship of the ship not once, but twice! For those seeking a slightly more tame ride, there’s the Aqua Racer, a larger, colorful tube slide where you can even go tandem if you so wish! In addition to the water slides on deck, there are multiple pools & hot tubs, a kid’s Aqua Park, bars, ping pong, a stage for live music, a giant movie screen, and more! You can also simply relax poolside, drink in hand, or if you’re a real go getter, you can do the onboard running track.
The Race Track + Laser Tag
The Norwegian Bliss boasts a 2-level go-cart track and laser tag.
Ladies & Gentlemen, start your engines! The Norwegian Bliss has a two-level, onboard racetrack on the top deck, the first of its kind at sea! These go carts can reach an impressive speed of 30 miles per hour and each round lasts about 8 minutes. On top of having an onboard racetrack, there is also a laser tag arena on the top deck. Both are an additional fee, and require advance reservations, but where else can you get these kinds of thrills with these ocean views? Racing sounds are piped in through your headrest so you feel like you’re driving a real go cart, but these carts are completely electric and silent, meaning that there’s no smell of gas and no noise disturbance for other guests on the ship!
678 Ocean Place & The Waterfront
Located on decks 6, 7 & 8 (hence the name 678 Ocean Place), this is three decks of bars, restaurants, casino gaming, entertainment and shopping. In the shops you’ll find generally high end brands of perfumes, alcohol, and sunglasses that are a bit too rich for my blood, but they are duty free, so if you’re in the market for watch that costs more than my monthly mortgage payment, then you just may have found the right place. What is nice, however, are the shops that sell ship specific and location specific merchandise, so you can pick up that last minute Alaska souvenir, and some merchandise if you want to rep the Bliss.
Outside, you’ll find the Waterfront! The Waterfront is a quarter mile of shops, bars and restaurants and more! They have everything from ice cream shops to cigar lounges. There are plenty of places just to sit and relax and watch the beautiful landscape drift by! Many of the restaurants have both indoor and outdoor seating, so be sure to let them know your preference when you check in. While this area is a bit better suited for the ship’s time in the Caribbean, in the summer months on an Alaskan cruise, it’s a great place to sit outside and enjoy the views and the weather!
Restaurants & Bars
Complimentary Restaurants
There are several complimentary restaurants onboard, including Taste and Savor, (which are basically the same restaurant, just two different names), The Manhattan Room, which is only open for dinner, & The Local, which is pub food open 24/7. Those are all a la carte options. Up on Deck 16, you’ll the Garden Cafe, which is buffet style.
The Garden Cafe
Whatever you’re craving, this place probably has it, and it’s all complimentary! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they have a myriad of options to choose from. There are stations for freshly made omelets, soups, waffles, Asian cuisine, burgers, salads, ice cream, and more! Even better, the floor to ceiling windows all around provide spectacular ocean views from nearly every seat.
Specialty Restaurants
In addition to the many complimentary restaurants onboard, there are also several Specialty Restaurants available. Specialty restaurants do cost extra on top of your cruise fare, but in my experience the upgraded food is typically worth it. There are some wonderful restaurants that offer everything from fresh seafood to steaks, from hibachi style to Italian. Many of these places also offer a more immersive atmosphere, elevating your entire dining experience.
Le Bistro
Le Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants onboard. It’s a French inspired restaurant that offers incredible food, an elegant atmosphere, and very attentive service. Le Bistro features French favorites like escargot, coq au vin, and creme brûlée, and as you would expect at any great French restaurant, they have an extensive wine list. Le Bistro is a formal dining experience one of the only places on the ship that has a dress code - albeit not a super strict one, but it’s fun to dress up and enjoy some of the finest food on the ship at least one night on your voyage!
Q Texas Smokehouse
My other favorite was Q Texas Smokehouse. Dinner tonight is at Q, a Texas style smokehouse that serves authentic Texas barbecue, mouth watering ribs, chicken & brisket. All the meats are smoked over hickory and oak wood, so the meat is infused with delicious flavors. And while you eat, you can jam to your favorite country music from a live band!As the name suggests, it’s a Texas inspired smokehouse that offered a plethora of great meats along with some excellent live country music.
Teppanyaki
Teppanyaki is a Japanese Hibachi restaurant onboard the Norwegian Bliss. Sitting around a shared table with other guests, your meal is made right in front of your eyes in a most entertaining fashion. From onion volcanoes to the throwing of the shrimp into someone’s mouth, Teppanyaki is half meal, half show, and the chefs here are just as skilled with food as they are with a funny gag. Rice, noodles, eggs, steak, chicken, and fish are all on the menu, and everything is served family style, so be sure to come hungry.
Coco’s Ice Cream Parlor
These are not your momma’s milkshakes! These over the top concoctions are monster, behemoth milkshakes with enough calories to feed a small army. Don’t let the cute, pastel colors and quaint 1950s style decorations fool you. This place may give the impression of a charming little ice cream parlor, but make no mistake…these things are not for the faint of heart. This is less about indulge your sweet tooth and more about inducing a sugar coma. But boy oh boy, do they hurt so good!
Bars
There is certainly no shortage of options for alcohol onboard a cruise ship. The Norwegian Bliss boasts over 10 bars, with everything from specialty mojitos and high end whiskey tastings, to laid back places like the District Tap. Opting for a drink package can be a good deal or a waste of money depending on how much you drink. Be cautious however, and keep an eye on your onboard account. If you don’t go with a drink package, they can feel like they’re free as you charge them to your room…that is until your bill comes at the end of the voyage!
The District Tap
The District Tap is a laid back pub that is a beer lover’s delight! They offer over 50 bottled and 24 draft beers, which rotate regularly, so you never know what you’ll find. It’s got an easy going atmosphere, and in the evenings it turns into a piano bar. We spent a lot of time in the District Tap, partially because we all like beer, partially because we all like piano bars, but mostly because it was just an enjoyable place to relax and unwind. On our cruise there were several local craft beers featured from Alaska, Seattle, & Oregon, along with other more famous options that will surely appease the beer drinker in any travel party!
Staterooms
Staterooms onboard the Norwegian Bliss are pretty standard, and there’s not much to write home about. They’re clean, relatively modern, and have plenty of storage if you don’t overpack. If you’ve ever been on a cruise, regardless of the cruise line, these rooms will feel very familiar to you. There are a large variety of onboard accommodations available to choose from. With options ranging from an Inside Stateroom, to Oceanview, to Balcony, to Mini-suites, to Haven rooms, you'll find one to fit your style and your budget!
Pro Tip: Mid-ship cabins typically fell less movement than staterooms that are further forward or aft.
I always recommend getting a balcony room for several reasons, but especially for an Alaskan Cruise! There is so much amazing scenery at all times of the day and you can view it right from your room!
Haven Rooms
For those in the mood for some serious pampering, there is The Haven. The Haven area is tucked away at the top of the ship and is only accessible by private keycard. Haven staterooms all come with a personal certified butler and concierge, and they also have their own pool area, bar and even their own restaurant exclusively for Haven guests. We didn’t do it on the Norwegian Bliss, but we have done a Haven room on the Norwegian Epic, and let me tell you, it was incredible. If I could, I would only do Haven rooms from now on. Onboard the Norwegian bliss there is also a private, two story Observation Lounge just for the Haven guests called the Horizon Lounge.
Entertainment on Board
Theater, Social, Onboard Games & Shows, Casino
One thing that’s never lacking on a cruise is the amount of entertainment, and the Norwegian Bliss is no exception. In the main atrium you’ll find all kinds of trivia, game shows, demonstrations, fun competitions and music throughout the day into the evening. The main theater onboard is The Bliss Theater. Each evening you can find a new show here - from big broadway hits like Jersey Boys, to the Beatles tribute band, an original show called Havana, and even crew member talent show. This is also where they hold a crew member appreciation on the final evening where guests can show their thanks for the hard work the crew has done to make their vacation special during their cruise.
There is also a casino, a spa, a two-lane bowling alley, as well as other entertainment venues like Social, which hosts a myriad of events - from stand-up comedy, to dueling pianos, and in the evening to transforms into a nightclub.
THE CAVERN CLUB
The Cavern Club was one of our favorite hang outs. It is a recreation of the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, where countless famous bands and musicians have performed - names come to mind like Stevie Wonder, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Adele and of course, The Beatles! In the ship’s version, they offer a nightly Beatles cover band that takes you through the decades of Beatle music night by night!
Card Room & Library
The Card Room and Library was a great quiet place to relax, play a game, or pick out a book to read during your cruise.
Entryway & Chandelier
One defining feature of many Norwegian Cruise ships are their massive atriums with over-the-top glass chandeliers. While Norwegian Cruise Line has taken much of the “stuffiness” out of cruising with no formal attire, no set dining times, and so on, there are still features, such as these chandeliers that give their ships a touch of elegance and class. This chandelier, designed by Preciosa, is fully programmable in terms of colors & transitions. Therefore, thousands of combinations are possible, meaning a new light show can be created every evening! Every time you walk by, the chandelier will look different from the last time you saw it!
Know Before You Go
A few helpful hints before you embark!
You’ll either need to print out your boarding documents before leaving home, or, if you are on a more tech savvy cruise line, you may be able to show your boarding pass via the Norwegian Cruise Line app.
In addition to making show reservations, if you haven’t already booked your shore excursions, dining reservations, or spa treatments, your embarkation day is the best time to do that. However, most cruise lines will let you do that weeks or even months in advance. Since popular shore excursions will sometimes sell out, it’s definitely a good idea to reserve as early as you can!
When getting around the ship, remember that the fish in the carpet are always swimming forward, toward the bow, and if you get lost, you can always use one of these touch screens to pull up a map of the ship!
For most rooms onboard, Norwegian Cruise Line has a fixed service charge of $14.50, per person, per day. This automatic gratuity can be paid before your cruise or it will be added to your onboard account. This takes care of your room steward and your wait staff.
Norwegian Bliss’ sister ship is the Norwegian Joy, onboard which you can find many of the same amenities.
The Bliss spends many months out of the year in Alaska, but also sails the Caribbean as well.
With no dress code, Norwegian Cruise Line has shed what many saw as the “Stuffy” atmosphere of cruises in the past. Most of the time, “Resort casual” is a good option!
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