Norwegian Cruise Line revealed that its soon-to-debut Norwegian Bliss will have a 2-deck-high racing course where guests compete in electric go-carts. It's a first for a cruise ship based in North America.
- Located at the back of the ship, the track will be longer version of a similar course which debuted in April on Norwegian Joy (custom-built for the Chinese market, sailing year-round in Asia). The track on the 4,000-passenger Bliss will be 40% longer than the one on Norwegian Joy.
- Norwegian Bliss will feature an open-air laser tag course on the top deck, which is another feature first seen on Joy.
- Other deck-top features include an Aqua Park with 2 multi-story water slides, one of which will have a loop extending over the side of the ship and a 2nd, see-through loop stretching down to the deck below. The other slide aboard Bliss will be a tandem attraction where guests race side-by-side on inner tubes for over 360 feet. It will include a translucent section providing views out to the ocean.
- The pool deck of Bliss will be opened up a bit in comparison with some recent Norwegian ships by recessing its 2 pools away from the area's center. There will be more deck-top hot tubs cantilevered over the side of the vessel.
- Norwegian Bliss will also boast a watery fun zone for smaller children on its top deck with splash pads, tipping buckets, water cannons and slides.
- The dining options will include a Texas barbecue eatery named Q, featuring live pop country music, which is a new concept for Norwegian. Q will serve brisket, chicken, ribs and sausages smoked over oak, pecan and hickory woods.
- Norwegian Bliss will also have a modern Mexican restaurant named Los Lobos. The concept first debuted on Norwegian Dawn in 2016. The new venue will fill a space which houses Brazilian churrascaria restaurant on a number of other Norwegian vessels with similar designs.
- Next to the Mexican Los Lobos will be a drinks concept named The A-List Bar, planned to serve handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits and wines. It is a subtle homage to the 30-year veteran of the company Stuart, whose ties to the letter "A" go beyond his first initial. His wife also has a name which starts with the letter as do both of his kids. NCL has a history of naming onboard venues after top executives.
- Norwegian Bliss will be the first ship of NCL with full-service Starbucks store. Until now, Royal Caribbean International has been the only line with full-service Starbucks stores. The first Starbucks at sea emerged in 2010 on Allure of the Seas.
- Another new-for-Norwegian amenity will be the chocolate-themed dessert outlet Coco’s, serving handmade pralines, crepes, truffles and other treats paired with fine teas and coffees.
Scheduled to debut in April 2018, Bliss will spend her inaugural summer season in Alaska before moving to the Caribbean to sail out of Miami during the winter.