Norwegian Bliss

The 2018-built Norwegian Bliss cruise ship is the 3rd of all four Breakaway Plus-class NCL vessels - together with the sisterships Norwegian Escape (2015), Norwegian Joy (2017) and Norwegian Encore (2019). This class of ships is approx 7,000 GT larger in comparison to the previously biggest vessel of the line, Norwegian Epic. Bliss is NCL's 16th vessel and the 11th built by Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany).

The vessel (IMO number 9751509) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000710) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE (NYC). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL, Oceania, and RSSC-Regent.

The 4000-passenger ship Norwegian Bliss boasts the innovative features found on Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, as well as a number of new interactive experiences. The new miracle by NCL features an expanded Haven – the line’s concept “ship within a ship”. This space (accessible only by keycard) boasts an outdoor terrace, private restaurant, courtyard area with retractable roof pool, whirlpools, spa treatment rooms, separate sauna, private sundeck. Other differences from the Breakaway-class NCL vessels are more Haven Suites (42 to 55), 26 additional Penthouses, 14 Spa access suites, more Studio cabins (59 to 82). The Port of Miami is the home port of the ship.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Bliss staterooms (2043 total, in 42 grades) include 1698 outside, 374 Inside, 82 Studios (single cabins). Most staterooms are sized 160-170 ft2 (15-16 m2). Balcony cabins are 1112, Oceanviews 111, Inside 374. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 47. The largest accommodations are The Haven Deluxe Owners Suites (970 ft2 / 90 m2, with wraparound terrace sized 490 ft2 / 46 m2).

The 82 Studios (designed for solo travelers) are with virtual views and exclusive access to Studio Lounge. The ship also features many family cabins (connecting staterooms) across most categories.

The boat has 20 decks, of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Norwegian Bliss' à la carte specialty dining at the signature specialty restaurants onboard, providing passengers the freedom to savor gourmet dishes, various tastes and the flexibility to choose the number of courses to enjoy during the meal. On Norwegian Bliss, guests can choose between 11 complimentary dining options. They can also experience new flavors at signature specialty restaurants, such as Le Bistro, La Cucina, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Bayamo by James Beard Award-winning chef Jose Garces. Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants feature enhanced menus including favorite dishes and new tastes. Whether passengers prefer a light meal of a favorite soup or appetizer, or indulge in a dinner featuring Maine lobster, with the new à la carte options, they have the opportunity to create their own, desired dining experience.

• The shipboard dining options feature the new "Q Texas Steakhouse" (barbecue eatery with live country music). The menu includes brisket, chicken, ribs, and sausages smoked over oak, pecan and hickory woods. A modern Mexican restaurant is named Los Lobos (first debuted on Norwegian Dawn in 2016).
• Adjacent to Los Lobos is The A-List Bar, serving handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, and wines.

Norwegian Bliss is the first NCL ship with full-service Starbucks store. The first Starbucks at sea was opened in 2010 on Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean). Another new for NCL amenity is the chocolate-themed dessert outlet Coco’s (patisserie/treat shop), serving handmade pralines, crepes, truffles and other treats paired with specialty teas and coffees.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Bliss restaurants and food bars.

• Savor Restaurant (forward Main Dining Room /complimentary)
• The Manhattan Room (aft Main Dining Room /complimentary, Freestyle dining, dinner-only) has a dance floor for the evening dance show.
• Taste Restaurant (forward Main Dining Room /complimentary)
• “Private Room at Taste” (group private dining, 100 seats capacity, with a separate lounge area)
• Le Bistro French Restaurant (dinner-only, reservations-only; US$20 cover charge)
• The Local Bar & Grill is a complimentary eatery designed as an updated version of O’Sheehan’s Pub. The menu showcases similar offerings, such as Fish and Chips, Chicago Style Hot Dog, and some new additions (like Tortilla Bowl). The Grill is open 24 hours per day serving up different menus depending on the time of day guests choose to dine).
• Q Texas Smokehouse is a BBQ restaurant featuring live country music. It serves authentic Texas-style barbecue including smoked meats, pulled pork, brisket, beef and pork ribs, and side items.
• Teppanyaki is the Japanese Hibachi specialty restaurant (reservations’-only, at surcharge US$29 pp, kids charged a full cover). The Teppanyaki restaurant is open for Lunch (12-1:30 pm) and Dinner (5:30-10 pm). It features live cooking demonstrations and traditionally prepared (a la carte priced) specialties, including sushi, fruit sashimi, Yakitori grill, a sake menu.
• O’Sheehan’s Neighbourhood Bar & Grill (sports bar, with 24-hour American cuisine - burgers, steaks, desserts; complimentary)
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar (Asian cuisine complimentary restaurant inside O’Sheehan’s Pub area)
• Food Republic is a new and exclusive dining concept (via a partnership with the Pubbelly Restaurant Group). This specialty restaurant is open lunch through dinner, offers international cuisine with a la carte menu and iPad ordering system.
• Pincho Tapas Bar (Latin dishes)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood specialties; reservations-only, US$30 cover charge per person and free Kids Menu)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations-only; US$20 per person cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant (reservations-only, US$15 cover charge) with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Bayamo Restaurant (Cuban/Latin seafood restaurant)
• Ocean Blue (seafood restaurant, reservations-only, with cover charge US$39 per person, kids are charged a full cover) is open for lunch and dinner. It is run by the Michelin Star chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who personally picked the 4-course menu and each of the wine pairings. “Ocean Blue on the Waterfront” is the restaurant’s outdoor seating/alfresco dining area.
• Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville At Sea (debuted in Southampton on October 27, 2015, as a complimentary fast food restaurant; however, in November 2015 NCL confirmed that the first-ever Margaritaville at Sea aboard Norwegian Bliss, would operate as a specialty a la carte restaurant, due to "crowd-control reasons")
• Garden Cafe (708 indoor seats, 280 outdoor seats) is a complimentary, buffet-style casual restaurant, plus an Open-Air Garden Cafe (outdoor seating area). It offers traditional Asian cuisine as well as specialty dishes from all around the world.
• Q Texas Smokehouse is a BBQ restaurant featuring live country music. It serves authentic Texas-style barbecue including smoked meats, pulled pork, brisket, beef and pork ribs, and side items.
• Los Lobos Cantina (Mexican restaurant)
• The A-List Bar (44 seats) serves handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits and wines. The Bar is named after Andy Stuart (NCL's President and CEO).
• Coco's is a chocolate-themed dessert outlet/patisserie serving handmade pralines, crepes, truffles and other treats paired with brand teas and coffees.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Bliss vessel features an expanded 55-Suite Haven, a spacious sundeck, 2 whirlpools, private dining, and specialty restaurants, an expanded courtyard, outdoor terrace, Thermal suite, treatment rooms (14 – suite Heaven SPA) and a fitness center.

NCL Bliss is the world's second cruise ship (together with NCL Joy) featuring a Ferrari racetrack (deck 19). It's a first for a cruise ship based in North America. The facility is built by RiMO Supply (RiMO Germany Group) and operated via a partnership with Scuderia Ferrari Watches. This is also the first-ever branded Formula 1 race car track.

• The 2-level track spans on 2 decks and offers incredible sea views at height of 60 m (200 ft). It has a capacity up to 10 racers at a time on electric go-karts (Ferrari branded).
• The GoCars can reach speeds up to 40 mph (65 kph). In comparison to the sister-ship Norwegian Joy, Bliss' racetrack is 40% longer and has 10 turns (Joy has 8), two of which are cantilevered over the ship's side.
• Unlimited go-kart rides (weekly pass) costs USD 100 pp (offered on all 7-day-cruise itineraries). Day passes cost USD 30 pp. A single run costs USD 10 pp. Unlimited pass passengers access the race track via separate (shorter) queue line.
• Passengers booked in Concierge and The Haven staterooms enjoy complimentary rides with bookings. The used by RiMO technology ensures optimal usage under intensified UV conditions and saltwater exposure.

NCL Bliss also features an open-air laser tag course (top deck), Aqua Park with Double Aqua Loop (two multi-deck waterslides - one hull-extending loop, one with transparent loop section stretching down to the below deck) and 2 racing slides (high-speed inner tubes with length over 110 m / 360 ft) both with a transparent section.

Pool Deck 16 has 2 swimming pools (located away from the deck's center) and cantilevered whirlpools (hot tubs over the ship's sides). A water fun kids zone (on the top deck) has splash pads, tipping buckets, water cannons, and slides.

Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show). Follows the complete list of Norwegian Bliss lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Bliss Theater (907 seats; features Broadway-style musical productions; two grand shows per night). Theater's signature programming features the new Broadway musical show “Jersey Boys" ("Best Musical" 2006 Tony Award, rock ‘n’ roll-themed), "Four Seasons" musical (NCL exclusive production show by Warren Carlyle / themed on Cuba’s culture - dancing, music, costumes) and "SIX: The Musical" (British pop musical-themed on Henry VIII’s 6 wives).
• The Supper Club (theatrical entertainment dining venue, with grand-style aerial acrobatics; surcharge $30-40 PP)
• Atrium (3-deck midship hub area - “678 Ocean Place”, with a big-size LED screen, dance area and live entertainment)
• Atrium Cafe & Bar (specialty tea & coffee bar)
• The Library; Card Room; Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Social Comedy and Night Club (103 seats) has a large dance floor and offers live entertainment by stand-up comedians and DJs.
• Mixx Bar (29 seats) is a piano bar located between Taste and Savor restaurants, making it a popular pre- and after-dinner venue for enjoying cocktails.
• Bar 21; 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar; Tobacco Road Liquor Bar; Prime Meridian Bar; Studio Lounge, Waves Pool Bar (deck 16)
• Maltings Whiskey Bar (56 seats) serves a rich variety of premium whiskies and beers; live music. The Maltings lounge also doubles as Library( books, board games, cards playing).
• Horizon Lounge (90 seats) is a 2-deck bar lounge exclusive for The Haven passengers.
• The Humidor Cigar Lounge (16 seats) is the ship’s smoking-allowed bar lounge.
• The Cellars Wine Bar (49 seats) is operated via NCL partnership with Mondavi and offers premium wines and tapas-style a la carte menu. The Wine Bar has a separate room for wine tastings (with sommelier service) and outdoor seating area on The Waterfront.
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar (52 seats/indoor and Waterfront/outdoor) features live Latin music performances.
• Carlo's Bake Shop is a premium patisserie/bakery by ‘the “cake boss” Buddy Valastro.
• Tradewinds Tax & Duty-Free Shops are duty-free retails selling alcohol, tobaccos, NCL-logoed merchandise, jewelry, watches, perfumes and cosmetics, brand fashion and accessories, special occasion gifts. The shopping complex includes Tides Boutique, Cartier, Omega, Bvlgari, Fine Watches, The Time Zone, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Bally, Godiva (gourmet sweets, including truffles, premium chocolates, soft-serve ice cream), also Beauty Shop.
• The Cavern Club Lounge (45 indoor seats, 45 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a replica of Liverpool's music club and offers Beatles music, tribute bands performances and "The Choir of Man” crew show (dynamic performances with live percussions, high-energy music, dancing and foot-stomping by 9 crew performers).
• Bliss Casino is a premium gaming lounge with both smoking and non-smoking areas, large-size LED screens, a separate Bliss Casino VIP Room (high-stakes gambling room) and is served by Skyline Bar.
• Skyline Bar offers cocktails before dinner. Guests can meet friends after a show or press their luck with the bar-top poker screens.
• Promenade Deck’s best feature is the Waterfront Promenade (1320 ft/402 m long, open-air area with multiple alfresco dining and entertainment venues). It offers a unique open-air deck experience by several seaside venues with outdoor seating. The list of the venues features shops, bars, restaurants, a 1/4-mi-long boardwalk (outdoor area with shaded seating) located 8 stories above the water.
• Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub
• The Haven Lounge & Bar (90 seats) is a VIP lounge exclusive for Concierge Level passengers with a delicious buffet available for light breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks.
• Waves Pool Bar (15 seats) is a casual outdoor bar serving beverages, including popular cocktails.
• The District Brew House has a keg room and offers a selection of 50 bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap (including the new Wynwood brew). The venue is operated via the NCL partnership with Miami’s Wynwood Brewing Company.
• Dolce Gelato (Italian ice cream bar, a la carte)
• Starbucks Coffee Bar (44 seats) offers items from the full Starbucks menu.
• Atrium Boutiques (tax-duty free shops)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (photo-video services by professional onboard photographers)
• Galaxy Pavilion is an indoor complex for virtual-world and multi-player gaming, equipped with interactive video walls and virtual reality technology. 
• Aqua Park (3-deck, with two pools, 2 racing twist-slides, and 5 multi-level waterslides)
• Kids venues, club lounges (Kid’s Aqua Park, Splash Academy for kids 3-12 yo, Guppies Nursery for kids 6 months to 2 years old)
• Mandara Spa & Fitness (Thermal Suite, Snow Room, Salt Room, Medi Spa, 24 Treatment Rooms, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, fitness classes)
• Spice H2O (adults only; served by Breezeway Bar & Grill)
• Entourage Teen Centre (jukeboxes, table football, video arcades, teen disco)
• “The Haven” (Suite- and Villa-passengers only complex; consists of The Haven Courtyard Sundeck, The Haven Restaurant, The Haven Lounge)
• Rock Climbing Wall; Jogging Track; Sports Complex (Spider Web - enclosed 24ft/7m tall kids' climbing wall with a spiral slide, Bungee Trampoline, 9-hole Mini Golf course, the largest at sea Ropes course, Zip Line, The Plank - 8ft/2,5m extending platform)
• Vibe Beach Club (99 seats, deck 19) is an adults-only relaxation area (surcharges per day apply) with cantilevered whirlpools, sunbathing area with sun loungers and luxury chaise lounge chairs, outdoor bar, private cabanas.

Next are listed the NCL Bliss ship's venues by deck location.

• On deck 20 are the Laser Tag Course, Ropes Course, Aqua Racer Waterslide (entry-level).
• On deck 19 are located The Haven Courtyard (sundeck and Jacuzzies), Vibe Beach Club (sundeck, Jacuzzies), Encore Speedway (Race Track), Mini-Golf Course, Sports Complex (Bungee Trampoline, Spider Web, Zip Line)
• On deck 18 are located Ocean Loops Waterslide (entry-level), The Haven complex (Sundeck, Courtyard, Lounge, Restaurant, Outdoor Restaurant.
• Forward on decks 17-18 are located two 2-level bar lounges (exclusive for The haven passengers) - Horizon Lounge and The Haven Lounge.
• On deck 17 are located The Haven Courtyard (Sundeck, Swimming Pool), Jacuzzies, waterslides (Aqua Racer, Ocean Loops), Speedway Jogging Tracks, Rock Climbing Wall, Le Bistro French Restaurant, American Diner, Galaxy Pavilion.
• On deck 16 are located Garden Cafe, swimming pools, Sundeck, Kids' Aqua Park, wellness facilities (Fitness Center, Mandara Spa, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop).
• Forward on deck 15 is the Observation Lounge & Bar (444 seats, size 2723 ft2 / 253 m2). This is a VIP lounge (exclusive for Concierge Level passengers) with a delicious buffet (available for light breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks) and offers 270-degree ocean views (from floor-ceiling windows) and full Bar service.
• On deck 13 is the Infirmary/Medical Center.
• On deck 11 is the Studio Lounge (exclusive to Studio/single cabin passengers).
• On deck 8 are Cellars Wine Bar, Maltings Whiskey Bar, Cavern Club, Humidor Lounge, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The A-List Bar, La Cucina Italian Restaurant, Ocean Blue, Los Lobos Cantina, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Food Republic, Maltings Whiskey Bar, Dolce Gelato, Carlo's Bake Shop, Tradewinds Shops.
• On deck 7 are the Box Office, The Local Bar & Grill, Bliss Casino, Manhattan Restaurant.
• On deck 6 are Shore Excursions, Internet Cafe-Library-Card Room, Perspective/Photo Studio, Meeting Rooms, Reception/Guest Services, Art Gallery, Atrium Bar, Q Texas Smokehouse, Teppanyaki, Taste and Savor restaurants, Mixx Bar, Starbucks Bar, Social Comedy Nightclub, Coco's.
• On deck 5 are located childrens' venues (Splash Academy, Guppies, Video Arcade, Entourage).

Signature activity facilities include 2-level electric go-cart track (Scuderia Ferrari, on top-deck), outdoor Laser Tag Course (deck 20), a water park with 2 multi-story waterslides, outdoor park for tai-chi practicing, luxury-brand shopping district.

Galaxy Pavilion (gaming center) is equipped with interactive video walls and Oculus virtual reality technology. The equipment includes three XD Dark Ride Motion simulators (with 3D real-time graphics, 3D Virtual Surround Sound, multi-sensory effects), six Xbox stations, Star Wars Battle Pod (arcade game), hovercraft bumper cars.

Itineraries

Norwegian Bliss itinerary program is based on weekly 7-day Alaska voyages departing Seattle WA on Saturdays. Passengers experience the wildlife and beauty of Alaska while visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and enjoy the charm of Victoria BC.

Following the inaugural Alaskan season, the ship was homeported in Miami Florida for the winter season 2018-2019, with scheduled 7-day Caribbean roundtrips to St Thomas USVI, Tortola BVI, Nassau Bahamas.

In January 2018, NCL announced that for winter season 2019-2020, the Bliss ship will be homeported in NYC New York. From NYC, the ship will operate on roundtrip itineraries to Caribbean (a total of 18 voyages). Ranging from 7- to 14-days, the itineraries visit call ports in Bahamas (Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay), St Lucia, St. Thomas USVI, Antigua, Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Puerto Rico (San Juan), Barbados, St Maarten, St Kitts, Roatan, Mexico (Costa Maya, Cozumel), Belize (Harvest Caye).

In late October 2016 was revealed the NCL Bliss ship's hull art - themed as “Cruising with the Whales”. The art design is by Robert Wyland - an American artist known worldwide for his large outdoor sculptures and murals (named "Whaling Walls"), all featuring life-size images of whales and other marine life. The NCL Bliss' hull art has as a centerpiece an image of a mother humpback whale and her calf. The design signifies Alaska's beauty and the importance of conservation.

On October 28, 2016, the vessel's construction officially started with the steel cutting ceremony. Instead of the traditional water method (injecting the metal with heat), for NCL Bliss was used the dry plasma method - for more precise cuts and creating less mess).

The ship has the world's biggest marine scrubber system, consisting of 5 units (produced and installed by Yara Marine Technologies). These units clean engines' sulfur oxide emissions by 99%. At max cruising speed, ship's engines consume ~11 tons of diesel fuel per hour. NCL Bliss new "scrubbers" (exhaust gas cleaning systems) as technology reduce the equivalent of approx 1500 tons of Sulfur Oxide (poisonous gas). The five in-line scrubbers are lightweight and able to operate in a dry mode, as well as in open and closed loops. The liner also features Heat Recovery Systems, energy saving LED lighting, improved hydro-dynamic (hull design).

Ship's powerplant consists of all 5x MAN marine diesel engines (2x model 14V48/60CR) plus 3x model 12V48/60CR) with combined power output 76,8 MW. Propulsion's combined output is 44 MW.

Fun facts: On the vessel was applied paint with total weight approx 300 tons. The total length of onboard cables is 2200 km (1367 ml). The total length of onboard pipes is approx 400 km (249 ml).

On May 24, 2017, at Meyer Werft shipyard (Papenburg) was held the vessel's keel-laying ceremony. During the special event, the first block (out of 90) was lifted into the yard's covered shipbuilding hall. With this officially started the NCL Bliss ship's assembly. The ceremony was attended by Andy Stuart (NCL's President and CEO). He laid a “lucky coin” before the first keel block was lowered into place.

On November 29, 2017, NCL announced the name of ship's godparent - Elvis Duran. He is a US radio personality and host of a daily morning radio show in NYC New York on the radio station WHTZ (branded Z100). On February 17, 2018, was vessel's float-out ceremony held at the Papenburg shipyard. The ship was officially delivered to NCL on April 18, 2018.

On March 13, 2018, the vessel left Meyer Werft Papenburg for its conveyance down Ems River to Eemshaven Holland (arriving March 15). It was assisted by tugboats and navigating in reverse (stern first) up to the North Sea for trials. As the passage clearance through Meyer Werft's sea lock is less than 4 ft (1,2 m), the maneuver took ~2 hours at speed 0,2 Kn (0,2 mph / 0,4 kph). In Eemshaven, the ship loaded additional crew and provisions, then headed to the North Sea for sea trials.

The official delivery to NCL was on April 19 in Bremerhaven Germany. The christening ceremony was on May 30, 2018, held in Seattle WA (USA).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2018

The following tables show the ship's Inaugural cruise itineraries with ports of call, port times and USD prices per person (based on double occupancy).

(repositioning) 12 nights / 13 days Inaugural Transatlantic cruise from Southampton to NYC New York - from $1000

During the 2-day inaugural ship preview in NYC, NCL Bliss was berthed at Pier 88 in Manhattan. On May 4, the ship was boarded by brand partners, US media and cruise industry representatives, also boat godfather Elvis Duran. The Z100 morning show was live-broadcasted from the liner. Following the cocktail reception (held in The Haven's Horizon Lounge) VIP guests enjoyed the premiere of the "Jersey Boys" show in the Bliss Theater.

(repositioning) 15 nights / 16 days, Inaugural Panama Canal cruise from Miami to Los Angeles - from $1350

Ship's 2-day preview cruise from Miami (May 8-10) was a special voyage for VIP guests only, including Wyland (hull artist), Elvis Duran, The Morning Show members, Alex Vega (The Auto Firm).

7 nights / 8 days, Inaugural Alaska cruise roundtrip from Seattle - from $1200

8 nights / 9 days, Inaugural Mexican Riviera cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles - from $850 pp

On November 3, 2018, the ship sails on a repositioning 14-night Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles to Miami, visiting Ensenada (04), Mazatlan (06), Puerto Quetzal (09), Puerto Caldera (11), Cartagena (14) - prices start from $700 pp.

7 nights / 8 days, Inaugural Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Miami - from $800 pp

Godspeed!