The new Norwegian Bliss made its U.S. debut in New York City earlier this month, launching a month-long inaugural celebration that concludes with a christening in Seattle on May 30.
After calling on Miami, the ship is en route to Los Angeles and holds the distinction of being the largest cruise ship to transit the Panama Canal. Once in California, a series of preview events are scheduled for May 25–27 prior to the ship’s arrival in Seattle.
Beginning June 2, Norwegian Bliss will operate seven-day voyages between Seattle and Alaska, with port calls in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, plus a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. Following the Alaska season, the ship will sail from Los Angeles on itineraries to the Mexican Riviera. During fall and winter months, Norwegian Bliss will be based in Miami offering Eastern Caribbean cruises. The 2019 program also features additional sailings to the Bahamas, Florida and both the Southern and Western Caribbean.
“Norwegian Bliss is one of our most highly anticipated ships to date,” said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The Meyer Werft team, along with our operations teams, ship officers and crew members, has done an incredible job bringing Norwegian Bliss to life, and we cannot wait for guests to experience all she has to offer.”
The ship was purpose-designed for Alaska, blending classic Norwegian Cruise Line amenities with new features tailored to that market. Highlights include the largest competitive race track at sea, an open-air laser tag course, a Texas-style smokehouse and the line’s first full-service Starbucks at sea.
Entertainment onboard has been expanded as well, with new programming that includes musical theater productions such as Jersey Boys and ¡Havana!, offering a mix of Broadway-style shows and destination-inspired performances to complement the onboard dining and activity options.
With its combination of expanded onboard experiences and region-focused itineraries, Norwegian Bliss aims to deliver a versatile vacation platform: weeklong Alaskan adventures in the summer, warm-weather sailings to the Mexican Riviera in shoulder seasons, and Caribbean getaways during fall and winter. Passengers can expect a range of dining venues, entertainment choices and outdoor activities designed to suit families, couples and active travelers alike.
As the ship moves through its inaugural schedule, guests and prospective travelers can look for additional seasonal sailings and event programming announced by the cruise line, along with the regular rotation of ports that highlight the natural scenery and cultural attractions of each destination.