Norwegian Cruise Lines’ newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, arrived in New York in early May for its North American debut. Covington’s Vacation Team Assistant, Liz Gluck, was invited to New York for a two-night media and travel industry preview and shares her impressions of the beautiful new Bliss.

From the moment I stepped on board, the warm colors and style of the ship brought me to instant relaxation. This ship can accommodate 4,004 guests and although there were approximately 3,600 people in attendance, it never felt crowded. What to do first, where to dine next, and where to relax were the big decisions to make on board.

Entertainment and Activities

There is no shortage of things to do onboard Norwegian Bliss. An actual go-cart race track is unique to Norwegian ships and wildly popular. Norwegian Bliss also features a laser tag course and a waterslide that takes riders out over the ocean!

The sundeck is impressive with two pools and six infinity hot tubs. For kids only, there is an aqua park and dedicated spaces for teens, tweens, and younger children with age-appropriate activities.

If you want to get away from it all, head to NCL’s signature 180° Observation Lounge for floor-to-ceiling windows furnished with comfortable seating in a living room style atmosphere. This was my favorite place to unwind at the end of the day. Bliss has a second Observation Lounge exclusively for The Haven, which is the ship-within-a-ship area with high-end suites, its own restaurant, pool, and sundeck. Liz’s Tip: Need to recharge your cell phone? Head to the main Observation Lounge and plug into the base of the lamps.

Norwegian Bliss continues the line’s tradition of “the finest entertainment at sea” with a production of the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys” as well as an original Cuban-inspired musical comedy, “¡HAVANA!” There is also a new comedy and nightclub named Alibi which features “Happy Hour Prohibition – The Musical” as a pre-dinner and late-night show. Another popular venue is The Cavern Club, a 1960s-styled Liverpool/Beatles-esque music club.

Liz’s tip: It’s easy to get direction disoriented on similar looking hallways. To tell which way you are walking, watch the “swimming fish” on the carpet. If you are walking with the fish, you’re going toward the bow. If you are a “salmon,” you are heading aft.

Norwegian Bliss Dining Options

Complimentary dining options range from the bright open space of the Garden Café buffet to the intimate setting of the Savor Restaurant. The Manhattan Room is the place to go for classic dishes with a view and The Local offers pub fare and comfort foods 24/7.

Nine specialty restaurants onboard include Norwegian mainstays like Cagney’s Steakhouse and a new Q Texas Smokehouse, serving up hickory-smoked barbeque and honky-tonk music. You’ll delight in French cuisine at Le Bistro, Italian at La Cucina, seafood at Ocean Blue, and Japanese hibachi at Teppanyaki. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is a favorite food and drink homage to carefree island time.

Whatever your style of beverage, Bliss has you covered. The District Brew House offers craft beers and live music, or you can swirl, sip, and repeat at The Cellars Wine Bar. The A-List Bar is a new venue on Norwegian Bliss serving handcrafted cocktails, and Spice H₂O is an adults-only Ibiza-inspired escape. In a nod to her West Coast home port of Seattle, Bliss even has a full-sized Starbucks onboard – a Norwegian first.

Norwegian Bliss Itineraries

Norwegian Bliss was built for service in Alaska and the Caribbean. From New York, she will make her way to Seattle where she’ll be officially christened on May 30, 2018. She’ll spend the summer season in Alaska and return to Miami in November for Caribbean sailings through the winter.

Being among the very first to experience this beautiful new Norwegian ship was a real treat. My advice? Don’t miss “the Bliss!”