Bliss in Alaska and Joy for China

Being a great fan of NCL cruise lines I have welcomed the news that the 2 newest ships to join the fleet in 2017 and 2018 will be based in China and Alaska respectively. Norwegian Joy which will enter service in Summer 2017 will be based in Shanghai and Tianjin. I have recently returned from a cruise on Norwegian Epic around the Mediterranean and there were a lot of Chinese staff on board who were training and getting ready for the new ship.

Norwegian Joy is being styled exclusively for the Chinese market and will feature some innovative ideas not seen on any of the other NCL Ships. The Chinese are well known for their love of technology and gadgets and the ship will feature virtual reality experiences with hovercraft bumper cars, simulator rides and interactive video walls. The first ever race track at sea will also feature on the ship for those adrenaline junkies who like a thrill. Itineraries have yet to be finalised and dates that the cruises will go on sale have yet to be announced.

Norwegian Bliss is going to be based in Alaska from Spring 2018 and will be the first of the fleet to debut in Alaska. She won’t be the first NCL ship to sail in Alaska though because as far back as 2000 Norwegian Sun sailed from Seattle, but didn’t debut there. The ship will carry 4000 passengers and will do 7 night sailings every Saturday calling at Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Victoria British Columbia.  The ship will sail from Pier 66 and to coincide with this the 16 year old terminal will undergo a $30 million dollar upgrade to provide more check-in space and views of Elliott Bay can be enjoyed from a new VIP Lounge.

NCL have always been great value for money especially for single passengers . NCL Epic and the 3 existing Breakaway Class ships Breakaway, Getaway and Escape have Studios for Solo travellers so I am sure that the 2 new ships will also feature these making  far away destinations affordable for the Solo traveller.

Alaska has always been a destination that I have wanted to visit and as I will be celebrating my 25^th wedding Anniversary in 2018 a cruise on NCL Bliss may very well be on my list of things to do. Sailings are expected to go on sale in January 2017 so not long to wait!