Will It Be Bliss?

As you probably know, NCL’s new ship is the “Bliss.”  It will be their 16th ship and will be sailing in Alaska and the Caribbean, starting in June 2018.  NCL have said, and I quote -“Norwegian Bliss will no doubt be our most incredible ship to date.”  NCL have this week announced the features and amenities on board, –  so whats all the hype about it?

The Bliss will boast many firsts at sea including the largest competitive race track at sea and an open-air laser tag course. The race track, the longest at sea at nearly 1,000 feet, has four speed settings accommodating novice, intermediate and advanced drivers, reaching up to 30 miles per hour — with a special “turbo boost” available on each lap. The electric cars run silent so as to not disturb others. Guests will have the full racing experience as the sounds of a race car engine are piped in through speakers located in the car’s headrest. Then there is the open air laser tag course, themed as an abandoned space station.  For the rest of us, the ship has two spacious pools and six infinity hot tubs that scale the side of the ship. The ship’s Aqua Park also includes two multi-story waterslides and if thats not all they have the “ocean loops” free fall” slide that extends over the side of the ship and is see through to the deck below!

Children have their own aqua park whilst the “little ones” have a splash academy, a watery wonderland of splash pads, water cannons, tipping buckets and slides.

NCL are well known for having lots of different eating places on board and the Bliss (of course) will not disappoint. Texas smokehouse  a Texas barbeque style of food, Los Lobos serving elevated Mexican cuisine. Cagney’s Steakhouse, the popular signature American-style steakhouse. Then there is the A La Carte eating places such as Le Bistro serving french cuisine, La Cucina, italian “tastes of Tuscany,” Ocean Blue for seafood,  Food Republic, for “global fusion.” Cheeseburgers at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea, and handmade cupcakes and macarons at The Bake Shop.  Teppanyaki, the brand’s family-favorite Japanese hibachi steakhouse will also be onboard.  Of course there will be the many drinking places on board such as the District Brew House, to name but a few.

Let us not forget the spa area with 24 treatment rooms, a full-service salon and barber shop, fitness center and thermal suite. Or two private lounge spaces  at Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O as well as the casino. The Bliss will also feature an incredible lineup of entertainment offerings including  Jersey Boys and two observation lounges, including the exclusive Horizon Lounge for guests of The Haven, perfect for whale watching in Alaska or taking in sunsets in the Caribbean.

Accommodating 4,000 guests the Bliss is not as big as some of the other ships out there, eg Harmony Of The Seas, or the Escape. I am not a lover of huge ships as you know however I must admit I did like the NCL Escape, however the Harmony was just a little too much for me!  It will be interesting to get your viewpoint on the Bliss once it is launched. However, does get me thinking in this race to be the BEST/BIGGEST ship will the service be what we expect? That remains to be seen.

Till next time x