by Donald Wood
Last updated: 5:25 PM ET, Thu October 13, 2016
On Thursday, officials from Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the company will build a new ship specifically designed for the Alaskan market.
Dubbed the Norwegian Bliss, the 4,000-passenger ship will be custom-built with features and amenities designed for Alaska itineraries. The vessel will have its home port in Seattle and is scheduled for delivery in spring 2018.
Norwegian Cruise Line currently operates two ships out of Seattle, and the company has a deal in place for a $30 million joint expansion project with the Port of Seattle on the Pier 66 cruise terminal.
The ceremony to announce the new Norwegian Bliss ship was held at Port of Seattle's Pier 66 and featured comments from Norwegian President and CEO Andy Stuart, Port of Seattle CEO Ted Fick and Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton.
"Norwegian was the first cruise line to begin cruising to Alaska from Seattle in 2000 and it's only fitting that we bring our newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, directly to this incredible location," Stuart said during the ceremony. "Alaska is one of the top destinations for our guests to explore and we are thrilled to be the first cruise line to offer our guests the opportunity to experience this coveted destination aboard a brand new, state-of-the-art cruise ship custom designed for Alaska, the first of its kind to ever debut in Seattle."
The Norwegian Bliss will be built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, and will be the third ship in Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway Plus Class, joining its sisterships the Norwegian Joy and the Norwegian Escape.
After construction is complete in 2018, the Norwegian Bliss will sail across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal and along the west coast of the United States before reaching its home port in Seattle. The ship will sail weekly seven-day cruises to Alaska each Saturday from Pier 66.
During the ship's journeys to Alaska, the Norwegian Bliss will feature calls in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia.
In the coming months, the cruise line also said that the design for the hull-which will be done by marine life artist Wyland-and more information about the ship's accommodations, dining and onboard offerings will be unveiled.
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