by Anne Kalosh
Last updated: 11:19 AM ET, Thu May 31, 2018
The largest cruise ship ever to sail through the Panama Canal and on the West Coast, Norwegian Bliss was named Wednesday night in Seattle, its inaugural homeport for the Alaska season.
New York radio personality Elvis Duran served as the personable godfather for Norwegian Cruise Line's 168,000-gross-ton ship.
Norwegian Bliss is the Breakaway Plus-class sister of last year's Norwegian Joy, a vessel that was customized for the Chinese market. Bliss sports elegant public rooms, the longest racetrack at sea and spacious observation lounges that are ideal for viewing Alaska scenery. An open-air laser tag course, a barbecue spot, Q, and a Mexican restaurant, Los Lobos, are other new features.
Guests at the christening festivities, held on board the ship alongside at the Port of Seattle's recently upgraded Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, got a taste of the new Bliss entertainment: a mambo from the sizzling dance show "Havana" and several Frankie Valli hits from the Broadway smash "Jersey Boys." West Coast band Train also wowed the crowd.
Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, called Bliss "a showcase ship to provide our guests with the ultimate Alaska experience." He pointed to the 180-degree observation lounge and The Haven's plush Horizon Lounge above it, the big outdoor promenade The Waterfront, and the fact that more than 70 percent of the staterooms have balconies.
"Norwegian Bliss takes Norwegian Cruise Line's core philosophy of freedom and flexibility to new level," Del Rio said.
He also said Bliss is the best booked new ship in Norwegian's history.
Awareness is certainly high after a series of inaugural events in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and, now, Seattle.
"This is, unquestionably, the most talked-about ship we've ever launched," said 30-year company veteran Andy Stuart, NCL president and CEO. He called Norwegian Bliss "flawless" and said it is "setting a new standard for our brand and for the entire industry."
During their christening remarks, both Del Rio and Stuart expressed appreciation to travel agent partners.
Alex Sharpe, president of Signature Travel Network, is aboard Bliss with 10 Signature owners and 90 consultants, most from the West Coast.
"Our members are excited to sell it. To have a new ship on the West Coast, especially of this caliber, for us, it's a big deal," he said.
Sharpe called Duran an inspired choice for godfather. "He has an incredible following - millions of people." Since Duran and his team first sailed from New York, "Bliss is all they talk about."
The naming festivities were punctuated with celebrity video congratulations to Duran from the likes of Norwegian Escape godfather Pitbull and pop star Demi Lovato.
Wyland, the artist who created the hull art - life-sized humpbacked whales - told guests Bliss is "heading from one of the most beautiful cities, Seattle, to the most beautiful place on the planet: Alaska."
When it came time for the actual naming, the huge B-L-I-S-S letters on stage in the Bliss Theater were lighted one by one, and Duran pushed a button that sent a bottle of Champagne smashing on the hull.
Criz Punsalan, vice president of sales and marketing at Cruise Connections Canada, called the ceremony "fantastic," and praised how the "wisdom and innovation" of Norwegian's leadership has resulted in an "elevated guest experience" aboard Bliss.
"It's great to be part of this celebration, and to hear the company's appreciation for travel agents at a time when some consumers have the idea that agents are going away," Punsalan added.
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