Norwegian Bliss is transiting the Panama Canal today, marking a navigational milestone.
At 168,000 gross-tons, she's the largest passenger vessel to every transit the waterway.
With a passenger capacity of nearly 5,000, the newest addition to the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet left the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany in March. She began a series of preview cruises with her arrival in New York City. She then made her way to Miami to begin the Panama Canal crossing.
"The Panama Canal is proud to welcome the Norwegian Bliss and recognizes that this distinct milestone is made possible by the Canal Expansion, as well as the experience and efforts gained in the two years since its inauguration," said deputy canal Administrator Manuel Benítez.
The 2017-2018 cruise season comes to an unofficial end for the Canal on May 24.
According to the Canal's international trade specialist, Albano Aguilar, the season was a highly successful one.
"By the end of its cruise season, the Panama Canal will have transited a total 248 passenger ships with a total of 312,304 passengers onboard," said Aguilar. "Of this, a total of 20 cruises will be Neopanamax vessels, including the Caribbean Princess, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Norwegian Bliss and Disney Wonder, all able to transit the waterway thanks to the Expansion of the Canal."
"We are very proud to help the Panama Canal close out the season with the crossing of our highly-anticipated ship, Norwegian Bliss," Norwegian Cruise Line's President and CEO Andy Stuart noted. "As she makes her way to Seattle, we are excited for this sixteenth ship in our young and modern fleet to begin welcoming guests and providing them with the stand-out service, dining, entertainment and amenities for which we are recognized."
Following the crossing, Norwegian Bliss will make its way up the west coast of Central and North America before arriving at the Port of Los Angeles. She will offer a series of Alaska cruises from Seattle for the summer season and then reposition in the Caribbean.
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