Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss from Meyer Werft during a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany.
The ship will operate a two-day preview cruise before cruising to Southampton, England, to begin its transatlantic journey on April 21. Upon arrival in the U.S. on May 3, NCL will host two-night preview events in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. The ship will be christened on May 30 in Seattle, from where it will begin a season of seven-day Alaska voyages on June 2.
Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line's Breakaway Plus class, includes some new first-at-sea offerings such as the largest competitive racetrack at sea. The two-level, electric-car racetrack sits at the top of Deck 19, offering guests amazing views while twisting and turning at a speed of up to 30 mph. The ship also has an open-air laser tag course and a side-by-side multi-story race waterslide at the expansive Aqua Park. One waterslide extends over the edge of the ship and loops down to the deck below.
Specialty dining and bar concepts include Q, a Texas smokehouse; the line's first full-service Starbucks; and Coco's, a chocolate and sweet treats shop. The District Brew House serves a variety of craft cocktails and beers, including Seattle favorites from Red Hook Brewery.
Norwegian Bliss programming includes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Jersey Boys" and "¡Havana!", created for the Norwegian Bliss.
The creative group behind "¡HAVANA!" include Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Warren Carlyle and Cuban-American design duo Isabel and Ruben Toledo; it features original songs by Cuban-American, Grammy-winning singer Albita. Norwegian Bliss also features a new theatrical cocktail hour experience, "Happy Hour Prohibition - The Musical" about a New Orleans speakeasy on the eve of the Prohibition era. The Cavern Club features songs from The Beatles by a cover band in a setting inspired by the Liverpool club where The Beatles performed.
Norwegian Bliss features luxurious suites in The Haven by Norwegian, studio staterooms for solo travelers with virtual ocean views, and many connecting staterooms ideal for large groups and families.
After its Alaska season, Norwegian Bliss will spend the fall cruising to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In winter 2018, it will sail the Caribbean from Miami, and in the 2019 fall/winter season, she will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
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