Somehow we expected more on an inaugural cruise.

Item: Norwegian Bliss
Rating: 4.1
Author: frankandjill

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Transatlantic

frankandjill

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 65

Overall rating:

4.1 out of 5

Verified Review

12 Night Transatlantic Westbound (Southampton To New York)

Sail date: April 21, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Bliss

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 12794

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We expected to be the first inhabitants of our stateroom. After finding a hair ball in the shower and the coffee maker with a used packet, we felt let down. We booked a mini-site. The word ‘suite’ envisions something ostentatious. The cabin was about the same size as that on NCL smaller size ships. The balcony was even smaller, barely allowing two chairs and a small table. The splendid Observation Lounge was turned into a bedroom. Guests were sacked out and snoring on the long lounges.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

The food was very good

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The Jersey Boys reservation was booked on all days and a matinee performance had to be scheduled. There was no way to tell if people reserved more than once.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ordering was done by the server using a blue tooth touchpad screen held like a baseball glove. Searching for the proper entry took time and selection was limited to the entries on the screen. “Want eggs benedict without the potatoes?” No such selection.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

The splendid Observation Lounge was turned into a bedroom. Guests were sacked out and snoring on the long lounges. With food and drinks near, they hogged the couches all day long.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The electric outlets in the cabin were three, four if you have a European to US 2-prong plug where the coffee maker plugs in. The automatic closing of drawers and closet doors was a nice touch. The shower is magnificent with six directable jets hitting your body plus the pull-out shower head. The soft couch cushion is an improvement over the board-like couch on other NCLs. The touch entry key card was very convenient. The ‘make up cabin, etc.’ switch inside the cabin was convenient. The word ‘suite’ envisions something ostentatious. The cabin was about the same size as that on NCL smaller size ships. The balcony was even smaller, barely allowing two chairs and a small table.

Ship tip

Your key card uses the touch method. DO NOT puncture a hole in it for your necklace. It destroyes the card and makes it unusable.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

4 out of 5

Ponta Delgada, Azores

5 out of 5

We hired an 8 passenger van and toured the seldom visited (by cruise ships) the Nordeste part of the island. No crowds. 75 EUR/pp including a sumptuous lunch.

Thumbs Up 1

Halifax, Nova Scotia

4 out of 5

Took the ship's tour to Lunenburg, leass crowded than Halifax.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Disembarkation was very good with NCL personnel assisting you in finding your luggage. The taxi line wrapped around the building.

9 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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Ship2Shora 6 years ago

Thanks for your honest review, I was on the fence about possibly upgrading to a mini suite, but after your reading your analysis, I think I'll stick with my free perks ~ balcony.

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berniebrin 6 years ago

2ND sailing Panama Canal not that impressed myself totally agree about observation lounge being used as an extended cabin like a mortuary with prone bodies everywhere seating for five/six taken by one person sprawled out, a waste of space.

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dizzzydr 6 years ago

Thanks for the review. Sounds good

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MisterBill99 6 years ago

You know they probably had pre-innaugural cruises before yours, right?

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calypso2016 6 years ago

I wish theyd rename the mini suites to "balcony with large bathroom" to avoid confusion

Thumbs Up 4

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LandM 6 years ago

What cabin did you have?

Thumbs Up 1

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harleychick421 6 years ago

That is horrible! I hope you took pics and write an email to complain!

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msdash 6 years ago

I’m hoping we’re the first in our state room 9754 in 4 days.

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