Alaskan cruise on Bliss

Item: Norwegian Bliss
Rating: 3.9
Author: Cruising20

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruising20

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 30

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska Highlights (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 04, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Bliss

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12720

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We were traveling with another couple and we both agreed that for a new ship you have several issues that need to be resolved. Crowded elevators and buffets are major along with enough seating for the number of passengers inside when weather is bad; the ship has a funny smell in some of the corridors, our level was one that smelled not fresh. We booked some of our entertainment online before the cruise but the couple we were traveling with did not. They had never had to book in advance on any of the other cruises they had been on, so they were not able to attend with us. We would prefer to take a cruise that spent more time in some of the ports. Alaska is beautiful but we chose the wrong cruise.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We used the pick up at airport option and it was well worth the price. Best embarkation ever.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Buffet was very crowded and food was only so-so. The dining rooms in the evening were better but food good but not exceptional.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Jersey Boys was excellent but Havana was not well presented and the players were not convincing, story end was obvious from the very beginning. Many people left theater before end of performance.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Needs another bank of elevators. Elevators were always very crowded and wait times were long. The ship is beautiful but there is not enough sitting room for the number of passengers on board especially when at sea or when the weather is rainy. We will not recommend this ship for Alaska. Times in port were not long enough. I have friends who were looking at the Bliss but I will advise them to think twice and look at other ships/ cruise lines and be sure to look closely at the time spent in each port.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin was very nicely appointed. Our cabin steward was wonderful. The location was Farr away from the elevators and the Spa which we enjoyed using so I would advise potential cruisers to take a look at that. We would have stayed closer to the Spa on hindsight.

Ports of call

Ketchikan, Alaska

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

4 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

4 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

2 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

4 Comments

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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SoCalCruiser1 6 years ago

About the elevators they would not be crowded if people took the stairs. I have seen people get on the elevator just to go one floor.

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lynnbuckley 6 years ago

I really enjoy NCL but if I were to do Alaska again I would do a land and sea through Princess or Holland America. I have been on Holland but when I worked in Denali it seemed Princess had a big presence there as well

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1957cruiser 6 years ago

Excellent and honest review, we felt much the way about all the same aspects. The ship is beautiful but the crowding is a major issue everywhere you go especially that Observation lounge, what a mess that is to try and find seating!

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Other reviews of this sailing

This was another wonderful cruise on a really spectacular ship (NCL Bliss)

Nice Ship

Overall we did enjoy ourselves very much, but a few downfalls for such a beautiful ship.