Blissful vacation

Item: Norwegian Bliss
Rating: 4.4
Author: jennzucker

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

jennzucker

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 24, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Bliss

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9310

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Our NCL Bliss cruise on Dec 17 - Dec 24, 2022 was very enjoyable with connecting balcony cabins for our 5 adults. The adult kids found all of the hidden bars the first afternoon while we didn't find them till mid-week. If you have food allergies, you need to meet with the restaurant staff as soon as you get aboard and you will place your order for that night. Each night you will place your meal order for the next day, so be patient that dinners will be 2 to 2.5 hour events. Suggestion: Bring cards that have your allergies to the meal so that they can write them down each day. The entertainment was amazing -Six and Jersey Boys were wonderful and the Live the Beatles group was great. The ship is well designed and has tons of cabin storage space.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Customs delayed guest leaving the ship, so we waited until 2pm to begin boarding the ship as opposed to 930AM

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

If you have food allergies, you need to expect to have your meals be a long process each day. NCL has you place your order at dinner for the next day. When you arrive at your dining destination, they then find your order and call it into the special kitchen that handles allergies. We found the specialty restaurants were best able to handle allergies as opposed to the main dining areas. The trick to the buffet is to meet with the Maitre De and he'll put in a standing order of your breakfast and then you call him each morning as you are leaving your cabin to have it made while walking to buffet. Sailing with food allergies takes patience and knowing that you can ask for what you want to eat even if it's not on the menu.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

The hot tubs were always crowded, so we didn't use them. Due to rain delaying the speed track, we chose not to wait an hour after our reservation to try out the track.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The Jersey Boys and Six shows were amazing. The Live the Beatles band was fantastic and we attended all of their shows.

Children's Programs

All adults on our cruise

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

With a packed ship, most of the time it didn't feel crowded. Only the pool deck areas felt crowded.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

tons of storage, more than on other NCL ships we've sailed.

Ship tip

Look for the hidden bars like The District which has a huge variety of beers on tap (they also have hard cider on tap here only). The only bar that has coconut water is the Mojito Bar, so if you want some, you have to ask for it at that bar. The best thing I learned is that the mixes they use for frozen cocktails are both gluten-free and dairy-free and corn syrup free (ask to read the ingredient label).

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Harvest Caye, Belize

5 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

7 Comments

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing.

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TravellerMel 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing! My group will be on the Bliss in March cruising to the Mexican Riviera!

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

Thumbs Up 1

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Dumfy75 1 year ago

Good review thank you, a ship I’d love to try

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PaulzyJC 1 year ago

The District was the first bar I found as I boarded the ship. Then I hot the Observation Lounge bar. I made it to all the booze joints. Some were just there to serve the restaurants, Mix serves Taste/Savor and the A-List served someplace.

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javawoody 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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Other reviews of this sailing

Bliss was beautiful, Cruise was ok