Worth the Wait
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 14
7 Night Alaska: Glacier Bay Skagway & Juneau (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: April 22, 2023
Ship: Norwegian Bliss
Cabin type: Inside
Cabin number: 11503
Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
I absolutely loved that ship. I’ve booked a return on it for June 2024. April is a good time to go if you’re looking to save money and cross Alaska off the bucket list. Just keep in mind tours get cancelled and wildlife isn’t very prevalent yet.Embarkation
Port is run by an outside company. I was surprised that instead of all luggage being checked closer to the Edgewater Hotel, they were directing people to drag it to main entrance. I lucked out and gave the longshoreman a tip and away my bag went from the old, original spot. Lady at the entrance was a bit rude with me due to a lack of listening skills. I quickly got my keycard and relaxed till boarding groups were called. I was in the 9:30-10am window. Waited in holding area about an hour and 15 minutes. I was checked into muster from the moment I set foot on the ship. An hour and a half from receiving my keycard I was sat at the Local.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
American Diner should absolutely be a complimentary restaurant, like Guy’s Burgers on Carnival or the pool deck food on Disney. I was a solo traveler and got to enjoy the window seat a few times in Taste and a few other places. Always ate at Taste if doing main dining. Delicious eggs Benedict there. One night I couldn’t get bread service, but meal was good. The Local breakfast said eggs any style for the American breakfast, but any meant any fried, no poached. Loved that I could get spinach and artichoke dip whenever in the mood. Cagney’s was good. That bread was so soft that I called it my emotional support bread. Teppanyaki entertainment - better than Benihana. Teppanyaki food - not as good as Benihana. Would still do again. Le Bistro scallops appetizer was favorite dish ordered on the ship. I wish the soft serve ice cream at the buffet was running later at night, but Coco’s was delicious.
Onboard Activities
Played one round of bingo, one round of Deal or No Deal, and one round of those pull tabs. Won nothing, but fun to try once! Never managed to do the go kart or laser tag, but wanted to. Was going to do the paint class, but didn’t realize how crazy long those art auctions were. I was going to leave, to do it, but it was fun to watch people bid and see the art. Watched the occasional game in the atrium.
Entertainment
Six and Jersey Boys were nice and long and worth it. Glad I was able to make reservations. I’m only 4’11”, so wanted aisle seats in case of a tall person in front of me. Was never as issue. Great performances. Both comedians were funny. Magicians were enjoyable. Loved the Liar’s Club with the comedians and cruise director Dan Dan. Dan Dan stole the show! Went to an NCL Liar’s Club show back in 1991. They’re still hilarious decades later!! Siglo were absolutely amazing. This classic rock lover was in love with them. The Beatles band was amazing too. Wish I went to hear the piano player more. Next time!
Service and Staff
A couple of bad photographers, but no problems with the rest of the staff. Always super friendly and answered any question I had. Some shore excursion staff was better than others in the theater getting people to their tours.
Ship Quality
That bow artwork is breathtaking. I loved the lighting throughout the ship. It felt modern versus old school cruise ship glitzy camp. There was the occasional lack of paper towels or a sink/soap scanner not acknowledging my existence, but nothing major stood out.
Cabin / Stateroom
It might have only been 99 square feet, but it was a well planned 99 square feet. It never felt cramped. Plenty of room under the bed for my suitcase. Once I realized the closet door would slide closed on its own it stopped screeching at me. Make sure to turn your tv on while unpacking. There is a long video to watch before you can use your tv. One thing I will do differently next time in the studio is slide the seat out from under the desk to be my nightstand versus perilously balance my phone where I did next to the bed. I’m short like I said elsewhere, so sometimes the toilet area felt cramped to me. Love that they provided a card for the power slot versus having to use and then remember my room key.
Ship tip
Everyone says get a balcony. I didn’t miss having one. I enjoyed the couches on the waterfront on the 8th deck. Even with a full ship I managed to enjoy one during Glacier Bay. I loved my virtual window too.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Got to see a glacier calve. Was louder than I expected. Since Ketchikan is oddly missing a spot I’ll just say this one is definitely not April friendly. I ended up doing the Wilderness and Crab excursion which was delicious, but didn’t wow me. Plus, the crab ended up being a second breakfast. We ate early!
My seaplane got cancelled, but I went to the tour booth, got a relatively cheap tour of the city and bus to Mendenhall Glacier and that was totally worth it!
I’m a local. Here’s my recommendations:
• Kerry Park in Lower Queen Anne is accessible by bus/taxi. Great view of Space Needle, skyline, and Mt. Rainier on a clear day.
• Eat your way through Pike Place Market.
• That is NOT the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market.
• Snoqualmie Falls are a short drive out of the city, but pretty.
• Yes, we are not in Victoria BC long enough. If staying awhile longer in Seattle a day trip or overnight to Victoria on the Clipper or Seaplane is worth it.
Loved going to the Center of the Universe Observatory. You’re going at night, so why not take a look at the stars and moon?
Loved the history. Highly recommend the reindeer shot drink at the Red Onion (Bailey’s, Kahlúa, and peppermint schnapps). My combo train and highway tour also got cancelled, but was able to book the train and highway separately. Worth it!
Disembarkation
Line for self debark was long and I don’t know if I misread the breakfast times or if they ended early, but was bummed not to get breakfast before getting off the ship.