There might be better months for this itinerary

Item: Norwegian Bliss
Rating: 3.8
Author: PNWpalmers

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

PNWpalmers

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 19

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska: Dawes Glacier Juneau & Ketchikan (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 06, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Bliss

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13252

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 months ago

Review summary

Activities on the boat and at the ports were closed. The shuttles to all but one port were unexpected with long wait times due to mechanical issues. Some of the ports were dreary and run down (Sitka and Ketchikan). Our stateroom attendant was nice enough but never smiled, sort of creepy. NCL didn’t enforce the “no smoking” rules around the ship and it was suuuuper gross having to go through the smoke filled casino to get to the Manhattan Room. The casino smoking room does NOT keep the smoke contained. The lack of TVs in public areas with deck maps and navigation maps was a bummer. This was our 1st NCL (only ever RCCL for me previously so expectations were high). We liked our balcony room and appreciated a few huge standout workers (like Veronica at Sugarcane who remembered every customers name, everyday!). Unfortunately this was my husbands 1st cruise and he said his overall experience on the Bliss will be his last cruise experience. One shot for that 1st impression and I blew it with NCL.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Easy embarkation with really friendly staff. There was a long wait after we all had our ship cards, we waiting about an hour in a big room with chairs before we were called to board.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

A lot of options for food, no midnight buffets or ice carving/chocolate carvings like RCCL though.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Some activities were never opened: race cars, mini golf, never saw the bakery open.

Entertainment

We didn’t go to any shows, they didn’t interest us.

Children's Programs

No kids

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

A few bartenders and specialty restaurant staff were super friendly, most everyone else didn’t seem happy. We never saw our stateroom attendant smile.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Very clean. Except for the cigarette smoke that blasted you if you were near the casino (having to walk to Manhattan Room) - super gross.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Spacious enough with ceilings and a shower that accommodated my 6’2” husband. We had a larger angled balcony that we fit very comfortably on.

Ship tip

Pay attention to dining hours, have a lot of patience with getting on the WiFi, and be SUPER prepared for cigarette smell as long shuttle bus waits.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Sitka, Alaska

3 out of 5

The line for the shuttle was more than an hour, standing in the cold rain for most of it. Awful experience. Run down, not a lot open, felt a tad unsafe. The nature was gorgeous though.

Thumbs Up 0

Juneau, Alaska

4 out of 5

Great if you rent a car through Turo and get out to Mendenhall Glacier. Downtown was packed with half open stores. Tourist gimmicky type stuff “made in China”

Thumbs Up 0

CRUISE ENDICOTT ARM & DAWES GLACIER

5 out of 5

Loved seeing the icebergs floating by!

Thumbs Up 0

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska

5 out of 5

Very small but perfect (even in the cold rain) free gondola to the taco truck and gift shop and the other side of the gondola was a short walk to fresh mini donuts!

Thumbs Up 0

KETCHIKAN (WARD COVE), ALASKA

1 out of 5

Ack! Super sketchy, smelled terrible, stores closed. The line for the shuttle was at least an hour so we called a cab ($40 and soo gross). I would not recommend visiting here.

Thumbs Up 1

Victoria, British Columbia Did not visit port

2 hours in port (and a long hike from downtown) didn’t make sense to risk getting off the boat.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Easy, just waited for our color to be called. They kept telling us to have our passports ready but they were never needed.

6 Comments

Jerrec 7 months ago

Unfortunately you went to Alaska way too early in the season. It is a much better experience during the summer. The cruises at the start and end of the season are significantly cheaper because it’s not nearly as good. Many shops only open in peak season.

Thumbs Up 0

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bubbles60 7 months ago

It has been a long time since any cruise line offered midnight buffets. Sorry you did not enjoy your cruise, we went on NCL for our Alaska cruise and had a great time.

Thumbs Up 1

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cruising2004 7 months ago

I can see why you were disappointed with the itinerary with most if not all of the stores closed. Alaska is beautiful, just try a couple months later. Thank you for your review.

Thumbs Up 0

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Gwbigdog 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

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javawoody 7 months ago

Ward cove is owned by NCL , so that they can avoid port fees. It is about 30 minutes from town The buildings were old mill that NCL uses to sell souvenirs. The cruise is beautiful , the ports have turned into tourist traps.

Thumbs Up 0

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HeavySeas 7 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

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