Norwegian Bliss Cruise Reviews - Reviews

This is LOOONG review with over 300 pictures, so skip it if you don't like reading. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to sail on this vessel when I did. I knew I would never be able to cruise on a ship this big at full capacity, willingly. So I jumped on the chance to sail on the Bliss on a 14 day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami. Despite some party poops saying the ship would be at 60% capacity, this cruise sailed with only 1313 passengers aboard (34% capacity), and it was AMAZING!! In fact the Primary reason I was willing to sail during the pandemic was that Norwegian Holdings (which owns NCL and Regent Seven Seas) was, at the time, the ONLY cruise line allowing only fully vaccinated passengers with a negative COVID test to board their vessels. That boosted my confidence, so I wasn't worried. This cruise was intended to give me a great start to 2022 doing two things I've always wanted: The Mexican Riviera & the Panama Canal. I had heard fairly bad things about NCL in the past, as such my 1st cruises were on Celebrity for their premium status. However, when looking for a Panama Canal, this was a perfect cruise. It was 14 days, and on a ship that had a lot to offer. Since Bliss is one of NCL's newer ship (ships less than 5 years old are still considered 'new'), there were no verifiable bad reviews, except NCL's fleet wide practice of charging for extras, and the 'so called' "Service Fees". This would be my first time on a mega-ship, however my main motivation for doing this on Bliss was the reduced capacity. This was so I could enjoy all the amenities without crowds and long lines. The longest line I stood in was about 6 people, excluding exiting the ship on port days. Embarkation was smooth and I was onboard within an hour, as expected. This cruise had seven ports: Mexico - Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Nicaragua - San Juan del Sur, Guatemala - Puerto Quetzal, Costa Rica - Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas), Panama - The Canal (New 2016 Locks), and Columbia - Cartagena. When I looked at the itinerary I suspected that Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Columbia might close their ports, and prepared for that. In December we were informed that the Nicaraguan government closed it's ports ahead of the cruise. On the first sea day I got a notice and voicemail that my zip-line excursion in Costa Rica was canceled and the money refunded to my onboard account. I was able to book a replacement zip-line & aerotram excursion. The evening before we were to arrive in Guatemala we were informed by the Port Authority we could not dock, so we passed the port for an extra sea day. It wasn't until we docked at Costa Rica, that after 3 hours we were told the Pier Manger would not allow passengers to debark and we left port an hour later. I was getting frequent alerts for Columbia well ahead of the cruise, so I was very surprised that we were able to dock and debark. The Panama Canal, the reason I took this 14 day cruise, was awesome! It took 11 hours to get through the new 2016 locks, and it was actually cool. Now I want to cruise on a much smaller ship and go through the original Locks! The food was amazing! I had no issues whatsoever, and I am a bit finicky. My reservation had a 4 meal dining package so I used it at Cagney's, Le Bistro, La Cucina, and Teppanyaki. I wished I skipped Teppanyaki for my dining package; it was over-hyped, and not as flashy as Benny Hanna's. I should've used Ocean Blue for my dining package, as that was the most expensive restaurant. American Diner was the only specialty restaurant I went to twice, because it was the only one that had fried chicken (though it was too salty, even for my Black ass). Savor was great (Taste was closed, except for the crew) and ate here most days for breakfast and lunch; The Manhattan Room was awesome; I ate here more than once. Food Republic was great and had really strong drinks! Q Steakhouse was fine and the dessert was awesome! By this time in the cruise (day 12) I was so stuffed from food that I never finished all of my meals. I tried to finish my dessert (a bread pudding that was frikken awesomeness) at Q's, but couldn't and only ate half - I was so mad at my fat self!! I put off doing most amenities in the first week because of the ports; so during the second week I went to the Bliss Speedway (I was hoping to have the track to myself, like one person shared in another review), mini golf (meh, way too mini, and no castles or traps!), and laser tag. I did water flume (loop tubes) 4 times (the 1 st time I didn't make through the first loop), and I did the tube racer 4 times; that was fun!! Laser tag was fun, except the guns didn't have straps and the field was more cramped than I expected. The Atrium is amazing and so big and spacious. This is where they did demonstrations, game shows, and showed movies (I caught the end of a Boss Baby movie), most movies I watched in my room. Speaking of, I discovered that there were some form of ambient noise was on every part of the ship. There were no actual quiet spaces, not even the library. Noise from the Atrium poured into the library, so reading in silence was impossible. So unless you were on this one sundeck outside Vibe Beach Club (on this cruise anyway, can't speak for a full capacity cruise) or the Thermal Spa, the only truly quiet place to be was your cabin. I only used the Pulse fitness center twice, because it attracted those people who like to show off how great they are at working out. I did manage to get through an entire early morning stretch routine on the 3rd day of the cruise, but never went back. I paid for the Thermal Spa pass, so that got waaay more use, though there a couple of days I never made it to the Spa. PREPARE FOR AN EXTRA SEA DAY. NO cruise itinerary is guaranteed and all the cruise documents state VERY CLEARLY THEY CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITH SHORT NOTICE. So don't go off whining and blaming the cruise line or Travel Agent like a little baby! IGNORE those who say “Don't waste money on the souvenir mugs”. Bunk those people! Get the mugs. However, get them from the bars and restaurants, NOT the Duty Free shops: those are outrageously expensive. My NCL branded thermal coffee cup cost 24$ from Tradewinds. I paid 10$ for my Los Lobos Mexicanidad Skull Mug (plus the cost of the drink), and my Pineapple mug cost 6.57$ (plus drink tax, as we were still in US waters). It's worth the cost, if you don't have such a mug. Everyone kept asking about my Skull and Pineapple mug, even NCL crew from other restauraunts. This cruise was just phenomenal (despite the extra seas days), and when I got back to Tampa, it felt like I never should have left. Now, I know I'm ready for that Transatlantic on Regent 7Seas Splendor in 2023. I am even ready for a world cruise or a grand cruise. I am glad I sailed the Bliss at 34% capacity, but will I cruise him at full capacity? Probably not; I have learned that when it comes to cruising I like space to move about, both on the ship and in my suite or cabin. I liked the Celebrity Infinity because it was a small ship, and it only felt crowded in the clubs and lounges. All in all, I will sail on the Bliss again - IF it is ever less than 40% capacity again! Ahoy!

It was a beautiful cruise that at times, on the colder sea days felt "long." However, it was quite restful, and way better than being at work! I'd do it again in a New York minute!!!

I suggest to anyone it's a lifetime experience go go go

Had a wonderful time. Reunion with cruise friends. Great food,drink and places, I only dreamed of going to.

Overall we had a good time. There is a lot to do and see on this ship and hard to do in a week. The Observation Lounge is a great spot to sit and relax.

Wonderful 16 day coast to coast Panama Canal cruise from Miami to Los Angeles. Numerous sea days made for a very relaxing vacation. The ship sailed at approximately 30% capacity and a crew to passenger ratio of 1 to 1, resulting in exceptional service and no lines for virtually anything. Due to the 100% vaccination requirements, time of year, and duration of the cruise, there were very few minor aboard - I heard there were 7. Truly the only downside of this cruise was the mandate to wear masks indoors or outdoors when social distancing could not be maintained. Additionally, masks were generally worn during all excursions and always worn on buses. Masks could be removed to eat and drink, so.....there was a lot of both.

Overall we loved it, just wish the food and entertainment would be at the level of Royals, but would sail with NCL again, and we have already book 2 more.

Absolutely amazing trip to Alaska on the Bliss!!!

The Mexican Riviera on the NCL Bliss was a great trip. The Bliss is a large ship and was very crowded. Always something to do! The weather was great. November 6-12th the temperatures were in the 70s most of the days we were there. I recommend booking everything early as things fill up fast and get sold out. Crowded elevators and shows/events so plan ahead. Food and drinks were great. Room was great. Service was exceptional.

It was my 1st cruise (2nd in total) since 2014 on a totally new cruise line. I was nervous and at most times overwhelmed, but I have always wanted to go to Alaska since 1996 (high school years c/o 97'), there was even a time between 1990- 2005 that I wanted to live and work in Alaska) so, it was a good nervous and overwhelming feeling. The NCL and all of the staff on Bliss made it a great adventure. I'll see the Sun in August 2023 for 10 adventure filled days in Alaska.

This is our first cruise post Covid where the ship was at full capacity . The ship is lovely but could do with more pools than just the main pool and kids pool. Space was restricted on the 3 sea days. The ship would also benefit from another bank of elevators. There were only 2 banks on board which were nearly always busy resulting in us frequently just taking the stairs. We were disappointed by the missed / cancelled ports but made the best if it and enjoyed it all the same!

Overall, we had a good time. People were polite for the most part kids were well behaved, no obnoxious children. They were all tended by their parents, even around the pool area. No, running down the hallways that I saw. Our cabin was quiet and dark at night how we like it. There was bad weather on the return to the LA port which caused a rocky last night, but no fault of the ship.

Overall a fantastic first cruise! Loved the scenery and the peaceful times on our balcony. NCL needs to increase port times and not always dock outside of town requiring taking a bus to town...felt a bit rushed in most ports. The Dawes glacier excursion on the small-boat is a must-do! I'll cruise again and will return to Alaska. Might try a different cruise line to compare...

From board to disembark the staff was fantastic. The main pools are heated. I love the fact you can get 2 drinks at a time. I did not like you they charge you for bottled water even if you had a drink package. The views are amazing, get a professional camera. Bring binoculars. Your internet will not work at glacier bay. The specialty restaurants were good. Ocean blue and the pasta place were just ok and not spectacular. The spa is a must with hot rooms, salt rooms, heated lounge chairs. Our king mattress was extremely hard and we were in a spa mini suite. Take your time, go out of your comfort zone and have the time if your life!

Just a quick overview of my Alaska cruise on Norwegian Bliss selling July 14th through July 21st. I had an inside cabin for the first time in years that I shared with one other person due to circumstances beyond our control but it wasn't so bad not half as bad as I thought it was going to be I think most of the reason it wasn't so bad was due to the observation deck that made it a whole lot better. The ship: The ship is dope! It is the biggest and newest ship for this cruise line and it's absolutely beautiful it was very clean, the staff was excellent, everything was new, and I had no problems with it. Because we were going to Alaska it was kind of chilly outside but the pools were heated so as long as you had a tile when you got out you were fine the ship had a laser tag it had go karts they had movies at the in the atrium as well as movies at the pool that the ship was just absolutely beautiful! The staff: Although my room steward was the worst I've had ever and that I don't even know his name, he did not anticipate any of our needs, we had to constantly ask him for simple things like lotion. Everybody else on the ship was fantastic! This was the first cruise ever that I removed my prepaid gratuities and tipped everybody individually simply because I had excellent waitstaff that deserves way bigger tips then my Stewart so although I did tip my Stewart my way staff had way bit better tips. There was an unfortunate incident in the restaurant on the Lido deck were the neck due to the negligence of the staff I was injured so I was unfortunate enough to have to visit their Hospital and there a doctor in the hospital staff was excellent they took really good care of me and I am now negotiating with Norwegian regarding settlement on that issue and that's all I got to say about that. Ports of call: Alaska was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I did book a Excursion in Juneau and Skagway through the cruise line and the last stop I just scooted around downtown and did some shopping I had a ball! This was my first time visiting Canada and British Victoria Canada was beautiful the people was so friendly and nice and everything was beautiful. The one thing that caught me off guard is although they do take American money they give you Canadian money back for change now if all of these American visitors are giving you money you know you got American money in that register so I got to get Canadian money back? Overall I had a ball I would do this Cruise again I would highly recommend this Cruise Line this ship and this cruise.

We had a fantastic time. No hurry do do stuff we could eat when we wanted. Love all the ports along the way.

Cruised a lot, but first time on NCL. Will definitely cruise NCL again. Fun week. Great memories. On this cruise, I traveled solo. Studio cabins are great. Liked the extra security of using key card to enter Studio cabin area from hallways. (Not just anyone can wander in that area of ship...decks 10-12 forward)

The cruise was wonderful and was near capacity with 4700 passengers onboard! Even so the ship rarely seems crowded unless you want to get a spot poolside or want lunch between 11:30-12:30 or dinner between 5:30-6:30 or attend an event in the main theater. If you can avoid those three things then there really aren't a whole lot of other times where there is congestion. There's plenty of open spaces outside for everyone to enjoy the sun and sea breezes. Likewise there's plenty of quiet spots inside the ship to either read or simply relax. Activities both indoors and outdoors for people to enjoy depending upon how active you like to be on vacation.

We had a great time...great food and great service. My only complaint was with Cagneys which is normally my favorite...service was slow there and food wasn't that hot. But all in all, a fabulous time!

We love this form of travel with family. It’s a great way to travel and visit without being on top of each other. Family dinners make it easy to connect throughout your trip. The app makes it easy to text during the cruise to family members (as long as the seniors in the group download the app!! 👍🏽)