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If you are searching for the perfect pre-cruise hotel, we have you covered with our Best Places to Stay Near the Seattle Cruise port as well as our Guide to Miami Hotels Near the Cruise port. You can also check out our hotel reviews if you want more detailed information about our recommendations. Depending on when you book your trip and your cabin category, you might already have a Norwegian Specialty Dining package as part of a promotion. If not, you might want to consider getting one as most of the specialty restaurants are a la carte pricing which can add up very quickly. We detail all of the benefits of this package in our Complete Guide to the Specialty Dining Package on NCL. On all of our NCL cruises, we have either purchased a package or received one as a perk and definitely saved ourselves some money.
The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle for every type of traveler - The Points Guy
The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle for every type of traveler.
Posted: Sat, 06 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Night 6 Dinner at La Cucina
If your family likes skeeball, VR, or other video games, there is a small video arcade near the kid’s clubs on Deck 5. There are a range of games from car racing to basketball hoops, to a virtual rollercoaster. All the games are a la carte by swiping your room key but if you think your kids might spend a lot of time in the arcade, especially on bad weather days at sea, you may want to look at purchasing a package. Overall, we enjoyed our transatlantic sailing on Norwegian Bliss and we think it can only get better once it gets to Alaska and the Caribbean, where the destination will play a bigger part in the overall experience. While we do wish there were a fewer extra charges (especially for the laser tag, which was our favorite top deck activity), there is still lots to keep you busy.
NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line redeploys 8 additional ships
Ship's 2-day preview cruise from Miami (May 8-10) was a special voyage for VIP guests only, including Wyland (hull artist), Elvis Duran, The Morning Show members, Alex Vega (The Auto Firm). During the 2-day inaugural ship preview in NYC, NCL Bliss was berthed at Pier 88 in Manhattan. On May 4, the ship was boarded by brand partners, US media and cruise industry representatives, also boat godfather Elvis Duran. Following the cocktail reception (held in The Haven's Horizon Lounge) VIP guests enjoyed the premiere of the "Jersey Boys" show in the Bliss Theater. NCL Bliss is the world's second cruise ship (together with NCL Joy) featuring a Ferrari racetrack (deck 19).
Night 6 Freestyle Daily
There are many great venues on the ship, tons of onboard activities, and other things you want to enjoy during your trip. So, we suggest making a short checklist of all the things you MUST do, see, eat, and experience on the ship. That way, you will never have to ask yourself, “Why didn’t we do that? For starters, have a look at our Top Things to Do on Norwegian Bliss. Yes, part of the appeal of NCL is the freestyle approach; however, we strongly suggest you book at least a few dining reservations pre-cruise.
Explore Alaska by Land and Sea
(April 8, 2024) -- With a mid-morning arrival to Sitka, Norwegian Bliss officially became the first cruise ship to visit Alaska in 2024 and thus kick off the annual cruise season in the Last Frontier. Go-karting will cost you $15.00 per person and reservations book up quickly but racing around a track in the middle of an ocean is an experience you won’t often repeat. Make sure to make a reservation as soon as you board to get your preferred time frame. As you can imagine, all of these activities are especially popular during days at sea. The Norwegian Bliss is a mega-ship in the Norwegian Cruise Lines family, which started sailing in April of 2018 and was refurbished in 2021. The ship can hold up to 4,000 guests on 20 decks with 30 bars and restaurants.
It seems like there should be endless things to do while on board. And there are, but sometimes you have to look for them and keeping kids entertained may take some work. But Norwegian Bliss can only mimic a small upscale vessel to a certain extent. Don't let pictures of the go-karts and water slides fool you. Consider the refined choice of fabrics and color schemes in cabins and public spaces, the excellent service and top-notch food in the restaurants, the range of educational activities during the day (language classes, guest lectures). And, family-friendly features seem less visible (the one exception being the kids splash zone on Deck 16).
Angry dad slams Norwegian Cruise Line 'robbery' for extra-charge items - Cruise Blog
Angry dad slams Norwegian Cruise Line 'robbery' for extra-charge items.
Posted: Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you have never cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line, you will need to register for an online NCL account. Even if you have your voyage booked through a travel agent, you will need access to the online portal to plan your trip. All you need is your sailing date and reservation number, then you can begin the registration process here. Even if you have a great travel agent, we recommend doing some of these pre-cruise arrangements yourselves as they will suit your preferences and time schedules. Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest and largest ship is now sailing from Seattle, WA! The ship will continue to offer cruises to Alaska through the summer season and will reposition to the Caribbean in the Fall.
Alaska Cruise News: Norwegian Bliss Kicks Off Early Start to Busy 2024 Alaska Season

Then I carb loaded for tomorrow’s hike with pasta and bread. Tonight is “Dress up or Not” night (see the second photo for a description of NCL’s “formal night” policy). Now seems like a good time to educate you on what we Seattleites consider formal. This is pretty much as dressed up as we get with rain boots mandatory from about October through May (hat is optional, but I hate being cold and this is Alaska in April, so I figure better safe).
Whether marveling at glaciers, spotting bald eagles, or indulging in fresh seafood, sailing to Alaska with Norwegian Cruise Line promises an unforgettable journey of discovery and natural wonders. And while there’s a ton to do for those not content to relax and eat for 168 hours straight (me), it’s not ideal for anyone looking for a more serene experience. I also hesitate in recommending it for the 7-day Alaska itinerary from Seattle (even though I’ve done it twice myself), especially for those who haven’t cruised to Alaska before.
The facility is built by RiMO Supply (RiMO Germany Group) and operated via a partnership with Scuderia Ferrari Watches. This is also the first-ever branded Formula 1 race car track. Norwegian Bliss is the first NCL ship with full-service Starbucks store. The first Starbucks at sea was opened in 2010 on Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean). Another new for NCL amenity is the chocolate-themed dessert outlet Coco’s (patisserie/treat shop), serving handmade pralines, crepes, truffles and other treats paired with specialty teas and coffees. With thrilling water slides that shoot you out over the open ocean, laser tag, and Go-Karts, the Bliss is two parts ship and one part amusement park.
Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year. Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port will have 1.5 million passengers wanting more. Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pit stop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparalleled wilderness, wildlife and native culture.
On past cruises, we were able to score up to $250 of onboard credit in addition to the NCL advertised free at sea promotions. Head deeper into the frozen wilderness with one of our Alaska Cruisetours on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit, combining your cruise with an immersive land vacation that goes beyond the expected. Spanning from 11- to 14-days, these cruise vacation packages include overnight stays in Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Talkeetna, and Valdez. Exclusive to Norwegian, all Cruisetours are led by local Alaskan guides to provide you with an authentic Alaska experience.
As we prepared for our second trip on Norwegian Bliss, we put together our 15 Norwegian Bliss Tips for Planning Your Next Cruise. When it comes to planning, some might say we go a little overboard, but we know that we are not alone. Cruise fare rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.
You should figure out what everyone wants before you just book something. As far as the glacier, I found Dawes to be the least impressive part of the trip. If you look at the Bliss, it has places on the sides that go in and pop out. You want to be on a pop out part or your visibility is not as good. Try to be midship if you can on deck 10 or 11, maybe 12, which are high but not too high and sandwiched between other cabin decks. If not midship, I would choose aft as the seas can get rough and forward is the worst for that.
I hope I don’t exceed my onboard spending budget of zero dollars. Even though the Perseverance Trail is part of a trail system I discovered a few years ago within walking distance of Ward Cove (where NCL ships dock outside of Ketchikan), the name has so far discouraged me. When I think “perseverance” I think of some self help nonsense promising mental strength as a result of physical or psychological pain with no certain outcome.
If you want to see the Beatles in the Cavern and have a seat, get there an hour early, but the better option is to simply see them during MainStage shows. I had cruise-next credits from last cruise and it’s a double-up so I used 2. We consider it to the best excursion we've ever been on, for any cruise, anywhere. I think it sells out, so, you'll want to be sure to book it as soon as you can. Someone mentioned this, but, I also recommend spending time in the Alaska Forum here on CC to learn more about the various ports and excursions and activities in each.
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