The First Voyage of the Norwegian Bliss to Alaska

[GA Dave]

Awesome trip report so far! Thanks for all the pics. :D

[Blissful Cruiser]

Does it feel crowded with so many inside? I read it is a little chilly - is it jean and sweatshirt weather?

[BirdTravels]

 

 

Pulling into Berth 3 in Ketchikan

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited June 4, 2018 by BirdTravels

[AlaSKa_64]

Thank you for taking the time and posting such great information and wonderful pics!

 

 

Have you (or anyone else you've talked to) used the iConcierge app yet? As I understand it, it wasn't working on prior sailings, but was supposed to be live in Alaska. Just curious if it's live yet, as it seems to be a great way to stay in touch with other "cruisemates" on the ship and want to install the app before leaving home if it is working. Thanks in advance!

[BirdTravels]

Thank you for taking the time and posting such great information and wonderful pics!

 

 

Have you (or anyone else you've talked to) used the iConcierge app yet? As I understand it, it wasn't working on prior sailings, but was supposed to be live in Alaska. Just curious if it's live yet, as it seems to be a great way to stay in touch with other "cruisemates" on the ship and want to install the app before leaving home if it is working. Thanks in advance!

 

 

The Bliss uses the NEW Norwegian App (previously only on the Sky). Seems to work better. No first hand information.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

Hard to get perspective of the Bliss’ Deck 14 bridge wing to the top deck of the. Golden Princess. (Btw, our room, the spice of these photos, is on Deck 15).

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

Does it feel crowded with so many inside? I read it is a little chilly - is it jean and sweatshirt weather?

It does not feel any more crowded than any other megaship. We were on the Escape about a month ago and it is comparable. We have 4700 passengers on this cruise against a 4000 passenger capacity. So the ship is truly being tested and the crew is doing a remarkable job.

 

Many were in shorts yesterday for the sea day. If you were sitting on deck, you probably wanted something a bit warmer, but we were outside walking around in shorts. For balcony time, we did throw the deck blanket (pictured above) over our laps and dawned a light jacket.

 

While nothing like a Caribbean cruise, the pools for some use yesterday. We preferred the thermal suite pool and heated Loungers yesterday.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited June 4, 2018 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

7:19. Gangways open. No food off/on ship in accordance with local authorities. All aboard is 2:30 today.

 

Update: Captain extended all aboard to 3:00. (My guess is some late running PR activities - maiden port call, largest ship, etc).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited June 4, 2018 by BirdTravels

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Surprisingly, we were not invited to the Haven cocktail reception nor the glacier watching party like we use to on the Jewel. [emoji20]

 

We signed up for the dinner with an officer, but have not got a call on when that is either.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That is very Surprising :eek: :confused: and strange.

 

Thanks so much for your really great review and amazing pictures, we have been to Alaska 11 times and with your wonderful picture and memories from being there int he past I feel like I am right there with you :cool:

[AlaSKa_64]

The Bliss uses the NEW Norwegian App (previously only on the Sky). Seems to work better. No first hand information.

 

Thank you!

Based on your photo with the cabin deck location, we have the same cabin? Nineteen days...but who's counting;)

Enjoy your day in Ketchikan and the rest of your cruise!

[Oceansaway17]

Good Morning Alaska

 

6:00 am and every seat in the Garden Cafe is full.

 

Pro Tip: the outside seating is wide open. And the dark panels on the ceiling are actually heaters (purpose built for Alaska) and the outside is nice and warm.

 

 

Views from the Garden Cafe and Observation Lounge

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

yup I did that on the Panama Cruise. and enjoyed the outside as well See my thread. but honestly full buffet at 6am is a bit much. Me thinks the Observation lounge will be full too and folks carrying food up and down the stairwells.

The NCL bliss should have made the buffet bigger. Folks will plant themselves by the window and not leave. For me after doing the Bliss, I will return to smaller ships.

[Oceansaway17]

Open ocean. Exactly as depicted in post #1.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

which is a shame in a way. I know NCL brags about having the largest ship in area, but something has to give. I say try the mid size Holland America ships on your next cruise for a change of pace. They also do the Glacier Bay too.

[JC5240]

INCREDIBLE photos! Thank you for taking us along on your journey.

[How much longer?]

following. Bliss Sept 1 for us!

[BirdTravels]

Now departing Ketchikan

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Blissful Cruiser]

which is a shame in a way. I know NCL brags about having the largest ship in area, but something has to give. I say try the mid size Holland America ships on your next cruise for a change of pace. They also do the Glacier Bay too.

I’m booked on the Bliss 1 year from today and our itinerary is cruising Glacier Bay - with the same port of calls, but the times arriving and leaving are different- I hope they don’t change my itinerary! I chose it due to Glacier Bay

[BirdTravels]

A few photos from a nature walk and town

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[McFins]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post all of the great info and amazing pics. Just beautiful.

Capacity...what does it mean when they say capacity is 3994 pax but there are 4700 pax on board? I've seen it mentioned in relation to other sailings/ships and have always wondered how they could carry so many over capacity? Is there there a limit as to how many passengers they can have on board a particular ship?

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and expertise.

[BirdTravels]

Cruizing

 

But also next to the runway

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CruizinCutieJulia]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post all of the great info and amazing pics. Just beautiful.

 

Capacity...what does it mean when they say capacity is 3994 pax but there are 4700 pax on board? I've seen it mentioned in relation to other sailings/ships and have always wondered how they could carry so many over capacity? Is there there a limit as to how many passengers they can have on board a particular ship?

 

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and expertise.

 

 

 

I think they usually quote passenger capacity at double occupancy, but would essentially have capacity for more depending on the number of 3/4 person rooms filled to capacity or suites that sleep more with more than two.

 

They wouldn’t overfill the ship capacity beyond what lifeboats could hold.

 

Someone correct me if I am incorrect...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[McFins]

Thanks so much CCJ...thats a relief!

 

BTW, didnt mean to go off topic...this is such a fabulous review!

[Oceansaway17]

I’m booked on the Bliss 1 year from today and our itinerary is cruising Glacier Bay - with the same port of calls, but the times arriving and leaving are different- I hope they don’t change my itinerary! I chose it due to Glacier Bay

 

 

Oh good if true. Perhaps they had to wait a year for a spot.