Bliss...why such a mediocre itinerary?

[CruisingNole]

I was hoping to sail Bliss while she’s in Miami but was shocked that the only itinerary offered is 7 day to, of all places, Virgin Islands and NASSAU. Really? Come on NCL. I might consider those ports for a quick booze cruise but 7 nights on Bliss? What a waste. Definitely won’t waste my money on that.

 

Any recommendations for something a little more exciting out of Florida on one of the shinier NCL toys? I was eyeing Joy Panama Canal for 2019 but the prices are through the roof.

[Two Wheels Only]

It's common for new ships sailing out of Miami to do the "usual 3" stops (St. Thomas, Tortola, Nassau).

 

If NCL would complete their island renovations, it would be better than the usual stop in Nassau.

 

If you're willing to wait, Encore will visit Puerto Rico in late 2019.

[BirdTravels]

I was hoping to sail Bliss while she’s in Miami but was shocked that the only itinerary offered is 7 day to, of all places, Virgin Islands and NASSAU. Really? Come on NCL. I might consider those ports for a quick booze cruise but 7 nights on Bliss? What a waste. Definitely won’t waste my money on that.

 

Any recommendations for something a little more exciting out of Florida on one of the shinier NCL toys? I was eyeing Joy Panama Canal for 2019 but the prices are through the roof.

What would you suggest?????

[molole]

Joy’s got a few killer itineraries. I believe she is the same class as Bliss, should be essentially the same ship. Bliss would have the same high prices too if she was doing the Panama Canal.

[sverigecruiser]

I was hoping to sail Bliss while she’s in Miami but was shocked that the only itinerary offered is 7 day to, of all places, Virgin Islands and NASSAU. Really? Come on NCL. I might consider those ports for a quick booze cruise but 7 nights on Bliss? What a waste. Definitely won’t waste my money on that.

 

Any recommendations for something a little more exciting out of Florida on one of the shinier NCL toys? I was eyeing Joy Panama Canal for 2019 but the prices are through the roof.

 

I agree with you that it's far from the best possible itinerary. It's probably designed for those who cruise for the cruise and not for the ports.

 

Stay on the ship the whole week and the problem is solved! I haven't looked on the itinerary but if it is Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau we should defenitely stay on the ship in Nassau, maybe stay on the ship on St. Thomas and leave the ship on Tortola.

 

The newer ships doesn't need good itinerarys because lots of people will cruise on them for the ship and not for the ports.

[kathy884]

We did this same Bliss itinerary on the NCL Escape (March 2017). And we were looking to cruise on NCL again January 2019. With DS 23 wanting to do one of the larger newer ships that has all the activities and our being somewhat budget conscious cruisers looking for a seven day cruise, we decided against the Bliss because we didn't want to do the same itinerary again and decided to go with the Getaway with stops in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel (It stops at Harvest Caye too, but I hear that's more like a day at sea with just a stop at a private island with a nice big swimming pool).

 

Seems like with most of the major mainstream cruise lines that with the newer larger ships, the ship is much of the attraction and they from the US stop at some pretty basic ports.

 

For us too we are doing this with a party of nine and picked ship for DS, my dad likes port days/days at Sea so we didn't want too port intensive a cruise, and my brother and his girlfriend like diving, and the three ports on this are good for that. DH and I haven't been to Roatan or Costa Maya, so that's something new (Although if you are just in port for a day to me a lot of these stops start looking pretty similar).

[Cheezus]

What's wrong with that itinerary? All 3 ports are excellent. Which is probably why they use this itinerary so much. If you can't find something enjoyable to do at any of these ports, Nassau included, that's on you.

[Georgia_Peaches]

If you cruise the Caribbean often then these ports can begin to feel a little tired. We never have a problem with Nassau because my crew is always content with the water park at Atlantis. But on a new ship such as Bliss, I would take to week just to enjoy the ship. Celebrity is launching the Edge in December and we are booked for spring break 2019. Again, the itinerary is a little tired but we're going for the ship so I don't really care where we stop. Haven't tried Bliss yet, but it's in the list.

[BEAV]

I was eyeing Joy Panama Canal for 2019 but the prices are through the roof.

 

If the sailing doesn’t sell well at current prices, they will surely drop. Simple theory of supply and demand. We almost always find ourselves booking after final payment (when prices drop) these days.

[BirdTravels]

I was eyeing Joy Panama Canal for 2019 but the prices are through the roof.

Since you pay toll by the berth, the Joy will be close to the world’s record toll paid by the Bliss. And it is supply and demand.

[gkr283]

I'm doing this itinerary in November but I'm doing it more for the ship than the ports. I'll get off on the first virgin island stop to do a Caribbean beach and Nassau to get drunk on rum and pretend I'm a pirate. Arr [emoji879]

 

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[CruisingNole]

If you cruise the Caribbean often then these ports can begin to feel a little tired.

 

You nailed it. Nassau is the worst port in the Caribbean IMO. The others are tired as well. I live near Port Canaveral and, for the most part, the only sailings on any cruise line that go to Nassau are your standard 3-4 night booze cruises. If you've seen Nassau once, you know there's not much to see again. It's basically THE epitome of a cruise tourist trap. It's the port that you visit for a Bachelor or Bachelorette party "first cruise in my life" kind of trip. Somewhere you'd go on the Sun/Sky or any other 20 year old ship. Not Bliss.

 

I'll be looking for those price drops on the Joy!

[mdwcruises]

You nailed it. Nassau is the worst port in the Caribbean IMO. The others are tired as well. I live near Port Canaveral and, for the most part, the only sailings on any cruise line that go to Nassau are your standard 3-4 night booze cruises. If you've seen Nassau once, you know there's not much to see again. It's basically THE epitome of a cruise tourist trap. It's the port that you visit for a Bachelor or Bachelorette party "first cruise in my life" kind of trip. Somewhere you'd go on the Sun/Sky or any other 20 year old ship. Not Bliss.

 

I'll be looking for those price drops on the Joy!

 

Just wait till you see the taxes and fees for those Panama Canal cruises! ;p

[SeaShark]

I was hoping to sail Bliss while she’s in Miami but was shocked that the only itinerary offered is 7 day to, of all places, Virgin Islands and NASSAU. Really? Come on NCL. I might consider those ports for a quick booze cruise but 7 nights on Bliss? What a waste. Definitely won’t waste my money on that.

 

Any recommendations for something a little more exciting out of Florida on one of the shinier NCL toys? I was eyeing Joy Panama Canal for 2019 but the prices are through the roof.

 

You've passed on plenty of different itineraries for the Bliss.

Westbound Trans-Atlantic

Westbound Panama Canal

Pacific Coastal

Alaska

Mexican Riviera

Eastbound Panama Canal

I don't see the sense in waiting until she winters in the Caribbean to bemoan the itinerary. All of the new ships are put on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. They are more in demand and thus drive a higher price point than the Western routes. It has been this way for a while, and no one should be "shocked" by this.

 

 

FWIW...who have you seen offering quick booze cruises to the USVI?

[Nclcruise1415]

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Bliss itinerary. IMO, St. Thomas is one of the best stops in the Caribbean and while visiting Tortola I love hopping on a ferry and heading to Jost Van Dyke for a day at The Soggy Dollar Bar, Hendo's Hideout, etc. In Nassau you can visit RIU Palace for the day and it's a beautiful day off the ship (if you so choose).

 

Much like any cruise ship or port.. It's what you make of it.

 

 

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[marktwothousand]

While the Bliss is still new and the only NCL ship of its kind in North America, it will be more of a ship-as-destination trip for most people. (yes, the Excape is the same class, but Bliss has unique amenities). There is no imperative for NCL to up-the-ante with respect to ports this year.

 

I am pretty underwhelmed with the ports too, kinda hoping for a diversion :) I usually don't do any debarks on cruises, but the USVI look nice, so I might actually break from tradition and get out there.

[BNBR]

You nailed it. Nassau is the worst port in the Caribbean IMO. The others are tired as well. I live near Port Canaveral and, for the most part, the only sailings on any cruise line that go to Nassau are your standard 3-4 night booze cruises. If you've seen Nassau once, you know there's not much to see again. It's basically THE epitome of a cruise tourist trap. It's the port that you visit for a Bachelor or Bachelorette party "first cruise in my life" kind of trip. Somewhere you'd go on the Sun/Sky or any other 20 year old ship. Not Bliss.

 

I'll be looking for those price drops on the Joy!

 

This is SO untrue. Nassau is huge with tons of things to do. You can go sit on a beach away from the tourists having a drink at a local bar. Or visit a mega resort/casino, or water sports or go to a nearly deserted island for the day. There is so much to do at Nassau it's ridiculous. It's like saying there is nothing to do in Miami or the Keys. Although I'd argue Nassau has even more to offer.

[BirdTravels]

While the Bliss is still new and the only NCL ship of its kind in North America, it will be more of a ship-as-destination trip for most people. (yes, the Excape is the same class, but Bliss has unique amenities). There is no imperative for NCL to up-the-ante with respect to ports this year. I am pretty underwhelmed with the ports too, kinda hoping for a diversion :) I usually don't do any debarks on cruises, but the USVI look nice, so I might actually break from tradition and get out there.

You nailed it. Nassau is the worst port in the Caribbean IMO. The others are tired as well. I live near Port Canaveral and, for the most part, the only sailings on any cruise line that go to Nassau are your standard 3-4 night booze cruises. If you've seen Nassau once, you know there's not much to see again. It's basically THE epitome of a cruise tourist trap. It's the port that you visit for a Bachelor or Bachelorette party "first cruise in my life" kind of trip. Somewhere you'd go on the Sun/Sky or any other 20 year old ship. Not Bliss. I'll be looking for those price drops on the Joy!

So,,,, what ports of call would you recommend?

[marktwothousand]

So,,,, what ports of call would you recommend?

I’d like to see things like:

Key West

New Orleans

Tampa

San Juan

Havana

Curacao

Cartagena

Area near the Panama Canal Zone

One of the NCL private ports

 

Those would be ports suitable for me choosing Bliss as a cruise for destinations. Oh and by the way, I’m not one of the Nassau naysayers, I’ve actually never been and don’t understand what all the anti-Nassau fuss is about, so I’m kind of looking forward to it. I’m just saying, I kinda prefer big “marquee” destinations rather than what always seems to be a random selection of small island ports.

Edited September 6, 2018 by marktwothousand

[beerman2]

St. Thomas been there mutiple times can take it or leave it.

 

Tortola went to JVD pre-hurricane will be nice to see rebuild or being that we are now in Port longer this time see some of the Island.

 

Nassau missed last time due to Hurricane hitting there. Plus been 40 years since we've been there so kinda like a new port to us.

 

Can't wait until Jan. 2019 for our Bliss sailing.

[PTC DAWG]

I’d like to see things like:

Key West

New Orleans

Tampa

San Juan

Havana

Curacao

Cartagena

Area near the Panama Canal Zone

One of the NCL private ports

 

Those would be ports suitable for me choosing Bliss as a cruise for destinations. Oh and by the way, I’m not one of the Nassau naysayers, I’ve actually never been and don’t understand what all the anti-Nassau fuss is about, so I’m kind of looking forward to it. I’m just saying, I kinda prefer big “marquee” destinations rather than what always seems to be a random selection of small island ports.

 

You realize that many, if not most, of these wouldn’t work on a 7 day out of Miami, correct?

[marktwothousand]

Well, Azamara takes 2.5 days to get from Miami to Colombia, so, theoretically it might be possible to kiss the port. Panama is a stone’s throw from there, so that might be a possible stop too, and then back to Miami. I am not an expert, and it would be tight, but perhaps theoretically possible?

 

San Juan and Havana for sure.

[lantzalot]

Tampa? You're thinking Tampa would be a highlight cruise destination?

[molole]

RCI’s big girls do alternative East West sailings out of south Florida. And newer Carnival ships are on 6 day/8 day bi weekly and the 8 day can reach southern Caribbean.

 

In comparison Bliss does lack variety in her schedule even though Tortola is a good port.

[xriva]

I would think one issue with Havana may be getting twice as many visas as a Jewel-class ship. I wonder what the costs would be. I also wonder if they have the infrastructure to support a large ship.

 

Infrastructure is usually the issue with ports. The bigger the ship, the fewer the ports where it can dock - and they don’t want to tender that many people.

 

You can sail out of New Orleans, Tampa or San Juan, on the Epic or Breakaway-class ships.

 

Most of the large ships will do Panama twice a year, on the way back and forth to Alaska (unless they do a Transatlantic to Europe.)

 

 

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