Shadowmeboy's "Bliss"ful Eastern Caribbean Pictorial Cruise Review

[shadowmeboy]

Hey all! Shadowmeboy here! Well we just got back from a Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Norwegian Bliss (November 24th to December 1st) and of course I took pictures! Do you want me to share them? I thought so!

 

Let's get this trip aboard the Norwegian Bliss started!

 

 

My wife, Susan, and I, Matthew, love to cruise and do it any chance we can. 

 

In 2016 we sailed the Norwegian Sun on a Southbound Cruise from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. You can read the review here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2529761

 

The Norwegian Sun is pictured below in Sitka, AK.

 

 

In June of 2017, We sailed the Norwegian Escape to the Western Caribbean. Review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2516206

 

The Norwegian Escape pictured below in Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

 

In December 2017, We sailed the Norwegian Star to the Mexican Riviera over Christmas. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2581330

 

The Norwegian Star pictured below in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

 

 

In June 2018, We sailed the Norwegian Jewel Northbound Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Seward, Alaska. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2557365-north-to-alaska-shadowmeboys-jewel-shimmering-pictorial-review/

 

The Norwegian Jewel pictured below in Juneau, AK from the Mount Roberts Tram

 

 

About us: My wife, Susan, is a school teacher and I work for a grocery store. Susan and I have been married 11 years! Due to her school schedule, we cannot sail as much as we would like. Some of you may be going, if she is a school teacher how did they sail in late November? Well, Susan had 5 personal days stored up, and we chose to use them on a cruise post Thanksgiving. She would have lost 2 of them at the end of the school year if she hadn't of used them.

 

We live in the Pacific Northwest, along the Columbia River on the "dry" side of Washington State among the Apple and Cherry Orchards.

 

Most of the pictures in this review are taken with my Canon Rebel T5 DSLR, My Iphone, Susan's Samsung Moto G5, our Fuji waterproof camera or our good friend Trace's new iPhone XS max. Thank you Trace for sharing!

 

Originally we were aiming to book a cruise to Cuba on the Sun, but the dates weren't working for us. What's the next best thing? The newest ship, duh! Originally, we booked an inside cabin, then I got an Oceanview accessible cabin (only cabin available in that category). Well, watching the website I was able to move us from that Oceanview to a different cabin, but I didn't tell Susan! A surprise awaits onboard! Why am I wasting time here? Lets get this adventure started!

 

The Bliss docked in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin islands

 

 

We cruised along with Trace and Maria, who we became friends with on the 2017 Norwegian Escape cruise!

 

Please feel free to ask questions along the way! I will try to answer them as quickly as I can. This review will be very picture heavy, but I love to relive my journeys through my pictures! I hope you enjoy them as well!

 

- Matthew

[shadowmeboy]

Friday, November 23rd, 2018 - Day 0.

 

We packed the car to head out! We would have left on Thanksgiving, but I had to work and the weather was bad on the passes. 

 

 

Susan stuffing the last bag into the car!

 

 

Driving by all the tree carvings along the State highway in our town. We first had to go drop the dog off at the pet resort, and then head to Seattle. 

 

 

Crossing the Columbia River by Chief Joseph Dam

 

 

Washington highway 17

 

 

 

 

Susan drove the first part, as I was going to drive the pass over the Mountains

[shadowmeboy]

 

Heading North on US 97 to the pet resort.

 

 

After dropping Theo the dog off, we headed South toward Wenatchee on US 97. 

 

 

US 97 - Southern Okanogan County

 

 

US 97 - near Chelan, WA

 

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by shadowmeboy

[shadowmeboy]

 

US 97 - near Orondo, WA (Douglas County)

 

After a quick stop at Costco for gas and two Black Friday deals, we were back on the road to Seattle.

 

 

I took over the driving duties, and we headed out.

 

 

Above is a time-lapse video of our drive from Wenatchee to North Bend (east of Seattle)

 

 

Rock Island Dam (Rock Island, WA)

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Looking South, down the Columbia River

 

 

 

It had been snowing, so the roads were slushy, icy, and wet.

 

 

 

 

Columbia River near Crescent Bar, Douglas County, WA

[shadowmeboy]

 

Near Quincy, it got foggy.

 

 

Susan found the Sun gleaming though the clouds after we got out of the fog.

 

 

The fog was above the Columbia River, we are on Interstate 90 headed West on the Grant County Plateau near George, Washington.

 

 

 

 

Starting to drop down to the Columbia River at Vantage.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

Interstate 90 crossing the Columbia 

 

 

 

 

Susan thought the bridge was very pretty!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

Looking to the North as we cross the bridge.

 

 

 

They grow Windmills in this part of the State!

[shadowmeboy]

 

Old train trestle outside of Ellensburg.

 

 

 

 

After passing through Ellensburg and Cle Elum, it started to snow.

 

 

 

 

It was very pretty to look at.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

going under the newly completed animal overpass. It is designed to safely allow animals to cross the Interstate.

 

 

 

 

Luckily over Snoqualmie Pass it was just wet.

[LinnieRed]

Yikes! So much snow!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

over the Summit and headed down the western side of Snoqualmie Pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snow was pretty to look at but at least the road was bare and wet.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Out of the snow, we headed down to Interstate 405.

 

 

 

Passing by near the Seattle Seahawks Headquarters

 

 

Susan frustrated with traffic.

 

 

After picking up some pants for the cruise, we went to lunch as Susan was getting hangry.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Susan got fish tacos.

 

 

 

I got Chili Colorado!

 

We dropped the car off at the Hotel that we were staying at post cruise for a reverse park and Fly. Then caught their shuttle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Once through security, we caught the tram to the end of C gates.

 

 

 

We went to the Alaska Airlines Lounge in Concourse C

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by shadowmeboy

[shadowmeboy]

 

relaxing in the lounge!

 

 

I was watching the University of Washington play Washington State University in the Apple Cup. The winner would go to the Pac-12 Championship game. Go Huskies!

 

 

 

 

We got some food.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Finally, it was time to board our flight to Fort Lauderdale!

 

 

Below is a time-lapse video of us taxiing and taking off from SeaTac Airport.

 

 

Here we go!

[shadowmeboy]

40 minutes ago, LinnieRed said:

Yikes! So much snow!

 

The roads were not bad though. They did get bad a few hours later.

[Steff79]

loved your others review, can´t wait for this one, thanks you for posting.

[shadowmeboy]

Day 1 - Embarkation Day

 

Our flight was supposed to leave Seattle at 945pm Pst. We got everyone onboard, seated, and were out 15 minutes early. Pilot announced we would have a stiff tail wind, and our 5 hour and 45 min flight time would be closer to 5 hours. Yippee!

 

 

Susan got up to go to the restroom with about an hour left to go, about 4am Est. I put the first clue to her Stateroom scavenger hunt on her seat while she was in the restroom. She asked what the envelope was when she got back. I said I don't know. She then asked what I had done, I replied, "Read the clue." Here she is, reading her clue.

 

 

the clue. 

 

 

Selfie time!

 

 

Landing in FLL!

 

 

Final approach into Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We got to our gate at 5:15 am est. A full hour and a quarter earlier than scheduled.

 

After landing, we collected our bags,  found the Uber area, and requested an Uber to the Hard Rock Hotel.

 

 

 

 

We found the 24 hour restaurant, Blue Plate and sat down for breakfast and caffeine!

 

 

 

She is so beautiful! 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Forgive me, I only got 3 hours of sleep!

 

 

Is that better?

 

 

Susan with the assist.

 

 

 

While we waited for breakfast, we made our tip bags for the cruise. The candy and bags were in Ziplock bags, but we had to put the candy in the small bags.

 

 

Already to go!

[shadowmeboy]

 

I got the Eggs Benedict

 

 

Susan got the Chicken and Waffles.

 

After breakfast, we cleaned ourselves up, visited the rock shop, won 50 dollars on a slot machine, and then enjoyed the morning waiting for Trace and Maria to pick us up from the hotel. Then had been in Orlando visiting Family and were driving down to Miami.

 

 

They picked us up, and we headed to MIA to drop off the rental car.

 

 

 

Here we all are!

 

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by shadowmeboy

[shadowmeboy]

 

Maria and Susan talking after leaving the car. We headed to the shuttle to take us to the pier!

 

 

 

Trace and Maria

 

 

Here we are!

 

 

Shuttle to the pier.

 

 

Susan super excited!

[shadowmeboy]

Maria whisked Susan away from the bags while Trace and I tagged them. We met up with them after handing them over to a porter. Trace and Maria headed to terminal B to check in the Haven area, and we entered  into Terminal C as we were on an even numbered deck. Evens were at C and Odds were at B. 

 

 

I had to fill in the stateroom number on the top of Susan's Health questionnaire, so the surprise wasn't blown. We arrived at check-in.

 

 

 

 

All checked in we headed upstairs to get our boarding photo taken.

 

 

 

On to the ship we go!

Edited December 15, 2018 by shadowmeboy