Review: Bliss 2/23-3/2/19 Eastern Caribbean

[Nola26]

Family: Spry grandma, cool enough auntie and teenage dude (17)

 

Overall: We had a great trip and really liked the Bliss. The Observation Lounge is a stunner and my favorite spot on the ship. I have not sailed a Breakaway Class since the Escape in 2016, this ship reminded me how much I love the Waterfront. I definitely recommend sailing on the NCL Bliss! The ship rocked during our voyage, but not in a way that made us uncomfortable or sick, more like "whoa, its moving or did you feel that."

 

Pre-Cruise: We flew into Fort Lauderdale and stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn in Dania Beach, used hotel shuttle from airport, no rental car required. Shuttle took family to Dave & Busters for a fun Friday evening and provided a return trip. I arrived later than the family (I'm the aunt) and just settled into the room, walked a across the street for McDonald's and ate my simple meal before the family returned. The hotel had laundry so I took the opportunity to wash our travel day attire and repack it before our port shuttle arrived.

 

Port Shuttle: For the 3rd time we used Jiffy Jeff. They were excellent arriving after calling to confirm time. We were at the port and bags with porter around 11:30 or so. Cost with a party of 3 or more is $15pp each way. We did not use a service for our return trip. Later flights so a rental car and drive to FLL was better option for us.

 

Embarkation: Astoundingly easy and fast. Used the Casino at Sea check-in, only one person ahead of us. Once we had our sea cards we were directed up the escalator for the photo and walk right onto to the ship. No boarding groups, sitting or waiting (well except for the stop at the rest room located in the waiting area). We boarded on deck 7, I believe it was Aft, close to the Manhattan room. They didn't take photos for our sea cards, they used a photo already on file.

 

Room: We didn't win a bid so we were in our originally booked inside cabin, mid-ship deck 13. We had a twin bed on each side and the loft bed for my nephew. It was an efficient set up. The family didn't unpack everything so we did pull some items from our bags, but not on a daily basis. There was unused storage space so we could have unpacked more. We did not use the laundry service so we had a full week's worth of attire, shoes, etc. We are used to having a balcony when we travel as our threesome. Nephew had a good comment "I never spent time in the room. I was only there to sleep, shower or change." Without a balcony or the sofa there really wasn't any social space so he was right, unless you were in bed or getting dressed we weren't in the room. I slept on the bed under the pull down and had a hard time viewing the TV screen. I had to lay with my head at the foot of the bed to see the full screen (very nice HDTV) and had to place the bunk ladder up against the wall as it also blocked the view. Bottom line, the inside worked, but was different than we were used to. 

 

Meals:  We had our embarkation lunch at Taste. A good meal and calm atmosphere. We had a window seat and could see them loading the various provisions and foods for our voyage. 

 

• Los Lobos We had our first ever specialty restaurant meal on this cruise, it was awesome.We paid a la carte we had the complimentary chips and salsa(on the watery side, but tasty), quesadilla (really cheesy) and the Veracruz fish entree with extra rice. Nephew had slipped to the buffet and had 3-4 slices of pizza so he wasn't too hungry at dinner. The food was really good, service attentive but not hovering and the best part: we ate outside on the Waterfront and only one other table was occupied. It was lovely having dinner on the ocean. The sun was setting at the start of our meal but it was completely nightfall by the end. A highlight experience.

 

• MDRs: we ate at them all Taste, Savor and Manhattan and loved each experience. Items that stood out were the Smore's brownie "best thing I've ever eaten"(nephew comment), Snickers pound cake with ice cream, corn bread skillet, almond crusted mountain trout and pretty much each entree was excellent.

 

• Buffet: always so many choices and of high quality. Nephew liked the pizza, but not the mac & cheese. I'm a big fan of the Indian selections and Mom likes the salads and veggie burgers. We had lots of desserts there, my favorite was the individual bundt carrot cake, so moist and tasty. We grabbed a late meal there being let out around midnight. 

 

• The Local: I like going here for breakfast, fast, fresh and served, I ate here solo twice for breakfast. We hit it late night twice, salads, fish & chips and the hot pretzels (not a favorite). My favorite item from O'Sheehans is the apple pie, it wasn't as good as I remembered.

 

Observation Deck: light buffet for continental breakfast, light lunch and snacks. I had my first lunch here, great salads and desserts. The afternoon hummus should not be missed nor should the scones, cream and berries, yum!

 

Room Service: we didn't use itthis trip, probably because the room was cramped or because I slept through the entire morning of the first sea day when I usually order continental.

 

Entertainment:

All Aboard show gave a nice preview of the week's entertainment. The Bliss Theater has comfy seats with cup holders and plenty of room to stretch out or allow others to pass by. The stage is also well thought out and integrates technology for the performances.

 

• Comedy: Went to both 18+ shows (Steve Smith & Mike Paramore), both were hilarious. We were standby and found seats each time so don't let a lack of reservations deter you from going. They do a show together in the theater so if you don't make the ones in the Social Club venue, no worries.

 

• Hypnotist: entertaining, but not sure how much is authentic, there are undisclosed crew plants on the stage so that made me trust it way less

 

• Havana: great singing dancing and costumes, typical cruise show, less than an hour

 

• Jersey Boys: near Broadway production running about 1:45, definitely worth attending, may be the best I've experienced with NCL

 

Live Performers and Bands:

• Tatiana - vocalist on piano, performed sets in the Observation Lounge, really nice way to spend some evening time
• Duo Rika - mostly salsa or Latin, often in Sugar Cane bar/Atrium
• Siglo - cover band, Pool deck or Atrium
• Familiar Strangers - cover band, R&B, but not restricted to that genre, Pool deck or Atrium
• Jim Badger - Pianist with comedy generally in the District Brewhouse
• Nashville Junction - Country band, generally in the Q
• Beatlemania - did not experience, in the Cavern Club
• Silent Disco - headphones, music and dance, dance, dance, in the Social Club
• Parties - I skipped them all, did my dancing with the live performers and lessons
• Videos - Earth, Wind & Fire concert, Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away movie, Atrium

 

Excursions - all booked with NCL

• St Thomas - Coral World was great, we were even inside during the rain, so our day wasn't impacted, did snorkeling next door at Coki beach as well so a great day. Transportation by an open air safari bus, felt safe during the ride.
• Tortola - tour and 3 hours at Cane Garden Bay beach, gorgeous, with bars and restaurants along the water front; long beach, a good workout as I swam/snorkeled the length. Transportation is by air conditioned van, good condition.
• Nassau - Blue Lagoon beach day, what an awesome venue with encounters/viewing (Sea Lion, Dolphin and Stingrays), broad catered lunch, free games (we played lots of corn hole), variety of beach venues and water toy rental (rings, noodles and mats are complimentary). We had a 12-7 day in Nassau and returned from the excursion after 6:30 it was awesome to see the ship all lit up. we took a few photos. Transportation is by large double decker boat, narrated tour/rich and famous homes talk on the way, pure music and dance party on the return. Snack and beverage bar onboard, ride was smooth.
• We would recommend each excursion, all were $69pp or less and Latitudes discount and ShoreX credit would apply

 

Teenager Perspective: 

The ship is missing free and momentary activities: no sports court, shuffle board, rock wall, ropes course, big chess, etc. He loved the race cars you need an appointment and you need to pay. He had less fun at the laser tag, but still enjoyed it. The cruise and teen club are really fun, but these things would have made it so much better. If the ship had corn hole I would have have played it for hours.

 

Shopping: we took advantage of the $10 tee shirt deal, bought some costume watch sets (multiple bands), NCL Bliss tee shirt, photo prints

 

Casino: loved the non smoking casino with an enclosed smoking room, what a great idea to isolate the smoking behind closed doors. Mom finished ahead, I didn't but had fun trying!

 

Activities: game shows, trivia contests, Future cruise presentation, cup cake demo, dance instructions, Canvas by U painting session, Checkers and dominoes from the library and played at a bar or on the waterfront, library also daily crossword and Sudoku sheets for the taking.

 

I will share photos in later posts! Happy to answer questions.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 4, 2019 by Nola26
grammar

[shady2415]

Great review live NCL maybe will try Bliss in 2021.

[Sand and Seas]

We enjoyed this cruise with you.  Loved Los Lobos and the casino too

[shady2415]

Anyone know where Blisss home port will be in 2021.

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review!

[Nola26]

Photos of the Bliss, Cabin is 13441 and night lights. 

[Nola26]

Nassau, Blue Lagoon day

 

 

[Nola26]

Tortola, tour and beach day. The Celebrity Edge was also in port that day.

Our ship almost left a couple in port. The ship started to move from port, but backed up and opened a gangway to let them onboard, whew. I don't have photos of that, I was at the front of the ship in the Observation Lounge for sailaway.

 

 

 

 

[Nola26]

First port was St. Thomas we selected Coral World and really enjoyed it. We also went next door to Coki beach. $5 for a beach chair and I pulled out my own snorkel mask set and saw some colorful creatures.

[Nola26]

Some food photos