Bliss 1/5/2020 sailing from NYC

[PistolPete13]

On board the Bliss now and waiting for lunch in The Local. 

 

Boarding was a bit of a zoo it seems.  They had to pause check in.  A lot of folks got there early. I was there around 10:30AM and the waiting room was packed already. 

 

The Local is completely full right now at 12:45pm.  Quite a contrast from my last trip on the Escape last Memorial Day week. 

 

[tokidoki]

Have. A wonderful and safe trip!!

[tokidoki]

15 minutes ago, PistolPete13 said:

On board the Bliss now and waiting for lunch in The Local. 

 

Boarding was a bit of a zoo it seems.  They had to pause check in.  A lot of folks got there early. I was there around 10:30AM and the waiting room was packed already. 

 

The Local is completely full right now at 12:45pm.  Quite a contrast from my last trip on the Escape last Memorial Day week. 

 

Did u board with the masses? Or r u latitudes? Hope there’s a platinum line! 

[BirdTravels]

Have a great cruise!

[PistolPete13]

6 minutes ago, tokidoki said:

Did u board with the masses? Or r u latitudes? Hope there’s a platinum line! 

 

Normal boarding with the crowd.  

 

The staff in The Local are great.  Handling a lot of cranky folks!  Not sure why they’re like that.  I’m smiling at everyone!

[EllieinNJ]

Hope you do a daily report

[PistolPete13]

1 hour ago, EllieinNJ said:

Hope you do a daily report

 

I’ll try my best with my limited Internet package.  

 

Muster drill time in Cagney’s.  I still haven’t made it outside yet.  Cabins ready at 1:15 and doors were left propped open. 

 

Got it a peek at a fancy balcony room!

[cruiservictor]

If you go to the Meet and Greet, would appreciate it if you would show a picture of the card that lists all the senior Hotel Department officers.  We sail on this same itinerary in 4 weeks, and wonder if we will recognize any names from previous BA/GA/Escape cruises.  Thank you.  Have a great time.

Edited January 5, 2020 by cruiservictor

[PhillyTravelBug]

Enjoy. She is a beautiful ship!

[PistolPete13]

Some more notes from yesterdays boarding fun.

 

Once boarding the ship,  I head straight to The Local to get something to eat, it had been a long morning.  There was a huge line there already and there was some confusion as some people just decided to sit down on the open bar area overlooking the level below and expecting to be served.  After about half an hour after I had sat down, they weren’t able to seat any more folks and the line started to build.

 

I hate to imagine how packed the buffet was at this point!

 

Some other random notes from the sail away and the first day on board.

 

-Compared to the Escape, the top deck was basically occupied by the lazer tag setup.  No more open air access to the front of the front of the top deck due to the Haven location.

 

-The observation deck is amazing.  I think I’ll be spending a lot of time here the next 13 days!

 

-Walked in on the band Siglo playing in the main atrium and wow, they’re great!  I didn’t want to break away for my late dinner reservation but I did but went right back to the atrium afterwards and stayed until the end of their set.  If these guys are playing on your sailing, definitely make it a point to try and see them!

 

-Walked by the casino a few times and unlike The Escape, the smell of smoke was not overpowering around the area.

 

-It’s way too cold to be sitting outside on the deck but the crew still set out all the loungers and put them away at the end of the day.

 

-I’m in a cabin in Level 12 and the ship was definitely moving back and forth overnight and this morning.  Thankfully it’s not that bad for me at least.

 

-I arrived at the buffet around 6:45AM this morning and they were still closed for setup.  Didn’t open up until around 7:15AM.  I’m not sure what the normal times are but I do recall on the Bliss having the buffet open right after sunrise (in May).  There were a lot of grumpy early risers

 

OK, it’s 9AM, time to hit the gym and enjoy the day at sea!

[PistolPete13]

Back from the gym and it was packed.  Not surprising for a sea day and with the outside decks still being too windy and cold to hang out.

 

Decided to stop by the observation deck to refill the water bottle and I was horrified at what I saw.  Now keep in mind that for the last 21 years I’ve commuted to work daily on the Staten Island ferry.  I’ve seen my share of homeless people asleep on the boat without a care in the world.

 

I walked into the front observation lounge and saw the largest collection of corns and bunions in the world all propped up on the couches and pillows.  People were sprawled out asleep WITH BLANKETS and some were some drooling on the pillows.  I don’t understand why people would sleep like this with a room readily accesible to them.

 

I’m regretting now not bringing my subway pants.  This is a second set of clothing I use just for daily commuting where I don’t care who or what’s been on the seat before me.

 

OK, rant over, time to see if there are any good books in the library.  I’m going to see if I remember how to read after not picking up book (aside from a tech manual) since graduating college 28 years ago.

[April42749]

Question.....

I generally follow the pricing of the Jan cruises, and  until this year they went way down in price close to the sail date.  This year that didn't happen.  What we (those of us on the forum) were thinking is that they sold all the available cabins to a foreign agency and the ship would be loaded with non-Americans/Canadians.  Have you noticed this?

I'm going to be on the Bliss 3/1....and your description of the Observation Lounge is getting me nervous.  

[PortFees45]

NCL has to do something about the sleeping in the Observation Lounge. It looks like a Red Cross shelter after a natural disaster. 

[mking8288]

Great update, thanks for taking the time to post, especially with limited WiFi minutes.  Following this as well, our CC friends onboard but she & hubby probably too busy.  

 

It's sad to read about the Observatory "camping" issues, our friends reported the same during their Thanksgiving sailing, it was horrible to them & they live in Brooklyn, do the subway commuting routine and still find it unbelievable.  

 

Did you join the folks at the huge roll call & go to the M&G ... this homeless image should & deserve a response and solution from NCL management.  

 

Usually, ship captain will do his daily 10 am "bridge update" with forecast ahead ... the Gem that sailed a day earlier heading south is finally out of all that choppy seas & swells this morning, Bliss should transition into a better ride later in the day & warmer air temperature. 

 

Not picking up the ship on AIS radar track, suggesting that ship is sailing further away from the coastline off the Carolinas ... 

 

Have a great & wonderful sea day !

[April42749]

15 minutes ago, PortFees45 said:

NCL has to do something about the sleeping in the Observation Lounge. It looks like a Red Cross shelter after a natural disaster. 

I don't want to go off on a tangent...but how do people even know about the observation lounge?  I only know because of CC.

Might be time for me to bid on the spa cabin.

 

Thanks for this review....I'll be following it diligently.

[BoatParts]

Thanks for taking the time to do this review! We sail her 2/2. Fair winds and following seas.

Amy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tokidoki]

42 minutes ago, April42749 said:

Question.....

I generally follow the pricing of the Jan cruises, and  until this year they went way down in price close to the sail date.  This year that didn't happen.  What we (those of us on the forum) were thinking is that they sold all the available cabins to a foreign agency and the ship would be loaded with non-Americans/Canadians.  Have you noticed this?

I'm going to be on the Bliss 3/1....and your description of the Observation Lounge is getting me nervous.  

Me too😳 I keep reading and can’t understand y someone would spend all this money to vege out when they have a couch at home and a cabin!  I suppose it’s only on cold sea days😱?  Let’s c how our cruise is

[tokidoki]

1 hour ago, PistolPete13 said:

Back from the gym and it was packed.  Not surprising for a sea day and with the outside decks still being too windy and cold to hang out.

 

Decided to stop by the observation deck to refill the water bottle and I was horrified at what I saw.  Now keep in mind that for the last 21 years I’ve commuted to work daily on the Staten Island ferry.  I’ve seen my share of homeless people asleep on the boat without a care in the world.

 

I walked into the front observation lounge and saw the largest collection of corns and bunions in the world all propped up on the couches and pillows.  People were sprawled out asleep WITH BLANKETS and some were some drooling on the pillows.  I don’t understand why people would sleep like this with a room readily accesible to them.

 

I’m regretting now not bringing my subway pants.  This is a second set of clothing I use just for daily commuting where I don’t care who or what’s been on the seat before me.

 

OK, rant over, time to see if there are any good books in the library.  I’m going to see if I remember how to read after not picking up book (aside from a tech manual) since graduating college 28 years ago.

Following and I am trying to find out if there was a gift shop raffle the first nite? Thx 

[PhillyTravelBug]

I’m not defending the sleepers in the observation lounge, but I usually brought a book with me to read, have a coffee, and see the sights outside the windows. I happen to doze off too. You’re on vacation, relaxed, and sometimes, it happens. Now, I did see people face first on the loungers. That was a bit much for me. It’s a difficult situation. 
 

I forgot about the buffet times for breakfast. As an early riser, I went to grab an oatmeal sand a coffee before working out and they were closed. It was frustrating, as the gym already had its morning fill.

Edited January 6, 2020 by Joeghartman

[Falckon]

On some ships, in the past, Margaritaville would have a small breakfast buffet. It was far less crowded than the main buffet. Is that available on the Bliss? 

[luv2kroooz]

6 hours ago, PistolPete13 said:

I walked into the front observation lounge and saw the largest collection of corns and bunions in the world all propped up on the couches and pillows.  People were sprawled out asleep WITH BLANKETS and some were some drooling on the pillows.  I don’t understand why people would sleep like this with a room readily accesible to them.

Aww man, that is too bad. That area looks like such a nice upscale retreat, too. Passengers need to wise up. Go sleep in your stateroom if you're tired.

[April42749]

7 hours ago, PistolPete13 said:

 

I walked into the front observation lounge and saw the largest collection of corns and bunions in the world all propped up on the couches and pillows.  People were sprawled out asleep WITH BLANKETS and some were some drooling on the pillows.  I don’t understand why people would sleep like this with a room readily accesible to them.

 

Inside cabin....shared by 4 people.  

[tokidoki]

2 hours ago, Falckon said:

On some ships, in the past, Margaritaville would have a small breakfast buffet. It was far less crowded than the main buffet. Is that available on the Bliss? 

The small buffet is the observation lounge.  

[mking8288]

Bliss approaching PC, coastline on ship's live webcam ... is that the pilot boat coming out to board for the escort ? 

 

Should get to pickup good land tower's cellular signal. Enjoy the warm & sunny weather.

[Mira28]

So glad you’re doing this! We’re on the Bliss 3/8. Not good news about the Observation Lounge though🙁

Look like it’s warm. Enjoy!