Bliss Will be Yours to Define in Features of Norwegian’s New Ship

Norwegian Bliss
Get your kicks on Norwegian Bliss' race track--Image courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

What’s your definition of bliss?

On Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, it might be racing electric cars on the deck at speeds up to 30 MPH. Or it could be playing outdoor laser tag at midnight, or riding a water slide over the edge of the ship.

Oh, and just relaxing, Norwegian Bliss will have that covered too.

“We’re trying to bring a lot of new innovations, things our guests have never seen, and balance that with the things our guests love,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian’s president and CEO, who announced the new activities.

Norwegian Bliss rendering
In Alaska featuring dramatic hull design–Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

When Norwegian Bliss enters service in April 2018, its two-level 1,000-foot-long race track will be the largest at sea and the first cruise race track in the North American market. (The Norwegian Joy, which serves the China market, has a smaller racetrack.)

The laser tag course, also on the top deck, has a “space station” theme and will be open day and night. The ship’s water park will feature a water slide that extends over the side of the ship in a double loop, giving passengers the feeling of flying right off of the ship.

Norwegian is also expanding its dining concepts on the Bliss, which will homeport in Seattle and Miami and sail to Alaska and the Eastern Caribbean.

Q will serve an upscale version of Texas barbeque, a first for the cruise line. Los Lobos, a contemporary Mexican restaurant, will be an expanded version of the Los Lobos Cantina on the Norwegian Dawn. Also new will be Coco’s, an a la carte chocolate-themed dessert eatery. The Bliss will also feature the first full Starbucks on a Norwegian vessel.

Laser Tag zone on Norwegian Bliss
Laser tag zone on deck–courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

The A-List Bar isn’t designed to be exclusive. It’s named for Stuart, who next year will mark 30 years with Norwegian Cruise Line and whose siblings, wife and children all have names that start with the letter A.

In another distinction, The Haven, the cruise line’s signature private key-card area, will be larger on the Norwegian Bliss than on any other Norwegian vessel and will include a two-story 180-degree lounge.

The choice of accommodations on Bliss will include luxury suites in The Haven, mini-suites, new connecting staterooms for large groups and families, and studios with virtual windows for solo travelers. “We really tried to lift the quality of accommodations,” Stuart said.

Entertainment on the Norwegian Bliss will include the musicals Jersey Boys and Happy Hour Prohibition, a Beatles cover band at the Cavern Club. Another lounge, known as  Social, will offer comedy and dancing.

Continuing Norwegian’s tradition of decorating each ship’s hull with signature art, marine life artist Wyland, has been commissioned to design the hull artwork, with his whale murals, marine life paintings.

About Wallace Immen 755 Articles
Wallace Immen is Executive Editor of The Cruisington Times, the Best in Cruising, Travel, Food and Fun. He's sailed on all of the world's seas to ports in over 100 countries and travelled on every continent.