By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Bliss is to homeport in Miami, US in winter 2018, following her inaugural summer season in Alaska.
Norwegian Bliss, which will be the first cruise ship custom-built with features and amenities for Alaska voyages, will be the first Norwegian ship to make her debut in Seattle, US in 2018. Each Saturday, Norwegian Bliss will sail seven-day cruises from Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle, US to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria and British Columbia. Guests will also be able to enjoy scenic cruising alongside Alaska’s glaciers.
The vessel will then sail a five-night Pacific Coastal sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles on 30 September, with an overnight stay in Vancouver and calls in Victoria, British Columbia and San Francisco.
Following several seven-night and one eight-night Mexican Riviera cruises, the ship will depart Los Angeles on 3 November for a 14-night journey to Miami. Guests will sail through the new locks of the recently expanded Panama Canal and call in Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia.
Norwegian Bliss will then begin her Miami deployment on 17 November 2018, offering seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday. Calls will include St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.
“We are incredibly excited to announce that we are once again bringing our newest and most innovative ship to Miami, with the arrival of Norwegian Bliss in November 2018," said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “As the Caribbean is our most sought-after winter destination, there was no question that Norwegian Bliss would sail from Miami.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said: “I welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s continued growth in Miami-Dade County. Cruise lines and their passengers are vital to the continual economic growth and development of the tourism industry in our community. We look forward to welcoming the Norwegian Bliss in winter 2018.”
Set for delivery in spring 2018, Norwegian Bliss is Norwegian’s 16th ship and the third in its Breakaway-Plus class. The 167,800gt vessel will accommodate 4,000 guests and features hull artwork designed by marine life artist and conservationist Wyland.
Guests will be able to choose from various accommodation options, including Studio staterooms with virtual ocean views for solo travellers, and interconnecting staterooms for groups and families. Norwegian Bliss will also feature the signature ship-within-a-ship concept, The Haven by Norwegian, on her top three desks. Guests staying in one of the 80 suites will have access to an exclusive restaurant with outdoor terrace, a private lounge with a dedicated mixologist, a courtyard area with retractable roof that features a pool, two whirlpools, sauna, spa treatment rooms and sunbathing deck. New for Norwegian Bliss is a two-storey Haven Observation Lounge, which offers 180-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Additional details about the accommodation, dining venues and onboard offerings will be shared in the coming months. The ship will also be fitted with exhaust gas scrubbers to reduce sulphur emissions by up to 99%.
“This incredibly dynamic ship will offer stunning ocean views from almost every venue, spacious and thoughtfully designed accommodations that fit with every cruiser’s needs, and a variety of exciting and engaging venues that will continue Norwegian’s history of innovation in providing the ultimate dining and entertainment experiences at sea,” said Stuart.