By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Bliss is to start her sea trials in the North Sea after completing her conveyance from Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany to Eemshaven in The Netherlands.
After departing Meyer Werft on 13 March, the 168,028gt ship was conveyed backwards down the Ems River, arriving in Eemshaven the following evening. During her journey, the vessel passed through multiple narrow passages, including the Friesenbrücke Bridge in Weener, Jann Berghaus Bridge in Leer and the Ems-Barrier in Gandersum. Once in Eemshaven, the ship took on additional provisions and crew members, before heading toward the North Sea for her technical and nautical sea trials.
“Today marks another historical moment for Norwegian Bliss, the most highly anticipated ship of the Norwegian Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class of our company’s history,” said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian. “When she arrives into Seattle in June, guests will be excited to experience many new first-at-sea activities, including the largest two-level race track at sea, new dining experiences, such as Q Texas Smokehouse and Coco’s a chocolate and treat shop, the Tony Award-Winning Broadway Show Jersey Boys and much more for guests to explore.”
Norwegian Bliss, which is the world’s first cruise ship to be custom-built with features and amenities for the ‘ultimate’ Alaska cruise experience, will be delivered to Norwegian on 19 April in Bremerhaven, Germany. On 21 April, the ship will begin her journey across the Atlantic Ocean and arrive in the US on 3 May ahead of her inaugural tour. Set to be the most extensive of any Norwegian ship, the tour will involve special preview events in New York City, Miami in Florida, and Los Angeles in California. The maiden tour will conclude with a christening ceremony at the Port of Seattle’s new Pier 66 in Washington State on 30 May.
The ship will start sailing seven-day Alaska cruises from 2 June and continue to do so throughout summer, before repositioning to Los Angeles to offer Mexican Riviera itineraries in the autumn. Norwegian Bliss will then move to Miami to sail winter Caribbean cruises, and then head to the New York City in the 2019 autumn and winter season to sail itineraries to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.