NORWEGIAN BLISS, The Biggest Ship In The West
NORWEGIAN BLISS
Shawn J. Dake
The NORWEGIAN BLISS has been setting records for size everywhere it visits on a journey to an inaugural season of cruising in Alaska. The newest ship of Norwegian Cruise Line, measures a whopping 168,024 gross tons, is 1,082 feet in length and easily carries 4,004 passengers based on double-occupancy. The ship left Southampton, England on April 21st on her maiden voyage, a trans-Atlantic crossing to New York. After arriving in the U.S. on May 3rd and hosting inaugural events in New York, the NORWEGIAN BLISS continued on an introductory tour that took the ship to Miami, Los Angeles and finally to Seattle where it was christened by radio personality Elvis Duran on May 30th.
Along the way it became the largest ship ever to pass through the Panama Canal thanks to the recently expanded locks that allow cruise ships of this length and width to transit, provided their air-draft permits them to pass under the Bridge Of The Americas. It not only set the record for a passenger ship passing through the Canal but also became the biggest ship to call at the two West Coast ports. It visited the Port Of Los Angeles on May 25th and departed just after dark at 8:00pm on a two-night cruise hosting travel agents and members of the media, returning for a second call on the 27th. Following her Seattle christening, regular service began on June 2nd when it became the largest cruise ship ever to sail in Alaskan waters and the first of what may be an expanding number of other mega-ships to do so in coming years.
Beyond the WOW features that gain so much publicity, the NORWEGIAN BLISS is a fairly traditional-style cruise ship with an attractive interior design. It is just that everything aboard is bigger and more plentiful. The ship features a huge variety of up to 20 unique restaurants that Norwegian Cruise Line is known for. Six of those dining areas are available to all passengers free of charge, plus two additional spots reserved for guests of The Haven, which is a modern-day enclave; today’s equivalent of First Class accommodations situated forward at the top of the ship.
Among the new specialty dining restaurant additions is “Q,” a Texas-style BBQ smokehouse with a live music stage. There is even a full-grown outpost of Starbucks coffee aboard. While on the subject of music, there are several venues that will catch the eye and ear of music fans.
A seagoing version of The Cavern Club, where The Beatles played during their early days in Liverpool, occupies a prime spot on Deck 8. This deck is surrounded by The Waterfront, a wide promenade with several bars and restaurants opening out onto it. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville At Sea is another musical spot that covers all the bases as a restaurant, retail shop, and multiple bar areas serving signature tropical drinks, all in recognition of the iconic singer/songwriter who turned one hit record from 1977 into a lifestyle and a profitable empire.
The features that attract the most attention to this ship may not be for everyone but they are nonetheless impressive. High on Decks 18 and 19, the world’s largest racing car track at sea spans those two decks high above the stern. Electric powered vehicles race at high speeds through hairpin turns, making the appropriate engine-revving noises as the cars accelerate. Nearby, massive waterslides loop out over the sides of the ship or challengers can race along with inner tubes at the large Aqua Park. The futuristic Laser tag maze, forward at the top of the ship, is also an impressive feat of engineering. Weighing only 28 tons, the complex is constructed of foam to keep the weight down, while giving the appearance of solid, real stone.
Of the 20 decks aboard the NORWEGIAN BLISS, 15 are given over to passenger use. There are more than three decks of public rooms and restaurants connected by dual atriums; one rising over the Guest Services areas and the Atrium Bar and another spanning three decks in an area known as 678 Ocean Place named for those decks.
The latter features an enormous, icicle-like chandelier constantly changing colors. It acts as the centerpiece for the entertainment district aboard ship. Indoor and outdoor recreation areas continue at the top of the ship ranging from Deck 16 where the main swimming pools are located, on up to Deck 20. Stateroom and suite accommodations are arranged among 34 categories of cabins. At the top end are suites in The Haven By Norwegian which also features its own restaurant, pool and two-deck height Horizon Lounge. Next in line are a series of Mini-Suites and Balcony Staterooms making up the vast majority of accommodations. The bottom deck contains five types of Oceanview Staterooms while Inside cabins are scattered throughout the ship. These include the small, 100 square foot “Studio” rooms specifically designed for single travelers.
Viewed from the exterior, the NORWEGIAN BLISS presents an imposing sight. The tall white structure is broken up by hundreds of balconies and windows. The hull-art on this vessel is by Wyland showcasing a blue mural of whales and other sea creatures prominently displayed on the bow and continuing the seascape along both sides at the waterline.
After spending the summer of 2018 in Alaska, the ship will return to Los Angeles for a short series of Mexican Riviera cruises in October. It will then take up station in the Caribbean for the winter season before returning to the West Coast to repeat the Mexico and Alaska itineraries in 2019.
NORWEGIAN BLISS
Built: 2018
Gross Tonnage: 168,028 tons
Length: 1,082 feet
Beam x 136 feet
Draft: 27 feet
Decks: 20
Passengers: 4,004 passengers based on double occupancy.
Crew: 1,716
Engines: Five MAN B&W Diesel Electric Engines with total output of 102,900 horsepower.
Cruising Speed: 23.2 knots.
Builder: Meyer Werft Shipyard, Papenburg, Germany. Yard number: S.707.
Shawn Dake
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Possibly the ugliest passenger ship ever built.
Do we really need a water park on an ocean going vessel? At 168K tons she’s an average mega-monster.
While I can’t argue with Mark, what we are seeing now with current architecture is, on some maritime level, outrageous. That this beast floats makes her a ship.
Oh- yes, she carries “guests” and makes the experience so over-the-top stimulating as to make one forget being aboard ship.
What ever happened to enjoying the sea?
Bigger is not always better, but people seem to like the tall ugly condos that blighting our landscape, so why not make floating versions of them
While I would not argue with the previous comment- must we be aboard a ship with a water park? Really? If I want to go to an amusement park…I’ll go to an amusement park. Whatever happened to just enjoying the ocean ?
Should be called the mv WYLAND — the artists name is larger (more egotistical) than her actual name — what an ABOMINATION! u-g-l-y-!
Have you seen Norwegian Epic? That would give this bucket a run for its money in the ugly stakes!
The ugliest passenger ship would have to be Pride of America but this one comes a close second.
She may look the ugliest but in second place compared to the Pride of America which has no style at all – just an ugly duckling.
No argument there… this big, floating condo is a marvel of engineering and design…but…
Do we really need a waterpark and shore-side amusements to keep people from knowing they are on a ship? Whatever happened to just enjoying the sea…
Woah this ship is ginormous! Can’t believe there’s a racing track.
I totally agree- while this vessel may be state of the art and loaded with all kinds of amenities, do we really need a a floating amusement park to keep passengers from boredom? Whatever happened to enjoying the sea…
Maybe not the ugliest but coming a close second to the Pride of America.
I agree: this floating city is so complete with restaurants of every stripe, shopping, and insane water park (?) one gets the impression that you’re not on a ship. OK I’ve heard this: “The ship is the destination” so is 6 Flaggs-
Do we really need such distraction? What ever happened to simply enjoying the sea…
Sorry folks – totally agree with all your comments – but she is designed to cater for the modern sea-going numpty who just wants a holiday on water!
I just wish someone would have the business incentive to build a traditional looking ocean liner like the original Queen Mary – class and looks all the way – traditional hull as well without the graffiti on the bow!
these ships are built to provide what the passenger has come to expect for their pleasure while cruising, not what I look for, but, there it is. While these mega ships are what they are, there are older ships and new builds that do indeed serve to offer a refined – to some the term refined may seem more appropriate. What must be considered is the actual experience that is offered during the cruise, the uglier the ship, the worse to product may seem, the nicer the ship look, the nicer the product? Its for the passengers to decide,
Yes, i overlooked the Pride of America. Probably a dead heat in the ugly stakes.
To Collin- no need to apologize- you are correct in that there are other vessels that cater to those mindful of a sea-voyage…but, alas, such is the thinking when a billion dollars goes into designing/building a city afloat: That most will see this as an incredible (albeit first time) experience and want for more.
ugly outside and grim inside – two worthy entrants in the ugly category, NORWEGIAN EPIC and the new one from MSC – truly ugly – however, if ugly is so recognizable, why is the opposite to difficult to find?
When will she tip over? what a monstrosity.
Hope she stays well away from the Ise of Giglio… she’ll roll over faster than the S.S. Poseidon (actually she’ll look better that way, I’d imagine).
Can anyone tell me why this vessel, and others, have silly, dumb-looking “art” smeared all over their bows?
Really?? It’s bad enough that these “ships” are as un-nautical as they appear…more floating co-op then ship… but to have one’s eye so offended ?
UGH !!!