Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review On A Mexican Riviera Cruise
When I was extended an invitation to go on the Norwegian Bliss’s first cruise to depart from the port of Los Angeles following the pandemic hiatus, I didn’t need to be asked more than once to accept. At long last, I would have the opportunity to write an exhaustive assessment of my experience aboard the Norwegian Bliss.
This is due to the fact that my one and only trip aboard the Norwegian Bliss occurred during the ship’s first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 2018.
My first trip out to sea was aboard the Norwegian Bliss, and I spent much of my time there writing, doing an interview with the ship’s hotel director, and rushing about to gather information for an extremely comprehensive assessment.
As a result, I hadn’t had a lot of time to properly appreciate the ship. This time, I would have more time to rest and enjoy everything the ship had to offer, and I was looking forward to it.
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Review
A Few Quick Facts
Construction began in 2018
Renovated in the year: not available
Weight: 167,800
Decks: 20
Passengers counting both people in a room: 4,004
Crew: 1,700
The ship has a total of 2,043 cabins.
COVID-19 Protocols
However, despite having some of the most stringent COVID-19 policies in the industry, Norwegian Cruise Line allows passengers to sail without masks on all of their cruises.
Because we were leaving from a port in the United States, all passengers aged 12 and older, as well as the staff, were required to have completed their vaccinations (14 days past the final shot). A certificate or other proof of vaccination was necessary.
Within forty-eight hours of embarkation, all passengers older than two years old were needed to present evidence that they had either passed a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test administered by a validated third party or completed a medically supervised home test. In order to board, a digital or physical proof of the negative results is required.
The crew of the ship wears masks at all times, although passengers are not required to do so. The majority of passengers appeared to appreciate the opportunity to experience life without masks for a change, however we did notice that some passengers did choose to use masks, particularly as the cruise progressed (and after the stops at the ports).
Pleased to Have You Aboard the Norwegian Bliss
The port of Los Angeles has an unlimited supply of embarkation opportunities. Since this was the first voyage for this ship after the cruise break, I expect that things will get a little bit faster as time goes on.
However, because of the way the port is laid out and the stringent procedures that are followed by the line, it is very impossible to greatly increase the speed. (After January 16, 2022, when the cruise company is no longer required to run its own pre-cruise COVID-19 tests, this will no longer be the case.)
Even though each passenger is given a check-in time, which is supposed to help keep the crowds at the port under control, the wait to present proof of vaccination and to schedule an on-site COVID-19 test is extremely long. As soon as you’ve finished with this preliminary section, the wait time before the COVID test proper is less than a minute. The next stop is the area designated for guests to wait.
I only had to wait approximately ten minutes to get out the results of my test. You will get a text message on your phone informing you that your test results are ready if you have provided your cell phone number (this means you passed the test).
In the event that you do not have a mobile phone, you will need to keep an eye out for your “number” to be displayed on the wall. After having my text message checked and moving on to the next step, which was waiting outside for a shuttle van that takes passengers to the terminal to check in, this seemed to take a longer amount of time than the previous step because my phone number was not yet displayed.
Another twenty to thirty minutes of waiting is involved here. There are several lines for customers with different reward levels as well as those staying in suites (The Haven).
Our Itinerary Along the Mexican Riviera
• Puerto Vallarta
• Mazatlán
• Cabo San Lucas
Initial thoughts and reactions
The Norwegian Bliss is an absolutely stunning vessel. It is unlike any of NCL’s earlier boats in that it exudes sophistication and is decorated entirely in muted blues and neutral greys. When you stroll around the ship for the first time, the abundance of activities that are available is the thing that stands out the most.
There are pubs and eating establishments on every corner. In addition to that, there are water slides, go-kart races, and laser tag. There is a comedy club, two Broadway productions (wow), and a band that performs covers of The Beatles songs. There are several sun decks and swimming pools to choose from.
There is the Waterfront, which features a variety of establishments where one may dine out or drink their preferred beverage while taking in the breathtaking views of the ocean.
The breathtaking Observation Deck is furnished with comfortable loungers, tables for quiet card games with friends, and windows that go from floor to ceiling. The Observation Deck is, in point of fact, one of the most popular areas anywhere on board. You’re going to have to get there really early in the morning if you want to stake your claim to one of those plush loungers.
However, the allure of those pubs, restaurants, and activities is only one aspect of their overall value. Many of the locations charge an admission fee.
Which restaurants are they? Almost everything is available à la carte, which means the total cost can soon add up. However, the meal is very delicious.
What about the laser tag and go-karts? In addition to that, there is a charge made for each turn. Even some of the deck space (at the Vibe Beach Club) is available for an additional fee.
At first, there was an overwhelming number of places that charged admission fees. I quickly realised that there is no need to pay any additional money in order to have a good time on the ship. (Well, so, maybe one or two meals in a few different specialised places.)
The Broadway performances that are performed in the main theatre are both free and of a very high quality. The Beatles cover band is also completely free to enjoy and a lot of fun. The meals served in the MDRs are of the highest quality. And if I had been feeling more adventurous, the waterslides are also free to use!
Staterooms on the Norwegian Bliss with a Standard Balcony
On board the Norwegian Bliss, I did not spend a lot of time in my regular balcony cabin (room 11110) because there was so much more to do elsewhere. The room is a little bit smaller than the ones you’ll find on the majority of other cruise lines (as is the case with the majority of Norwegian’s standard accommodations), but it is still adequate for two people to stay in comfortably.
The Ups and Downs of the Stateroom
In my perspective, there are a few issues with the overall design. To begin, there is not a single drawer to be found anywhere in the space. Some things, like underwear and socks, just don’t have the same amount of room on a shelf as they do in a drawer. Call me crazy, but I find this to be the case.
Second, the location of the closet is the most inconvenient I’ve encountered on any cruise ship I’ve ever been on. It is incorporated into the wall that serves as the partition between the main area and the bathroom. In order to gain access to it, you will need to wiggle your way between the bed and the closet on one side. Absolutely inconvenient in every way.
There is plenty of space in the closets for hanging things, and if you need any additional hangars, just ask for them. On the opposite side of the closet is a section with numerous shelves, one of which has the safe mounted on it.
Since I was travelling by myself, there was plenty of space for me to pack all of my belongings. If I had been travelling with my spouse, there is a good chance that there would not have been enough space for all of our clothing.
What I Adored Most About the Space is as Follows
The shelf space in the bathroom consisted of a lengthy counter, two extended and narrow imitation wooden shelves, and four suspended glasses, which I utilised for storing my toothbrush and toothpaste. Oh, and the door to the shower is made of glass. This is a huge improvement over those annoying plastic curtains!
Hooks! Therefore, very few cruise lines include hooks by the door where passengers can hang items such as jackets, sweaters, or baseball caps. Because I know I won’t have anywhere to hang these things, I usually always bring magnetic hooks with me wherever I go. My suite on the Norwegian Bliss had two of these!
There was an abundance of electrical outlets, including standard outlets at the desk as well as a USB connector on either side of the bed.
More Information Regarding My Joyous Stateroom
Muhammed, the man who served as the room steward for me, was a reserved individual. But he made sure that my room was always tidy and that it was serviced twice a day. And he never failed to provide me with a new bucket of ice both in the morning and in the evening.
On the very final night of the cruise, he even gave me a towel animal as a gift, which is something that almost never happens on NCL vacations.
Here are a few more fundamental things that you should be aware of. The fact that there is a couch in the room is definitely a selling point in my book.
Although the surface area of the desk is quite limited, there is a ledge in front of the mirror that can be utilised for storing goods of a more diminutive nature. Under the desk there is some cabinetry with multiple shelves where you may store anything that does not fit in the closet. This cabinetry is located in the corner of the room.
Oh No, There’s an Issue in the Bathroom
One more thing to mention concerning my restroom. It smelled like sewage all the time. It wasn’t a problem while we were at sea, but it was unbearable once we reached port.
I didn’t spend a lot of time in the room, so I never felt the need to complain about how it was being used. I’m also certain that the location of the cabin had a significant impact on the outcome. (On deck 11, my cabin was the one that was directly in front of the most forward cabin.)
Oh, I almost forgot about the balcony. It is also smaller than the typical size for the industry, but it is an ideal size for two people to sit together and read or watch sail away.
Obviously, being able to see the larger balconies located a few decks below me, each of which featured two upright chairs, two loungers, and a tiny dining table, made my normal balcony appear even more cramped.
Dining on Norwegian Bliss
Even if you don’t shell out the additional cash for specialty dining (of which there are many options), enjoying a meal aboard the Norwegian Bliss is an experience not to be missed.
First, let’s speak about how complementing something is. On the ship Bliss, in addition to the buffet, there are three main dining rooms, as well as The Local Bar & Grill, which is open around the clock.
Every restaurant serves up delicious fare. Breakfast at The Local was always a highlight of my day. In spite of the fact that the food is more limited here than it is in the major dining rooms, the service is reliable and prompt.
And I really enjoy the atmosphere there. It’s more of a restaurant than a pub, and it has a few booths where I can sit with my laptop and check my email while I eat an omelette or some French breakfast. Oh, and that toast for the French. So good. Because the slices were really thick but still quite small, I never felt like I was overdoing it when I indulged.
In most cases, I ate lunch in either Taste or Savor, which are two of the more intimate main dining rooms. They have the atmosphere of specialist restaurants due to their smaller size, which distinguishes them from the Main Dining Rooms.
The meal was consistently outstanding, despite the fact that the menus were always the same. One time I had corn chowder that was so delicious that I could have eaten it for lunch or supper every day and have been completely content.
The buffet was satisfactory on the days when I was pressed for time; nonetheless, I prefer the ambiance of the restaurants where I can sit down to eat more than that of a buffet. Having said that, there was a large variety of options available at the buffet, and everything I tried was delicious.
A Remark Concerning the Dining Service
In general, the service that was provided in the dining rooms was really pleasant and efficient. The one and only hitch I ran into occurred at lunch, when a friend of mine asked for a glass of rosé. A White Zinfandel, a glass of white wine, and a glass of red wine were served to the table by the waiter, and a different server brought the rosé that the customer had requested.
After ordering rosé later that evening in The Cavern, a friend of mine was given a White Zinfandel instead of the wine she had requested. Outside of the wine bar, I believe that NCL should invest in more effective sommelier training for their employees.
Dinner was served to me in a more intimate setting, such as a main dining room or a specialised restaurant. I went there just to get a feel for it once and checked out the Manhattan Room. It has the same cuisine as Taste & Savor, but the space is somewhat larger and the atmosphere is reminiscent of a more conventional main dining room.
If you stick to the free venues, you won’t ever have the feeling that you’re losing out on the best food that the ship has to offer. On the other hand, if you are searching for something “extra,” there are a lot of restaurants that specialise in specific cuisines for you to pick from. Everything is charged a la carte with the exception of the Teppanyaki.
When it comes to specialised eateries, Norwegian Cruise Line provides each passenger with a selection of value-packed add-ons when they book a cruise. One of the value-adds is a dining package that, for a one-week trip, allows you two nights at a specialty dining restaurant. This is an example of an added benefit.
Prior to the epidemic, the majority of cruisers were given two options (from six options). However, for the time being, the line is making all six of these options available to everybody who books.
Teppanyaki is a Japanese restaurant in the hibachi style that can be found on practically all of NCL’s ships. It is my favourite specialty restaurant in the whole NCL fleet, and possibly on any cruise ship. On Bliss, it did not fail to meet expectations, despite the fact that COVID-19 protocols required some of the “performance” to be altered. For example, wait staff are not permitted to toss vegetables at customers in the hope that they will successfully catch them in their mouths.
But the food is the main reason I come here. It’s always good, and there’s lots of it. I left stuffed to the gills and happy as a clam.
My other favourite spot onboard was Coco’s, a for-fee gelateria that serves up crazy shakes and sundaes. A word of warning: If you’re watching your waistline, don’t go. Temptations abound. Thankfully, you can also get gelato by the scoop. I loved the white chocolate (with Oreo pieces and whipped cream, thank you very much) (with Oreo pieces and whipped cream, thank you very much).
Insider Tip: If the six or so gelato varieties at Coco’s aren’t to your liking, you’ll discover more alternatives (including stracciatella) at Dolce Gelato on Deck 8 outside The Waterfront.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Food Republic. It’s a sit-down eatery, but you order via touch screens, and it’s all tapas-sized portions. There are different selections, including a wide sushi menu.
My favourites were the chicken teriyaki satay and the Mexican street corn (elote) (elote). Two to four dishes are more than enough for two individuals (depending on your appetite, of course) (depending on your appetite, of course).
On my first night onboard, I ate in Cagney’s as part of a large press group dinner. Cagney’s serves largely red meat and shellfish, both things I don’t eat. I chose for a trout dish but didn’t have big hopes.
It wasn’t horrible, but I’m glad I didn’t have to go back for another dinner. Having said that, everybody else absolutely adored their steaks and surf-and-turf combinations.
Other speciality restaurants that I tried out include Q, which specialises on BBQ, as well as La Cucina and Le Bistro, all of which are mainstays on NCL.
Q is a dream come true for everyone who adores meat. Although I enjoyed a wonderful barbecued turkey at the venue, I would recommend it to fans of brisket, pulled pig, and other such dishes. On the other hand, there is a dish made with sweet potatoes, cinnamon, and butter that is absolutely delicious!
Le Bistro is the French restaurant on the route that serves upscale cuisine. For my taste, it’s a bit too heavy, and our dinner—another group press dinner—started a little later than I would have liked. I went with a vegetarian option for my puff pastry. The lunch was decent, but it was not one of my top choices. Those that choose to have more typical French fare (such as escargot, fillet mignon, and other such items) appeared to be having a fantastic time during their meals.
Although I enjoyed the burrata appetiser at La Cucina, it was my least favourite of the restaurants I visited while I was in Italy. Both the chicken cacciatore and the fettuccine alfredo that I ordered were good, but nothing to write home about.
One final note regarding the “meal” experience aboard the Norwegian Bliss. More specifically, the drinking itself. In addition to the extensive variety of meals available onboard, there are also a number of bars, many of which are dedicated to serving a particular category of alcoholic beverage.
There’s Sugarcane, which serves mojitos, and The District, which serves beer. There is the A-List, which serves gin and tonics, and The Cellars, which specialises on wine. Even some of the simplest eateries, such as Q, have their own trademark drinks that are well worth sampling at least once.
A little-known fact is that there is a bar called Sail & Sustain Bar on The Waterfront, and it is located right outside of Maltings. Even though it’s not heavily promoted on the daily programme, you should go check it out. There is not a single cocktail on the menu that does not incorporate previously used components. For example, the orange peels and pineapple rinds from the buffet are roasted and utilised as garnishes after being prepared in this manner.
The leftover croissants are crushed and incorporated, and even the coffee grounds after they have been cleaned are used to produce an ingredient for a coffee liqueur. I am aware that this may sound revolting, but it is not.
In-Seat and Onboard Entertainment and Activities
On Norwegian Bliss, there is a LARGE variety of activities available. From the early morning till well into the night. And, in contrast to the cost of the food, most of the entertainment is offered at no cost. (However, this is not the case with activities.)
Make sure to sign up in advance for the most popular activities and shows! Even with only half of the seats taken on our cruise, the Comedy Club was completely booked in a little under two days. And there weren’t many spaces available in the go-kart.
Both “Jersey Boys” and “Six: The Musical” are examples of successful musicals that have been performed on Broadway. On the first day of your trip, sign up for the time slot that best suits your needs!
Although “Jersey Boys” wasn’t playing during our cruise, I had the opportunity to watch it on a previous voyage aboard the Norwegian Bliss, and it’s an amazing show.
It wasn’t until recently that I became familiar with the Broadway musical “Six: The Musical.” It’s a pop musical with some great costumes, and it’s based on the “herstory” of Henry III’s six wives. Hearing their life experiences was fascinating, and it inspired me to do some research on Google later that evening.
However, I did not feel a strong emotional connection to the song at any point. That doesn’t say much because I’m not a fan of the musical “Hamilton” either. “Six: The Musical” already has a cult following, similar to that of “Hamilton,” and some fans go so far as to schedule a cruise on the Bliss just to watch the production.
Karaoke and a cover band performing as The Beatles will require some advanced planning on your part if you want to make sure the timing works out. The Cavern Club is an evocative pub that is fashioned like the legendary Liverpool club where The Beatles got their start. Both events take place in The Cavern Club.
It has a fantastic atmosphere, but the space is limited, and it gets crowded very soon. If you want to secure a seat at one of these, you must arrive at least half an hour in advance.
The Atrium rather than The Cavern is where you’ll find Bandaoke (karaoke with a live band backing you up), which happens once throughout every trip. On our cruise, it attracted a sizable audience, and it was a great deal of fun. It was a shame that it only lasted an hour. I have no doubt that anyone would enjoy remaining here for at least one or two more hours!
Insider Tip: The Beatles cover band performs three concerts (early, middle, and late Beatles) in The Cavern Club. The shows are titled, respectively, early, middle, and late Beatles. In the main theatre, there is a fourth performance that often takes place on the second to last or final seaday of the cruise and features highlights from the first three performances.
Live music is performed in a number of different venues all over the ship as an additional evening activity. You should go to Sugarcane Mojito Bar, where the atmosphere is described as Caliente, if you enjoy dancing and music from Latin American cultures.
If you are more interested in the Piano Man atmosphere, you should go to The District Brewhouse, which has somewhere in the neighbourhood of 25 different beers on tap.
Insider Tip: Although there are several places on Norwegian Bliss where passengers can unwind and read, my personal favourite place to do so in the morning is the District Brewhouse. Because so few people go there, it is almost always a very peaceful and quiet location. It doesn’t typically open until the afternoon, and it has leather couches that are quite comfortable as well as a lot of windows that let in natural light.
Later on in the evening, the D.J. takes over at The Social (which is typically the comedy club) to play thumping beats, which, depending on the passengers, either pull a crowd or don’t draw a crowd at all. I was only able to attend the Halloween party that was held at The Social, but it was really crowded and lively for a good portion of the evening. Even the “Six” queens came out to join in on the festivities and have some fun.
In the early evening, Laser Tag and the Go-Kart track are also open for play, with the laser tag arena taking on a glow-in-the-dark aesthetic for an added layer of excitement. During my sailing, it seemed like most of the laser tag arena was empty. I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s more of a kids and adolescents thing than an adult thing, yet nobody on our sailing trip was less than 12 years old.
Go-Karts, on the other hand, which were frequently used by grownups to rediscover their inner adolescents, do not fall into this category. Because I had already driven the go-karts on a previous trip, I decided not to try them out on this one. When I did it for the first time, I found the experience to be a little bit irritating because there is very little “go” in the experience if you are caught on the track with a sluggish driver.
You have the option of paying for a single session or purchasing a pass good for the entire cruise. And while we’re on the subject of cash, both the go-karts and the laser tag require additional payment.
And of course, if you have any extra cash lying around, you can always try your luck at the casino.
The Ocean Loops carry riders out over the open water in a transparent tube, but you’ll be travelling at such a high speed that you probably won’t even notice it! The Aqua Racer is a slide that allows you and a companion to compete against one another while sliding down it side-by-side. The waterslides are available at no additional cost. There is also a waterpark for children, although we never saw anyone using it while we were sailing because we don’t have any kids.
On Norwegian Bliss, the daytime activities are more traditional to the concept of a cruise, with the exception of the Go-Karts and Laser Tag. There will be pool games, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, and trivia, which is one of my particular favourites. In addition to language instruction and shop presentations, there are also art and wellness seminars.
Activities like as Bingo and Deal or No Deal, tastings of wine and whisky, and even a wine and chocolate match are available for an additional price.
I went to the spa for a significant amount of time and received various treatments there. However, Norwegian Bliss also features an incredible thermal suite that includes a thalassotherapy pool, a salt room, heated ceramic loungers, a variety of saunas, an ice room (complete with real snow!), and a salt room.
If you want to use the thermal suite, you will need to purchase for a pass that is good for the entire cruise. On our voyage, just fifty percent of the staterooms were occupied, thus the passes did not sell out completely. When there are full sailings, the passes will typically sell out on the first day.
Who Is Joining Us?
The Norwegian Bliss attracts a sizable number of passengers from the West Coast during its itineraries that depart from Los Angeles. The persons who participated in our sailing were almost mostly from the state of California, with some others coming from the states of Washington and Oregon.
Because the NCL immunisation policy states that passengers under the age of 12 are not permitted, very few families decided to take the cruise. Although I did occasionally come across some teenagers, the vast majority of the people I encountered while sailing were adults. A wide spectrum of ages was represented, from persons in their 20s to those in their 50s and 60s. There were also senior citizens on board, although less of them than I would anticipate seeing on a cruise lasting one week and taking place in warm weather.
Perhaps because it attracts people from the Los Angeles area, there appeared to be a large number of affluent young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 who were having a wonderful time. Even in The Haven, the exclusive enclave reserved for ship’s suite guests, I saw a notable increase in the number of younger couples compared to previous cruises I’ve taken.
My final reflections on my vacation aboard the Norwegian Bliss
The Norwegian Bliss is a gorgeous ship that offers a wide variety of entertaining activities. In my opinion, the ship is made by the numerous eating options and the Broadway-style performances. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the most recent NCL ships feature some of the best entertainment available at sea; similarly, the shows on Bliss didn’t fall short of my expectations.
Even though there are moments when it seems like every little thing costs money, there are still many things that are free. Additionally, the vast majority of the line’s prices include various value-adds, such as free meals in speciality restaurants, which can help reduce some additional expenditures.
In general, I had a good time on Bliss, and I wouldn’t mind sailing on her again if given the opportunity.
A Review of the Cruise Ship Norwegian Bliss
Cruise Lines That Are Considered the Industry Standard (with Carnival and Royal Caribbean)
Internet access and WiFi cost extra.
The date of the cruise is October 24th through the 31st, 2021.
Disclosure: During my time onboard the Norwegian Bliss, NCL hosted me as a guest of the company. In addition to that, I was provided with a premium drink package, access to the thermal suite, as well as a Go-Kart Track and Laser Tag. All of the views expressed in this cruise ship review of the Norwegian Bliss are entirely mine, and they are based on my own personal cruising experiences and observations.
