Norwegian Bliss
Breakaway Plus · refurbished 2025 · Alaska
Norwegian Bliss entered service in 2018 as the third Breakaway Plus-class ship, designed from the outset with Alaska itineraries in mind. It has a large forward observation lounge, allowing guests to view glaciers and straits from indoors, a valuable feature in cold climates. Facilities also include a stern go-kart course, water slides, and NCL's first full-service Starbucks. It underwent a major refurbishment in 2025, so its interiors are new for its age. In summer 2026, it will operate 7-night Alaska cruises from Seattle with Saturday departures, then move to New York in November for 8-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries. It is often a leading choice for travelers wanting a comfortable Alaska cruise on a large ship.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9751509)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese food at extra cost
Some Japanese language support
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
As of 2026, Free at Sea is effectively included as standard with most NCL fares, conditionally covering unlimited drinks for guests aged 21 and over sharing the cabin, 150 minutes of Wi-Fi, several specialty dining visits, and a $50 credit per port. Free at Sea Plus (an additional charge) further adds prepaid service charges, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, and discounts on specialty dining. With the base fare (without a promotion), everything except meals costs extra.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$10
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3.50
- Extra chargeDrink packageMany fares include Free at Sea, with basic benefits provided at no charge for all guests aged 21 and over sharing a room. A standalone Premium Beverage Package costs somewhat more than $100/day; upgrading costs an additional $29/day.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiWith Free at Sea, all guests sharing a stateroom each receive 150 free minutes of Wi-Fi.
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$20/day (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Club Balcony Suite), $25/day (other suites, The Haven)
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)About $150-$200 (estimate based on actual market prices, which vary by type of treatment; the exact price of a standalone 60-minute menu is unconfirmed)
- Extra chargeLaundryNo self-service laundry. Fill-a-Bag costs $30-$35, while individual laundry and dry cleaning are priced per item. Same-day service incurs a surcharge. Latitudes upper-tier members receive discounts and complimentary benefits.
- Shore excursionsNCL-operated shore excursions can be purchased separately (Alaska whale-watching and glacier tours, among others, vary from tens to hundreds of dollars). When Free at Sea applies, a $50 credit is provided for each port (limits apply).
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Seattle (Washington State; a major home port for summer Alaska cruises since entering service), In winter, deployed to the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, and other regions; home ports such as Miami and Los Angeles vary by year
- Departure ports: Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles
- All ages
- A lively, casual large resort ship packed with experience- and entertainment-focused features such as a 2-story go-kart track at sea, VR at the Galaxy Pavilion, laser tag and an aqua park. Built as NCL's first ship designed for Alaska service, it also has designs for enjoying the scenery, such as the large Observation Lounge at the bow. With Freestyle Cruising, the dress code is relaxed.
- In summer (roughly May to September), it sails round trips from Seattle to Alaska (Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay/Endicott Arm, Ketchikan, Victoria, etc.), mainly with families and mature travelers. In winter, it operates in the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, and through the Panama Canal, carrying a wide range of families, groups, and active travelers from North America. Operations are mainly in English, and Japanese-language support is limited.
NCL Group is advancing demonstration voyages using biofuel (blended with heavy fuel oil) and expanding shore-power capability while in port, with a target of net zero by 2050. Ship-specific energy-efficiency data for Bliss could not be confirmed.
Ship character
- • Alaska cruises
- • Family trips
- • First-time cruisers
- • Seattle departures
- • Travelers seeking a quiet, calm atmosphere
- • Travelers seeking small-group port immersion
- • Travelers requiring Japanese-language support
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
4 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishNorwegian Bliss Review: Still Worth Sailing in 2026?
thiscruiselife.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishNorwegian Bliss Panama Canal Cruise
jimzim.net · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- ArticleEnglishPR / hosted trip disclosedNorwegian Bliss Cruise Ship Review – Cruise Maven
cruisemaven.com · Sailed Oct 24, 2021 · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishAffiliate links disclosedNorwegian Bliss Alaska Review: Dawes Glacier & Seattle Tips, and Family Cruising | North Country Travel Planners
nocotravelplanners.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
Sources
- Officialncl.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Officialncl.com (2)
- Officialncl.com (3)
- Officialncl.com (4)
- Officialncl.com (5)
- Officialncl.com (6)
- Officialncl.com (7)
- Officialncl.com (8)
- Officialncl.com (9)
- Officialncl.com (10)
Source: Wikipedia “Norwegian Bliss” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interior Stateroom The least expensive onboard category without windows or balconies. All cabins have a Smart HDTV, electronic safe, mini-refrigerator, and desk. The configuration is nearly identical to the Breakaway-Plus-class configuration of its sister ship Encore, but the exact number of Bliss cabins has not been confirmed. Decks 5 and 8-14 | 12–18 m² (129–194 ft²) | 2-4 people Standard twin beds (convertible to a queen). | Accessible | Check on the cabin overview page |
Studio Interior Single The smallest category for 1-person travel. There is no window or balcony, but it includes a private lounge where solo guests can socialize. Approximately 82 cabins. 82 cabins / Decks 11-12. | 9 m² (97 ft²) | 1 guest (single occupancy) Full-size bed, 1 bed. | Solo | Check on the cabin overview page |
Oceanview Stateroom A mid-grade category with a window but no balcony. The sea can be seen through a porthole or picture window. The exact number of Bliss cabins has not been confirmed. Decks 5 and 8-13 | 15–22 m² (161–237 ft²) | 2-4 people Twin beds (convertible to a queen). Some cabins have an added sofa bed. | WindowAccessible | Check on the cabin overview page |
Balcony Stateroom The largest onboard category with private balconies. Balcony areas vary by cabin. The exact number of Bliss cabins has not been confirmed, but on sister ship Norwegian Encore this category has more than 1,100 cabins, the largest group. Decks 8-14 | 16–20 m² (172–215 ft²) | 2-4 people Standard twin beds (convertible to a queen). | BalconyAccessible | Check on the cabin overview page |
Club Balcony Suite / Mini-Suite A group of mini-suites with living space outside The Haven's exclusive area. It includes spa suites. Butlers and concierges are exclusive to The Haven and are not included with this category. The exact number of Bliss cabins has not been confirmed. Decks 8-14 | 19–31 m² (205–334 ft²) | 2-4 people Mainly a queen bed. Some cabins have an added sofa bed to increase capacity. | Balcony | Check on the cabin overview page |
The Haven The ship's highest-level exclusive ship-within-a-ship area. It ranges from Courtyard Penthouses to the highest-level Deluxe Owner's Suites. Keycard-access-only lounges, restaurants, pools, and a sundeck are located at the upper bow on Decks 17–18. The exact number of cabins and ADA accessibility have not been confirmed. Decks 17-18 (dedicated area, including private courtyard and sun deck) | 25–100 m² (269–1,076 ft²) | 2–6 guests (varies by type) King bed-centered (one to multiple beds depending on type) | BalconyConcierge | Check on the cabin overview page |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Guppies / Splash Academy / Entourage — A free program made up of Guppies (a parent-accompanied play area for ages 6 months to 3 years), Splash Academy (ages 3 to 12, in age groups, with circus, dance, games and more) and Entourage (a dedicated teen lounge for ages 13 to 17).
- • Vibe Beach Club — An adults-only sun deck for guests aged 18 and over on Deck 19, with large jacuzzis, private-feeling lounge chairs, and a private bar. Capacity is limited, and it is popular.
- • Bliss Casino — A casino with slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. Guests must be 18 or older (21 or older in some cases on U.S. departures and arrivals).
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Charged automatically to your onboard account after boarding as the Discretionary Service Charge. Prepayment is also possible. A separate 20% service charge is added to food and drink purchases such as drink packages, specialty restaurants and the spa.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Many ships have both North American-standard 110V-range and European-standard 220/230V-range outlets.
- Formal nights
- Because of the Freestyle concept, no mandatory formal nights are scheduled. There is a "Dress up or not" night that encourages guests to dress up if they wish, but participation is free.
- Medical facilities
- Every ship has a 24-hour medical center, with about 1 to 2 doctors and 2 to 3 nurses on staff depending on ship size. Consultation and treatment costs are not included in the fare and are billed separately to your onboard account (an itemized statement for insurance claims can be issued). Travel insurance is recommended.
- Bringing items onboard
- At embarkation, you may bring up to 1 bottle each of wine and champagne (Other alcohol, beer, and drinks such as water and soda are not allowed). A corkage fee applies when opened in restaurants, bars or cabins ($15 for a 750 ml bottle, $30 for a 1.5 L magnum). Holders of a drinks package (including Free at Sea) are exempt.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Offshore (as a guide, 12 nautical miles or more from land), your home carrier's roaming can be used through Cellular at Sea (an onboard base station, displayed under names such as "cellularatsea"), but both calls and data tend to be expensive. Switching to airplane mode and using Wi-Fi calling (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, etc.) over the onboard Wi-Fi is offered as a cheaper alternative.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
A 2-level, Art Deco-style main dining venue with a dance floor and live band. It uses a freestyle cruising format without fixed seating, with live band performances at night.
Hours: Breakfast 7:00-9:30, lunch 12:00-13:30, dinner around 17:30-21:30
A complimentary main dining room paired with Taste, sharing the same rotating menu. Guests can come at any time they like.
Hours: Dinner only, around 17:30-21:30
A complimentary main dining room that shares a rotating menu with Savor. Casual-chic interior.
Hours: Dinner only, around 17:30-21:30
Complimentary fine dining for The Haven guests, located within the private area and unavailable to general guests.
Hours: Breakfast 7:00-9:30, lunch 12:00-14:00, dinner around 17:30-21:30
A complimentary pub dining venue open almost all day, serving fish and chips, wings, and a late-night menu. It is the ship's standard spot where you can eat at any time.
Hours: Nearly 24-hour service (all day)
A classic buffet-style casual dining venue. The spacious Deck 16 venue offers daily themed events and freshly made food stations.
Hours: Breakfast 6:30-10:30, lunch 11:30-15:00, dinner around 17:00-21:30
A paid steakhouse known for authentic steaks. On sister ship Encore it expanded by absorbing the former Los Lobos space, whereas on Bliss it operates independently of Los Lobos.
- 8 oz filet mignonIncluded in the set-menu price
- Jumbo lump crab cake (appetizer)Included in the set-menu price
- Lobster tail (additional charge)+$25
A seafood restaurant supervised by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, known for its raw oyster bar and seafood tower. Encore converted this Ocean Blue into Palomar (Mediterranean seafood) in its 2024 refurbishment, but Bliss keeps the original Ocean Blue.
- Seafood tower (oysters, shrimp, crab, and more)Included in the set-menu price
- Whole grilled lobster (additional charge)+$25
- Grilled branzinoIncluded in the set-menu price
A formal dining venue serving traditional French cuisine in a calm atmosphere, also popular for celebrations.
- Escargot BourguignonIncluded in the set-menu price
- Coq au vin (chicken in red wine sauce)Included in the set-menu price
- Beef tenderloinIncluded in the set-menu price
A teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurant where chefs cook in front of guests. With its show element, it is a popular restaurant where reservations fill up easily.
- Teppanyaki course (with soup, salad, fried rice, vegetables, main and dessert)$59 (fixed price)
An Italian restaurant facing The Waterfront (the outdoor promenade), with a homestyle menu centered on pizza and pasta. Sister ship Encore replaced this slot with Onda by Scarpetta, while Bliss keeps La Cucina.
- Margherita pizzaIncluded in the set-menu price
- Spaghetti BologneseIncluded in the set-menu price
- TiramisuIncluded in the set-menu price
A specialty restaurant serving modern Mexican cuisine. Table-side guacamole and margaritas are signature offerings. On sister ship Encore, it was absorbed into Cagney's during a 2024 refurbishment and discontinued, but it remains on Bliss.
- Tableside guacamoleIncluded in the set-menu price
- EnchiladaIncluded in the set-menu price
- Carne asadaIncluded in the set-menu price
A specialty venue with authentic smoked BBQ and live country band performances.
- Smoked brisketIncluded in the set-menu price
- Spare ribsIncluded in the set-menu price
- CornbreadIncluded in the set-menu price
A casual venue where guests can order street food from around the world a la carte, including sushi, pad Thai, and Korean-style chicken. It faces The Waterfront.
- Pad Thai$19
- Sushi rolls$15–19
Facilities and activities
A two-level go-kart track spanning Decks 18 to 20 and exceeding approximately 1,000 feet (305m) in length. It was described as the world's largest offshore race track when the ship entered service in 2018 and features curves extending over the ship's side. Height and weight restrictions apply.
A water area with two slides: the tandem tube slide Aqua Racer and the two-loop free-fall slide Ocean Loops. The loops on Ocean Loops extend over the ship's side. A kids' aqua park is also included. Height and weight restrictions apply.
A VR attraction facility with hang-gliding experiences, racing simulators, VR mystery mazes, and more. It is an indoor entertainment facility introduced on the NCL fleet by Bliss.
A space-themed laser tag arena outdoors on Decks 19 to 20. Encore's arena was converted into Spice H2O (an adults-only area) during its 2024 refurbishment and no longer exists, but it has been retained on Bliss.
An adults-only sun deck for guests aged 18 and over on Deck 19, with large jacuzzis, private-feeling lounge chairs, and a private bar. Capacity is limited, and it is popular.
A large spa and salon offering massages, facials, hair salon services, and nail care, plus an adults-only thermal suite with a steam room, salt room, heated loungers, vitality pool, and more.
A main theater with about 800 seats or more. Productions such as the Broadway musical Jersey Boys (its first performance at sea was on Bliss) and the Cuba-themed music show ¡HAVANA! can be watched free of charge.
A group of venues for comedy, live music, and late-night dancing. It also has The Cavern Club, a recreation of the Liverpool club of the same name, where a Beatles tribute band performs.
A casino with slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. Guests must be 18 or older (21 or older in some cases on U.S. departures and arrivals).
A large observation lounge at the bow on Deck 15 that symbolizes Bliss. With large glass windows spanning 180 degrees, it was designed for viewing Alaska's glaciers and scenery, and you can relax over light snacks and drinks.
An outdoor promenade that wraps all the way around Deck 8. Restaurants (La Cucina, Food Republic, etc.) and bars line the seaside, so guests can eat, drink, and stroll with the ocean close at hand.
An activity area with a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, rope course, The Plank (an over-the-side observation platform), basketball and volleyball courts, and mini golf.
A jogging and walking track encircling the outdoor deck. The exact lap distance has not been confirmed.
A gym equipped with cardio machines and free weights, including a treadmill area overlooking the sea.
A free program made up of Guppies (a parent-accompanied play area for ages 6 months to 3 years), Splash Academy (ages 3 to 12, in age groups, with circus, dance, games and more) and Entourage (a dedicated teen lounge for ages 13 to 17).
A bar for beer lovers with 50 or more bottled beers, many draft beers, and craft cocktails. Live music is also performed.
A duty-free shopping area centered on Decks 7 to 8. It sells liquor, cosmetics, logo merchandise, watches, jewelry and more.