The Norwegian Bliss is a popular choice for families cruising to Alaska from Seattle. This Breakaway Plus class vessel offers a variety of attractions for all ages, a go-kart track, thrilling water slides, and a spacious Observation Lounge to take in the breathtaking scenery.
I took a solo cruise on the Bliss and wanted to see how its studio lounge catered to single travelers. As a seasoned Alaska cruiser, I travel to Alaska yearly, often more than once. I wanted to compare this vessel with others I’ve tried.
In this article, I share the hits and misses of the Norwegian Bliss, based on my Alaska cruise in April. While excursions were limited and the weather colder, they didn’t factor into my review.
Norwegian Bliss was purpose-built to navigate the stunning landscapes of Alaska. With its forward-thinking design and unique features, this vessel promises an unforgettable experience in the Last Frontier. But does it truly deliver on its promises?
Norwegian Bliss Hits
Norwegian Bliss offers a variety of features that attract guests to its Alaska journeys. Remember that a benefit to one person may be a miss to someone else or vice versa.
Large Observation Lounge
The Large Observation Lounge on deck 15 provides breathtaking views of Alaska’s stunning landscapes. It’s a selling feature that the cruise line uses to attract guests. This space is strategically located at the ship’s bow, ideal for spotting wildlife and scenic vistas and watching the process of arriving at a port.
While comfortable seating and large glass windows create a cozy atmosphere on glacier viewing day, this spot filled up fast. Since I was cruising in April with frigid temperatures, it was next to impossible to get a seat on sea days. Guests arrived before 6 am to claim their spots.
The significant selling feature of this space is that it’s indoors. Since Alaska’s weather is unpredictable, guests can enjoy the views without going outside. During our day in Glacier Bay, it rained and snowed, so this area was preferred by many.
The Entertainment
Entertainment options on the Norwegian Bliss are exceptional. The Broadway-style show Jersey Boys tells the story of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. The popular show was featured in Las Vegas for years but is available to Norwegian Bliss guests without a fee.
I watched the show and I sat though 75 mins and ended up leaving early. While the show was good, it was too long at 1 hr. 45 mins.
In addition, the Beatles Experience in the Cavern Club showcases some of the iconic band’s music. I had to arrive early to get a seat, and the music was fantastic.
The band played several shows during my cruise. I watched one other “the hits,” in the theater and it was excellent. I enjoyed the Beatles Experience so much, I could have watched them every night.
Norwegian Cruise Line Has Glacier Bay Access
While Royal Caribbean and Norwegian offers large vessels to Alaska, only the latter has access to Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with tidewater glaciers and diverse wildlife. Only two large cruise ships a day can enter the bay, and access is by lottery.
Not all Norwegian vessels visit Glacier Bay National Park; the itineraries change yearly. While the Bliss included the park in 2024, in 2025, and in 2026, she cruises to Endicott Arm. Although Glacier Bay is offered on the Bliss on early and late-season itineraries.
Check the shoulder season cruises if Glacier Bay National Park is on your bucket list. While I visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site previously, having it on my April Alaska cruise itinerary was nice.
Solo And Studio Cabins
Norwegian Bliss offers studio and solo cabins for solo travelers who prefer to forgo the single supplement. These studio staterooms are tiny at 99 square feet (including bathrooms) but are ingeniously designed with innovative storage solutions.
However, if you’re claustrophobic, pay a bit more for a larger solo cabin. Here are the dimensions for single-occupancy cabins.
| Stateroom Category | Size |
|---|---|
| Studio T1 | 99 sq. ft |
| Solo Interior IT | 135 sq. ft |
| Solo Oceanview OT | 160 sq. ft |
| Solo Balcony BT | 176 sq. ft |
With the rise of solo travelers, the cruise line added additional single occupancy staterooms in the inside, oceanview, and balcony categories. These are repurposed cabins, so they are much larger than studios.
I booked a solo balcony, the only cabin in the solo category to include a couch. I enjoyed access to the private studio lounge, where I met and socialized with other solo travelers. On deck 11, the lounge is open 24 hours and has complimentary expresso coffee, tea, juices, and snacks.
Our solo coordinator, Martin, was excellent. He arranged daily events for single travelers. We also met each evening at 5 pm in the studio lounge where we could join others in the dining room instead of eating alone.
A word of advice: if you are moved to a double occupancy cabin from a solo, take proof that you booked as a solo. I got moved and wasn’t given access to the studio lounge.
Also, it’s not advisable to bid on an upgrade from a solo stateroom as all upgraded options are double occupancy rooms that require payment for two. By upgrading, you would lose access to the studio lounge.
Haven Staterooms
The Haven Staterooms offer an exclusive experience with premium amenities. Located in a private area on the upper decks, these rooms provide a sense of luxury and privacy. Some have two bedrooms to accommodate large families.
The biggest benefit of Haven staterooms is access to the Haven Courtyard with a private indoor pool, lounge, bar, and Horizon Lounge. At the bow, the Horizon Lounge provides a front-row seat to Alaska’s landscapes without visiting the busier Observation Lounge.
All Haven suite guests can dine in the Haven Restaurant, an exclusive dining spot, without lengthy waits.
Family And Kids’ Activities
Norwegian is a top-rated cruise line for Alaska for its family-friendly attractions, some unique to its Breakaway Plus class. I was most excited about the two-level Bliss Speedway and riding a go-kart in Alaskan waters. Sometimes, I’m a kid at heart!
At a maximum speed of 30 mph, no racer will break speed records or challenge anyone for first place. However, it provided a thrilling experience at sea, if only for ten laps. The Speedway offers single, double and beginner runs.
Other kids’ activities include two water slides (with heated water), an aqua park, and a dedicated kids club. Bear in mind that the go-kart track and aqua park are outside if the weather isn’t favorable.
Her sister ship, Norwegian Encore which also sails to Alaska has the Galaxy Pavilion, a giant VR playground. The Bliss lacks this kids play area.
Freestyle Dining
Freestyle Dining is a key feature of Norwegian vessels, offering dining flexibility. Rather than adhering to traditional dining times, guests can choose from multiple restaurants whenever they are hungry.
Other than the three main dining rooms and buffet, there are six specialty restaurants. Choose from the more casual Q Texas Smokehouse or opt for dining elegance at Cagney’s Steakhouse or La Cucina. Prices range from USD 40 to USD 60 pp plus tax.
I ate at multiple venues and found the service hit and miss. The selection of food was satisfactory but I only recall a few standout meals.
The Waterfront Promenade Area
The Waterfront Promenade Area is an outdoor space that wraps around the ship for a quarter mile. The area is enhanced with outdoor patios and bars. I found it a good spot to enjoy wildlife spotting or catching the views of the Alaskan coastline.
There’s lots of comfy lounge seating and it was far less busy than the observation areas on higher decks. It was bitterly cold in April but would be much more pleasant in July and August. Many guests without private balconies used this area for viewing in Glacier Bay.
Directional Carpets
Have you ever got off an elevator and couldn’t figure out the direction of your cabin? While some cruise lines have color coded carpets, the Norwegian Bliss has fish on its carpets on decks with cabins. Fish swim forward or to the bow, helping us directional challenged individuals.
Norwegian Bliss Misses
While the Norwegian Bliss was designed with Alaska in mind, I felt they missed the mark in some areas. Its itinerary, port times, and docking locations also have some drawbacks.
Short Port Times
One significant drawback of cruising on the Norwegian Bliss is the short port times. Of my four port stops, we had 3.5 hours to explore Victoria, BC, and 5.5 hours in Ketchikan. I needed to catch a complimentary shuttle since the ship docked in Ward Cove outside of downtown.
With two ships in Ward Cove, the wait times for shuttles was 1-1/2 hours. Although docked between 7 am and 1 pm, the last shuttle to Ketchikan was 10:30 am, and the last bus back to the ship was 11:30 am. It wasn’t enough time to really do much.
Docking Locations
Being larger vessels, the Breakaway Plus class ships don’t always have great docking locations. Larger ships often tie up at the AJ Dock in Juneau, which requires a shuttle or 15-minute walk to town.
With all guests disembarking on arrival, shuttle waits vary from 30 minutes to over an hour. My husband and I always walk when at the AJ dock, but those who are mobility challenges don’t have that option.
As mentioned above, the Bliss docks in Ward Cove in Ketchikan. Cruise guests require a shuttle to reach downtown. While shuttle rides are short (20+ minutes), the queue to board a bus can add up to 90 minutes to your travel time, especially when sharing the port with another vessel.
On my day in Ward Cove, we shared the port with Norwegian Jade. With both ships arriving at 7 am, and thousands of guests disembarking, it was chaos. Some guests who purchased independent tours beginning downtown, missed their tours due to a 90-minute shuttle bus wait.
No Indoor Pool For Non-Haven Guests
For a ship that was purpose-built for Alaska, I found it odd that it had no indoor pool for non-Haven suite guests. While the vessel features two outdoor pools and a kids’ water park, they might not be usable during colder Alaskan weather.
Instead, guests are encouraged to use the thermal suite in the spa at a cost of USD 389 pp for a 7-day cruise. Of my many cruises to Alaska, even in peak season, it was only warm enough to swim outside 10% of the time.
Specialty Resaurants Weren’t Open For Lunch
I’ve been on many cruise lines where specialty restaurants offer lunch option on seas days. It’s a great way to try a new venue, without the commitment of a larger and more expensive dinner meal.
For those on a budget, a specialty dining lunch, offers a tidbit of its culinary offerings. So, I ws surprised to see that none of the specialty restaurants opened for lunch during my Alaska cruise. Further more, when I enquired about lunch openings, I was told if they chose to open, the lunches cost the same price at dinner.
Crowded Public Spaces
Some public spaces on the Norwegian Bliss felt crowded, especially during peak hours or when it was too cold to be outdoors. The Garden Café (buffet), Observation Lounge, The Local Bar & Grill were often congested, as was the theater during popular shows.
The concept of Freestyle Cruising also created congestion at dinner time on port days. With all guests reboarding the ship and heading to the dining room in a short window period, the waits for a table became lengthy.
Expensive Shore Excursions
Norwegian’s excursion prices were the highest of all the cruises I’ve taken to Alaska. For families, they could pay more for tours than the cruise itself.
The perks of my cruise included a USD 50 shore excursion credit for every tour booked. Some of my short tours became complimentary as a solo guest, offsetting the pricier ones. A bonus for cruising solo.
Is An Alaska Cruise On The Bliss Right For You?
Before my cruise, I knew Norwegian Alaska cruises offered short port times and had less-than-ideal docking locations. Since I cruise to Alaska often, I wanted to try a solo cabin and see how Norwegian compared with Royal Caribbean and other lines.
Overall, the Bliss is a lovely vessel with many features that families enjoy. The speedway and waterslides are venues even adults enjoy. I liked that as a larger ship, there were many options for dining.
The entertainment onboard was exceptional, and if you like the Beatles, that alone was a good reason to sail on the Bliss. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed my larger-than-normal solo stateroom and access to the studio lounge with a dedicated solo event coordinator.
