Norwegian Bliss Review: A Top Choice For Families And Solos
Norwegian Bliss is a top choice for travelers wanting to explore Alaska, the Caribbean, and beyond. The Observation Lounge offers stunning glacier views, and the studio cabins are ideal for solo travelers avoiding single supplements. I took a solo Alaska cruise on the Norwegian Bliss and share my experience in this review.
The Bliss is a Breakaway Plus vessel accommodating up to 4,000 guests. With a go-kart track, two waterslides, exceptional entertainment, and various dining options, it’s a vessel suited to all ages. If seeking a larger vessel with more amenities for Alaska, check out Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
This wasn’t my first solo cruise, but I was excited to experience the amenities of this ship and its studio lounge. All guests booked in studios and solo cabins, including my single occupancy balcony cabin, get access.
I took a cruise to the 49th state in mid-April. It was Norwegian’s second cruise to Alaska from Seattle. While it wasn’t the best time to visit Alaska due to the colder climate and limited excursions, I got to enjoy the ports with no crowds.
Norwegian Bliss Itineraries
Norwegian Bliss spends its spring and summer in Alaska. When the season ends, she repositions through the Panama Canal to follow the sun.
Sailings To Alaska
The Alaska itineraries are a main highlight of Norwegian Bliss. Traditionally, guests could book a 7-day roundtrip sailing through the Inside Passage. Now, Norwegian Cruise Line offers cruise and land tours. These start in Fairbanks, then fly back to Seattle to board the roundtrip cruise.
While it’s an odd combination for a cruise tour, it may favor US citizens who want to fly domestically rather than go through Vancouver, Canada.
Caribbean And Mexico
Norwegian Bliss also sails to the Caribbean and Mexico, which is offered in the winter months. Guests wanting to do the Panama Canal can also book a sailing when the ship repositions at the end and beginning of Alaska cruise season.
The ship’s waterslides and kids’ aqua park are more suited for the warmer climate.
Onboard Venues
Larger vessels like the Bliss have a variety of venues, some unique to the Breakaway Plus class.
Observation Lounge
Norwegian Bliss was constructed for Alaska, and it is evident in its Observation Lounge. This vast space at the bow has floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s ideal for soaking in the beauty of Alaska’s landscapes.
Fortunately, I had a balcony cabin on deck 15, steps away from the lounge. If I didn’t want to hang out alone in my room, I could join others and relax in cozy seating. Enjoying morning coffee or evening cocktails here is a must, as it combines comfort with stunning visual appeal.
Bliss Speedway
The most innovative feature of Breakaway Plus vessels is the Speedway. The Bliss Speedway is a highlight for thrill seekers no matter what your age. It was great that the Speedway offers beginners, single, and double go-kart runs.
For a USD 15 fee, guests can ride an electric go-kart around the 1,100-foot track at the top of the ship. While the racetrack provides fun and exhilaration, drivers are timed, with the top racers shown on a scoreboard.
The ride lasts ten laps, the right amount of time to feel comfortable with the tight twists and turns. Watching is just as much fun. I saw multiple pileups as karts became “bumper cars!”
Waterslides And Kids Aqua Park
For warmer cruising destinations, the waterslides and Kids Aqua Park provide an opportunity for water fun. This area features multiple slides.
The slides cater to various thrill levels, from the gentle slopes of the Aqua Racer to the more daring drops of the Ocean Loops. The latter loops over the ship’s side, although I didn’t see anyone use it in Alaska.
The water in the slides and Aqua Park are heated, and even in the frigid temperatures of Alaska, children use them daily.
Pool Deck And Spa
I cruised in April, which is not the ideal time to visit Alaska. A few brave souls used the outdoor pool on embarkation day, but I wasn’t one of them. The only indoor pool was in the Haven area, exclusively for Haven guests.
The spa has a lovely thermal suite, but I found it pricey at USD 389 for one week. On other ships, I often paid for a one-day pass. On the Bliss, it was only available for USD 99 if all the 100 weekly passes weren’t sold out. The daily pass was only usable on a port day.
One of the unique features of the thermal suite is the snow paradise room. At 14F or -10C, the recommended stay is two minutes. I had been in a cold room in Fairbanks of -60F or -51C and found it quite refreshing.
Newly added in early 2025, Horizon Park replaced the laser tag. The top deck space with artificial turf was to feature fun lawn games like giant Jenga. The games weren’t put out in April, leaving just an empty space.
Kids Club
The Kids Club on deck 5 offers a dedicated venue for younger guests ages 3 to 17. Trained staff supervise activities for various age groups, which may include arts and crafts, video games, and themed events.
Parents benefit from the peace of mind knowing their children are having fun in a safe setting. The structured activities allow adults to enjoy personal time while their children make new friends.
Accommodation
Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered some guest accommodation, from luxurious Haven suites to studio cabins. Recently, the Bliss underwent a drydock in 2025, adding new venues and updating some cabins.
Studio And Solo Cabins
The Studio cabins are designed specifically for solo travelers. These compact spaces have space-saving features and access to an exclusive studio lounge.
Some rooms have virtual windows, and the views outside are live streaming. This design reminded me of Royal Caribbean Quantum class vessels with virtual balcony rooms. They also stream outdoor views but on floor-to-ceiling monitors.
With the demand for solo cabins, Norwegian has added solo interiors, oceanviews, and balcony staterooms. These were repurposed double occupancy rooms.
I booked a solo balcony and was thrilled to have a full 176 sq. foot space with a couch, desk, and private balcony. My balcony was huge, and I enjoyed Glacier Bay viewing in my private space.
Martin, the solo coordinator, was great, and provided multiple events to keep single travelers entertained.
Double Occupancy Rooms
Double occupancy rooms on the Norwegian Bliss come in various configurations, including balcony and inside options. The interiors are ideal for those on a budget. However, balconies are preferred in Alaska to enjoy glacier viewing from a private space.
During the renovation in early 2025, space was taken away from the Observation Lounge, and another 24 balcony cabins were added. I stayed in one of these as an upgrade from my booked solo balcony.
Haven Suites
The Haven Suites at the bow provide premium experiences. I viewed a few Haven Suites on disembarkation day and was impressed with the luxury features.
Haven suites, on decks 17 and 18 have exclusive access to the Haven. This upscale space has an indoor pool (the only one on the ship), a lounge, and an exclusive restaurant.
Dining And Bars
I was impressed with the dining options on the Norwegian Bliss. There are lots of complimentary dining options as well as specialty restaurants.
Complimentary Dining
Taste, Savor, and Manhattan Room are the three main dining rooms. While they have different décor, they share the same menus. Of the three, the Manhattan Room is larger, while the others offer more intimate experiences. I ate most of my dinners in Taste and Savor.
Buffet dining is available at the Garden Café. It was hectic on port days when guests wanted the convenience of a quick meal.
American Diner and The Local Bar & Grill provided an alternative to the buffet. I liked that the latter had a kids’ menu, and food was available 24 hours.
The American Diner is a fun 50’s diner venue with typical menu items such as burgers, fish and chips, and nachos. While I’m not a fan of fast food, I love the décor of this venue. Be warned, because it’s partly outside, you’ll need a coat to dine in Alaska when cruising off-season.
Specialty Restaurants
Although I don’t consider myself a foodie, I enjoy trying specialty restaurants. To my surprise, Norwegian Bliss has so many excellent options.
Cagney’s Steakhouse, a top choice amongst guests, offers perfectly cooked steaks and attentive service. Food Republic, the Asian Latin Restaurant was a popular choice.
The biggest disappointment was that specialty restaurants didn’t open for lunch on sea days. Staff said they are sometimes open for lunch, but it costs the same as dining for dinner.
Other specialty dining choices included:
- Teppanyaki – Japanese cuisine cooked in front of you.
- La Cucina – An Italian restaurant with homemade Tiramisu.
- Texas Smokehouse – All your BBQ favorites.
Bars And Lounges
Norwegian Bliss offers a variety of bars and lounges across multiple decks. Head to the District Brew House if you love beer. They carry over 70 varieties. While I’m not a big beer fan, I had tried a Pacifico Mexican beer on a previous cruise and was amazed I could buy it onboard.
I imagine the Vibe Beach Club Bar would be busy in warm destinations. It had some interesting frozen cocktails I wanted to try, but it was too chilly for Alaska.
One of the busiest venues was the Local Bar & Grill. Because it overlooked the deck below, during events, seats were always full.
Connectivity
Staying connected while cruising is essential for many guests. The “More at Sea” packages include 150 minutes, while guests have the option to upgrade.
Ship’s Wi-Fi
My cruise fare included Wi-Fi, which can often be hit or miss in Alaska. My Wi-Fi was frustrating because it kicked me out every five minutes. There are two plans available: Voyage Wi-Fi and Streaming Voyage Wi-Fi. I had the voyage Wi-Fi and did a speedtest shown below.
Voyage Plan: This allows basic browsing, emails, and social media access. It’s suitable for those who don’t require heavy bandwidth.
Streaming Plan: This plan is best for streaming and video calling and provides a faster connection. It’s more suited to those who watch Netflix or play video games.
Norwegian App
I found Norwegian’s App easy to navigate, with the “My Plans” button showing all my excursions and booked show times. However, I found a few things they could improve upon.
When wanting to book a specialty restaurant, it requested the number of guests, either 2 or 4. Since I was cruising solo, I didn’t meet either option.
I booked the Jersey Boys show one evening and decided at the last minute to go with a group of solo travelers. The app didn’t give me the option to cancel my initial booking.
The app didn’t show the menus for the main dining rooms. It would be nice to see the food options ahead of time. If the menu doesn’t appeal, passengers may opt for a specialty restaurant.
Entertainment
Onboard the Norwegian Bliss, entertainment was first class. I anticipated the high-rated “Jersey Boys” show, and it was great. Although, at 1 hour and 45 minutes, I found it lengthy. I booked the show before embarkation to ensure I didn’t miss it.
Another highlight is The Beatles Experience. The band from Argentina played a fantastic tribute with all the iconic hits. It’s a must-see for fans and provides a memorable evening. Reservations weren’t required for this show, and I attended many of their four shows.
In addition to musical performances, the comedy club gathered a crowd each evening. While I didn’t attend, fellow passengers said the comedy was fantastic.
The Icons theater show was a highlight. The singers and dancers sang songs from artists like Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Elton John, and Billy Joel. While this show was great, I could have listened to the Beatles Experience every night. While not from Liverpool, the band was the highlight of my Alaska voyage.
