Blissful thinking at sea
On a sneak-preview cruise, Stephanie Holmes sees what Norwegian’s new ship offers
The largest ship ever to sail through the Panama Canal, Norwegian Cruise Lines' brand new Norwegian Bliss will be christened at its summer home port of Seattle tomorrow. The ship, purpose-built in Germany and delivered to the United States last month, will make its first seven-night voyage to Alaska on June 2, spending the Northern Hemisphere summer sailing this route, before moving down to Miami for sailings to the Caribbean.
The ship's hull has been custom-painted with a design by US marine-life artist and conservationist Wyland, featuring a full-size image of a mother humpback whale and her calf. He says it's his dream that one day, while the ship is making its gentle way through Alaskan waters, a real life humpback might swim by and recognise its own kind.
Bliss, the third in Norwegian's Breakaway Plus Class, has been touring the US with inaugural preview sailings from New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I was on board this weekend for a preview. Here’s what I recommend …
THRILL OF THE CHASE
Missing the grind of the daily commute? Then you can race your mates on the two-level race track, winding around nine bends over more than 300m, on the ship’s 19th deck. NCL Racing debuted on Norwegian Joy, a ship custom-built for the Asian market. Bliss's racetrack is 30 per cent bigger, making it the longest at sea. The electric karts reach speeds of up to 48km/ h and as you whizz round the track, the ocean a blur in your peripheral vision, you won’t be able to stop the grin. If that gets the competitive streak going, head to the open air, post-apocalyptic-themed laser tag in a set-up resembling an abandoned spaceship, where “the fate of the world is in your hands”. You can play day or night . . . go for the latter option; playing in the dark will add a whole other level of adrenaline.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
If saving the world works up an appetite, you won’t need to worry about going hungry. There are more than 30 restaurants, cafes, lounges and The Aqua Park aboard the Norwegian Bliss (top); the ship; Stephanie Holmes wears a balaklava before racing go-karts (above). bars on board, including a steakhouse, an Italian cucina, a French bistro, a Mexican cafe and a chocolate dessert bar. Freestyle dining is encouraged, so you can eat when, where and with whoever you like. My favourites included the Q Smokehouse, a Texan barbecue specialty restaurant with melt-in-themouth short rib and brisket; and the seafood buffet at Gardens Cafe, with an abundance of oysters, giant prawns, ceviche, crab cakes, crab legs and more. The District Brew House is a hidden gem at the front of the ship, with more than 24 beers on tap, some bespoke brews only available aboard Norwegian Bliss.
OBSERVATION STATIONS
The Observation Lounge at the front of deck 15 offers 180-degree views from the comfort of an indoor armchair. There are more than 325sq m of floor to ceiling windows, which will come in handy when the ship cruises through Alaska — you won’t need to get chilly on deck to view the 4004 total passenger capacity 1716 crew
333.5m overall length (Auckland’s Sky Tower is 328m to the top of its antenna) 23.2 knots cruising speed 168,028 gross tonnage
20 decks
14 bars and lounges
24 labels of craft beers at the District Brew House wildlife. Guests of The Haven, an exclusive area at the top of the ship with the most luxurious accommodation and VIP extras, have their own version called the Horizon Lounge. It’s a twostorey forward-facing observation lounge giving breathtaking panoramic views and more peace and quiet, away from the hordes.
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Not only are there fantastic daily performances of eight-time Tony award-winning musical Jersey Boys and a replica Cavern Club with a Beatles tribute band; Bliss also features Happy Hour Prohibition — The Musical, an interactive show in the ship’s speakeasy-style bar; and Havana, a world-debut production from Tony Awardwinning director and choreographer Warren Carlyle. And if the shows inspire you to hit the dance floor yourself, you can choose from themed parties such as the silent disco, Latin-themed Caliente, and line-dancing under the stars at Nashville Nights & Lights.
To watch a video of Stephanie Holmes’ cruise aboard the Norwegian Bliss, go to nzherald.co.nz/travel