WIESBADEN - Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Norwegian Bliss, the brand's sixteenth ship, will set sail for the Cruise Capital of the World after her inaugural summer season in Alaska, to seasonally homeport in Miami in winter 2018. Beginning on 17 November 2018, Norwegian Bliss will sail seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday from PortMiami, featuring calls in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Bliss’ custom design will offer guests the freedom and flexibility to “imagine Bliss” and create their ideal experience at sea, with a wide variety of accommodations including luxurious suites in The Haven by Norwegian, Studio staterooms for solo travellers with virtual ocean views, and new connecting staterooms ideal for large groups and families traveling together. Norwegian Bliss will also feature two observation lounges, including one exclusive to guests of The Haven, perfect for whale watching in Alaska or taking in sunsets in the Caribbean.
“We are incredibly excited to announce that we are once again bringing our newest and most innovative ship to Miami, with the arrival of Norwegian Bliss in November 2018," said Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “As the Caribbean is our most sought-after winter destination, there was no question that Norwegian Bliss would sail from Miami. This incredibly dynamic ship will offer stunning ocean views from almost every venue, spacious and thoughtfully designed accommodations that fit with every cruiser’s needs, and a variety of exciting and engaging venues that will continue Norwegian’s history of innovation in providing the ultimate dining and entertainment experiences at sea.”
At a ceremony held at the company’s corporate offices in Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. President and CEO Frank Del Rio and Mr. Stuart shared the exciting news, alongside Miami-Dade County officials.
“PortMiami is proud to be recognized as the Cruise Capital of the World, welcoming more passengers than any other port in the world,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “I welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s continued growth in Miami-Dade County. Cruise lines and their passengers are vital to the continual economic growth and development of the tourism industry in our community. We look forward to welcoming the Norwegian Bliss in winter 2018.”
“Norwegian has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 50 years,” said PortMiami Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla. “We couldn’t be prouder to be the homeport of the Norwegian Bliss, the cruise line’s sixteenth ship. We are grateful to Norwegian for entrusting PortMiami with its newest and most innovative ship. We truly look forward to the ship’s arrival in 2018.”
En route to Miami following the completion of her Alaska cruising season, Norwegian Bliss will sail one five-night Pacific Coastal sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles on 30 September, with an overnight stay in Vancouver and calls in Victoria, British Columbia and San Francisco. Norwegian Bliss’ seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises will feature calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, adding Ensenada, Mexico on its eight-night itinerary. For those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise experience, Norwegian Bliss will depart Los Angeles on 3 November for a 14-night journey to Miami through the new locks of the recently expanded Panama Canal, with calls in Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia.
The same features that make Norwegian Bliss the ideal ship for the ultimate Alaska experience will also allow guests to experience the Caribbean like never before. The crown jewel of these features is an incredible 180 degree Observation Lounge, located at the front of the ship on deck 15. Spanning 20,000 square feet, the sprawling Observation Lounge will be a breath-taking experience, offering floor-to-ceiling windows that will be the perfect spot from which to take in the stunning sunset views of the beautiful islands of the Caribbean during her winter season or the awe-inspiring glaciers and vistas of Alaska in the summer. The lounge, designed with rich woods and a silver and grey colour palate, will offer an abundance of plush, modern seating including couches and chaise lounges to take in the view, along with a 360 degree polished aluminium and quartz-topped central bar where guests can enjoy fine cocktails and spirits.
In the spirit of Norwegian’s long history of innovation, Norwegian Bliss will have accommodations for everyone on board, with options ranging from staterooms designed for solo travellers, family-friendly connecting staterooms, ultra-chic suites and more. Norwegian’s signature ship-within-a-ship concept, The Haven by Norwegian®, will once again adorn the top of the ship with 80 ultra-luxurious suites. The exclusive key-card access three-story enclave on decks 17 -19 will be a secluded paradise with a private restaurant with outdoor terrace, private lounge with a dedicated mixologist, courtyard area with retractable roof that features a pool, two whirlpools, sauna, spa treatment rooms and sunbathing deck. All suites in the Haven will enjoy the services of a butler and a private concierge, as well as priority access to reservations, VIP embarkation and disembarkation, exclusive reserved seating in the ship's theatre and much more.
Guests staying in The Haven on Norwegian Bliss will take in luxury, style and stunning views with their very own exclusive two-story Haven Observation Lounge, a brand new feature for The Haven, which will feature expansive 180 degree views from two decks, the same as the ship’s officers’ experience from the Bridge, and beverage service.
Each suite in The Haven by Norwegian® will feature crisp ultra-luxurious modern furnishings in rich wood tones, accented by custom stonework, marble-topped nightstands and vanities, and indulgent linens. Suite options will include the largest and most luxurious suites on board, The Haven Deluxe Owner's Suites, which will have a new look and feel with an indulgent cream and grey colour scheme, include captain’s views and two spacious balconies. Additional Haven suites include The Haven Two-Bedroom Family Villa, The Haven Courtyard Penthouse, The Haven Deluxe Spa Suite, The Haven Forward and Aft-facing Penthouses and the all-new The Haven Suite that can connect with a Balcony stateroom, so large families and groups are able to be accommodated with ease.
Norwegian Bliss will also feature new connecting stateroom options across stateroom categories - ideal for large groups and families traveling together who want to enjoy quality time together at sea. The ship’s 308 Mini-Suites are designed for guests looking to enjoy a little more of a spacious experience at sea featuring larger bathrooms than a standard Balcony stateroom with some offering bathtubs, and a balcony for gazing out to sea. Designed to offer guests near constant views of the sea, Norwegian Bliss will have 1,088 Balcony staterooms that feature plush decor in soothing cool tones, along with a sofa, vanity and desk area and coffee maker. Norwegian Bliss will also include 111 ocean view staterooms that feature large picturesque windows to take in the spectacular sea views.
Solo travellers can enjoy Norwegian’s popular award-winning Studio staterooms aboard Norwegian Bliss, now with virtual ocean views. The Studio staterooms include thought-out features and amenities designed and priced for solo travellers. The Studio complex is comprised of 82 staterooms, accessible by private key card-entry with access to a private lounge exclusively for Studio guests with snack service, board games and a member of the Cruise Staff dedicated to leading solo traveller meet ups and activities. All staterooms feature a full-sized bed, a window to the corridor, and separate areas for toilet, sink, and shower. Select Studios connect, perfect for single friends traveling together.
Norwegian Bliss’ also offers 374 inside staterooms, which include two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed. Select Inside staterooms also have up to two additional Pullman beds to accommodate families. All rooms feature USB plugs.
