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Norwegian Cruise Line takes delivery of Norwegian Bliss, custom-built for Alaska cruising

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Norwegian Bliss, custom-built for cruising to Alaska
Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of 168,028gt Norwegian Bliss, from Meyer Werft during a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany, Thursday marking the conclusion of an 18-month construction period.

In attendance were executives from Norwegian Cruise Line, including Andy Stuart, president and ceo, Harry Sommer, evp of international business development, Robin Lindsay, evp of vessel operations for the 16-ship fleet, representatives from Meyer Werft including Bernard and Tim Meyer, managing partners of the German-based shipyard, and the ship’s captain and hotel director.

Before cruising to Southampton, England to begin her transatlantic journey on April 21, Norwegian Bliss will undertake a two-day European inaugural preview cruise hosted by Stuart and Sommer.

Upon arrival to the US on May 3, the festivities for Bliss' inaugural US tour will commence with two-night preview events in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, and will conclude with a naming ceremony and sailing from her first homeport at Pier 66 in Seattle, Washington on May 30.

Following a three-day inaugural voyage with a call into the port of Victoria, British Columbia, she will return on June 2 and will then embark on her first seven-day voyage to Alaska.

'Norwegian Bliss is one of our most highly-anticipated ships to date, and today marks another exciting milestone for the newest and most innovative ship of our young and modern fleet,' said Stuart.

'The Meyer Werft team, along with our operations teams, ship officers and crew members, has done an incredible job bringing Norwegian Bliss to life and we cannot wait for guests to experience all she has to offer,' he added.

Custom-built for cruising to Alaska

'We’re happy to deliver another ship to Norwegian Cruise Line,' said Bernard Meyer, adding, 'we are extremely proud of our partnership of over 15 years and are confident that the first ship custom-built for cruising to Alaska will exceed the expectations of their guests.'

Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, is the first cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruising experience.

Many of Norwegian Joy's features including race track at sea

The newbuild sports the largest competitive race track at sea, a first for any North America-based cruise ship. The two-level electric-car race track sits at the top of deck 19, offering guests amazing views while twisting and turning at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour. Norwegian Joy was the first to add a race track at sea. 

Other features of Bliss include an open-air laser tag course and Aqua Racer waterslide, one of which extends over the edge of the ship and loops down to the deck below.  

New exclusive specialty dining and bar concepts include the debuting Texas smokehouse – Q, the cruise line’s first full-service Starbucks store at sea, and Coco’s – a chocolate and sweet treats shop.  

At The District Brew House, guests can enjoy a variety of craft cocktails and beers, including local Seattle favorites from Red Hook Brewery.

Entertainment offers includes theTony Award-winning Broadway musical, Jersey Boys, and ¡Havana! – an original musical theater show created and produced specifically for Norwegian Bliss.  

A variety of accommodations include luxurious suites in The Haven by Norwegian, studio staterooms for solo travelers with virtual ocean views, and plenty of connecting staterooms ideal for large groups and families.

Two expansive observation lounges, one exclusively accessible for Haven guests, will offer cruisers uninterrupted views of the sea and shore.

Beginning June 2018, Norwegian Bliss will spend her summer cruising seven-day voyages to Alaska, and fall season cruising to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles.

In winter of 2018, she will sail the Caribbean from Miami, and in the 2019 fall/winter season she will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.