Norwegian Bliss
{{Short description|Cruise ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = Norwegian Bliss | display title = ital }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Norwegian Bliss SE.jpg | Ship caption = Norwegian Bliss in Seattle, 2022 }} {{Infobox ship career | Ship country = Bahamas | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Bahamas|civil}} | Ship name = Norwegian Bliss | Ship owner = Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings | Ship operator = Norwegian Cruise Line | Ship registry = Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} | Ship ordered = July 2014{{cite web |url=http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/medien/presseticker/pressemitteilung_detail_17728.jsp |title=NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ORDERS TWO NEW SHIPS |date=14 July 2016 |accessdate=18 October 2016}} | Ship builder = Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany | Ship original cost = | Ship yard number = S.707{{cite web |url=http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/medien/presseticker/pressemitteilung_detail_23686.jsp |title=Steel cutting for Norwegian Bliss |date=28 October 2016 |accessdate=28 October 2016}} | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = | Ship launched = 17 February 2018 | Ship sponsor = Elvis Duran | Ship completed = 15 March 2018 | Ship christened = 30 May 2018 | Ship acquired = 21 April 2018 | Ship maiden voyage = 2 June 2018 | Ship in service = 21 April 2018 (including positioning voyages) | Ship out of service = | Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|9751509}}
| Ship fate = | Ship status = In service | Ship notes = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship class = Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship | Ship tonnage = *{{GT|168,028}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ncl.com/in/en/cruise-ship/bliss |title=NORWEGIAN BLISS |website=Norwegian Cruise Line |access-date=7 July 2018}}
| Ship displacement = | Ship length = {{convert|1,094|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|136|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship height = 217 ft (66 m) | Ship draught = {{convert|8.70|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} | Ship depth = | Ship decks = 20 | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship sail plan = | Ship power = *2 × MAN B&W 14V48/60CR
| Ship propulsion = | Ship speed = {{convert|22.5|kn |
| Ship capacity = 4,002 passengers (at Double Occupancy){{Cite web|url=https://www.ship-technology.com/projects/norwegian-bliss-cruise-ship/|title=Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship|website=Ship Technology}}
| Ship notes = Hull art designed by Wyland
}}
|}
Norwegian Bliss is a cruise ship for Norwegian Cruise Line, which entered service on 21 April 2018. The ship was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. The ship had a schedule of debuting in Alaska, United States in June 2018, and is designed for improved energy efficiency to meet Alaska's environmental regulations.{{cite web |url=http://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/Norwegian-Bliss-to-debut-in-Alaska-in-June-2018 |title=Norwegian Bliss to debut in Alaska in June 2018 |date=14 October 2016 |accessdate=18 October 2016}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/medien/presseticker/pressemitteilung_detail_23686.jsp|title=Steel cutting for Norwegian Bliss|date=28 October 2016|access-date=25 April 2017|publisher=Meyer Werft}}
History
Norwegian Cruise Line placed an order for a third Breakaway Plus cruise ship in July 2014. Construction started with steel cutting on 28 October 2016. Norwegian Bliss is the sister ship to {{ship||Norwegian Escape}}, {{ship||Norwegian Joy}}, and {{ship||Norwegian Encore}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncl.com/br/pt/travel-blog/norwegian-joy-to-join-sister-ship-bliss-in-alaska-2019|title=Norwegian Joy to Join Sister Ship Norwegian Bliss in Alaska Beginning Spring 2019 | Blog de viagem da NCL|website=www.ncl.com}}
On 29 November 2017, nationally syndicated radio and digital personality Elvis Duran was announced as her sponsor. Duran hosts the morning talk radio show, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. On-air, Duran also made the entire morning show (along with himself) "godparents" of the ship.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/travel-blog/norwegian-bliss-godfather-announced-elvis-duran|title=Elvis Duran Named Norwegian Bliss Godfather - NCL Travel Blog|publisher=|accessdate=3 June 2018}} Duran is the third godfather to any Norwegian vessel, only behind Pitbull and Wang Leehom, who sponsored sister ships Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy.
Norwegian Bliss{{'}} float-out was on 17 February 2018. The ship was towed from the building dock and berth at the outfitting pier to get her funnel.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18540-norwegian-bliss-floated-out-in-germany.html|title=Norwegian Bliss Floated Out in Germany|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=17 February 2018|access-date=19 February 2018|language=en-GB}}
The ship was delivered to NCL on 21 April 2018 when the CEO of NCL, Andy Stuart, signed the ship documents where Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings Limited took possession of the ship and started her inaugural voyage later on in the day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-ship-norwegian-bliss-makes-12631342|title=Cruise ship Norwegian Bliss makes history at christening ceremony in Seattle|first=Julie|last=Delahaye|date=1 June 2018|website=mirror}} She reached North America, approaching New York in the overnight hours of 3 May 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA_ayDBx_b8|title=New York, New York - Norwegian Bliss Maiden Arrival into New York City (2018)|website=YouTube |date=2 May 2018 }} The next day, a remote broadcast of Elvis Duran and his morning show took place.{{cite web|url=https://elvisduran.iheart.com/featured/elvis-duran/content/2018-05-04-our-adventures-aboard-norwegians-bliss/|title=Our Adventures Aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Bliss - Elvis Duran - Elvis Duran and the Morning Show|publisher=|accessdate=3 June 2018}} While sailing to Seattle, Washington from New York, Norwegian Bliss passed through the Panama Canal and became the largest cruise ship to ever transit it.{{Cite web|url=https://cruisefever.net/norwegians-new-cruise-ship-largest-to-ever-pass-through-panama-canal/|title=Norwegian's New Cruise Ship Largest to Ever Pass Through Panama Canal|website=cruisefever.net|date=16 May 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=11 July 2018}} The ship arrived in Seattle on 30 May 2018, and was officially christened later that same day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoNLvrCBfpo|title=Norwegian Bliss Christening|website=YouTube |date=30 May 2018 }}
Design
Norwegian Bliss has an overall length of {{convert|333.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, moulded beam {{convert|41.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and maximum draft {{convert|9.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The ship has gross tonnage of {{GT|168,028}} and deadweight of {{DWT|11,700}}. Norwegian Bliss has 20 decks and 2,220 cabins, and can carry 4,000 passengers.{{cite web|title=Norwegian Cruise Line To Debut New Ship Designed For Alaska Cruising In 2018 (NASDAQ:NCLH)|url=http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=993486|publisher=Norwegian Cruise Line|date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019214103/http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=993486|archive-date=19 October 2016}}
The hull art for Norwegian Bliss was designed by marine wildlife artist Robert Wyland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncl.com/press-releases/norwegian-cruise-line-reveals-wylands-visionary-hull-artwork-norwegian-bliss|title=Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Wyland's Visionary Hull Artwork for Norwegian Bliss|website=www.ncl.com|language=en|access-date=19 June 2018}} Wyland is best known for his "Whaling Wall" murals,{{Cite web|url=http://www.wylandfoundation.org/community.php?subsection=wyland_walls|title=Wyland Foundation's National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation|website=Wyland Foundation|language=en|access-date=19 June 2018}} in which he painted life-sized whales on 100 buildings all over the world.
Norwegian Bliss sailed on her inaugural cruise on 21 April 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/04/21/norwegian-cruise-line-ship-bliss-maiden-voyage-begins/538877002/ |title=Norwegian Bliss, biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship ever, begins maiden voyage |work=USA Today |last=Sloan |first=Gene |date=21 April 2018 |access-date=30 November 2022}} Norwegian Bliss sailed on Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles, California and cruises from Miami, Florida for her 2018 winter/spring season. For her 2019–2020 winter season, Norwegian Bliss sailed out from Manhattan, New York replacing her sister ship, Norwegian Escape, which moved back to Miami. Norwegian Bliss will sail to the Bahamas and eastern Florida, as well as longer cruises to the Caribbean, before repositioning to Seattle to resume cruising around Alaska in the summer of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18405-bliss-to-homeport-in-new-york-for-winter-2019-2020.html|title=Bliss to Homeport in New York for Winter 2019-2020|date=12 January 2018|work=Cruise Industry News |access-date=3 June 2018}}
Norwegian Bliss has five main engines with total output power of {{convert|102,900|hp|lk=on}}. The vessel has two MAN B&W 14V48/60CR, each with power of {{convert|22,520|hp|abbr=on}} and three MAN B&W 12V48/60CR, each with power of {{cvt|19,300|hp}}. The propulsion system is two ABB Azipod XO units with total power of 40 MW, which allows service speed of {{convert|22.5|kn|lk=in}}, while the maximum speed during trials exceeds {{convert|25.0|kn}}.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The engines are equipped with scrubbers and a heat recovery systems for improved energy efficiency.
Ship amenities
Norwegian Bliss has various themed dining areas and bars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/bliss/whats-on-board/specialty-dining |title=Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship Amenities {{!}} Onboard Experience {{!}} Norwegian Cruise Line|website=www.ncl.com|access-date=7 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncl.com/partners/margaritaville |title=Margaritaville at Sea & The Five O'Clock Somewhere Bar {{!}} Norwegian Cruise Line|website=www.ncl.com|access-date=7 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cavernclub.org/latest-news/the-cavern-teams-up-with-norwegian-cruise-lines-for-a-2nd-time/ |title=The Cavern teams up with Norwegian Cruise Lines for a 2nd time!|website=Cavern Club|date=June 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=7 December 2018}} The Tony Award winning musical, Jersey Boys, Along with Icons currently play in repertory on the ship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shermanstravel.com/advice/jersey-boys-will-headline-on-norwegian-bliss |title="Jersey Boys" Will Headline on Norwegian Bliss | ShermansTravel|first=ShermansTravel|last=Media |website=www.shermanstravel.com}} The Bliss and the Encore each have an electric go-kart track.{{cite web |title=Go-Karts on Norwegian Cruise Line |url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3313 |website=www.cruisecritic.com | date=14 May 2024 |language=en-us}}
=Route=
File:Norwegian Bliss docking in Juneau, Alaska on April 17, 2023.jpg, on April 17, 2023]]
Following the christening, she sailed Alaska cruises with the first departure occurring on 2 June 2018,{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/florida-cruise-guide/os-ae-norwegian-bliss-back-to-florida-20181116-story.html |title=Norwegian Bliss makes way back to Florida|first=Richard|last=Tribou |website=orlandosentinel.com|date=16 November 2018 }} then at New York.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/01/15/giant-new-cruise-ship-norwegian-bliss-sail-new-york/1032468001/ |title=Giant new cruise ship Norwegian Bliss to sail from New York|first=Gene|last=Sloan|website=USA TODAY}} On 24 October 2018, on a Diverted Baja Peninsular (Originally Mexican Rivera) cruise, she visited San Diego for the first time. Upon docking, she became the largest ship to dock at the port's facilities in terms of passenger capacity and length, superseding the 2013 docking of {{ship||Celebrity Solstice}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/09/30/norwegian-bliss-biggest-cruise-ship-los-angeles/1458434002/ |title=With arrival of Norwegian Bliss, Los Angeles gets its biggest cruise ship ever|first=Gene|last=Sloan |website=USA TODAY}} The vessel began sailing in November 2018 from Miami.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/11/17/norwegian-bliss-cruise-ship-begins-voyages-miami/2037559002/ |title=Norwegian Bliss: Biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship ever begins sailing from Miami|first=Gene|last=Sloan |website=USA TODAY}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{official website}}
{{Breakaway class}}
{{Norwegian Cruise Line}}