Calling a ship ‘Bliss’ is setting a high bar when it comes to cruise holidays. But the latest launch from Norwegian Cruise Lines is aiming to prove that anything all-inclusive resorts can do, they can do better — and with a view which changes every day.
From the two-level race track on the top deck to 27 different dining options, waterslides to get your heart racing and entertainment including West End show Jersey Boys to get your feet tapping, plus a spa, waterpark, laser tag and kids’ clubs, the new Norwegian Bliss is on a mission to convince reluctant cruisers that it’s time to embark.
“What land-based resort can offer you this choice of activities, of dining, of entertainment?” says Nick Wilkinson, vice president and managing director UK & Ireland.
“I feel we’re bridging the gap to entice people from a land-based all-inclusive into our resort-style ships. Families who have never thought of cruising suddenly realise there’s a full-blown race track on there. Suddenly it changes their perspective of what a cruise offers, there is something for every age. A cruise ship is now a real resort.”
With 48 hours on board, as part of the ship’s inaugural sailing from the shipyard where she was built in Germany back to Southampton, I put that theory to the test on the cruise line’s largest ship, including getting behind the wheel at the famous race track, the longest at sea.
Fresh from a safety briefing and buckled in to an electric car — a go kart by any other name — I pulled on a helmet and hit the boost button to challenge NCL’s assertion that you can reach 30mph on the 300 metre-long track.
With high-sided walls for safety, it’s a thrill to emerge from the lower level pits to the open air track knowing that 19 decks below is the sea.
I lost track of the number of laps our group whizzed around before the chequered flag was waved to come back in; grinning and feeling smug at having overtaken one person, I can imagine wanting to hand over the five dollar fee more than once in a cruise.
But if the race track is the headline grabber, there are plenty of more sedate attractions as well, most covered by the cruise’s Premium All-Inclusive price tag — from drinks and dining, to tips, 60 minutes of WiFi, most of the onboard activities, entertainment, plus some additional extras if you book in to one of the suites or the exclusive Haven area.
Aside from some surcharges on the specialty dining, mostly at an a la carte rate, and extras for the laser tag and spa, it’s still easy to avoid paying a single penny more if you want too.
Four restaurants, including a buffet, offer flexible dining, while you’re certainly not short of choice for drinks, with a mojito bar (try the raspberry and guava) and others specialising in wine, whisky and cocktails galore.
It’s distinctly hard to resist all the optional extras though, especially ice cream at Dolce Gusto, chocolate and freakshakes at Coco’s, fresh fish at Ocean Blue and a very tempting menu from Food Republic, with everything from ceviche to sushi.
With a limited number of day passes at around £45 for the Mandara spa, where heated loungers look out to the waves and an ice room and salt room accompany the saunas and steam, even relaxation comes with a manageable price tag.
Or amble in my footsteps for free around the open-air Waterfront deck, stopping now and then to gaze out over the sea, before chilling out in the over-21s beach club Spice H20, sun deck and Observation Lounge with its huge 180 degree floor-to-ceiling windows.
Designed particularly for passengers on the Alaska itineraries, where the scenery is too good to miss but the temperatures might encourage you inside, I got to enjoy some stunning sunsets from a velvet chaise longue.
And when I wanted to be alone? My own personal space to watch the waves, from my stateroom balcony.
The room itself is designed to make the most of the available space, complete with hugely comfortable bed, while the bathrooms are surprisingly spacious, with double sinks and a multifunction shower, including a variety of additional sprays and nozzles.
Splashing out, there’s the ultra-luxurious Owner’s Suite with a butler to cater to your every whim and a huge balcony terrace. And as one of the first cruise lines to focus on solo travellers, NCL’s newest ship also has a number of Studio Staterooms, including exclusive access to the Studio Lounge.
These are appealing to more than single travellers, explains Wilkinson. “Multigenerational families is a growth market; grandparents don’t want to share with the family, they have their own space.”
As a result, the ship has everything from adults-only areas and evening entertainment such as the Cavern Club, with its Beatles tribute band, down to kids’ clubs for babies aged from six months.
Even the onboard water parks appeal to different ages — pool, splash zone for younger kids and two huge slides for older thrill-seekers. Ocean Loops extends 11 feet over the side and stretches 159 feet above the water. I wasn’t sure whether to be glad or sorry I didn’t have have chance to try it.
Teens have their own area, called Entourage, supervised but designed to be hands-off — there are activities and video games for those who would like them, or space to sit around, chat and use up that hour of WiFi for those who don’t.
And the huge open-plan Splash Academy, which forms the main kids’ club area for ages three to 12, is cleverly sectioned up for three different age groups to try their hand at everything from crafts and games to treasure hunts and circus skills.
With children’s menus in the speciality restaurants too, there’s nothing to stop smaller gourmets accompanying parents in the evening, but as complimentary kids’ club sessions run until 10.30pm, suddenly a quiet dinner a deux is back on the cards while smaller cruisers play. Bliss indeed.
