If you’re thinking about sailing Norwegian Bliss, you’re probably asking one important question: how does it compare in 2026? We answer that question and more in our Norwegian Bliss Review.
Just five days after stepping off the brand-new Norwegian Luna, I boarded Norwegian Bliss for a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise. I was curious to see how one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most popular ships would compare to its newest vessel.
This sailing also happened to be my friend Chad’s first-ever Norwegian cruise. Since we were celebrating his birthday, it gave us a unique perspective on everything Norwegian Bliss has to offer. In our Norwegian Bliss Review, we talk about the food, the drinks, the entertainment, and the overall atmosphere.
Our sailing wasn’t perfect. The ship was completely sold out during Spring Break with nearly 5,000 guests onboard. That gave us the opportunity to experience Norwegian Bliss at its busiest. Even with the crowds, we found a lot to love, so let’s take a look!
Norwegian Bliss Quick Facts
- Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
- Class: Breakaway Plus Class
- Entered Service: 2018
- Passenger Capacity: Approximately 4,000 guests
- Gross Tonnage: 168,028
- Homeports: Seattle, Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, and more
- Popular Itineraries: Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, and Panama Canal
- Signature Features: Observation Lounge, The Waterfront, Speedway Track, Vibe Beach Club
Watch Our Norwegian Bliss Review
Before diving into the details, be sure to check out our complete Norwegian Bliss review video where we cover everything we loved, didn’t love, and hated about our sailing.
What We Loved About Norwegian Bliss
Outstanding Dining Options
Food was easily one of the highlights of our cruise. We rarely visited the Garden Café buffet, not because the food wasn’t good, but because it was packed throughout the sailing. Instead, we found ourselves gravitating toward the Main Dining Rooms and The Local.
One surprising favorite was breakfast in the Main Dining Room. If you’re sailing Norwegian Bliss, do yourself a favor and order the biscuits and gravy.
For late-night snacks, lunch, or a quick bite, The Local remained one of our most-visited venues.
Specialty Restaurants Were Fantastic
Norwegian Bliss shines when it comes to specialty dining.
Cagney’s Steakhouse delivered an excellent meal and top-notch service.
La Cucina was originally our favorite dinner of the cruise… The spaghetti carbonara was excellent, and the meat lovers pizza was so good that Norwegian could probably sell it by the slice and make a fortune.
Food Republic ended up being our favorite spot. In fact, Chad and I liked it so much, we went back a second time! The calamari was incredible, the sushi was fresh, and the spicy Korean chicken quickly became a favorite.
If you’re debating whether specialty dining is worth the extra cost, our answer is yes.
Free at Sea Plus Was Worth It
One of the biggest perks of our cruise was upgrading to Free at Sea Plus. The unlimited Starbucks benefit quickly became one of our favorite parts of the package. Even when lines formed, service was incredibly efficient and we rarely waited more than a few minutes. We also appreciated the unlimited bottled waters from the bars and San Pellegrino at dinner. Plus, we sampled premium cocktails and wines, enjoyed champagne by the glass, and posted all about it with high-speed WiFi.
We break down each component in our Free at Sea Plus review and help you decide if it’s worth it for you. Short answer: we think it likely will be!
Entertainment Kept Us Busy
There was never a shortage of things to do onboard. The clear standout was Choir of Man, which continues to be one of the best shows at sea. Beyond the theater, we enjoyed:
- Song Emoji Trivia
- Morning Trivia
- Movie Trivia
- Officer Q&A Sessions
- Live Music
- Piano Performances
- Crew Talent Show
One of our favorite experiences was attending the Crew Talent Show. We always enjoy seeing crew members showcase talents guests rarely get to see during the cruise.
The Observation Lounge Is Still One of the Best at Sea
If there is one venue that defines Norwegian Bliss, it’s the Observation Lounge. During the day, it offers incredible ocean views and light snacks. At night, it transforms into one of the most relaxing spaces onboard. The comfortable seating, panoramic windows, and dedicated bar made this our favorite place to unwind throughout the cruise.
Whether you’re sailing Alaska, or even a warm-weather climate, the Observation Lounge is a fan-favorite on the Norwegian Bliss.
The Waterfront Remains a Standout Feature
Another feature we loved was The Waterfront. Located on Deck 8, this outdoor promenade wraps around portions of the ship and offers incredible ocean views. It’s the perfect place for reading a book or enjoying your morning coffee. We spent a lot of time here watching whales and other wildlife in Alaska. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to escape the crowds and watch sail away.
The Waterfront is one of our favorite features of Norwegian Cruise Line ships. It was perfect for both our warm weather and cooler weather sailings.
The Crew Was Exceptional
While the ship itself was impressive, the crew ultimately made the biggest impact on our experience. From bartenders and servers to officers and housekeeping staff, we encountered friendly faces throughout the voyage. Because we were celebrating Chad’s birthday, the crew went above and beyond to make him feel special. From birthday wishes to surprises in the stateroom, it was clear they genuinely cared about creating memorable experiences.
Special thanks to the crew members who helped make this sailing so enjoyable. I said it in the full review, but it’s worth repeating: I now understand why Norwegian Bliss has a cult-like following!
What We Didn’t Love About Norwegian Bliss
No cruise is perfect, and Norwegian Bliss was no exception. While we genuinely enjoyed our sailing, there were a few things prospective cruisers should know before booking.
Because we sailed during Spring Break, the ship was completely full with nearly 5,000 guests onboard. That meant crowded pool decks, long lines for popular entertainment like Choir of Man, and a buffet that was overly packed during peak meal times.
Like all Breakaway-class ships from Norwegian, the interior rooms are infuriatingly small, especially when it comes to the closet space. Stateroom hallways on Norwegian Bliss also feel narrow. Plus, we experienced a few maintenance issues on our sailing. Our stateroom’s “in-room” indicator was burnt out. Honestly, these were just minor frustrations throughout the week.
A handful of experiences also fell short of our expectations. Le Bistro wasn’t nearly as memorable as some of the other specialty restaurants. Icons: The Bands didn’t capture the audience the way Choir of Man did. And we noticed the music throughout the ship was often louder than we would have preferred.
Finally, there were a few small annoyances like the infamous Breakaway-class bathroom paper towel dispensers!
None of these issues ruined our vacation, but they’re worth considering when deciding if Norwegian Bliss is the right ship for you. The full review will be especially helpful if you’re planning to sail during Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another high-demand holiday.
Want the full story? In our Norwegian Bliss Review video, we dive deeper into everything we loved, didn’t love, and hated, including how the crowds impacted our overall rating.
Final Thoughts
There is a reason Norwegian Bliss has developed such a loyal following. The ship combines great food, great design, strong entertainment, and exceptional crew members into an experience that appeals to a wide variety of travelers.
Was our sailing perfect? No. Would we sail Norwegian Bliss again? Absolutely.
Just consider your sailing date carefully. If you can avoid the busiest holiday and Spring Break weeks, you’ll likely enjoy an even better experience than we did.
And if you do sail Norwegian Bliss, be sure to check out some of our favorites like the Observation Lounge (grab a Starbucks!) and Food Republic. Plus, don’t miss Choir of Man in the main theater.
Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.