We Spent 7 Days on the Norwegian Bliss—Here's What You Need to Know

Thinking about booking the Norwegian Bliss for an Alaska cruise? Before you drop thousands of dollars on a balcony cabin, there’s something you need to know. Norwegian Cruise Line sends three massive Breakaway-Plus ships to Alaska — the Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy — and while they look very similar, they don’t all sail the same itinerary. That’s where many travelers fall into what we call the “Sister Ship Trap.” In this video we break down what it’s really like to sail one of these close to 5,000-passenger mega ships in Alaska. We spent 7 days investigating whether the Norwegian Bliss actually works for Alaska cruising — or if a ship this big turns the wilderness into a floating Las Vegas. We’ll cover the ship itself, the entertainment, dining, activities, and the one design feature that might actually make the Bliss better for Alaska than many smaller ships. What We Cover In This Video 0:00 – Intro: The Norwegian Bliss “Identity Crisis” 1:34 – The Sister Ship Itinerary Trap (Bliss vs Encore vs Joy) 5:19 – First Impressions of the Ship 7:22 -- Dining Options on the Bliss 13:59 – Entertainment & Shows 18:36 – Casino, Go-Karts, Water Slides & Top-Deck Activities 21:09 -- The Observation Lounge & Waterfront Promenade & The District Brewhouse 23:32 – Who These Ships Are Actually Best For Planning Your First Alaska Cruise? If you're getting ready for an Alaska cruise, we’ve put together an entire playlist to help you plan: ✔ What to pack for Alaska cruises ✔ The biggest mistakes first-time Alaska cruisers make ✔ Tips and tricks to make the most of glacier days 👉 Watch the Alaska Cruise Tips playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEXn53w4tmF-4mmCkiv2rmYEvT0Db1YJS Subscribe for More Cruise Tips We review cruise ships, share smart travel tips, and help you avoid expensive cruise mistakes so you can have an incredible vacation every time. 🔔 Subscribe to Cruising with Kristie https://www.youtube.com/@cruisingwithkristie?sub_confirmation=1 The links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to use them. Cruise Essentials 1. Magnet hooks and Strong Magnets https://amzn.to/3OngyQP and https://amzn.to/47ZZUQn 2. Hanging toiletry bags https://amzn.to/4kxxGSu 3. 2 ounce Travel sized containers for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. https://amzn.to/4m7pOY3 4. Elastic Sleeves for leak proofing https://amzn.to/3rUKEn6 5. Foldable mesh hampers https://amzn.to/47i5E9W 6. Non surge protected power bars https://amzn.to/3rWPIrd 7. Mini fan https://amzn.to/43UDnkC 8. Motion detector night light https://amzn.to/43XLX1U 9. Poo-Pouri Toilet Spray https://amzn.to/3s0xVPD 10. Bonine Non-Drowsy Motion Sickness Medicine https://amzn.to/3JR78OR 11. Luggage Tags https://amzn.to/3OF2LpV 12. Downey Wrinkle Release https://amzn.to/3Ks6nsV 13. Packing Cubes (LOVE!) https://amzn.to/3Kps2Sw 14. USB C Charger Block (LOVE) https://amzn.to/4ctb15m 15. Space Saver Bags https://amzn.to/3HzWryT 16. Belkin BoostCharge Pro Flex Braided USB-C to USB-C Cable (3M/10FT) (Make sure that you have plugs for USB-C if you are purchasing this cable) https://amzn.to/4c7uHwk 17. iWALK Small Portable Charger 4500mAh Ultra-Compact Power Bank https://amzn.to/4340MkP 18. Gear Tie Reusable 3-Inch Rubber Twist Tie https://amzn.to/3PcmU6O 19.Luggage Scale https://amzn.to/48Jpo3e 20.Travel Toothbrush Head Covers with Suction Cup https://amzn.to/49WzuyM 21. Travel Toothbrush Head Cover for Oral B Electric or Regular Toothbrush https://amzn.to/4389ApN 22. Steripod Razor-Clip-On Razor Protector https://amzn.to/3IqA38p 23. WANDF Travel Backpack that goes under the seat https://amzn.to/4kKq5Qv 24. mixi Carry On Luggage https://amzn.to/3ZcrxTr