Shadowmeboy's "Bliss"ful Eastern Caribbean Pictorial Cruise Review

[shadowmeboy]

 

Maria got the Shrimp and Mushroom Alfredo

 

 

Susan got the same but without the Mushroom.

 

 

Trace and I both got the Mozzarella and Basil Stuffed Chicken Breast. We had a hard time finding where they stuffed it. It was good but not spectacular.

 

 

I had to get the Breaded Flounder Fillet as I had not had it at all this cruise.

 

 

Dessert menu - I was not happy. I had wanted a molten chocolate lava cake and they didn't offer it tonight. 

 

 

Café Pot de Creme

 

 

Ice Cream

 

 

Raspberry Truffle Cake

 

We finished up and decided to finish packing. Then just hung out in the room the rest of the night.

 

End of Day 7

[ggTexasGal]

Shadowmeboy,  thank you for posting the Freestyle Daily each day!  Very helpful for planning upcoming cruise planners.

 

You take wonderful photos... again, our thanks!

[coach jim]

Fantastic review of your voyage.  Loved the photos and your inclusion of the dailies. We travel on the Bliss in Feb. so this was a big help.  Thank you for taking the time to do this and Happy New Year!

[david_sobe]

Loving this review!

[steelernation1]

Thank you for a great review. I really enjoyed it. We are cruising on the Bliss in February.

Happy New Year to you and Susan.

 

 

[donnyo1997]

Shadowmeboy great review with awesome pictures. Cruising on Bliss in February and this is a big help.

 

Quick question. On a past NCL cruises when we made reservations for comedy shows we used the NCL app or the kiosks once we boarded. I heard on the Bliss that you make reservations using a paper form and are only allowed to make two reservations.  Is this true?

[shadowmeboy]

On ‎12‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 5:39 AM, ggTexasGal said:

Shadowmeboy,  thank you for posting the Freestyle Daily each day!  Very helpful for planning upcoming cruise planners.

 

You take wonderful photos... again, our thanks!

 

I know that Dailies posted on other reviews have been helpful for me, so I want to return the favor.

 

Thank you for the complement.

 

On ‎12‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 6:17 AM, coach jim said:

Fantastic review of your voyage.  Loved the photos and your inclusion of the dailies. We travel on the Bliss in Feb. so this was a big help.  Thank you for taking the time to do this and Happy New Year!

 

Thank you for your kind words. I am glad I could help you out!

 

On ‎12‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 7:06 AM, david_sobe said:

Loving this review!

 

Thank you!

[shadowmeboy]

8 hours ago, steelernation1 said:

Thank you for a great review. I really enjoyed it. We are cruising on the Bliss in February.

Happy New Year to you and Susan.

 

 

 

Thank you. Happy New Year to you as well!

[shadowmeboy]

4 hours ago, donnyo1997 said:

Shadowmeboy great review with awesome pictures. Cruising on Bliss in February and this is a big help.

 

Quick question. On a past NCL cruises when we made reservations for comedy shows we used the NCL app or the kiosks once we boarded. I heard on the Bliss that you make reservations using a paper form and are only allowed to make two reservations.  Is this true?

 

Thank you.

 

We had Trace make the Comedy reservation through the concierge. I was watching Sea Cruisers YouTube video of the sailing after ours and yes they used paper forms in the comedy club. I am not sure if you can use the screens.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

Day 8 - Disembarkation/Long Travel Day

 

 

Breakfast the final morning in Savor. Note the abbreviated Disembarkation menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry yogurt parfait

 

 

Susan got a Strawberry one.

 

 

I was glad there was Eggs Benedict.

 

 

Susan got Pancakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We gathered up our final things to go meet with Trace and Maria.

 

 

We left our room and headed toward Trace and Maria's room.

 

 

We passed an accessible midship balcony and took a quick peek.

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

we passed through on deck 8.

 

 

we met up with trace and Maria in their room.

 

 

Kelly, the butler, stopped by and Trace and Maria got a picture with him!

 

Once Trace and Maria had heir stuff together, we headed for the gangway.

 

 

 

 

Susan is sad to go.

 

 

 

The construction of the New Terminal B, Norwegian's terminal.

 

 

Trace and Maria were waiting for us. Too many pictures I guess.

 

 

Once outside, we had to find where to catch the shuttle to the car rental facility for Trace's car rental through Nationwide. If you have a car reservation at MIA through one of several companies, you can catch a shuttle for free to the airport to pick up the car. You will need a copy of your reservation.

 

 

 

It was about 9:45 and a mad house.

 

 

 

NCL officials investigating/inspecting the drop slide.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

We finally got on the third shuttle.

 

 

Trace being silly! We had him repeat this pose several times. I also told him it would be making this review. Here you go Trace!

 

 

 

We picked up the rental car, packed all the crap, I mean bags, and headed out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2019 by shadowmeboy

[shadowmeboy]

 

We headed down the MacArthur Causeway (Florida A1A) along the cruise ships.

 

 

 

 

I was dodging cars, light poles, signs and other obstructions.

 

 

At least I was trying too!

 

 

 

 

We all shed a tear as we passed by the Bliss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

We headed into Miami Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started to make our way to Little Havana for a lunch spot I had found.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got into Little Havana

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to La Esquina de la Fama restaurant.

 

 

They had a buffet you could enjoy or you could order.

 

 

Mojitos with dry ice in the bottom

 

 

 

Maria got a Cubano with plantain chips.

 

 

ours we got with fries.

 

 

The sandwiches were massive and totally awesome.

 

 

 

note the specials behind Trace.

 

 

 

 

 

Trace analyzing the Mojito.

 

 

It was very good but a bit on the spendy side. I suggest sharing the fries or going sans fries to reduce the cost. The Mojitos were totally worth it though.

 

We headed to Fort Lauderdale via Miami Beach.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

back by the ships!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

We traveled the A1A up to Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to where Trace and Maria were spending the night, they checked in, and we hung until it was time to take us to the airport. We were tracking the flight coming from Seattle, and it was delayed 45 minutes, so we waited a bit longer. Finally, we headed to FLL.

 

 

 

 

 

Terminal 1 for Alaska!

 

 

We checked in, checked the bags, and headed to the boarding area. No Alaska Lounge here at FLL.

[shadowmeboy]

 

We were departing from gate C9.

 

 

Plane pulling in!

 

 

 

The plane was a Boeing 737-800. Alaska operates a Boeing fleet except those planes acquired with the merger with Virgin America.

 

 

 

 

We boarded and got settled.

 

 

pushing back.

 

 

 

 

 

taxiing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for a plane to land. The bright light in the sky on the left is the plane landing.

 

 

 

Our turn!

 

 

 

Off we go!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

Part of Port Everglades

 

 

 

 

We headed slightly North along the Coast

 

 

Before turning Northwest!

 

 

 

Heading over the black of the Everglades

 

Several hours later, after Dinner, a short nap, a movie, and several rum and cokes, we were making final approach from the North into Seattle.

 

 

 

 

Boeing airplanes lined up along King County International Airport aka Boeing Field.

 

 

 

South Seattle/Tukwila

 

 

 

 

Arriving into SeaTac!

 

 

We have touchdown!

 

We pulled into the gate, collected our stuff, went to baggage claim, got our bags, went outside to catch the hotel shuttle, and froze.

 

We left high 70's/low 80's in Miami. It was a nice 37 in Seattle. brrrrr.

 

We finally made it to the Best Western Seattle Airport hotel. We always stay her when we are flying in/out of SeaTac. They offer great rates and park & fly packages. I highly recommend them. They have an awesome complementary breakfast as well!

 

 

Hi Bed!

 

 

Susan turning the heat up!

 

It was almost 2 am est and we were exhausted. We got ready for bed and hit the sack.

 

End of Day 8

[Kiwis Afloat]

I have just finished reading your entire review and I have thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you for taking so much time to complete it. I will look out for your next one. 🙂

[luvcruzing]

Great review, as always. Thank you. Happy New Year.

[kelleyfarms]

Thanks for the fantastic review.  Always do a great job and enjoy your great pictures.  Looking forward to our Panama 

Canal trip on the Bliss the end of March.  Hope you both have a very Happy New Year!!!   

 

John

[deedle7544]

Great review!  And I love the WA pictures, I have a very good friend who lives in North Bend!

[Leo T]

Hi Matthew. There were fantastic days when I could enjoy every evening a new portion of your great review. It was almost like I got the second cruise looking on pictures of the places that we passed during that memorable week. And I was very sorry when it like in real cruise came to the last day. Thank you for all group activities that you've organized and I wish only the best to you and Susan in 2019.

Leo. 

[shadowmeboy]

Day 9 - Travel to Home 

 

Susan and I woke up at decent time feeling a lot better after our long travel day the day before. We had told my parents we were going to meet them for breakfast up by where they live in Everett, WA.

 

When Staying at the Best Western Airport Hotel, we typically have Breakfast there since it has one of the best complementary breakfasts we have found in our travels. Since we were meeting my parents, we wouldn't be eating there today.

 

Here are some pictures of the Hotel I took previously. I wanted to include these since I didn't get very good pictures being so tired the night before.

 

Best Western Seattle Airport Hotel

 

 

King room

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast area

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Desk

 

We highly recommend this Hotel as a place to stay in the Seattle area, especially pre or post cruise. Free shuttle to/from the light rail and airport. Easy Uber/Lyft/Taxi ride to the cruise pier.