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NCL BLISS REVIEW- 3-16-3-23 W/TIPS

lattegirl10

By lattegirl10,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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lattegirl10 Great Review Rare

lattegirl10

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Hello all, just got off the Bliss and it was fantastic! I went with my husband, son (16), and two nephews 15 and 17 years old.  My perspective is from young 40ish year olds, who have have cruised Symphony of the Seas, Allure, Harmony, Oasis on RCCL and Getaway and Escape plus others on NCL.  We also cruised Disney and Carnval Breeze a couple of years ago as well.  I will insert several tips for future cruisers as well.

 

Embarkation - Super easy.  I had my two nephews and thought that it would be a hassle with the consent form but when I provided their passports they asked for the consent forms with the parents driver's license and that's it.  We got there at 10:15am and were in boarding group 3.  My mission was to get there early so I could get to the Social to sign up for the race cars and lazer tags for the kids.  I was successful.

 

Sign-ups/registration for Race Track/Lazer tag and Comedy-  Ok, Day 1, hour 1 was the most hectic experience I have ever had on a cruise ship ever. Rushing downstairs to get to the Social to register was nerve recking.  They kept telling us that only one person need to be in line to register, but I have 3 teens.  Also, you need to coordinate the times with your other reservations for dining and shows.  If you have another adult with you, have one person register for the cars/lazer tag and have the other stand in line for the Comedy.  Take a deep breath and know that planning in the beginning will pay off for the rest of the cruise.  Do not explore ship or eat first, you have all week for that.

 

Wifi/NCL App-  We paid beforehand for the Social Media package for the boys, for I think $87 each, and it was all that was needed for them.  We also bought on the first day the text option for the NCL app so we could communicate while on board.  It's $9.95 a person an worth it.  You should visit the Wifi area after registering for the GC/LT, the connection is poor in the interior of the ship with your regular service.  

 

Dining- I love, love, love all of NCL food options, We ate at the Hibachi restaurant that was superb, Cagneys was excellent and Q.  By the time we ate at Q, we were so full from the delicious food from everywhere else we could barely it.  I had the Salmon at Q and it was great.  Just too full.... I rate the food overall as a 9 and I was on Symphony of the Seas on RCCL in November. I ate at Taste and Savor for breakfast and dinner and was super satisfied with the service and quality of food.  

 

Casino- This ship really delivered.  Within the first 10 minutes of the Casino opening someone won $22,000 on a slot. Holy Crap.. I didn't believe it then I met a person who sat next to the guy who won, and they were pissed at themselves.  I saw multiple handpays (wins over $1200) and both my husband and I won big (over a thousand) on multiple nights playing only a $1.20 bet.  I think the more people complained about the machines being tight the more they adjusted the machines.  

 

Temperature of the Ship-  This is for packing purposes, I didn't need a jacket but some nights it was breezy.

 

Go Carts/Lazer tag-  The go carts are so worth it.  I understand the nominal fee.  If you have something that fun, I would want to go over and over again.  That fee and reserving slots regulates that.  The cars are faster than I thought and be aware of sharp curves.  Super fun.  The boys did lazer tag twice as well and had fun both nights.  If your kids are into Fortnite they will love this.

 

Teen Entourage-  Like I said earlier, I brought  15,16 and 17 years on this cruise.  They enjoyed having somewhere to go and hang out and explore.  I think they ate at the Local 3-4 times a day.  

 

Shows- Did not do, to busy winning in the casino... LOL! 

 

Thermal Spa-  Worth the money to get away and relax and get in a therapy pool and go to the sauna, steam and snow room.   

 

Comedy Show- Reserved the 18+ show, it was sooo funny.  Worth it!

 

Let me know if this is helpful.  I'll continue tonight.

 

 

 

 

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Sensenigr

Sensenigr

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Thank you for the lovely review.  I am so glad you had a great time. I will be on the ship in less than a week. 

 

I do plan on immediately going to book the shows, laser tag and go-karts.  Did you see a line for the Vibe Passes in the social as well? 

 

I'm looking forward to the food, and I'm so glad you had an amazing time.

 

 

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lattegirl10 Great Review Rare

lattegirl10

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The Vibe was sold out when we got there.  Priority  boarding goes first- Haveners, High latituders, handicapped or people with trouble walking or getting around.  So if you fall under one of those categories you may have a chance.

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sarajean

sarajean

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2 hours ago, lattegirl10 said:

 

 

Sign-ups/registration for Race Track/Lazer tag and Comedy-  Ok, Day 1, hour 1 was the most hectic experience I have ever had on a cruise ship ever. Rushing downstairs to get to the Social to register was nerve recking.  They kept telling us that only one person need to be in line to register, but I have 3 teens.  Also, you need to coordinate the times with your other reservations for dining and shows.  If you have another adult with you, have one person register for the cars/lazer tag and have the other stand in line for the Comedy.  Take a deep breath and know that planning in the beginning will pay off for the rest of the cruise.  Do not explore ship or eat first, you have all week for that.

 

 

Can you tell me where the Social is Located?  And if possibly the best way to get there.

And do you know if you can reserve for other cabins, there are 6 couples traveling together.

Thank you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sensenigr

Sensenigr

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45 minutes ago, lattegirl10 said:

The Vibe was sold out when we got there.  Priority  boarding goes first- Haveners, High latituders, handicapped or people with trouble walking or getting around.  So if you fall under one of those categories you may have a chance.

 

Thank you...but the line for the "chance" was down in the social, correct?

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david_sobe

david_sobe

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Looking forward to this review.  Great start.  Wow, what a night in the casino.  Lightening strikes once in a while.  That is a big jackpot for a slot on a cruise ship.  $87 x 3 for social media for teenagers.  OMG let the generational gap show on this one coming from someone who does almost no social media at all.  Social media for teens is almost like oxygen I guess :classic_ohmy:

 

Bliss looks like a great ship but what happened to freestyle cruising with such a mad rush for all the bookings :classic_angry:

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Ella2

Ella2

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Thanks for the great review!

 

Question on booking the go karts...I've read about the interactive screens by the elevators that should be used for booking, is that not the case now?  Or is that another option?

 

And you are saying the comedy shows are booked at the Social as well?  Are THOSE available to book on the interactive screens, or just go karts and laser tag?

 

Thanks for any insight!

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Daytonasailor

Daytonasailor

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9 hours ago, Ella2 said:

Thanks for the great review!

 

Question on booking the go karts...I've read about the interactive screens by the elevators that should be used for booking, is that not the case now?  Or is that another option?

 

And you are saying the comedy shows are booked at the Social as well?  Are THOSE available to book on the interactive screens, or just go karts and laser tag?

 

Thanks for any insight!

 

9 hours ago, Ella2 said:

Thanks for the great review!

 

Question on booking the go karts...I've read about the interactive screens by the elevators that should be used for booking, is that not the case now?  Or is that another option?

 

And you are saying the comedy shows are booked at the Social as well?  Are THOSE available to book on the interactive screens, or just go karts and laser tag?

 

Thanks for any insight!

As soon as we got on board last week, we hit the interactive screen to book the carts. After entering the information, it kept showing "not accepted". We then went to stand in line in the booking room to make the resv. It went well till I checked my account on the TV screen. It showed  4 charges of $9.95 instead of two charges. I went to customer service and they gave a credit of $9.95 twice. Remember to check your account daily for possible errors.

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lattegirl10 Great Review Rare

lattegirl10

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17 hours ago, Ella2 said:

Thanks for the great review!

 

Question on booking the go karts...I've read about the interactive screens by the elevators that should be used for booking, is that not the case now?  Or is that another option?

 

And you are saying the comedy shows are booked at the Social as well?  Are THOSE available to book on the interactive screens, or just go karts and laser tag?

 

Thanks for any insight!

You can book in the Social and/or on the screens by the elevators.  By the time I got on the ship it was a group around the screen trying to figure it out.  I thought I would have a better chance of getting what I wanted with staff.  The line wasn't that bad, but make sure you know your availability so the times to conflict with dinner or shows.

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lattegirl10 Great Review Rare

lattegirl10

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I didn't try to add anything on the app when I was onboard.  I will next time. Gotta love cruisecritic........

 

 

I didn't mention in my review any not so nice things I observed so I will mention them now.  The biggest complaint about this ship is that all major activities and games are done in the atrium.  Yes this is the center of the ship, but it does not have enough space to accommodate all the people who want to see it.  Since, this is a design flaw and probably won't change.  My tip would be to find a seat on deck 7, across from the Local overlooking the activity. I call this Premium seating because you can eat/snack/drink while watching at a higher vantage point. Now, in order to get this Premium seating you will have to watch both activities for that night.  There is usually some type of competition and then the major show, so if you think you are just going to watch the major show, there will be no seats left. 

 

I also want to mention a not so politically correct point regarding size.  I am a size 12, coca cola shape :classic_biggrin:.  I felt that the shower capsule in the rooms was much smaller than usual and the go cart seats were snug.  Maybe I like a lot of space around me, but I thought it was worth noting so you won't be surprised. 

 

Did I mention elevators?  If you know this is a problem doing peak times, then you have three options: 1) take the stairs; 2) wait; or 3) press the opposite direction on both elevator banks that you and everyone else want, and get on and press you desired floor. You will get there faster.  (REMEMBER THIS TIP IF YOU ARE DOING SELF ASSIST WITH YOUR LUGGAGE ON THE LAST DAY OR WHEN GOING TO PORT)

 

 So overall, I really loved the Bliss.  I tried to provide information that I would want to know for an upcoming cruise. 

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trideltjenn

trideltjenn

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5 hours ago, rainmakerjjo said:

Great Review & Tips!  If you are in the Haven, can they assist with booking the go-carts and/or laser tag?

Yes, the concierge in the Haven can book anything that you want for you. No need to go to the social for any of those things. 🙂 even if the restaurant is showing full, they will likely (not always, but worked for us on the Bliss in July when we wanted to change last min) be able to get you in. 

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Montykins

Montykins

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On ‎3‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 12:26 PM, Sensenigr said:

Thank you for the lovely review.  I am so glad you had a great time. I will be on the ship in less than a week. 

 

I do plan on immediately going to book the shows, laser tag and go-karts.  Did you see a line for the Vibe Passes in the social as well? 

 

I'm looking forward to the food, and I'm so glad you had an amazing time.

 

 

What is a Vibe Pass?

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