NCL debuts new ship for Alaska cruising

NCL debuts new ship for Alaska cruising

Norwegian’s next new build to seasonally homeport in Seattle beginning Summer 2018

Named Norwegian Bliss, the vessel will be a new addition to Alaska cruising and will be the first ship custom-built with features and amenities for the ultimate experience.

Cruising from Seattle, it will be the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to make its debut in the Emerald City.

At a ceremony held at Port of Seattle’s Pier 66, Norwegian President and CEO Andy Stuart shared the exciting news, alongside Port of Seattle CEO Ted Fick and Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton.

“Norwegian was the first cruise line to begin cruising to Alaska from Seattle in 2000 and it’s only fitting that we bring our newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, directly to this incredible location,” Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line said.

“Alaska is one of the top destinations for our guests to explore and we are thrilled to be the first cruise line to offer our guests the opportunity to experience this coveted destination aboard a brand new, state-of-the-art cruise ship custom designed for Alaska, the first of its kind to ever debut in Seattle.”

The third ship in the line’s Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Bliss is designed with features and amenities to offer guests the ultimate Alaska cruising experience. Accommodating 4,000 guests, the ship will be constructed in Germany and scheduled for delivery in 2018.

After a transatlantic cruise and a Panama Canal transit through the new locks, the ship will sail north along the West Coast, reaching Seattle for the start of the summer cruising season.  Norwegian Bliss will sail weekly seven-day Alaska cruises each Saturday from Pier 66 in Seattle, and feature itineraries with calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia, along with scenic glacier cruising.

Norwegian has also announced that the world’s premier marine life artist, Wyland, has been commissioned to design the hull artwork for Norwegian Bliss.

To further enhance the overall guest experience Norwegian’s parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has entered into a 15-year agreement with the Port of Seattle to collectively invest US$30 million to upgrade the Pier 66 facilities. From expanding the guest check-in space by 300% to more than 13,935 square metres to a new VIP lounge with expansive views of Elliott Bay and the addition of two new elevated passenger boarding bridges to provide easy and comfortable passenger boarding.

 

The ship will be available for reservations in January 2017.

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