Norwegian Bliss, the first cruise ship custom-built with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruise experience, departed Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, March 13, headed for sea trials in the North Sea.
“Today marks another historical moment for Norwegian Bliss, the most highly anticipated ship of the Norwegian Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class of our company’s history,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “When she arrives into Seattle in June, guests will be excited to experience many new first-at-sea activities, including the largest two-level race track at sea, new dining experiences, such as Q Texas Smokehouse and Coco’s, a chocolate and treat shop, the Tony Award®-Winning Broadway Show Jersey Boys and much more for guests to explore.”
Measuring 994 feet long, 136 feet wide, and at a gross registered tonnage of 168,028, she embarked on her journey down the Ems River and up to the North Sea in reverse, making the narrow passage through Meyer Werft’s sea lock, with less than four feet clearance. This very careful maneuver took about two hours at a speed of only 0.2 knots. The precise navigation included a team of experienced Ems River pilots, navigation officers, the yard captain and the local German waterway authorities.
After passing through the sea lock, Norwegian Bliss continued along the river stern first, which helps with the maneuverability of the ship and is a key component when navigating it through such narrow passages. Its journey to Eemshaven included cruising through the narrow passages of the Friesenbrücke Bridge in Weene,; Jann Berghaus Bridge in Leer and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum.
When it arrives in Eemshaven, it will take on additional provisions and crew members, before heading toward the North Sea for technical and nautical sea trials. This will be one of the final phases before Norwegian Cruise Line takes delivery of their sixteenth ship on April 19 in Bremerhaven, Germany. Norwegian Bliss will then begin its passage across the Atlantic Ocean on April 21 and will arrive in the U.S. on May 3, where it will begin its inaugural tour, the most extensive of any ship in Norwegian Cruise Line history. Events will take place in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, and then will conclude with a christening ceremony on May 30 at the new Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle, followed by its inaugural cruise.
Following the preview events and christening, Norwegian Bliss will offer cruises to Alaska beginning June 2. It will spend summer sailing seven-day cruises to Alaska and fall season cruising to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In winter of 2018, it will sail to the Caribbean from Miami and in the 2019 fall/winter season, it will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
