Another just of the Bliss review.

[snownow]

                 

So a third review of the Bliss last week. So a little background we have sailed on the Escape three times (awesome), Disney a few, and carnival a few as well.  This trip was had extended family with us, 26 people in total traveling. Ages from 2 to 70.

 

The Ship.

 

Positives.

No smoking in the Casino would be #1. On the escape all three open decks smell like smoke, the bliss does not have that.

A major improvement is the pool deck. The more open concept makes it easy to watch the little one and we never had a problem finding seats. 

Both the laser tag and race cars were fun (90 minute wait for cars with an appointment. )

Los Lobos was amazing, we ate there twice. Great service very good food. Teppanyaki was also very good.  

The observation deck was super nice, and always empty. I spent nights there waiting for the Teen to get in (aka reading at the bar).  

We purchased internet again this time around, It sucked less than on the escape, but it worked.

Jersey boys was very good. It was long but they can sing well, totally worth it.

As others have said embarkation was a breeze, practically walked on board. We waited no longer than 10 minutes. Getting back on board in port was also smooth.

The whiskey bar staff. They were great. We are not mixed drink people, we may be now.

9.95 app, still well worth it. Free would be better but it kept us in touch.

 

 

The negatives.

#1 the space for dueling pianos and comedy. It is sorely missed on this boat.  The social is a waste of space, and the silent disco is a bit creepy IMO.

Service at Cagney’s. let’s just say a near 4 hour disaster on  Thanksgiving,  Meals wrong, 2 tables served 45 minutes apart. I’m still not sure my table had a waiter, other than the manager.  The absolute worst service I have ever had at a restaurant.

Getting off the ship. Both in the Bahamas and in Miami. A major wait. I understand the Bahamas as we were cleared late, but communication as pretty poor.

Dance parties near the Pool. On the escape they were at the back of the boat and drew a fun crowd. Putting it on the pool deck it seemed spread out and just so/so. My teen hated them this trip, loved them last.

Teen club, she also did not like the space and missed it being smaller on the top deck.

Moving the Chocolate cowboy to the mojito bar.  He is still awesome, just seemed so much happier at the 5’oclock somewhere bar. He was a fixture on the escape.

Havana… was horrible. Half our party is Cuban, they laughed through most of it

 

 

The… so/so

Music. We loved it on the escape. Here it was ok.

Silus the cruise director. He was ok when we saw him, but not super motivational. When Tyler Grey was on the Escape, he was amazing and kept the boat rocking!

Our room steward. I never saw him. My wife did once or twice. Asked for a few things that he never followed up on. Also, when he cleaned the shower, he left the water on scalding hot. Glad I noticed before someone got burned. On several of our last cruise’s I always tip extra to our steward as they have done a great Job.. This guy, let’s just say if I could have found him I would have passed on tipping.

Garden café. Not bad, not great.

 

Dining,

Dinners:

Manhattan room the first night.  It was good. 26 people, 2 tables, Fast service. I think of the 26 people 1 person did not like the meal. That’s not bad in my opinion.

Teppanyaki the second night. It was very good, our chief was awesome. Everyone loved it

Food republic. It was good, same as the Escape. They did not have the coconut desert A fav.

Los Lobos was very good

Ocean Blue, It was also very good. I’m not sure worth the upcharge. But everything was hot, severed properly and tasted very good.

Cagney’s. An utter disaster! See above or the Cagney’s rib eye thread for details.  An absolute disgrace.

Los lobos again. Delon as our server I cannot praise enough. Great job, great meal.

 

 

others

Taste for lunch, it was not bad.

MargaritaVille for lunch was pretty good.

Garden Café so so

Observation lounge, A nice place for a nice light lunch. Salad, bread, some cheese and wine.

The local. Good for late night pie or a hot dog.

 

Ports, we do love these ports

St Thomas, Myself and DD #1 diving with JJ Divers (loved it), wife and DD #2 twice as nice booked through NCL. They had a good time, we have done this in the past.

Tortola , almost everyone went to Jost Van Dyke. Love the island.  I wish the NCL booked trip lasted longer. They run a late and an early boat. I wish they ran 1, and had more time there. My 2^nd fav place on the planet.

Nassau . Wife and DD#2 and most of the group went to Atlantis. They had a good time, but with the late port clearance they all wanted more time. Myself and DD#1 went diving with Stuarts cove. Pick up was hectic, the dive was amazing. Baby shark  doo doo… lots of mommy sharks doo doo.

 

 

Over all we had a nice Vacation. The new ship is just ok. We loved the Escape, we are sailing again on NCL. But I really doubt we will sail on Bliss again, unless it’s for an Alaskan trip. It really just did not live up to our expectations.

[mtns2sea]

Thanks for the review.