Semi-live from the Bliss 12/19

[OrcaGirl]

Spent a few hours soaking up the sun on the not-so-secret Deck 19 loungers and then Spice H2O when Deck 19 got a little loud… 

 

Had a fantastic lunch in the buffet. As always when on a cruise ship, the Indian food is amazing and what I always gravitate to first. Eggplant pakora and butter chicken and fresh naan? Yes please!!

 

I know buffets aren’t for everyone, but I love being able to have small servings of foods that I wouldn’t normally eat at home. I love yucca fries but they’re hard to find at restaurants in Vancouver and I’m far too lazy to make them at home. And what did they have at the lunch buffet today? Yucca fries!!! 

 

I remained confused as to why with the included beverage package we’re charged if the husband orders a Pepsi but not if he orders a rum and Pepsi… (shrug)

 

And I also remain confused as to why I need to remind my 50-something husband that tasting sunscreen is a BAD IDEA, no matter how good it smells.

 

Now we’re off to the thermal spa for the rest of the afternoon.

Edited December 20, 2021 by OrcaGirl
Adding photo

[3kidsncats]

3 minutes ago, Niffernay said:

I did this; they seem to love it!

We’ve been to the Philippines a few times, and always do this, as well as asking what part of the Philippines they are from.  It really has improved our cruising because we actually get to know a little more about the crew we are interacting with.  This time I added “good evening” to my vocabulary (no doubt mangled the pronunciation) but it’s challenging sober let alone in the evening after day long cocktails

[3kidsncats]

1 minute ago, OrcaGirl said:

Spent a few hours soaking up the sun on the not-so-secret Deck 19 loungers and then Spice H2O when Deck 19 got a little loud… 

 

Had a fantastic lunch in the buffet. As always when on a cruise ship, the Indian food is amazing and what I always gravitate to first. Eggplant pakora and butter chicken and fresh naan? Yes please!!

 

I know buffets aren’t for everyone, but I love being able to have small servings of foods that I wouldn’t normally eat at home. I love yucca fries but they’re hard to find at restaurants in Vancouver and I’m far too lazy to make them at home. And what did they have at the lunch buffet today? Yucca fries!!! 

 

I remained confused as to why with the included beverage package we’re charged if the husband orders a Pepsi but not if he orders a rum and Pepsi… (shrug)

 

And I also remain confused as to why I need to remind my 50-something husband that tasting sunscreen is a BAD IDEA, no matter how good it smells.

 

Now we’re off to the thermal spa for the rest of the afternoon.

Watch for the chicken Korma later in the week — divine!  Suresh (Bev manager) told me the chicken tikka is usually offered on the dinner menu, so we missed that, sadly.  Executive Chef, Sreekanth, is from India, so you really can’t go wrong sampling the Indian cuisine onboard.

[dhanakorn]

Thank you very much for the live update! 

 

Please don't hijack this thread to complain about the recent NCL mask policy. Let the OP continue with the live update on the cruise. 

[OrcaGirl]

4 hours ago, vacation44 said:

Is the first picture taken in Vibe?  Do you know if it sold out?

Didn’t book Vibe passes and don’t know if it sold out, but there’s a small public area just outside of Vibe on Deck 19 with comfy loungers and bar service and one hot tub, without the Vibe fee. 

[OrcaGirl]

Thank you to those who have posted re: not hijacking this thread with someone else’s issues with mask mandates. If I could ask a favour, could someone flag those comments about that other guy for deletion by the moderator? (I don’t want to waste my quickly-dwindling free wifi minutes.)

 

For what it’s worth, I’ve seen nothing of the sort on this cruise. There are still a small number of people walking around indoors without masks, and I’d be genuinely surprised and impressed if I saw any NCL staff ask them to mask up. (But then I wish there were consequences for flouting clearly-stated rules, COVID or not.)

[OrcaGirl]

I love the thermal spa. So much.

 

On the Epic back in March 2020, we had a regular cabin but purchased the spa pass for the week. On the Encore in October 2021, we bid on and won an upgrade from a regular cabin to a spa balcony for a few hundred LESS than the cost of purchasing two passes. And now we’re hooked, so for this trip we booked a spa cabin outright for a good price.

 

The Bliss thermal spa is pretty  similar to the Encore, though I still miss the Epic thermal spa’s outdoor area and the saunas that had windows with sea views. That was amazing. The Bliss does have some comfy curved and padded loungers that I don’t recall seeing on either the Encore or the Epic, plus more prominent ‘quiet area’ signs.

 

The only people wearing masks in the thermal spa are the staff and anyone being guided through on a tour.

 

Looks like spa passes are $269US for the week if purchased once on board. (If you’re planning ahead and can’t purchase online, just call to book.)

 

It’s mildly annoying that you can’t use the NCL app to book spa treatments. I’m way more likely to commit to a treatment if I can see what times are available and book it myself without talking to an actual person.

 

[AKR2011]

I'm loving your posts and have heard great things about Siglo. I definitely hope to sail with them someday. 

[mpk218]

3 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

Spent a few hours soaking up the sun on the not-so-secret Deck 19 loungers and then Spice H2O when Deck 19 got a little loud… 

 

Had a fantastic lunch in the buffet. As always when on a cruise ship, the Indian food is amazing and what I always gravitate to first. Eggplant pakora and butter chicken and fresh naan? Yes please!!

 

I know buffets aren’t for everyone, but I love being able to have small servings of foods that I wouldn’t normally eat at home. I love yucca fries but they’re hard to find at restaurants in Vancouver and I’m far too lazy to make them at home. And what did they have at the lunch buffet today? Yucca fries!!! 

 

I remained confused as to why with the included beverage package we’re charged if the husband orders a Pepsi but not if he orders a rum and Pepsi… (shrug)

 

And I also remain confused as to why I need to remind my 50-something husband that tasting sunscreen is a BAD IDEA, no matter how good it smells.

 

Now we’re off to the thermal spa for the rest of the afternoon.

Pashaw . Whats the beef  ? If it smells like Coconut , Eat it  😏

[workingmom200112]

4 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

I remained confused as to why with the included beverage package we’re charged if the husband orders a Pepsi but not if he orders a rum and Pepsi… (shrug)

 

Someone made a mistake, you definitely should not have been changed for your Diet Pepsi.  I just got off a cruise on the Joy and most of the time the bartender didn’t even take my card for soda orders.

[Vinny_B]

5 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

I love the thermal spa. So much.

 

On the Epic back in March 2020, we had a regular cabin but purchased the spa pass for the week. On the Encore in October 2021, we bid on and won an upgrade from a regular cabin to a spa balcony for a few hundred LESS than the cost of purchasing two passes. And now we’re hooked, so for this trip we booked a spa cabin outright for a good price.

 

The Bliss thermal spa is pretty  similar to the Encore, though I still miss the Epic thermal spa’s outdoor area and the saunas that had windows with sea views. That was amazing. The Bliss does have some comfy curved and padded loungers that I don’t recall seeing on either the Encore or the Epic, plus more prominent ‘quiet area’ signs.

 

The only people wearing masks in the thermal spa are the staff and anyone being guided through on a tour.

 

Looks like spa passes are $269US for the week if purchased once on board. (If you’re planning ahead and can’t purchase online, just call to book.)

 

It’s mildly annoying that you can’t use the NCL app to book spa treatments. I’m way more likely to commit to a treatment if I can see what times are available and book it myself without talking to an actual person.

 

 

This was just the info I was looking for, sailing Dec 23rd and was afraid with the recent email that they might stop this service.  

 

Have Fun!

[OrcaGirl]

After some quality spa time and nap time, we headed to Maltings to grab cocktails (Eastern Legacy is a favourite) to be enjoyed out on the Waterfront while watching the sun set.

 

 

Tonight was ‘dress up or not’ night, and we decided to go with ‘not’… but it was nice seeing ladies dressed up with fancy sparkling masks coordinated to their outfit. But for us, to the buffet for ‘grill extravaganza’ night… so naturally I had more Indian food 😉

 

After dinner, we grabbed more cocktails and then killed a little time watching casino action before heading to the theatre.

 

SIX! Absolutely loved it. Amazing costumes, choreography, etc. And the performers were so good. Loved that they had an all-woman backing band (“They have a GIRL DRUMMER?!?!” for the two of you who get that reference.)

 

 

Grabbed a little snack at the Local and then managed to catch Siglo’s set of New Wave / Alt Rock music at the Cavern before turning in for the night. (My husband wore his Joy Division mask for the occasion.)

 

[OrcaGirl]

More super random thoughts to close out the day…

 

We brought three little magnetic hooks for our cabin walls and set up a mask station and hung our stockings with care.

 

 

 

 

There are multiple dogs on board, but they’re not traditional service dogs. I’m talking little frou-frou dogs wearing frilly outfits. One was wearing a tutu. Didn’t think that was allowed (the dogs, not the tutu). I guess maybe they’re comfort animals but it seems weird. (But then, as with children, I’m just not a fan of dogs...)

 

Nice aft. One of these days I need to book an aft cabin.

 

Time change tonight; hope this doesn’t mess up the husband’s diving excursion in Cabo tomorrow. Already worried about the tender.

 

The NCL app continues to be glitchy, as does the login / logout process for accessing the internet, at least for me. Same for posting to CC, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. 

 

If you’re 6’5” or up, watch your head in the stateroom corridors. The husband bonked his head twice today.

 

[workingmom200112]

@OrcaGirl thanks for taking us along with you!  Just wondering, does the haven have a sauna in it?  I looked at a few YouTube videos and it looks like it does not, but I just wanted to confirm.  Thanks!

[jennyprovo]

Thanks for the updates.  We are on the 12/26 Breakaway and I was afraid that the Thermal Spa would be closed.  I am glad to see it is open on the Bliss.  I can't wait to be able to enjoy it.  

[jimdee3636]

@OrcaGirl:

First of all, I love your observations and your writing style. My wife and I will be on the February 27, 2022 Mexican Riviera sailing, so your reports are whetting my appetite!

 

On my one prior cruise on the Bliss in 2019, my favorite place on the ship was the A-List Bar (in between Cagney's and Los Lobos). Have you been there yet, and, if so, how was the atmosphere? The bartenders there were the best I've ever encountered on a cruise ship.

 

Jim

[AndyCapn]

8 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

 

😉"(They have a GIRL DRUMMER?!?!” for the two of you who get that reference.)

I certainly didn't expect to see a Scott Pilgrim reference on Cruise Critic this morning.

[KAYKAY121]

Thanks for spending your time reporting. It is a great review.

 

One more question, what is the weather? It looks like we will be about 10 degrees colder next week than it is now. My bag is 75% packed. Just waiting on updated weather to add some more long sleeves. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by KAYKAY121

[Selion]

Not sure why I'm reading this thread.  Just got off Bliss 2 days ago. 😅

[vacationut]

16 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

The only people wearing masks in the thermal spa are the staff and anyone being guided through on a tour.

Great info to know. Thank you! 

[jesstree]

I too am interested in the weather and the temps inside the ship. I get cold easy and trying to decide if I should wear long sleeves at night. Curious about those ocean breezes. I know the Ensenada area is cold, I lived in San Diego for a short period and would drive down there.

[Niffernay]

19 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

And I also remain confused as to why I need to remind my 50-something husband that tasting sunscreen is a BAD IDEA, no matter how good it smells.

I just snorted at work.  So funny!!

[Niffernay]

17 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

but there’s a small public area just outside of Vibe on Deck 19 with comfy loungers and bar service and one hot tub, without the Vibe fee

We found a similar area to this on our last Breakaway cruise - no hot tub though.  We spent hours sitting there at that bar as it seemed that barely anyone knew it was there. Had great bartenders there as well.

[bkrickles1]

5 minutes ago, Niffernay said:

We found a similar area to this on our last Breakaway cruise - no hot tub though.  We spent hours sitting there at that bar as it seemed that barely anyone knew it was there. Had great bartenders there as well.

It's on Escape and Joy too. 

Great spot. 

[Niffernay]

3 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

It's on Escape and Joy too. 

Great spot. 

Yay! We are on the Joy in 18 days.  We will definitely claim our spots at the bar again. Thanks!!