Boarding the Norwegian Bliss! Haven Experience + Full First Day Adventure 🚢✨#norwegianbliss
We arrived ready to start our cruise day, even though parking tested our patience at first. After a quick shuttle ride, we moved from curbside to our suite in minutes, which set a calm and upbeat tone for the day.
Once on board, we met our butler, learned the room basics, and grabbed our first look at the ship. We felt excited to eat, explore, and step outside our private space to see what the rest of the ship offered.
Key Takeaways
- We handled arrival issues and boarded faster than expected.
- We explored dining, drinks, and many open areas on the ship.
- We started the cruise feeling relaxed and curious about what was ahead.
Getting There And Parking
Overflow Lot Issues
We pulled up and saw the main parking area was packed and closed. Staff turned everyone away, including us, and sent cars to a remote lot at the far end of the peninsula near the aquarium and tide pools.
- Main lot: full and not accepting cars
- Direction given: rerouted to a distant overflow area
- This was new for us: first time we hit a full lot here
Shuttle Ride And Check-In Flow
A shuttle picked us up from the overflow lot and dropped us at the terminal. From bag drop to reaching our suite, the whole process took about 15 minutes, which felt very fast.
| Step | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Shuttle | Bus moved us from the remote lot |
| Bags | We dropped them right away |
| Boarding | Smooth and quick |
| Time | Around 12:30 PM, no delays |
Other than the full lot, the arrival process went smoothly, and we had no complaints.
First Impressions Of Norwegian Bliss
Touring Our Haven Suite
We reached the Haven fast after drop-off. From handing over bags to standing in the suite took about 15 minutes.
The room felt well thought out. A soft blue night light near the floor stood out, and it helped us move around without turning on bright lights.
Our First Chat With the Butler
Our butler, Ahmed, stopped by soon after we arrived. He walked us through the room and showed us how to use the espresso machine and the ship phone.
He also explained how show access works. We just visit the Haven concierge 30 minutes before a show, and they escort us to reserved seating.
Standout Haven Privileges
The Haven felt like a private space. It was easy to see how we could stay there all day without leaving.
Noted perks we used or discussed:
- Private concierge access for show seating
- Haven restaurant available right away for lunch
- Room service options, including desserts
- Quick embarkation compared to the main terminal
We made a plan to leave the Haven and explore. The comfort made it tempting to stay put, but the rest of the ship waited.
Dining And Drinks On Board
Lunch At Our Private Suite Restaurant
We headed upstairs for lunch at the suite-only restaurant as soon as hunger hit. It felt easy to stay there all day, so we made a point to eat and then leave to see more of the ship.
In‑Room Dining Picks
Room service caught our attention right away. The menu lists a seven‑layer chocolate cake, and we plan to try it later.
Bars We Tried And Drinks We Tasted
We started testing drinks early and kept moving to find a good match.
- Buffalo Trace with Coke Zero: solid and done right
- Margarita: fine, but nothing special
- Bahama Mama: not good, so we skipped it
We passed by several bars, including Waves Bar, and kept our search going.
Sushi Spot We Have Not Tried Yet
The ship has a sushi venue we plan to visit later. We did not eat there during this part of the day, so we have no details to share yet.
Exploring Ship Amenities
Upper Deck Highlights
We found a lot happening up top. The Ocean Loops water slide hangs over the side of the ship, though it was not running at the time. We also noticed the jogging track cutting right through a diner, which felt strange but memorable.
Pools And Water Slides
We saw an all-ages pool near Waves Bar, plus a small kids splash area nearby. An adults-only pool sits under a large screen. The slide area drew attention, even when closed, because it stretches beyond the ship’s edge.
Pool Areas We Passed
- All-ages pool near Waves Bar
- Kids splash zone
- Adults-only pool under the screen
Adults-Only Spice Area
We spent time at the adults-only space at the back of the ship. It includes a bar, hot tubs, and a water feature. Heat panels in the ceiling made the area warm, and seating was limited with few umbrellas.
Mini Golf And Race Tracks
We took a wrong turn and ended up on the mini golf course while searching for the racetrack. The track sits higher up, and seeing it on a cruise ship felt surprising. Signs and walkways crisscross this area, so it took some trial and error to get around.
Waterfront Walkways
We walked along open-air paths at the back of the ship. These areas connect bars, seating, and activity zones. The space feels open, with views of the ocean and steady foot traffic as people explore.
Entertainment And Activities
Live Shows And Concierge Help
Our butler walked us through how shows work on board. We can visit the concierge desk in the Haven about 30 minutes before show time. They then escort us down and seat us in a reserved area. That makes it easy to catch a show without waiting in long lines.
Music Clubs And Stage Performances
We talked about the shows while getting settled in our suite. We did not need to book anything early. We just show up at the concierge desk when we want to go. That setup feels simple and low stress for live performances.
Night Spots And The Adults-Only Beach Area
We explored Spice H2O, an adults-only space at the back of the ship. At night, it looks like it turns into a club-style area with music and dancing. The space includes a bar, hot tubs, showers, and water features.
We also spotted the Vibe Beach Club, which we plan to check out later. The ship clearly separates family areas from adult spaces.
Drinks, Lounges, And Social Areas
We spent time moving between bars while searching for good drinks and friendly bartenders. Some drinks were better than others, but we kept trying. Social areas sit all over the ship, making it easy to stop, sit, and watch what’s going on around us.
We also noticed how many open walkways, pools, and gathering spots the ship offers. Bathrooms appear everywhere, which makes exploring more comfortable while moving between spaces.
Shore Excursions And Ports
Cabo San Lucas Land And Sea Tour, Reimagined
We did not reach Cabo San Lucas yet during this part of the trip. We were still on embarkation day and exploring the ship.
We talked about this being our first Mexican cruise after a long Alaska season. That set the tone for what we expected later in the sailing.
Walking Through Ensenada Plans
Ensenada had not happened yet at this point in the video. We were still in Los Angeles and had not arrived at any port.
Our focus stayed on boarding, getting settled, and moving around the ship.
Looking Back At Earlier Excursions
We mentioned coming off a long run of Alaska cruises. That gave us a point of comparison as we shifted to a Mexico itinerary.
This cruise felt different right away, even before reaching any ports.
Overall Cruise Experience
How This Sailing Stacks Up
We noticed a few firsts right away, like a completely full parking lot and being sent to an overflow area. Even with that, the shuttle, bag drop, and trip to our suite took about 15 minutes, which impressed us.
We also compared drinks in different spots. The cocktail in the Haven tasted fine, but one at the back bar tasted a bit better, while another drink missed the mark. We kept testing options as we explored.
Mood, Layout, and Ship Features
The ship feels busy, playful, and full of surprises. We saw a jogging track running through a diner, a waterslide hanging over the edge, and go-karts on the top deck.
Some spaces felt odd for the weather. An adults-only area had heat panels turned on even though it was warm outside, which made the space less comfortable. On the plus side, bathrooms sit everywhere, which helped us move around without stress.
| Feature | What We Noticed |
|---|---|
| Haven area | Quiet, private, easy to stay secluded |
| Public decks | Lively, crowded, lots to explore |
| Pools | Family pool, kids area, adults-only pool |
| Back deck | Hot tubs, bar, water feature, club vibe |
Helpful Advice for Next Time
We learned that it’s easy to stay inside the Haven bubble all day. We had to remind ourselves to leave and see the rest of the ship.
If we want show seating through the Haven, we just need to visit the concierge 30 minutes before showtime. We also plan to keep testing bars early to find a bartender and drink we like.
