Two Sea Days on Norwegian Bliss | Haven Life, Slides, Bingo & More #NorwegianBliss #CruiseLife

We recently started our first sea day on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, and we wanted to share what it’s like being in the Haven. The day began with us testing out the in-room espresso machine before heading up to explore the exclusive Haven areas. We spent time checking out the different deck spaces, from the private sun deck on deck 19 to the unique Horizon Park area.

Throughout the day, we noticed how empty the Haven spaces stayed compared to the regular pool deck. We tried out the courtyard pool, watched some entertainment by the main pool, and even spotted dolphins during sunset. The service was really quick, and we found plenty of quiet spots to relax without any crowds.

Key Takeaways

• The Haven offers private spaces that stay much less crowded than the regular pool areas on sea days
• Deck 20 has a unique park-like area with artificial grass and bean bags that anyone can use
• The service in the Haven is very fast and staff members are always ready to bring drinks and help guests

Getting Started with the Haven Experience

Coffee Maker Setup and First Impressions

We started our first sea day by testing out the espresso machine in our room. The machine has two cup size options, and we went with the larger espresso size.

After turning on the light to see better, we noticed the coffee pod options. The pods in the back are decaf, so we picked a black pod without a flower design. We dropped the pod into the machine and closed it up. The machine has two buttons – one for a small cup and one for a big cup.

How to Use the Machine:

• Place your cup
• Close the lid
• Press the big cup button
• Wait for it to brew

The machine isn’t quiet, but having coffee in the room is nice. The espresso came out strong. We usually drink coffee black, but this one needed a little help from cream or sugar. The espresso machine experience wasn’t bad at all. We could get used to this.

Finding Space on Deck 19

We headed up to the Haven Sun Deck on deck 19 around 10:30. There were a few people up there, but we found five completely empty day beds and an empty jacuzzi. Most of the cabanas were also open and empty, facing the front of the ship.

If you want solitude, privacy, and no crowds, the Haven delivers. You’ll never have to worry about finding a place to sit. So far, the Haven experience has proven pretty good.

The Haven Courtyard on deck 19 was also pretty empty. Just a few folks scattered around. For comparison, the regular pool deck at 10:30 was packed – a little bit different from our quiet space.

We came back to the courtyard around 2 PM. Other than two kids in the jacuzzi and someone restocking towels, we had the place to ourselves. The water was warm with no cold shock when getting in.

What We Loved:

• The cushions on the chairs were incredibly plush
• The space might be air conditioned
• Service was fast – our drink order came back in about a minute
• People kept coming by to bring us drinks

Relaxing in the Courtyard Space

The courtyard has a nice covered area. We’re not sure if the roof opens, but we didn’t need sunscreen because of the shade. At the front of the courtyard is the Horizon Lounge with panoramic views of the bow and ocean. They have nice snacks up there too.

The staff service really is amazing. Someone came by before we even sat down for two seconds to take our drink order. We’d been sitting in the courtyard with feet in the water, just relaxing. One of us was even crocheting.

We found the observation lounge on deck 15, which is really large. It reminds us of similar spaces on other ships, but this one is in the front with great views. There’s a nice bar and a little buffet area with yogurts and fruits. Lots of seating is available.

On deck 20, there’s an area called Horizon Park. It’s one of the more unique areas we’ve seen on a cruise ship. It’s like a little central park area with bean bags, chairs, and artificial grass. There are loungers in the shade and no music playing. If you want to escape the noise below, you can come up here. This area is free for everyone to use, not just Haven guests.

Exploring the Ship’s Exclusive Spaces

Haven Courtyard Highlights

We spent time in the Haven Courtyard on deck 19 around 10:30 in the morning. The space was pretty empty with just a few people scattered around.

When we compared this to the regular pool deck at the same time, the difference was clear. The regular pool deck had way more people.

The courtyard has a pool and a jacuzzi. We finally decided to use the courtyard pool around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The water was warm with no cold shock when getting in.

Only two kids were in the jacuzzi and one other person was in the pool area besides us. The chairs had really soft, thick cushions that made sitting very comfortable.

The area appeared to have some shade coverage. We weren’t sure if the covering opened or closed, but it stayed in place to block the sun.

Service was fast. Someone came to take our drink order within seconds of sitting down. The drink arrived back within about a minute.

Horizon Lounge Overview

The Horizon Lounge sits at the front of the Haven Courtyard. It’s a Haven-only space for guests staying in those rooms.

This lounge has lots of seating with big windows. The windows give you a clear view of the front of the ship and the ocean.

They keep a small buffet area set up in this lounge. The buffet had items like yogurts and fruits.

Staff walk around ready to bring you drinks. The service level means you don’t wait long for anything you need.

Observation Lounge vs. Horizon Lounge

We made a mistake on our first day. We called the Horizon Lounge the observation lounge, but those are two different places.

The Horizon Lounge sits on deck 17 and is only for Haven guests. It has a small buffet area and comfortable seating.

The observation lounge is actually on deck 15 and everyone on the ship can use it. This space is really large and reminded us of similar lounges on other ships.

The observation lounge sits at the front of the ship too. It has a nice bar and a small buffet area with yogurt, fruit, and other snacks. There are tons of seats throughout the space with great views of the ocean ahead.

The regular observation lounge was busy on our first sea day. The buffet sits directly above this lounge.

Sun Deck Amenities

We went up to the Haven Sun Deck on deck 19 around 10:30 in the morning. The deck was mostly empty with just a few people there.

What we found available:

• One completely empty jacuzzi
• Five completely empty day beds
• Multiple open cabanas
• All the cabanas facing the front of the ship were empty

Finding a spot to sit was no problem at all. We never had to worry about finding a seat or getting a space to ourselves.

The deck offers privacy and no crowds. On a sea day when other areas were packed, this space stayed quiet and calm.

Deck Features and Activities Worth Checking Out

Open-Air Park and Relaxation Areas

Deck 20 has something called Horizon Park. It’s one of the more unique spots we’ve seen on a cruise ship before.

The area feels like a small central park right on the ship. Bean bags, chairs, and artificial grass cover the deck. It gives you a place to sit that’s different from the usual pool deck setup.

What makes this spot special:

• No music playing
• Loungers in shaded areas
• Quiet atmosphere
• Open to all guests at no extra cost

We found it to be a chill spot where you can sun and hang out in bean bags. If you want to escape the noise and music from the pool deck below, you can come up here. The Leo deck sits nearby with the water slides, but you’ll still find plenty of shaded areas if you need them.

Race Track and Water Attractions

The go-kart track runs along the upper deck. We watched people racing around the track at different speeds. Some guests moved faster than others, and passing is allowed on the course.

The ship has a tube slide that runs down from the upper decks. We watched people come down the slide, though they seemed to move pretty slowly. It looks like the slide could use more water pressure to move people faster.

There’s also a drop slide on the ship. We saw someone at the top but didn’t catch anyone actually going down it during our time on deck.

Private Beach Area Access

The ship has something called Vibe Beach Club. This area sits on one of the upper decks near Horizon Park.

You have to pay extra to get into this space. We didn’t have a pass and didn’t plan on paying the extra fee to go inside. The area is separate from the free deck spaces on the ship.

Different Pool Areas on the Ship

Location	Crowd Level at 10:30 AM	Features	Access
Haven Courtyard (Deck 19)	Pretty empty, few guests	Pool, jacuzzis, day beds	Haven guests only
Haven Sundeck (Deck 19)	Five empty day beds, empty jacuzzis, empty cabanas	Facing front of ship, private seating	Haven guests only
Regular Pool Deck	Much more crowded	Standard pool area	All guests

The Haven Courtyard stayed quiet throughout the day. At 2:00 PM, only a couple of kids were in the jacuzzi besides us. The water didn’t need any adjustment period to get used to. The chairs have thick cushions that make them comfortable for sitting.

The Haven Sundeck sits at the front of the ship on Deck 19. At 10:30 AM on a sea day, we found completely empty jacuzzis and five completely empty day beds. All the cabanas facing the front were also empty. If you want privacy and never have to worry about finding a seat, the Haven spaces proved to be good for that.

The regular pool deck looked completely different at the same time. It had way more people and less available space.

The Haven also connects to the Horizon Lounge on Deck 17. This lounge is for Haven guests only and has a small buffet area. There’s also a real observation lounge on Deck 15 that’s open to everybody on the ship.

Onboard Entertainment and Experiences

Playing Bowling at Sea

We tried out the bowling lanes on the ship during our cruise. The bowling alley gave us something fun to do when we wanted a break from the pools and lounges.

The lanes were set up just like you’d find on land. We could rent shoes and pick our bowling balls from the rack. The scoring system kept track of our points automatically.

Bowling Details:

• Located indoors on one of the main decks
• Available throughout the day
• Good for groups or families
• Air-conditioned space

We found it was a nice option when the sun got too hot outside. The activity didn’t cost extra beyond our cruise fare.

Joining in Bingo Games

We noticed bingo sessions happening in different lounges around the ship. These games brought passengers together for some friendly competition.

The crew hosted multiple bingo sessions throughout our sea days. We could buy bingo cards before each game started. Prize money grew as more people joined in.

Types of Bingo Offered:

• Traditional number bingo
• Themed special games
• Jackpot rounds with bigger prizes

The atmosphere stayed lively during the games. People cheered when someone got close to winning. We saw passengers of all ages participating in the bingo sessions.

Shows and Contests

We came across a contest happening on the pool deck around midday. The entertainment staff was running a competition that got passengers involved.

The host had participants doing poses and performances to entertain the crowd. We watched as contestants showed off their skills. The audience got to help decide who won by cheering and clapping.

Contest Features:

• Multiple elimination rounds
• Audience participation
• Fun prizes for winners
• High-energy hosts

These competitions happened regularly during sea days. We saw different types of contests throughout our cruise. The staff worked hard to keep everyone entertained and engaged.

The ship also featured live shows in various venues. We could catch performances in the observation lounge and other entertainment spaces. The crew put together different activities to give us plenty of options during our time at sea.

Food and Drinks on Board

Pool Area Drink Service

We found the Haven courtyard to be a great spot to relax. The pool area wasn’t crowded at all, even at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

The drink service was incredibly fast. We barely sat down before someone came by to take our order. Our drinks arrived in about a minute. We were really impressed by how quick the service was.

Staff members walked around the pool area constantly. They were always ready to bring us whatever we wanted to drink. We didn’t have to get up or go anywhere to order.

Lounge and Snack Options

The Horizon Lounge had a small buffet setup. We found yogurts and fruits available there. The snack area was easy to access throughout the day.

The lounge itself was really large. It reminded us of similar spaces on other ships. There was a nice bar right in the main area.

We appreciated having these refreshment options available. The setup made it easy to grab something light without going to the main dining areas. The lounge had lots of seating with great views from the front of the ship.

Ocean Life and Views

Watching Dolphins and Sunsets

We spotted a pod of dolphins jumping in the water just below the sun. We were finishing up some emails at the desk when we looked out at the balcony and saw splashes. It was really exciting to see.

The sunset was beautiful too. We think it’s amazing to be out there watching instead of staying inside to answer emails.

We always feel like videos don’t capture what it’s like to actually be there. We end up cutting most of the footage, but we still record it. You never know when you might catch something special, like a dolphin jumping out of the water or the sun setting just right with the clouds.

Boat-to-Boat Views

We were on the port side of deck 7 when we noticed the ship was moving fast. This wasn’t one of those slow days. We were heading down to Cabo.

We saw something interesting on this ship. The lifeboats were red. We think this is the first time we’ve ever seen red lifeboats on a ship. We’ve seen yellow ones and orange ones before, but never red. Red actually makes sense when you think about it.

We also noticed the deck had an odd ramp at one point. The balcony rooms stuck out over this ramp, and then there were more balcony rooms after that.

Cruising Conditions and Sea Day Challenges

Wind and Weather Experiences

We woke up to a beautiful sea day. The weather was great for being out on deck.

When we went up to the Haven Sun Deck on deck 19 around 10:30, we found the conditions perfect. We noticed the wind wasn’t too bad at first. It messed with hair a little bit, but not much.

The ship was moving fast. This wasn’t one of those slow crawl days. We were making good time heading down to Cabo.

By 2 o’clock, the conditions were still nice. The courtyard was comfortable. The water felt very nice with no cold shock when getting in.

Up on deck 20 at Horizon Park, we found a peaceful spot. There was no music playing up there. If we wanted to escape the noise and music from below, this area worked well.

The sun was hot though. When we went up to the go-kart track area, the heat in the direct sun was intense.

Later in the day, we got a beautiful sunset. We even spotted a pod of dolphins jumping near the ship. The conditions made for a really nice first sea day.

Deck Closures and Adjustments

We found some unexpected changes during our first sea day. The main pool deck had a problem.

They had to drain the pool because of what appeared to be a code brown situation. We saw them getting out the cleaning equipment to handle it. This meant that pool area was closed for a while.

We explored different areas and found some spots that just ended oddly. On the port side of deck 7, the walkway just kind of stopped with a strange ramp. The balcony rooms jutted out over this ramp area.

We did notice that some areas required special access. The Vibe Beach Club area needed an extra pass. We didn’t have one and didn’t plan on paying extra to go into that space.

The Haven areas stayed open and accessible for us. We never had trouble finding spots at the Haven Sun Deck. There were five completely empty day beds and a completely empty jacuzzi at 10:30. The cabanas were all open and empty too.

For comparison, the regular pool deck at the same time looked completely different. It was much more crowded down there.

Service, Comfort, and Final Thoughts

Guest Services and Beverage Support

The staff response time was really quick. We barely sat down before someone came over to take our drink order. They returned with our beverage in about a minute. The service level impressed us quite a bit.

We could request drinks anywhere we went. Staff members walked around ready to help. They made sure we had what we needed without having to search for assistance.

Location Advantages

We found the forward-facing rooms gave us nice ocean views. Our balcony let us spot dolphins swimming alongside the ship. We also watched the sunset from our room without any obstruction.

The proximity to the Haven Courtyard and Horizon Lounge made things easy. We didn’t need to walk far to access these spaces. Being on the higher decks meant we stayed away from the busier areas below.

Our room had an espresso machine that we used on the first sea day. It wasn’t quiet when it brewed, but having coffee available in the room was worth it. We tried different pods, and the machine had both small and large cup settings.

What This Experience Means for Our Future Trips

We need to warn you about something. If you’re thinking about booking the Haven, don’t do it. The reason is simple. Once you experience this level of cruising, going back to regular cabins will feel like a downgrade. This just made cruising more expensive for us going forward on NCL.

We’re now curious about MSC’s yacht club. The Haven opened up a whole new category of cruise experiences we want to try. We didn’t think we’d care about these premium options before this trip.

The lack of crowds made a big difference. At 10:30 on a sea day, we found five completely empty day beds and an empty jacuzzi on the Haven sun deck. All the cabanas facing the front of the ship sat vacant. We never worried about finding a place to sit.

By comparison, the regular pool deck at the same time looked quite different. It had way more people. The Haven areas stayed quiet and uncrowded throughout the day.

Privacy and space were the main benefits:

• Empty seating areas
• No competition for chairs
• Quiet pools and jacuzzis
• Available cabanas

We spent time in the courtyard around 2:00 PM. Besides two kids in the jacuzzi and someone restocking towels, we had the place to ourselves. The cushions on the chairs were extremely comfortable. The water temperature felt nice enough that we got in without hesitation.