Norwegian Bliss, the newest cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line, was officially christened in Seattle on Wednesday. The ceremony capped a month-long tour around the United States that included previews in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, and made Norwegian Bliss the largest ship to ever be christened in Seattle, the cruise line said.
Following a preview sailing from May 30 – June 2, Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, will commence its inaugural summer season with cruises to Alaska including calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Victoria, British Colombia beginning June 2. The Bliss will join Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in the region.
Norwegian Bliss was welcomed to its summer home with a water-canon salute by the Seattle Fire Department, as its cruised into Port of Seattle. The recently renovated and expanded Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, a public-private investment between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and the Port of Seattle, received the ship, which has a capacity of 4,004, double occupancy, early Wednesday morning. The enhanced terminal has three times the square footage, increasing the usage capacity by 300 percent, a dedicated lounge for suite guests and more guest-facing elements aimed at improving ship-to-shore experience.
The christening ceremony took place on board the ship. Led by the ship’s godfather, Elvis Duran and The Morning Show crew, nearly 2,400 people witnessed the christening ceremony as it was broadcasted throughout the ship. The main event took place in the 900-seat Bliss Theater with satellite activations in Q – the ship’s new Texas Smokehouse, the new 20,000-square-foot Observation Lounge offering 180-degree views, the Atrium and other venues throughout.
Frank Del Rio and Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, welcomed travel partners, investors and industry representatives on board Norwegian Bliss, and spoke during the event. Special guests included governor of Alaska Bill Walker and local officials from Seattle. Also in attendance was the marine life artist Wyland, whose mural adorns the hull of Norwegian Bliss.
After the traditional blessings, honorary Godfather, Elvis Duran, officially christened Norwegian Bliss with the symbolic bottle break across the ship's hull.
Norwegian Bliss will cruise seven-day voyages to Alaska from Seattle and then in October it will sail select voyages to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. For the ship’s fall/winter season, it will sail to the eastern Caribbean from Miami and in 2019; it will sail from New York City to the Bahamas and Florida, the southern and western Caribbean.
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