Royal Caribbean IRMA Humanitarian Deployments

Royal Caribbean

Ships Deployed

To Assist In

Wake of IRMA

This base image, courtesy NOAA, shows Hurricane IRMA approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands. As one of the most popular Caribbean cruise destinations, the devastation is truly saddening. Our thoughts and prayers go to all impacted by the hurricane, in the USVI, and all along its path. This update from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line makes me proud to be part of the cruise industry.

We have been updating the ever changing Cruise Ship Impact throughout this storm. The latest update from Royal Caribbean deserves special mention.

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LIST OF CRUISE CHANGES

UPDATE:  (26  Sep 17)  Royal Caribbean continues to provide humanitarian aid putting that ahead of normal operations.   In this latest update, Adventure of the Seas current cruise is being canceled to provide humanitarian assistance to ports hit by Hurricanes Irma & Maria. 

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates  (click for latest update)

September 26, 2017 at 11 AM EDT (next update tomorrow at 2 PM EDT)

Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in San Juan and the other affected islands as they rebuild after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

To learn more about our humanitarian efforts, click here.

The following sailing is being cancelled: 

Adventure of the Seas: September 30

Given the impact of Hurricane Maria, we are cancelling this cruise to utilize the ship for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. The ship will arrive on Wednesday, September 27 and will operate humanitarian calls in San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix to aid in the evacuation and donate critical supplies to each destination. The ship will bring evacuees to Fort Lauderdale before returning to San Juan on October 6 to prepare for the October 7th cruise.

September 9, 2017 at 2 PM EDT (next update at 6 PM EDT)

We are closely monitoring Hurricane Irma’s path and its potential impact to our current and upcoming sailings. Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet, is closely tracking the storm’s progress, and the current forecast is as follows:

Hurricane Irma is a category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph. The storm is currently located north of Cuba and is moving northwest at 12 mph. The current forecast suggests that the eye will be coming ashore in the Lower to Middle Keys and Naples early Sunday morning, followed by Tampa Bay Sunday evening. The storm should exit the Florida area late Monday, pre-dawn Tuesday. This farther west track we have seen over the last couple days is due to Hurricane Jose’s strength and its proximity to Hurricane Irma.

We do not expect Hurricane Jose to have any impact on our upcoming sailings as this time.

We are mobilizing ships and supplies to help people in need. In coordination with the US and local governments we are dispatching ships to St. Thomas and St. Maarten and stand ready to assist Key West, Tampa and other locations.

Presently, Adventure of the Seas will make a humanitarian stop in St. Maarten on Sunday and Majesty of the Seas will make humanitarian calls in St. Thomas and St. Maarten to provide supplies and also assist in transporting evacuees in St. Maarten to safety. Additionally, we have Empress of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas ready to assist Key West and Tampa once the impact of the storm is known.

Norwegian Sky on IRMA Rescue Mission

Norwegian Sky

Deploying to  

St. Thomas USVI

This base image, courtesy NOAA, shows Hurricane IRMA approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands.  As one of the most popular Caribbean cruise destinations, the devastation is truly saddening.  Our thoughts and prayers go to all impacted by the hurricane, in the USVI, and all along its path.   This update from Norwegian Cruise Line makes me proud to be part of the cruise industry.

We have been updating the ever changing Cruise Ship Impact throughout this storm.   The latest update from Norwegian Cruise Line deserves special mention.

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LIST OF CRUISE CHANGES

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)


September 9th at 12:30 PM (4:30 PM UTC)

Norwegian Cruise Line is continuing to closely watch the forecasted path of major Hurricane Irma and respond as necessary to ensure the safety of our guests and crew. We have cancelled this week’s scheduled sailings aboard our two ships that depart from Miami, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Escape and both ships are currently navigating a safe course around the path of Hurricane Irma

Norwegian Escape is sailing at full capacity with approximately 4,000 displaced guests from both ships that were unable to secure flights back home. The ship is currently alongside in Cozumel, Mexico and will remain there until 7 a.m. Sunday, September 10. Guests who have secured flights home may disembark the ship in Mexico if they wish.

Due to the devastation in the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Irma, all of Norwegian Escape’s upcoming Eastern Caribbean sailings will be altered to a Western Caribbean itinerary until November. All guests scheduled to sail on any affected cruises will be notified of the change.

Acting as a responsible corporate citizen and supporting the destinations that our ships operate in is a core value of Norwegian Cruise Line. In the wake of this devastating storm, we will be deploying Norwegian Sky from her current position off the coast of Cancun to St. Thomas, USVI to retrieve approximately 2,000 travelers who were unable to evacuate the island prior to the storm.

The ship is departing immediately and will arrive in St. Thomas in the late evening hours on Monday, September 11. Norwegian Cruise Line is working closely with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and the Governor of St. Thomas to execute this rescue mission. When all designated vacation guests have boarded the ship, Norwegian Sky will sail back to her homeport of Miami and is expected to arrive on Thursday, September 14.

Miami Prepares for Irma

CRUISE TERMINAL 

Known worldwide as the "Cruise Capital of the World" PortMiami is the global headquarters for five leading cruise lines. But this week, it will become a ghost town as preparations are underway for an unwelcome guest, Hurricane Irma, which is still packing a huge punch.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans for the vessels which were supposed to dock at PortMiami over the weekend.   See our other post, Hurricane Irma Cruise Ship Impact, for details on modified or cancelled cruise itineraries.

The following information was posted on PortMiami's website:

The Captain of the Port established Hurricane Port Readiness Condition XRAY for PortMiami effective Thursday, September 7th, at NOON (1200hrs). If Hurricane Irma continues its current track, the following conditions will be implemented:

YANKEE: Friday, September 8th at 0800hrs
TUNNEL LOCKDOWN: Friday, September 8th at NOON
BASCULE BRIDGE LOCKDOWN: Friday, September 8th at 1500hrs
ZULU- PORT CLOSURE: Friday, September 8th at 2000hrs 

Cargo users should contact PortMiami’s container terminals directly - POMTOC, Seaboard Marine, SFCT - for the latest information on their operations.

Cruise travelers should contact their cruise line directly for more information on cruise itineraries. 

As we continue to monitor #HurricaneIrma, please stay connected via http://www.portmiami.biz/ and on Twitter @PortMiami @MiamiDadeCounty @MiamiDadeEM for official updates.

Miami International Airport, founded in 1928, MIA now offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America’s second-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup over 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. Soon it will be closing as it too prepares for Hurricane Irma. Here is information posted on their website regarding operations for this weekend.

Important Notice                          

We continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Irma.

Before coming to the airport, please confirm that your flight is still operating.
Many flights have been canceled.

Follow us on Twitter at @IflyMIA for the latest updates.

City of Miami

HURRICANE IRMA

At this time, Miami Dade County is monitoring Hurricane Irma. Please visit their emergency website for the latest information on openings and closings in Miami Dade County

Emergency Website

click to enlarge           Courtesy: NWS South Florida

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Atlantic Hurricane Trifecta

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

the scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed.

Latest from @NASAEarth Satellites (click here)

Hurricane Irma 

The center of Hurricane Irma, at 07/0000 UTC is near 18.8N 65.4W, or about 30 nm NW of St. Thomas, and about 45 nm ENE of San Juan Puerto Rico. Irma is moving WNW or 295 degrees, at 14 knots. The estimated minimum central pressure is 914 mb. The maximum sustained wind speeds remain 160 kt with gusts to 195 kt. Irma is the strongest hurricane to be in the Atlantic basin outside of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LIST OF CRUISE CHANGES

IRMA AT A GLANCE

(click link for current advisory)

 
Storm Archive       Graphics Archive

UPDATE	CAT	WIND / MB	COMMENTS
11:00 PM AST Sun Sep 10 2017	2	100 MPH 155 KM/H 952 MB	...IRMA PRODUCING HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA...

Hurricane Jose

The center of newly upgraded Hurricane Jose, at 07/2100 UTC is near 13.9N 45.8W, or about 905 NM E of the Lesser Antilles. Jose is moving WNW, 285 degrees, at 15 knots. The estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb. The maximum sustained wind speeds are now 65 kt with gusts to 80 kt.

JOSE AT A GLANCE

(click link for current advisory)

 
Storm Archive       Graphics Archive

UPDATE	CAT	WIND / MB	COMMENTS
11:00 PM AST Sun Sep 10 2017	3	115 MPH 185 KM/H 962 MB	...JOSE CONTINUES TO WEAKEN OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC...

Hurricane Katia 

The center of newly upgraded Hurricane Katia, at 07/0000 UTC, is in the SW Gulf of Mexico near 21.7N 94.9W, or about 170 nm E of Tampico, Mexico, moving SE or 135 degrees, at 3 knots. The estimated minimum central pressure is 992 mb. The maximum sustained wind speeds are 65 kt with gusts to 80 kt.

KATIA AT A GLANCE

(click link for current advisory)

 
Storm Archive       Graphics Archive

UPDATE	CAT	WIND / MB	COMMENTS
10:00 AM AST Sat Sep 09 2017	TD	35 MPH 55 KM/H 1004 MB	...KATIA DISSIPATES OVER THE TERRAIN OF EASTERN MEXICO BUT THREAT FOR HEAVY RAINFALL CONTINUES... ...THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY...

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Hurricane Irma Cruise Ship Impact

Hurricane Irma Courtesy NOAA NHC 

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

HURRICANE IRMA
Impacting Cruises

NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Jose

Key Messages regarding Hurricane Irma 

USCG Inspects Ports After Irma

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates 

September 13, 2017 at 6 PM EDT (next update 9/14 at 6 PM EDT)

NEW: Enchantment of the Seas: September 11 Bahamas cruise

We are canceling the Enchantment of the Seas cruise due to the continued closure of the port, and the uncertainty as to when normal operations will resume. We are very sorry for this impact to your vacation.

Irma is now a tropical storm with sustained winds of 70 mph. It is currently located just west of Gainesville on the Gulf Coast, moving north/northwest at 18 mph. The storm should exit the Florida area late Monday, pre-dawn Tuesday.

We are mobilizing ships and supplies to help people in need. In coordination with the US and local governments we are dispatching ships to St. Thomas and St. Maarten and stand ready to assist Key West, and other locations. Adventure of the Seas made a humanitarian stop in St. Maarten on Sunday and Majesty of the Seas will make humanitarian calls in St. Thomas and St. Maarten to provide supplies and also assist in transporting evacuees in St. Maarten to safety. Additionally, we have Empress of the Seas ready to assist Key West once the impact of the storm is known.
Read more ... Royal Caribbean IRMA Humanitarian Deployments

Florida airports are slowly getting up and running. For the most up-to-date information please visit the FAA website at www.fly.faa.gov.

For more frequent updates, please follow our meteorologist on Twitter @JamesVanFleet or visit the Royal Caribbean Facebook page.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Allure of the Seas	September 3	Modified	Western Caribbean
Adventure of the Seas	September 9	Modified	Southern Caribbean St. Maarten Humanitarian Stop
Grandeur of the Seas	September 7	As Scheduled	New England/Canada
Liberty of the Seas	September 10	As Scheduled	Western Caribbean
Serenade of the Seas	September 10	As Scheduled	New England/Canada
Vision of the Seas	September 7	As Scheduled	New England/Canada
Enchantment of the Seas	September 8	Cancelled	Bahamas
Majesty of the Seas	September 8	Cancelled	Bahamas
Allure of the Seas	September 10 September 13	Rescheduled	Western Caribbean 4nt Bahamas
Anthem of the Seas	September 9	Confirmed	Bermuda
Empress of the Seas	September 9	Cancelled	Cuba
Harmony of the Seas	September 9 September 12	Rescheduled	Eastern Caribbean 4 nt Cozumel
Oasis of the Seas	September 10 September 13	Rescheduled	Eastern Caribbean 4 nt Cozumel
Enchantment of the Seas	September 11 September 12	Cancelled	Bahamas Humanitarian Stop
Majesty of the Seas	September 11	Cancelled	Bahamas (charter) St. Thomas & St. Maarten Humanitarian Stops
Empress of the Seas	September 13	Cancelled	Cuba St. Thomas & St. Maarten Humanitarian Stops
Majesty of the Seas	September 15	Cancelled	Bahamas  Ready to assist Key West Humanitarian Stops

Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert 

September 12th 1:00 PM ET (5:00 PM UTC)

Further to our update from Friday afternoon, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Sky have both safely departed from PortMiami. Norwegian Escape is sailing at full capacity with approximately 4,000 displaced guests from both ships that were unable to secure flights back home. The ship is remaining alongside in Cozumel, Mexico Sunday until 5 pm and then will go to sea. Once the storm has safely passed and PortMiami reopens, the ship will proceed towards Miami. Due to the devastating impact in the Caribbean from Hurricane Irma, all of Norwegian Escape’s upcoming Eastern Caribbean sailings until November will be altered to a Western Caribbean itinerary.

Norwegian Sky is now on a rescue mission (see the following article).  Norwegian Sky on IRMA Rescue Mission

As per the State Department, affected US Citizens on St. Thomas should email name, gender, & last known location to IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov.

As the safety and security of our team members is our top priority, Norwegian Cruise Line's Miami headquarters will remain closed through Tuesday, September 12 and are scheduled to re-open on Wednesday, September 13. To ensure that we continue to operate with all the necessary shoreside support, key staff members have been relocated out of Miami and the storm zone.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Norwegian Escape	September 2	Shortened	Western Caribbean
Norwegian Escape	September 7	Modified	Away from Storm Departing Cozumel For Miami 9/11 (5 PM)
Norwegian Escape	September 9	Cancelled	Eastern Caribbean
Norwegian Sky	September 4	Shortened	Cuba
Norwegian Sky	September 8	Cancelled	Bahamas Away from Storm
Norwegian Sky	September 11	Cancelled	Bahamas Rescue - USVI
Norwegian Sky	September 15	As Scheduled	Western Caribbean
Norwegian Escape	September 16	As Scheduled	Western Caribbean

Disney Cruise Line Weather Alert 

Tropical Weather Update September 14, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. 

Disney Fantasy - September 23 and October 7 Sailings 

The September 23 and October 7 Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean sailings are being modified to include ports of call in the Western Caribbean. These two revised sailings will now visit Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Please know that further changes may be needed as the Caribbean islands continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Irma and that we will notify Guests should additional changes be necessary. Western Caribbean sailings will continue as scheduled.

Should you have any questions related to a future reservation, please call us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Disney Fantasy	September 2	Shortened	Western Caribbean
Disney Fantasy	September 9	Cancelled	Eastern Caribbean
Disney Dream	September 4	Modified	Bahamas
Disney Dream	September 8	Cancelled	Bahamas
Disney Dream	September 11	Cancelled	Bahamas
Disney Dream	September 15	As Scheduled	Bahamas
Disney Fantasy	September 16	As Scheduled	Western Caribbean
Disney Fantasy	September 23	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Western Caribbean
Disney Fantasy	October 7	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Western Caribbean

Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts
Weather update 9/13/2017 – 8:30 PM (EDT)


As a result of damage caused by Hurricane Irma, we have modified the following (September 16-18) itineraries in order to provide our guests with the best possible shore experience.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Carnival Glory	September 2	Modified	Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Magic	September 3	Modified	Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Splendor	September 3	Modified	Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Pride	September 3	Modified	Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Liberty	September 7	Cancelled	Bahamas
Carnival Paradise	September 7	As Scheduled	Cuba & Cozumel
Carnival Sensation	September 7	As Scheduled	Western Caribbean
Carnival Victory	September 8	Cancelled	Bahamas
Carnival Conquest	September 9 September 12	Rescheduled	3 NT Cozumel
Carnival Glory	September 9 September 12	Rescheduled	3 NT Cozumel
Carnival Magic	September 9 September 13	Rescheduled	Western Caribbean 2 NT Bahamas
Carnival Splendor	September 9	Cancelled	Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Vista	September 9 September 12	Rescheduled	Eastern Caribbean 4 NT Western
Carnival Freedom	September 9	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Western Caribbean
Carnival Ecstasy	September 9	Cancelled	Bahamas
Carnival Liberty	September 10	Cancelled	Bahamas
Carnival Fascination	September 10	Monitoring	Southern Caribbean
Carnival Pride	September 10	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Canada
Carnival Dream	September 10	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Western Caribbean
Carnival Sensation	September 11 September 13	Rescheduled	Western Caribbean 2 NT Bahamas
Carnival Victory	September 11 September 12	Rescheduled	Bahamas
Carnival Paradise	September 11	As Scheduled	Western Caribbean
Carnival Glory	September 16	Modified	Miami 7 day Half Moon Cay, San Juan, Grand Turk
Carnival Paradise	September 16	Modified	Tampa 5 day Grand Cayman, Cosumel
Carnival Magic	September 16	Modified	Port Canaveral 8 day Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Kitts, Antigua
Carnival Breeze	September 17	Modified	Galveston 7 day Freeport and Nassau
Carnival Fascination	September 17	Modified	San Juan 7 day Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts
Carnival Victory	September 18	Modified	Miami 4 day Cozumel

MSC Cruises Itinerary Updates

Weather advisories & Itinerary updates (updated September 13, 10:30am)

MSC Divina – update regarding the current cruise as well as future itineraries 

On the current cruise 

MSC Divina has now returned to the Port of Miami. She is already at berth and has received authorization from local authorities to carry out disembarkation procedures from 12 to 5pm EST today.

On future itineraries 

On Saturday, September 16, MSC Divina will operate a West Caribbean cruise out of Miami, calling at Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), Costa Maya (Mexico) and Nassau (Bahamas).

From Saturday, September 23, MSC Divina will resume her scheduled service, alternating East and West Caribbean cruises on a weekly basis. For East Caribbean cruises, Antigua will replace the scheduled call at Philipsburg (St. Maarten), until the island recovers from Hurricane Irma’s passage.

MSC Opera – update on future itineraries 

Following the passage of Hurricane Irma through the Caribbean and in connection with the reopening of both the port and airport in Havana, MSC Opera will now resume operating regular cruise service out of Havana, Cuba from 16 September onwards – with unchanged itineraries.

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
MSC Divina	September 2	Shortened	Eastern Caribbean
MSC Divina	September 9	Cancelled	Eastern Caribbean
MSC Divina	September 16	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Western Caribbean
MSC Divina	September 23	Modified	Eastern Caribbean Western Caribbean
MSC Opera	September 16 (onwards)	As Scheduled	Havana, Cuba

Celebrity Cruises Travel Alert 

SHIP	SAIL DATE	STATUS	DESTINATION
Celebrity Equinox	September 4	Modified	Southern Caribbean

Hurricane Preparedness Mini-Series:

Exclusive Grand Turk Experience

Crystal Clear Blue Waters 

Are Calling You

If blue is your favorite color, then Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, is the place for you.  As your ship pulls into the harbor this picture unfolds in front of your eyes.   A short walk from your ship, and you can immerse yourself in these beautiful waters or relax on the beach and just enjoy the scenery.

But first, it was time for us to explore the island on an exclusive shore excursion offered by Shore Excursions Group.  Working with a Professional Travel Planner, you rely on their recommendations. In order for me to provide those recommendations, I need to experience the ships and tours myself. Since I hadn't done that before on Grand Turk, we decided to book the "Exclusive Grand Turk Experience" during one of our recent cruises in the Caribbean.

Guided Island Tour

Click images to enlarge - view Grand Turk Album

Grand Turk Island is the administrative, historic, cultural and financial center of the island nation of Turks and Caicos. Grand Turk is largest of all the islands that comprise the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. With crystal clear waters, gorgeous climate, and a unique culture, Grand Turk has become a popular cruise destination for travelers visiting from all around the world.

This guided island drive tour showed us the highlights of Grand Turk Island. We visited the island's top attractions, including the former United States Air Force Tracking Base and a replica of Astronaut John Glenn's Friendship 7 space capsule, which splashed down off the island's coast in 1962 following the United States' first successful manned orbit of the earth.

We also saw several 18th-century churches, beautiful Bermudan-style buildings, and salt ponds. In this peaceful town you may also see wild horses and donkeys freely roaming the streets. There was a brief photo stop to see a working lighthouse that has been in service for more than 150 years. Built in London in 1852 and shipped to Grand Turk, it was assembled in hopes of saving the salt trade. Standing sixty feet, it was designed by Alexander Gordon, who designed lighthouses throughout the British Empire.

Next we had an opportunity to visit "The Salt House", a recreated 17th-century saltpan that chronicles the history of the salt and slave industry.  View Grand Turk Album for more images from our excursion.

Margaritaville Grand Turk (photo album)

Margaritaville Grand Turk

Following our shore excursion tour, we had plenty of time to enjoy Margaritaville which is within walking distance of the ship.   Find your place in the sun or shade by the beach or around the pool for a relaxing day in the Caribbean.

Enjoy some food or your favorite beverage while lounging on your beach chair by the pool.  Salt water or fresh water - the choice is yours and there is no charge (other than for food and beverages) to enjoy this oasis in the sun.

Click for Mini-Series Articles / Images

Our Recommendations for Grand Turk

If this is your first visit to Grand Turk, or if you have never explored the island on past trips, we'd encourage you to explore via a private shore excursion, such as the one we took from Shore Excursion Group.  The reason we suggest a private tour is that you'll have less people in your group and it will cost less than ship organized tours.  We even had wi-fi on our mini-van!

Grand Turk is a great place to enjoy the beautiful crystal blue waters of the Caribbean.  Book a snorkeling or scuba tour if you are adventurous or simply relax on the beach by Margaritaville.   Your ship is your floating base, so you can go back and forth for meals if you don't want to purchase food at Margaritaville.   Should you decide to stay on board the ship, odds are you'll have the ship to yourself as most people will be hanging out at the beach.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat 

Latest News Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Bliss Racetrack      Photo: Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer, unveiled Norwegian Bliss features at an exclusive event at Virtuoso Travel Week at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, where media and travel partners were able to Imagine Bliss through interactive 3D virtual reality experiences of the ship’s race track, Observation Lounge, The Waterfront, pool deck and a waterslide.

 “Norwegian Bliss will no doubt be our most incredible ship to date,” said Stuart. 

“We have elevated Norwegian Bliss’s onboard experience to new heights, bringing the best features from across our fleet plus exciting new first-at-sea activities like the largest race track and new dining concepts to create the ultimate cruising experience.”

At approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating 4,000 guests, Norwegian Bliss is currently being constructed at MEYER WERFT in Papenburg, Germany and is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2018.

Just when we thought we've seen it all on a cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Line's designers took freestyle cruising to a new level with another first for a North American-based cruise ship with a two level electric-car race track. The competitive track, the longest at sea at nearly 1,000 feet, will rev up the hearts of all who race around her many twists and turns with four speed settings accommodating novice, intermediate and advanced drivers, reaching up to 30 miles per hour — with a special “turbo boost” available on each lap.

The electric cars run silent so as to not disturb those seeking to enjoy the serene environment. But guests will have the full racing experience while they channel their inner Andretti, as the sounds of a race car engine are piped in through speakers located in the car’s headrest.

Visit our Norwegian Bliss Microsite to Learn More

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