Norwegian Bliss: The traditional ship that has plenty to set itself apart

Words by Harriet Mallinson

There’s an omelette twerking right in front of me. “I like to move it, move it,” croons the chef as he folds the parcel into a cobra on the teppanyaki grill and wiggles its derrière. Who knew congealed eggs could be so sexy?

Culinary theatrics don’t stop there: knives skip through the air, banging loudly on the metal surface, before a heart-shaped rice mound ‘beats’ with a spatula to the cook’s rendition of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (which I can’t). If this isn’t food brought to life, I don’t know what is.

Cruise ship Norwegian Bliss was treated to a refresh in early 2025, including an expansion of speciality restaurant Teppanyaki, so it’s easier than ever to bag a communal seat at this high-energy, all-singing eatery. I join bleary-eyed from first-day jet lag on my cruise out of Los Angeles – and leave several hours later slightly, ahem, shell-shocked.

There’s plenty surprising about this 4,010-passenger Norwegian Cruise Line vessel – although you might not realise it at first. Built in 2018 and still the largest ship in the NCL fleet, it’s traditional in countless ways, from its darker interiors to its retro entertainment, whether that’s game shows or a poolside Mr Sexy Legs competition. So, what gives?

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For starters, there’s the gasp-inducing price: the last-minute, cruise-only cost for my seven-day sailing along the Mexican Riviera is a mere £215pp. That’s under £30 a night for a sun-drenched, all-you-can-eat holiday – on a billion-dollar cruise ship no less. It’s relatively youthful too; 40-55 is the average age of passengers on this sea, sand and salsa itinerary.

The greatest novelty onboard is the top-deck, two-level go-karting track ($15 (£11) for 10 minutes), complete with hairpin turns, hair-raising speeds and distractingly good Pacific panoramas [below, right]. “Someone only did six laps,” a teen scoffs as my session’s motorheads congregate around the scoreboard. I assume an air of innocence.

I attempt to regain deck cred over at the waterslides, only people keep getting momentarily stuck on the stomach-lurching Ocean Loops drop slide [below, left] and have to be ushered out via a discreet panel. Panic sets in but my fellow daredevils are having none of it. “You can do it!” hollers a German man. “It will be totally fine!” cries an American, eagerly sharing his tips for ultimate whooshing.

Buoyed by their enthusiasm, I clamber into the tube, the trapdoor opens and I’m flushed south, nerves fizzing. “She made it!” my hype team cheers from the top of the stairs as I emerge, intact and triumphant, their whoops filtering through my water-clogged ears. Cruise camaraderie, there’s nothing like it.

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For more relaxing aquatic pursuits, there’s the huge adults-only Thermal Suite [below, left]. I simmer gyoza-style in the steamiest of steam rooms before shivering like a baby penguin in the snow room where actual snow coats the floor and flurries of falling white stuff billow from the ceiling. It’s good for your immune system, I’m told, but I’ve forgotten my spa slippers, so it’s more polar punishment than wellness ritual.

There’s all sorts of other clever beauty kit down here. My facial treatment includes a skin analysis: a machine takes terrifying images under my skin to kindly highlight how damaged I am – before attempting to undo 35 years of dermal distress with Elemis Biotec facial technology (it uses microcurrent oxygen infusion and galvanic stimulation, apparently). Medi-spa treatments are also available, from Botox to dermal fillers, if you need to combat the wrinkle-deepening stress of those top-deck thrills.

I turn to cocktails, myself – boozing being one of the copious cruising staples on Norwegian Bliss. For around £34 a day you can drink as much as you like on NCL’s all-inclusive Free At Sea package (upgrade from £249 on 7-8 day cruises). I quaff a spicy Mojito in the Mojito bar and an Old Fashioned at the whisky joint before deciding to up the Albariño ante in the wine ‘cellar’ at a paid tasting ($25pp (c.£20pp)).

However, the wine host has an awful lot to say, and with all her quizzing on notes and terroirs, it starts to feel a bit like school – and it’s a subject I’m failing; I can’t distinguish my minerals from my mint or my lavender from my liquorice. “I’m starting to wonder if I’ve ever tasted anything in my whole life,” my equally palate-puzzled pal says as everyone else around us nods sagely, agreeing: “Yes, there is a hint of barnyard, isn’t there?”

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For fun without the flunking, but still with ample cruise cheesiness, there are the deck parties. Country music night sees crew teach line-dancing that gets everyone two-stepping, while the Glow party requires no coordination at all – provided you can wave a colour-pulsing foam stick in the air. I feel gleefully liberated as we all boogie under the stars and sing our hearts out into the inky night (although that might be the unlimited drinks).

For keen revellers, NCL’s Mexican Riviera sailings always go big on such outdoor parties, with beaches, pool time and fun vibes the main guest requirements, but cultural enrichment is available by way of shore excursions.

At the coastal town of Mazatlán I join a day trip to an authentic Lucha Libre show [above, right] (Mexico’s drama-drenched, mask-wearing take on pro wrestling), packed with colourful costumes and free-flowing margaritas. Combatants in the abandoned, repurposed warehouse mock-fight with impressive athleticism while we roar from the sideline as though hundreds of dollars ride on the outcome, rather than a third helping of tortillas.

The performers ping around the ring and flip theatrically in a series of flinch-worthy, bruise-blooming choreographed moves, their masks adorned with flamboyant horns, flames and earrings, until a victor is named. I suspect they wouldn’t need a cheer squad to get down a waterslide…

– READ MORE: Top 10 must-book excursions for the Caribbean –

In Cabo [above, left], I make the smart move of skipping ship excursions entirely. A $10 local boat ride takes me to serene Lover’s Beach and emptier (but rougher-waved) Divorce Beach. Here I’m greeted by majestic craggy rocks and wide sands so richly golden Cartier should set up shop. I’ll risk the break-up.

Sunset is high-carat, too: the sinking orb a glowing citrine solitaire. Low-hanging dark clouds morph into confetti-pink petals, promising another day of *checks the daily schedule* oo, anything from seafood at Mediterranean newcomer Palomar and a Jersey Boys show to lawn games at just-added Horizon Park [above, right] and live comedy – plus all-you-can-soak-up warm weather.

So, yes, given you’d struggle to get a three-course meal at the UK Mexican chain Wahaca for the daily price of my holiday, this is probably worth putting all your huevos in one basket for. Sunny side-up, I reckon.

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