Name: Bahamas: Great Stirrup Cay, Orlando & Nassau
Brand: Norwegian Cruise Line

Overview

With New York in your wake and North America and South America ahead, this 19-night Norwegian Cruise Line sailing aboard Norwegian Bliss promises a journey to remember. You'll step ashore at 3 ports across North America and South America, with standout stops at New York and Puerto Caldera along the way. Few things rival waking up in a new port most mornings, and this 19-night itinerary serves up exactly that kind of variety. With fares from £1,461 per person, this is a wonderful way to experience North America and South America by sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Founded in 1966, Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), part of global cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (which also owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises), is the third-largest cruise line in the world in terms of cruise passengers. NCL has become well-known for its colourful ships featuring a pop-icon style painted hull.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

New York, New York

Cruising from New York City immerses you in a world of unparalleled excitement and convenience. Setting sail from the iconic Manhattan skyline, you embark on a journey enriched with history and glamour. Explore renowned landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square before boarding your ship, where luxury and comfort await. From the Caribbean's sun-drenched beaches to Europe's timeless cities, New York's port offers diverse itineraries to suit every traveler's taste. Indulge in gourmet dining, Broadway-style entertainment, and world-class amenities as you cruise the high seas from the city that never sleeps, creating memories to last a lifetime.

Days 2-3

At sea

Day 4

Puerto Plata

Day 5

At sea

Day 6

Cartagena

Nestled along the Mediterranean coast, Cartagena exudes an air of ancient grandeur, tracing its roots back to the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. This historic port city boasts a climate blessed with year-round sunshine, perfect for leisurely strolls along its palm-lined promenades. Beyond its famed Roman ruins and imposing fortifications, Cartagena offers a glimpse into authentic Spanish life, with bustling markets brimming with local flavors and artisans' wares. Cruise lines strategically dock to provide easy access to Cartagena's wealth of cultural treasures, from the Roman Theatre to the Modernist architecture of its city center. It's a destination where history meets modern charm, leaving an indelible mark on every visitor's memory.

Day 7

Colón

Day 8

Day 9

At sea

Day 10

Puerto Caldera

Ah, Caldera - where the jagged peaks meet the azure waters of the ocean in a landscape that breathes tranquillity and untouched beauty. This local haven promises a climate as diverse as its scenery, with balmy summers and mild winters, making it an all-year-round destination for those in search of a genuine getaway. As you wander through the scenic villages and lush vineyards, you'll witness Caldera as a vibrant showcase of true national customs and festivities, distinct from the usual tourist paths. A unique allure here is the annual "Firefly Dance," where the night sky is mirrored by thousands of luminous firefliesa spectacle not seen anywhere else.

Day 11

At sea

Day 12

Puerto Quetzal

Day 13

At sea

Day 14

Acapulco

Day 15

At sea

Day 16

Puerto Vallarta

"It's gorgeous!" echoes the sentiment of countless visitors drawn to Puerto Vallarta's vibrant blend of history and culture. This coastal gem rose to fame as the backdrop for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's romance during the filming of "Night of the Iguana." Today, its cobblestone streets and charming architecture offer a glimpse into its storied past, from pre-Hispanic civilizations to Spanish conquests. The Malec, a seaside promenade, showcases local art and performances, while nearby archaeological sites like the Cuale Archaeological Museum reveal the city's ancient roots.

Day 17

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas emerges as the ultimate destination in Mexican allure. Its rich heritage, punctuated by historical events like pirate attacks and Spanish conquests, imbues the city with an irresistible charm. The iconic El Arco rock formation stands as a testament to the region's storied past, while vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations showcase its enduring legacy.

Days 18-19

At sea

Day 20

San Francisco, California

San Francisco stands as an iconic symbol of American culture, renowned for its vibrant arts scene, diverse communities, and historic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. The city's picturesque streets, Victorian architecture, and cable cars have served as the backdrop for countless films, earning it a place in cinematic history. From the bustling neighborhoods of Chinatown and the Mission to the scenic vistas of Twin Peaks, San Francisco's distinctive charm and character have captivated audiences worldwide.

Day 1

New York, New York

Days 2-3

At sea

Day 4

Puerto Plata

Day 5

At sea

Day 6

Cartagena

Day 7

Colón

Day 8

Colón

Day 9

At sea

Day 10

Puerto Caldera

Day 11

At sea

Day 12

Puerto Quetzal

Day 13

At sea

Day 14

Acapulco

Day 15

At sea

Day 16

Puerto Vallarta

Day 17

Cabo San Lucas

Days 18-19 At sea

At sea

Day 20

San Francisco, California

4010

Passengers

1716

Crew

2018

Launched

2025

Last refit

168028t

Tonnage

333m

Length

41m

Width

23kts

Speed

Decks

USD

Currency

Norwegian Bliss

As the largest ship in our fleet, Norwegian Bliss is custom-built for the spectacular. The stunning Observation Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows, featuring 180-degree views designed to feel one with the great outdoors.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

Excellent Ship great staff

A beautiful ship with plenty of top class entertainment and activities if you want them . Good choices are first class and the itinerary on t hi s cruise was just what I wanted

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Viva

Reviews

The scenery made up for the shortfalls of the actual cruise experience

It was largely what we were expecting - re: accommodation and entertainment. We thought the food offerings were not very good. As it was an Alaskan cruise we were expecting at least a salmon and crab evening. I thought the buffet would be a bit like the Las Vegas offerings but standard was pedestrian. However, food cooked well and presented nicely. Enjoyed being able to eat in three speciality restaurants and our favourite was the French restaurant - that we really liked. Staff on board all brilliant. Entertainment very loud so we avoided the shows after the first night. Evening music in the main bar was excellent when it was a guy called Randon, otherwise not so good. Port side tours were good. Organisation and communication excellent - never felt left to find out important information for ourselves - daily newspaper listing all activities. Very impressed with that. We would probably not choose an American cruise company again. We are definitely European and our cultures seem so different!

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Jade

Reviews

Great Getaway on Norwegian Getaway

Fantastic round trip cruise from New York up to Halifax. The entertainment was good and the cruise co-ordinator made sure everyone was having a great time. We missed the Beatles bar that Epic had and there wasn't quite the same amount of choices when it came to watching tribute bands/entertainment, but Staff were really friendly and accommodating and did their best to make our trip an enjoyable one. The stops were really interesting and we saw plenty of wildlife - would definitely go back to Boston as a separate trip too as we simply didn't have enough time to see everything. Gave us a taste of that side of America and Canada and we would definitely recommend the cruise and the location. Just booked our 4th cruise with Norwegian around the Med and back on Epic so looking to compare our last few trips and see what has changed.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Getaway

Reviews

Less than impressive, NCL could do much better

British Isles, France, Netherlands and Belgium 11-night cruise Having had more than 35 cruises across several cruise lines (including Holland-America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, P&O, Marella and others), this for me was one of the worst. The quality of main dining-room meals at dinner was poor with a sluggish service to match (often two-and-a-half hours for a three-course serving). So the service was so poor that towards the end of the cruise, I gave up and decided to eat in the buffet! Very many of the on-board activities seemed aimed at extracting as much money as possible from guests. And the entertainment was hit-and-miss. A good British magician/illusionist but a less-than-funny comedian. Edinburgh and Dublin were good destinations, but both involved time-consuming tenders as well as transport from harbour to city centre. Docking at Belfast, too, was a bus or taxi ride from the city centre, or even the Titanic Exhibition (which was one of the highlights of the cruise for me).

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Sky

Reviews

Cruise from port of Jacksonville

Had another fantastic cruise with Norwegian, great staff, entertainment, brilliant food, with a disappointment in the Bahamas. So as typical Norwegian, staff and food fantastic, the shows are brilliant, however our 1 island stop was a disaster with everything on the Island closed for Good Friday. Everyone was boarding taxis to the town centre and getting there to find everything closed, so felt a bit of a rip off with none of the drivers saying so. Went to Norwegian's private island for the first time also which was amazing definitely would return there. All in all it was a great cruise with a great company in Norwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Gem

Reviews

A mixed experience

The cruise was from Auckland to Sydney with ports in NZ and Tasmania en route. The ship itself was smaller size and older but very nicely refurbished. Weather was mainly fine en route except for 2 very rough days in the Tasman sea. I am a single traveller and the Norwegian website would not allow me to book the 3 speciality restaurants as encouraged pre embarkation. The package of Freedom at Sea was dining time and table size as required daily so there were no pre booked tables for singles. The meetings for the 35 or so sole travellers were at 5 pm every day which didn’t really suit me. Similarly the fitness classes tended to be very early morning too. The two main restaurants were fine in terms of food quality but the menu was rather repetitive. The speciality restaurants offered variety of choice. I avoided the buffet as even though staff were encouraging passengers to sanitise their hands, many just walked past and ignored them. I have been on larger ships where buffet items were served rather than hundreds of people using the utensils. The staff were invariably pleasant and helpful with the exception of some excursion staff who yelled instructions at people patronisingly and made the waiting experience needlessly stressful. My main concern was the lack of any dress code at all save that men must wear long trousers in the French restaurant.In the lounges and at dinner, many passengers had not even changed from daytime casuals and shorts ,caps and t shirts were considered acceptable. I guess this was just the wrong cruise line for me as I had made an erroneous assumption that it would be like Olsen. The vast majority of passengers were American and Canadian who perhaps prefer a more informal atmosphere. The entertainment on this American owned liner was very poor indeed to my mind though seemingly enjoyed by others. Two poorly choreographed and screechy song and dance shows plus Mr Penguin, a magician and an unfunny comedian. The lounge entertainment was dire too with the exception of Leon , an excellent young entertainer. So I chose this cruise for the itinerary but the anything goes atmosphere on board just didn’t suit me. Norwegian have some great cruise routes but the onboard experience was disappointing and I would be very hesitant to travel with NCL again.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Spirit

Reviews

First time, probably last

Ship was spotless and crew were fabulous. Entertainment lacklustre, food only OK. Itinerary 8 out of ten, however port timings disappointing. Booked complete package including hotels and transfers, these were all very good. Also had more at sea which worked very well for us, very good value for money overall

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Spirit

Reviews

Alaska and the Inside Passage

This was our 5th cruise with NCL (all on different ships) and whilst we had a good time, we were slightly disappointed with the Joy. The food was not as good as we have had on previous NCL cruises and the entertainment on offer was decidedly "underwhelming"

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Joy