Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Norwegian Bliss, set to launch in spring 2018, will be purpose-built to cruise in Alaska. The ship will homeport in Seattle for the summer season and cruise each week to the Inside Passage, where passengers can expect to see plenty of glaciers, wildlife, and frontier towns. The seven-day itinerary include port stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway in Alaska as well as Victoria, British Columbia.
The full features of the 4,000-passenger ship have not been revealed yet, though ships purpose-built for destinations typically have artwork, restaurants, and onboard activities inspired by the location. The line did announce the signature hull artwork for the ship will be designed by Wyland, a marine life artist known best for his whale murals.
The new ship will also bring a new look to Seattle’s port: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is investing $30 million to upgrade the city's cruise terminal, including expanding the guest check-in area and the VIP Lounge plus adding two new passenger boarding bridges.