NORWEGIAN BLISS
January 25, 2026 | Los Angeles, California
Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line) departed Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 2026, beginning a scheduled seven night Mexican Riviera cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas, returning February 1. Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, she entered service in 2018 as the third Breakaway Plus class ship.
Norwegian Bliss departed Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 2026, beginning another cruise in Norwegian Cruise Line’s winter Mexican Riviera program. The published itinerary called for seven nights roundtrip from Southern California, combining Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas with three days at sea. These photographs feature the ship leaving Los Angeles, capturing the departure that began her scheduled January 25–February 1 voyage along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Bliss was delivered on April 19, 2018, and began her maiden transatlantic voyage from Southampton on April 21. She was the third ship in the Breakaway Plus class, following Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy. Her design placed particular emphasis on Alaska cruising, with observation spaces and outdoor areas connecting passengers with the surrounding scenery. Wyland’s marine life artwork gave the ship an exterior identity closely associated with that original role.
By January 2026, Norwegian Bliss had also undergone a 2025 refurbishment that introduced Horizon Park, revised dining spaces and additional accommodation. Her service combined Alaska seasons with cruises in warmer waters, continuing the varied deployment pattern established during her first year. For this departure, the scheduled route began with two days at sea before reaching Puerto Vallarta, then turned north through Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas before returning to Los Angeles on February 1.
Information List
Name: Norwegian Bliss
Operator: Norwegian Cruise Line
Type: Cruise ship
Class: Breakaway Plus class
Position in Class: Third ship
Builder: Meyer Werft, Germany
Floated Out: February 17, 2018
Delivered: April 19, 2018
Maiden Voyage: April 21, 2018, transatlantic crossing from Southampton
Christened: May 30, 2018, Seattle, Washington
Godfather: Elvis Duran
Length Overall: About 1,094 feet / 333.3 meters
Moulded Beam: About 136 feet / 41.4 meters
Gross Tonnage: 168,028 GT
Passenger Capacity: About 4,000 at double occupancy
Refurbished: 2025
Hull Artist: Wyland
Gallery Date: January 25, 2026
Gallery Location: Los Angeles, California
Gallery Context: Departure at the beginning of a scheduled seven night Mexican Riviera cruise
History and Features
Construction and Introduction:
Meyer Werft built Norwegian Bliss in Germany as part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s continuing fleet expansion.
She emerged from the covered building dock on February 17, 2018, before completing further outfitting and trials.
Delivery followed on April 19, marking the formal handover from the shipyard to the cruise line.
Her maiden transatlantic voyage began from Southampton on April 21, preceding an inaugural series of events in the United States.
The Breakaway Plus Class:
Norwegian Bliss followed Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy as the third Breakaway Plus class ship.
Norwegian Encore subsequently completed the four ship series, extending the design into another vessel.
The class developed the earlier Breakaway platform with additional space, including an extra passenger deck.
Its broader dimensions supported larger accommodation and public areas while retaining Norwegian’s combination of indoor and outdoor venues.
Design for Scenic Cruising:
Norwegian Bliss was developed with Alaska cruising in mind, influencing the provision of sheltered observation spaces.
The forward Observation Lounge offers broad views through large windows, providing an indoor setting for watching the scenery.
The Waterfront promenade connects outdoor dining and seating areas with views along the side of the ship.
Together, these spaces support cruising in both cooler northern waters and the warmer conditions of Mexican Riviera itineraries.
Wyland’s Hull Artwork:
Marine artist Wyland created the ship’s hull design, titled “Cruising with the Whales.”
A humpback whale mother and calf form the centerpiece, linking the artwork with wildlife associated with Alaska.
The wider composition incorporates other marine animals, including dolphins, manta rays, sea lions and sea turtles.
The artwork continues Norwegian Cruise Line’s practice of giving individual ships distinctive, large scale designs across their hulls.
Christening and Service:
Norwegian Bliss was christened in Seattle on May 30, 2018, with radio personality Elvis Duran serving as godfather.
Her inaugural Alaska season began that June, establishing Seattle as an important base for her early service.
Los Angeles also featured in her first year, with Mexican Riviera cruises forming part of the ship’s deployment.
Her operating history has combined northern summer itineraries with warmer destinations, including Mexican and Caribbean cruises.
The 2025 Refurbishment:
A refurbishment in early 2025 introduced Horizon Park, an outdoor gathering area with seating and recreational space.
Accommodation changes included additional balcony cabins and updates to selected suites within The Haven.
Dining alterations expanded Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, while Palomar replaced Ocean Blue.
These changes were already part of the ship’s onboard offering by the January 2026 departure featured in this gallery.
The Scheduled January 25 Cruise:
The published itinerary listed a seven night roundtrip cruise departing Los Angeles on January 25, 2026.
January 26 and 27 were scheduled as sea days, followed by Puerto Vallarta on January 28.
Mazatlán was scheduled for January 29 and Cabo San Lucas for January 30 as the ship continued north.
A final sea day on January 31 preceded the scheduled return to Los Angeles on February 1.
January 25, 2026 — Departing Los Angeles:
This gallery features Norwegian Bliss leaving Los Angeles at the beginning of her scheduled Mexican Riviera cruise.
The departure belongs to the January 25 sailing, separate from our earlier January 11–18 cruise aboard the ship.
Her winter deployment continued a connection with Southern California that dated back to her inaugural year.
These photographs show the ship underway from Los Angeles, with the three Mexican ports providing the itinerary context for the voyage ahead.
OLP Social: Departing Los Angeles on January 25, 2026, she began a scheduled seven night Mexican Riviera cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.
OLP Social 2: Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, she was delivered in April 2018 as the third Breakaway Plus class ship, beginning a career spanning Alaska and warmer waters.
OLP Social 3: Wyland’s hull artwork, Cruising with the Whales, features a humpback mother and calf, linking her appearance with the marine life of her Alaska routes.
OLP Social 4: Designed with Alaska in mind, she began summer cruises from Seattle in June 2018, with Los Angeles also included in her first year of cruising.
