NORWEGIAN BLISS
January 15, 2026 | Mexican Riviera Cruise – Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line) was in Mazatlán, Mexico, on January 15, 2026, during our Mexican Riviera cruise. The ship's visit brought us to the historic Pacific coast port, known for its commercial harbor, long waterfront promenade and the beaches stretching north of the old city.
Norwegian Bliss visited Mazatlán, Mexico, on January 15, 2026, during our seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise from Los Angeles. The voyage, sailing January 11–18, included three Mexican ports along the Pacific coast, with Mazatlán serving as our second port of call after Puerto Vallarta. This gallery documents the ship during Day 5 of our cruise, with Cabo San Lucas still ahead before our return to Southern California.
Mazatlán is a long-established port city on Mexico's Pacific coast in the state of Sinaloa. Its working harbor handles commercial shipping, fishing vessels and visiting cruise ships, while the city's historic center, beaches and extensive seaside promenade make it a popular Mexican Riviera destination. The cruise terminal is located within the commercial port, giving passengers a view of the city's continuing maritime activity.
Our week aboard Norwegian Bliss combined two days at sea on the southbound journey with visits to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas. The ship's large observation areas, outdoor promenades and varied public spaces provided different ways to enjoy the Pacific coast throughout the voyage. Mazatlán was the middle of our three Mexican port visits and part of a cruise that brought us back to Los Angeles on January 18.
Information List
Ship: Norwegian Bliss
Operator: Norwegian Cruise Line
Builder: Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
Ship Class: Breakaway Plus
Delivered: April 2018
Entered Service: 2018
Gross Tonnage: 168,028 GT
Length: 333.3 meters / approximately 1,094 feet
Beam: 41.4 meters / approximately 136 feet
Passenger Capacity: Approximately 4,000 at double occupancy
Passenger Cabins: 2,043
Propulsion: Diesel-electric with electric pod propulsion
Service Speed: Approximately 22.5 knots
Ship Type: Cruise ship
Cruise: Seven-night Mexican Riviera
Cruise Dates: January 11–18, 2026
Departure Port: Los Angeles, California
Day: Day 5 – Mazatlán
Date: January 15, 2026
Location: Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Previous Port: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – January 14, 2026
Next Port: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – January 16, 2026
Return Port: Los Angeles, California – January 18, 2026
Personal Voyage: Ocean Liner Photography sailed aboard Norwegian Bliss
January 2026 – Mexican Riviera Cruise
Our Seven-Night Voyage:
We boarded Norwegian Bliss in Los Angeles on January 11, 2026, for a seven-night roundtrip Mexican Riviera cruise.
The itinerary included three Mexican destinations: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.
The first two full days were spent at sea as the ship sailed south along the Pacific coast toward Mexico.
Our first port was Puerto Vallarta on January 14, followed by Mazatlán on January 15 and Cabo San Lucas on January 16.
After the final Mexican port, the ship spent January 17 at sea before returning to Los Angeles on January 18.
The voyage provided an opportunity to experience Norwegian Bliss firsthand and document the ship at several points along the Mexican Riviera.
Voyage Itinerary:
January 11 – Day 1: Departed Los Angeles, California.
January 12 – Day 2: At sea, sailing south along the Pacific coast.
January 13 – Day 3: At sea, continuing toward Mexico.
January 14 – Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.
January 15 – Day 5: Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
January 16 – Day 6: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
January 17 – Day 7: At sea, returning north toward Southern California.
January 18 – Day 8: Arrived in Los Angeles and disembarked.
Mazatlán – Day 5:
Norwegian Bliss arrived in Mazatlán on January 15, 2026, following our visit to Puerto Vallarta the previous day.
The port call was the second of three Mexican destinations during our cruise.
Mazatlán's commercial harbor serves both cruise ships and working maritime traffic, reflecting the city's longstanding role as a Pacific coast port.
The historic center, beaches and Malecón are among the city's best-known attractions.
Our photographs document Norwegian Bliss during this stop before the voyage continued toward Cabo San Lucas.
The Mexican Riviera:
The Mexican Riviera is an established cruise region along Mexico's Pacific coastline, commonly served by ships departing from Southern California.
Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas are among the region's most frequently visited cruise destinations.
Each port has a different character, from Puerto Vallarta's setting along Banderas Bay to Mazatlán's historic commercial harbor and Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
Seven-night roundtrip voyages from Los Angeles provide time for multiple Mexican port visits while retaining several days at sea.
The January 2026 cruise formed part of Norwegian Bliss's Pacific coast operations during the winter season.
History and Features
Construction and Launch:
Norwegian Bliss was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, for Norwegian Cruise Line.
She is the third ship in the Breakaway Plus class, following Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy.
The ship was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on April 19, 2018.
Her christening took place in Seattle on May 30, 2018, with radio personality Elvis Duran serving as godfather.
Norwegian Bliss was developed with Alaska cruising as an important part of her intended service, while also being suitable for warmer-weather itineraries.
Design and Technical:
The ship measures approximately 333.3 meters in length, with a beam of 41.4 meters and a gross tonnage of 168,028 GT.
She accommodates approximately 4,000 passengers at double occupancy in 2,043 cabins.
Her diesel-electric power plant supplies electricity for shipboard operations and electric propulsion pods.
The Breakaway Plus design provides extensive outdoor promenade space, observation areas and passenger facilities.
Marine wildlife artist Robert Wyland created the large whale-themed artwork covering the forward portion of the hull.
The ship's 20 decks accommodate a wide range of public areas, restaurants, entertainment spaces and accommodations.
Designed for Alaska:
Norwegian Bliss was developed specifically with Alaska cruising in mind, including facilities suited to viewing coastal scenery and glaciers.
Her large forward-facing Observation Lounge provides panoramic views from an enclosed public space.
The Waterfront promenade offers outdoor viewing and dining areas along the sides of the ship.
Environmental features incorporated into the design include exhaust gas cleaning systems, energy-efficient machinery and waste-treatment equipment.
These facilities also make the ship well suited to other scenic cruising regions, including the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Onboard Features:
One of the ship's best-known attractions is her two-level electric go-kart racetrack.
Other recreational facilities include waterslides, a laser tag area and extensive pool-deck spaces.
The Observation Lounge is a major public space, particularly useful during scenic cruising and days at sea.
The Waterfront features outdoor restaurant seating and lounge areas.
The Haven offers a separate suite accommodation complex with dedicated facilities.
A variety of restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues support the ship's contemporary resort-style cruising experience.
Service:
Norwegian Bliss entered service in 2018, initially becoming closely associated with Norwegian Cruise Line's Alaska program.
Her itineraries have included Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and other destinations in North America.
Seattle has been an important departure port for her Alaska operations.
During parts of the winter season, the ship has operated Mexican Riviera itineraries from Los Angeles.
Her January 11–18, 2026, cruise followed the established seven-night roundtrip pattern, combining Pacific coast sea days with three Mexican port visits.
Notable Notes:
This gallery forms part of our personal January 2026 cruise aboard Norwegian Bliss.
Mazatlán was our second Mexican port, following Puerto Vallarta and preceding Cabo San Lucas.
The port order reflected the itinerary we actually sailed, following adjustments made before departure.
The photographs add another firsthand shipboard voyage to the Ocean Liner Photography archive.
Together with photographs from other ports and days at sea, the Mazatlán gallery helps document the full seven-night Mexican Riviera journey.
OLP Social: Day 5 of our seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise brought us to the historic Pacific coast port of Mazatlán, between visits to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
