We chose this cruise, though we usually cruise smaller, higher end ships like Viking Ocean and Oceania’s newer ships because we wanted to take younger grandchildren and their parents to see the glaciers while they still exist, on a ship that would be fun for the kids, age 9,8,7 & 6. We booked a Haven Penthouse suite aft with a huge balcony so all could enjoy and put the others in balcony cabins right next door (or so we thought). First “untruth: they moved one cabin up 3 decks without notification until we got the paperwork, and by then the cabin we had actually booked was gone. Next THREE different people told us that even though we had the beverage package we couldn’t use the minibar without paying extra (mind you, our little suite cost $10,000 more than the balcony cabins). BUT, they said 3 times, your butler can bring you drinks for free. WRONG! You have to pay for those drinks. Next, the 3rd person in your expensive suite (or the other cabins) gets NONE of the “freebies.” They forgot to mention that detail. The list of Haven Suite amenities lists binoculars. No binoculars on the Bliss, even though it clearly states there are. When we asked, they said (and I’m serious),”There are no binoculars anywhere on the Bliss....but you can purchase them at one of the stores”. Seriously, and from several people we asked. We had no binoculars except borrowed from our son-in-law. I use a small Travelscoot because I am partially handicapped. There is not ONE sharp edge anywhere on it. On every cruise we’ve gone on in the past 5 years, it’s so small that I always drove it right into our suite. These doorways are too small, so we had to fold it up and carry it in every time. The second day, someone left two scratches on the door (clearly made by a sharp edged something which we didn’t have). Down come these two burly security dudes, wanting to inspect our scooter and making my husband show them how he folded it up and came in and out,...twice. Next, my husband visited the medical folks because he had scraped his arm on a suitcase zipper somehow and the bandaids we brought just didn’t do the job. Out comes security again, telling him he had to go back to the cabin and demonstrate how this happened BEFORE they would give him the bandage he needed. He refused to go until his arm was treated. Then the goons came to the suite, made him take the suitcase out from under the bed, and took photographs of the suitcase, my husband, and his SHOES. So welcoming.

Also not mentioned, the prepaid gratuities, not cheap at $17.50 a day per person, do not get shared at all with your butler or the concierge because they serve only the suites. So for them to get anything, you must personally pay them a gratuity. Your beverage package that you purchase - it covers drinks and wine up to $15, which is fine, but does NOT cover espresso or cappuccino, which actually cost less. And that free room service you get with your Haven suite is NOT free for the third person. I could go on about nickle and diming you for all the fun activities, but I’ll stop with the negative stuff.

The ship is truly beautiful. The Mexican and Italian specialty restaurants were truly wonderful, and the service was terrific. The main dining rooms, both regular and Haven, were adequate, nothing more. Jersey Boys was SENSATIONAL. Havana, not so much. The only excursion we did through the ship was the sled dog experience and it was really great for the kids. We made our own arrangements for other excursions. Our butler, Lanie was really terrific and made our trip much more enjoyable. My husband, because of his wonderful Naval career, got a personal bridge tour and they really took a lot of time with him, both the Captain and the second in command, swapping sea stories. Would we sail Norwegian again? Never.