Our 7-Day Norwegian Bliss Alaska Cruise Review: Ports, Excursions & Honest Thoughts
Why We Chose an Alaska Cruise
In May 2024, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary with our annual getaway—this time on a seven-day Alaska cruise aboard the Norwegian Bliss with Norwegian Cruise Line, departing from Seattle.
We chose an Alaska cruise because we’d heard incredible things from friends and family who had been, and it seemed like one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips that’s on so many people’s bucket lists. We figured, why not cross it off our bucket list?
To make the trip even more special, we weren’t traveling alone. My mom and stepdad, my brother and his girlfriend, and my husband’s dad and stepmom all joined us, making it an unforgettable family vacation as well as an anniversary celebration.
Before We Left
We actually worked with a travel agent to book our cruise—she’s a family friend of my mom’s. If you have a trusted travel agent, I’d definitely recommend reaching out to them before booking. She was able to get our family a fantastic deal that included both the drink package and gratuities.
Since we knew we’d be heading to Alaska, packing looked a lot different than it usually does for our beach vacations. Instead of swimsuits and sandals, our suitcases were filled with warm layers and waterproof clothing for exploring Alaska.
Some of my must-pack items included my favorite stretchy leggings, a lightweight but waterproof rain jacket, and my comfortable hiking boots. I also packed a compact umbrella, and I’m so glad I did—it definitely came in handy at a couple of our port stops.
The Cruise
Embarkation day is always one of my favorite parts of any cruise. After boarding, we spent the day exploring the ship, grabbing a few drinks, and watching the ship sail away from Seattle. There’s just something exciting about finally being on vacation and seeing the shoreline disappear behind you.
The Norwegian Bliss was a great size—large enough to offer plenty to do without feeling overwhelming. We ended up spending a lot of our time in the casino since my husband and brother are both big craps players. It became one of our favorite places to hang out together throughout the cruise.
The ship also offered plenty of entertainment. While there were several shows to choose from, we only made it to one of the comedy shows, which was a hit with our family since we all love a good laugh.
One of the most unique features onboard was the go-kart track. It was such a unique experience racing go-karts while surrounded by the open ocean! Even though the chilly Alaska weather meant we skipped the pools entirely, we honestly didn’t feel like we missed out. Between the casino, great food, and spending time together, there was always something to enjoy.
Of course, no cruise review would be complete without talking about the food. We dined at a couple of the specialty restaurants, including Teppanyaki and Le Bistro. Le Bistro served French cuisine and ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip. Of course, the complimentary buffet was open for most of the day, and I was more than happy to take advantage of it—especially the build-your-own ramen bar. A warm bowl of soup after spending time outside in the cool Alaska air was the perfect comfort food.
Sitka
Our first stop was Sitka, where we booked the Best of Sitka excursion. This tour included visits to the Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and Sitka National Historical Park. It was the perfect introduction to Alaska’s wildlife and history, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Sitka. After the tour, the bus dropped us off at Sitka National Historical Park, and instead of taking transportation back, we decided to walk to the ship so we could enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
Juneau
Next up was Juneau. We kept this stop pretty relaxed and spent our time wandering through the shops downtown. Of course, we had to stop by the famous Red Dog Saloon for a snack, a few drinks, and to pick up some souvenirs. If you’re a seafood lover, this is also one of the ports where many people recommend trying the famous Alaskan king crab.
Icy Straight Point
Our third stop was Icy Strait Point, and I’ll be completely honest—we never made it off the ship. We may have enjoyed a few too many drinks the night before and stayed up a little later than planned, so we decided to sleep in and enjoy a quieter day onboard. No regrets!
Ketchikan
Our final stop was Ketchikan, where we booked the George Inlet Fjords Safari excursion, and it ended up being one of my favorites of the trip. We started by driving 4×4 vehicles through the mountains to a beautiful waterfall before boarding a boat that took us across the inlet to George Inlet Lodge for what was advertised as an “all-you-can-eat crab feast.”
Now…I’m still not totally convinced it was actually all-you-can-eat. We were each served half of a Dungeness crab, and I don’t remember anyone ever asking for seconds. Looking back, I really wish I had because I could easily eat two whole crabs by myself! (Huge crab fan over here.) If you’ve done this excursion and actually asked for more, let me know because I’m genuinely curious.
One tip I definitely want to pass along: dress warmer than you think you’ll need. The 4×4 ride gets surprisingly cold, so I’d recommend bringing extra layers along with warm gloves and a beanie. I luckily had bought one in Juneau that I brought along. You’ll be much more comfortable and able to enjoy the incredible scenery.
Glacier Day
One of the most anticipated days of our cruise was sailing through Endicott Arm to see the glaciers. We were able to cruise through part of the fjord and see plenty of floating glacial ice along the way, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to make the full journey to Dawes Glacier.
The captain explained that conditions farther into the fjord weren’t safe due to heavy glacial ice. As glaciers naturally calve, they release massive chunks of ice into the water, and sometimes the channel becomes too congested for large cruise ships to navigate safely. While it was definitely a little disappointing, we’d much rather the captain make the safe decision than risk trying to push through.
Even though we didn’t get to see the glacier up close, cruising through Endicott Arm was still an unforgettable experience. Watching the icebergs drift through the water and seeing the towering mountains surrounding us was incredible. Honestly, Alaska is so breathtaking that we never really felt like we were missing out. Nearly every moment spent on deck offered another postcard-worthy view.
One of my favorite parts of the trip was waking up each morning to snow-capped mountain ranges instead of the turquoise water and sandy beaches we’re used to on tropical vacations. It was a completely different kind of beauty, and that’s exactly what made an Alaska cruise so special.
Our Favorite Parts
Looking back on the trip, our favorite excursion was definitely the Best of Sitka. While our Ketchikan excursion was a blast—especially driving the 4x4s through the mountains—it was the opportunity to see rescued bears at the Fortress of the Bear and rehabilitated bald eagles at the Alaska Raptor Center that really made Sitka stand out.
Because of that excursion, Sitka ended up being my favorite port, with Juneau coming in a close second. I loved wandering through downtown Juneau, browsing the local shops, and stopping by the iconic Red Dog Saloon. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing and relaxing.
One thing that surprised me most about the trip was just how cold it actually felt. Even though I knew Alaska wouldn’t be warm, I somehow forgot just how chilly it could be—especially out on the ship’s decks, during scenic cruising, and on excursions. Thankfully, I packed plenty of layers, which made all the difference.
If you’re planning an Alaska cruise, I’ve put together my complete packing list with everything I was glad I brought (and a few things I wish I’d packed). You can read my full Alaska cruise packing list here!
Overall, this was easily one of the best vacations we’ve ever taken. I’ve always loved cruising because there’s never a shortage of things to do, great food to eat, or entertainment to enjoy, but an Alaska cruise is truly in a league of its own. The breathtaking scenery, incredible wildlife, and unique ports made it unlike any vacation we’ve experienced before.
If you’re on the fence about booking an Alaska cruise, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s one of those trips that I think everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. I know we’ll absolutely be back someday—hopefully when our kids are a little older so they can experience the beauty of Alaska with us.
One final tip: if your cruise departs from or returns to Seattle, consider adding a few extra days to your trip. If you’ve never been, it’s well worth exploring the city before or after your cruise. Visit iconic attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, grab some amazing coffee, and enjoy everything Seattle has to offer. It’s the perfect way to round out an unforgettable Alaska vacation.
