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Cruise to Mexico

Welcome to the

NCL Bliss Cruise to Mexico & Mexican Riviera

from the Port of Los Angeles

Sunday is Sail-Away

A view of a foggy expansion bridge at the entrance of the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro.
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The Vincent Thomas expansion bridge shrouded in fog nearing the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro.

Ship lingo:

forward-aft = front & back

bow-stern = front & back

starboard – right

port – left

(remember, port and left have four letters)

A view of the fueling barge in the canal of the Port of Los Angeles.
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As boarding begins at 11 am, the Bernie Briere refueling barge sets up next to the Bliss.

A view of a waiter in Taste Restaurant on Deck 6 forward.
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A benefit of early arrival to the cruise is lunch served at Taste and Savor Restaurants.

A view of The Cavern Bar outside on Deck 8 mid-ship.
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The Cavern Bar, Deck 8, mid-ship, is open to guests before sail-away.

In U.S. ports, all drinks are taxed.

A view of the NCL Bliss employing thrusters to move sideways away from the dock.
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The Bliss, scheduled to embark at 4 pm, rarely does.

Above, the Bliss slips away from Berth 91 moving sideways from the pier. The Azimuth Thrusters can move the ship forwards, backwards or sideways – a tugboat free experience!

A view of the Battleship Iowa Museum on the canal in the Port of Los Angeles.
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The NCL Bliss moves past the Battleship Iowa Museum.

A view of a tall ship docked along the canal in the Port of Los Angeles as the NCL Bliss slips past.
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A tall-ship seems small in the wake of the NCL Bliss.

A view of the harbor police escort.
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A police escort tracks the Bliss along the canal.

Guests watch as the NCL Bliss moves sideways away from the dock.
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Guests watch the spectacle during sail-away.

A view of the sunset and jetty lighthouse at the entrance of the Port of Los Angeles as the NCL Bliss sets sail.
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A lovely sunset accompanies guests as the Bliss moves into the bay.

A view of the harbor police escort.
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Once past the lighthouse, the harbor pilot disembarks returning to port with the police escort.

A view of the sunset as the NCL Bliss sets sail.
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A beautiful bon voyage as the Bliss sets sail.

A view of the sunset as the NCL Bliss sets sail.
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A stirring finale as we head for open ocean.

Day 1 & 2 – Sea Days

A full view of the aft pool on Deck 16.
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Invariably on day one and two, folks head for the pools – or in NCL speak – the Aqua Parks.

And it’s always a party at night.

A view of the jumbotron on Deck 16 forward.
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The Jumbotron dominates the landscape on Deck 16 forward…

A view of the two-story water slide and smoke stack from Deck 16 aft.
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…while two water-slide towers and smoke stack dominate the landscape aft.

A view of the two story water slide that takes over the ocean on Deck 16 aft.
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The first water-slide drops you…

A view of the waterslide on Deck 16 seen from Deck 8.
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…out over the ocean…

A view of the three-story water slide on Deck 16 aft.
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…and the second water-slide is a mere four-stories high – hey, why stop there?

A wide-angle view of the crowds and jumbotron on Deck 16 forward.
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But before you tackle the water-slides…

A view of the aft pool on Deck 16.
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…there’s the aft pool…

A view of the hot tubs and shower facilities on Deck 17 above the pools.
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….hot tubs and showers…

A view of the pool deck and water slides on Deck 16.
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…endless drink service…

A view of children's waterpark on Deck 16 aft.
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A view of the children's waterpark on Deck 16.
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…a children’s Aqua Park next to the aft pool…

…and, if that is not enough – wait for it – drumroll-cymbals–boom!

A view of a go-cart on Deck 16 forward.
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…the Norwegian Bliss Speedway…

A view of the go-cart track on Deck 16 forward.
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…two levels…

…so cool…

A view of the go-cart track on Deck 16 & 17 forward.
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…I don’t remember any of this when I was a kid…and ON A SHIP!…

…stupid bumper cars…

…Deck 18 & 19 – aft…

A cute slot machine graphic on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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Hey, tour guide, let’s see some some dining before our first port-of-call.

A view of the Local Bar & Grill on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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The Local Bar & Grill is a popular pit-stop for all things gastronomical…

A bar view of the The Local Bar & Grill on Deck 7.
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…the Local serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, open 24 hours, enjoys standard American cuisine and is the watering-hole of choice for weekend sports fans…

…and the food is very good…

A view of the lobby jumbo screen taken from the wrap-around bar in the Local Bar & Grill on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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…the image-above taken from The Local looking down at the lobby…

…remember, in the Local, you can order one meal – or many meals- at one time – in case the proportions tend towards frugal…

…also, without the drink package, alcoholic beverages per glass are an eye-popping double digits and the pour is modest – just saying – you didn’t hear it from me…

….The Local – Deck 7 – mid-ship – no reservations required – very popular…

…included in your cruise package…

The main entrance to the Manhattan Room Restaurant.
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Next stop is the beautifully appointed Manhattan Room Restaurant – an Art Deco feast for the eyes.

An aft facing look at the main dining room of the Manhattan Room Restaurant and through the stern windows.
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…facing the stern windows, the main dining room…

A view of the two-story main dining room light feature in the Manhattan Room Restaurant on Deck 7 aft.
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…with a two-story canopy and fanciful lighting…

A view of the two-story main dining room in the Manhattan Room Restaurant looking out the stern windows on Deck 7 aft.
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…and window seating at the stern…

…imagine – nightfall – seated at your table above – Puerta Vallarta’s twinkling lights in the distance – sipping a light-bodied Pinot Grigio – lingering in the moment…

…now that’s a memory…

…Deck 7 – aft – no reservations required – very popular…

…included in your cruise package…

The Mixx Bar set between Savor and Taste Restaurants on Deck 6.
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…Taste and Savior restaurants sit opposite each other separated by the Mixx Bar…

They are twin restaurants, similar decor and menu, serving lunch and dinner.

…Taste & Savior – Deck 6 – aft – no reservations required – very popular…

…included in your cruise package…

A wide-angle view of the two-story chandelier in the atrium staircase.
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A wide-angle view from Deck 8 of the two-story chandelier in the central atrium staircase mid-ship.
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Two views of the two-story chandelier and three-story center atrium…

…Decks 6, 7 & 8 – midship…

Bars

Deck 8 is a hub of restaurants and bars, all with outside dining, as well as an exterior walkway that wraps around the stern.

Deck 8 has many popular bars to either wet-your-whistle or hole up for pre-dining tipple or postprandial nip including:

An entrance view of Cagney's Steakhouse bar and cocktail area on Deck 8 aft.
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Cagney’s The A List Bar – Deck 8 – aft

A view of Sugarcane Mojito Bar across the center atrium on Deck 8.
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A view of the Sugarcane Mojito Bar on Deck 8 mid-ship.
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Sugarcane Mojito Bar – Deck 8 – mid-ship

A view of the leather chairs in Maltings Whiskey Bar on Deck 8.
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Maltings Whiskey Bar – Deck 8 – forward

A closeup view of the Brewhouse Bar signage on Deck 8 forward.
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A view of the Brewhouse Bar on Deck 8 forward.
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The District Brewhouse Bar – Deck 8 – forward – casual

A cute slot machine graphic on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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Hey, tour guide, this is boring. Let’s see some sights!

A wide-angle view of the Royal Princess docked near the NCL Bliss in Puerto Vallarta Harbor.
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Welcome to beautiful Puerta Vallarta…

A view of the residential luxury towers at the harbor entrance of Puerto Vallarta.
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…passengers are greeted by a luxury residential tower at the harbor entrance...

A view of marina traffic passing the bow of the Princess at the harbor entrance in Puerta Vallarta.
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…and the bow of the Royal Princess Cruise ship docked across the harbor…

A view of the Mexican coast guard station and boats beside the NCL Bliss in Puerta Vallarta.
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…opposite the Bliss is the Mexican Coast Guard training facility…

A luxury yacht sits between NCL Bliss and the Royal Prince in the port of Puerta Vallarta.
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…with a luxury yacht moored nearby and...

A telephoto view of La Paloma Bullring across the street from the harbor at Puerta Vallarta.
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…the defunct La Casa de Toros Bullring across the street…

A view of different deep-sea fishing boats motoring past the NCL Bliss in Puerta Vallarta.
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…with the siren call of deep sea fishing no angler resist…

A view of the mountains in the harbor of Puerto Vallarta.
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…and a second luxury yacht under a hazy sky…

…with the Blue Walmart just past it…

A view of the artisan kiosks within the harbor in the shadow of the NCL at Puerta Vallarta.
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…while a lineup of tour buses inside the port’s protective fences…

A view of the guests going to their respective tour buses within the harbor in the shadow of the NCL Bliss at Puerta Vallarta.
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…beckons guests for departing tours from Deck 4, forward…

A cute slot machine graphic on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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Hey, tour guide, that was good. What else you got?

LOBBY

A view of the Atrium bar and front-desk lobby on Deck 6 forward.
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But, of course, you will be visiting the lobby on Deck 6 often..

A view of the front-desk on Deck 6 mid-ship.
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…where you will find the front desk and tour information…

A view of Starbucks in the front-desk lobby on Deck 6 mid-ship.
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…Starbucks…

The main two-story lobby seating area and jumbo screen looking up at The Local Bar & Grill on Deck 6 mid-ship.
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..the lobby lounge, home of Deal or No Deal, trivia, tour videos,

art lectures, evening entertainment and Cruise Next office…

The Atrium Bar in the front-desk lobby on Deck 6 mid-ship.
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…and the lobby Atrium Bar…

…a few words…

Cruising is not for everyone – shock! Really? It can be an abrupt transition from busy, active lives to – drinking-dining-drinking-lounging-drinking-sleeping – it’s rough!…

…and everything on a Cruise carries a fee – more on that later…

…but, if you are amongst the few who enjoy watching the world float by in a first class hotel while you are coddled, pampered and doted on, then I recommend Cruise Next deposits – caveat, they are only available to purchase onboard. Cruise companies, i.e., Wall Street, need a pre-book hook. If you purchase $250 in Cruise Next Deposits, you get $500 in coupons good toward your next cruise…

…and now you’re pre-booked…

…it’s a gimmick, but valuable if you like cruising...

ENTERTAINMENT

A view of the Show Time collage art piece outside the NCL Bliss Theater on Deck 7 forward.
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…NCL Bliss Theater…

A view of the entrance of the NCL Bliss theater on Decks 7 forward.
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…theater entrance -Deck 7 – forward – and…

A wide-angle view of the NCL Bliss theater on Decks 6 & 7 forward.
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…the shows range from…

…musical variety to stand-up comedy to crew talent night…

…the theater is lovely, large and comfortable with wheel-chair access…

A closeup view of the Super Mario characters in the arcade next to The Local Bar & Grill on Deck 7.
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…two performers from Guys & Dolls…

A closeup of the Social Comedy & Night Club entrance sign on Deck 7.
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…Social Comedy & Night Club – Deck 6 – mid-ship…

The Cavern Nightclub sign featuring The Beatles.
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Artwork of The Beatles outside The Cavern Nightclub on Deck 8 mid-ship.
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…The Cavern Club – Deck 8 – mid-ship…

…and, of course, every night there’s the DJ’s mix at the pool party until 11 pm…

…we got funk, gotta have that funk…

…Pool – Deck 16 – forward or aft…

OBSERVATION LOUNGE

A view of the front windows in the Observation Lounge on Deck 15 forward.
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As an alternative to the pool…

…the Observation Lounge provides self-serve breakfast and lunch and…

A view of the in the Observation Lounge Bar on Deck 15 forward.
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…it’s spacious with a plethora of intimate seating…

…has a lovely bar…

…all-glass floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows on three sides…

…and attracts nappers…

A cute slot machine graphic on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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Hey, tour guide, this is too much! Got any pretty pictures?

A view of the iconic rock just outside of Mazatlan harbor.
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Welcome to Mazatlan…

A view of the two ships docked in Mazatlan harbor as the NCL Bliss passes.
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…where the Bliss shares the port with cargo ships…

A view of the fishing fleet docked in Mazatlan harbor.
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…shrimp trawlers...

A view of stacked containers on the harbor dock and the city of Mazatlan behind it.
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… stacks of cargo containers and…

A closeup viewof the waterfront towers across the bay in the port of Mazatlan through the loading dock crane scaffolding.
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…the exclusive waterfront in the distance…

A view of the loading dock crane and the waiting tour buses before disembarkation.
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…while tour buses gather in the morning beneath a loading dock crane…

FINE DINING

Set Fee Per Person

A view of the Palomar Restaurant maitre de station on Deck 8 mid-ship.
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Palomar On the Waterfront is a Greek themed restaurant amid a lovely setting.

A few words – reservations are a must for fine dining- you pay a set fee per person. Fine dining is very popular and you are pitted against veteran cruisers and loyalty customers who are permitted to make reservations far in advance…

…try, if you can, to make reservations as soon as permitted…

Palomar – Fine Dining – Deck 8 – mid-ship – reservations required.

A view of the Food Republic Restaurant on Deck 8 forward.
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Food Republic supports a sushi bar and the décor is casual.

…Food Republic – Fine Dining – Deck 8 – forward – reservations required…

A long-shot of the entrance of Cagney's Steakhouse on Deck 8 aft.
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…Cagney’s Steakhouse entrance…

An entrance view of Cagney's Steakhouse bar and cocktail area on Deck 8 aft.
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…with the A-List Bar and dining on either side…

…is the most popular restaurant on the ship…

…Cagney’s – Fine Dining – Deck 8 – aft – reservations required – very popular…

A view of La Cucina Restaurant & refrigerators on Deck 8 forward.
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…La Cucina Italian Restaurant, always crowded with impeccable service…

…La Cucina – Fine Dining – Deck 8 – forward…

…reservations required – very popular…

A view of the arcade next to the The Local Bar & Grill on Deck 7.
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…the complete cast of Guys and Dolls…

A pirate pig slot machine graphic on Deck 7 mid-ship.
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…What? Have you never seen a pirate pig?…

…I’m your new tour guide...

..the other guy’s OUT…

…thank you for your attention to this matter…

…and now…

…Cabo San Lucas…

…the jewel of the Mexican Riviera…

…which can get pretty crowded…

…with busy marina traffic near the port…

…as tenders transport guests ashore…

…and sightseers gather near the arch in a sun drenched sea…

A view of the iconic rock outside the port of Cabo San Lucas taken from a balcony on the NCL Bliss.
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…or…

…you can view it all from your balcony…

A view of the port of Cabo San Lucas from the NCL Bliss Observation Lounge.
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…or…

…from the Observation Lounge through a two-story windshield…

A farewell view of Cabo San Lucas as the NCL Bliss heads home hugging the Baja Peninsula up to the port of Los Angeles.
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…and so we say goodbye to Cabo San Lucas…

…as the NCL Bliss hugs the Baja Peninsula coastline on its return voyage…

A view of Deck 7 as the NCL Bliss approaches the port of Los Angeles early in the morning.
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…to the Port of LA…

…as the harbor pilot comes aboard at dawn…

A view of Los Angeles Port Authority police escort as the NCL Bliss approaches early in the morning.
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…while the police escort follows at a distance…

A view of Los Angeles Port loading docks as the NCL Bliss approaches early in the morning.
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…heading for the canal….

A view of Los Angeles Port loading docks as the NCL Bliss approaches early in the morning.
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…to birth at Pier 91.

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