Review of our Norwegian Bliss 5-day Mexican Riviera Cruise
We recently took a 5-day cruise on the Norwegian Bliss with Norwegian Cruise Line and wanted to share our experience with you! We visited Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, and had a blast exploring everything these two beautiful destinations have to offer. Keep reading for our full review of the Norwegian Bliss and our cruising experiences in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada!
Our embarkation process in Los Angeles and first impressions of the Norwegian Bliss
Getting on board the Norwegian Bliss in Long Beach was an incredibly easy experience! Despite the size of the cruise ship and the sheer number of guests embarking, everything from check-in to security breezed by quickly. Soon enough, we were ready to explore all that the ship had to offer - from countless family-friendly activities like go-karts and water slides, delicious cuisine all around, and one of our favorite Broadway show "Six the Musical" to enjoy. We could hardly contain our excitement for what this vacation held in store!
Sailing out of Los Angeles and our days at sea
Los Angeles is the perfect place to set sail! We had a fun crowd ready to soak up the sunshine, and we were so excited to explore the wonders of the sea. As we cast off, our minds were already brimming with anticipation. During our days out at sea, we got to witness magnificent whales gliding through unimaginable depths, and pods of dolphins dancing in sync and jumping into the air all around us - it was an unforgettable experience! There’s nothing quite like being out on open water, looking out into all that blue forever ahead of you and discovering all sorts of things you could never have imagined.
Arriving in Cabo San Lucas and exploring the town
From the minute you arrive in Cabo San Lucas, there are plenty of sights and activities to explore. At the busy port take a snorkeling tour or rent a kayak to see some of the best sea life and shoreline in Mexico!
Choosing the Viatour independent snorkeling tour was much cheaper than booking through the cruise line. We were provided life vests, equipment, snacks, drinks, and even lunch - everything we needed to make our aquatic venture enjoyable! Sadly however, this excursion didn't quite deliver in terms of its marine life sightings; despite that shortcoming though we still had plenty of fun on board.
Touring Ensenada and visiting La Bufadora
Exploring Ensenada independently can be a more economical option than taking a cruise line tour. Depending on the time and effort you are willing to spend, you can find plenty of ways to experience the city without breaking the bank. Do some research because you’ll want to be careful if you decide to venture out on your own.
We decided to take an independent tour of La Bufadora costing $20 each. Tickets were available from the shuttle bus drop off point in the town. La Bufadora is a natural geyser located about a 1-hour drive away from the cruise port. As you walk down the stairs toward the geyser, you will be surrounded by vendors selling gifts, clothing, leather goods, and seafood dishes. Invest some time exploring and be prepared to receive offers from vendors. If you're interested in buying something, make sure that you negotiate the price.
La Bufadora is a natural geyser and flea market
Our stateroom was very comfortable with plenty of storage space for our belongings
Our Balcony stateroom was incredibly comfortable, featuring a large balcony complete with patio furniture. Even with the small size of the Balcony stateroom, there was plenty of storage space for all of our belongings, allowing us to minimize clutter while we enjoyed our vacation.
The food was amazing, and we loved trying all the different restaurants on board
Our cruise included a great 3-night dining package so we were able to explore all the incredible restaurants on board. It was an absolute delight to try all the different cuisines served up on the cruise ship. . We found ourselves looking forward to each meal and visiting the various restaurants made our vacation even more extraordinary! Our top picks were Los Lobos and Cagney's steakhouse.
Our favourite spot to be on the Norwegian Bliss is definitely the observation lounge! With its huge picture windows and comfy seating, it's a great place for relaxing with friends or taking in all of those incredible views.
The staff were all so friendly and helpful, they made us feel right at home
Our voyage was made truly memorable by the crew members, who were incredibly friendly and hospitable. They shared a special bond with our nephew Oscar, and he always lit up whenever they greeted him warmly
In conclusion, our experience on the Norwegian Bliss was truly unforgettable. From the comfortable stateroom to the incredible food and quality service provided by the staff, we felt right at home and enjoyed every second of it. Highlights of our trip include trying all the different restaurants offered onboard as well as exploring Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. We would absolutely recommend a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line to anyone looking for an amazing experience. If you like what you've heard so far and are considering sailing with us, be sure to read our top 10 Norwegian Cruise Line tips.