By the Caribbean Journal staff

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially taken delivery of its newest cruise ship: the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss.

The new ship was completed by Meyer Werft in Germany after an 18-month building period.

“Norwegian Bliss is one of our most highly-anticipated ships to date, and today marks another exciting milestone for the newest and most innovative ship of our young and modern fleet,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The Meyer Werft team, along with our operations teams, ship officers and crew members, has done an incredible job bringing Norwegian Bliss to life and we cannot wait for guests to experience all she has to offer.”

The new ship, the third in Norwegian Cruise Line’s breakaway plus class, will feature amenities ranging from an electric-car race track to an open-air laser tag course.

The ship will begin her life in Alaska before heading to the Mexican Riviera this fall, before launching Caribbean cruises this winter out of Miami.

In the 2019 fall-winter season, Norwegian Bliss will sail from New York to Florida, The Bahamas and the Caribbean.