Alaska Cruise Matchups
Norwegian Bliss - Alaska vs Celebrity Solstice - Alaska Glacier Discovery
Both of these are 7-night Inside Passage sailings, but they start in different countries and cater to different moods. Norwegian Bliss runs round-trip from Seattle as a big, activity-loaded ship with a purpose-built Alaska observation lounge, while Celebrity Solstice sails from Vancouver with a more premium, laid-back feel and its signature real-grass Lawn Club.
At a Glance
Norwegian Bliss - Alaska
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Solstice - Alaska Glacier Discovery
Celebrity Cruises
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
Amenity Differences
Only on Norwegian Bliss - Alaska
- + Food Republic
- + Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality arcade
- + Go-Kart Track
- + Kids Club
- + Laser Tag
- + Mini Golf
- + Observation Lounge
- + Ocean Blue
- + Teen Space
- + The Cavern Club (Beatles tribute)
- + The Waterfront Promenade
- + Thermal Suite
- + Vibe Beach Club
- + Water Park & Slides
On both
- ✓ Adults-Only Area
- ✓ Casino
- ✓ Fitness Center
- ✓ Hot Tub
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
- ✓ Theater & Shows
Only on Celebrity Solstice - Alaska Glacier Discovery
- + Blu (AquaClass)
- + Boulevard Lounge
- + Buffet
- + Café al Bacio
- + Camp at Sea kids program
- + Cellar Masters
- + Hot Glass Show
- + Lawn Club
- + Luminae (suite-only)
- + Main Dining Room
- + Martini Bar
- + Murano Restaurant
- + Murano fine dining
- + Sky Lounge
- + Sunset Park top deck (replaced original Lawn Club)
- + The Retreat suite enclave with Retreat Sundeck
- + WiFi
What Real Travelers Say
Pros and cons from real traveler discussions about each ship.
Norwegian Bliss
- The two-level Bliss Speedway go-kart track is a genuine bucket-list thrill that reviewers love for the novelty of racing on top of a cruise ship
- Purpose-built for Alaska, the expansive forward Observation Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows is repeatedly called the perfect spot for soaking in glaciers and scenery
- Strong Broadway-caliber entertainment, with Tony Award winners Jersey Boys and Six plus the wildly popular Beatles cover band in The Cavern Club
- Specialty restaurants like Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro and Ocean Blue earn praise for genuinely high-quality meals
- The Haven is a true ship-within-a-ship for suite guests, with the only indoor pool on board, a private restaurant and lounge
- The main pool deck gets badly overcrowded, with many guests saying you must pay extra for Vibe Beach Club just to find a lounger
- Persistent nickel-and-diming: go-karts, laser tag, arcade, specialty dining and drinks all carry upcharges on top of the fare
- Buffet food draws frequent criticism as mediocre to poor, even when main and specialty dining rate well
- Go-kart sessions require reservations through a clunky system and often turn into bumper-car pileups
- Drink and specialty-dining packages add up fast, with a 20% gratuity automatically applied to beverages
Celebrity Solstice
- Freshly modernized in the 2026 $250M Solstice-class refurbishment, leaving the ship bright and well-appointed throughout
- Standout fine dining, especially Murano's tableside French service, repeatedly ranked among the best meals at sea
- Attentive, polished crew and a generous crew-to-guest ratio that keeps service personal
- The adults-only Solarium is a calm, plant-filled, weather-protected pool retreat
- New venues add variety: Boulevard Lounge entertainment, The Parlor gaming room, and Trattoria Rossa dining
- Loss of the iconic real-grass Lawn Club, replaced by artificial-turf Sunset Park, disappoints longtime fans
- Wi-Fi remains sluggish despite the Starlink upgrade
- Included dining feels narrowed post-pandemic, with the best food behind extra-cost specialty restaurants
- Beverage costs add up fast, with many drinks falling outside standard package tiers
- Aging-infrastructure hiccups reported even after the refurb, such as water outages and worn fixtures
The Verdict
The itineraries overlap on the classic ports, Juneau, Ketchikan, and scenic glacier cruising, so the choice is really about ship style, homeport, and pace. Bliss is the livelier, family-friendly option, with the top-deck go-kart track, a huge two-story Observation Lounge built specifically for all-day glacier viewing, and the convenience of a drive-to or easy-fly Seattle departure, plus a friendlier starting fare around $1,249pp. Solstice is the quieter, more grown-up product at roughly $1,599pp, trading thrill rides for the Lawn Club, the Hot Glass Show, stronger main dining, and the smoother logistics of sailing from Vancouver, which is right at the doorstep of the Inside Passage. Bliss wins on activities, value, and U.S. convenience; Solstice wins on calm, refinement, and dining. If you have kids or want maximum onboard fun, lean Bliss; if you want a serene, scenery-first week, lean Solstice.
Choose Norwegian Bliss - Alaska if…
Choose Norwegian Bliss if you're traveling with family or want a lively, activity-packed ship with an unbeatable glacier-viewing lounge and an easy, lower-cost Seattle departure.
See Norwegian Bliss - AlaskaChoose Celebrity Solstice - Alaska Glacier Discovery if…
Choose Celebrity Solstice if you're a couple or scenery-focused traveler who wants a calmer, more premium ship with better dining and the convenience of sailing from Vancouver, closer to the Inside Passage.
See Celebrity Solstice - Alaska Glacier Discovery