Alaska Cruise Matchups
Norwegian Bliss - Alaska vs Discovery Princess - Alaska Inside Passage
Both of these 7-night Inside Passage sailings leave round-trip from Seattle and hit Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, but they're built for different travelers. Norwegian Bliss brings big-ship energy — go-kart track, panoramic Observation Lounge, and non-stop entertainment — while Discovery Princess leans into the destination with a Glacier Bay call and Princess's Alaska credentials.
At a Glance
Norwegian Bliss - Alaska
Norwegian Cruise Line
Discovery Princess - Alaska Inside Passage
Princess 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
- + Hot Tub
- + 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
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
- ✓ Theater & Shows
Only on Discovery Princess - Alaska Inside Passage
- + MedallionClass
- + Movies Under the Stars
- + Piazza
- + Princess Live! studio
- + SeaWalk
- + SeaWalk glass walkway over open water
- + Sky Suites
- + Sky Suites with 270-degree views
- + Take Five jazz lounge
- + The Enclave
- + Vista Lounge
- + 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
Discovery Princess
- Newest ship in the Royal-class line (debuted March 2022), so finishes feel pristine with lighter, brighter cabin decor that makes rooms feel larger
- Top-ranked Princess ship on U.S. News with a 4.4/5 score from 425 reviewers, the highest in the fleet
- MedallionClass tech is genuinely useful here - order food and drinks to your exact location, skip lines at embarkation, and find your travel party on a map
- Specialty dining is a standout, with Bistro Sur La Mer (French), Crown Grill steakhouse, and Sabatini's all earning consistent praise from foodies
- Take Five jazz lounge gets singled out repeatedly as a highlight - intimate, well-programmed live music that becomes the talk of the ship
- Internet via MedallionNet is the most common complaint - reviewers describe it as slow and sporadic at sea despite the marketing
- At 3,660 passengers the ship can feel crowded, with limited seating reported at popular entertainment venues and busy elevators
- Some longtime Princess loyalists feel the line has trimmed the experience - more guests but amenities sized like smaller older ships
- Main dining room food gets mixed reviews; the best meals are in the paid specialty restaurants, which adds cost
- Service can feel inconsistent, with some reviewers noting staff seemed stretched thin or overworked at peak times
The Verdict
The scenery decision is the one that matters most: Discovery Princess cruises into Glacier Bay National Park, one of the most coveted glacier experiences in Alaska (Princess holds the permits to get you there), and adds Skagway with the White Pass railway plus strong onboard naturalist programming. Norwegian Bliss takes a livelier tack — glacier viewing from that huge forward Observation Lounge, racing go-karts with an ocean backdrop, and more variety for restless kids and teens — and comes in a bit cheaper. On value, Discovery includes more dining in the fare and is purpose-tuned for Alaska; Bliss trades some of that for onboard fun and pays more in specialty upcharges. If the glaciers and ports are the whole point, Princess wins the itinerary; if the ship is half your vacation, Bliss is the better playground.
Choose Norwegian Bliss - Alaska if…
Pick Norwegian Bliss - Alaska if you want a fun-first ship with go-karts, big entertainment, and enough to keep kids and teens busy on sea-adjacent days — at a slightly lower fare.
See Norwegian Bliss - AlaskaChoose Discovery Princess - Alaska Inside Passage if…
Pick Discovery Princess - Alaska Inside Passage if the destination comes first: Glacier Bay National Park, White Pass in Skagway, strong naturalist talks, and more included dining.
See Discovery Princess - Alaska Inside Passage