Ship guide · Norwegian Bliss at Icy Strait Point
Norwegian Bliss calls at Icy Strait Point almost every Wednesday from late April through mid-September 2026 — the shortest port day of any Norwegian ship here, at about 8.5 to 9 hours. Here's how to make it count.
Launched in 2018, Norwegian Bliss is one of the larger ships to call at Icy Strait Point — 1,093 feet long, 168,028 gross tons, with room for up to 4,981 passengers across 20 decks. Onboard highlights include a Ferrari-branded electric go-kart racetrack on the top deck, an Aqua Park with a double-loop water slide, an open-air laser tag course, the first full-service Starbucks built into an NCL ship, and the 55-suite Haven complex for guests booking that tier. It also carries one of the largest marine scrubber systems in the industry, removing about 99% of sulfur oxide emissions.
Which dock?
Full background on the pier, and how Norwegian's other ships compare, is on our Norwegian Cruise Line Passengers guide.
Plan your hours ashore
Norwegian Bliss calls at Icy Strait Point nearly every Wednesday from late April through mid-September 2026, always arriving around 6:00 am. Departure time shifts slightly through the season — a sample from the published 2026 schedule:
| Date | Arrival | Departure | Time ashore |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2026 | 6:00 am | 3:00 pm | ~9 hours |
| June 3, 2026 | 6:00 am | 2:30 pm | ~8.5 hours |
| July 15, 2026 | 6:00 am | 3:00 pm | ~9 hours |
| September 16, 2026 | 6:00 am | 3:00 pm | ~9 hours |
Departure runs 2:30 pm on calls in June and early July, 3:00 pm the rest of the season, based on Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska's published 2026 Icy Strait Point schedule. This makes Bliss the shortest call of Norwegian's four ships here — Jade, Joy, and Spirit typically run 12–13 hours. Always confirm your exact times on board before planning your day.
Plan my call
Getting into town
A flat, roughly 1.5-mile shoreline path connects the pier to downtown Hoonah, typically 25–45 minutes each way. Full terrain, landmark, and accessibility details are on our walking + shuttle guide.
A shuttle runs whenever a ship is in port, about a 5-minute ride, typically sold as a round-trip ticket at the Icy Strait Point ticket booth near the donut shack — the better call on Bliss's shorter day if you want to save walking time for something else.
Because Wilderness Landing is a direct walk-off berth, you skip the tender-boat queue — you can start walking or catch the shuttle as soon as you're cleared to disembark, which matters more on a shorter call.
What fits an 8.5–9 hour day
Quick answers
Almost every Wednesday from late April through mid-September 2026, arriving around 6:00 am each time.
About 8.5 to 9 hours, based on published 2026 sailings — the shortest call of Norwegian's four ships at Icy Strait Point. Always confirm your exact times on board.
Wilderness Landing, the same direct walk-off pier all Norwegian ships use at Icy Strait Point. No tender boat is required.
No, but plan on one tour rather than two. Independent operators like Wild Bear Safari and Whales of Xunaa run tours built around a single port day, with pickup near the dock.
1,093 feet long, 168,028 gross tons, with room for up to 4,981 passengers across 20 decks — launched in 2018.
See the full guide to bears, whales, food, and free things to do once you're off the ship.