So, we all know that weight gain is rumored to be an unavoidable side effect of taking a luxury cruise. There are ways to mitigate that risk. But on a recent 7-day voyage on Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Bliss to Alaska, we encountered an insurmountable obstacle to diet discipline. (Full disclosure – the author is a board member of the ship’s parent company). The chocolate. Have a look at 7 days of the irresistible chocolate artistry aboard the luxury cruise ship Norwegian Bliss.
irresistible chocolate artistry on a luxury cruise ship
It goes without saying that luxury means lots of different things to different people. Here at Dandelion Chandelier, if chocolate is in the mix, we’re in. We’ve stayed in 5-star hotels where every afternoon there was a lovely architectural sweet waiting for us in our room (we’re looking at you, Four Seasons George V Paris).
But on our trip to Alaska on Norwegian Bliss, we have to say, our expectations were exceeded by the inventive and whimsical chocolates and treats that came our way every afternoon. They were delivered to our cabin (which of course didn’t prevent us from sampling the chocolate desserts in the restaurants as well).
Have a look at our photo journey through seven days of chocolate artistry on our luxury cruise to Alaska.
If any of these tempt you, and you find yourself on a Norwegian cruise ship, you can find them at the retail Sweet Shop and restaurant on board.
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Embarkation Day, Seattle, Washington
To start our voyage, we were greeted with champagne, savory snacks, and a lovely circular hatbox of chocolate. Inside the round box was more chocolate. We marveled at it all for a couple of moments. Then we made it disappear before we set out to explore the ship.
Day 2: At Sea
To our surprise and delight, on our second day aboard Bliss, another sculptural chocolate treat showed up in our cabin mid-afternoon. It was a day at sea, which we’d spent exploring the ship and lounging around. Somehow, we worked up quite an appetite. The lovely lacy tower was soon toppled.
Day 3: Juneau, Alaska
We first set foot on Alaskan soil in Juneau on a grey drizzly day. After a damp and chilly whale watch in Juneau, we returned to find a chocolate cone with flecks of gold.
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Day 4: Skagway, Alaska
The clouds and rain were still with us in Skagway, where we took a ride on a vintage train that traced the steps of the miners during the days of the Klondike Gold Rush. We were delighted by that day’s treat, which was our personal favorite. A pink coral underwater chocolate dream.
Day 5: Glacier Bay, Alaska
We were up before dawn on Glacier Bay day – like little kids on Christmas Eve, we just couldn’t sleep because we were so excited. By tea time, we were pretty sleepy. This exuberant, flamboyant chocolate sculpture was a great pick-me-up, right on time.
Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska
A brilliantly sunny day in Ketchikan saw us tooling around in a Hummer and discovering where the bald eagles hang out, the history of totem poles, and the beauty of the nearby hiking trails. The day’s treat was another pink confection. Yay!
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Day 7: Victoria, British Columbia
All too soon it was our last night onboard, and we set out for a nighttime adventure at Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Before we left, we tasted the bittersweet joy of one last chocolate fantasia. The best thank-you note we’ve received in quite some time.
We should note that we didn’t live on sugar alone. There was a gorgeous fruit bowl that was on a constant replenishment program, too.
There are lots of great reasons to consider taking a luxury cruise. We won’t say that the chocolates are the only reason. But they could very well be among the best.
join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.