We had been on an NCL cruise and stayed in the Haven ( Gem) and twice in a regular mini suite ( Breakaway and Pearl). For us, the Haven is the only way we would go on NCL. We live in the NY Metro area so driving a half hour to the ship is a terrific perk. This two week cruise was an easy choice and getting a nice discount from the casino ( NCL is very generous) helped lower the price. I will start with the Pros:

The Bliss is a very large brand new beautiful clean ship. The Haven is fabulous. the Haven restaurant is the best food on the ship by far. There is an in Haven elevator that goes from 17th floor to 19th ( the sundeck). Le Bistro is a close second as long as you have plenty of time and don't order the chewy veal. We ate in Cagney and La Cucina and they are not worth it. In the Haven the shrimp cocktail, rib lamb chops, French dip roast beef sandwich and Frito Misto are excellent. Hanno, the Conceirge and Qi his assistant were fantastic. They printed my husband's crossword out each day. We booked all our specialty restaurants and the two main shows as soon as possible before boarding but if you don't, they have priority on first day to try to get you reservations. We ended up not seeing SIX as there were mixed reviews but enjoyed Jersey Boys very much and went twice. The rest of the entertainment was comedy ( Rodney Laney was very funny ) And a Beatles band that was well received even tho they were from Argentina (odd) and had no personality. To my surprise there were a few kids on the ship ( pulled out of school?) who were very noisy at the Haven pool so we went up to the 16+ sundeck. You can order lunch from the downstairs bar ( hot dogs, burgers, chicken wrap, great onion rings, drinks) and they will be delivered upstairs ) the servers are friendly and kind ( bring a few fives to tip them as they deserve it. The big Horizon observation lounge at the front of the Haven was fantastic except they insisted on playing jazz while you were trying to relax or read. They have some treats and coffee there. The ports were nice, especially Costa Maya.

Cons: the cabin we had was a Courtyard Penthouse suite. It was anything but. One very small room with a bathtub shower combo that was dangerous to step out of, A shower that ran hot and cold on and off while you were in it. No lounge on the balcony even tho there was room and a terrible mattress that our butler replaced after three days. The pillows are terrible. We ordered 12 bottles of water as it's not included in the room or beverage package. Inadequate storage. Laundry was good. Room not made up until almost 11 then after 8. A few free movies. Not enough sports for my husband. The rest of the ship was crowded beyond belief and the elevators a nightmare. After entertainment or the casino I couldn't wait to get back to the Haven. Most people were very unhappy. People with walkers/wheel chairs were treated terribly at the elevators with one young woman announcing that she was tired of the old people hogging the elevators and was going back to Carnival. I hope she does. People who took cheaper true suites in the back of the ship but had Haven privileges said it wasn't worth the savings because they had to use the regular elevators. I would go from New York again but not on such a large ship