A ceremony held on Wednesday in Papenburg, Germany, marked the official start of the block construction for the new Norwegian Bliss, which will be delivered in spring 2018 ahead of her debut in the Alaska market.

Meyer Werft laid the first of 90 blocks in a ceremony that included Norwegian Cruise Line President Andy Stuart, who participated in the traditional coin ceremony. 

The Bliss is being built at an estimated cost of $1.1 billion and is in the Breakaway-plus class of ships. She has capacity for 4,200 guests at double occupancy and is 167,800 tons.