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Norwegian Joy Deck Plans & Reviews

norwegian joy tour youtube

Norwegian Joy

norwegian joy tour youtube

Activities & entertainment

  • Observation Lounge
  • Arts and Crafts Classes
  • Beauty Salon *
  • Behind the Scenes Tour *
  • Joy Casino *
  • Chess and Card Room
  • Dance Classes
  • Deck Parties
  • Fitness Center
  • Fitness Classes *
  • Galaxy Pavillion *
  • Gaming Lessons *
  • Whirlpools (9)
  • Hydrotherapy Pool *
  • Jogging Track
  • Late Night Dancing
  • Mandara Spa *
  • Waterslides (5)
  • Poolside Games
  • The Humidor Cigar Lounge
  • Vibe Beach Club *
  • Wine Tasting *
  • Kids Aqua Park
  • Splash Academy _ Kids Club
  • The Haven Lounge _ Suite Guests
  • The Haven Observation Lounge _ Suite Guests
  • Comedy Performances
  • Joy Theater
  • Onboard Movie Screenings
  • Social Comedy and Night Club
  • The Cavern Club
  • Live Nightly Music
  • Sports Games Televised
  • Savor Restaurant - Main
  • Taste Restaurant - Main
  • The Manhattan Room - Main
  • Food Republic - Tapas *
  • The District Brew House - Brewpub *
  • Garden Cafe - Buffet
  • American Diner - Diner *
  • A_List Bar - Cocktail Bar *
  • Skyline Bar - Clubby Bar *
  • Mixx Bar - Cocktail Bar *
  • Sugarcane Mojito Bar - Mojito Bar *
  • Starbucks - Coffee Bar *
  • Le Bistro French Restaurant - French *
  • La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
  • Teppanyaki - Japanese *
  • Cocos - Pastries *
  • Surf Bar - Pool Bar *
  • Waves Bar - Pool Bar *
  • The Local - Pub
  • Ocean Blue - Seafood *
  • Q Texas Smokehouse - Barbecue *
  • Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
  • The Haven Restaurant - Suite Guests
  • The Cellars - Wine Bar *
  • Room Service *
  • Excellent 80
  • Very Good 62
  • Terrible 35
  • All languages ( 261 )
  • English ( 255 )
  • Spanish ( 2 )
  • French ( 2 )

Upcoming itineraries

The map for this itinerary is not available at this time.

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Cruising the Norwegian Joy Review

Will you be cruising the Norwegian Joy soon? We took a 7-day cruise to Bermuda on this great ship. Read our Norwegian Joy Review.

We finally got to cruise on the Norwegian Joy. We had this same cruise to Bermuda itinerary booked for 2021 to celebrate a milestone birthday. Due to the pandemic, we canceled, and then it was ultimately canceled by Norwegian Cruise Line anyways.

Bermuda has been a travel destination we’ve wanted to visit for a while now.

The idea of sailing out of New York City (our former home) with that skyline in view and the Statue of Liberty convinced us.

How we never took a cruise out of our hometown of New York when we lived there (moons ago) is beyond us. Better late than never.

The Norwegian Joy ship is one of the most recent ships that made its debut in 2017. It was primarily going to sail in Asia.

However, in 2018, a year later, the ship was deployed back to the US. She underwent a refurbishment to add other amenities to the ship for the Western market, like a pool.

The ship resembles its sister ship, the Norwegian Bliss, with some differences. The Norwegian Joy was meant to take Alaskan voyages with its sister ship during the summer. But presently, it’s sailing to Bermuda and the Caribbean.

All that said, unlike our experience with our last disappointing NCL cruise, Norwegian Epic , we enjoyed the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. And we fell in love with Bermuda . We did skip getting off in Norfolk, VA.

It was also nice to be back on a Norwegian cruise ship. We have mostly sailed with the Norwegian Cruise Line, but we took a small break after the Epic. Our last cruise was on the Celebrity Equinox right before the pandemic.

While we love the Celebrity brand, the entertainment was lacking on the Equinox, and Norwegian has some of the best entertainment. See our reasons why we love Norwegian Cruise Line .

We were happy to be cruising again and taking a break from real life. It’s always fun planning and preparing for an upcoming cruise for us.

featured blog image | norwegian joy review

This Norwegian Joy review will cover our cruise ship experience and share Norwegian Joy pictures. From embarkation at the Manhattan cruise terminal, sail away, restaurants, entertainment on board, and more.

This is all based on our experience and opinions. We also give some helpful tips and what you can expect. We also included menus from some restaurants and freestyle dailies below.

Table of Contents

7-Night Norwegian Joy Bermuda Itinerary

Day 1 – New York, NY Day 2- Norfolk, VA Day 3 – Sea Day Day 4 – Bermuda (9:00 am arrival) Day 5 – Bermuda Day 6 – Bermuda (3:00 pm departure) Day 7 – Sea Day DAY 8 – New York, New York

News of Drydock The Norweigan Joy is set to go into drydock from January 6 to February 13, 2024. As part of the upgrade, the ship will feature a new Thermal Spa, replacing the current Galaxy Pavilion to make space for it. Additionally, more balcony cabins will be added by removing a section of the Observation Lounge. And, to make room for an expanded Vibe area, the Laser Tag will be removed.

Norwegian Joy Review

norwegian joy cruise ship docked in bermuda

Embarkation at the New York Cruise Terminal

[Update: As of November 14, 2022, Bermuda is no longer requiring an approved travel authorization or a negative Covid test. Please note that this could be subject to change at any time.]

While Bermuda no longer requests a travel authorization or a negative covid test before embarkation. We continue to share our experience of our trip during our cruise in June 2022.

A few key things we needed for this Bermuda cruise on Norwegian Joy:

  • Bermuda Travel Authorization
  • Negative Covid Test (antigen up to 2 days before embarkation day)
  • E-Documents (you can check-in online 21 days before cruise day)
  • Download the NCL app

crowded security and check in at manhattan cruise terminal

We were at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal at 9 am. Our check-in was at 9:30 am. We should have been there earlier but chose to leave at 9 am. We took an Uber from our hotel nearby, handed a porter our luggage ( cruise luggage tags attached), and then took an elevator up to the second floor to start the check-in process.

check-in norwegian joy at manhttan cruise terminal

Be prepared because you may be standing in line for 1-2 hours to get through security and check-in. Since we were going to Bermuda, there were three lines to get through.

  • Security. You’ll need your passports out so they can verify your identification before getting through actual security.
  • Document verification (here, you’ll get a group number). Have your Bermuda Travel Authorization, negative Covid test, and vaccination documents ready for them to verify. Once they see you have all your paperwork, they will place a green dot on your passport and send you off to the check-in line.
  • Check-in. Have your e-documents ready to go. There is a check-in line and then a line for e-documents. We did online check-in, so we went on the line for e-documents. If you have Lattitudes priority, you may want to get in on that line. Honestly, they all looked as long. Here you’ll get your stateroom keys/cruise cards.

We were a little disappointed that online check-in didn’t make things faster. At least not in this port. Also, with the travel authorization needed from Bermuda, there was that extra line.

Once we were done, our group number was called to board the ship. A total of two hours from when we arrived. However, it was a long wait to embark, but it was a smooth process.

Read more cruise tips on what to do before and after embarkation day .

The NCL App

Download the NCL app before embarkation day or as you’re waiting in line at security… if you haven’t done so already. Sign in. You can start booking dinner reservations, check out the freestyle daily, and more on the app.

Muster Drill

As soon as you embark, they will have you go straight to your muster station to sign in. You will be asked if you watched the muster drill video they emailed you several times before cruise day. Sign in, and you can go about your day.

Going back to your muster station later in the afternoon is no longer necessary. They will announce instructions before sailing away.

You also won’t be able to escape the muster drill video because as soon as you turn on the TV in your stateroom, the video will be playing. There is no changing it until it is done playing.

Reservations

What to do after you check in with your muster station?

You should be able to make dining reservations for most specialty restaurants 90 days before cruise day . However, if you have not made reservations or need to make changes, do this as soon as you check-in at muster. At this time, you should also book all your shows, like Footloose and Elements.

  • After signing in at muster, head on to deck 6.
  • At Teppanyaki, you make dinner reservations.
  • At Social Club, you make show reservations.

We miss the days we could show up early to the theater and get a seat for a show. We could do this with the comedy shows and had no issues.

Norwegian Joy Review Stateroom Cabin # 9900 Review

norwegian joy cruise ship cabin 9900 | sofa bed, double bed, balcony

The sleek modern cabins are what we enjoy about the Breakaway class ships of Norwegian. We booked a mid-ship balcony, stateroom cabin # 9900, on the Norwegian Joy. The cabin exceeded our expectations.

You can watch a quick video tour of the cabin here.

YouTube video

It was roomy, with enough space for two. Clean and comfortable. It had 2 USB ports and 3 US electrical ports – so you can leave your power strip at home on this particular trip.

The only downside was the bed, it was hard as a rock. However, hubby had no issues with the bed, he slept great.

angled cruise ship balcony with two chairs and a table

Now, the balcony was angled. We’ve never stayed in a cabin with an angled balcony. I’ll say it was pretty big and roomy compared to other balconies on other NCL ships. We had no issues with the balcony.

In this cabin, you’ll find:

norwegian joy tour youtube

  • 2 USB ports on each side of the bed by the lighting
  • 3 electrical ports (US)
  • a hair dryer
  • plenty of closet and shelving for two for a week
  • an angled but roomy balcony
  • a corner glass-enclosed shower (not a shower curtain, thankfully)
  • of course, a toilet 😉

The cabin was located more forward, not far from the elevators and stairs. Usually, we like to stay away from elevators if it’s noisy, but we never hear noise from them. There are several cabins between cabin #9900 and the lobby entrance.

Being on the 9th floor, it was quick to take the stairs on floors 9, 7, and 6, where most restaurants, bars, theaters, casinos, and atrium are.

We would book this cabin again and recommend the location. If an angled balcony plan bothers you, then skip it.

We always used to book mini-suites on NCL ship; since then, the name has changed to Club Balcony suites. They are not actually “suites” but more of a Deluxe Balcony. We enjoyed the double sinks and full shower.

This time around, the balcony cabin was just fine for our needs. It was a very comfortable and clean space.

Cruise Essentials to Pack

Add these items to your cruise packing list. Don’t forget to pack these cruise items that will help enhance your cruise vacation. If you are wondering what you should leave at home , we have a list for that, too.

Sail Away from New York City

new york city skyline from cruise ship sail away

Sail away from New York City is one of our favorites to date. It’s a memorable cruise experience we hope to repeat in the future. We highly recommend cruising from New York City.

Seeing the New York City skyline come into full view on a beautiful clear day is such a cool and magical experience.

Followed by the sight of the Statue of Liberty and sailing under the Verazzano bridge. It’s a sail away that you won’t soon forget.

The fantastic views you get from a cruise ship are one of the many reasons to take a cruise .

Best spot for sail away?

There was a sail away party on the pool deck, which we skipped to enjoy a quieter sail away from the Waterfront.

From the port side of the Waterfront, you can get an amazing view of the New York City skyline, including the World Trade Center.

Then you can quickly cross over to the starboard side of the Waterfront to see the Statue of Liberty.

You can also go to the aft of deck 8 (same as the Waterfront) and get a full view of it.

If you don’t want to be outside, the Observation Area on deck 15 is another great spot. You’ll want to get there to snag a spot.

Norwegian Joy Restaurants and Dining

What restaurants are free on Norwegian Joy?

On the Norwegian Joy, there are a plethora of dining options. You have 3 main dining rooms, a pub, and a buffet, all included with your cruise fare .

Then they have 8 specialty dining restaurants for which you either have to pay a cover charge or a la carte.

Unlike the poor quality food we experienced on the Epic, we were delightfully impressed by the food in the restaurants on the Joy. We enjoyed trying everything throughout our cruise.

Except for the pizza.

Norwegian, if you’re reading this, what happened to the pizza? It used to be decent. It used to be our go-to snack when we felt like nothing else. But this pizza served on the Joy during our cruise was disgusting.

We cringed after the first bite. We thought I had grabbed a slice of vegan pizza (no offense to vegan cheese, we’ve had some delicious vegan cheese). However, the mozzarella on this pizza was pasty and disgusting… fake cheese.

Then later in the week, we mistakenly ordered the eggplant parmigiana in the main dining room. We had to send it back. It was the same cheese used for the pizza, and we couldn’t eat it. It was unfortunate because the eggplant itself was tender and tasty.

sunset by window by aft of cruise ship

However, if the sun bothers you as it starts to set, sit far away from the windows.

Those sitting by the window look to admire the view and not have the shades brought down on them because of others complaining about the sun.

buffet station on the norwegian joy

The buffet on the Norwegian Joy is hit-and-miss. We only went there for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes late-night snacks.

While we couldn’t rely on pizza, we could rely on Indian food for lunch. Some of the best Indian food is served in the buffet.

seating on the norwegian joy

Sometimes there was a carving station, and the meat served here was always worth adding a serving to your plate.

The best lunch was the Caribbean-themed food served for lunch on the last day in Bermuda.

Breakfast was breakfast. You’ll find the same old at breakfast served as you do throughout the Norwegian ships. Always popular and long lines for the fresh-made omelets.

The fruit served at the buffet was always so sweet and delicious. We always had some every morning.

You’ll find soft-serve ice cream, hand-scooped ice cream, cakes, cookies, and other pastries for dessert. Standouts were the chocolate praline cake, coconut cheesecake, and rocky road ice cream.

Starbucks machines are also available in the buffet.

the local on norwegian joy

The Local is the 24-hour pub. The menu consisted of salads, wings, burgers, hot dogs, Reubens, nachos, pretzel balls, spinach dip, and other pub-like food items.

The food here is good. Not exceptionally good, but it hits the spot when you’re hungry. All these items go great with some beer.

pretzel balls at the local norwegian joy

We enjoyed the pretzel balls, nachos, and wings the most. The Ceasar salad is good when they don’t smother it with dressing or forget the parmesan cheese. The carrot cake isn’t bad.

A small arcade (separate from the Galaxy pavilion) is located in the corner of the Local.

Manhattan | Taste | Savor

taste main dining room on norwegian joy

There are three main dining rooms on the Norwegian Joy, the Manhattan on deck 8 being the biggest. We also thought the Manhattan dining room had the best service of all.

All 3 dining rooms share the same galley and kitchen. The food we ordered, 98% of it, was very good. We couldn’t believe the difference in quality and taste of the dishes compared to our last Norwegian cruise.

We hope that Norwegian continues on this track. Cause the food is important to us. What about you?

While some menu items were always available for dinner, some appetizers and the featured entrees of the day changed daily.

We enjoyed and ate the following dishes during our week on Norwegian Joy.

norwegian joy tour youtube

Norwegian Joy Dining Room Menus

Here are the dining room menus on the ship for the week. We missed a couple, but we hope it gives you an idea of what to expect.

Menu 1 Menu 2 Menu 3 Menu 4 Menu 5

Cagney’s Steakhouse

cagneys steakhouse on norwegian joy

When we booked our cruise, we got the dining promo that included 2 specialty restaurants.

Cagney’s is one of the popular specialty restaurants on Norwegian ships. It is primarily a steakhouse. We had a reservation for the first night of the cruise.

The food at Cagney’s was good. However, if we were to compare it to the first time we ate at Cagney’s on Norwegian Getaway years ago, it’s not as amazing as it was then.

norwegian joy tour youtube

We did enjoy our main entrees, a rib eye, lamb chops, and the 7-layer chocolate cake for dessert should not be missed. The sides could be better. The truffle mashed potatoes are great.

Cagney’s Steakhouse Menu – Norwegian Joy

le bistro norwegian joy

Undoubtedly, Le Bistro has to be one of the best restaurants on Norwegian Joy. This French restaurant impressed us and left us reminiscing for the next few days.

We’d pay out of pocket to eat here, even if we didn’t have the promo to use.

We enjoyed it just as much when we first tried Le Bistro on the Norwegian Pearl . This is our favorite restaurant on the Norwegian ships.

norwegian joy tour youtube

From start to finish, we loved every bite.

Since we recently had escargot back home, we ordered the amazing scallops.

Then we had the french onion soup, one of the best we have ever had; cheesy and flavorful, it tasted like they poured bottles of wine or sherry into the pot.

The filet mignon with foie gras was tender, and hubby truly enjoyed his veal chop.

Do not forget dessert as it was outstanding. Too excited for dessert, we forgot to take photos of the menu, but it has changed. There was no creme brulee and tart tartine on the menu. The desserts offered were fantastic.

We ordered the two recommended by the waiter: Marquise au Chocolate and île Flottante. They both blew me away. If you love chocolate mousse, you’ll love the chocolate dessert mentioned. If you normally love creme brulee, order the île Flottante.

The cost of this dinner would have been $147 if we didn’t have the Free at Sea specialty dining package given to us as a perk. But I have to say, I would have paid outright for this scrumptious meal.

It is a deal compared to eating out at our favorite French bistro at home.

Le Bistro Menu – Norwegian Joy (1) Le Bistro Menu – Norwegian Joy (2)

Other specialty restaurants on Norwegian Joy we did not try on this trip:

  • Food Republic
  • Q Smokehouse
  • American Diner

Service on Norwegian Joy

The service on the Norwegian Joy ship was fantastic. The staff was so kind, helpful, and attentive everywhere we went. The managers would come by our table every night at the restaurants to ensure we were enjoying everything.

Our room steward was fantastic. So attentive and kind. We tipped him well at the end of our stay.

Now, the ship was only at 50% capacity, which may explain why the service was as good as it was. We felt a bit of personalized service on this cruise in particular.

We would love to hear from you and your experience with the service on the Norwegian Joy. Was the ship at full capacity for your sailing?

The Ins and Outs of Tipping On a Cruise

We tell you everything you need to know about cruise gratuities and cruise tipping, from what’s mandatory to when you should consider tipping extra.

Norwegian Joy Activities and Entertainment

mini golf norwegian joy

There are plenty of things to do on the Norwegian Joy. From sunbathing, water slides, trivia, games, and go-karts. Norwegian keeps a busy itinerary on their ships, and you can do as much or as little as you desire.

deal or no neal on norwegian

While we did not participate in things like rock wall climbing, laser tag, and the game pavilion, they are available on the ship for your enjoyment.

You have to make reservations for a few of the shows. If you don’t, you can always go 15 minutes before the show starts and get on the standby line.

Shout out to the band Azucar and the DJ onboard for playing some great music.

pool deck on norwegian joy

How many pools does the Norwegian Joy have? Technically, 3 pools. One adult pool and a kiddie pool are open for everyone to use. Then there is a pool in the Haven Courtyard that you can enjoy if you’re lucky to stay there.

norwegian joy tour youtube

While we may have been at 50% capacity on this sailing, the pool area was packed on sea days. We can’t even imagine what it would be like at full capacity.

We love the Norwegian ships but is not enough pool space for the number of people on board.

Which Norwegian ship has an indoor pool? None of the Norwegian Ships have indoor pools, not counting the thermal spa pools. An indoor pool is one thing we miss when sailing Norwegian. We love the indoor pool area on Celebrity ships.

The pool deck on Norwegian Joy also had a pool area for kids. Many kids were running around. From what we witnessed, the kids monopolized the hot tubs more than the pool. You’ll want to hit Spice H20 to get in your adults-only hot tub time.

The pool area is lively and always has music or something going on. If you’re looking for a quiet spot, you may want to head to the Waterfront or Observation Deck.

water slides on cruise ship

There are two big water slides on Norwegian Joy: the Aqua Racer and the Ocean Loops. Then there is a small one in the kid’s aqua park.

This is a fun thing to do, the Ocean Loops is the scarier one as the tube hangs over the ocean. If you like a rush of adrenaline, definitely give it a try.

The lines were always short for both slides when they were open.

norwegian joy tour youtube

Cost: $15 pp | Reservations Required

There are Go-Karts on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. It’s an additional cost. A fun experience at least once during your cruise adventures.

Hubby rode the Go-Karts on the afternoon we left Bermuda. He said it was fun but not as fast as the go-karts on land because they are controlled for safety. You get nine laps.

casino area on cruise ship

Does Norwegian Joy have a casino? Yes, there is a casino on deck 7 of Norwegian Joy.

One of the most noticeable things about the casino on the Norwegian Joy was the separate enclosed smoking area, which made such a difference to our lungs in the casino. Hopefully, this becomes a standard on all NCL ships.

This was a pretty big casino with plenty of slots and several tables. There was even a high rollers room – not that we went there.

We spent quite a bit of time in the casino after shows at night. However, we did not win anything big.

The Beatles Story

Update: The Beatles Story is no longer part of the Norwegian Joy entertainment line up.

The best show on the ship is the Beatles Story. You must attend this show if you love the Beatles and their music. They do a few different shows between the Joy Theater and the Cavern Club.

We first enjoyed this band on the Norwegian Pearl. We were excited to see that they were featured on Norwegian Joy, and we couldn’t wait to see them again.

Catch one of their shows at the theater, as there is plenty of room.

If you go to the Cavern Club to see them, go early. The Cavern Club is snug. One night we tried to see them there, but there was no seating available, and if you were standing, you most likely were blocking someone else’s view.

The word footloose glowing on the stage

Cost: Free | Reservations Needed

One of the things we love about Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus ships is the Broadway shows. We’ve seen a few amazing shows on the ships. So loving the movie Footloose, we were looking forward to seeing it on stage.

Well, it did not live up to the hype. The show was okay. We weren’t wowed by the performances.

And the show was longer than it needed to be… almost 2 hours. You get to the end, thinking you’re going to get this amazing dance scene to compensate for the wait, but nope.

We were disappointed.

elements on norwegian joy

Thankfully, Elements was not as long as Footloose, but it was overdone with all the dancing. This is just our opinion, but if they had cut out the dancing and given us the magic show with the acrobatic scenes, we would have enjoyed it more.

Without a doubt, Elements was a more entertaining show than Footloose.

We watched a late showing of Elements, but on the last night of the cruise, Elements was canceled the next night. Someone was sick, and the show could not go on.

So we got another special showing of the Beatles: Abbey Road, which was fun.

Levity Comedy Group

norwegian joy tour youtube

Cost: Free | Reservations Sometimes Needed

There were two comedians on the ship: Andy Beningo and Larry Omaha. You can see them at the social club and theater throughout the week.

We enjoyed Andy Beningo’s set the most. There was something more family-friendly about his set without having to be mean for the sake of laughs. He truly had us laughing.

We saw him at the social club and then at the 18+ show at the theater later in the week.

Fun Things to do on a Cruise

What are the things to do on a cruise? A cruise ship vacation is a destination in itself. You can spend the entirety of your cruise ship vacation just enjoying all a cruise ship has to offer, from free cruise activities to paid ones.

Spa on Norwegian Joy

norwegian joy tour youtube

On this cruise, we did not treat ourselves to any spa services. However, it is worth mentioning in this Norwegian Joy review because the spa on the Norwegian Joy is small. Inside the spa is a waiting area, a barber shop, a hair styling area, and a few pedicure chairs.

This ship does not have a thermal spa. If you like to cruise to enjoy the thermal spa on the ships, then the Norwegian Joy is not for you.

Observations on Norwegian Joy:

norwegian joy tour youtube

  • The Norwegian Joy is a beautiful, sleek, and modern ship. We were so happy we finally were able to sail her. The staff were wonderful and worked hard at maintaining the ship.
  • This NCL brand and the ship were built for all ages. You don’t feel like you have to give up on modern amenities and style for everyone to enjoy themselves. There is something for everyone.

norwegian joy tour youtube

  • The Waterfront (deck 8) and the Observation Area (deck 15) are two of the best decks on Norwegian Joy and spaces on the ship for quiet time and great views.

norwegian joy tour youtube

  • You’ll find afternoon snacks in the Observation Area served daily.
  • No more towel animals. This is quite disappointing as it was one of those small things that brought an extra smile during our cruise vacation.
  • There are hand washing stations outside the buffets. Purell stands can be found all around the ship and outside the dining restaurants.

starbucks cafe on cruise ship

  • Starbucks is on board! It is not included in the free-at-sea Premium Beverage Package, so it’s an additional cost. Starbucks is included in the Premium Plus Package. Read the differences between the NCL Beverage Packages . You can find them at the buffet, the observation area, and the atrium. You can collect rewards but can not pay with your Starbucks app; you must use your stateroom card to pay. We had lattes one day, which added up to $17… however, we must say, the lattes were 10 times better than Starbucks on land.
  • Pool towels were not provided in the staterooms as in the past. You sign them out on your way off the ship to explore for the day at port.
  • On day 4, they have the $29 special laundry bag. You have until day 5 to leave it for your cabin steward.
  • The washy-washy staff at the buffet are always happy and singing at the buffet entrance reminding you to wash and disinfect your hands.
  • There is a themed party every night at Spice H20.
  • Spice H20 is the adult area of the ship, and it was always packed on sea days with sunbathers.
  • We celebrated my birthday on the cruise. If you let them know when you book, they will leave a card in your stateroom to take to a restaurant of your choice. Hand it to the Maître d’ and the waiter will bring a cake and sing happy birthday at dessert. The cake was surprisingly delicious.

– Don’t Miss: Cruise vs All-Inclusive Resort: What’s the Difference? –

Norwegian Joy Freestyle Dailies

Below are the freestyle dailies for Norwegian Joy during our trip. Note that the newsletters were created for the week we cruised and any times, shows, activities, and information listed can and will change at any time.

We share them so you can get an idea of what to expect and plan your reservations.

Freestyle Daily – Day 1 Freestyle Daily – Day 2 Freestyle Daily – Day 3 Freestyle Daily – Day 4 Freestyle Daily – Day 5 Freestyle Daily – Day 6 Freestyle Daily – Day 7

Book a Norwegian Joy Cruise

FAQ on Norwegian Joy

Is the norwegian joy a new ship.

The Norwegian Joy debuted in 2017 and then refurbished in 2018. It is one of the newer NCL ships.

Why was Norwegian Joy refurbished?

The Norwegian Joy was at first built for the Asian market. After a year, the ship was redeployed and refurbished for the Western Market. A pool was one of the many things that were added to the Norwegian joy.

What class ship is Norwegian Joy?

The Norwegian Joy is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship.

Is bottled water free on Norwegian cruise ships?

No, bottled water is not free on the Norwegian Cruise Line. However, it is included as part of the Premium Plus Beverage Package.

Where to Stay Near Manhattan Cruise Terminal?

King Size Bed Room at airfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan Central Park

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan Central Park

We were only in NYC for a night before our cruise, so we chose to stay nearby. We booked the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, on 58th St, just down the block from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal,

The location of this hotel is ideal, especially if you’re only staying for a night or two. It’s also within walking distance from top city sites.

A 10-minute walk took us to Time Squares. We even strolled down to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Musical Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Columbus Circle, and much more.

The hotel staff was friendly. The room was clean and modern. Breakfast was included, and it was nothing special, but we got to have some coffee, eggs, and pastries before we departed the morning of embarkation day.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott | 538 W 58th St, New York | Google Map It

122 Quick & Helpful Cruise Tips

We’ve gathered 122 of our top cruise tips and cruise hacks to help make your planning process smoother and your cruising experience even more fabulous.

Do you have a Norwegian Joy cruise booked?

We hope this Norwegian Joy review helps you plan your future cruise vacation. We loved sailing on the Joy and would book another trip on this cruise ship.

Don’t miss these other cruise ship reviews:

  • Cruising the Norwegian Encore
  • Cruising the Celebrity Solstice Review
  • Cruising the Norwegian Pearl Review
  • Cruising the Celebrity Equinox Review
  • Cruising the Norwegian Epic Review
  • Cruising Norwegian Getaway and Staying in the Haven

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Quick Cruise Planning Guide

Where to book a cruise? We like to shop around before booking by going directly to the cruise line and checking out the deals on GoToSea , CruiseDirect.com , Costco Travel , and Cruise Compete . Ultimately, the best advice is to find a travel agent you can trust to help you book a cruise.

Hotels for pre-cruise and post-cruise stays We always use Booking.com or Hotels.com to book international accommodations and Expedia or Hotels.com for US accommodations. Airbnb or Vrbo for vacation rentals.

Can I book my own shore excursions? Yes, you’ll save money booking your own excursions and not with the cruise ship. We like to use Viator or WithLocals . Don’t forget to read up on our tips for booking .

Car Rentals We like to rent a car at cruise ports and for the freedom to explore on our own when the destination makes sense. We also sometimes rent cars during our pre-cruise stay or on embarkation day.

Should I book cruise insurance? Yes! Cruise insurance is essential. We always book with a third party rather than the cruise line. Compare pricing on Insuremytrip.com .

Packing for a Cruise? Don’t miss our essential cruise packing list .

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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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10 Comments

I thoroughly read this as I pondered whether I would go on a cruise in the future. Can’t wait for more about this cruise! I want to know how Bermuda was. This is so helpful for anyone who is contemplating going on the Norwegian Joy. You didn’t miss anything! I liked that you included all the menus. I saw all those vegetarian options. So food-wise maybe I could do a cruise. That pool deck though did look crowded and the pool itself looked small in the picture. Was it kind of small or just the angle of the picture? The resort I recently went to had so many kids taking over the pool areas that if I ever do a resort trip, I’m going to search out adults only, if that exists. I love that this leaves from NYC, you’re really making me think, hmm maybe I should! I’m glad you enjoyed this one and the food minus that disgusting sounding pizza. I ate some hotel pizza in London and it was bad but at least edible. Yours sounded ungodly. But glad it overall was great!

Thanks so much for your comment! I do hope you do get to cruise one day. There are always vegetarian options on cruises. The pool is always crowded on the ships, sadly. The Norwegian Joy has two pools for everyone to enjoy, aside from the Haven pool. Never enough pool space. The funny thing is that the pools themselves aren’t usually crowded, it’s the deck areas around the pool that are.

Adult-only resorts and cruises totally exist! Virgin Voyages is an adult-only cruise line. When we traveled to DR last year, we stayed at the adult-only side of the hotel – it was so nice! We try to always cruise on off-shoulder seasons when kids are in school. This time it wasn’t so bad because it was still the beginning of June before the NYC schools were over. So honestly this is the most kids we’ve encountered on a cruise so far and they used the hot tubs more than the pool lol.

Oh yeah, the pizza on the Joy on this trip was disgusting. Normally, hubby will eat anything with cheese and bread, and he couldn’t even eat it. Although I did see other cruisers eating it and really didn’t understand how.

Good article. But you are complaining about the “Pizza”? When you have the Local or O’sheehans, why would you care about pizza?!Lol

You may enjoy the wings and burgers as a snack, but some of us enjoy pizza. My best friend and her family just got off the Joy yesterday and complained about the pizza.

Yes, there is always something else to eat on a cruise, which is why the terrible cheese pizza didn’t break our cruise vacation. We had a fantastic cruise.

However, when they start cheapening on supplies like the cheese they use on pizza, it affects the pizza and every other dish that uses that cheese on the cruise ship, like that eggplant parmigiana I couldn’t eat because the cheese was not actually cheese.

So, yeah, I didn’t like the pizza but it was more about the quality of cheese that was being used. It wasn’t real cheese at all.

Hi, thanks for posting this review. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it since we’re on the Norwegian Joy next month. Did NCL offer an internet discount while you were on the ship? Just wondering if I should get it before boarding or not. Thanks!

Hi Karena – During the week we sailed, I did not see any promotions for Wifi offered besides the regular rate – that doesn’t mean you won’t see any during your sailing. You do have the option to upgrade from the NCL app when you’re on the ship.

I wish they had a daily rate because I would have taken advantage of that on sea days. We used our 150 minutes each to check texts and emails while at sea. At the port, we used our phones since we have an unlimited international data plan with t-mobile. I will say that I didn’t see many promotions this time, besides the laundry mid-week and massages by the pool at the port.

I can’t believe the utter nightmare my family and I endured during our Norwegian Joy cruise from August 20 to 30, 2023. It was beyond horrendous, and we had a whopping nine rooms on that ship!

Firstly, let me tell you about the infuriating situation with my Aunt. She was placed on the 8th floor, where there are two restaurants flanking the hallway. And what does this brilliant cruise line do? They insist on keeping the hall doors closed! My Aunt is handicapped and had to rent a scooter to move around the ship. But guess what? She could hardly use it because of these stupid doors, not to mention the cramped space on that floor. They expected her to get off the scooter, put a door stopper, remember to remove it, and then continue. If doors couldn’t be left open, why in the world did they put her there? They should’ve thought this through before assigning rooms!

Next, let’s talk about the casino. I’ve been on countless cruises, and I’ve never been slapped with a 3% convenience fee for charging to my room in the casino. It’s outrageous!

Then, there were plumbing nightmares. Toilets, sinks, showers – they all clogged up! I called guest services, they said they’d send someone, and only the toilet got fixed. Sink and shower? Forget it! We had to inform our room cleaner, who managed to fix the sink but left the shower a mess.

But wait, there’s more! Every time we docked at a port, it was like a circus. Exiting and entering the ship turned into a chaotic ordeal. At the private island in the Bahamas, we had to ferry back and forth, and the lines were excruciatingly long. And the kicker? We had to stay an extra night in the Bahamas because they canceled the Bermuda trip due to bad weather. So, we missed out on the casino again, through no fault of our own.

And then, when we finally reached Great Stirrup Cay, the weather was atrocious with heavy rain. As if this whole trip wasn’t miserable enough!

We were told Miami would be added to the itinerary instead of Bermuda due to the weather. But that didn’t sit well with most passengers, considering we’re from the US and could drive there anytime!

When we docked in Miami, it was a complete disaster. Long lines, no clear instructions, scorching heat with no water in sight. My granddaughter, just a year and ten months old, was exhausted, agitated, and dehydrated. Tempers flared, and fights broke out.

We all complained to guest services, but they had no acceptable answers, just asked us to take a case number and contact corporate.

Finally, on the 8th day in Miami, I spoke to the manager at guest services about my persistent shower issue. And guess what? It was still not fixed. I’d reported it numerous times, so I took pictures and a video as proof.

Sure, they compensated us for the itinerary change, but that’s nowhere near sufficient for the sheer agony we endured, especially after all the additional issues that cropped up. This whole experience has been an absolute nightmare, and I’m far from satisfied with how they’ve handled it.

Oh wow, sorry to hear that you had a terrible cruise. So many factors can come into play and really ruin a vacation. Thank you for sharing your experience so others can be aware of what’s going on.

We were on Norwegian Joy for our cruise to Bermuda! And we are scheduled on the Joy for Panama Canal cruise from Miami to LA in January! Excited!

That’s awesome! Been dying to do the Panamal Canal route. Have a great cruise! We had the Joy scheduled next year with family but had to cancel due to itinerary changes. Hope to be able to get on her again at some point to check out the changes after refurbishment.

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Cruzely.com | Everything Cruising

Norwegian Joy: 2019 Review and Photos After Refurbishment

Note : Cruzely recently set sail aboard the Norwegian Joy on a cruise compliments of Norwegian Cruise Lines. The opinions below are our own.

It isn’t rare that a cruise ship undergoes a $50 million renovation. What is rare is when a practically brand-new ship sees that kind of overhaul. But that’s exactly what the Norwegian Joy underwent as the ship — originally built for Asian markets — transitioned to the United States to take travelers on trips to Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

The revamped covered the entire ship, including everything from the pool deck to carpet to restaurants, and even changes to the ship’s popular Joy Speedway (the go-cart track at the back of the ship).

So what can you expect on the Norwegian Joy after refurbishment? We recently sailed aboard the ship to get a firsthand look at what passengers will experience.

The Joy is one of three ships in Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus class, it’s largest class of cruise ships. Coming in a 168,000 gross tons, it is the second-largest ship in the fleet and less than 1,000 tons smaller than the largest ship, Norwegian Bliss.

First setting sail in 2017, she measures nearly 1,100 feet and has 20 decks. At capacity, the Joy can hold about 4,000 passengers. In other words, no matter how you slice it, the ship is big. You can feel the size the second you board. None of the ship’s public spaces feels like it is a condensed “at sea” version of the real thing. From the restaurants to the casino to even the Starbucks, they all feel full-sized like you’d find on land.

Meanwhile, Norwegian has spared little to pack something for everyone onto the cruise ship. Whether you are a family, a young couple, retired, or anywhere in between, you’ll find something to keep you entertained. If you want fun and active, you can take a ride on the carting track, play laser tag, or ride a waterslide that juts out over the edge of the ship. If you want dining options, there are about 15 different spots to eat on the ship. And if you just want to relax, the Observation Lounge offers a quiet spot — with a stunning multi-story window panel — to take in the view.

For more specific details on what you’ll find on Norwegian Joy, keep reading.

Public Spaces

One of the nice things about sailing on a large ship is that there is plenty of room to put public spaces. These spots are great places to relax, people watch, have a drink, or just hangout. The Joy features a number of open areas where you can sit and take it all in.

Norwegian Joy atrium

Main Atrium Located on Deck 6, the main atrium on the Joy is the largest we’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. Around the edges you’ll find a number of services such as the shore excursion desk, guest services, the Internet cafe, and Starbucks. In the center, however, there is a large open area with ample seating that’s open to the deck above. Since it’s at the center of the ship, it’s one of the most-trafficked areas; sit here long enough and you’ll see everyone on the ship pass by.

Norwegian Joy Observation Lounge

Observation Lounge The Norwegian Joy sails trips to Alaska, and we can think of no better spot to watch the scenery than in the Observation Lounge. Located forward on Deck 15, the lounge has multi-story windows that wrap around the front of the ship. This gives the best view of anywhere on the ship while also being protected from the elements. There is also a Starbucks and a bar if you get thirsty. One tip — if the forward lounge is full, you can also go to the Garden Cafe (buffet) on Deck 16. It features windows that look out onto the Observation Lounge, giving you a similar view.

Norwegian Joy Waterfront

The Waterfront Circling Deck 8 is a promenade walkway that wraps almost around the entire length of the ship. Here the restaurants on Deck 8 all have outdoor seating, but there is also open seating and you can sit in the restaurant areas if they aren’t open at the time. In our experience there were few people taking advantage of this deck in the mornings, making it a perfect place to have coffee in peace and quiet.

Norwegian Joy Pool Deck

Pool Deck Of course, the Norwegian Joy has a pool deck and a rather large one at that. When originally built for the Asian markets, there was a garden area in the middle. Today the space is empty, with pools and hot tubs relegated to the ends of the deck. While having a large empty area in the middle of the pool deck is honestly an awkward use of the space, it does mean there is ample space to sit and soak up the sun. Finding a spot for a deck chair would be no problem.

Spice H20 on Norwegian Joy

Spice H2O Located at the back of Deck 17, Spice H20 is an adults-only spot that offers a little of everything. There is a large hot tub (covered) that’s the size of a swimming pool, a bar, and a ton of seating and loungers if you want to get some sun. All that’s missing is an actual swimming pool. At night, the area turns into nightclub with large dance floor

As you would expect of a ship built so recently, the staterooms on the Joy are modern with all the most recent amenities. Our time was spent in a mini-suite, and we were also able to tour a number of other cabins on the ship. All offered everything you would expect in a cruise cabin — and sometimes much more should you book a more expensive room.

Norwegian Joy Haven Cabin

The decoration is tasteful and modern, with darker wood tones on closets and cabinetry. Walls and ceilings are neutral tones, with a busier dark blue carpeting. The entire look is modern and comfortable, making you feel at home instead of like you’re staying in a museum where you can’t touch anything.

Bathrooms also have a nice modern update compared to typical ships. One noticeable feature was a larger-than-usual glass shower with sliding door. Compare this to many cabins we’ve been on cruise ships that are simply a round enclosure where it’s hard to even bend down to wash your legs.

One disappointing aspect was the water pressure in the shower. Using the overhead shower we had weak pressure during the entirety of the trip. That said, there are stronger pressure body-massaging outlets that offered pressure that was frankly too strong.

In the cabin, we did appreciate having three separate electrical outlets, offering plenty of spots for charging phones and tablets. There were also USB charging ports built into the wall sconces next to the bed.

During tours of The Haven — Norwegian’s exclusive area with more luxurious cabins — there were spaces that you’d never see in a typical ship. This included wraparound balconies, walk-in closets, multiple bedrooms, and even a bathtub next to a massive window so you can look out while you bathe.

Food & Drink

While in our opinion the Joy is excellent in a number of ways, it’s hard to beat the food and drink options aboard the ship. Including both complementary and specialty restaurants, there are 14 places to eat on the ship (not including room service and two Starbucks locations). In other words, you could stay on the ship for two weeks and never eat the same restaurant for dinner.

Desserts in case

On the free side, the options are the basics that you’d find on most cruise ships. There is the buffet (Garden Cafe), along with three main dining rooms (The Manhattan Room, Savor, and Taste). One nice perk is The Local, a 24-hour restaurant in the middle of the ship on Deck 7 that features casual fare including salads, burgers, wings, desserts, and more. Everywhere we ate had good quality. Special notice was given to the desserts in the buffet and the freshly-made burger served at The Local. That said, we do wish that Norwegian offered a few more complimentary options.

Q Smokehouse on the Joy

Instead, the cruise line focuses more on specialty dining. These restaurants encompass everything from high-end Italian (La Cucina) to seafood (Ocean Blue) to steak (Cagney’s) to BBQ (Q Smokehouse, pictured above) to pan-Asian (Food Republic). There are extra charges to eat here, which are usually priced a la carte like you’d find on land.

While we weren’t able to try every restaurant during our cruise, we can say that Food Republic (which offers Asian dishes like sushi rolls) was outstanding. If we were to take a week-long cruise, we’d suggest eating at specialty restaurants 2-3 times in order to try the different fare offered. Eat more than that and the bill at the end of your cruise could start to creep up.

Norwegian Joy drinks

If you’re interested in drinks, then you’re going to be happy on the Norwegian Joy. The ship offers roughly 15 different places to grab a drink so you are never far from your beverage of choice. One special thing we noticed is that the cruise line has put a lot of work into its beverage menu, going so far as to partner with outside professionals to come up with new and interesting cocktails. Drinks we had during our cruise were tasty… and also quite strong.

Like beer? Don’t miss The District Brew House located on Deck 8. While many cruise lines have recognized the trend toward craft brewing and offering more choices than just Bud Light and Miller Lite, it’s hard to beat this spot. From a fridge filled with dozens of different beer types to a tap wall with about 20 beers on tap, The District is dedicated to beer.

If tropical cocktails are more your liking, don’t miss the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. It sits on Deck 8 and features a menu filled with delicious drinks. We tried the Wiki Rum Punch, a strong drink served in a fun tiki glass — complete with a paper umbrella. During the evenings there is a band playing Latin music, adding a little extra to the atmosphere.

Entertainment

While the food and drink on the ship is superb, even it pales in comparison to the things to do aboard the Joy. There is especially a lot to do for those who are young or young at heart.

Racetrack on ship

Joy Speedway Perhaps no feature of the Norwegian Joy stands out as much as the Joy Speedway. The ship features a full-sized go-cart track where you can race around corners and straightaways while in the middle of the ocean.

The cost is a little pricey — $15 for about a 10-minute ride — but it’s worth doing at least once. So how does it work? First, you need to make sure you are dressed to ride. That means closed-toe shoes and no loose garments like scarfs or open jackets. Once in your cart (there are also two-person carts), you put on your helmet and strap in. When the light turns green, you can take off racing.

The carts are electric and the staff can control your speed. At the start you will take off rather slowly, but once everyone is on the track, the speed picks up. At no time are you going fast in absolute terms, but on the track with its bends and corners, it feels like you are flying.

Ocean Loops waterslide

Waterslides While the Joy sails Alaska it’s doubtful the waterslides will get much use. But in warmer climates, it’s something to enjoy. The big draw is Ocean Loops. The slide rises several stories above the deck, drops you nearly straight down and into a massive loop. Did we mention that the loop juts out over the edge of the ship, meaning you slide out over the water? It’s by far the most extreme waterslide we’ve seen at sea.

Waterpark

Kids Waterpark If you’re sailing with smaller kids who aren’t quite ready for the big waterslides, then they will enjoy the kid’s waterpark. It’s not huge, but there are a lot of contraptions spraying water all around and lots of interactive water features to play with. Check out the big yellow bucket at the top of the park that fills with water. About every 5 minutes it will tip, flooding the entire area.

F1 simulator

Galaxy Pavilion With the revamp to the Joy comes the Galaxy Pavilion. Located on the back of the ship at Deck 18, it’s a virtual reality playground. During our cruise we saw all ages enjoying everything that’s offered. There are your classic virtual reality staples like roller coasters and truck rides. There is also a bank of racing games where you can feel like you’re on the track. Around the corner is a 4-D experience with moving seats and effects, plus a 3-D video screen. During our try, we got to blast robots while going through a western town.

But our favorite thing to do was the virtual F-1 racing. You climb into a replica car sitting in front of a bank of screens. Just like a real Formula 1 car, you use the brake and gas pedals and there is a detachable steering wheel with paddle shifters. Put simply, it’s as close to the real thing as you can get without being an F1 driver.

The Galaxy Pavilion runs $29 for 90 minutes of access, and it’s an extra $10 to drive the F1 car. While the fees will help keep crowds down, it is in our opinion a little steep to go multiple times. Still, it’s likely worth it to experience at least once.

Mini-Golf Next to the Joy Speedway on the back of the ship is the mini-golf course. The course is free to play and consists of nine holes. It’s not too challenging, making it fun for both adults and kids.

Casino on cruise ship

Casino While on our cruise we heard rumors that when the ship was made for the Asian markets, there were four casinos around the ship. Today there is just one (located on Deck 7), but it’s large. In fact, while most ship casinos are contained in one area with distinct entrances and exits, the Joy Casino is much more open and spread out.

In the casino area you’ll find every game you could want to play, from craps to blackjack, roulette, baccarat, slot machines and even a few other games like The Big Wheel and coin-pusher games. If you’re a non-smoker, you’ll appreciate that the casino doesn’t allow smoking, but there is an enclosed part of the casino where smoking is allowed.

Limits are low — we saw most tables at $5 and penny slots are everywhere.

Laser Tag Another big draw for kids and families on the ship is the laser tag arena. Norwegian has built a detailed course that’s designed to look like an outer space outpost. Two teams face off, armed with their laser cannons to save the world. The course is at the very top of the ship on Deck 20. Games last about 10 minutes and cost $10 per person.

Shopping Cruise ships are known for their shopping, and the Joy doesn’t disappoint. At Tradewinds, you’ll find what’s essentially a miniature mall, except everything is tax and duty-free. There’s lots of high-end shopping, including watches and jewelry, as well as liquor. There are also clothing stores, handbags, and a spot to grab toiletries that you might have forgotten at home.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to take in about the ship and everything it has to offer. Here are a few final thoughts if you are considering sailing for your next cruise.

What’s Great about the Norwegian Joy If you’re planning on booking a cruise aboard the Norwegian Joy, don’t hesitate. The ship is large, new, and offers an amazing array of amenities.

We particularly loved the Observation Lounge, which offered a quiet spot to take in breathtaking views. On trips to Alaska, the views would be especially amazing. We also enjoy the variety on the ship. Whether you want to gamble… or eat… or ride go-carts… or watch a production show… just hang out and soak up the sun, there’s something for you to do. Put simply, we can’t think of any demographic that wouldn’t have fun on the ship.

What Could Be Improved That said, not everything is perfect on any ship — even the newest and greatest. While it’s a small issue, the water pressure in the cabin shower could be greatly improved. We were still able to bathe, but had to huddle close to the wall to get under the shower spray. It wasn’t a relaxing shower.

A bigger item in our opinion are the extra costs associated with many things on the ship. Things like the go-carts, specialty restaurants, laser tag, Galaxy Pavilion and more all cost extra. Yes, these items are optional, but if you want to enjoy the entire ship then be prepared to open up your wallet a little wider. That said, they all seemed worth doing at least once.

All in all, the refurbished Norwegian Joy sets a high mark for cruise ship — especially those sailing to Alaska, where the ships tend to be a little older and smaller. It offers something for everyone. We’d have no reservations about sailing aboard the ship again, although we would certainly be prepared to spend a little more than usual once on board.

Have questions about sailing aboard the Norwegian Joy? Let us know in the comments below.

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Norwegian Joy: 2019 Review and Photos After Refurbishment

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Did you do kareoke and where?

No matter how big a ship is, when you put 3800 passengers and over 1000 crew members on board, it is crowded. Expect a wait for elevators and some problems exiting for excursions. The food was ok but usually not hot.

Does the Local Bar have pool tables and dart boards like the pubs on the Escape and other more recent NCL ships?

We did not see these on the Joy. There was a small cove with some arcade games nearby.

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Norwegian Joy – Refurbished & Reviewed

We’re excited to board the newly refurbished Norwegian Joy cruise ship and we’re going to share everything that has been updated during the January/February 2024 refurbishment and dry dock.

Embarking from Southampton, UK after a few weeks in dry dock in Rotterdam, Netherlands , the ship was ready to receive the first guests sailing an 11-day transatlantic cruise to Miami (with no ports!). Unfortunately, we were informed that some spaces due for refitting and refurbishment weren’t quite finished, but we were able to get access to take some photos and a quick tour of new areas.

Key Points:

  • Norwegian Joy underwent refurbishment in early 2024 with updates like a new Thermal Suite and additional staterooms.
  • Dining options include restaurants like Taste & Savor (no charge), as well as specialty dining venues.
  • The ship offers unique features like the Speedway (go-karts at sea) and a water park, but some activities come at an extra cost.
  • The entertainment on the ship is underwhelming compared to past offerings, with shows like “Elements” receiving mixed reviews.
  • A large variety of stateroom options are available on the ship, and the bathrooms are noted for their spaciousness and amenities.

A few interesting Facts about the Joy

The Norwegian Joy was initially built for the Asian cruising market but only lasted in Asia for a short while. NCL chose to relocate the cruise ship to the Caribbean and do a light cosmetic refresh in 2020 to bring the design more in line with what the American market would expect.

Because of the original intent of the ship, some features are unique such as the pool decks with large swaths of open space meant to accommodate more people (originally on a faux lawn-style setup). So the pools are strange (visually) in their arrangement, but nothing changes the enjoyment.

The capacity of the Norwegian Joy is about 4000 people after the new addition of some cabins on the 15th deck.

The ship is part of the Breakaway Plus class of ships which also includes the Norwegian Encore (Our favorite NCL Ship)

What’s changed on the NCL Joy

Unlike other refits of large ships, most of the ship is going to remain the same. There aren’t going to be any new restaurants or major changes to common areas or existing cabins. However, there are going to be additions and a few updates.

New Thermal Suite on Norwegian Joy

The most notable update is the removal of the Laser Tag pavilion and replacing it with a huge new thermal suite to bring the Joy in line with other newer ships that feature the beautiful thermal suite like Joy’s sister ship, the Norwegian Encore .

Norwegian thermal spa on the NCL Joy

Larger Vibe Beach Club

The Joy now features a much larger Vibe adult-only area with added cabanas and more space to relax.

Norwegian Joy Vibe Beach Club

Additional Staterooms

One of the more surprising updates to the Norwegian Joy is the addition of cabins. This comes at the expense of the popular observation lounge. This has many guests talking about whether or not this will affect the feel and atmosphere of the much-beloved lounge.

Deck 15 on the Norwegian Joy before and after the ship refurbishment

You’ll notice on the after photos of the Observation Lounge on the Joy that the entire left side of the lounge was more relaxation space, where now it’s full of cabins.

NCL Joy Before Refurbishment

Norwegian Joy - Refurbished & Reviewed 1

NCL Joy AFTER Refurbishment

Norwegian Joy Deck Plan

Here’s the side of the lounge that’s been modified. You’ll see that most of it has been cut back with just some extra seating left behind.

The transformation of the Observation Lounge was well done visually, but cut back so much space it’s going to be interesting to see how crowded the lounge feels on a full sailing.

Norwegian Joy observation lounge renovation

Other work done to the Joy during the refurbishment included new carpeting, new mattresses in the staterooms, and cleaning of all soft surfaces

The ship looked nearly new when we boarded with everything being freshly cleaned and/or replaced. It was nice to see a ship launched in 2017 maintained and cleaned up to the extent of looking nearly new again.

What To Expect on the NCL Joy

After spending 11 days on the ship immediately after the drydock and refurbishment, we were left feeling like the ship was just about the perfect size for most itineraries. With an abundant of outdoor space and so many venues for food and drink, the ship didn’t ever feel crowded. However, we were only sailing at about 65% capacity at the time.

Norwegian Joy - Refurbished & Reviewed 2

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The Food on the Joy

Having spent nearly 60 days on Norwegian Cruise Line ships in the past year across many cruises, it was surprising to find that the food quality on the Joy was better than any in recent memory. It really feels like the food rose to the level of the pre-pandemic quality of NCL. While there were a few “misses” when it came to food, which is to be expected, the majority of the dining experiences were extremely good.

Included Restaurants on the Joy

The dining venues included with your fare are generous and quite good. Included restaurants are:

  • The Manhattan Room (Main Dining Room at Dinner)
  • Taste (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Savor (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • The Local (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night)
  • Garden Cafe (Buffet – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • American Diner (which used to be an additional cost and is now included!)

NCL Joy Manhattan Dining Room

The Manhattan Dining room is only open for Dinner while Taste & Savor restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which helps distribute the crowds during popular dining times. The menu is the same in all 3 restaurants, it’s just a matter of what environment you want to dine in (or which side of the ship!)

During lunch and breakfast, bring your patience when choosing Savor & Taste . It can sometimes take a while to get your food.

Order Cagney’s In The Main Dining Room

You can now order a Cagney’s steak from the main dining room at dinner! So if you’re craving a bit of an elevated experience in the main dining room, for about $25 you can feast on a Filet Mignon.

The Local Bar & Grill on the Breakaway Plus Class ships replace the more pub-themed restaurant on other ships called O’sheehans – but they’re the same concept with bar bites, sandwiches, wings, and a late-night dining menu. The only real letdown of the Local is the chicken wings. They’ve changed the preparation method and they’re just not as good as they once were (I think this is fleet-wide as the same changes were on the Sun & Epic recently)

Many people don’t realize that the Local also serves breakfast making it a great alternative to the buffet.

When it came to the buffet (Garden Cafe), our only real issue was the food temperatures in some locations. Somehow everything was served steaming but was lukewarm, which defies most cooking science! Other than that, the selection was always good and the restaurant along with the serving areas was spotless.

The American Diner used to be an additional charge but starting February 2024, is included and has no extra charge. The menu largely replicates The Local but with outdoor dining space. Some people think the burgers are better, but they’re basically the same preparation in a different location on the ship.

Specialty Dining on the NCL JOY

Passengers who’ve sailed with Norwegian in the past will find the usual and expected up-charge specialty dining restaurants. Nearly all of them were exceptional, but it’s obvious portion sizes have changed, so some people who have visited a specialty dining restaurant on other Norwegian ships in the past may notice this. That said, there was always plenty of food!

The Specialty Dining / Premium Dining on the Norwegian Joy include:

The seafood forward menu is relatively simple but with well-prepared seafood options. For non-fish fans, you can also order a variety of steak items. On the Joy, there is a beautiful outdoor dining space that is in high demand during warmer weather cruises. Using a specialty dining package will allow an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

Cagney’s Steakhouse

A staple on all Norwegian ships, the steakhouse continues to deliver, albeit with slightly smaller portions. A specialty dining package will entitle you to An appetizer, main course, two sides and a dessert. See the Cagney’s menu

This French-inspired restaurant was probably the least inspiring meal on the Joy. It’s also hit-and-miss on other ships as well. While we used to really love this concept, it seems to have suffered the most from cost-cutting. If you have a dining package you can order an appetizer, main, and dessert, but it’s not really worth using that credit if you like the other options on the ship. It’s definitely not worth the ridiculous a la carte pricing! The outdoor dining is beautiful, however. See the Le Bistro menu . It’s worth noting that this is the last place to get Veuve Clicquot by the glass. So if you have the premium plus beverage package, and crave champagne, this is your only option.

TIP: On the NCL Joy, Le Bistro, and Cagney’s share a space separated by a lovely bar that rarely gets crowded!

Le Bistro Norwegian Joy Outdoors

Food Republic

The most overlooked specialty dining on the ship was Food Republic. Here you can order a variety of Asian-inspired dishes and a great selection of sushi rolls. What makes the restaurant even better is the view! A covered glass canopy overlooking the ocean makes the experience feel more elevated. What we love about this is while you can use a dining package that gets each person 4 items, the prices a la carte is not bad. So it’s one of those times I’d probably skip using the dining package and just go for a sushi roll or a light snacky type dinner. TIP : You’ll be presented with an ordering tablet / iPad. If you’re using the dining package, you don’t have to order all 8 items at once! Order as you go so your food doesn’t crowd the table and get cold.

This is the Italian specialty restaurant on the Joy and we found it more average than amazing. Having dined there twice on our 11-day voyage, once was great once was ‘meh’ … In general, I’d advise against ordering the pizza. It’s just not worth it for the price and quality, but the other dishes are quite good. It also has outdoor dining on the Joy. See the La Cucina menu

Q Texas Smokehouse

Oddly, this was one of our favorite specialty dining venues on the Joy, but the quantity of food is just TOO MUCH! If you’re a BBQ fan, it’s a must-try. It’s not quite good ole’ Texas BBQ, but it’s a close approximation. If you aren’t a fan of live music, dine earlier in the evening, as they have a stage that hosts music almost every night. See the Q Texas Smokehouse Menu

We usually skip the Teppanyaki restaurant on Norwegian. The price has just gotten ridiculous for what it is and with so many land-based restaurants with the same concept, it’s hard to justify. But it’s good! If you’re craving large portions of teppanyaki-style food and a side of “show cooking” it can be good fun, especially for groups. We skipped this on the Joy so we can’t speak to the quality of the food, but people we talked to who ate at the Teppanyaki restaurant loved it.

Bars on the Norwegian Joy

The NCL Joy has almost too many bars! I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true. Not that it’s bad, but it’s hard to choose where to go for a drink sometimes!

The bars on the Joy include:

  • The Observation Lounge – a great space for relaxing and for viewing out the front of the ship. (even though it’s reduced in size now)
  • Skyline Bar – a great option within the Casino when all of the other bars are busy. It’s almost never full.
  • Mixx Bar – this bar sits between Taste & Savor restaurants and is a good meeting spot pre-dinner.
  • Spice H20- in the rear of the ship with a view over the all adult area & hot tubs
  • Waves – The typical pool bar on the ship
  • Maltings Whiskey Bar – a lovely space with lounge chairs and sofas. It’s also a place where gatherings take place like Friends of Dorothy, etc.
  • Sugarcane Mojito Bar – This bar is of course where you can find mojitos, but also where live music is performed nearly all day long. There’s also a great outdoor seating area.
  • Cavern Club – open only in the evenings and tends to get very crowded. Live music and performances every night.
  • The Cellars wine bar – One of our favorite spots. It sits opposite La Cucina and is a great spot for people-watching while having some good wine. Unfortunately the selection doesn’t seem as good as it does on other ships with the Cellars wine bar.
  • District Brew House – a great beer pub with abundant seating. It’s one of our favorite concepts on the ship with a ton of unique beer on tap and by the bottle. Don’t miss their unique cocktails.
  • The Local – I really want to love this bar, but it’s just not very interesting. It’s more of a service bar for the Local restaurant. On other ships, this space is usually quite fun, but it’s boring on the Joy
  • The Lobby / Atrium Bar – which is hugely popular all day long and gives a front row seat to the ridiculous games they do in the atrium.

There are also a couple of bars exclusive to the Haven guests as well.

are some tips & information about the bars on the Norwegian Joy

For more unique drinks and cocktails not on the menu, go to the A-List bar inside of Cagneys & Le Bistro. They’re more than happy to try to make unique cocktails. That bar also has mixers not found anywhere else on the ship (for example Fever Tree tonic).

NCL Joy A-List Bar

The most social bar on the ship to meet people is either Mixx or the A-List bar. These are the best places for solo travelers to meet up.

The fastest place to get a drink when the restaurants are busy at dinner is the Mixx bar. Tired of waiting a long time for a glass of wine at dinner, just walk up to the bar and order it yourself.

For mid-day snacks, head to the observation lounge for a drink and a quick bite. Many passengers don’t realize that the Observation lounge also does “tea time” where there are sandwiches and pastries to have with your cocktails.

Assuming staff actively restrict the Spice H20 area, it’s a great place for an all-adult vibe while having a drink at the bar.

The Entertainment on the Norwegian Joy

Quite possibly the biggest disappointment of the NCL Joy is the entertainment. By now, most people know that Norwegian Cruise Line has pulled most of the big Broadway-style shows off of their ships. Unfortunately, the replacement entertainment is just underwhelming.

Sure, it’s fine… it’s something to do. But NCL Used to be known for really amazing entertainment at sea.

This is the biggest budget cut the cruise line has implemented and originally I didn’t feel like it was going to be a big deal, but it really does alter the enjoyment or at least the vibe of the cruise. In the past, there was always some excitement among passengers for the big shows, and now it’s nothing but a bunch of grumblings of disappointment.

On the Joy, their premier show is an in-house produced stage performance called “Elements”. Simply put, it’s a bunch of stage dancing around the theme of various elements (Fire, Ice, Water, etc). The performers do their job beautifully but the theme and the purpose of the show just fall flat. Some passengers love it, some don’t. I know for sure though, that it’s no replacement for the large production shows that NCL was always known for.

In addition, there are other performances that are underwhelming as well.

On the upside, live musing throughout the ship is generally really good though repetitive.

The “Social” on the Joy is a universal space where sometimes there is comedy, sometimes it transforms into a nightclub, and sometimes it’s a place for Art Auctions. So there’s usually something going on for entertainment inside of the Social.

Unfortunately, the Norwegian Joy lacks a Bliss Lounge or any other dedicated space as a night venue / club.

NCL Joy Social Club

The staterooms & cabins on the Norwegian Joy

There’s every type of cabin you’d expect on a modern ship tucked away on the Joy including solo cabins, balcony cabins, suites, interior staterooms, penthouses, oceanview staterooms, and more.

We chose a standard mid-ship balcony stateroom and didn’t regret it a bit! (though we did bid for penthouses and Haven suites without success)

The staterooms on the Norwegian Joy are modern and comfortable without feeling “cold” and without feeling too much like a cruise ship cabin. The rooms feel timeless with the design and colors, so the ship should age well in the longer term and not feel dated.

Everything in the stateroom is as expected with all of the amenities found on NCL ships including a safe, flat screen TV, hair dryer, mini fridge with a few paid items, USB ports on both sides of the bed, and ample storage for a week or more of clothes.

The pleasant surprise is the bathrooms! The bathrooms on the Norwegian Joy are spacious with a glass shower (thank goodness there is no shower curtain!) and plenty of storage for toiletries.

There wasn’t anything in the cabin that was missing which would have made me feel like we should have upgraded to a larger stateroom. The rooms are pleasant, comfortable, and well-designed.

NCL Joy Balcony Cabin

Things to do on the Norwegian Joy

There are a surprising number of things to do on the NCL Joy, however, be prepared that many activities cost extra, which is a real turn-off for some passengers.

The pools on the NCL Joy

The Joy has an unusual setup on the main pool deck, mostly due to the fact that it was originally designed for the Asian cruising market with less emphasis on pools than other spaces. That’s not to say the pools aren’t usable, they’re just a bit strange in their location.

There are the two main Lido deck pools and that’s about it unless you have access to the Haven.

On other ships where Spice H20 usually has a pool, it’s absent on the Joy and Spice H20 only has a large (very large) and fun hot tub (if you can wrap your brain around being in a hot tub with 20+ strangers)

For people who love the pool scene on cruise ships, the Joy is a bit of a bust.

Norwegian Joy Hot Tubs

Unlike other ships of its size, the Joy has very few hot tubs. There are only 2 on the main pool deck, one in the Vibe beach club, a huge 20+ person hot tub in Spice H20, and a very small hot tub in the newly added Thermal Suite. The Haven guests have access to their own wet area with a separate hot tub as well.

The water slide and water park on the Joy

The huge water slide, as I affectionately call the “toilet” – is one of the first giant slides at sea for Norwegian. Climbing up several flights of stairs, you’re greeted by an attendant that promptly instructs you what not to do and throws you down the chute. It’s good fun and surprisingly it’s one of the free activities on the ship!

At the end of the slide, you’ll find the water park which is a nice little splash area for kids. It’s not large, but big enough to give little ones something to do for a while.

Norwegian Joy Water slide

The Speedway (go karts at sea)

This feature on the ship is quite puzzling. A race track at sea . The concept started on the NCL Joy and has since been adopted across the Breakaway Plus class ships including the Joy, Bliss and Encore as well as the Prima & Viva. I never quite understood this concept but some people love it. It seems enough people love the speedway on Norwegian that they keep putting them on their ships!

I just find it odd, because I rarely see it being used on the itineraries I’ve sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line. Maybe it’s the cost? Maybe it’s the demographics of the particular ship at the time.

How much is the Norwegian Speedway?

Like many things on Norwegian ships, the race track isn’t included in the cruise fare. Rides are $15 each . For an extra $5, you can have the track to yourself for three laps and drive at faster speeds. For $199, you can buy unlimited rides for your cruise.

NCL Joy Speedway

For the overachievers on a cruise, the Norwegian Joy has a gym that, for the size of the ship, is surprisingly small. However, the facility is clean and well equipped but does get crowded. So if you’re inclined to work off those endless desserts and cocktails, the gym on the Joy is sufficient.

NCL Joy Gym

Starlink Internet installed on the Norwegian Joy

The Joy recently had Starlink added and while I’ve been on plenty of ships with Starlink, the speed results on the Joy were pretty bad. I’m hoping it’s because they were working out the kinks of a newly installed system. Since the basic browsing was almost unusable, I chose not to opt for the streaming version of the service to avoid disappointment 🙂 – Though I did get unlimited for 11 days.

Tip : If you’re considering unlimited internet on Norwegian Cruise Line, wait a few days into your cruise and the price drops drastically. If you have the Free at Sea minutes you can use to get by for a couple of days, upgrade on the 3rd day (of a longer cruise) and you’ll save quite a bit.

The Norwegian Joy: Final Verdict

The NCL Joy is a meticulously clean ship and benefits from several refreshes over the past couple of years. The ship feels almost brand new in all areas and the cabins are really comfortable. But would we choose the Joy again?

It depends.

The ship is fine, and the food is good, but if I had a choice of nearly any other ship doing the same itinerary, I’d probably pass on the Joy. I much prefer the Encore, the Joy’s prettier sister and the other ships in the NCL Fleet just feel a bit more refined.

I can’t put my finger on what it is with the Joy that just feels off. I keep going back to the fact it was built for a different market in Asia which perhaps shows in some of the layout and design choices. Not that it’s bad, it’s just weird in some ways.

You can’t really go wrong on the Norwegian Joy for the right price. But I certainly wouldn’t pay a premium for an itinerary with other options on this ship.

Phil Crane

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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  • Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Joy

Former name: norwegian bliss.

Norwegian Joy cruise ship

Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line

  • New York (NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn)
  • Miami (Florida)
  • Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
  • Seattle (Washington)

Norwegian Joy current position

Norwegian Joy current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 32.32293 N / -64.83282 W) cruising en route to NEW YORK, USA. The AIS position was reported 6 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Bermuda . Prices start from USD 639 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 28 Apr, 2024 and ends on 05 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Norwegian Joy

  •   Itineraries
  •   Review
  •   Wiki

Norwegian Joy Itineraries

Norwegian joy review, review of norwegian joy.

The 2017-built Norwegian Joy cruise ship (ordered as "Norwegian Bliss") is the 2nd of all four Breakaway Plus-class NCL liners - with sisterships Norwegian Escape (2015), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Encore (2019). This class is approx 7000 GT-tons larger in comparison to the company's second-biggest vessel - Norwegian Epic .

The vessel (IMO number 9703796) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000599) and registered in Nassau .

In 2019, NCL Joy was drydock refurbished to become virtually identical to sistership Norwegian Bliss - NCL's most successful liner ever. Then the liner was repositioned from China to the USA. The refurb project was managed by MJM Marine (part of MJM Group (Northern Ireland UK). The company specializes in cruise ship refurbishment and interior design services. The works involved ~1400 people and 40+ onboard venues and areas were revamped. Following the refit, NCL Joy started Alaskan cruises from homeport Seattle WA , then was repositioned for Mexican Riviera roundtrips from homeport Los Angeles CA .

NCL Joy ship is currently scheduled for a drydock refurbishment in 2024 (January 6 thru February 16), to be conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport .

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE ( NYC ). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL , Oceania and RSSC-Regent .

NCL Norwegian Joy cruise ship

The 4000-passenger ship Norwegian Joy was built by Meyer Werft ( Papenburg Germany ) and entered service for NCL in 2017. The first name of the ship (Bliss) was selected in a USA TODAY online contest. Breakaway Plus ships are NCL's largest (163,000 GT each) and boast the innovative features found on Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway , as well as a number of new interactive experiences.

The NCL Joy ship was ordered in 2014. The construction (under the name "Norwegian Bliss") began on September 16, 2015. On October 12, 2015, it was announced that Bliss would be renamed and designed specifically for the Chinese market. On February 29, 2016 (leap year) the new name "Norwegian Joy" was officially announced. The name translates into "Xi Yue Hao" (Chinese glyphs 喜悦号).

The Breakaway Plus-class NCL ship Joy featured food and onboard experiences catering for the preferences of Chinese holidaymakers. NCL also had a different name in China - "Nuo Wei Zhen", meaning "Promising, Exclusive and Authentic". The translation of "Bliss" into Chinese doesn't have positive connotations, hence the name change.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Joy staterooms (1926 total, in 42 grades) include 1563 outside, 363 Inside (including 33x Interior Family Suites), no Studios (single cabins). Most staterooms are sized 170-215 ft2 (16-20 m2). Balcony cabins are 1024, Oceanviews 111, Standard Inside 330. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 47. The largest accommodations are The Haven Deluxe Owners Suites (1460 ft2 / 136 m2, with wraparound terrace sized 490 ft2 / 46 m2).

The boat has 20 decks , of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Compared to the Breakaway-class NCL ships (Getaway and Breakaway), the total number of Joy' Haven suites is almost doubled. There are a total of 95 Suite accommodations, including two Owner’s Suites (featuring two balconies each).

The "Studio" area (cabins and lounge area for solo travelers exclusively) on NCL Joy is occupied by Interior Family Suites (a total of 33 accommodations).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Norwegian Cruise Line provides passengers with the freedom to savor gourmet dishes, various tastes and the flexibility to choose the number of courses to enjoy during the meal. On Norwegian Joy, guests can choose between 11 complimentary dining options. They can also experience new flavors at signature specialty restaurants, such as Le Bistro, La Cucina, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Bayamo by James Beard Award-winning chef Jose Garces.

NCL’s signature specialty restaurants feature enhanced menus including favorite dishes and new tastes. Whether passengers prefer a light meal of a favorite soup or appetizer, or indulge in a dinner featuring Maine lobster, with the new à la carte options, they have the opportunity to create their own, desired dining experience.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Joy restaurants and food bars.

  • Savor Restaurant (Main Dining Room, 260 seats) features traditional Chinese cuisine offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • The Manhattan Room (Main Dining Room, aft location, 586 seats) with a dance floor for the evening dance show, featuring traditional Chinese cuisine and Western dishes.
  • Taste Restaurant (Main Dining Room, 258 seats) serves contemporary Chinese cuisine.
  • “Private Room at Taste” (group private dining, 100 seats capacity, own lounge area)
  • The Local Bar and Grill (195 seats) a complimentary venue which is an updated take on the popular O’Sheehan’s Pub. The menu showcases similar offerings, such as Fish and Chips, Chicago Style Hot Dog, and some new additions like Tortilla Bowl. The grill is open 24 hours per day serving up different menus depending on the time of day guests choose to dine).
  • Q Texas Smokehouse (218 seats) is a BBQ restaurant featuring live country music. It serves authentic Texas-style barbecue including smoked meats, pulled pork, brisket, beef and pork ribs, and side items.
  • Teppanyaki Restaurant (112 seats) is the Japanese Hibachi specialty restaurant (reservations-only, at surcharge US$29 pp, kids charged a full cover). The Teppanyaki restaurant is open for Lunch (12-1:30 pm) and Dinner (5:30-10 pm). It features live cooking demonstrations and traditionally prepared (a la carte priced) specialties, including sushi, fruit sashimi, Yakitori grill, a sake menu.
  • Food Republic (78 seats) is a new and exclusive dining concept (via a partnership with the Pubbelly Restaurant Group). This specialty restaurant is open lunch through dinner, offers international cuisine with a la carte menu and iPad ordering system.
  • La Cucina Italian Restaurant (116 indoor seats, 66 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is reservations-only, and with cover charge US$15 PP (kids charged a full cover). The Cucina restaurant is open between 5:30-9:30 pm and has large tables. The NCL Joy’s Italian dining experience is marked by a casual atmosphere and large portions (perfect for family dinners) and traditional Italian fine wines and gourmet cuisine specialties – pizzas, pasta, seafood, classic salads, freshly baked bread, desserts (including ice cream). La Cucina additionally has a separate outdoor seating terrace (waterfront) area.
  • Ocean Blue (86 indoor seats, 36 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a specialty restaurant that serves fresh fish dishes.
  • Los Lobos (Mexican restaurant)

Cagney’s Steakhouse (174 indoor seats, 24 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a specialty dinner restaurant (open 5:30-10:30 pm) for prime steaks (Certified Angus Beef) and gourmet seafood specialties. The Cagney’s restaurant is reservations-only, with cover charge US$30 per person and a free Kids Menu. At Cagney’s, kids are charged a full cover. Additionally, the steakhouse is open for suite guests-only serving Breakfast (7:30-9:30 am) and Lunch (12-1:30 pm).

Le Bistro French Restaurant (130 seats) is reservations-only, with cover charge US$20 per person, kids are charged a full cover. The intimate and romantic Bistro restaurant is dinner-only (open between 5:30-10:30 pm) and offers some of the NCL Joy ship’s best luxury dining experiences with its upscale amenities, superior white-glove service, sophisticated cuisine with a vintage wines selection and classic French gourmet specialties in the menu. During the day, Le Bistro hosts food and wine tasting events.

American Diner (157 seats) is a specialty American Bar & Grill restaurant (outdoor seating, at a surcharge of US$9 pp) that offers complimentary fast food choices and live music performances during the day.

Coco's is a chocolate-themed dessert outlet/patisserie serving handmade pralines, crepes, truffles and other treats paired with brand teas and coffees.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The 4200-passenger NCL Joy features an expanded Haven – the line’s concept “ship within a ship”. This space (accessible only by keycard) boasts an outdoor terrace, private restaurant, courtyard area with retractable roof pool, whirlpools, spa treatment rooms, separate sauna, private sundeck.

Among the other features are the “678 Ocean Place” (spanning 3 decks, with amazing live entertainment in the evenings, several bars and alternative dining places), big-capacity water slides and a ropes course (both facilities catering to families). On NCL Joy, guests can see Tony Award-nominated musical Footloose and the classic aerial acrobatics show, Elements, as well as the wine-tasting comedy, Wine Lovers: The Musical. Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

NCL Joy is the world's first-ever cruise ship with a Ferrari racetrack (deck 19). The facility is built by RiMO Supply (RiMO Germany Group) and operated via a partnership with Scuderia Ferrari Watches. This is also the first-ever branded Formula 1 race car track.

The 2-level track spans on 2 decks and offers incredible sea views at height of 60 m (200 ft). It has a capacity up to 10 racers at a time on electric go-karts (Ferrari branded).

The GoCars can reach speeds up to 40 mph (65 kph). In comparison to the sister-ship Norwegian Bliss, Joy's racetrack is 20% smaller and has 8 turns. Bliss has 10, two of which are cantilevered over the ship's side.

Unlimited go-kart rides (weekly pass) costs USD 100 pp (offered on all 7-day-cruise itineraries). Day passes cost USD 30 pp. A single run costs USD 10 pp. Unlimited pass passengers access the race track via separate (shorter) queue line.

Passengers booked in Concierge and The Haven staterooms enjoy complimentary rides with bookings. The used by RiMO technology ensures optimal usage under intensified UV conditions and saltwater exposure.

NCL Joy also features an open-air laser tag course (top deck), Aqua Park with Double Aqua Loop (two multi-deck waterslides - one hull-extending loop, one with transparent loop section stretching down to the below deck) and 2 racing slides (high-speed inner tubes with length over 110 m / 360 ft) both with a transparent section.

NCL Norwegian Joy cruise ship waterslide

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Joy lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

  • Joy Theater (907 seats) is the ship’s main show lounge served by its own bar (on deck 7). The theatre offers grand-style music and evening show productions. The evening program features Broadway-style shows, musicals, cabaret performances, magicians and comedy acts.
  • Atrium “678 Ocean Place” is 3-decks high, open-floor midship area with live entertainment and a big-size LED screen for movies. The Lobby level's Atrium Bar (44 seats) serves coffees, beers, wine by the glass, other drinks.
  • Chess & Card Room, Library, Internet Cafe (open 24 hours, Meeting Rooms; Photo Studio & Shop; Art Gallery
  • Reception (Guest Services Desk- assistance, reservations, information); Shore Excursions Desk (information, planning, booking)
  • Social Comedy and Night Club (103 seats) has a large dance floor and offers live entertainment by stand-up comedians and DJs.
  • Maltings Whiskey Bar (56 seats)
  • Horizon Lounge (90 seats) is a 2-deck bar lounge exclusive for The Haven passengers.
  • Mixx Bar (29 seats) is a piano bar located between Taste and Savor restaurants, making it a popular pre- and after-dinner venue for enjoying cocktails.
  • Joy Casino is a premium gaming lounge with both smoking and non-smoking areas, large-size LED screens, a separate Joy Casino VIP Room (high-stakes gambling room) and is served by Skyline Bar.
  • Skyline Bar offers cocktails before dinner. Guests can meet friends after a show or press their luck with the bar-top poker screens.
  • Promenade Deck’s best feature is the Waterfront Promenade (1320 ft/402 m long, open-air area with multiple alfresco dining and entertainment venues). It offers a unique open-air deck experience by several seaside venues with outdoor seating. The list of the venues features shops, bars, restaurants, a 1/4-mi-long boardwalk (outdoor area with shaded seating) located 8 stories above the water.
  • Starbucks Coffee Bar (44 seats) offers items from the full Starbucks menu.
  • Dolce Gelato (Italian ice cream bar, a la carte)
  • District Brew House (94 seats) has a keg room and offers a selection of 50 bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap (including the new Wynwood brew). The venue is operated via the NCL partnership with Miami’s Wynwood Brewing Company.
  • The Humidor Cigar Lounge (16 seats) is the ship’s smoking-allowed bar lounge.
  • The Cellars Wine Bar (49 seats) is operated via NCL partnership with Mondavi and offers premium wines and tapas-style a la carte menu. The Wine Bar has a separate room for wine tastings (with sommelier service) and an outdoor seating area on The Waterfront.
  • Carlo's Bake Shop is a premium patisserie/bakery by ‘the “cake boss” Buddy Valastro.
  • Sugarcane Mojito Bar (52 seats/indoor and Waterfront/outdoor) features live Latin music performances.
  • Tradewinds Tax & Duty-Free Shops are duty-free retails selling alcohol, tobaccos, NCL-logoed merchandise, jewelry, watches, perfumes and cosmetics, brand fashion and accessories, special occasion gifts. The shopping complex includes Tides Boutique, Cartier, Omega, Bvlgari, Fine Watches, The Time Zone, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Bally, Godiva (gourmet sweets, including truffles, premium chocolates, soft-serve ice cream), also Beauty Shop.
  • The Cavern Club Lounge (45 indoor seats, 45 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a replica of Liverpool's music club and offers Beatles music, tribute bands performances and "The Choir of Man” crew show (dynamic performances with live percussions, high-energy music, dancing and foot-stomping by 9 crew performers).
  • Photo Gallery & Shop (photo-video services by professional onboard photographers)
  • The A-List Bar (44 seats) serves handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits and wines. The Bar is named after Andy Stuart (NCL's President and CEO).
  • The Haven Lounge & Bar (90 seats) is a VIP lounge exclusive for Concierge Level passengers with a delicious buffet available for light breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks.
  • Garden Cafe (708 indoor seats, 280 outdoor seats) is a complimentary, buffet-style casual restaurant, plus an Open-Air Garden Cafe (outdoor seating area). It offers traditional Asian cuisine as well as specialty dishes from all around the world.
  • Waves Pool Bar (15 seats) is a casual outdoor bar serving beverages, including popular cocktails.
  • Aqua Park (3-decks high, with 2 pools, 5 multi-level waterslides / Ocean Loop; 2 racing-slides, “Free Fall” drop-slides; 4 Whirlpools, poolside bar, Sun Deck area); Kids'Aqua Park
  • Splash Academy (kids 3-12 yo, is 2-story high, offers themed activities, with a light-up floor (for interactive dancing), circus school (with a resident clown), Nintendo and PS3 console games, kids-only cinema, crafts-arts, pirate parades. The area hosts also the Guppies Nursery (toddlers 6 months to 2 yo) and the Kid’s Aqua Park (splash pool, Nickelodeon characters entertainment).
  • NCL Joy ship’s Mandara Spa & Fitness /wellness complex consists of Thermal Suite (heated loungers, sauna, steam rooms, solarium), Salt Room (halotherapy room), Beauty Salon, Foot Clinic, Barber Shop, Medi Spa (teens), Aerobics Studio (classes).
  • Entourage Teen Centre is a teens-only club lounge for kids 13-17 yo (complimentary, supervised by certified counselors). The teen lounge has Video Games Arcade, large TVs for movies, PlayStation 3 gaming consoles, game tables (pinball, foosball, air hockey). Here are hosted themed parties (dance, pool, pizza) and teen discos in the evenings.
  • Galaxy Pavilion is an indoor complex for virtual-world and multi-player gaming, equipped with interactive video walls and virtual reality technology. 
  • “The Haven” complex is for Villa- and Suite passengers only, and consists of "The Haven Courtyard" (has a retractable roof, adults-only pool area, 2 Whirlpools), spa, steam room, gym room), "The Haven Restaurant" (92 indoor seats, 38 outdoor seats) and "The Haven Lounge Bar" (capacity 90 seats, offering a delicious limited buffet for breakfast and lunch with delicious traditional Chinese and Western cuisine).
  • Spice H2O (124 seats, lower level 1 of 2) is an adult-only relaxation area, with 1 pool, 2 Whirlpools, huge outdoor LED screen, Poolside Bar, Grill.
  • Pulse Fitness Centre features Technogym equipment and a separate Aerobics Studio for classes, among which Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, boxing, TRX).
  • Sports Complex has a Bungee Trampoline, Spider Web (climbing wall with spiral slide), Mini Golf and Ropes Courses, Zip Line, The Plank (walking platform); combined sports court (basketball/volleyball), Race Track (Ferrari TM go-karts), Rock Climbing Wall, Jogging Track.
  • Race Track is operated with 10 electric carts and 5-6 min race sessions. Go-Karts are decorated with different companies' logos.
  • Laser Battle is an open-air laser tag course with obstacles and a large touchscreen for kids.
  • Vibe Beach Club (99 seats, deck 19) is an adults-only relaxation area (surcharges per day apply) with cantilevered whirlpools, sunbathing area with sun loungers and luxury chaise lounge chairs, outdoor bar, private cabanas.
  • Forward on decks 17-18 are located two 2-level bar lounges - Horizon Lounge and The Haven Lounge.
  • Forward on deck 17 are located The Haven Courtyard Sundeck, Jacuzzies, waterslides (Aqua Racer, Ocean Loops), Speedway Jogging Tracks.
  • On deck 16 are located swimming pools, Sundeck, Kids' Aqua Park, wellness facilities (Fitness Center, Mandara Spa, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop).
  • Forward on deck 15 is the Observation Lounge & Bar (444 seats, size 2723 ft2 / 253 m2). This is a VIP lounge (exclusive for Concierge Level passengers) with a delicious buffet (available for light breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks) and offers 270-degree ocean views (from floor-ceiling windows) and full Bar service.
  • On deck 13 is the Infirmary/Medical Center.
  • On deck 8 are Cellars Wine Bar, Maltings Whiskey Bar, Cavern Club, Humidor Lounge, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The A-List Bar, Tradewinds Tax & Duty-Free Shops.
  • On deck 7 is the Box Office.
  • On deck 6 are located Shore Excursions, Internet Cafe-Library-Card Room, Perspective/Photo Studio, Meeting Rooms, Reception/Guest Services, Art Gallery, The Atrium.
  • On deck 5 are the children's venues (Splash Academy, Guppies, Video Arcade, Entourage).

Signature activity facilities include 2-level electric go-cart track (Scuderia Ferrari, on top-deck), Galaxy Pavilion (interactive gaming center), outdoor laser tag course, a water park with 2 multi-story waterslides, an outdoor park for tai-chi practicing, luxury-brand shopping district.

Galaxy Pavilion (gaming center) is equipped with interactive video walls and Oculus virtual reality technology. The equipment includes three XD Dark Ride Motion simulators (with 3D real-time graphics, 3D Virtual Surround Sound, multi-sensory effects), six Xbox stations, Star Wars Battle Pod (arcade game), hovercraft bumper cars.

Itineraries

Norwegian Joy itinerary program was initially based on Asian cruises with roundtrip departures from homeports in China ( Shanghai and Tianjin ). The Inaugural Cruise (roundtrip from Shanghai) was on June 27, 2017.

NCL Joy's 2018 Asian schedule also included one 3-night Cruise to Nowhere (on Feb 19) and short-break itineraries (4- and 5-night) visiting exclusively ports in Japan ( Hakata-Fukuoka City , Nagasaki , Yatsushiro-Kumamoto City , Hiroshima , Kochi ). Most 4-night itineraries include only one port of call. In 2018, the ship had scheduled a total of 87 roundtrips leaving from China.

In 2019, NCL Joy operated seasonal cruises in Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal . In April 2019, the ship was repositioned from Shanghai China to Seattle WA for a 7-day Alaskan program. NCL Joy replaced in Alaska NCL Pearl and joined there the fleetmates NCL Bliss and NCL Jewel . After Alaska 2019 season, Joy was repositioned to homeport Los Angeles for Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera itineraries (winter 2019-2020).

Before the inaugural USA (Alaskan) season, Norwegian Joy underwent a USD 50 million drydock upgrade to become virtually identical to NCL Bliss.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in early-April 2021 NCL announced new schedules for the ships JADE (7-day Mediterranean-Greek Islands from Piraeus-Athens /starting July 25), JOY (7-day Caribbean from Montego Bay Jamaica /starting August 15) and GEM (7-day Caribbean from La Romana Dominican Republic /starting August 7).

  • Previously, the boats were planned to restart as follows - Joy (October 19, 2021/Caribbean from Miami ), Gem (Oct 29, 2021/Bermuda from NYC ), Jade (January 2, 2022/South Africa from Cape Town ).
  • In late-May NCL canceled JOY's ex-Jamaica schedule (Aug 7 thru Oct 9) and planned an Alaskan deployment (with Seattle homeporting) but this program was canceled in June.
  • In early-June NCL canceled GEM's ex-Dominicana schedule (Aug 15 thru Oct 10).

For 2021-2022-2023 were scheduled roundtrips from homeports Miami (to Caribbean), NYC New York (to Bermuda),  Los Angeles (to Mexican Riviera), Seattle (to Alaska).

Norwegian Joy - user reviews and comments

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NCL Norwegian Joy cruise ship

Norwegian Joy ship related cruise news

Norwegian Joy's refurbishment details/changes unveiled (SPA, Suites, Beach Club)

Norwegian Joy's refurbishment details/changes unveiled (SPA, Suites, Beach Club)

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled a series of enhancements aboard the Norwegian Joy following a 3-week drydock refurbishment project. Among the...

NCL's ship Norwegian Joy completes a drydock refurbishment in Rotterdam

NCL's ship Norwegian Joy completes a drydock refurbishment in Rotterdam

The NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Joy has concluded a 3-week dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam/Holland, unveiling new...

2 passengers on NCL's cruise ship Norwegian Joy arrested for trafficking 72 kg of marijuana

2 passengers on NCL's cruise ship Norwegian Joy arrested for trafficking 72 kg of marijuana

Two passengers aboard the Norwegian Joy cruise ship operated by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line are accused of transporting 100+ bags of marijuana...

NCL unveils changes for Norwegian Joy cruise ship during drydock refurbishment in 2024 January

NCL unveils changes for Norwegian Joy cruise ship during drydock refurbishment in 2024 January

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced that its Norwegian Joy ship will undergo drydock refurbishment in January 2024 to enhance the onboard guest...

NCL cancels Norwegian Joy ship's cruises (Jan 6-Feb 10, 2024) due to drydocking/refurbishment

NCL cancels Norwegian Joy ship's cruises (Jan 6-Feb 10, 2024) due to drydocking/refurbishment

All sailings onboard NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line's ship Norwegian Joy have been canceled between January 6th and February 10th, 2024, with passengers...

NCL Norwegian Prima cruise ship starts full Caribbean season from Port Canaveral (Florida USA)

NCL Norwegian Prima cruise ship starts full Caribbean season from Port Canaveral (Florida USA)

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced the arrival of the new Norwegian Prima ship to Port Canaveral FL which will sail roundtrip Caribbean voyages...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveils winter 2024-2025 and summer 2025 voyages

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveils winter 2024-2025 and summer 2025 voyages

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled its winter 2024-2025 and summer 2025 voyages sailing to bucket-list destinations in Europe, Alaska, and the...

NCL's cruise ship Norwegian Joy cancels call to Cozumel (Mexico) due to propulsion issue

NCL's cruise ship Norwegian Joy cancels call to Cozumel (Mexico) due to propulsion issue

NCL's liner Norwegian Joy had to cancel her stopover in the Mexican port of Cozumel on March 17 due to technical problems. The NCL-Norwegian...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveils additional sailing cancellations

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveils additional sailing cancellations

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced additional sailing cancellations on top of those announced last week.  A total of 11x NCL ships are...

NCL's Norwegian Jewel ship to be seasonally homeported in Panama City

NCL's Norwegian Jewel ship to be seasonally homeported in Panama City

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line will become the first major cruise company to seasonally homeport in Panama City (Fuerte Amador), in March 2022, under a...

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Other Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships

  • Norwegian Aqua
  • Norwegian Bliss
  • Norwegian Breakaway
  • Norwegian Dawn
  • Norwegian Encore
  • Norwegian Epic
  • Norwegian Escape
  • Norwegian Gem
  • Norwegian Getaway
  • Norwegian Jade
  • Norwegian Jewel
  • Norwegian Pearl
  • Norwegian Prima
  • Norwegian Sky
  • Norwegian Spirit
  • Norwegian Star
  • Norwegian Sun
  • Norwegian Viva
  • Pride of America

Norwegian Joy Wiki

Norwegian Joy is one of NCL's Breakaway Plus-class/new series vessels. Joy and the sistership Norwegian Escape (October 2015) both had their names selected through contests hosted online.

The vessel was initially named "Norwegian Bliss" (selected via an NCL-hosted online contest) The vessel's construction started with the steel-cutting on September 16, 2015. On October 12, 2015, was officially announced that the new ship would be redesigned for the Chinese market. The new "Joy" name was announced on March 30, 2016, along with the homeports in China - Shanghai and Tianjin.

The ship's name "Norwegian Joy" (in Chinese "Xǐ Yue Hao") was announced on Feb 29th (2016).

NCL Norwegian Joy cruise ship

The liner was built with new "scrubbers" (exhaust gas cleaning systems). The new technology reduces the equivalent of approx 1500 tons of the poisonous gas Sulfur Oxide. These in-line scrubbers (5 units) are lightweight and able to operate in a dry mode, as well as in open and closed loops.

The vessel's construction officially started on September 16, 2015, with the steel-cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft shipyard ( Papenburg Germany ). Instead of the traditional water method (injecting the metal with heat), for NCL Joy was used the dry plasma method - for more precise cuts and creating less mess).

On April 5, 2016, started the vessel's physical construction/assembly with the keel-laying ceremony. During the event, the first keel block (weighing 680 tons, one of all 80 blocks comprising the vessel) was lifted by a huge crane and placed into the shipyard's covered building hall. With this event was officially started the ship's assembly. Previously, a special commemorative coin was created and during the keel laying was traditionally placed under the first building block. The coin was blessed on March 31, 2016, at XingTian Temple (Shanghai) during a pledge ceremony to the Chinese goddess of the sea "Mazu".

In March 2016, at Mazu Temple (Shanghai) was held a traditional ceremony to obtain a blessing for the coins used in NCL Joy's keel-laying ceremony. During the event, temple representatives gifted a Mazu ceramic statue to the NCL company. The statue was then brought to Germany for the vessel's official delivery. The statue was given a place of honor on the ship to carry Mazu's blessings on the repositioning cruise from Europe to China.

The name of the ship's godmother (godfather in this case) was officially announced by NCL in late November 2016 - Wang Leehom (born 1976), Chinese-American singer, actor, producer and movie director. The NCL Joy's godfather also serves as the NCLH company's brand ambassador for the Chinese market, promoting NCL through various media (including social media) platforms.

On March 4, 2017, was the launch (float-out from drydock/shipyard's covered dock 2). The vessel was then berthed at a pier for the remaining works. The conveyance (via Ems River towards the North Sea) was scheduled for late March. In the North Sea were held sea trials before the official delivery (April 28, 2017). NCL Joy arrived in Shanghai China in late June for year-round operations.

On March 26, 2017, the vessel was conveyed on Ems River from Papenburg to Eemshaven Holland . In the following days, the ship completed sea trials on the North Sea and was handed over to NCL on April 27.

NCL Joy ship was delivered on April 28, 2017. The onboard ceremony was held in Bremerhaven . The ceremony was attended by Andy Stuart (NCL's CEO and President) and David Herrera (NCLH China's President).

The ship was christened in Shanghai China on June 27, 2017. The onboard naming ceremony featured a live performance by the vessel's godfather Wang Leehom. He is a Chinese-American songwriter, singer, music producer, actor and film director. In homage to the hull art (by Chinese artist Tan Ping, who also attended the event), the christening ceremony started with a dance performance by Yabin Wang. The Phoenix was selected as the hull artwork's focal point, as for the Chinese the mythological bird represents beauty and good luck. Naming ceremony's pinnacle moment was when the godfather Wang Leehom and NCL executives simultaneously smashed champagne bottles against a replica ship's hull, which released an oversized Veuve Clicquot (Yellow Label Champagne) bottle that shattered against the real ship's hull.

NCL Norwegian Joy cruise ship

For season 2019 (April through September), NCL offered 1-day only promo deals with free flights and reduced roundtrip airfare for new bookings on Norwegian Joy's 7-day Alaskan itineraries (roundtrips from Seattle). NCL's Alaskan promo was available for one day only (September 14, 2018). Instead of the airfare promo, customers had the option for up to USD 1000 per stateroom discount.

Following the relocation from Asia, NCL's Joy had planned a USD 50-million refurbishment for upgrades and design changes, to become identical to the sistership Norwegian Bliss .

Following the COVID-related suspension, NCL Joy was scheduled to restart operations in 2021 with a mini-season of 7-day Caribbean roundtrips from Jamaica (August 15 thru October 9).

Prices were in the range USD 500-800 per person with double occupancy. However, the Jamaica homeporting schedule was canceled in late May, and the liner restarted services on October 19, out of PortMiami .

Norwegian Joy refurbishment 2024 review

The ship's 3-week drydock refurbishment in 2024 (January 22nd through February 12th, at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam ) resulted in new venues, redesign and renovations to many public areas, an expanded Mandara Spa (a Thermal Suite was added), The Heaven complex renovations and expansions, 24x new balcony staterooms (taking space from the Observation Lounge), redesigned Premier Owner's Suites (to become 3-Bedroom Haven Suites), 40x new spa balcony cabins added (with direct access to the wellness/spa complex).

The 24 new balcony staterooms occupy a space that was part of the Observation Lounge. The category of 40x other staterooms was changed to "spa balcony", allowing their occupants free and direct access to Mandara Spa & Salon ( deck 16 ) which was fitted with a Thermal Suite. The new Thermal Suite (the largest among the Breakaway-Plus sisterships) took the space of the VR gaming complex Galaxy Pavilion. Norwegian Joy's Thermal Suite groups a Sauna Room, an Ice Room, an Aroma Steam Room, as well as a separate Spa Lounge (relaxation area with tiled heated loungers and 4-senses loungers), a Biostation (for intravenous therapy/body treatment), new foot hydrotherapy (using products by Kneipp GmbH).

The two redesigned Owner Suites are (each) with 3x bedrooms, 3x full bathrooms, 1x half bath, a separate dining room (bow-facing/overlooking the Haven Horizon Lounge), their living rooms and master bedrooms are redesigned and their terraces received new outdoor furniture.

Vibe Beach Club ( deck 20 ) was enlarged by taking the space of the Laser Tag Arena. Like on the sisterships Bliss and Encore, Joy's expanded Vibe Beach Club has private cabanas.

Drydock 2024 also included general maintenance works, technical overhauls, hull cleaning/repainting.

Inaugural itineraries 2017

Norwegian Joy was deployed for year-round operations in Asia. The NCL Joy ship is specifically designed to target the Chinese market. The vessel features a higher cruising speed allowing it to operate on longer itineraries to more distant ports of call.

Following the April 2017 delivery, NCL Joy started its repositioning to China. The relocation cruise itinerary included showcasing events as part of grand inaugural port tours. These 1-day events were held at each of the itinerary's ports of call - Singapore , Qingdao , Shenzhen and Hong Kong . VIP partner cruises were also operated from the ship's Chinese homeports Shanghai and Tianjin-Beijing .

The ship's ever first Chinese cruise (preview voyage from Shanghai to Kochi Japan ) was on June 10, 2017. The 4-night long roundtrip voyage (June 10-15) was attended by over 1700 VIP guests from Alibaba Group (the world's largest online commerce company).

The ship's christening ceremony was on June 27, 2017, led by godfather Wang Leehom.

NCL Joy's Inaugural Cruise from Shanghai was on June 28. Roundtrip itineraries out of Tianjin were scheduled for the period August 26 through September 15, 2017.

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Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy

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norwegian joy tour youtube

Inside the Kids and Teens Clubs on Norwegian Joy

norwegian joy tour youtube

The Norwegian Joy has a  Splash Academy  on Deck 5 for kids ages 3-12 years old. This “academy” is separated into three different rooms for three different age groups: Sea Turtles (3-5), Seals (6-9), and Dolphins (10-12.) There are usually events happening all day long from 9am to 10pm and theme days are part of the fun. 

Teens, however, get to party in the  Entourage Teen Club  which is actually adjacent to the Galaxy Pavillion gaming area up on Deck 16. 

norwegian joy tour youtube

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO CRUISE NORWEGIAN JOY, GO HERE.

Need help booking your cruise? Email me (Juliana) today! Read more about what I do here.

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Juliana is the founder and editor of Trips + Giggles. She has three children and lives in Los Angeles.

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The Race Track on Norwegian Joy

norwegian joy tour youtube

Inside The Galaxy Pavilion on Norwegian Joy

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Analysts Offer Insights on Consumer Cyclical Companies: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) and Yum! Brands (YUM)

Analysts fell to the sidelines weighing in on Norwegian Cruise Line ( NCLH – Research Report ) and Yum! Brands ( YUM – Research Report ) with neutral ratings, indicating that the experts are neither bullish nor bearish on the stocks.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH)

Wells Fargo analyst Daniel Politzer maintained a Hold rating on Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday and set a price target of $19.00 . The company’s shares closed last Wednesday at $16.08.

According to TipRanks.com , Politzer is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 4.7% and a 47.9% success rate. Politzer covers the NA sector, focusing on stocks such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Life Time Group Holdings, and Rush Street Interactive.

The word on The Street in general, suggests a Hold analyst consensus rating for Norwegian Cruise Line with a $19.91 average price target, implying a 10.6% upside from current levels. In a report issued on April 19, Citi also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a $19.00 price target.

See today’s best-performing stocks on TipRanks >>

Yum! Brands (YUM)

Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem maintained a Hold rating on Yum! Brands yesterday and set a price target of $135.00 . The company’s shares closed last Wednesday at $135.33.

According to TipRanks.com , Fadem is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 13.5% and a 63.5% success rate. Fadem covers the NA sector, focusing on stocks such as Petco Health and Wellness Company, Restaurant Brands International, and National Vision Holdings.

Currently, the analyst consensus on Yum! Brands is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $147.07, representing a 7.7% upside. In a report issued on April 22, Bank of America Securities also maintained a Hold rating on the stock.

TipRanks has tracked 36,000 company insiders and found that a few of them are better than others when it comes to timing their transactions. See which 3 stocks are most likely to make moves following their insider activities.

Read More on NCLH:

  • Major Cruise Lines Slump on NCLH’s Less-than-Inspiring Guidance
  • Notable companies reporting before tomorrow’s open
  • Unusually active option classes on open April 25th
  • Norwegian Cruise Lines put volume heavy and directionally bearish
  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to Hold Conference Call on First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

YUM! Brands News MORE

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IMAGES

  1. Norwegian Joy Full Ship Tour

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  2. Norwegian Joy Tour & Review with The Legend

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  3. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship Tour

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  4. Norwegian Joy Full Haven Tour & Walkthrough 4K

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  5. Norwegian Joy

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  6. Norwegian Joy Tour ~ Norwegian Cruise Line ~ Cruise Ship Tour [4K Ultra HD]

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VIDEO

  1. Norwegian Joy Highlights! this CenterPiece! #cruisenorwegian #officialmotherdaughtercruisers

  2. Arcade Tour on Norwegian Joy

  3. Norwegian Joy

  4. Norwegian Joy departing Miami! #norwegianjoy #norwegiancruiseline #portmiami

  5. Norwegian Joy Inside Cabin Tour

  6. Norwegian Joy 2024

COMMENTS

  1. Norwegian Joy

    To Book Call: 800-414-1531Website: www.cruisesit.comThis is a full virtual cruise ship tour of the Norwegian Joy. Take a video tour of all the areas of the s...

  2. Norwegian Joy

    To Book Call: 800-414-1531Website: http://www.cruisesit.comEnjoy a full ship tour of the Norwegian Joy. I had the opportunity to cruise on the Joy twice. Tak...

  3. Norwegian Joy

    Join Danny on a fully guided tour through Norwegian Cruise Line's Joy in glorious 4k resolution! Unlike many other YouTube channels, we wanted to walk the en...

  4. 14-Min Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship Tour & Review

    #norwegiancruiseline #ncl #cruiseship Enjoy a full ship tour on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship! CHAPTERS0:00 | Introduction0:35 | Deck 5 - Splash Academy0:48 ...

  5. NORWEGIAN JOY FULL SHIP TOUR

    We take you on a full tour of the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. This ship is beautiful and well designed. We walk you through Norwegian Joy's restaurants, pools...

  6. Norwegian Joy Full Tour! Deck By Deck Walk-Through of NCL ...

    Date Filmed: April 26, 2023Hey Happy Travelers!Welcome to the Norwegian Joy, our very first NCL cruise! We are on a 12 night Caribbean sailing visiting Limón...

  7. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship Tour of Nine Different Cabins

    This is a tour of a range of cabin categories on Norwegian Joy.We have a nice look around these Norwegian Joy staterooms to give you an idea of how you can s...

  8. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship Calm Tour

    Full tour of the Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship, with calm musicThe NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your TripsBook Your Own Trips: Schedule a consultation, absolut...

  9. Bermuda Cruise with Norwegian Joy

    Cruise with Norwegian Joy from New York City to Bermuda, April 9 - 14 2024

  10. NCL Joy: Bermuda Triangle Evening Cruise Excursion. OMG ...

    OMG, this Bermuda Triangle excursion was incredible. Long video but definitely worth the watch! #cruise #cruiselife #cruiser #cruiseship #norwegian #bermuda

  11. Norwegian Joy

    traveldog21 wrote a review Apr 9. 1 contribution. Very nice cruise. We sailed on the Norwegian Joy March 30th 2024. Overall excellent cruise. The balcony room we had 11882 was very nice with the bed close to the sliding door to the balcony. All of the staff were excellent. We enjoyed the amount and variety of venues, restaurants and bars that….

  12. Norwegian Joy Review 2024

    Some Important Information To Know About This Review of the Norwegian Joy. Norwegian Joy Review - What Was Changed In The Dry Dock Refurb February 2024. Our Cruise Itinerary - 11 Night Transatlantic Crossing Southampton to Miami. Embarkation Process At Southhampton Horizon Cruise Terminal.

  13. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship

    4.0. Very Good. Overall. Dori Saltzman. Contributor. Norwegian Joy is packed with engaging activities and spaces, and while there's no doubt it has quiet areas -- such as the gorgeous and serene ...

  14. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship

    The Ultimate Joyride. Find your happy place on board Norwegian Joy when she cruises from the Miami to Panama Canal.Or join her in The Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda from Miami, Port Canaveral and New York. Cruise to Alaska from Seattle and explore more of the Last Frontier in a ship built for non-stop memorable moments. Enjoy a rush like no other as you race in the middle of the ocean on a ...

  15. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do

    Visit the Aqua Park. Beyond the ship's three pools, there are also plenty of other ways to play in the water while aboard Norwegian Joy. Aqua Park on Deck 16. The Aqua Park on Deck 16 offers a ...

  16. Norwegian Joy Reviews, Ship Details & Photos

    Packed with both adult-oriented and family-friendly amenities, Norwegian Joy brings the upscale side of Norwegian Cruise Line to the shores of Alaska and the beaches of the Mexican Riviera. Originally built in 2017 for the Asian market, Norwegian Joy received $50 million in refurbishments in 2019 before being repositioned to the American market to join her sister ship, Norwegian Bliss, in Alaska.

  17. Cruising the Norwegian Joy Review

    This Norwegian Joy review was written, and the cruise vacation was enjoyed in June 2022. This Norwegian Joy review will cover our cruise ship experience and share Norwegian Joy pictures. From embarkation at the Manhattan cruise terminal, sail away, restaurants, entertainment on board, and more.

  18. Norwegian Joy: 2019 Review and Photos After Refurbishment

    The Joy is one of three ships in Norwegian's Breakaway-Plus class, it's largest class of cruise ships. Coming in a 168,000 gross tons, it is the second-largest ship in the fleet and less than 1,000 tons smaller than the largest ship, Norwegian Bliss. First setting sail in 2017, she measures nearly 1,100 feet and has 20 decks.

  19. Norwegian Joy

    A few interesting Facts about the Joy. The Norwegian Joy was initially built for the Asian cruising market but only lasted in Asia for a short while. NCL chose to relocate the cruise ship to the Caribbean and do a light cosmetic refresh in 2020 to bring the design more in line with what the American market would expect.

  20. Norwegian Joy Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    The 2017-built Norwegian Joy cruise ship (ordered as "Norwegian Bliss") is the 2nd of all four Breakaway Plus-class NCL liners - with sisterships Norwegian Escape (2015), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Encore (2019). This class is approx 7000 GT-tons larger in comparison to the company's second-biggest vessel - Norwegian Epic. The vessel (IMO number 9703796) is currently Bahamas-flagged ...

  21. Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship Deck Plans

    Club Balcony Suite with Larger Balcony 4 329-439 102-140. View Photos & Floorplan. Featuring two beds that convert to a queen and a sofa bed - some also include an additional pullman bed. These Club Balcony Suites also offer amazing views. Enjoy the dining and excitement just steps away from The Waterfront.

  22. Inside the Kids and Teens Clubs on Norwegian Joy

    The Norwegian Joy has a Splash Academy on Deck 5 for kids ages 3-12 years old. This "academy" is separated into three different rooms for three different age groups: Sea Turtles (3-5), Seals (6-9), and Dolphins (10-12.) There are usually events happening all day long from 9am to 10pm and theme days are part of the fun.

  23. Norwegian Joy Bridge (Forward) Webcam / Camera

    View Norwegian Joy's Current Location & Recent Track - Live! Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship Tracker. The button above will take you to track Norwegian Joy live on our ship tracker. Track Cruise Ships, Cruise Ferries, Research Ships, Military Ships and Famous Ships right here live on Cruising Earth!

  24. Norwegian Cruise Line Guidance 'Falls Short Of High Expectations': 4

    Norwegian Cruise Line raised its net yield guidance by around 90bps from the initial guide, and it implies net per diems of about 4.3% year-on-year, pointing to "potential upside in 2H to ...

  25. Why Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Stock Was Tumbling This Week

    That seemed to be the dynamic at work this week with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH-0.81%), whose stock was sinking this week despite quite a decent quarterly earnings report.

  26. Norwegian Cruise Line Increases 2024 Guidance

    (RTTNews) - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has increased its full year adjusted net income guidance to $680 million from prior guidance of $635 million, and adjusted EPS guidance to $1 ...

  27. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

    Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH-0.81%) Q1 2024 Earnings Call May 01, 2024, 10:00 a.m. ET. Contents: Prepared Remarks; Questions and Answers; Call Participants; Prepared Remarks: Operator. Good morning ...

  28. Analysts Offer Insights on Consumer Cyclical Companies: Norwegian

    The word on The Street in general, suggests a Hold analyst consensus rating for Norwegian Cruise Line with a $19.91 average price target, implying a 10.6% upside from current levels. In a report ...

  29. Cruise operator Norwegian's Q1 revenue miss overshadows raised outlook

    Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings fell more than 12% after the operator's downbeat first-quarter revenue overshadowed a raise in annual profit forecast on Wednesday.