The Norwegian Joy is full of activities and entertainment that will keep you busy your entire trip, yet rest and relaxation are not hard to find. It was a great ship and vacation all around.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was a breeze. This is probably due to it being an inaugural cruise, but it was still pain-free. The staff were very helpful and welcoming.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
This might be the only area of the ship left me unimpressed. The main dining rooms flowed well, even when crowded. That was not an issue. The food was forgettable. With several options, I thought I would be able to find at least one culinary delight, but was left disappointed each time - breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Specialty dining was a little better. Texas Smokehouse provides a little bit of a southern feel which put me right at home being from the south myself. As a self-proclaimed bar-b-que expert being from Memphis, the bar-b-que itself was good, but just ain't quite like momma makes it. No good bar-b-que is complete without good side, at that is where Texas Smokehouse hits a home run. Our table was overrun with all of the sides and they were delicious. If seafood and sushi is more your style, you will want to visit Food Republic. A good steak was hard to come by.
There are 2 Starbucks onboard, but the lines can get long.
This ship hits the mark in many areas, but the food isn't its best quality.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
It's hard to get bored on the Norwegian Joy. The VR and gaming are brought out the inner kid in both me and wife, as well as our competitive side. We found ourselves competing at several games and having a great time. We didn't get to try out the VR, but from what we could tell it was a big hit.
Mini-golf is not only fun but provides a beautiful view of the ocean. The go-kart racing track is a must. It was too cold to experience the water-slides which was extremely disappointing as they looked to provide an additional thrill while twist and turns take you over the side of the ship.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
We were able to catch a comedy show. It's a good time for a night out and some drinks, but nothing to write home about.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service and staff were excellent. They were always willing to help and always had a smile.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship was very clean and the design was tasteful. It took a minute to get accustomed to the layout of the ship, but that is usually true with larger ships. The Observation Lounge is well put together and a great place to take in some scenery while sipping coffee or a cocktail.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin had plenty of room and was clean.
Ship tip
Wear some comfortable shoes and clothes because there is plenty to do on the ship.
Nice overview, thank you! Do you know if there is a thermal spa on board the Joy? I know there is a spa but wondering if the weekly pass is a thing on this ship like other NCl cruises..
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
