Relaxing Revisit of Alaska

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 108

Overall rating:

4.9 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Joy

7 Night Alaska With Inside Passage (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 31, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Cabin number: 17716

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Overall, very pleased with this return trip to Alaska. The choice of the JOY, and its number of passengers, concerned us at first, but once on board, we never felt crowded. Shore excursions were well organized, on-time, and interesting. Food as good as, and often better, than other Norwegian cruises. We will recommend this cruise.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Very Easy, very quick, took under 30 minutes

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
All food from the buffet to the specialty restaurants was well prepared, flavorful, correct portion size and delicious. Wine list complemented food choices well.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
We enjoyed getting massages. We were disappointed that the Norwegian Joy did not have a Thermal Spa area as most of the other Norwegian ships. The Haven area was perfect.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
We enjoyed the main stage performances, the small venue clubs, and the atrium entertainment.

Children's Programs

We had no children with us.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Room Steward-Perfect. Haven Concierges- Perfect. Wait staff in specialty restaurants, especially LaCucina,- Perfect. Norwegian has done a great job upgrading their customer service.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Never got lost. We were easily able to navigate our way around the ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Size was appropriate. We did not feel cramped. Room Steward learned our daily routine and aside from greeting us in the morning and late afternoon, was able to work around us so we never felt inconvenienced.

Ship tip

Take the time to walk around the whole ship your first day to orientate yourself.

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

5 out of 5
We were on our own here. Have visited this city many times.

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5
First time visiting this port. Sorry that the number of cruisers from 6 ships the day we were there outnumbered the locals and temporary workers. The Locals were still friendly and inviting.

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5
Visited previously in 1995. Amazed to see the city almost double in size, primarily for tourists.

CRUISE ENDICOTT ARM & DAWES GLACIER Did not visit port

Fog was too dense. Captain's decision it was unsafe to try to visit.

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska

5 out of 5
Again, amazed that cruisers outnumbered locals. The locals we did meet and talk with were very friendly, pleasant and helpful, despite the demands of some of the tourists.

Victoria, British Columbia

5 out of 5
Jewel of the trip. Had only been to Vancouver,B.C. before. Victoria was a delightful mid sized city. Locals very approachable, helpful and friendly. Beautiful gardens. Will plan a return visit here.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
By far the fastest disembarkation of any cruise ever. From leaving our room to reaching our gate at the airport, less than 1 hour elapsed. The facial recognition scanner for US Customs was amazing.
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