Smokers beware!!!!

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

stasanz

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 60

Overall rating:

1.7 out of 5

Verified Review

16 Night Panama Canal (Los Angeles To Miami)

Sail date: October 11, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Cabin number: 8138

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

10-14-19 Please consider this a formal complaint from the passengers aboard the Norwegian Joy. Many passengers and disabled people are forced to travel to the farthest point on the ship, just to smoke. The designated area in H2O, deck 17 aft is not completely accommodating for all. Not only is this space too small with little to no coverage from the elements, but is down right dangerous!! The area is overly filled with tables, chairs, stand up ash trays and umbrellas. With people climbing over these items and other guests to get to a seat, it is an accident waiting to happen. On numerous occasions the walkway to the smoking section is blocked forcing passengers to find an alternate route. This can be greatly challenging and frustrating for the handicap. We find it very discriminatory that we are segregated and forced into a small corner of the vessel. This is a safety hazard to all aboard the ship, crew included. The situation is especially worrisome for the handicap as many of them are unsure of their footing and use canes to assist them. We need more smoking areas to accommodate the handicap along with the numerous others that choose to smoke. Being confined to a small, congested and very dangerous area; especially for the handicap is in violation of our human rights. We pay just as much money as the non smokers and deserve the same respect. We are requesting additional smoking areas to be set up throughout the ship. RSVP accordingly. Sincerely, The Passengers of Norwegian Joy

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Slow and long

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

I was only impressed with the food a couple of times. I found the food to be lacking for the most part.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Considering that you will pay top dollar to go down a water slide, ride a go cart, or play laser tag, these activities are a rip off and should be INCLUDED with the cost of the cruise. Be careful they will nickel and dime you to death.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Difficult to hear in the back of the joy theatre.

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Room Steward was good. Max at H2O could use some training on how to smile.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Bar stools are tooooo tall, making it extremely difficult to get on and off of them. Smoking area too small, congested, dangerous and unaccommodating for such a large group; especially for the handicap and elderly.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

This was the smallest cabin we have ever been in and it was a mini suite. I'm not sure what made this cabin qualify as a mini suite. Maybe it was the multi sprayer shower jets. It certainly was not the room size or storage, as those were lacking from every other cruise line. I found the cabin to be VERY disappointing and small and NOT worth the high price you pay for it. As for the extended balcony, there is NO PRIVACY, it's only useful if you don't mind being watched by every cabin above you. Not worth the extra money you pay to have it.

Ship tip

Cancel now, go with a different cruise line altogether. NCL is only concerned with the bottom line and doesn't take complaints seriously. Had they taken things seriously they would have addressed the issues I brought to light in my complaint letter (see below) that I and 90+ passengers signed. They did not address the most important issues regarding safety and distance. That is of great concern to me and because of it, we will not sail w NCL ever again. Money is more important to them then the guests safety. 10-14-19 Please consider this a formal complaint from the passengers aboard the Norwegian Joy. Many passengers and disabled people are forced to travel to the farthest point on the ship, just to smoke. The designated area in H2O, deck 17 aft is not completely accommodating for all. Not only is this space too small with little to no coverage from the elements, but is down right dangerous!! The area is overly filled with tables, chairs, stand up ash trays and umbrellas. With people climbing over these items and other guests to get to a seat, it is an accident waiting to happen. On numerous occasions the walkway to the smoking section is blocked forcing passengers to find an alternate route. This can be greatly challenging and frustrating for the handicap. We find it very discriminatory that we are segregated and forced into a small corner of the vessel. This is a safety hazard to all aboard the ship, crew included. The situation is especially worrisome for the handicap as many of them are unsure of their footing and use canes to assist them. We need more smoking areas to accommodate the handicap along with the numerous others that choose to smoke. Being confined to a small, congested and very dangerous area; especially for the handicap is in violation of our human rights. We pay just as much money as the non smokers and deserve the same respect. We are requesting additional smoking areas to be set up throughout the ship. RSVP accordingly. Sincerely, The Passengers of Norwegian Joy

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

2 out of 5

No excursion

Thumbs Up 0

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2 out of 5

Nice port. No excursion, just shopping.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2 out of 5

Mazatlan, Mexico

1 out of 5

Didn't seem safe

Thumbs Up 0

Acapulco, Mexico

1 out of 5

Worst port ever. Never would have chosen this cruise had I known we would be stopping there instead of Costa Rica.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

2 out of 5

Descent shopping port.

Thumbs Up 0

Panama Canal Transit

1 out of 5

Considering that we were scheduled to enter the canal at 530am and our captain thought it would be brilliant to enter two hours earlier than scheduled while most passengers slept . It was extremely disappointing that he did that and didn't announce it. We set our alarm for 5 am and upon waking we discovered that we were already entering into the locks and had already missed a lot of what we wanted to see. We paid A lot of money to see the whole thing and to have a captain take that away without an explanation or apology is disheartening. I never would have taken this cruise had I been informed in advance.

Thumbs Up 0

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

A Lot of cute shops line the streets.

Thumbs Up 0

Miami, Florida

2 out of 5

Went from ship to airport, no excursions.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

2 out of 5

Long lines

21 Comments

Renee6870 4 years ago

As someone who has many family members who have died of cancer and I quit smoking 7.5 years ago because I don't want cancer I am VERY happy I don't have to breathe in second-hand smoke and that it is very far away from where I am. Smokers are not a protected class and therefore you are not, nor can be discriminated upon. I also know that all cruise lines follow ADA guidelines for the handicapped and are careful to not discriminate and are probably careful for safety as they are looking to avoid any lawsuits. It sounds like perhaps cruising is not something that is a good fit for your lifestyle at this time. As for the costs for other things to do, they are very upfront on fees if you do any amount of research prior to booking a cruise with them. Nothing is hidden, so you know upfront how much everything will be so you can make the choice to cruise with them or not.

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SL1949 5 years ago

I sailed on Joy on 27 October. We had two wheelchair users in our group and found it easy access to everything. When there were disembarkation groups leaving from the Joy Theatre, we are instructed to stay together and leave from the elevators on deck 7 rather than go down the theatre steps like everyone else. Only problem was the forward lifts were very congested those days. A few times I saw other wheelchair users needed room stewards to move the cleaning carts in the halls in order to get past, but they were very friendly and obliging. The casino had a separate smoking room that was sealed off, so thankfully walking through the rest of deck 7 was smoke-free. The water slides were free, but I do agree that the speedway and laser tag should be free or much cheaper, maybe a couple of dollars rather than $15 per session. There was plenty of free entertainment, everything at the Joy Theatre was free, you just needed to reserve for some of them, but I think there was always space for the standby line to enter. And the daily Freestyle made it quite clear when there was a cost for some entertainment events.

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lenaza 5 years ago

This will be great for me as I am asthmatic

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sms1785 5 years ago

I haven’t sailed on the Joy but considering it. I just got off the Escape on 11/3 and all the water slides, mini golf and the ropes course are free to everyone on the ship so I doubt they would charge you to use them on the Joy.

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DKB 5 years ago

90+ passengers on a ship that has 3800+ capacity plus crew of about 1500 should be catered to. LOL. do your homework next time and stay on land. From your comments it appears that cruising may not be for you.

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critter48658 5 years ago

Stop smoking and stop cruising. Oh! And stop complaining.

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ajoker31 5 years ago

I cruised on the Joy and it was awesome!! I’m so glad that the smoking section is all the way to back. No one wants to smell smoke. It’s all about attitude, making the best of every situation. You missed out on so much fun and adventure. The food was great, you could try new things everyday. The Ship has something fun to do everyday. The Joy theater was amazing with some great shows. No problems hearing anything from the back. Your smoking must be causing you hearing problems.

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kpham610 5 years ago

This person must be hating life. Maybe NCL is trying to help you quit smoking. A cabin is not a hotel room.

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njanders26 5 years ago

Really? Of all the issues going on in the world and your entitled arrogant self is mad because a cruise ship is still allowing you a space to smoke at on a cruise ship but it does not meet your needs? Next time do your research and save your money, a lot of cruise ships have less than what NCL has. Frankly, I hope more of you quit cruising so we don’t have to hear your complaining.

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bradoregon 5 years ago

Smoking is dangerous. Please stay off any all all cruise ships I would hate to be on any cruise with such a negative person

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cruisereckoning 5 years ago

Cool

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ivyhanca 5 years ago

Had you seen past the smoking are issue you would have had a great cruise. I have a handicap 2 year old son that does not need to be around smokers. Take a seat and really consider others with respiratory issues or just kids in general part of the ship has rug in sure which tends to hold the smoke smell that kids should not be inhaling. Hope you have a great day.

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41pearl 5 years ago

The cruiseline won't even see this posting. If you want to bitch, send it to their corporate HQ. And by the way, I despise breathing your damn second hand smoke. Next time, make everyone happy and stay home

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terriesanchez 5 years ago

There are more non smokers than smokers on board these ships. The fact that smokers are accommodated at all should be enough. Non smokers are just as annoyed with the fact that some smokers think they are entitled to huff and puff and blow smoke in everyones faces because they don't like the designated areas they are given. Perhaps a different type of vacation next time!

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mdoll67 5 years ago

Damn salty and entitled much? Sounds like you let one thing ruin the whole cruise for yourself. It's all about attitude and if yours is crappy so will the cruise. Be thankful you can have such an experience because most can't afford it. If it's that easy to ruin a cruise for you, let me tell you now don't go on cruises because I guarentee you'll find something to complain about on any of them.

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brad1312 5 years ago

Thought about quitting smoking?

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DebandMarkC 5 years ago

The smoking area is right where it belongs! All the way to the back of the ship. I'm sure smoking in the casino has its days numbered on cruise ships

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cubfan0725 5 years ago

Maybe you need a smokers only cruise! Blah. Hate the smell when someone is on their balcony smoking.

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NJCruiseGuy 5 years ago

Sounds like cruising is probably not for you, but you have just sold me on cruising with NCL if they require the smokers to go to the far end of the ship. That is a huge plus for us

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Suz1997 5 years ago

Yes all ships should have a 10 x 10 glassed in space and keep the smokers in it so the smoke doesn’t get into the fresh air. Thank you to all cruise lines that have the smoking area at the far end so w3 don’t have to walk through the smoke.

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bobduck1993 5 years ago

It seems that you didn't enjoy any thing about your cruise,I am very sorry! I have heard however that when nicotine is stopped food tastes better,that people feel better and can enjoy themselves much more, maybe this could be your future! Best of luck!

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