Loved our cruise on Joy, our 13th with NCL and probably the best. The staff were fantastic, the shows were very good and the food was outstanding...I just wish fellow cruisers were more positive and not so negative always looking to moan.
Love NCL and cant wait for cruise number 14...
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Bit of chaos caused by stupid people thinking that the there was a prize for the first one aboard. A lack of control by port officials and NCL allowed the chaotic crowd surge to spoil embarcation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We were so very impressed with every aspect of Joy's dining offerings...Cagney's and Le Bistro were our favorites but everyone was superb. The staff were also very good. Happy, very professional and a real difference in quality from some other ships.
The buffet was very good although over 12 days it only varied slightly.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Something for everyone on Joy, if you love carting, water park, virtual gaming, mini golf choose Joy.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Superb DJ the best on any past cruise, the shows were very good. My one moan was the Cavern Club, how can you have a club without a dance floor? Also the Beatles were not good infact the worse tribute I have seen.
All other entertainment was typical NCL quality.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
A completely different class from every staff member. Well done NCL.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Perfect size, don't get the double size basin as its not sectioned you just use double the amount of water. Other than that we loved it, our cabin steward wss fantastic.
Paradise, all food and drinks included on the island. Loved it.
Why o why on an island where everything is inclusive are NCL charging $20 for a sun shade...so rediculous as shade was such a premium on a very hot first stop.
A fantastic cruise resort. For me way too sanitized and in no way a reflection of the real Belize. We wanted to snorkel and should have done a sepperate tour. Another question...Harvest Cay has nothing for free besides sun beds, yet Great Stirrup Cay has everything for free besides the sun shades at $20 a go...errrr dont get it.
Used Victor Bodden tours, easy contact, great guide and a super tour including wildlife park and beach for $30 each fantastic value for a 5 hour tour...
Leave the sanitized port and go to Mahahual, we had the best day on the beach of the whole trip. Go to Mazamo restaurant, beach chairs and food very well priced and great service.
Sadly, a very poor country, did a river tour that was pointless as we only saw 1 bird. Then a beach stop that had no sunbeds so all on all not worth the $90 paid for 2 people.
The best port visited on this cruise, a great natural wildlife area, shops and restaurant. Did a city tour that was great. Paid $45 total for a 3 hour tour. If im honest way to many street sellers at every stop just constantly hounding you to buy rubbish.
Unfortunately not a good disembarkation, we had a tour booked and had to be in the theatre at 7.30am we then waited for nearly three hours as the systems were down. Obviously no ones fault but we missed a portion of the tour.
Thanks for the review and so glad you enjoyed. We did the Panama Canal full transit just over a year ago and loved it. So much history and so interesting.
We were on the same cruise. I fully agree with your assessment of the Canal. They are amazing however I was looking forward to seeing the mechanical mules pull the ship thru the 3 locks. We used the new locks (agua clara) and they used tugboats. I think we missed the historical side of the locks for sure.
The embarkation was a disaster for people needing wheelchair assist. Total confusion and only a few wheelchairs to move probably 100 people. Some finally boarded after waiting for hours and got on board close to 3pm (final boarding was 2pm).
Disembarkation was a total disaster as well. I believe the issue was not a crashed computer but an illegal drug search on the ship before anyone could get off. We saw drug dogs and miami/dade officers sweeping the decks while we were crowded into the local restaurant. The ship security had a dog as well and they stripped the cabin next to us (at 11pm) after we left Columbia. I guess that is the price you pay when visiting Panama & Columbia. I agree with you ...... it was an amazing trip and an amazing ship/crew. I had heard negative reports regarding the cruise director (DanDan) but I thought he did a great job. Can't wait to get out on the ocean again.
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