Overall, a great cruise

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Lrcritter

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 88

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5

12 Night Panama Canal Partial Transit (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 02, 2020

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

We had a rough cruise for the first two nights. Could not sit on the balcony without being blown over board due to the wind. Chairs were sliding back and forth all night. The rest of the cruise was great except for Colon, Panama. The fear of getting robbed stopped us from going into town. We stayed on the pier and the local shops. Would not suggest going back there.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

We had to wait over an hour and a half because they were disinfecting the ship due to the Corona Virus. Understandable.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

We had to wait 45 minutes for breakfast in the Savor. We left and complained on the way out. After that, they took our room number down and we got excellent service at every dining facility.

Savor Restaurant - Main Dining Room

2 out of 5

Ate there twice. The second time we waited 45 minutes to get a menu. Finally we left and complained on the way out. They treated us like royal the rest of the cruise. We did not go back there to eat.

The Manhattan Room - Main Dining Room

5 out of 5

Alfredo and Erik were so good, we specifically asked to be seated at their table every night.

Spice H2O

4 out of 5

Good place to sit and relax. Hot tub could have been hotter.

Garden Cafe

4 out of 5

Food was always fresh and hot and readily available.

Cagney's Steakhouse

5 out of 5

This was one of the best steaks I have ever had.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

We used the pool and both water slides. However, on the last day at sea, the main water slide was not working.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

The performers were great. The volume of the music was not too loud, but we very rarely saw or heard from the cruise director. Had to look for things to do.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

They always do a great job for little pay.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Not impressed with the layout. Not enough room, seating in one general area to enjoy some of the venues.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Very comfortable with a very large balcony.

Ship tip

Don't expect too much when going through the Panama Canal. They go through three locks, turn around and go back.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

Did not do an excursion. Visited the local shops

Thumbs Up 0

Kralendijk, Bonaire

5 out of 5

Took the snorkling excursion which was great.

Thumbs Up 0

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

Met some friends that live there and they took us aroung the island and to their home.

Thumbs Up 0

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5

Right outside the dock there is a bird and animal sancturary where you can have birds land on your arm. Very cool place.

Thumbs Up 0

Colon, Panama

2 out of 5

We were warned not to go into town due to the danger of being robbed. A taxi driver did get shot while we were there.

Thumbs Up 0

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

3 out of 5

Interesting, but we were expecting to go ALL the way through instead of just three locks.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

4 out of 5

Did not do an excursion, but did shop at the local vendors.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

No problem.

5 Comments

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

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Cruiserike0322 4 years ago

My that sound like a mighty strong wind

Thumbs Up 0

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cruisereckoning 4 years ago

So glad you enjoyed, we loved our Panama Canal cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

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Goldengirl59 4 years ago

I guess you would want to book a relocation cruise: board in LA and disembark in FL..??

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jenyfur 4 years ago

Thank you for clearing up this route. When I’d look at the map it didn’t look like it was going all the way through the canal. I could never get a clear idea. You cleared that up!!! It’s a bucket list thing for me to go through but not just 3 locks!! I’ll make sure I pick a cruise that does the whole thing. Thank you thank you

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