Never again Norwegian

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review to Mexico

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 28

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5
Norwegian Joy

7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 23, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Overall, Norwegian managed logistics HORRIBLY. This was our 20th cruise, but first with NCL. Never again would we ever go on this line!! *3 hour wait to get on ship *messed up our specialty dinner reservation to the steak house, and only 2 of our family were allowed to go. We were so disappointed as we got all dressed up for our family holiday dinner, and even ran back to the room to try to find our paperwork. We had to pay for 2 of us, if we wanted to, as they said it wasn't in their computer (though it was part of our package!) I left crying. We had our teenagers stay, and my husband and I went to the buffet in great disappointment. :( *nickle and diming you every minute (Warning: keep a close watch on your bill!! We had the liquor package and they charged us for sodas, they charged fees while you embarked because you were at a US port, fees for shows, fees for room service,...) It was the worst we'd ever seen! *had to wait 3 hours in line to get our internet package turned on that we ordered before the cruise) *constantly put Haven and those with frequent traveler status priority so we always waited for everything (tenders, getting off the boat at ports, etc.) We felt we were treated like 2nd class citizens since it was only our first time won Norwegian *2 ports were just shipping container ports, so nothing to see unless you paid for a taxi to go somewhere *anytime you had a question at the front desk, there was always a minimum of 20 people in line and you had to wait hours *they wouldn't let you settle your bill until the last day, when you had to run to catch your flight, so we just got stuck with fees we didn't dispute (It must be a strategy of theirs) *limited evening shows - only 2 they kept running night after night *you had to sign up for all shows in advance or they were booked, but still the same stuff repeating night after night *We were hoping to do the Ship Tour, which you were supposed to sign up for within the first 24 hours according to NCL's website. We REALLY wanted to do that. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to covid but even if it wasn't, it was for Haven guests only. *Debarkation was also a disaster. They had thousands of people walking across the parking lot while busses were coming in and out. It's not a wonder someone wasn't hit! Overall, we had a great family time, but Norwegian sure messed up all the logistics. Our cabin steward Nada was fantastic and we went on the most amazing excursion in Ensenada, the Desert Moon Ziplining adventure. That was truly 5 stars! All said, you've been warned about Norwegian!!

Embarkation

1 out of 5
It was a disaster. They corralled us into a tent with thousands of people and made us wait 3 hours before we were able to get onto the ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
The main dining room was fine, just a lot of waiting all the time. Specifically Cagney's steak house was horrible. Our Cruise.com person made reservations for us for 4 people (all supposedly covered in our package). The night of, we got all dressed up, and headed there for our family holiday dinner. The Host told us we only had 2 dinners that were covered. He called the front desk who said the same. I don't know what happened in their computer system but it mustn't have transferred to their system properly. I ran back to my room, and couldn't find the paperwork confirming the dinner reservations & that all 4 were covered. My husband and I ended up letting our teenagers eat at the fancy place and we went to the buffet. I left there in tears after the rudeness of the host and lack of honoring our supposed covered reservations.

Cagney's Steakhouse

1 out of 5

Cagneys apparently didn't see our package for 4 dinners that were part of our cruise package we purchased. The Host was rude and refused to honor it. We were so looking forward to our holiday family dinner and got all dressed up. I even ran all the way back to the room to try to find my paperwork, but couldn't locate it. I shlepped all the way back and the Host said he'd only be able to cover the 2 dinners. I was so disappointed and left in tears. We had been looking forward to this for weeks. My husband and I let our teenagers have dinner there and we went to the buffet in our fancy clothes. Totally disappointed in the mand and woman at the desk. So rude and didn't even try to accommodate us.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
The good news was, there were enough beach chairs and they were decent quality.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
They only had 2 evening shows the whole week! They kept doing the same 2 over and over again. PLUS, you had to register days in advance, instead of just showing up. Most cruise lines have different ones each night.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
Our cabin steward Nada was amazing! The waiters and waitresses could care less if we were waiting, literally every single meal in the dining room. It always took 2 hours to eat, even if it was lunch.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
There were only a couple of Christmas trees up in the entire ship for the Christmas voyage. People were waiting in lines to get pics in front of them. Not much holiday decor at all.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Standard veranda cabin and our kids had a standard inside stateroom.

Ship tip

Don't go with Norwegian. Unless you are in the Haven or a frequent cruiser, they constantly put everyone in front of you. This was our first time on NCL and will definitely be our last. Plus, there were constant unexpected charges. They charged for soda when you had the full alcohol plan. They charged fees if you had a drink before the ship left the port. There were a number of unexpected service fees that showed up. They nickle and dimed you the entire cruise.

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

1 out of 5
This was where we embarked. What a disaster. Read previous comments on the 3 hours it took to get on the ship.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

5 out of 5
Good. Lots of great places to walk.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

1 out of 5
They docked in a shipping container area. There was literally nothing to see walking around unless you paid to get a taxi.

Mazatlan, Mexico

1 out of 5
They docked in a shipping container area. There was literally nothing to see walking around unless you paid to get a taxi.

Ensenada, Mexico

5 out of 5
The reason why this port was rated so well is that we did an excursion. We did the Desert Moon Zip Lining one. It was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!

Disembarkation

2 out of 5
Disembarkation there was also a disaster. They had lines going everywhere and people were escorted around busses pulling in and out. It was a total mess.

Traveler Photos

Checking in with thousands of other people Embarkation Embarkation Embarkation Embarkation Disaster Embarkation Disaster Embarkation Disaster Embarkation Disaster
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6 Comments

kdlovescruising    1 year ago

Sorry that your experience was so poor. Please note that most cruise lines now require you to book the shows in advance via their app. You can no longer just show up. Also, cruise lines do charge a gratuity once you are in a US port. This is not exclusive to NCL. It's a government requirement. Hopefully you're next cruise will be much better.

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

theonholdguy    1 year ago

Thanks for the great review. I am so sorry for your poor experience. Was the zip line thing scary?

javawoody    1 year ago

Appreciate the comments

AuntPinkie    1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.

CruzeFan    1 year ago

Cruising during the holidays is rarely a good experience. It’s always best to plan an excursion of some type in most ports rather than just hope there is something interesting nearby.

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