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Item: Norwegian Joy
Rating: 3.7
Author: pattitiemannfie

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

pattitiemannfie

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

Verified Review

15 Night Panama Canal - Eastbound (Los Angeles To Miami)

Sail date: January 06, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13766

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

It was a great trip. We had been on the Encore in December 2021 and loved the entire experience. However, we weren't prepared for the fully booked Joy (sister ship), so the crowds and noise were a bit unexpected. Be sure to take out the travel insurance! I'm about to file our claims for $7000+ in IV antibiotic treatment for 3 days. It costs a fortune if you need it!

Embarkation

1 out of 5

The Port embarkation in LA was the worst I've ever experienced

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was adequate. It seemed like everything in the buffet was tepid. Never warm or hot.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

We love playing BINGO. It was fun, but honestly, Royal Caribbean BINGO is more equitable.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Footloose was fabulous. Also, the Divas3, and Elements.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Stellar room steward. Everyone was so kind! Bartenders were a lot of fun.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Very nice

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Room and balcony were great. No complaints

Ship tip

The Panama Canal cruise was more crowded than I'm accustomed to. Expect it.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

1 out of 5

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

4 out of 5

Loved it!

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

4 out of 5

Beautiful city. Gorgeous beaches!

Thumbs Up 0

Acapulco, Mexico

2 out of 5

Lousy tour.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

3 out of 5

No excusion, but we went shoppings. Beautiful Textiles

Thumbs Up 0

Panama City, Panama

5 out of 5

We did the boat tour of the original locks. It was great! But get your souvenirs elsewhere. Few available.

Thumbs Up 0

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5

Wonderful narration of the history of the canal and it's function.

Thumbs Up 0

Cartagena, Colombia

3 out of 5

I scheduled the wrong tour. I wanted to see the old fort, but I mistakenly scheduled the "fortified city wall" tour!

Thumbs Up 0

Miami, Florida Did not visit port

Disembarkation.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

slow, but no problems

6 Comments

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

Thumbs Up 0

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Sorry you needed medical care. Glad you mostly enjoyed your trip.

Thumbs Up 0

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glt 1 year ago

Our trip coming up on the Joy in February, there are 2 days in Panama City. This is how you do the boat tour excursion. We are getting very excited. 28 days and counting down!

Thumbs Up 1

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4tanya 1 year ago

Dang !! That’s outrageous!!! Must have been really sick to need 3 days of IV antibiotics and not just a 19 day course of oral antibiotics !

Thumbs Up 1

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javawoody 1 year ago

Thanks for the review

Thumbs Up 1

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PaulzyJC 1 year ago

How did you do a Boat Tour to Panama Canal Old Locks when you don't leave the ship. Joy's too big to go through the old locks, I think. On my Bliss cruise we never left the ship going through the 2016 Locks of the canal. Did you do a Partial Transit? It looks like a full Transit, but how did you get to see the old locks???

Thumbs Up 1

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