If you like beer, District Brewhouse has the best variety at sea. Starbucks yep. Above average good food. Entertainment good. Boardwalk awesome. Just not a fan of the top deck. Most of the area is up charge leaving just the pool area open. I’d sail Joy again as I know what to expect. Do your research, Bliss is similar and continues to sail Alaska. Deck 15 is a great public space, spice H20 is for smokers near the bar. Forward elevators are very busy…aft elevator is not as busy. No elevators mid ship. Alaska sailings cost more as port fees and taxes are higher.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
You can avoid traffic if your dropped of at Elliott & Bell. Use the footbridge then the elevator. This less traveled path is ok for those with mobility issues and families whom don’t want to sit in water front traffic. NCL is a very smooth at embarkation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
One of the better buffets at sea. We ate at the forward section at the same view table everyday for breakfast. NCL isn’t cheap on the milk, they have cold dispensers not warm mini cartons.
MDR …all three are great. Never did a up charge venue. Not a fan of the Local, but it has it place for some.
Sugarcane Mojito Bar
5 out of 5
Great views and drinks
The District Brew House
5 out of 5
Best place at sea for beer lovers. NCL exceeded all expectations here, just because you can brew beer at sea doesn’t mean it’s good.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
One pool for thousands, one pool for kiddos. A couple sides. Adults tub at aft doesn’t heat to 90 degrees…
Not a fan of how the upper space has been imagined. Race track, laser tag, vibe all extra fee. Haven takes entire forward section of ship. Just not for me.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
To be fair there is a lot to do on the Joy. We enjoyed Footloose…book times before you sail. Cavern Club was great.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Staff was great.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Not a fan of how to top deck is designed.
If you like wide open decks, Discovery Princess has this. Ship was clean. Modern and seemed to still have some newness.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Ship tip
Use the app pre sailing to book shows, but Cavern Club is a line up before the show…line up early. Every show is a different decade, most want to sit in front of the stage and it quickly becomes standing room only. We went straight to the bar seats. Our Newcastle Brown ale was being poured quickly. Enjoy the Boardwalk deck 8…
Mendenhall glacier, oh how it has receded,
Before you visit googled this, wow.
Walk to nugget falls isn’t too bad, you might get wet crossing water. Bears can be out.
Tracy’s crab shack and Devil club Brewery are favorites
A few new small breweries/distillery venues have opened in 2023.
Creek Street is a nice walk.
NCL is at the new Ward Cove so it requires a bus ride to town.
I like the water taxis. Most ships arrive so late it’s hard to do much, so if this port is a must to see the gardens or city study which ships arrive the earliest, Joy docked mid afternoon
The gondola is a huge addition since 2019.
If you need a nice walk Hoonah is down the road. Some things to see along the way, a few small stores, very small town. Everything come in by ferry or barge.
Main attraction is the rebuilt cannery.
Lounge, shopping, seafood, history, photo ops.
Again lots of YouTube videos you can watch.
Beware of jumping into the water its cold.
Don’t sleep in…my brother was sitting in the MDR wondering are we there yet a 9am…
It’s like the road to Hana, it’s the entire journey, hope for a sunny day as most are not. It will be cooler. So much wildlife and scenery
Super easy and smooth.
Found the elevator that goes above to the footbridge, headed away from the masses to find our family ride at Elliott and Bell.
Was home in 20 minutes :)
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