Great but Lacking in Some Areas

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 4
Helpful Votes: 62

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Norwegian Joy

11 Night Southern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 01, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 9700

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Great cruise but let down by late arrivals in some ports and a port change.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
I had no issues what so ever, was one of the first people there to check in. Understandably I was there so early that people where still getting off and had to wait in the terminal until clear to board.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
The standard on Joy seemed high than my last cruise with Norwegian on Star 6 months prior. All staff were great and food arrived warm and in a timely manner. However you can see that they are dealing with a table or two more than they used to and has lost some of its connection with the wait staff, due to NCLs cutbacks.

Teppanyaki

4 out of 5

The food and service here is too notch as ever. Unfortunately after you eat here a few times the entertainment side of it wears off as it’s often the same jokes over and over again with little to no changes. It was disappointing to see NCL replace the Filet Mignon with a much inferior cut of beef. Likely won’t eat again unless it sees some changes.

Observation Lounge

5 out of 5

Just a great place to sit back and relax and enjoy the view as you sail in and out of port.

Garden Cafe

4 out of 5

The food quality has stepped up over the years at the Garden Cafe and on Joy it’s no different. A great selection of food to satisfy any hunger. However, in duplicate stations, the food on offer differed so it meant to need to check all the stations every time to ate there.

Food Republic

5 out of 5

First time at this restaurant and I wish I didn’t leave it for the last day. It’s such a change in food from the usual options at all the other restaurants and just felt a little normal instead of all the extra fancy food from the MDR and other places. Would definitely be booking this again.

Cagney's Steakhouse

5 out of 5

The food was fantastic as always. Service was great. I asked for the Filet Mignon to be medium Rare but was served to me medium and had to send back. Within a few minutes the issue was corrected.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
While the Elements show was brilliant as well as some of the other comedians and performers, I felt that the ship had very little going on to entertain the guests onboard. So at times you are just in limbo as the only thing on the schedule is some sort of spa seminar. The Cruise Director was great.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Social Comedy & Night Club

3 out of 5

The Social club is kind of a mess. It’s tiny and the seating they give you for the shows is the same foldaway chairs that you’d sit at at a school assembly. I expected this venue to be larger and have more comfortable seating and a more pleasurable atmosphere. The comedians was pretty good. I liked Teo of the three that were on board for my cruise.

Laser Tag

5 out of 5

It’s great fun. Would highly recommend to do with friends and family.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
Staff and crew where all fantastic and I cannot complain about any of them. They all worked their socks off.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
Over all the ship is super clean and a very easy layout to navigate. However some venues felt too small and didn’t have enough space.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
The room size was amazing! It was a Family ocean view room right at the front of the ship. Unfortunately this room is very loud when pulling into and out of port. The crew hang out sport is just outside the window so some nights you can hear them laughing and making noise. Won’t be booking this room again, even though it’s a fantastic size.

Ship tip

If you plan to book your own excursions make sure to not have them start shortly after you dock!

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Took approx 45 minutes to disembark. Did the self disembarkation. Was much faster than I expected it would be as we had to pass US boarder protection which is usually quite slow.

Traveler Photos

View Bathroom Room Layout
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4 Comments

AuntPinkie    1 year ago

Appreciate your feedback. Happy you see an improvement in the food since the restart. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

cruising2004    1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your cruising experience. Glad you enjoyed.

javawoody    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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