PLAN way in advance, Make your Specially (paid) dining reservations at least 3 weeks in advance and the same for the production shows. Study all the decks in advance so you know what is where. Do your homework! I even asked on the NCL website what day tthe one production was on... so you can plan accordingly. Also enjoy the OBSERVATION LOUNGE... but on port days it is suppose to be for some hours A QUITE ZONE (NCL needs to have large signed at the entrance and then again in the room. The hogging of deck chairs is still a MESS. and those that do, can be very obnoxious even when a chair is empty for an hour or more. AND IF YOU LIKE THE PRODUCTIONS SHOWS OF THE PAST, PLEASE LET NCL KNOW, THE NEW CHEAP USE OF GAME SHOWS is exactly that = = CHEAP. Plan in advance and ENJOY
Embarkation
5 out of 5
This was greatly improved over my last NCL cruise some years ago. It was so much smoother and faster and VERY IMPRESSIVE. The only problem was when arrival on the ship, the staff said the only food option was the Garden (buffet) and were directed to sending all to Deck 16. I spoke to 2 different people and said that in advance on the NCL website in the chat, that the NCL person had to take time to check if the 2 main dining rooms were open. And came back and said they were. Even the FREE STYLE DAILEY, you got from the same staff on board listed it as Open. But I was told twice by 2 staff that it was NOT OPEN. I did report the next day to Guest Services... who silently.. then said I am sorry. And that was it.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
I am NOT a buffet fan! Thus, I Had to experience this on the Sunday arrival - I think a map of the buffet area should be given/sned in advance to all travelers! It would be a great much needed help on this crowded day when first arrived. Now the doing rooms, especially the Manhattan Room for dinner is Magnificent, the wonderful atmosphere and staff. Taste & Savor are very good for breakfast. All comp dining has lines to get in (fewer at breakfast) so plan accordingly. Dining staff was wonderful in all. The food and drink available in the OBSERVATION LOUNGE is a Great service. It is my favorite room on the JOY, and the bar and wait staff are The Best on the Ship The one missing star is ONLY because of the buffet (I am just not a fan - but do love the self soft serve ice cram machine). And if you have the drink package, the service for extra wine pours is very efficient in the dining rooms. The variety on the menus is very good.
Observation Lounge
5 out of 5
On the JOY - THIS IS THE BEST, my Favorite room. Great staff - bar and wait staff.. Like the selection of food choices during the day. Nice layout. I just wish on Port Days when the Daily lists Quite Hours that there be a big sign and the entrances to the room and late when you get to the 2 story front of the room. The only negative is the old coffee smell later in tthe day.
Garden Cafe
2 out of 5
A mess. NCL should send in advance a map/diagram of the place and where the sections are located. The cleaning staff to clear the table is very good. IT IS CROWDED> I do not like Buffets. Do love the self service soft ice cream machines.
Cagney's Steakhouse
5 out of 5
Great staff, good menu and very nice portions. Recommend get a dinner package and make this one of your choices (In spas I like Bistro and Cucinna).
American Diner
4 out of 5
You wait with a buzzer.. even when you see EMPTY Tables. That should not be. Limited menu... it is what it is. Food quality oj
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Even though entertainment is below. The was the first of 5 NCL cruises that had only ONE big production show. It the past 4 cruises this has always been wonderful. I thought there were fewer investing talks and activities, especially that were Free to enjoy. Thus for me NO extra activities were used. I read 3 books
Atrium
3 out of 5
Very crowded not enough chairs and setting folding chairs is TACKY and a Mess.Use the Theatre since it is NOT be used most of the time
Entertainment
1 out of 5
I am used to 2 production shows on NCL. JOY had only one ELEMENTS (which was good) on 2 days only. Make advance reservation. The entertainment has been DUMBED DOWN with game shows and such (are cheaper and tacky). I hope that this was an ONLY 1 time mistake that NCL is making. The quality in the past was SUPERIOR. THE LACK OF THIS WAS THE #1 WORST THING ON THIS JOY CRUISE. The theatre did have a short show of the aerial duo and it was good (but only 2 people in a shorted show). The lacking of major entertainment to save money is a MAJOR NCL MISTAKE and very disappointing! How many 'Beatles" show does one need? The few pianist and vocalist were ok. The Joy Theatre entertainment was LACKING! And NCL should only consider this a One Time Only MISTAKE... Game shows can be seen on TV no need to be live.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
This would be a 5 star, if the first day the staff had the correct info on the dining rooms, instead of pushing everyone to Deck 16 for the CROWDED buffet. If I did not have this uninformed arrival this would be a 5 Star review. The wait staff in the restaurants were wonderful and the OBSERVATION LOUNGE staff is a 6 Star.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Clean the ship was. I do like the Electronic Sign Boards close to the elevators = has great information. Go to Dining slot and then your restaurant and hit menus and you can see what is being offered that day in each.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
The bath area is an improvement, shower and counter space, the hair dryer is hidden in the sleeping area. It should be visible in the bathroom. Leaving notes for the Steward is a plus and taken care of. I had asked in advance for the refrigerator to be emptied and it was not... But when reported the next day it was done. If 2 friends are sharing a room... please ask in advance for 2 FREESTYLE DAILY.
Ship tip
Stay on the ship on the first port day. It is Heaven with 90% of the passengers getting off. Then you can see the real joy of a cruise and the ship.
I had planned this is advance... I love port days when the majority get off the ship. The passengers who stay are much friendlier and nice (much quieter) and it shows the great service of the wait staff. I do wish at least one of the main comp dining rooms was open for lunch for 3 days in port. This is a couched need improvement for Port days. I like the dining rooms
It was another area much better than in the past 4 cruises. And it ran a head of the aprox times/schedule. But people please leave your big suitcases outside your door the night before and if you want to get off early than select an earlier time slot... You can tell first time cruisers who are leaving with all they came with - a Disaster
Hi Kimba44, the Bar lounge at the observation deck is there. I just got back from the Joy/Bermuda exactly 1 month ago. Unless they changed w/in the last 30 days, the Bar is there. Hope this helps & happy cruising 🤩⚓️😎❣️‼️
Unfortunately one of the areas NCL has definitely cut back is entertainment. I don’t think any ship has more than one big show anymore. Disappointing since that was an area they did really well.
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