A very nice cruise overall. This was our 4th NCL cruise in about two years so it is time to try another cruise line - for a change.
This was the first time we booked thru an independent cruise company (previously booked direct) and I was very pleased. Our cruise consultant, Kimberly Lindsey, was a pleasure to work with. (Going thru an external booking company provides addition perks that going direct does not.)
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very good. We have priority due to Platinum Latitudes status.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Fois gras was removed as was eggs benedict. Used to be excellent but still good.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Didn't participate.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Again, good but not great as on previous NCL cruises. Shows were fairly short. On previous cruises they were full length Broadway productions.
Children's Programs
No children with us. Also, few children because cruise was in mid September.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Overall, this was very good. Staff was attentive even though we were only booked in a balcony room.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Nice big ship. Plenty of walking. This was our second time on the NCL Joy.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Plenty of storage space for clothes and other stuff.. Very tight for reaching into the closet. Balcony very nice for sitting and watching. On previous NCL cruises we have been in larger (mini-suite and Haven) cabins but I found this to be adequate.
Ship tip
Reserve any excursions early. Also, try to reserve specialty differs early OR book them immediately after you board the ship.
We arrived two days before sailing as this is a wonderful town for walking around. Visit the chateau Frontinac just to look around. We took the hop-on, hop-off bus. for us a waste as it was over crowded and had people standing in the aisles. We were stuck down stairs and couldn't see much. If you do go, only worthwhile to sit upstairs.
We took the Anne of Green Gables tour booked thru cruises.com. Very good tour leader. Best excursion (for us) of the cruise. Tour leader recommended a simple restaurant where we had a lobster roll and PEI mussels.
Cape Breton. We took the NCL bus tour to Alexander Graham Bell museam. Tour leader just fair. Seemed to be reading the narrative. Museum itself was mostly related to AGB's interest in airplane flight.
Took a morning NCL tour to see Peggy's Cove. In afternoon we walked along the seawalk and had lunch. This seawalk has plenty of shops, restaurants and chairs to sit and relax. I got to tour a WW2 Canadian Corvette that escorted convoys across the N. Atlantic.
Five stars for disembarkation. No wait at immigration. HOWEVER, one has to leave the terminal and cross the street to find a taxi. This is not one of NYC's fine moments!
Thanks for this review. I was on the joy for the first time last month and also saw how the dinner reservations book up quickly. Especially the seafood restaurant
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