I was asked to join Norwegian Cruise Line on the inaugural sailing of the revitalized, Norwegian Joy. The Norwegian Joy was originally built for the Asian market in 2017, Norwegian decided to move the ship over to the US market where she will sail to Alaska and the Mexican Riviera.
Ship Highlights
Like all of the newer Norwegian Ships, the Joy comes packed with a ton to do. No matter who you are and what you like, you are sure to find something to match your travel desires while at sea. Here’s the highlights:
- Race Track-Zoom around hairpin turns in excess of 20 mph as you race for the checkered flag on a thrilling, two-level race track in the middle of the ocean.
- The Waterfront-Discover your favorite restaurant, bar & lounge and the stunning views, while strolling along The Waterfront, our quarter-mile oceanfront promenade.
- Galaxy Pavilion-Step inside a virtual world unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Immersive virtual reality experiences, thrilling simulator rides and interactive video walls are just the beginning.
- Laser Tag-Get ready for an open-air laser tag battle of galactic proportions under the stars with family, friends or fellow cruisers.
- Mandara Spa-Pamper yourself at Mandara Spa and choose from over 50 rejuvenating treatments including facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services. Please note, they do not have a hydrotherapy spa on the Norwegian Joy.
- Ocean Loops-Enjoy the rush of whooshing down Ocean Loops, a double loop waterslide that hangs 11 feet off the side of the ship and 159 feet above the ocean.
- Concierge Accommodations-Be pampered in luxury in our new, spacious and beautifully appointed Concierge accommodations– a first for Norwegian – with access to a concierge to make all arrangements. Staterooms can accommodate up to 6 guests.
- Observation Lounge-Open to all guests, the Observation Lounge offers 2,723 sq. ft. of stunning 180-degree panoramic views. Take in the scenery while sipping your favorite cocktail at our full service bar.
- Casino-Play all your favorite games in our dazzling casino from Blackjack and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em® to the newest digital and traditional slot machines and video poker.
The dining is an area where I feel Norwegian has a huge leg up on many other cruise lines. It is simple, their food is good, really good. It does not matter if you are in one of their 5 complementary dining venues (7 if you are a Haven client) or if you are in one of their specialty dining locations…I am impressed. We had several great meals both on the Bliss last year and on the Joy this year..two of my favorite specialty dining locations are Ocean Blue and Food Republic. If you are a foodie, you MUST dine at either location.
If food is not a main focus but you want to know that you are eating very well for what you paid for, believe me, you will be thrilled with the complementary dining. We love The Manhattan Room which offers curated modern and classic dishes and has a beautiful view of the sea. We also love The Local. The Local is a super casual place to come as you are and enjoy anything from salads to burgers and some daily specials like prime rib. We find that we visit the local quite a bit as it is open 24/7. Teens love watching the game there and it is close to the arcade which makes for a super fun place to gather.
I would like to make an honorable mention of Starbucks. Yes, you can actually get your favorite drink at sea. It will come with an additional charge but I found that it was cheaper than what I am used to seeing here in Chicago. They have everything you want! Love it!
Bars, Bars, and More Bars!
Norwegian has no shortage of places to grab an adult beverage at sea. The thing I really love is that they have specialty bars and lounges. For example, I love Mojitos and they have Sugarcane Mojito Bar. This bar only makes Mojitos. Of course, you can get Mojitos other places on the ship, but you are in for a real treat if you make your way to Sugarcane Mojito Bar. Wondering if you can get your Mojito included as part of the unlimited beverage package, yes you can! Order and go, no extra charge.
Are you a wine lover? The Cellars Wine Bar is another favorite place. You can head into an exclusive wine bar where they have a wine list sure to delight your palate. During the week you can join in some programs for experts and novice wine drinkers. They really do a fantastic job!
The District Brew House is a favorite place for any beer lover. Take your pick from over 50 different bottled beers or one of the 24 draft beers on tap. You can also enjoy some live music. So much fun!
CLICK HERE for a full listing of Bars and Lounges.
Entertainment
There is nothing worse than being on a ship that does not have anything to do. While the ports are a lot of why you are cruising, you need to be entertained as well. Norwegian understands that there are different strokes for different folks, which is why they have a variety of things for you to pick from.
The Joy Theater was a place we made sure to visit. The show Elements is amazing! Each ship has a different headliner show but on The Joy, it was Footloose…amazing!! Another very popular place is, The Cavern Club. The theme here is enough to bring you right to Liverpool club where the Beatles performed. OMG they are phenomenal. You MUST see them one night. We had the pleasure of going on both, The Bliss and The Joy and loved both shows. We even brought our kids with us.
The Observation Lounge on both The Bliss and The Joy are very similar. This is a place to get a 180-degree panoramic view while enjoying your favorite beverage or snack. Watch my complete walk-through below.
Service
As always, the service is wonderful! I have no complaints at all. The ship was pristine, staff was ready to help and fix anything, if needed. I could not ask for more. One thing I really love about Norwegian is the consistency of the brand. While each ship will vary from style and location, you can always expect to have a good time, good food and wonderful staff.
Here’s some pictures I took as we dined around the ship.
