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Norwegian Joy Deck Plans & Reviews

Norwegian Joy

Activities & entertainment

• Observation Lounge
• Arts and Crafts Classes
• Beauty Salon *
• Behind the Scenes Tour *
• Joy Casino *
• Chess and Card Room
• Dance Classes
• Deck Parties
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Galaxy Pavillion *
• Gaming Lessons *
• Whirlpools (9)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Jogging Track
• Late Night Dancing
• Mandara Spa *
• Waterslides (5)
• Poolside Games
• The Humidor Cigar Lounge
• Vibe Beach Club *
• Wine Tasting *
• Kids Aqua Park
• Splash Academy _ Kids Club
• The Haven Lounge _ Suite Guests
• The Haven Observation Lounge _ Suite Guests
• Comedy Performances
• Joy Theater
• Onboard Movie Screenings
• Social Comedy and Night Club
• The Cavern Club
• Live Nightly Music
• Sports Games Televised
• Savor Restaurant - Main
• Taste Restaurant - Main
• The Manhattan Room - Main
• Food Republic - Tapas *
• The District Brew House - Brewpub *
• Garden Cafe - Buffet
• American Diner - Diner *
• A_List Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Skyline Bar - Clubby Bar *
• Mixx Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar - Mojito Bar *
• Starbucks - Coffee Bar *
• Le Bistro French Restaurant - French *
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
• Teppanyaki - Japanese *
• Cocos - Pastries *
• Surf Bar - Pool Bar *
• Waves Bar - Pool Bar *
• The Local - Pub
• Ocean Blue - Seafood *
• Q Texas Smokehouse - Barbecue *
• Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• The Haven Restaurant - Suite Guests
• The Cellars - Wine Bar *
• Room Service *
• Excellent 80
• Very Good 62
• Terrible 36
• All languages ( 263 )
• English ( 257 )
• Spanish ( 2 )
• French ( 2 )

Upcoming itineraries

Norwegian Joy

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line |

Find a Cruise on Norwegian Joy

with a cruise advisor

Built in 2017, the 3,804-passenger, 1,821-crew-member Norwegian Joy was refurbished in 2020. Accommodation options include Inside, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, as well as Suites, Concierge rooms (which come with concierge service) and The Haven cabins (which include 24-hour butler service and private sundecks). 

There are 11 dining venues on board including eight specialty restaurants, the latter of which offers American, French, Japanese, Italian, Mexican and Thai cuisines. Complimentary restaurants include the ship's three main dining rooms.

Cruisers will find plenty of things to do on board, from shopping at duty-free stores and luxury boutiques to watching stand-up comedians. The ship also offers a spa, laser tag, a racetrack, a casino, mini-golf, a fitness center, two aqua parks and more. 

Norwegian Joy sails from Miami , Los Angeles , New York , Panama City and Quebec City  to ports across the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Bermuda and more.

Pros & Cons

Plenty of activities on board

Most dining venues cost extra

• Expert Rating » 4.0
• Traveler Rating » 4.2
• Health Rating » 5.0

Norwegian Joy ranks # 1 out of 19 Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

• # 1 in Best Norwegian Cruise Line
• # 13 in Best Cruises for Families
• # 21 in Best Affordable Cruises
• # 24 in Best Cruises to the Caribbean
• # 25 in Best Cruises for Couples

Norwegian Joy offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Norwegian Joy contains 16 decks. Find out which features are available on each Norwegian Joy deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 866 guests have reviewed Norwegian Joy , giving it a rating of 4.2 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Ship Photos

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Cruising the Norwegian Joy Review

Will you be cruising the Norwegian Joy soon? We took a 7-day cruise to Bermuda on this great ship. Read our Norwegian Joy Review.

We finally got to cruise on the Norwegian Joy. We had this same cruise to Bermuda itinerary booked for 2021 to celebrate a milestone birthday. Due to the pandemic, we canceled, and then it was ultimately canceled by Norwegian Cruise Line anyways.

Bermuda has been a travel destination we’ve wanted to visit for a while now.

The idea of sailing out of New York City (our former home) with that skyline in view and the Statue of Liberty convinced us.

How we never took a cruise out of our hometown of New York when we lived there (moons ago) is beyond us. Better late than never.

The Norwegian Joy ship is one of the most recent ships that made its debut in 2017. It was primarily going to sail in Asia.

However, in 2018, a year later, the ship was deployed back to the US. She underwent a refurbishment to add other amenities to the ship for the Western market, like a pool.

The ship resembles its sister ship, the Norwegian Bliss, with some differences. The Norwegian Joy was meant to take Alaskan voyages with its sister ship during the summer. But presently, it’s sailing to Bermuda and the Caribbean.

All that said, unlike our experience with our last disappointing NCL cruise, Norwegian Epic , we enjoyed the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. And we fell in love with Bermuda . We did skip getting off in Norfolk, VA.

It was also nice to be back on a Norwegian cruise ship. We have mostly sailed with the Norwegian Cruise Line, but we took a small break after the Epic. Our last cruise was on the Celebrity Equinox right before the pandemic.

While we love the Celebrity brand, the entertainment was lacking on the Equinox, and Norwegian has some of the best entertainment. See our reasons why we love Norwegian Cruise Line .

We were happy to be cruising again and taking a break from real life. It’s always fun planning and preparing for an upcoming cruise for us.

This Norwegian Joy review will cover our cruise ship experience and share Norwegian Joy pictures. From embarkation at the Manhattan cruise terminal, sail away, restaurants, entertainment on board, and more.

This is all based on our experience and opinions. We also give some helpful tips and what you can expect. We also included menus from some restaurants and freestyle dailies below.

Table of Contents

7-Night Norwegian Joy Bermuda Itinerary

Day 1 – New York, NY Day 2- Norfolk, VA Day 3 – Sea Day Day 4 – Bermuda (9:00 am arrival) Day 5 – Bermuda Day 6 – Bermuda (3:00 pm departure) Day 7 – Sea Day DAY 8 – New York, New York

News of Drydock The Norweigan Joy is set to go into drydock from January 6 to February 13, 2024. As part of the upgrade, the ship will feature a new Thermal Spa, replacing the current Galaxy Pavilion to make space for it. Additionally, more balcony cabins will be added by removing a section of the Observation Lounge. And, to make room for an expanded Vibe area, the Laser Tag will be removed.

Norwegian Joy Review

Embarkation at the New York Cruise Terminal

[Update: As of November 14, 2022, Bermuda is no longer requiring an approved travel authorization or a negative Covid test. Please note that this could be subject to change at any time.]

While Bermuda no longer requests a travel authorization or a negative covid test before embarkation. We continue to share our experience of our trip during our cruise in June 2022.

A few key things we needed for this Bermuda cruise on Norwegian Joy:

• Bermuda Travel Authorization
• Negative Covid Test (antigen up to 2 days before embarkation day)
• E-Documents (you can check-in online 21 days before cruise day)
• Download the NCL app

We were at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal at 9 am. Our check-in was at 9:30 am. We should have been there earlier but chose to leave at 9 am. We took an Uber from our hotel nearby, handed a porter our luggage ( cruise luggage tags attached), and then took an elevator up to the second floor to start the check-in process.

Be prepared because you may be standing in line for 1-2 hours to get through security and check-in. Since we were going to Bermuda, there were three lines to get through.

• Security. You’ll need your passports out so they can verify your identification before getting through actual security.
• Document verification (here, you’ll get a group number). Have your Bermuda Travel Authorization, negative Covid test, and vaccination documents ready for them to verify. Once they see you have all your paperwork, they will place a green dot on your passport and send you off to the check-in line.
• Check-in. Have your e-documents ready to go. There is a check-in line and then a line for e-documents. We did online check-in, so we went on the line for e-documents. If you have Lattitudes priority, you may want to get in on that line. Honestly, they all looked as long. Here you’ll get your stateroom keys/cruise cards.

We were a little disappointed that online check-in didn’t make things faster. At least not in this port. Also, with the travel authorization needed from Bermuda, there was that extra line.

Once we were done, our group number was called to board the ship. A total of two hours from when we arrived. However, it was a long wait to embark, but it was a smooth process.

Read more cruise tips on what to do before and after embarkation day .

The NCL App

Download the NCL app before embarkation day or as you’re waiting in line at security… if you haven’t done so already. Sign in. You can start booking dinner reservations, check out the freestyle daily, and more on the app.

Muster Drill

As soon as you embark, they will have you go straight to your muster station to sign in. You will be asked if you watched the muster drill video they emailed you several times before cruise day. Sign in, and you can go about your day.

Going back to your muster station later in the afternoon is no longer necessary. They will announce instructions before sailing away.

You also won’t be able to escape the muster drill video because as soon as you turn on the TV in your stateroom, the video will be playing. There is no changing it until it is done playing.

Reservations

What to do after you check in with your muster station?

You should be able to make dining reservations for most specialty restaurants 90 days before cruise day . However, if you have not made reservations or need to make changes, do this as soon as you check-in at muster. At this time, you should also book all your shows, like Footloose and Elements.

• After signing in at muster, head on to deck 6.
• At Teppanyaki, you make dinner reservations.
• At Social Club, you make show reservations.

We miss the days we could show up early to the theater and get a seat for a show. We could do this with the comedy shows and had no issues.

Norwegian Joy Review Stateroom Cabin # 9900 Review

The sleek modern cabins are what we enjoy about the Breakaway class ships of Norwegian. We booked a mid-ship balcony, stateroom cabin # 9900, on the Norwegian Joy. The cabin exceeded our expectations.

You can watch a quick video tour of the cabin here.

It was roomy, with enough space for two. Clean and comfortable. It had 2 USB ports and 3 US electrical ports – so you can leave your power strip at home on this particular trip.

The only downside was the bed, it was hard as a rock. However, hubby had no issues with the bed, he slept great.

Now, the balcony was angled. We’ve never stayed in a cabin with an angled balcony. I’ll say it was pretty big and roomy compared to other balconies on other NCL ships. We had no issues with the balcony.

In this cabin, you’ll find:

• 2 USB ports on each side of the bed by the lighting
• 3 electrical ports (US)
• a hair dryer
• plenty of closet and shelving for two for a week
• an angled but roomy balcony
• a corner glass-enclosed shower (not a shower curtain, thankfully)
• of course, a toilet 😉

The cabin was located more forward, not far from the elevators and stairs. Usually, we like to stay away from elevators if it’s noisy, but we never hear noise from them. There are several cabins between cabin #9900 and the lobby entrance.

Being on the 9th floor, it was quick to take the stairs on floors 9, 7, and 6, where most restaurants, bars, theaters, casinos, and atrium are.

We would book this cabin again and recommend the location. If an angled balcony plan bothers you, then skip it.

We always used to book mini-suites on NCL ship; since then, the name has changed to Club Balcony suites. They are not actually “suites” but more of a Deluxe Balcony. We enjoyed the double sinks and full shower.

This time around, the balcony cabin was just fine for our needs. It was a very comfortable and clean space.

Cruise Essentials to Pack

Add these items to your cruise packing list. Don’t forget to pack these cruise items that will help enhance your cruise vacation. If you are wondering what you should leave at home , we have a list for that, too.

Sail Away from New York City

Sail away from New York City is one of our favorites to date. It’s a memorable cruise experience we hope to repeat in the future. We highly recommend cruising from New York City.

Seeing the New York City skyline come into full view on a beautiful clear day is such a cool and magical experience.

Followed by the sight of the Statue of Liberty and sailing under the Verazzano bridge. It’s a sail away that you won’t soon forget.

The fantastic views you get from a cruise ship are one of the many reasons to take a cruise .

Best spot for sail away?

There was a sail away party on the pool deck, which we skipped to enjoy a quieter sail away from the Waterfront.

From the port side of the Waterfront, you can get an amazing view of the New York City skyline, including the World Trade Center.

Then you can quickly cross over to the starboard side of the Waterfront to see the Statue of Liberty.

You can also go to the aft of deck 8 (same as the Waterfront) and get a full view of it.

If you don’t want to be outside, the Observation Area on deck 15 is another great spot. You’ll want to get there to snag a spot.

Norwegian Joy Restaurants and Dining

What restaurants are free on Norwegian Joy?

On the Norwegian Joy, there are a plethora of dining options. You have 3 main dining rooms, a pub, and a buffet, all included with your cruise fare .

Then they have 8 specialty dining restaurants for which you either have to pay a cover charge or a la carte.

Unlike the poor quality food we experienced on the Epic, we were delightfully impressed by the food in the restaurants on the Joy. We enjoyed trying everything throughout our cruise.

Except for the pizza.

Norwegian, if you’re reading this, what happened to the pizza? It used to be decent. It used to be our go-to snack when we felt like nothing else. But this pizza served on the Joy during our cruise was disgusting.

We cringed after the first bite. We thought I had grabbed a slice of vegan pizza (no offense to vegan cheese, we’ve had some delicious vegan cheese). However, the mozzarella on this pizza was pasty and disgusting… fake cheese.

Then later in the week, we mistakenly ordered the eggplant parmigiana in the main dining room. We had to send it back. It was the same cheese used for the pizza, and we couldn’t eat it. It was unfortunate because the eggplant itself was tender and tasty.

However, if the sun bothers you as it starts to set, sit far away from the windows.

Those sitting by the window look to admire the view and not have the shades brought down on them because of others complaining about the sun.

The buffet on the Norwegian Joy is hit-and-miss. We only went there for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes late-night snacks.

While we couldn’t rely on pizza, we could rely on Indian food for lunch. Some of the best Indian food is served in the buffet.

Sometimes there was a carving station, and the meat served here was always worth adding a serving to your plate.

The best lunch was the Caribbean-themed food served for lunch on the last day in Bermuda.

Breakfast was breakfast. You’ll find the same old at breakfast served as you do throughout the Norwegian ships. Always popular and long lines for the fresh-made omelets.

The fruit served at the buffet was always so sweet and delicious. We always had some every morning.

You’ll find soft-serve ice cream, hand-scooped ice cream, cakes, cookies, and other pastries for dessert. Standouts were the chocolate praline cake, coconut cheesecake, and rocky road ice cream.

Starbucks machines are also available in the buffet.

The Local is the 24-hour pub. The menu consisted of salads, wings, burgers, hot dogs, Reubens, nachos, pretzel balls, spinach dip, and other pub-like food items.

The food here is good. Not exceptionally good, but it hits the spot when you’re hungry. All these items go great with some beer.

We enjoyed the pretzel balls, nachos, and wings the most. The Ceasar salad is good when they don’t smother it with dressing or forget the parmesan cheese. The carrot cake isn’t bad.

A small arcade (separate from the Galaxy pavilion) is located in the corner of the Local.

Manhattan | Taste | Savor

There are three main dining rooms on the Norwegian Joy, the Manhattan on deck 8 being the biggest. We also thought the Manhattan dining room had the best service of all.

All 3 dining rooms share the same galley and kitchen. The food we ordered, 98% of it, was very good. We couldn’t believe the difference in quality and taste of the dishes compared to our last Norwegian cruise.

We hope that Norwegian continues on this track. Cause the food is important to us. What about you?

While some menu items were always available for dinner, some appetizers and the featured entrees of the day changed daily.

We enjoyed and ate the following dishes during our week on Norwegian Joy.

Norwegian Joy Dining Room Menus

Here are the dining room menus on the ship for the week. We missed a couple, but we hope it gives you an idea of what to expect.

Menu 1 Menu 2 Menu 3 Menu 4 Menu 5

Cagney’s Steakhouse

When we booked our cruise, we got the dining promo that included 2 specialty restaurants.

Cagney’s is one of the popular specialty restaurants on Norwegian ships. It is primarily a steakhouse. We had a reservation for the first night of the cruise.

The food at Cagney’s was good. However, if we were to compare it to the first time we ate at Cagney’s on Norwegian Getaway years ago, it’s not as amazing as it was then.

We did enjoy our main entrees, a rib eye, lamb chops, and the 7-layer chocolate cake for dessert should not be missed. The sides could be better. The truffle mashed potatoes are great.

Cagney’s Steakhouse Menu – Norwegian Joy

Undoubtedly, Le Bistro has to be one of the best restaurants on Norwegian Joy. This French restaurant impressed us and left us reminiscing for the next few days.

We’d pay out of pocket to eat here, even if we didn’t have the promo to use.

We enjoyed it just as much when we first tried Le Bistro on the Norwegian Pearl . This is our favorite restaurant on the Norwegian ships.

From start to finish, we loved every bite.

Since we recently had escargot back home, we ordered the amazing scallops.

Then we had the french onion soup, one of the best we have ever had; cheesy and flavorful, it tasted like they poured bottles of wine or sherry into the pot.

The filet mignon with foie gras was tender, and hubby truly enjoyed his veal chop.

Do not forget dessert as it was outstanding. Too excited for dessert, we forgot to take photos of the menu, but it has changed. There was no creme brulee and tart tartine on the menu. The desserts offered were fantastic.

We ordered the two recommended by the waiter: Marquise au Chocolate and île Flottante. They both blew me away. If you love chocolate mousse, you’ll love the chocolate dessert mentioned. If you normally love creme brulee, order the île Flottante.

The cost of this dinner would have been $147 if we didn’t have the Free at Sea specialty dining package given to us as a perk. But I have to say, I would have paid outright for this scrumptious meal.

It is a deal compared to eating out at our favorite French bistro at home.

Le Bistro Menu – Norwegian Joy (1) Le Bistro Menu – Norwegian Joy (2)

Other specialty restaurants on Norwegian Joy we did not try on this trip:

• Food Republic
• Q Smokehouse
• American Diner

Service on Norwegian Joy

The service on the Norwegian Joy ship was fantastic. The staff was so kind, helpful, and attentive everywhere we went. The managers would come by our table every night at the restaurants to ensure we were enjoying everything.

Our room steward was fantastic. So attentive and kind. We tipped him well at the end of our stay.

Now, the ship was only at 50% capacity, which may explain why the service was as good as it was. We felt a bit of personalized service on this cruise in particular.

We would love to hear from you and your experience with the service on the Norwegian Joy. Was the ship at full capacity for your sailing?

The Ins and Outs of Tipping On a Cruise

We tell you everything you need to know about cruise gratuities and cruise tipping, from what’s mandatory to when you should consider tipping extra.

Norwegian Joy Activities and Entertainment

There are plenty of things to do on the Norwegian Joy. From sunbathing, water slides, trivia, games, and go-karts. Norwegian keeps a busy itinerary on their ships, and you can do as much or as little as you desire.

While we did not participate in things like rock wall climbing, laser tag, and the game pavilion, they are available on the ship for your enjoyment.

You have to make reservations for a few of the shows. If you don’t, you can always go 15 minutes before the show starts and get on the standby line.

Shout out to the band Azucar and the DJ onboard for playing some great music.

How many pools does the Norwegian Joy have? Technically, 3 pools. One adult pool and a kiddie pool are open for everyone to use. Then there is a pool in the Haven Courtyard that you can enjoy if you’re lucky to stay there.

While we may have been at 50% capacity on this sailing, the pool area was packed on sea days. We can’t even imagine what it would be like at full capacity.

We love the Norwegian ships but is not enough pool space for the number of people on board.

Which Norwegian ship has an indoor pool? None of the Norwegian Ships have indoor pools, not counting the thermal spa pools. An indoor pool is one thing we miss when sailing Norwegian. We love the indoor pool area on Celebrity ships.

The pool deck on Norwegian Joy also had a pool area for kids. Many kids were running around. From what we witnessed, the kids monopolized the hot tubs more than the pool. You’ll want to hit Spice H20 to get in your adults-only hot tub time.

The pool area is lively and always has music or something going on. If you’re looking for a quiet spot, you may want to head to the Waterfront or Observation Deck.

There are two big water slides on Norwegian Joy: the Aqua Racer and the Ocean Loops. Then there is a small one in the kid’s aqua park.

This is a fun thing to do, the Ocean Loops is the scarier one as the tube hangs over the ocean. If you like a rush of adrenaline, definitely give it a try.

The lines were always short for both slides when they were open.

Cost: $15 pp | Reservations Required

There are Go-Karts on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. It’s an additional cost. A fun experience at least once during your cruise adventures.

Hubby rode the Go-Karts on the afternoon we left Bermuda. He said it was fun but not as fast as the go-karts on land because they are controlled for safety. You get nine laps.

Does Norwegian Joy have a casino? Yes, there is a casino on deck 7 of Norwegian Joy.

One of the most noticeable things about the casino on the Norwegian Joy was the separate enclosed smoking area, which made such a difference to our lungs in the casino. Hopefully, this becomes a standard on all NCL ships.

This was a pretty big casino with plenty of slots and several tables. There was even a high rollers room – not that we went there.

We spent quite a bit of time in the casino after shows at night. However, we did not win anything big.

The Beatles Story

Update: The Beatles Story is no longer part of the Norwegian Joy entertainment line up.

The best show on the ship is the Beatles Story. You must attend this show if you love the Beatles and their music. They do a few different shows between the Joy Theater and the Cavern Club.

We first enjoyed this band on the Norwegian Pearl. We were excited to see that they were featured on Norwegian Joy, and we couldn’t wait to see them again.

Catch one of their shows at the theater, as there is plenty of room.

If you go to the Cavern Club to see them, go early. The Cavern Club is snug. One night we tried to see them there, but there was no seating available, and if you were standing, you most likely were blocking someone else’s view.

Cost: Free | Reservations Needed

One of the things we love about Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus ships is the Broadway shows. We’ve seen a few amazing shows on the ships. So loving the movie Footloose, we were looking forward to seeing it on stage.

Well, it did not live up to the hype. The show was okay. We weren’t wowed by the performances.

And the show was longer than it needed to be… almost 2 hours. You get to the end, thinking you’re going to get this amazing dance scene to compensate for the wait, but nope.

We were disappointed.

Thankfully, Elements was not as long as Footloose, but it was overdone with all the dancing. This is just our opinion, but if they had cut out the dancing and given us the magic show with the acrobatic scenes, we would have enjoyed it more.

Without a doubt, Elements was a more entertaining show than Footloose.

We watched a late showing of Elements, but on the last night of the cruise, Elements was canceled the next night. Someone was sick, and the show could not go on.

So we got another special showing of the Beatles: Abbey Road, which was fun.

Levity Comedy Group

Cost: Free | Reservations Sometimes Needed

There were two comedians on the ship: Andy Beningo and Larry Omaha. You can see them at the social club and theater throughout the week.

We enjoyed Andy Beningo’s set the most. There was something more family-friendly about his set without having to be mean for the sake of laughs. He truly had us laughing.

We saw him at the social club and then at the 18+ show at the theater later in the week.

Fun Things to do on a Cruise

What are the things to do on a cruise? A cruise ship vacation is a destination in itself. You can spend the entirety of your cruise ship vacation just enjoying all a cruise ship has to offer, from free cruise activities to paid ones.

Spa on Norwegian Joy

On this cruise, we did not treat ourselves to any spa services. However, it is worth mentioning in this Norwegian Joy review because the spa on the Norwegian Joy is small. Inside the spa is a waiting area, a barber shop, a hair styling area, and a few pedicure chairs.

This ship does not have a thermal spa. If you like to cruise to enjoy the thermal spa on the ships, then the Norwegian Joy is not for you.

Observations on Norwegian Joy:

• The Norwegian Joy is a beautiful, sleek, and modern ship. We were so happy we finally were able to sail her. The staff were wonderful and worked hard at maintaining the ship.
• This NCL brand and the ship were built for all ages. You don’t feel like you have to give up on modern amenities and style for everyone to enjoy themselves. There is something for everyone.

• The Waterfront (deck 8) and the Observation Area (deck 15) are two of the best decks on Norwegian Joy and spaces on the ship for quiet time and great views.

• You’ll find afternoon snacks in the Observation Area served daily.
• No more towel animals. This is quite disappointing as it was one of those small things that brought an extra smile during our cruise vacation.
• There are hand washing stations outside the buffets. Purell stands can be found all around the ship and outside the dining restaurants.

• Starbucks is on board! It is not included in the free-at-sea Premium Beverage Package, so it’s an additional cost. Starbucks is included in the Premium Plus Package. Read the differences between the NCL Beverage Packages . You can find them at the buffet, the observation area, and the atrium. You can collect rewards but can not pay with your Starbucks app; you must use your stateroom card to pay. We had lattes one day, which added up to $17… however, we must say, the lattes were 10 times better than Starbucks on land.
• Pool towels were not provided in the staterooms as in the past. You sign them out on your way off the ship to explore for the day at port.
• On day 4, they have the $29 special laundry bag. You have until day 5 to leave it for your cabin steward.
• The washy-washy staff at the buffet are always happy and singing at the buffet entrance reminding you to wash and disinfect your hands.
• There is a themed party every night at Spice H20.
• Spice H20 is the adult area of the ship, and it was always packed on sea days with sunbathers.
• We celebrated my birthday on the cruise. If you let them know when you book, they will leave a card in your stateroom to take to a restaurant of your choice. Hand it to the Maître d’ and the waiter will bring a cake and sing happy birthday at dessert. The cake was surprisingly delicious.

– Don’t Miss: Cruise vs All-Inclusive Resort: What’s the Difference? –

Norwegian Joy Freestyle Dailies

Below are the freestyle dailies for Norwegian Joy during our trip. Note that the newsletters were created for the week we cruised and any times, shows, activities, and information listed can and will change at any time.

We share them so you can get an idea of what to expect and plan your reservations.

Freestyle Daily – Day 1 Freestyle Daily – Day 2 Freestyle Daily – Day 3 Freestyle Daily – Day 4 Freestyle Daily – Day 5 Freestyle Daily – Day 6 Freestyle Daily – Day 7

Book a Norwegian Joy Cruise

FAQ on Norwegian Joy

Is the norwegian joy a new ship.

The Norwegian Joy debuted in 2017 and then refurbished in 2018. It is one of the newer NCL ships.

Why was Norwegian Joy refurbished?

The Norwegian Joy was at first built for the Asian market. After a year, the ship was redeployed and refurbished for the Western Market. A pool was one of the many things that were added to the Norwegian joy.

What class ship is Norwegian Joy?

The Norwegian Joy is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship.

Is bottled water free on Norwegian cruise ships?

No, bottled water is not free on the Norwegian Cruise Line. However, it is included as part of the Premium Plus Beverage Package.

Where to Stay Near Manhattan Cruise Terminal?

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan Central Park

We were only in NYC for a night before our cruise, so we chose to stay nearby. We booked the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, on 58th St, just down the block from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal,

The location of this hotel is ideal, especially if you’re only staying for a night or two. It’s also within walking distance from top city sites.

A 10-minute walk took us to Time Squares. We even strolled down to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Musical Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Columbus Circle, and much more.

The hotel staff was friendly. The room was clean and modern. Breakfast was included, and it was nothing special, but we got to have some coffee, eggs, and pastries before we departed the morning of embarkation day.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott | 538 W 58th St, New York | Google Map It

122 Quick & Helpful Cruise Tips

We’ve gathered 122 of our top cruise tips and cruise hacks to help make your planning process smoother and your cruising experience even more fabulous.

Do you have a Norwegian Joy cruise booked?

We hope this Norwegian Joy review helps you plan your future cruise vacation. We loved sailing on the Joy and would book another trip on this cruise ship.

Don’t miss these other cruise ship reviews:

• Cruising the Norwegian Encore
• Cruising the Celebrity Solstice Review
• Cruising the Norwegian Pearl Review
• Cruising the Celebrity Equinox Review
• Cruising the Norwegian Epic Review
• Cruising Norwegian Getaway and Staying in the Haven

Quick Cruise Planning Guide

Where to book a cruise? We like to shop around before booking by going directly to the cruise line and checking out the deals on GoToSea , CruiseDirect.com , Costco Travel , and Cruise Compete . Ultimately, the best advice is to find a travel agent you can trust to help you book a cruise.

Hotels for pre-cruise and post-cruise stays We always use Booking.com or Hotels.com to book international accommodations and Expedia or Hotels.com for US accommodations. Airbnb or Vrbo for vacation rentals.

Can I book my own shore excursions? Yes, you’ll save money booking your own excursions and not with the cruise ship. We like to use Viator or WithLocals . Don’t forget to read up on our tips for booking .

Car Rentals We like to rent a car at cruise ports and for the freedom to explore on our own when the destination makes sense. We also sometimes rent cars during our pre-cruise stay or on embarkation day.

Should I book cruise insurance? Yes! Cruise insurance is essential. We always book with a third party rather than the cruise line. Compare pricing on Insuremytrip.com .

Packing for a Cruise? Don’t miss our essential cruise packing list .

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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10 Comments

I thoroughly read this as I pondered whether I would go on a cruise in the future. Can’t wait for more about this cruise! I want to know how Bermuda was. This is so helpful for anyone who is contemplating going on the Norwegian Joy. You didn’t miss anything! I liked that you included all the menus. I saw all those vegetarian options. So food-wise maybe I could do a cruise. That pool deck though did look crowded and the pool itself looked small in the picture. Was it kind of small or just the angle of the picture? The resort I recently went to had so many kids taking over the pool areas that if I ever do a resort trip, I’m going to search out adults only, if that exists. I love that this leaves from NYC, you’re really making me think, hmm maybe I should! I’m glad you enjoyed this one and the food minus that disgusting sounding pizza. I ate some hotel pizza in London and it was bad but at least edible. Yours sounded ungodly. But glad it overall was great!

Thanks so much for your comment! I do hope you do get to cruise one day. There are always vegetarian options on cruises. The pool is always crowded on the ships, sadly. The Norwegian Joy has two pools for everyone to enjoy, aside from the Haven pool. Never enough pool space. The funny thing is that the pools themselves aren’t usually crowded, it’s the deck areas around the pool that are.

Adult-only resorts and cruises totally exist! Virgin Voyages is an adult-only cruise line. When we traveled to DR last year, we stayed at the adult-only side of the hotel – it was so nice! We try to always cruise on off-shoulder seasons when kids are in school. This time it wasn’t so bad because it was still the beginning of June before the NYC schools were over. So honestly this is the most kids we’ve encountered on a cruise so far and they used the hot tubs more than the pool lol.

Oh yeah, the pizza on the Joy on this trip was disgusting. Normally, hubby will eat anything with cheese and bread, and he couldn’t even eat it. Although I did see other cruisers eating it and really didn’t understand how.

Good article. But you are complaining about the “Pizza”? When you have the Local or O’sheehans, why would you care about pizza?!Lol

You may enjoy the wings and burgers as a snack, but some of us enjoy pizza. My best friend and her family just got off the Joy yesterday and complained about the pizza.

Yes, there is always something else to eat on a cruise, which is why the terrible cheese pizza didn’t break our cruise vacation. We had a fantastic cruise.

However, when they start cheapening on supplies like the cheese they use on pizza, it affects the pizza and every other dish that uses that cheese on the cruise ship, like that eggplant parmigiana I couldn’t eat because the cheese was not actually cheese.

So, yeah, I didn’t like the pizza but it was more about the quality of cheese that was being used. It wasn’t real cheese at all.

Hi, thanks for posting this review. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it since we’re on the Norwegian Joy next month. Did NCL offer an internet discount while you were on the ship? Just wondering if I should get it before boarding or not. Thanks!

Hi Karena – During the week we sailed, I did not see any promotions for Wifi offered besides the regular rate – that doesn’t mean you won’t see any during your sailing. You do have the option to upgrade from the NCL app when you’re on the ship.

I wish they had a daily rate because I would have taken advantage of that on sea days. We used our 150 minutes each to check texts and emails while at sea. At the port, we used our phones since we have an unlimited international data plan with t-mobile. I will say that I didn’t see many promotions this time, besides the laundry mid-week and massages by the pool at the port.

I can’t believe the utter nightmare my family and I endured during our Norwegian Joy cruise from August 20 to 30, 2023. It was beyond horrendous, and we had a whopping nine rooms on that ship!

Firstly, let me tell you about the infuriating situation with my Aunt. She was placed on the 8th floor, where there are two restaurants flanking the hallway. And what does this brilliant cruise line do? They insist on keeping the hall doors closed! My Aunt is handicapped and had to rent a scooter to move around the ship. But guess what? She could hardly use it because of these stupid doors, not to mention the cramped space on that floor. They expected her to get off the scooter, put a door stopper, remember to remove it, and then continue. If doors couldn’t be left open, why in the world did they put her there? They should’ve thought this through before assigning rooms!

Next, let’s talk about the casino. I’ve been on countless cruises, and I’ve never been slapped with a 3% convenience fee for charging to my room in the casino. It’s outrageous!

Then, there were plumbing nightmares. Toilets, sinks, showers – they all clogged up! I called guest services, they said they’d send someone, and only the toilet got fixed. Sink and shower? Forget it! We had to inform our room cleaner, who managed to fix the sink but left the shower a mess.

But wait, there’s more! Every time we docked at a port, it was like a circus. Exiting and entering the ship turned into a chaotic ordeal. At the private island in the Bahamas, we had to ferry back and forth, and the lines were excruciatingly long. And the kicker? We had to stay an extra night in the Bahamas because they canceled the Bermuda trip due to bad weather. So, we missed out on the casino again, through no fault of our own.

And then, when we finally reached Great Stirrup Cay, the weather was atrocious with heavy rain. As if this whole trip wasn’t miserable enough!

We were told Miami would be added to the itinerary instead of Bermuda due to the weather. But that didn’t sit well with most passengers, considering we’re from the US and could drive there anytime!

When we docked in Miami, it was a complete disaster. Long lines, no clear instructions, scorching heat with no water in sight. My granddaughter, just a year and ten months old, was exhausted, agitated, and dehydrated. Tempers flared, and fights broke out.

We all complained to guest services, but they had no acceptable answers, just asked us to take a case number and contact corporate.

Finally, on the 8th day in Miami, I spoke to the manager at guest services about my persistent shower issue. And guess what? It was still not fixed. I’d reported it numerous times, so I took pictures and a video as proof.

Sure, they compensated us for the itinerary change, but that’s nowhere near sufficient for the sheer agony we endured, especially after all the additional issues that cropped up. This whole experience has been an absolute nightmare, and I’m far from satisfied with how they’ve handled it.

Oh wow, sorry to hear that you had a terrible cruise. So many factors can come into play and really ruin a vacation. Thank you for sharing your experience so others can be aware of what’s going on.

We were on Norwegian Joy for our cruise to Bermuda! And we are scheduled on the Joy for Panama Canal cruise from Miami to LA in January! Excited!

That’s awesome! Been dying to do the Panamal Canal route. Have a great cruise! We had the Joy scheduled next year with family but had to cancel due to itinerary changes. Hope to be able to get on her again at some point to check out the changes after refurbishment.

• CruiseMapper
• Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Joy

Former name: norwegian bliss.

Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line

• Miami (Florida)
• New York (NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn)
• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
• Seattle (Washington)
• Los Angeles (Long Beach-San Pedro, California)

Norwegian Joy current position

Norwegian Joy current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 32.40370 N / -64.70565 W) cruising at speed of 16.9 kn (31 km/h | 19 mph) en route to BERMUDA. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Bermuda . Prices start from USD 949 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 09 Jun, 2024 and ends on 16 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Norwegian Joy

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Norwegian Joy Itineraries

Norwegian joy review, review of norwegian joy.

The 2017-built Norwegian Joy cruise ship (ordered as "Norwegian Bliss") is the 2nd of all four Breakaway Plus-class NCL liners - with sisterships Norwegian Escape (2015), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Encore (2019). This class is approx 7000 GT-tons larger in comparison to the company's second-biggest vessel - Norwegian Epic .

The vessel (IMO number 9703796) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000599) and registered in Nassau .

In 2019, NCL Joy was drydock refurbished to become virtually identical to sistership Norwegian Bliss - NCL's most successful liner ever. Then the liner was repositioned from China to the USA. The refurb project was managed by MJM Marine (part of MJM Group (Northern Ireland UK). The company specializes in cruise ship refurbishment and interior design services. The works involved ~1400 people and 40+ onboard venues and areas were revamped. Following the refit, NCL Joy started Alaskan cruises from homeport Seattle WA , then was repositioned for Mexican Riviera roundtrips from homeport Los Angeles CA .

NCL Joy ship is currently scheduled for a drydock refurbishment in 2024 (January 6 thru February 16), to be conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport .

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE ( NYC ). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL , Oceania and RSSC-Regent .

The 4000-passenger ship Norwegian Joy was built by Meyer Werft ( Papenburg Germany ) and entered service for NCL in 2017. The first name of the ship (Bliss) was selected in a USA TODAY online contest. Breakaway Plus ships are NCL's largest (163,000 GT each) and boast the innovative features found on Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway , as well as a number of new interactive experiences.

The NCL Joy ship was ordered in 2014. The construction (under the name "Norwegian Bliss") began on September 16, 2015. On October 12, 2015, it was announced that Bliss would be renamed and designed specifically for the Chinese market. On February 29, 2016 (leap year) the new name "Norwegian Joy" was officially announced. The name translates into "Xi Yue Hao" (Chinese glyphs 喜悦号).

The Breakaway Plus-class NCL ship Joy featured food and onboard experiences catering for the preferences of Chinese holidaymakers. NCL also had a different name in China - "Nuo Wei Zhen", meaning "Promising, Exclusive and Authentic". The translation of "Bliss" into Chinese doesn't have positive connotations, hence the name change.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Joy staterooms (1926 total, in 42 grades) include 1563 outside, 363 Inside (including 33x Interior Family Suites), no Studios (single cabins). Most staterooms are sized 170-215 ft2 (16-20 m2). Balcony cabins are 1024, Oceanviews 111, Standard Inside 330. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 47. The largest accommodations are The Haven Deluxe Owners Suites (1460 ft2 / 136 m2, with wraparound terrace sized 490 ft2 / 46 m2).

The boat has 20 decks , of which 16 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Compared to the Breakaway-class NCL ships (Getaway and Breakaway), the total number of Joy' Haven suites is almost doubled. There are a total of 95 Suite accommodations, including two Owner’s Suites (featuring two balconies each).

The "Studio" area (cabins and lounge area for solo travelers exclusively) on NCL Joy is occupied by Interior Family Suites (a total of 33 accommodations).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Norwegian Cruise Line provides passengers with the freedom to savor gourmet dishes, various tastes and the flexibility to choose the number of courses to enjoy during the meal. On Norwegian Joy, guests can choose between 11 complimentary dining options. They can also experience new flavors at signature specialty restaurants, such as Le Bistro, La Cucina, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Bayamo by James Beard Award-winning chef Jose Garces.

NCL’s signature specialty restaurants feature enhanced menus including favorite dishes and new tastes. Whether passengers prefer a light meal of a favorite soup or appetizer, or indulge in a dinner featuring Maine lobster, with the new à la carte options, they have the opportunity to create their own, desired dining experience.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Joy restaurants and food bars.

• Savor Restaurant (Main Dining Room, 260 seats) features traditional Chinese cuisine offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The Manhattan Room (Main Dining Room, aft location, 586 seats) with a dance floor for the evening dance show, featuring traditional Chinese cuisine and Western dishes.
• Taste Restaurant (Main Dining Room, 258 seats) serves contemporary Chinese cuisine.
• “Private Room at Taste” (group private dining, 100 seats capacity, own lounge area)
• The Local Bar and Grill (195 seats) a complimentary venue which is an updated take on the popular O’Sheehan’s Pub. The menu showcases similar offerings, such as Fish and Chips, Chicago Style Hot Dog, and some new additions like Tortilla Bowl. The grill is open 24 hours per day serving up different menus depending on the time of day guests choose to dine).
• Q Texas Smokehouse (218 seats) is a BBQ restaurant featuring live country music. It serves authentic Texas-style barbecue including smoked meats, pulled pork, brisket, beef and pork ribs, and side items.
• Teppanyaki Restaurant (112 seats) is the Japanese Hibachi specialty restaurant (reservations-only, at surcharge US$29 pp, kids charged a full cover). The Teppanyaki restaurant is open for Lunch (12-1:30 pm) and Dinner (5:30-10 pm). It features live cooking demonstrations and traditionally prepared (a la carte priced) specialties, including sushi, fruit sashimi, Yakitori grill, a sake menu.
• Food Republic (78 seats) is a new and exclusive dining concept (via a partnership with the Pubbelly Restaurant Group). This specialty restaurant is open lunch through dinner, offers international cuisine with a la carte menu and iPad ordering system.
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant (116 indoor seats, 66 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is reservations-only, and with cover charge US$15 PP (kids charged a full cover). The Cucina restaurant is open between 5:30-9:30 pm and has large tables. The NCL Joy’s Italian dining experience is marked by a casual atmosphere and large portions (perfect for family dinners) and traditional Italian fine wines and gourmet cuisine specialties – pizzas, pasta, seafood, classic salads, freshly baked bread, desserts (including ice cream). La Cucina additionally has a separate outdoor seating terrace (waterfront) area.
• Ocean Blue (86 indoor seats, 36 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a specialty restaurant that serves fresh fish dishes.
• Los Lobos (Mexican restaurant)

Cagney’s Steakhouse (174 indoor seats, 24 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a specialty dinner restaurant (open 5:30-10:30 pm) for prime steaks (Certified Angus Beef) and gourmet seafood specialties. The Cagney’s restaurant is reservations-only, with cover charge US$30 per person and a free Kids Menu. At Cagney’s, kids are charged a full cover. Additionally, the steakhouse is open for suite guests-only serving Breakfast (7:30-9:30 am) and Lunch (12-1:30 pm).

Le Bistro French Restaurant (130 seats) is reservations-only, with cover charge US$20 per person, kids are charged a full cover. The intimate and romantic Bistro restaurant is dinner-only (open between 5:30-10:30 pm) and offers some of the NCL Joy ship’s best luxury dining experiences with its upscale amenities, superior white-glove service, sophisticated cuisine with a vintage wines selection and classic French gourmet specialties in the menu. During the day, Le Bistro hosts food and wine tasting events.

American Diner (157 seats) is a specialty American Bar & Grill restaurant (outdoor seating, at a surcharge of US$9 pp) that offers complimentary fast food choices and live music performances during the day.

Coco's is a chocolate-themed dessert outlet/patisserie serving handmade pralines, crepes, truffles and other treats paired with brand teas and coffees.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The 4200-passenger NCL Joy features an expanded Haven – the line’s concept “ship within a ship”. This space (accessible only by keycard) boasts an outdoor terrace, private restaurant, courtyard area with retractable roof pool, whirlpools, spa treatment rooms, separate sauna, private sundeck.

Among the other features are the “678 Ocean Place” (spanning 3 decks, with amazing live entertainment in the evenings, several bars and alternative dining places), big-capacity water slides and a ropes course (both facilities catering to families). On NCL Joy, guests can see Tony Award-nominated musical Footloose and the classic aerial acrobatics show, Elements, as well as the wine-tasting comedy, Wine Lovers: The Musical. Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

NCL Joy is the world's first-ever cruise ship with a Ferrari racetrack (deck 19). The facility is built by RiMO Supply (RiMO Germany Group) and operated via a partnership with Scuderia Ferrari Watches. This is also the first-ever branded Formula 1 race car track.

The 2-level track spans on 2 decks and offers incredible sea views at height of 60 m (200 ft). It has a capacity up to 10 racers at a time on electric go-karts (Ferrari branded).

The GoCars can reach speeds up to 40 mph (65 kph). In comparison to the sister-ship Norwegian Bliss, Joy's racetrack is 20% smaller and has 8 turns. Bliss has 10, two of which are cantilevered over the ship's side.

Unlimited go-kart rides (weekly pass) costs USD 100 pp (offered on all 7-day-cruise itineraries). Day passes cost USD 30 pp. A single run costs USD 10 pp. Unlimited pass passengers access the race track via separate (shorter) queue line.

Passengers booked in Concierge and The Haven staterooms enjoy complimentary rides with bookings. The used by RiMO technology ensures optimal usage under intensified UV conditions and saltwater exposure.

NCL Joy also features an open-air laser tag course (top deck), Aqua Park with Double Aqua Loop (two multi-deck waterslides - one hull-extending loop, one with transparent loop section stretching down to the below deck) and 2 racing slides (high-speed inner tubes with length over 110 m / 360 ft) both with a transparent section.

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Joy lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Joy Theater (907 seats) is the ship’s main show lounge served by its own bar (on deck 7). The theatre offers grand-style music and evening show productions. The evening program features Broadway-style shows, musicals, cabaret performances, magicians and comedy acts.
• Atrium “678 Ocean Place” is 3-decks high, open-floor midship area with live entertainment and a big-size LED screen for movies. The Lobby level's Atrium Bar (44 seats) serves coffees, beers, wine by the glass, other drinks.
• Chess & Card Room, Library, Internet Cafe (open 24 hours, Meeting Rooms; Photo Studio & Shop; Art Gallery
• Reception (Guest Services Desk- assistance, reservations, information); Shore Excursions Desk (information, planning, booking)
• Social Comedy and Night Club (103 seats) has a large dance floor and offers live entertainment by stand-up comedians and DJs.
• Maltings Whiskey Bar (56 seats)
• Horizon Lounge (90 seats) is a 2-deck bar lounge exclusive for The Haven passengers.
• Mixx Bar (29 seats) is a piano bar located between Taste and Savor restaurants, making it a popular pre- and after-dinner venue for enjoying cocktails.
• Joy Casino is a premium gaming lounge with both smoking and non-smoking areas, large-size LED screens, a separate Joy Casino VIP Room (high-stakes gambling room) and is served by Skyline Bar.
• Skyline Bar offers cocktails before dinner. Guests can meet friends after a show or press their luck with the bar-top poker screens.
• Promenade Deck’s best feature is the Waterfront Promenade (1320 ft/402 m long, open-air area with multiple alfresco dining and entertainment venues). It offers a unique open-air deck experience by several seaside venues with outdoor seating. The list of the venues features shops, bars, restaurants, a 1/4-mi-long boardwalk (outdoor area with shaded seating) located 8 stories above the water.
• Starbucks Coffee Bar (44 seats) offers items from the full Starbucks menu.
• Dolce Gelato (Italian ice cream bar, a la carte)
• District Brew House (94 seats) has a keg room and offers a selection of 50 bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap (including the new Wynwood brew). The venue is operated via the NCL partnership with Miami’s Wynwood Brewing Company.
• The Humidor Cigar Lounge (16 seats) is the ship’s smoking-allowed bar lounge.
• The Cellars Wine Bar (49 seats) is operated via NCL partnership with Mondavi and offers premium wines and tapas-style a la carte menu. The Wine Bar has a separate room for wine tastings (with sommelier service) and an outdoor seating area on The Waterfront.
• Carlo's Bake Shop is a premium patisserie/bakery by ‘the “cake boss” Buddy Valastro.
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar (52 seats/indoor and Waterfront/outdoor) features live Latin music performances.
• Tradewinds Tax & Duty-Free Shops are duty-free retails selling alcohol, tobaccos, NCL-logoed merchandise, jewelry, watches, perfumes and cosmetics, brand fashion and accessories, special occasion gifts. The shopping complex includes Tides Boutique, Cartier, Omega, Bvlgari, Fine Watches, The Time Zone, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Bally, Godiva (gourmet sweets, including truffles, premium chocolates, soft-serve ice cream), also Beauty Shop.
• The Cavern Club Lounge (45 indoor seats, 45 Waterfront/outdoor seats) is a replica of Liverpool's music club and offers Beatles music, tribute bands performances and "The Choir of Man” crew show (dynamic performances with live percussions, high-energy music, dancing and foot-stomping by 9 crew performers).
• Photo Gallery & Shop (photo-video services by professional onboard photographers)
• The A-List Bar (44 seats) serves handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits and wines. The Bar is named after Andy Stuart (NCL's President and CEO).
• The Haven Lounge & Bar (90 seats) is a VIP lounge exclusive for Concierge Level passengers with a delicious buffet available for light breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks.
• Garden Cafe (708 indoor seats, 280 outdoor seats) is a complimentary, buffet-style casual restaurant, plus an Open-Air Garden Cafe (outdoor seating area). It offers traditional Asian cuisine as well as specialty dishes from all around the world.
• Waves Pool Bar (15 seats) is a casual outdoor bar serving beverages, including popular cocktails.
• Aqua Park (3-decks high, with 2 pools, 5 multi-level waterslides / Ocean Loop; 2 racing-slides, “Free Fall” drop-slides; 4 Whirlpools, poolside bar, Sun Deck area); Kids'Aqua Park
• Splash Academy (kids 3-12 yo, is 2-story high, offers themed activities, with a light-up floor (for interactive dancing), circus school (with a resident clown), Nintendo and PS3 console games, kids-only cinema, crafts-arts, pirate parades. The area hosts also the Guppies Nursery (toddlers 6 months to 2 yo) and the Kid’s Aqua Park (splash pool, Nickelodeon characters entertainment).
• NCL Joy ship’s Mandara Spa & Fitness /wellness complex consists of Thermal Suite (heated loungers, sauna, steam rooms, solarium), Salt Room (halotherapy room), Beauty Salon, Foot Clinic, Barber Shop, Medi Spa (teens), Aerobics Studio (classes).
• Entourage Teen Centre is a teens-only club lounge for kids 13-17 yo (complimentary, supervised by certified counselors). The teen lounge has Video Games Arcade, large TVs for movies, PlayStation 3 gaming consoles, game tables (pinball, foosball, air hockey). Here are hosted themed parties (dance, pool, pizza) and teen discos in the evenings.
• Galaxy Pavilion is an indoor complex for virtual-world and multi-player gaming, equipped with interactive video walls and virtual reality technology. 
• “The Haven” complex is for Villa- and Suite passengers only, and consists of "The Haven Courtyard" (has a retractable roof, adults-only pool area, 2 Whirlpools), spa, steam room, gym room), "The Haven Restaurant" (92 indoor seats, 38 outdoor seats) and "The Haven Lounge Bar" (capacity 90 seats, offering a delicious limited buffet for breakfast and lunch with delicious traditional Chinese and Western cuisine).
• Spice H2O (124 seats, lower level 1 of 2) is an adult-only relaxation area, with 1 pool, 2 Whirlpools, huge outdoor LED screen, Poolside Bar, Grill.
• Pulse Fitness Centre features Technogym equipment and a separate Aerobics Studio for classes, among which Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, boxing, TRX).
• Sports Complex has a Bungee Trampoline, Spider Web (climbing wall with spiral slide), Mini Golf and Ropes Courses, Zip Line, The Plank (walking platform); combined sports court (basketball/volleyball), Race Track (Ferrari TM go-karts), Rock Climbing Wall, Jogging Track.
• Race Track is operated with 10 electric carts and 5-6 min race sessions. Go-Karts are decorated with different companies' logos.
• Laser Battle is an open-air laser tag course with obstacles and a large touchscreen for kids.
• Vibe Beach Club (99 seats, deck 19) is an adults-only relaxation area (surcharges per day apply) with cantilevered whirlpools, sunbathing area with sun loungers and luxury chaise lounge chairs, outdoor bar, private cabanas.
• Forward on decks 17-18 are located two 2-level bar lounges - Horizon Lounge and The Haven Lounge.
• Forward on deck 17 are located The Haven Courtyard Sundeck, Jacuzzies, waterslides (Aqua Racer, Ocean Loops), Speedway Jogging Tracks.
• On deck 16 are located swimming pools, Sundeck, Kids' Aqua Park, wellness facilities (Fitness Center, Mandara Spa, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop).
• Forward on deck 15 is the Observation Lounge & Bar (444 seats, size 2723 ft2 / 253 m2). This is a VIP lounge (exclusive for Concierge Level passengers) with a delicious buffet (available for light breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks) and offers 270-degree ocean views (from floor-ceiling windows) and full Bar service.
• On deck 13 is the Infirmary/Medical Center.
• On deck 8 are Cellars Wine Bar, Maltings Whiskey Bar, Cavern Club, Humidor Lounge, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The A-List Bar, Tradewinds Tax & Duty-Free Shops.
• On deck 7 is the Box Office.
• On deck 6 are located Shore Excursions, Internet Cafe-Library-Card Room, Perspective/Photo Studio, Meeting Rooms, Reception/Guest Services, Art Gallery, The Atrium.
• On deck 5 are the children's venues (Splash Academy, Guppies, Video Arcade, Entourage).

Signature activity facilities include 2-level electric go-cart track (Scuderia Ferrari, on top-deck), Galaxy Pavilion (interactive gaming center), outdoor laser tag course, a water park with 2 multi-story waterslides, an outdoor park for tai-chi practicing, luxury-brand shopping district.

Galaxy Pavilion (gaming center) is equipped with interactive video walls and Oculus virtual reality technology. The equipment includes three XD Dark Ride Motion simulators (with 3D real-time graphics, 3D Virtual Surround Sound, multi-sensory effects), six Xbox stations, Star Wars Battle Pod (arcade game), hovercraft bumper cars.

Itineraries

Norwegian Joy itinerary program was initially based on Asian cruises with roundtrip departures from homeports in China ( Shanghai and Tianjin ). The Inaugural Cruise (roundtrip from Shanghai) was on June 27, 2017.

NCL Joy's 2018 Asian schedule also included one 3-night Cruise to Nowhere (on Feb 19) and short-break itineraries (4- and 5-night) visiting exclusively ports in Japan ( Hakata-Fukuoka City , Nagasaki , Yatsushiro-Kumamoto City , Hiroshima , Kochi ). Most 4-night itineraries include only one port of call. In 2018, the ship had scheduled a total of 87 roundtrips leaving from China.

In 2019, NCL Joy operated seasonal cruises in Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal . In April 2019, the ship was repositioned from Shanghai China to Seattle WA for a 7-day Alaskan program. NCL Joy replaced in Alaska NCL Pearl and joined there the fleetmates NCL Bliss and NCL Jewel . After Alaska 2019 season, Joy was repositioned to homeport Los Angeles for Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera itineraries (winter 2019-2020).

Before the inaugural USA (Alaskan) season, Norwegian Joy underwent a USD 50 million drydock upgrade to become virtually identical to NCL Bliss.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in early-April 2021 NCL announced new schedules for the ships JADE (7-day Mediterranean-Greek Islands from Piraeus-Athens /starting July 25), JOY (7-day Caribbean from Montego Bay Jamaica /starting August 15) and GEM (7-day Caribbean from La Romana Dominican Republic /starting August 7).

• Previously, the boats were planned to restart as follows - Joy (October 19, 2021/Caribbean from Miami ), Gem (Oct 29, 2021/Bermuda from NYC ), Jade (January 2, 2022/South Africa from Cape Town ).
• In late-May NCL canceled JOY's ex-Jamaica schedule (Aug 7 thru Oct 9) and planned an Alaskan deployment (with Seattle homeporting) but this program was canceled in June.
• In early-June NCL canceled GEM's ex-Dominicana schedule (Aug 15 thru Oct 10).

For 2021-2022-2023 were scheduled roundtrips from homeports Miami (to Caribbean), NYC New York (to Bermuda),  Los Angeles (to Mexican Riviera), Seattle (to Alaska).

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Other Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships

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Norwegian Joy Wiki

Norwegian Joy is one of NCL's Breakaway Plus-class/new series vessels. Joy and the sistership Norwegian Escape (October 2015) both had their names selected through contests hosted online.

The vessel was initially named "Norwegian Bliss" (selected via an NCL-hosted online contest) The vessel's construction started with the steel-cutting on September 16, 2015. On October 12, 2015, was officially announced that the new ship would be redesigned for the Chinese market. The new "Joy" name was announced on March 30, 2016, along with the homeports in China - Shanghai and Tianjin.

The ship's name "Norwegian Joy" (in Chinese "Xǐ Yue Hao") was announced on Feb 29th (2016).

The liner was built with new "scrubbers" (exhaust gas cleaning systems). The new technology reduces the equivalent of approx 1500 tons of the poisonous gas Sulfur Oxide. These in-line scrubbers (5 units) are lightweight and able to operate in a dry mode, as well as in open and closed loops.

The vessel's construction officially started on September 16, 2015, with the steel-cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft shipyard ( Papenburg Germany ). Instead of the traditional water method (injecting the metal with heat), for NCL Joy was used the dry plasma method - for more precise cuts and creating less mess).

On April 5, 2016, started the vessel's physical construction/assembly with the keel-laying ceremony. During the event, the first keel block (weighing 680 tons, one of all 80 blocks comprising the vessel) was lifted by a huge crane and placed into the shipyard's covered building hall. With this event was officially started the ship's assembly. Previously, a special commemorative coin was created and during the keel laying was traditionally placed under the first building block. The coin was blessed on March 31, 2016, at XingTian Temple (Shanghai) during a pledge ceremony to the Chinese goddess of the sea "Mazu".

In March 2016, at Mazu Temple (Shanghai) was held a traditional ceremony to obtain a blessing for the coins used in NCL Joy's keel-laying ceremony. During the event, temple representatives gifted a Mazu ceramic statue to the NCL company. The statue was then brought to Germany for the vessel's official delivery. The statue was given a place of honor on the ship to carry Mazu's blessings on the repositioning cruise from Europe to China.

The name of the ship's godmother (godfather in this case) was officially announced by NCL in late November 2016 - Wang Leehom (born 1976), Chinese-American singer, actor, producer and movie director. The NCL Joy's godfather also serves as the NCLH company's brand ambassador for the Chinese market, promoting NCL through various media (including social media) platforms.

On March 4, 2017, was the launch (float-out from drydock/shipyard's covered dock 2). The vessel was then berthed at a pier for the remaining works. The conveyance (via Ems River towards the North Sea) was scheduled for late March. In the North Sea were held sea trials before the official delivery (April 28, 2017). NCL Joy arrived in Shanghai China in late June for year-round operations.

On March 26, 2017, the vessel was conveyed on Ems River from Papenburg to Eemshaven Holland . In the following days, the ship completed sea trials on the North Sea and was handed over to NCL on April 27.

NCL Joy ship was delivered on April 28, 2017. The onboard ceremony was held in Bremerhaven . The ceremony was attended by Andy Stuart (NCL's CEO and President) and David Herrera (NCLH China's President).

The ship was christened in Shanghai China on June 27, 2017. The onboard naming ceremony featured a live performance by the vessel's godfather Wang Leehom. He is a Chinese-American songwriter, singer, music producer, actor and film director. In homage to the hull art (by Chinese artist Tan Ping, who also attended the event), the christening ceremony started with a dance performance by Yabin Wang. The Phoenix was selected as the hull artwork's focal point, as for the Chinese the mythological bird represents beauty and good luck. Naming ceremony's pinnacle moment was when the godfather Wang Leehom and NCL executives simultaneously smashed champagne bottles against a replica ship's hull, which released an oversized Veuve Clicquot (Yellow Label Champagne) bottle that shattered against the real ship's hull.

For season 2019 (April through September), NCL offered 1-day only promo deals with free flights and reduced roundtrip airfare for new bookings on Norwegian Joy's 7-day Alaskan itineraries (roundtrips from Seattle). NCL's Alaskan promo was available for one day only (September 14, 2018). Instead of the airfare promo, customers had the option for up to USD 1000 per stateroom discount.

Following the relocation from Asia, NCL's Joy had planned a USD 50-million refurbishment for upgrades and design changes, to become identical to the sistership Norwegian Bliss .

Following the COVID-related suspension, NCL Joy was scheduled to restart operations in 2021 with a mini-season of 7-day Caribbean roundtrips from Jamaica (August 15 thru October 9).

Prices were in the range USD 500-800 per person with double occupancy. However, the Jamaica homeporting schedule was canceled in late May, and the liner restarted services on October 19, out of PortMiami .

Norwegian Joy refurbishment 2024 review

The ship's 3-week drydock refurbishment in 2024 (January 22nd through February 12th, at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam ) resulted in new venues, redesign and renovations to many public areas, an expanded Mandara Spa (a Thermal Suite was added), The Heaven complex renovations and expansions, 24x new balcony staterooms (taking space from the Observation Lounge), redesigned Premier Owner's Suites (to become 3-Bedroom Haven Suites), 40x new spa balcony cabins added (with direct access to the wellness/spa complex).

The 24 new balcony staterooms occupy a space that was part of the Observation Lounge. The category of 40x other staterooms was changed to "spa balcony", allowing their occupants free and direct access to Mandara Spa & Salon ( deck 16 ) which was fitted with a Thermal Suite. The new Thermal Suite (the largest among the Breakaway-Plus sisterships) took the space of the VR gaming complex Galaxy Pavilion. Norwegian Joy's Thermal Suite groups a Sauna Room, an Ice Room, an Aroma Steam Room, as well as a separate Spa Lounge (relaxation area with tiled heated loungers and 4-senses loungers), a Biostation (for intravenous therapy/body treatment), new foot hydrotherapy (using products by Kneipp GmbH).

The two redesigned Owner Suites are (each) with 3x bedrooms, 3x full bathrooms, 1x half bath, a separate dining room (bow-facing/overlooking the Haven Horizon Lounge), their living rooms and master bedrooms are redesigned and their terraces received new outdoor furniture.

Vibe Beach Club ( deck 20 ) was enlarged by taking the space of the Laser Tag Arena. Like on the sisterships Bliss and Encore, Joy's expanded Vibe Beach Club has private cabanas.

Drydock 2024 also included general maintenance works, technical overhauls, hull cleaning/repainting.

Inaugural itineraries 2017

Norwegian Joy was deployed for year-round operations in Asia. The NCL Joy ship is specifically designed to target the Chinese market. The vessel features a higher cruising speed allowing it to operate on longer itineraries to more distant ports of call.

Following the April 2017 delivery, NCL Joy started its repositioning to China. The relocation cruise itinerary included showcasing events as part of grand inaugural port tours. These 1-day events were held at each of the itinerary's ports of call - Singapore , Qingdao , Shenzhen and Hong Kong . VIP partner cruises were also operated from the ship's Chinese homeports Shanghai and Tianjin-Beijing .

The ship's ever first Chinese cruise (preview voyage from Shanghai to Kochi Japan ) was on June 10, 2017. The 4-night long roundtrip voyage (June 10-15) was attended by over 1700 VIP guests from Alibaba Group (the world's largest online commerce company).

The ship's christening ceremony was on June 27, 2017, led by godfather Wang Leehom.

NCL Joy's Inaugural Cruise from Shanghai was on June 28. Roundtrip itineraries out of Tianjin were scheduled for the period August 26 through September 15, 2017.

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Find your happy place on board Norwegian Joy when she cruises from the Miami to Panama Canal . Or join her in The Caribbean , Bahamas , and Bermuda from Miami, Port Canaveral and New York. Cruise to Alaska from Seattle and explore more of the Last Frontier in a ship built for non-stop memorable moments. Enjoy a rush like no other as you race in the middle of the ocean on a thrilling two–level race track. Be pampered in luxury in our spacious and beautifully appointed accommodations. Enjoy holiday experiences that will delight your senses and calm your soul on Norwegian Joy.

The best way to cruise Alaska just got better as Norwegian Joy joins her sister ship Norwegian Bliss.

• Ship 167,725 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,776 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Length 333 m Overall Length
• Width 41 m Max Beam
• Year 2024 Refurbished Year Built 2017
• Crew 1,821 Ship Crew

Norwegian Joy CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

NEW! Summer 2021 Western Caribbean Cruises

Sail aboard Norwegian Joy as we get ready break free this summer. As part of our first available sailings, experience 7-day Caribbean cruises from Montego Bay, Jamaica to the Western Caribbean. Explore some of the best of The Caribbean on this port-intensive itinerary.

NEW! Thermal Suite, Expanded Vibe Beach Club & Larger Accommodations!

It'll be a new year and new look for Norwegian Joy in 2024 with many new spaces. Unwind into a more joyous spa experience with Joy's new, Thermal Suite - an exclusive, adults-only complex dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation. Ready to get your vibe on? We've expanded the adults-only Vibe Beach Club to include more seating and additional private cabanas. And when it's time to wind down, Joy's accommodations will be upgraded, too. So, come aboard in 2024 and experience a whole new level of Joy!

NEW! Starlink High-Speed Internet

Starlink provides fast Internet service at sea and is now available on Norwegian Joy. Using advanced low earth orbit satellites, SpaceX's Starlink delivers industry leading broadband internet connectivity, which will improve the capacity, speed, and reliability of Internet on board.

Norwegian Joy Speedway

Go for the checkered flag on a thrilling two-level race track in the middle of the ocean. Whether you're racing through exhilarating turns or simply relaxing on the top deck, cruising with Norwegian means holidaying at your own speed.

NEW! Norwegian Joy Entertainment: Footloose

Kick off your Sunday shoes and get ready to experience the rockin’ hits and dynamic new musical renditions of Footloose, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Joy. Featuring the hit music of Grammy Award®-winning artist, Kenny Loggins, Footloose celebrates warm and open minds.

Norwegian Joy Cruise Image Gallery

• The sizzles and surprises never cease at Teppanyaki
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• The Haven Observation Lounge
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• Experience Elements' mesmerising magic
• MI.Gallery.NorwegianJoy2018.Sugarcane
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• Cagney's Steakhouse by the Water
• Take in the views at the Waterfront
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• Thermal Suite Shower
• Spa Arrival Area
• Four Senses Lounger

Discover Her Unique CRUISE DESTINATIONS

Alaska Cruises

Every bit as spectacular as you've heard. Magnificent glaciers, wildlife, and history.

Bahamas Cruises

See famous theme parks, bustling straw markets, lounge in the sun or just take it easy.

Bermuda Cruises

From British-style high tea to teeing it up on the greens, experience your island escape.

Canada & New England Cruises

Feast on lobster rolls. Explore the craggy shores of Nova Scotia. Or count lighthouses.

Caribbean Cruises

Turquoise water and white sands shimmer in The Caribbean. Experience the sublime colourful architecture of these breezy, tropical ports.

Extraordinary Journeys

Set sail from one destination and end in another. It's the ultimate way to experience it all.

Mexico Cruises

The sunsets will melt your cares away, as will the beaches, diving and fun-filled adventures.

Panama Canal Cruises

Take the short cut that made history and make some unforgettable cruise memories.

Weekend Cruises

Leave your worries behind and slip away. Enjoy dinner, dance and take in a show.

See Joy STATEROOMS

• Club Balcony Suite

Hidden at the top of the ship, The Haven features our most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations as well as 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundeck.

Finished with the finest touches, spacious suites with luxury accommodations.

Whether it's the two of you or your family, our Club Balcony Suites are accented with the finest touches. And enough room to make memories forever.

See the world like never before. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your very own private balcony. Stylish and sophisticated appointments enhance these modern rooms.

Experience comfort all around you. These stylish staterooms feature fine appointments, which are highlighted by nice touches and clear views of the ocean.

Relax in lively style and smart sophistication. Our modern inside staterooms are highlighted with appointments like a TV, sitting area and more.

Experience WHAT’S ON BOARD

• Speciality Dining
• Bars & Lounges
• Entertainment
• Onboard Shopping

Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.

Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Sip your favourite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of Angus beef at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoy delicious pasta made with the freshest ingredients inside our chic Italian eatery, La Cucina. Or savour French cuisine at Le Bistro. No matter what you choose, our speciality dining options feature the tastes you'll crave.

With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days.

When it comes to entertainment on Norwegian Joy, you won't believe your eyes or even your ears. Get mesmerised by the awe-inspiring acrobatics in Elements. On Norwegian Joy it's showtime, all the time.

From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Norwegian Joy has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Push the pedal to the metal as you race for the checkered flag on a two-level Racetrack at sea. Wanna get lucky? Bet it all at our award-winning Casinos at Sea®.

When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 speciality treatments offered. At our onboard spas, treatments range from the classic to the luxurious. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services.

Forget to pack something? No worries! Our gift shops onboard carry everything you'll need for fun in the sun. Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty-free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewellery, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco.

Read THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

Take a Shortcut

Cruise through the Panama Canal, the world's greatest shortcut, comprised of 51 miles of waterway from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans.

Cruise Norwegian App

Download the Cruise Norwegian app. Think of it as your travel companion, helping you experience an unforgettable cruise holiday every step of the way.

Inside Look: The Haven

Bask in true luxury from port to ship and back again. Get the scoop on what it's like to cruise in The Haven, from port to stateroom.

Explore Like a Travel Writer

Get a first-hand look at cruising the Mexican Riviera with Norwegian.

If You Like Norwegian Joy, You May Also Be Interested In:

Thinking of booking a cruise? Here are the lines you should — and shouldn't — sail with.

• Before you book a cruise , it's important to understand that not all cruise lines are equal.
• Each cruise line has amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers.
• Carnival is good for families, Virgin Voyages for solo adults, and Cunard for mature travelers. 

I am a very, very avid cruiser. Last year alone, I spent 73 days on cruise ships .

I've sailed with most major lines, from kid-focused Disney Cruise Line to the sometimes-naughty Virgin Voyages. When people ask me which cruise ships I recommend , my answer isn't so straightforward.

Each cruise line is unique, offering amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers. What you book will depend on your needs, wants, budget, and what you'd rather avoid.

So, I've done some research about popular cruise lines and combined my personal experiences to help you decide which cruise line to book with.

After all, this is kind of the year of the cruise , with travelers predicted to set sail at some of the highest rates in years throughout 2024.

Here's what you need to know about some of the major cruise lines before you book your next trip.

Editor's Note: Price ranges were calculated at the time of publication based on available listings on each cruise site. Cruise pricing is per person, based on double occupancy and the cheapest stateroom/fare available. Prices were calculated before taxes, port charges, and other fees. Itineraries with added tours built-in were not included when calculating this information.

Carnival Cruise Line

Cost: $ | Prices range from $156/pp for a two-day getaway from Sydney to $3,273/pp for a 10-day Alaska cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, intergenerational groups, families, and partiers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-class, elegant experience or a quiet, laid-back vibe

Highlight: All Carnival cruises come with itineraries loaded with fun activities. Some ships have especially exciting features like the first roller coaster at sea, SkyRide zip-line-style aerial bikes, and themed parties.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to wear a tux or ball gown or have a quiet cruise experience.

Launched in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line is one of nine cruise lines owned by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc. It's the company's largest cruise line, with 27 ships. Its cruises typically range from two days to 29 days.

Carnival Cruise Line offers year-round cruises in Australia, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico and seasonal cruises in Alaska , Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, and New England.

Celebrity Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $233/pp for a three-night Key West & Bahamas cruise to $6,912/pp for a 7-night Galapagos cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo travelers

Skip if: You're looking for a slower-paced classic cruise

Highlight: All Celebrity Cruises come with amazing outdoor spaces like The Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck of Solstice Series ships and the Rooftop Terrace on Millennium Series ships. You also won't want to miss the Magic Carpet , which allows guests to hang out while suspended above the ocean on some ships.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who want to attend lectures about their ports of call.

Celebrity Cruises began sailing in 1997. There are 16 ships, which sail on itineraries ranging from three to 19 nights to nearly 300 ports of call in 70 countries.

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $249/pp for a two-night cruise from Southampton, England to Hamburg, Germany, to $19,158/pp for a 111-night World Voyage

Ideal for: Sophisticated travelers and mature cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-energy cruise, hoping to travel with children , or craving adventurous activities

Highlight: All Cunard cruises come with white-glove service. You won't want to miss Cunard's famous 3:30 p.m. afternoon tea, gala evenings, and fine dining arranged by stateroom grade.

Possible cons: This is a very formal cruise with strict dress codes. You won't find water slides or pool parties here.

Founded in 1840, Cunard offers a classic cruise experience with cruises ranging from two to 116 nights.

Its four ships sail to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Disney Cruise Line

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $422.40/pp for a two-night cruise from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia, to $5,592/pp for a 12-night Mediterranean with Greek Isles cruise

Ideal for: Disney adults , families, and intergenerational groups

Skip if: You don't want to vacation around a bunch of children and you crave peace and quiet

Highlight: All Disney Cruise Line cruises come with heaps of Disney magic in the way of special events and details. You won't want to miss character meet and greets, pirate-themed parties with fireworks, and passengers trading pins and leaving treats inside decorative pouches hung on stateroom doors.

Possible cons: There is a significant child population on most of these cruises and not much adults-only entertainment. Dinners in the main dining can get loud, and, just like at the theme parks, there can be many queues for activities and other offerings.

Disney Cruise Line first set sail in the 1990s and has five active ships, with the new Disney Treasure set to debut in December. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 15 nights.

Holland America Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $94/pp for a one-day Pacific Northwest cruise to a $27,399/pp for a 132-day Grand Voyage

Ideal for: Music lovers and sophisticated world travelers who appreciate European hospitality and smaller ships

Skip if: You're young, traveling with children, or want to party

Highlight: All Holland America Line cruises come with a dose of Dutch hospitality and elegance. During my cruise with the line, I enjoyed the Dutch cuisine and Music Walk , which features live performances at B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

Possible cons: The line takes its formal nights really seriously and attracts an older crowd.

Holland America Line has had ships sailing the globe for over 140 years. Its 11 ships cruise to more than 425 ports of call on seven continents, and cruises range from one to 118 days.

MSC Cruises

Cost: $ | Prices range from $80/pp for a three-night Mediterranean cruise to $46,149/pp for a 116-night World Cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, families, intergenerational groups, big groups

Skip if: You're looking for lots of food options or top-tier entertainment

Highlight: All MSC Cruises offer great value — and good pizza

Possible cons: The cruise fare does not include many dining options, and the evening entertainment skews old-school and a bit more basic than some other cruise lines that do Broadway-worthy shows.

MSC Cruises has 22 ships, with one more projected to join its fleet by 2025. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 118 nights.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $79/pp for a one-day Australia cruise to $4,379/pp for a 10-day European cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for structure, ballroom dancing, and fancy dinners

Highlight: All Norwegian Cruise Line cruises offer freestyle dining. You won't want to miss its Broadway-level shows and generous drink package, which is often offered complimentary.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like formal dress codes, and some dislike the à la carte pricing.

Norwegian Cruise Line has been sailing the world for over 57 years. Its 19 ships visit 400-plus ports on seven continents, and cruises typically last one to 25 days.

Princess Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $127/pp for a two-day Australia Seacation to $24,098/pp for a 98-day World Cruise

Ideal for: Mature solo travelers, couples, and retirees

Skip if: You're looking for lots of activities and party vibes. Princess Cruises tend to attract an older crowd, and the shows and activities reflect this. There aren't many events offered each day. On the three cruises I sailed with Princess, the entertainment was primarily musicals, piano players, and singers backed by an orchestra. There were only a handful of children on each cruise.

Highlight: All Princess Cruises offer Discovery and Animal Planet-exclusive shore excursions — and many have an excellent onboard lecture series.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to party, love water slides, or have teenagers.

Founded in 1965, Princess Cruises has 16 ships that sail to 330 destinations worldwide on itineraries from three to 111 days

Royal Caribbean

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $196/pp for a two-night Hong Kong cruise to $8,266/pp for a 13-night Arctic Circle cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and intergenerational travelers

Highlight: All Royal Caribbean cruises come with fun activities and a broad range of entertainment options. Some have the Ultimate Abyss , the tallest slide at sea, or the glass capsule North Star , the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. You won't want to miss the Oasis Class ships' seven distinctly themed neighborhoods and Royal Promenade, a mall-like thoroughfare with shops, restaurants, and lounges that runs the length of the ship.

Possible cons: Many of its ships are mega-ships, so this isn't the line for you if you want a more intimate trip.

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean sails to about 240 destinations on six continents. Cruises range from two to 22 nights.

Royal Caribbean has many of the world's largest cruise ships in its fleet of more than 20 vessels.

Virgin Voyages

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $415/pp for a four-night roundtrip cruise from England to Amsterdam to a $3,072/pp for a 13-night Canada, Carolina, and Miami cruise

Ideal for: Child-free travelers, health enthusiasts, the glamorous, and those who don't like strict rules

Skip if: You want a classic cruise, need structure, or can't handle playfulness (and, sometimes, naughtiness)

Highlight: All Virgin Voyages are child-free, and everyone gets unlimited WiFi, access to group fitness classes, and gratuities included in their fare. You won't want to miss its famous Scarlet Night, 20 eateries (every venue is considered specialty dining), and eclectic shows like "Untitled DanceShowPartyThing."

Possible cons: There aren't traditional song-and-dance shows, assigned dining times, and nightly portrait photography

Virgin Voyages has been sailing its "Lady Ships" inspired by superyachts since 2021. Three nearly identical ships are currently in service, and a fourth one is set to set sail later this year.

Virgin Voyages sails to about 100 destinations in Australia, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom on cruises ranging from three to 16 nights.

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