vacation44

@Radio  Thank you, again, for posting the dailies.  

I noticed that the shows Elements and the Aerialists (Mr. and Mrs. Fefelov) have not shown up in the dailies yet.   Do you know if Elements is still happening this week?

17 hours ago, SeekingKillerWhales! said:

I'll take Wedge Salad, Cheeseburger, and Creme Caramel? For $500 Alex. 

 

Well, darn. Someone forget to refresh for new posts, and now can't delete. 😄 Sorry! But at least I was right!

13 hours ago, shadowmeboy said:

That is the correct answer! 
 

Had to inject a bit of humor into the review!

I had the dessert wrong with my guess.

1 hour ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Sounds really amazing, and your pictures are fantastic! The one for Hubbard Glacier is running $350 even with the discount, and appears to be run by the same company. Definitely going to have to do some thinking on that one, but on the B2B I hit Hubbard Glacier twice. 

Agree with @PATRLR, for us, it was worth it.   

When I first booked this excursion, I did not tell my husband as I knew he would say that I was crazy.   I finally told him the day before when he was in vacation mode.    He agreed, it was worth it.   The day we went, it was too icy (or foggy, I do not remember) for the Jewel to get anywhere near the glacier and we were able to get up close.     Those behind on the Jewel did not get to see it.

We were in 16023 last year and had no noise issues.  The location was perfect for us.

2 hours ago, Legallorelei said:

We're on the June 2nd sailing too!! 32 days!! 🚢🍹🏖️

 

 

We (extended family) are very excited as this trip has been booked since February 2022 when my husband and I were on the Joy the first time.    However, it will be a tad more crowded this time around!

40 minutes ago, Radio said:

Norwegian Joy Freestyle Daily

DAY 3

 

Radio

 

 

PG 1

 

 

 

 

PG 2

 

 

 

 

PG 3

 

 

 

 

PG 4

 

 

 

 

PG 5

 

 

 

 

PG 6

 

 

.

 

 

Am I correct that they still are not taking reservations for the comedy shows?   

23 minutes ago, goldmom said:

That's a relatively new development.  When we were on the Getaway in March they were just changing over to those half & half pouches from the coffee mate cups.

 

Enjoying your "live".  Thanks for taking us along.

We had them on the Encore this past February and I struggled getting the hang of opening them without the contents going all over the place.   

Looking forward to reading another review.   Thank you for taking the time to post about your cruise.

2 hours ago, Radio said:

Freestyle Daily

Norwegian Joy

 

Radio

 

D1 PG 1

 

 

 

D1 PG 2

 

 

 

D1 PG 3

 

 

 

 

D1 PG 4

 

 

 

D1 PG 5

 

 

 

D1 PG6

 

 

 

.

 

Thank you!

4 hours ago, Barb Nahoumi said:

I would rather find cookies in my room when I check in, than chocolate covered strawberries.  Neither DH or I like chocolate covered strawberries, so they go to waste.

3 hours ago, julig22 said:

Yup. I've suggested many times that they give a choice - a simple check-sheet like you get for breakfast service. I can't eat the strawberries due to allergies, so they usually do go to waste.

We also would rather have the cookies than chocolate covered strawberries which always go to waste when it is just my husband and I.

1 hour ago, goldmom said:

Thanks for the explanation.  I never knew that! I was surprised when I saw it was a RCCL ship as I knew they docked in NJ.

1 hour ago, Mike A said:

The ship going up the Hudson is the Anthem of the Seas. Since RCCL and Celebrity docks in Bayonne, they will routinely go up do a circle around the Statue of Liberty and then go out to sea. 

I saw that also and thought it was unusual. 

2 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

I would buy the standard passes for the time being just to insure you have the passes.  If you see the cabanas appear suddenly, then just call and have them update your booking.   If you want the Vibe, buy the passes as soon as possible.  Don't risk getting locked out (literally and figuratively)

Agree.  We have had our passes since July 2022 when they started preselling!  Just hoping they open up the cabana passes in the next few weeks.   We had a cabana for the first time this past February on the Encore and really liked having it.  Already reserved one for our February 2025 Viva cruise.

It

45 minutes ago, JamesIowa said:

@vacation44 do you have a contingency plan if they’re still fcfs for your cruise? I wonder if a voluntary contribution to the vibe staff might help ensure they’re “reserved” for your party.

Is it fcfs everyday or just the first day upon boarding?   I have read conflicting information on this.  

And truefully, I would have no issue with a Vibe staff contribution since I am willing to pay the additional money to trade up our passes for the six of us. 

10 minutes ago, JamesIowa said:

Yes, but having checked every day since the time joy cabanas were announced until 2 minutes ago, the option has never appeared. It’s mentioned in “explore ships” but nothing listed under “entertainment”.

my PCC said they would be available for reservations “some time after” refurb…but nobody seems to really know. 
We’re literally trying to throw more $ their way and can’t? Very non-NCL like.

I know!   Been wanting to throw them extra money for months to reserve three of them and have also been told they will be available soon but running out of time.

1 hour ago, JamesIowa said:

Awesome walk through of Joy vibe post refurb

Courtesy of YouTuber Mike (@mikesBarbaricYawp) 

 

can’t wait to be on the tippy-top deck when passing under bridge of the americas on Nov Panama Canal cruise! 

 

Thank you very much for posting this link.

Still trying to figure out how to obtain a cabana.    Anyone have any experience?

2 hours ago, JamesIowa said:

Looking forward to your review.

Are any of you or your crew in the vibe? It’s been 2 months post refurb and still haven’t seen anything concrete/official from NCL about vibe cabana rentals.  Any insight is appreciated! 
thanks

I have been trying also for information on the Vibe cabanas to no avail.  We want to trade our vibe passes in for a cabana.  If my cruise is before yours,  I will report back.

I will definitely be following along as we will be on the June 2, 2024 sailing.    Bermuda is also one of our favorite ports and we are looking forward to experiencing it with extended family this time around.   

If you can, can you please post the dailies.   

Have a wonderful time!

Great thread.......anyone else have any input?

As always, looking forward to reading about your next adventure with your dad.   Wishing you both a happy birthday and a wonderful time.    

And I love the wrapping paper!

My dad turned 88 last month.  He was supposed to go with us on our extended family cruise this June to Bermuda but pulled out at final payment much to the disappointment of his grandchildren.   

2 minutes ago, sjacobs11 said:

We are on an Encore sailing on 2/9/25 and already switched to these rooms!

Hmmm.....we are in club balcony suites in June 2025, but I think I will look into these new cabins.

Thank you for reporting on your switch!

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Unlike @Sailing12Away and @graphicguy and @RocketMan275 (not sure he's chimed in yet), my husband and I are get there as early as possible kind of cruisers! Sure it means we'll have to sit in the lounge for an hour or so after checking in, but there's coffee, tea, and some light snacks. We usually play Monopoly or some other game on our phone with each other while waiting. Then, when the concierge comes to get us, we're up and among the first group onboard (husband has been the first onboard and that gave him great glee - for no reason other than being first).

 

We'll hang around the Haven Lounge until the Haven Restaurant opens, then be among the first in there to be served. Used to be American Diner was our go-to, but now it's Haven Restaurant (booo). Anyway, we enjoy a leisurely lunch as it normally isn't too hopping when we get there. It sure does pick up by the time we leave. Next up! It's change into bathing suit time and enjoy the pools, hot tub, and sundeck for several hours. 

 

It's just such a relaxing way to begin the day! We love it! And, I know this is a weird take (I'm a weird man)...I feel that I paid for a full day onboard, so getting onboard between 11 and 12 (depending on when boarding opens up) helps me maximize the time I'm on the ship. If it were my choice (it isn't), I'd stay onboard until the zero count is in the single digits, but our travel plans usually dictate that we need to get off the ship early, early. 

 

Here's to beautiful Haven embarkations, however you choose to spend the day!!

 

 

Add us to the early bird list!    Even if we are not in the Haven, we get to the port super early and like to be onboard as soon as possible.   This allows us to take care of updated reservations, book the Platinum events, book the entertainment that is available and then have a nice lunch.   This then allows us to spend the rest of the full afternoon in the Vibe as a great start to our vacation.     Sitting in the waiting room for an hour or two or three does not bother us as we all have books and tablets.   For us, it is part of the excitement.   

5 minutes ago, valleyvillage said:

Short pants are ok while sitting outside. OB is one of our favorites. We love the basil sorbet! Never had anything like it. Delicious!

Thank you very much.   We have never eaten at Ocean Blue before, but the young adults in our family want to give it a try.   The men and young adult men would rather not bring or wear pants.   

3 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Eating outside at Ocean Blue can be very chilly.  The movement of the ship creates its' own breeze and it can be very cold in the outside dining venues not just Ocean Blue.

Thank you but we will be docked in Bermuda.   We agree, it is on the chilly side while the ship is moving but do enjoy eating outside while docked.

I know that pants are required for men at Ocean Blue, but are they required if you are sitting outside?  

@luckybeckyThank you very much for taking the time to post this report on what sounds like an amazing adventure.    I appreciate your how you are writing up your daily summary with a nice amount of added pictures.   I will definitely go back and read your other trip reports.