McFins

This happened to us twice, first on the Gem (Head Mixologist) and then on the Prima (Food and Beverage Manager). We were pleasantly surprised by it.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and quick recovery! I’ve cruised exclusively on NCL for the past 10 years but am thinking of trying other cruise lines just to see what’s out there.

Very much enjoyed following along your Bermuda cruise, thanks! It sounded like a great cruise. Did the cancellation of your NE cruise have anything to do with it being on NCL and wanting to go on another line? (Only asking because you mentioned you are looking at a different cruise line in Oct,).

Ha, not desperate to get out of the country…wouldn’t care if the ship actually left the dock(well maybe just far enough so the casino could open) Just figured its an easy vacation for us so wanted to know our options in case we decided last minute. Not looking for a deal per se but hadn’t thought prices would be higher…would think they’d be more interested in filling up any rooms that were still empty that close to sailing rather than charging more.

Really just wondering when the window closed for booking. Was chatting with someone who worked at the pier MANY years ago who advised at that time you could book/board same day. I didn’t think that would be possible anymore and just wondered. Since not far from port, wondered if on a whim we could get on a cruise with less than a week’s notice. Doubt I would do just one day before but who knows. Sometimes other plans change and wanted to know if that could be a viable pivot.

Oh I thought they stopped that a long time ago and now needed some minimum number of days pre sailing. Good to know!

What is the minimum number of days prior to the sail date that you can book a cruise? Thanks all!!

Aren’t you all afraid that you are giving NCL ideas? 😳😂🤣

In my experience I have found the thermal suite to be loud about half of the time (unfortunately) but really did appreciate those times it was quiet. On one sailing it was like an extension of the bar, with drinks and all (in glasses, not even plastic) with several folks just sitting on the edge of each of their heated loungers just chatting. When the staff became aware of it they did tell them they couldn’t have glass in there but that only solved half of the issue. On another occasion someone screamed “weeeeeeee” every time the bubbles started up in the thalassotherapy pool…kind of like you would hear in an amusement park. It really just depends on the passengers on any particular sailing. I’ve been in the thermal suite when it was full but quiet and other times when it was just a handful of people but loud. It would be great if they would have a thermal suite monitor and/or a reminder when checking in at the front desk that is intended to be a quiet space but apparently the staff doesn’t want to be confrontational. I guess folks each have their own way of enjoying that space.

Thanks for a great report. It was fun following along!

However if on day 2 your ship is leaving Quebec City and won’t be there overnight…be certain to check the time you need to be onboard since your excursion isn’t booked through the ship…just in case there’s a delay. In that case I may go on the excursion the day before or Day 1

We did the excursion through the ship on the day the ship was in port (we were in port overnight and cruise ended the next day. If it were me I would do it the day before the cruise or day 2 while in port. Day 1 for me is usually a flurry of activity exploring the ship, getting settled in, updating dinner/show reservations etc. I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you! I did!!

Thank you so much for the speedy and helpful responses! Very much appreciated.

Hi all. We will have 4 specialty meals on our next cruise 2 of which are due to platinum status. I know that there will be certificates for the 2 platinum meals in our cabin ( or I hope so anyway, haha). We plan to reserve all 4 online in advance and want to include Teppanyaki as one of them. To avoid being charged for Teppanyaki (since it is a flat fee) I think that would need to be the 1st or 2nd one to be booked. However, does the actual reservation date for Teppanyaki have to be the first or second specialty meal to avoid being charged at the time of booking? We would like Teppanyaki to be the 3rd in the sequence of the specialty meals. Hope that wasn’t too confusing. Thanks for your any advice you may be able to provide.

Thank you all so much for your responses much appreciated!

Hi all. Asking for some friends --- which train is best to use to go from Hyde Park to the Southampton Cruise Port. I'm not familiar with either area so I'm don't know if that is too broad a question (for instance, are there several train stops in Hyde Park therefore need to know which hotel they are staying at) Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide

I really enjoy reading your trip reports and appreciate all the time and effort you put into them. I also find it disappointing when the thermal suite is noisy. It’s especially disappointing that others would be that inconsiderate after you politely brought it to their attention. I hope you are pleasantly surprised by positive improvements on your next trip on the Jewel and that you enjoy all of your future cruises on Princess.

Take a look at BirdTravels live report NCL Joy to Bermuda May12-May 19 post #110. It explains Wheel of Fortune and the cost for such.

We took this tour last year and enjoyed it very much

I would agree. We enjoyed the HOHO bus and stayed on for the whole tour. Saw a lot

Wecome back Jamie! I sailed last Sept so it was before drydock but hopefully the things I really liked about it didn't change. I really liked the entertainment. I thought there was a lot of good live music throughout the ship (Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Q Texas Roadhouse, District Brewery, Cavern Club (Beatles also played in the main theatre which I liked better than when it was in the Cavern Club). Also liked the comedian/magician in the main theater (I believe his name was Dan) It was also the first time we were on a ship with the Q Texas Smokehouse restaurant ---really enjoyed our meal there. Enjoy!

Hi Duck. We did love QC. We did the Hop On Hop Off bus which was very nice, We also went to Montmorency Falls and really enjoyed our time there. We found the people everywhere in QC to be very friendly and nice.

Thanks to so many who provided a great deal of info on the NCL Joy DH and I have sailed on the Pearl, Gem, Breakaway, Escape, Prima and now most recently the Joy. Sharing some thoughts here on the Joy. It was a great cruise on a beautiful ship. *The crew and service were superb throughout. *Enjoyed dinners in the in the MDR (Manhattan Room) and in several specialty restaurants: Cagneys, Teppanyaki, La Cucina and Q. All were excellent but on this sailing we thought La Cucina was exceptional in both food and service (very much a pleasant surprise as that had not always been the case for us on other ships) *Really liked the shows in the theatre -Footloose, Elements and Dan Bennett. The Beatles were really good in the Cavern Club but for us not worth the wait --- the much better option was seeing them in the theatre ---it was nice that there were 2 Beatle shows in the theatre so many more could attend. Great music throughout the ship with the most memorable being all entertainment in the Mojito Bar (and an added bonus was that we finally got to meet Chocolate Cowboy!), District Brew House (Beau Tahana) and the Julia Hatfield Band in Q. The cast from Footloose also put on a great show in Q - Broadway Cabaret: Best of the 80s. *Surprisingly did not miss the thermal suite. Had a great spa service (head to toe special) *There seemed to be more entertainment options and overall things to do on this ship even though there were only 2 sea days. There was always something going on that we wanted to do. *First time we did the BTS tour and it was nice but likely one and done for us. Ditto for the Wines around the World which was nice but just not for us (which was kind of funny as it seemed that most folks really liked the wines) *Except for the forward elevators and buffet, the ship never felt too crowded---always got a seat at a show, bar, casino, atrium, etc. Never waited for a drink at the bar---even when in port and only 1 bar was open per deck--- they had plenty of bartenders so we never had to wait. *First time we used the laundry service and it worked well. Of course nothing is perfect so here’s some things we didn’t like as much *Found it difficult to have a relaxing breakfast on this ship. More so than on any other ship/sailing we have been on. I realize you can also get Room Service but we prefer eating outside of the room. *Every time we visited the buffet ((breakfast or lunch) it was VERY crowded and VERY difficult to find a seat whether for 1, 2 or 4 persons. First time in over 10 cruises we found that to be the case. In addition, during the breakfast hours they started shutting down one side of the buffet about 45 minutes before the end of the published time (so 9:45 instead of 10:30) which I felt added to the chaotic atmosphere. Perhaps they do that on all sailings to get ready for lunch but it was the first time I noticed such crowds. After a few days we avoided the buffet at breakfast and went to the MDRs *Breakfast at MDRs Savor and Taste --- whether or not there was a line to get in, there was a long wait to get your meal at breakfast. Also a long wait to simply get coffee/tea (or milk if you don't care for coffee mate). I wondered why they didn't also serve breakfast in the Manhattan room too or why the hours for breakfast in the MDRs weren't longer? The Local also looked crowded at breakfast time so we passed on that. *Forward elevators were crowded much of the time. I wondered whether they were smaller than on other ships? I mostly use the stairs however when others in my party ride I do too and they were often crowded. I was surprised at how many people would actually push their way into an already crowded elevator but I guess folks have different boundaries on personal space. *Overall we had a great trip and would sail on the Joy again.

Have had Vibe passes on the Escape and the Prima and it never felt crowded. No issues for us in getting a lounger, umbrella or a seat at the bar. However, sometimes it was windy so umbrellas were closed.