Raleigh Traveler

On the menu. Each entrée has two sides listed but you are able to sub from the list of sides on the menu. For mine, the default was fries and coleslaw. I subbed the au Gratin for the fries.

Just off the Joy as Platinum. We went to the Ocean Blue with the voucher and were allowed 2 sides each with the entrée.

We were just on the Joy and first time as Platinum. The voucher below was in our cabin on arrival. We booked the cruise late and did not make any reservations beforehand. The only venue that was a problem getting a table was Ocean Blue as it was booked solid. However, we showed up at 5:30 one evening without a reservation and were seated at 6. Don't stress.

We were just on the Joy, our first cruise as Platinum and booked late. We made all of our reservations on board and the only place that was an issue was Ocean Blue. It was booked solid but we showed up a 5:30 on evening and we were seated at 6pm. Attached is the voucher that awaited us upon arrival. Good at all locations and states what it includes. Cut the vouchers apart and use the one that states a bottle of wine for when you want to use that perk and the other when not.

We were there as well. Whoever designed the area has never personally experienced the process, especially one that has delays. Agree with comments about location of the doors and set up. They also need to improve the PA. A big screen that shows the boarding order would also help. We all got on board but could have been with less drama.

My wife and I dined at Food Republic on the Joy three weeks ago. As mentioned, each person/voucher gets 4 dishes (desert is included in the 4). What we liked was that the ordering is done on a tablet at the table. The tablet has pictures of the dishes which helps in judging portion size. You also order as you go, not all at once. We ordered two dishes at a time, ordering the next set as the previous set arrived. We also had our deserts sent to our room for later.

They are playing to the demographics. At 68, I felt like one of the younger cruisers on our recent trip. Footloose, Divas and Beatles align with the older group. Not geared to a younger audience for sure.

We were on the Joy from Jan 21 to Feb 5. The group that performed was Beatlestory, four guys from Italy. You can do an internet search on them and their website mentions that this current gig is a contract and shows other tours coming up off the ship. This particular group's presence is temporary and would be replaced by other Beatles cover bands or someone else when their contract ends.

We should be aware the there is a higher authority that determines muster drills, SOLAS. When it comes to cruise ships, "From 1 January 2015, passengers must undergo safety drills, including mustering at the lifeboat stations, before the ship departs or immediately on departure." Non in-person drills were allowed because of Covid. This has nothing to do with saving money by NCL but a return to a requirement by a higher authority.

That might depend on the ship. In the past, up to our Alaska cruise last July, we have found and used this service. They had a lounge/bar area roped off and attended. We were given a claim ticket. However, on the Sun last summer we needed to retrieve our bags before our cabin was ready. Only had backpacks on our latest cruise and did not look for it.

On the Joy, the main Starbucks in the Atrium was 6am-10pm. The smaller shop in the Observation Lounge was 6am-6pm.

Just got off the Joy and looked back at the Dailies. On the Joy there are two Starbucks. The main one in the Atrium is 6am-10pm. The smaller shop in the Observation lounge is 6am-6pm.

We were on this cruise and experienced this event. Yes, there was a delay with crew disembarkation that was announced. The process, however could be greatly improved. We are Platinum but were given Group 4 tickets (we arrived around 9:30) and then later told to show our cards. The announcements were very hard to understand, even as English first speakers. Once it started, with everyone crowding the exit, it went sideways (or pear shaped for our UK friends). It would work better with the exit door at the end of the room instead of the middle and seat people in their groups. Using a video screen with boarding order, in multiple languages would also help. It is like the place and process were designed with the assumption that everything will be on time and without issue. Our cruise out of Seattle in July was half full but embarking was still a mess. Even with Group 2 tickets, once they started, there was no possible way to get pass the crowd blocking the way. We boarded with Group 7 or 8. Bottom line, after all that drama, we and everyone else still got on the ship. Just a shame to start an adventure with a process that could have been vastly different.

Just got off the Joy on Sunday. We did an in person muster drill but different from past experiences. We still had to watch the safety video during the online checkin but were notified when boarding that we needed to meet. The lifeboat deck on the Joy is much narrower that other boats we have been on so all muster stations are inside. Ours was at the Local. We had to have our cards scanned and yes it was packed. There was safety info given on the PA and one staff per station demonstrated the life vest. Again, it was crowded but nothing like the elevators. Full capacity cruise.

Our experience has also been being steered towards the buffet by staff. On a couple of cruises, we asked staff for directions to a MDR or even which one was opened for lunch and we were politely told the buffet is open and directions. Now we look at the deck plans and just go to one and if necessary, another.

Thanks for the clarification. I have seen comments that seemed to indicate more freedom to choose but was unsure if a policy change or just some crews being flexible. Our cruise on the 21st will be our first at Platinum so good to know.

Is this new info from experience or something you read? The website still says that one perk is the choice between LeBistro and Cagneys and the second is a choice between Moderno or La Cucina (other options if ship has different venues). We sail in 2-3 weeks.

pre-covid we were asked maybe 50% of the time (never forced) if we would be willing to share a table with others. If we declined, possibly a bit of a wait. Cruise this past June, never asked, always seated by ourselves. MDRs were arranged with mostly 2-4 seats.

This summer we cruised to Alaska and received the invite to bid at just under 90 days pre-cruise and acceptance three days before sailing. We have another cruise coming up and booked at about 45 days out and received the invite to bid almost immediately. We are now 24 days out and no acceptance as yet.

We were on the Sun to Alaska in late June and about 50%. It was nice to not be crowded but as another mentioned, some things like Trivia were lightly attended at times. Once it was just my wife and I and the cruise staff. Also we were never asked if we wanted to share a table in the MDR and no Meet and Greet. And yes, the buffet was actually doable. I think the vibe was impacted by Covid as well....people tended to stay to themselves and not a lot of interaction like before.

We used the Port Valet in Seattle. We could sign up in advance on the website or on board. You need your flight info. Any charges for bags is then put on your onboard account. Because of the process, they do waive over weight fees. There is a deadline to sign up onboard and was listed in the Dailies. Your special luggage tags and boarding passes will be delivered to your cabin the day before and you set your bags out in the hall the night before. Our bags arrive at our destination with us. There are some restrictions concerning particular airlines and how late your flight leaves.

When I have done mock bookings, I can choose a lot of things early on but not that. If you go all the way to paying, adding cc info and right up to before "Submit", then at that last page it is auto filled without much notice. It just shows up at the very end.

The buffets have coffee as well as an unsweet ice tea. I do not think the tea is brewed. They also have a couple flavors of enhanced water. At the dining areas you can get straight coffee, reg or decaf and hot tea but all lattes and other specialty coffees are extra. Specialty coffees are not on the Free at Sea drink package. Just back from a week on the Sun to Alaska.

We are boarding the Sun this morning and got an upgrade to a Club Balcony Suite, 1014. It looks like the main differences are, a bit larger sitting area and a larger bathroom with a tub. There are a couple of amenities like a free bag laundry, treats and sparkling wine. Not sure it is enough that I would pay full price to book over a regular balcony but got upgraded from inside for $300pp. Can post more and answer specific questions after the cruise.

About one week before our cruise, I tried to view my bids and got a message that said I was not qualified and could not view. Two days later we were notified that one of our bids was accepted. Inside to Club Balcony Suite.