NCL Joy - Feedback Please...

Analysis says that current configuration is unprofitable in US markets.

 

Get rid of vip casinos and put in bars.

 

Get rid of the tea room and install the District Brewhouse.

 

Get rid of the designer retail and put in tacky souvenir shops.

 

Take out the high end seafood and put in a Mexican restaurant.

Right, but they also said the Chinese market wants to travel the world, not just the coast of China. Why not give them a ship dedicated to their needs that goes to Australian, the US, South America, etc?

Why not give them a ship dedicated to their needs that goes to Australian, the US, South America, etc?

Probably because (if you look at a map), Australia is a 20ish day one-way trip, and the US and South America would be 25-40 day one-way trips. That would sail with low occupancy.

JamieLogical….  I was looking at pictures on Priceline of the Joy.  To me, it seemed like the front observation area/lounge was for either Haven or Concierge level.  I took that to mean suites.  If we have a regular balcony room, do you know if they have the front area avail??  I have only sailed on the Jewel and loved their lounge area in the front!!!  Great windows, tons of seating, bar, etc.  

6 hours ago, Msmojo66 said:

JamieLogical….  I was looking at pictures on Priceline of the Joy.  To me, it seemed like the front observation area/lounge was for either Haven or Concierge level.  I took that to mean suites.  If we have a regular balcony room, do you know if they have the front area avail??  I have only sailed on the Jewel and loved their lounge area in the front!!!  Great windows, tons of seating, bar, etc.  

The current version of the deck plans look similar to the set-up on the Bliss. There are actually two Observation Lounges. A larger one on Deck 15 that is open to all and a smaller one on Deck 17 that is only for Haven guests. You can see the deck plans here:

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/joy/deck-plans

Avoid at all costs. Food is terrible. You have to go to speciality restaurant to get a good meal. Crew is Clueless. Unorganized, has no idea how to get everyone off the ship on the last day. No help making dinner reservations either. Concierge’s rooms are not worth it. 5 days in and never saw the Concierge to make dinner reservations. I had to make them using the TV screen application. Shore Excursions all meet in the theatre and they call out your number. So much confusion. Shops were all pushing  jewelry all the time. Art raffle was rigged. Guy never even looked at his number and yelled Winner. This ship has a lot of work to do to fix things so give it time if you want to try it. 

On 5/14/2019 at 4:41 PM, MagicalPluto said:

Avoid at all costs. Food is terrible. You have to go to speciality restaurant to get a good meal. Crew is Clueless. Unorganized, has no idea how to get everyone off the ship on the last day. No help making dinner reservations either. Concierge’s rooms are not worth it. 5 days in and never saw the Concierge to make dinner reservations. I had to make them using the TV screen application. Shore Excursions all meet in the theatre and they call out your number. So much confusion. Shops were all pushing  jewelry all the time. Art raffle was rigged. Guy never even looked at his number and yelled Winner. This ship has a lot of work to do to fix things so give it time if you want to try it. 

I was in a Haven room & had to book my dinner reservations via the TV screen. After confirming I wanted comedy at 6pm 3 times Concierge booked it at 8pm - without telling me, I realized when I looked at the screen, so I just booked dinner myself & had a restaurant manager fix Concierges errors.

I agree the crew & officers need some more experience with the North American market. I had several encounters that irritated, angered or disappointed me:

I had someone show up at my door, didn't introduce himself had a customs form in his hand "this form is really important, I reviewed it with my daughter yesterday" If he hadn't been in officer's whites, I wouldn't have known he was working for NCL. (turns out he meant my daughter & he confused us with a cabin on a different deck) Our room steward confirmed he had picked up our customs form the day before. I said give me another & I will fill it out again.

An officer on the dock said "what do you jackasses think you are doing, get back to deck 5, we haven't been cleared" I turned around and there were several crew on the gangway behind us. 

The internet on board is a joke - I finally cancelled and got a full refund, before that point several crew said, "I know we have to use it too"

The finance department froze our account because they couldn't connect to their server to confirm our bank was allowing the charges (Day 3 of the cruise)

We were on the Bliss April 28 - May 4 and the Joy from May 11 - 18 - the difference in crew was SHOCKING! I personally think any crew or officer who has only worked on the Joy, should be sent to another ship to learn what passengers expect. I have 30 years customer service experience and I have always been impressed with the level of happiness and professionalism in NCL on board crew - only 2 Joy crew lived up to my expectations.

We are sailing on Joy in February 2020.  Since Joy is now like a brand new ship, in a brand new market, with a brand new crew,  you have to expect some kinks will need to be worked out.  You chose to take an early sailing after refurbishment.  I’m waiting and watching and hoping for improvements.  I would never base whether or not to sail on a particular ship on such early reviews.  

4 minutes ago, janice2348 said:

We are sailing on Joy in February 2020.  Since Joy is now like a brand new ship, in a brand new market, with a brand new crew,  you have to expect some kinks will need to be worked out.  You chose to take an early sailing after refurbishment.  I’m waiting and watching and hoping for improvements.  I would never base whether or not to sail on a particular ship on such early reviews.  

I was on the first sailing of the Bliss - the ship needed a little attention but the CREW were top notch - some still remember us a year later

It’s not a new crew. Same crew as China. We know we asked.