Norwegian Joy

[JamieLogical]

Well, we have booked the first Alaska sailing out of Seattle - logged on to check the booking a number of times in the last few days but now I'm getting a message:

 

Dear Guest:

 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Norwegian Joy, which is the first-ever contemporary cruise ship custom-built for China. Designed for Chinese guests, Norwegian Joy will provide a Mandarin-speaking crew, authentic Chinese cuisine and culturally-inspired onboard experiences offering guests a fully immersive Chinese cruise vacation.

As the numbers of non-China resident guests are minimal we will not require guests to complete their Online Check-In prior to sailing. Also, all Shore Excursions and onboard activities will be done once onboard the vessel through the interactive TV's, Interactive signage or in the restaurant or event location.

Bon Voyage!

Norwegian Cruise Line

 

And I've lost the ability to Explore and Plan - cannot browse dining and buy packages etc now! I hope it's a glitch and they haven't updated their systems to allow for the US West coast move yet.

 

 

Definitely sounds like they are still working out the kinks.

[wayneb1973]

I think it would be a missed opportunity for Norwegian if they don't put Studio Cabins in the Joy just like they have on their other big ships

[JamieLogical]

I think it would be a missed opportunity for Norwegian if they don't put Studio Cabins in the Joy just like they have on their other big ships

 

 

I assume they ran the numbers and decided the cost of converting the current concierge family suites would have been too high. Maybe they will try to use those family suites to appeal to a different segment of the market?

[mpk]

Stuart said they are 'rightsizing', which precisely means NCL was overcapacity in Chinese market. No other way to interpret that statement.

 

 

Wow. I’m surprised by this announcement after they were touting how well it was doing in China and how it had the highest occupancy in the fleet.

 

I wonder if that was all just smoke and mirrors...

 

Something must’ve seriously gone downhill for them to move it out of the Chinese market so quickly. Especially considering that they will have to put an additional $50 mil into converting it for the North American market.

 

Or maybe Alaska is simply that much MORE profitable than China that they are willing to abandon their chinese future roadmap for now...

Edited July 31, 2018 by mpk

[Whitefacekat]

I think it would be a missed opportunity for Norwegian if they don't put Studio Cabins in the Joy just like they have on their other big ships

 

I sent a note to a VP I met on the Bliss in June. Told him I was dissapointed no solo cabins. I reccommended they take some of the ID or IC cabins and make them solo prices, and let us use a meeting room for meetings

Edited August 3, 2018 by Whitefacekat

[Sand and Seas]

I sent a note to a VP I met on the Bliss in June. Told him I was dissapointed no solo cabins. I reccommended they take some of the ID or IC cabins and make them solo prices, and let us use a meeting room for meetings

It will be an interesting test to see how bookings go for the 'concierge' class inside cabins. Will this become a new model for future ships? Or will they change the Joy back to studio cabins, etc, at their first dry-dock opportunity.

[ColeThornton]

It will be an interesting test to see how bookings go for the 'concierge' class inside cabins. Will this become a new model for future ships? Or will they change the Joy back to studio cabins, etc, at their first dry-dock opportunity.

 

 

Can they even do that? My understanding is the Studio Cabins are made as modules and inserted in to the ship as it's being built. I may be wrong though.

[Sand and Seas]

Can they even do that? My understanding is the Studio Cabins are made as modules and inserted in to the ship as it's being built. I may be wrong though.

Maybe someone with more knowledge can give us info on that. In the past I recall reading that they took out a lounge (on the Dawn?) and replaced it with Suite cabins.

[BirdTravels]

Can they even do that? My understanding is the Studio Cabins are made as modules and inserted in to the ship as it's being built. I may be wrong though.

As part of the refit, they will be removing room modules and putting in public spaces. So, anything is possible. BUT, they are already selling rooms based on the new deck plans, and they are keeping the interior concierge rooms and not replacing them with studios. After spending $50M to rebuild the ship, it is unlikely that NCL will spend more money to gut it again anytime in the future.

[dides]

Noticed some further tweaks to the deck plans and dining offerings on our reservation - they are now adding Ocean Blue in place of some high end shops and Cocos is replacing the Godiva outlet

[of1accord]

This has been an adventure and we haven't left yet. I booked the June 1, 2019 cruise on the Pearl so my grandsons 11 and 15 can see Alaska. Now it's the Joy which seems like a big upgrade for the same price. Except I was on the Majestic Princess in the Mediterranean in 2017 and didn't like the smoke. I hope that will be gone. Our cabin was changed from deck 5 to one of the forward facing holes on the bow, deck 11, that look like they were made by a cannonball. I have no idea what kind of view that will get. Anyone sailed in one? I always take a balcony and now not sure if I can upgrade. Could consider jumping ship (literally) to the Bliss but have to cancel the flights I just booked to Seattle from Orlando or take a day and see Seattle. By 8pm tonight. Oh the pressure.

[JamieLogical]

This has been an adventure and we haven't left yet. I booked the June 1, 2019 cruise on the Pearl so my grandsons 11 and 15 can see Alaska. Now it's the Joy which seems like a big upgrade for the same price. Except I was on the Majestic Princess in the Mediterranean in 2017 and didn't like the smoke. I hope that will be gone. Our cabin was changed from deck 5 to one of the forward facing holes on the bow, deck 11, that look like they were made by a cannonball. I have no idea what kind of view that will get. Anyone sailed in one? I always take a balcony and now not sure if I can upgrade. Could consider jumping ship (literally) to the Bliss but have to cancel the flights I just booked to Seattle from Orlando or take a day and see Seattle. By 8pm tonight. Oh the pressure.

 

Were you booked in an ocean view on the Pearl? If the Joy is set up the same way as the Escape, smoke shouldn't be much of an issue. There are limited smoking areas. The worst area was the casino on the Escape, but they have installed new air handlers that make it better. I would assume they will be doing the same thing when they make updates to the Joy if they don't make an enclosed smoking area for the casino like they have on the Bliss.

 

Found a video of one of the forward-facing ocean view rooms on the Escape. Should be nearly identical on the Joy:

[ParrotheadKev]

This has been an adventure and we haven't left yet. I booked the June 1, 2019 cruise on the Pearl so my grandsons 11 and 15 can see Alaska. Now it's the Joy which seems like a big upgrade for the same price. Except I was on the Majestic Princess in the Mediterranean in 2017 and didn't like the smoke. I hope that will be gone. Our cabin was changed from deck 5 to one of the forward facing holes on the bow, deck 11, that look like they were made by a cannonball. I have no idea what kind of view that will get. Anyone sailed in one? I always take a balcony and now not sure if I can upgrade. Could consider jumping ship (literally) to the Bliss but have to cancel the flights I just booked to Seattle from Orlando or take a day and see Seattle. By 8pm tonight. Oh the pressure.

We were booked in a Ocean View Obstructed on the Pearl. They do not have that Category on the Joy. So they moved us to Deck 5 Ocean View Guaranteed. Which I did like the idea of not knowing our room.

 

I called NCL and they were able to move us to a Balcony on Deck 8 (steps from the Brew House ,don't judge) . They were happy to take my money. So if you are uncertain if that room is for you.

Give them an call and see what they can do.

 

 

But you'll have fun no matter what.

[molole]

There are quite a few Panama Canal cruises departing from Florida too, exactly what I am looking for. I normally prefer smaller ships but will take Joy. :D

 

 

As a starter:

one main pool for 4,000+ and few space for sun decks ... but, they can gut some of the green outdoors & shady area to convert

2 levels of expanded casino space (and, if I recall, a private/VIP lounge for high rollers) ... no idea how the smoke issues have/not been dealt with, since about/close to 1/2 of the China population smoke :rolleyes:

 

Small atrium is going to be a problem for indoor functions & gatherings

 

These are things that come to mind now.

 

I found the bolded part REALLY hard to believe based on my trips and looked it up.

 

No, in 2015 Chinese population smoking prevalence is about 25%, similar to US back in the 90’s. Comparible to current Germany 30%, France 28%, Korea 27% and Japan 22%.

Edited August 15, 2018 by molole

[DipBrat]

There are quite a few Panama Canal cruises departing from Florida too, exactly what I am looking for. I normally prefer smaller ships but will take Joy. :D

 

 

 

 

I found the bolded part REALLY hard to believe based on my trips and looked it up.

 

No, in 2015 Chinese population smoking prevalence is about 25%, similar to US back in the 90’s. Comparible to current Germany 30%, France 28%, Korea 27% and Japan 22%.

 

Yes but in China the middle and upper class people smoke at these rates wheras in the US and Europe this is not the case.

[molole]

Yes but in China the middle and upper class people smoke at these rates wheras in the US and Europe this is not the case.

 

That is interesting and if true it could mean higher prevalence on cruise ships than general population. Do you have a source for that?

 

PS, my numbers were from Wikipedia, which is sited from World Health Organization.

[DipBrat]

That is interesting and if true it could mean higher prevalence on cruise ships than general population. Do you have a source for that?

 

PS, my numbers were from Wikipedia, which is sited from World Health Organization.

 

For example the CDC says less than 5% of Americans with a graduate degree are current smokers.

I doubt reliable statistics exist for China broken out by income or education my comment was based on observation from living in China. Chinese cruisers are definitely from above average income groups.

[molole]

For example the CDC says less than 5% of Americans with a graduate degree are current smokers.

I doubt reliable statistics exist for China broken out by income or education my comment was based on observation from living in China. Chinese cruisers are definitely from above average income groups.

 

I see.

[of1accord]

Were you booked in an ocean view on the Pearl? If the Joy is set up the same way as the Escape, smoke shouldn't be much of an issue. There are limited smoking areas. The worst area was the casino on the Escape, but they have installed new air handlers that make it better. I would assume they will be doing the same thing when they make updates to the Joy if they don't make an enclosed smoking area for the casino like they have on the Bliss.

 

Found a video of one of the forward-facing ocean view rooms on the Escape. Should be nearly identical on the Joy:

 

 

Thank you for the video and the additional info. The cabin we were assigned to replace our family ocean view on deck 5 is said to sleep 5 people. I don't see a sofa or anything on the walls or room for that. I guess I'll call tomorrow and see what options there are.

[of1accord]

We were booked in a Ocean View Obstructed on the Pearl. They do not have that Category on the Joy. So they moved us to Deck 5 Ocean View Guaranteed. Which I did like the idea of not knowing our room.

 

I called NCL and they were able to move us to a Balcony on Deck 8 (steps from the Brew House ,don't judge) . They were happy to take my money. So if you are uncertain if that room is for you.

Give them an call and see what they can do.

 

 

But you'll have fun no matter what.

 

You are right about the fun part. I'm going to call about the balcony. No view is a deal breaker for me. Thanks for the info.

[JamieLogical]

Thank you for the video and the additional info. The cabin we were assigned to replace our family ocean view on deck 5 is said to sleep 5 people. I don't see a sofa or anything on the walls or room for that. I guess I'll call tomorrow and see what options there are.

 

I'm not sure all of the forward-facing ocean view rooms are created equal. That might not be the exact same room set-up you would get. But definitely call to be safe! Let us know how it goes and whether you decide to upgrade to a balcony.

[PhillyTravelBug]

I just heard on the Elvis Duran show NCL is having a one day sale tomorrow that includes free airfare for cruises booked only on the Joy. Is anyone else aware of this? I can’t find any info on it.

[Daghis]

I was just looking for information myself. I found reference to this deal at Cruise Radio. There, they say that it's available today for past guests.

 

I can't find any reference to this anywhere at NCL's site. I guess I'll have to give them a call.

 

I found that this offer is listed on their promotions' terms and conditions page (near the bottom)

 

Edited to add...

 

Well, that was disappointing. I called Casinos at Sea, and they were unaware of this promotion and said that all available promotions were listed on their web site. Cruise Radio says that NCL announced this, so I wonder where they made that announcement. There may be some hidden details there.

 

I found a copy of the press release, quoted here for reference:

 

September 13, 2018 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in cruise travel, today announced a free and reduced roundtrip airfare offer for new reservations on Norwegian Joy’s seven-day Alaska itineraries beginning April 2019 through September 2019.

The offer will be available to the general public for one day only on September 14, with past guests gaining early access on September 13. New bookings for a balcony or better will be eligible for free or reduced roundtrip economy class airfare for up to two guests from over 100 airports across the U.S. and Canada. Guests reserving The Haven or Concierge level will receive complimentary airfare at all eligible airports. Guests may opt for a discount up to $1,000 per stateroom instead of the airfare offer. The Free Air promotion is also combinable with Norwegian’s Free at Seaoffer, where guests can select up to five amenities of their choosing.

The promotion celebrates the repositioning of Norwegian Joy to the U.S. for year-round sailings on the west coast. Prior to her arrival in Seattle, Norwegian Joy will undergo approximately $50 million in upgrades to enhance her already popular features and bring her designs and offerings to be virtually identical to those of her sister ship, Norwegian Bliss, the newest and most successful ship in the line’s 51-year history. From dining and entertainment to recreational activities, guests will have more opportunities to experience the innovative features expected of the modern and dynamic fleet while discovering the natural beauty of Alaska.

“Alaska itineraries are some of our most popular cruises amongst travelers nationwide, as they offer one of the best ways to see and experience the Last Frontier,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We’re extremely excited to have Norwegian Joy join her sister Norwegian Bliss in Seattle next year, so we’re asking guests to join us in celebrating her arrival with this new and exciting free airfare promotion.”

Norwegian Joy will cruise a variety of itineraries featuring Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Holkham Bay and Icy Strait Point, long recognized for its untouched wilderness, rich culture and fresh seafood. She will also call into Victoria, British Columbia. Following her first season in Alaska from Seattle, she will remain on the west coast with cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canalfrom Los Angeles, as one of the newest and largest ships in the area, growing the brand’s presence in the underserved market.

The Free Air promotion will be available on September 14, with past guests gaining early access on September 13. It is only available with seven-day Alaska itineraries on Norwegian Joy and is based on availability. The offer includes roundtrip economy class airfare from select airports. It is not applicable with Sail Away categories. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

For more information about the free air fare offer, Norwegian Joy or to book a cruise aboard one of Norwegian’s ships, please contact a travel professional; call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784); or visit www.ncl.com.

Edited September 13, 2018 by Daghis

[PhillyTravelBug]

I spoke with a representative and the airfare is only free from a few destinations.

https://*******/2Qu56Uu

 

$399 from Philly which is almost the same as buying separately.

[Daghis]

I called the number listed in the press release. I'm not sure I got a human... the woman sounded as though she were one of those automated attendants that usually robocall people.

 

Anyway, she first said the promotion didn't exist. I told her that I was looking at the details on NCL's web site. She then pulled up a Norwegian Joy sailing and said that she did see the promotion.

 

Going through the pricing for that sailing, though, she said that the roundtrip air from Pittsburgh to Seattle was going to be a $499/person add-on. She said that was a discounted rate, but was unable to tell me how much it normally costs to add air to a booking. When I commented that it didn't seem like that great of a deal, she replied (extremely cheerfully, which was rather surprising) that that was great, and that I should book the airfare on my own and not take advantage of the offer.

 

I'm very confused.