NCL Joy Info Wish List

[TexasCruiser84]

With Joy’s media events beginning tomorrow, I figured I’d start a thread on what people want to know about the ship from early cruisers?

 

I’ll be on the 5/4 sailing and happy to report back and answer questions - but some lucky CC’ers will be on even earlier!

 

I’m particularly interested in seeing a spa menu with prices, knowing if the locker rooms have a steam room or sauna, and if the gym has a rowing machine.  

 

What do you want to know?

[Defhermit]

I want to know what exactly is all in the Galaxy Pavilion. I gather there is some sort of dark ride motion simulator, and maybe a race car simulation. Also, is there a regular arcade like there is on the Bliss with standard arcade games? 

Is there live music in Q like there was on the Bliss? Who is it?

Are there hot tubs on the back where Spice H20 is located?

I've gathered that the band playing in The Cavern will perform Beatles covers but also do other bands and won't be a full 'dress up like the band' tribute band like they had/have on The Bliss. Is this true?

Standup comedy? Will that be a thing?

 

Thanks.

[ute_fan]

I'd be curious in seeing menus of both the main dining rooms and the specialty ones.  Been 4 years since we've been on a cruise and I haven't seen any recent ones.  I'm wondering about the Galaxy Pavilion too, so another vote for the previous post.  Any special quiet places on the ship to hang out?  We've been on the Jewel class ships several times to Alaska and loved the lounge chairs on the promenade deck-- under the heaters -- to hang out on and watch the scenery sail by and wildlife watch, but I'm guessing they won't have those with the waterfront area.  We have a balcony, but sometimes it's nicer to be able  stretch out a bit more.

 

[Defhermit]

15 minutes ago, ute_fan said:

I'd be curious in seeing menus of both the main dining rooms and the specialty ones.  Been 4 years since we've been on a cruise and I haven't seen any recent ones.  I'm wondering about the Galaxy Pavilion too, so another vote for the previous post.  Any special quiet places on the ship to hang out?  We've been on the Jewel class ships several times to Alaska and loved the lounge chairs on the promenade deck-- under the heaters -- to hang out on and watch the scenery sail by and wildlife watch, but I'm guessing they won't have those with the waterfront area.  We have a balcony, but sometimes it's nicer to be able  stretch out a bit more.

 

 

I think the observation lounge is what you're looking for! Joy should have one just like Bliss which I was on last year, but now it has a built-in starbucks! I really like the observation lounge for chilling out watching for seals basking on floating pieces of ice...

[ute_fan]

27 minutes ago, Defhermit said:

 

I think the observation lounge is what you're looking for! Joy should have one just like Bliss which I was on last year, but now it has a built-in starbucks! I really like the observation lounge for chilling out watching for seals basking on floating pieces of ice...

How busy was it?  The Jewel class ships had an observation lounge type area at the front of the ship, but we weren't able to find seats near the windows.  

 

[Defhermit]

9 minutes ago, ute_fan said:

How busy was it?  The Jewel class ships had an observation lounge type area at the front of the ship, but we weren't able to find seats near the windows.  

 

 

I've never been on any other ship, but I understand that the observation lounge on Bliss was a new thing at the time. I presume it is much larger than whatever is on Jewel.

It was busy but I was always able to find a seat near a window when I wanted one. You may need to move someone's stuff off of a seat but I'm from Philadelphia so a little confrontation has never bothered me. 

[smplybcause]

2 hours ago, Defhermit said:

I want to know what exactly is all in the Galaxy Pavilion. I gather there is some sort of dark ride motion simulator, and maybe a race car simulation. Also, is there a regular arcade like there is on the Bliss with standard arcade games? 

Is there live music in Q like there was on the Bliss? Who is it?

Are there hot tubs on the back where Spice H20 is located?

I've gathered that the band playing in The Cavern will perform Beatles covers but also do other bands and won't be a full 'dress up like the band' tribute band like they had/have on The Bliss. Is this true?

Standup comedy? Will that be a thing?

 

Thanks.

 

I looked into Spice when I was deciding between Joy and Bliss. The deck plans on NCL look just like the video I was able to find on it. A really large hot tub to one side and most if not all of it has a roof over it, but it looked like it was open air not closed in. 

[QTsKid]

menus for Ocean Blue and La Cucina. I've seen different menus, none with dates and vague references to not liking the new menu, but I don't want to pay an upcharge for Ocean Blue if the new menu really isn't great, and I'd prefer not to waste a specialty dining night on yucky Italian.   🙂

[donovanrs28]

4 hours ago, Defhermit said:

Is there live music in Q like there was on the Bliss? Who is it?

Marie Wise-Hawkins - Twitter Post

 

[seemoreroyals]

We won’t we in the Joy until December so a lot may change by then.  Would like to know about entertainment, guitar players, piano players at the bars and lounges.  

 

I would also also like to know which locations serve as backup dining venues for breakfast and lunch.  On both the Breakaway and Epic last year be enjoyed nice alternatives to the buffet and main dining rooms.  

 

We are also looking forward to hearing about some of the specialty restaurants we are not familiar with such as Q.  Also looking forward to reviews about the Local which I guess for all practical purposes is just a name change for O Sheehan’s. Is the menu different, food better, etc?

[Defhermit]

21 minutes ago, seemoreroyals said:

We won’t we in the Joy until December so a lot may change by then.  Would like to know about entertainment, guitar players, piano players at the bars and lounges.  

 

I would also also like to know which locations serve as backup dining venues for breakfast and lunch.  On both the Breakaway and Epic last year be enjoyed nice alternatives to the buffet and main dining rooms.  

 

We are also looking forward to hearing about some of the specialty restaurants we are not familiar with such as Q.  Also looking forward to reviews about the Local which I guess for all practical purposes is just a name change for O Sheehan’s. Is the menu different, food better, etc?

 

I went on Bliss last year so I can (pretty much) confirm that The Local (O'Sheehans) will be used as an alternate free breakfast location. I went there almost every day for breakfast on Bliss.

I checked out Q on Bliss as well. It was not great, IMO. I am a fiend for brisket and I thought that it was a bit tough, and the sides were laughably small. Like, a ramiken-full of beans and potato salad? I use ramikens for CONDIMENTS, not SIDES. I AM AN AMERICAN. But anyway you can just ask for more of those I guess. It wasn't bad enough for me not to be looking forward to trying it again on Joy, but I'll be trying something other than the brisket this time.

[beanie315]

I would like to know the answers to above questions as well as the cost for Racetrack , Laser tag , virtual experience , and mini golf. We don't sail till may 2nd of 2020 so a lot may change by then.

[ssteinerman]

This one might depend on where you are on the ship, but info on how well the wifi works would be appreciated! I understand that NCL's wifi has in the past been pretty atrocious, and would love to know if there have been any improvements.

 

Also, photos of the menus at the bars and restaurants 😄

Edited April 24, 2019 by ssteinerman

[llg13]

1 hour ago, beanie315 said:

I would like to know the answers to above questions as well as the cost for Racetrack , Laser tag , virtual experience , and mini golf. We don't sail till may 2nd of 2020 so a lot may change by then.

 

I second this! I too am also going on this sailing.

[QTsKid]

hubby just asked for pictures/information on the fitness center 🙂

[Sand and Seas]

Would love to see lots of pictures of the public areas to see what has been updated.    

Also I would like to know if they have the enclosed casino smoking area like on the Bliss.    It works so well on the Bliss to keep the smoke out of the other public areas.

[Zlasmcruising]

On 4/23/2019 at 12:54 PM, ute_fan said:

I'd be curious in seeing menus of both the main dining rooms and the specialty ones.  Been 4 years since we've been on a cruise and I haven't seen any recent ones.  I'm wondering about the Galaxy Pavilion too, so another vote for the previous post.  Any special quiet places on the ship to hang out?  We've been on the Jewel class ships several times to Alaska and loved the lounge chairs on the promenade deck-- under the heaters -- to hang out on and watch the scenery sail by and wildlife watch, but I'm guessing they won't have those with the waterfront area.  We have a balcony, but sometimes it's nicer to be able  stretch out a bit more.

 

The observation lounge is on the deck 15. It is huge. It takes up all the area on the ship starting from the forward elevators and all the way to the front of the ship. It is all glassed in with lounges, chairs, bar, starbucks and a small area for breakfast and lunch area.

[htnut]

I'd like to see multiple photos or a video of the CB or CA cabins on the new concierge floor - including the balconies.

[Rassilon]

Interested in pics of the CF cabins. Also of the kids area. Hoping it’s not shrunk as much as the deck plans lead one to believe. 

[ATLJC]

4 hours ago, Rassilon said:

Interested in pics of the CF cabins. Also of the kids area. Hoping it’s not shrunk as much as the deck plans lead one to believe. 

See:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2647600-everything-norwegian-joys-westernization-2019/?do=findComment&comment=57355600

 

 

Edited April 27, 2019 by ATLJC

[ColoradoCruiser98]

We are going to be on the Joy, June 1 for our first cruise to Alaska.  My brother and sister-in-law told me that the only time we will be seeing glaciers is between 4 to 7 on Day 4 when we are cruising Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords and told me to cancel my dinner reservation's at 5:30.  Would LOVE to know if this is correct.  Thank you for any info and hope you are having a GREAT cruise! 

[mikembs]

On 4/23/2019 at 8:36 AM, TexasCruiser84 said:

With Joy’s media events beginning tomorrow, I figured I’d start a thread on what people want to know about the ship from early cruisers?

 

I’ll be on the 5/4 sailing and happy to report back and answer questions - but some lucky CC’ers will be on even earlier!

 

I’m particularly interested in seeing a spa menu with prices, knowing if the locker rooms have a steam room or sauna, and if the gym has a rowing machine.  

 

What do you want to know?

what is the spa like? i hear they do not have a thermal suite. any other surprises you noticed?  advise or recommendations are very welcome. really just anything you want to share about the Joy would be great!

[mikembs]

On 4/24/2019 at 2:43 PM, Sand and Seas said:

Would love to see lots of pictures of the public areas to see what has been updated.    

Also I would like to know if they have the enclosed casino smoking area like on the Bliss.    It works so well on the Bliss to keep the smoke out of the other public areas.

i saw that the smoking room for cigars was only accessable from outside. kinda hard to find. 

[rj42]

For those looking for photos, just check out youtube, since there was a recent short cruise out of Vancouver where several travel agents and reviewers took videos and photos of the cabins, public areas, and gaming attractions. For those looking for menus of the dining rooms and The Local, I found this website for the Bliss, which should be pretty much the same:

 

http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-bliss-menus.html

 

I'm leaving on Saturday, since I'm a local and saw both a solo $459 fare and a week of excellent Alaskan weather for early May.

 

For those interested in glaciers, you might want a Bliss itinerary that specifically goes into Glacier Bay, or do a N/S cruise that spend more time with glaciers and in ports (Jewel was down to $299 the last I checked), or else do a r/t cruise that includes Hubbard Glacier, which I found to be the most huge and impressive, with lots of calving and that's actually growing, unlike the other shrinking glaciers. 

[hallux]

54 minutes ago, mikembs said:

i saw that the smoking room for cigars was only accessable from outside. kinda hard to find. 

 

It's not in the same place as on Bliss but based on the deck plans enter the waterfront on deck 8 from the forward entrance near Food Republic and walk aft...