Pros & cons of the Joy for Alaska in July

[DLynnFunCruise]

We loved our recent Alaska cruise on the Joy. Of course there are pros and cons 😁

Pros:

*Loved the mini-suite (deck 12): plenty of storage for two, awesome bath, private balcony for watching whales & scenery. Especially important if you like your personal space and are cruising at the height of the season.

* Ship layout and vibe. Super easy to navigate, lovely decor, and sparkling clean. 

*Loved the specialty restaurants (great food quality, good service). Wish they had an all-day breakfast option, though!

* Casino. Small (but not as small as the Pearl) but new & clean, with smokers enclosed in their own room. Decent game selection and some decent payout, considering. Good for one night's entertainment.

* Observation lounge. Excellent space to whale watch with abundant seating, snacks at all hours (almost), and a friendly bar.

 

Cons

* No thermal suite. I knew this going in, but it was still a bummer.

* Itinerary, if you like excursions. We've been on Alaska cruises many times before and didn't feel compelled to do any excursions this time. The timing of port stays on this itinerary would be disappointing if you wanted cool shore activities.

* Entertainment. I felt the shows were awful (my husband was more neutral). If you are hoping for Vegas (or even semi-Vegas), adjust your hopes😉 that said, there are a ton of other activities at all hours of day & night.