Maybe LIVE from Joy and maybe NOT

[rxlowry]

Tomorrow, we board the Joy for our first true Haven cruise on NCL.  We have stayed in a suite before but never with Haven access.  I like to do live reports as well as update my blog daily alpacamybagsblog dot com.  Not sure how well I’ll do with the internet so we will see.  If not, I promise to do it upon return. 
We were supposed to be boarding the Crystal Symphony tomorrow but that was cancelled due to bankruptcy.  Since we had airfare, we hopped over to NCL.  The ship is our destination as we have been to these ports multiple times.  Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll answer or take pictures for you.  I figure to let you ask now while I still have good internet.   
Lisa and Chris 

[DiscalC8]

I hope you have a great cruise!   We're on the Joy in 2 weeks (fingers crossed).   Thanks in advance for checking it out.  I'll be interested in hearing how embarkation goes and how smooth the dockside testing is (though we're not in Haven so yours will be quicker anyway).

 

Also interested to confirm whether the entertainment is running (Footloose and Elements) or if there are changes. I've seen other (smaller) ships that aren't running some shows/venues.

 

If you get a chance to find out, it would be great to know how many passengers, and what your impression is of the crowd. (Sailed in Oct on a RC cruise at about 60% and loved the elbow room.)

Bon Voyage

[aubreyc1988]

31 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

Tomorrow, we board the Joy for our first true Haven cruise on NCL.  We have stayed in a suite before but never with Haven access.  I like to do live reports as well as update my blog daily alpacamybagsblog dot com.  Not sure how well I’ll do with the internet so we will see.  If not, I promise to do it upon return. 
We were supposed to be boarding the Crystal Symphony tomorrow but that was cancelled due to bankruptcy.  Since we had airfare, we hopped over to NCL.  The ship is our destination as we have been to these ports multiple times.  Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll answer or take pictures for you.  I figure to let you ask now while I still have good internet.   
Lisa and Chris 

Yay, excited to follow along! Which haven suite are you in? 

[BirdTravels]

48 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

Tomorrow, we board the Joy for our first true Haven cruise on NCL.  We have stayed in a suite before but never with Haven access.  I like to do live reports as well as update my blog daily alpacamybagsblog dot com.  Not sure how well I’ll do with the internet so we will see.  If not, I promise to do it upon return. 
We were supposed to be boarding the Crystal Symphony tomorrow but that was cancelled due to bankruptcy.  Since we had airfare, we hopped over to NCL.  The ship is our destination as we have been to these ports multiple times.  Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll answer or take pictures for you.  I figure to let you ask now while I still have good internet.   
Lisa and Chris 

Have a wonderful cruise! The Joy is a great ship and the Haven is the only way to cruise!

[FlGoodShips]

56 minutes ago, DiscalC8 said:

I hope you have a great cruise!   We're on the Joy in 2 weeks (fingers crossed).   Thanks in advance for checking it out.  I'll be interested in hearing how embarkation goes and how smooth the dockside testing is (though we're not in Haven so yours will be quicker anyway).

 

Also interested to confirm whether the entertainment is running (Footloose and Elements) or if there are changes. I've seen other (smaller) ships that aren't running some shows/venues.

 

If you get a chance to find out, it would be great to know how many passengers, and what your impression is of the crowd. (Sailed in Oct on a RC cruise at about 60% and loved the elbow room.)

Bon Voyage

Just off the Joy and all shows played. Footloose, Beatles, magic show, comedians, Elements all in theatre were great. Cavern club, social, Q restaurant also had entertainment.

[rxlowry]

42 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

Yay, excited to follow along! Which haven suite are you in? 

Haven Penthouse Suite with Balcony (HI). Deck 14

[rxlowry]

Had a great lobster roll and mojito at Bayshore Marketplace 

[rxlowry]

Now I need some coffee in the room since we were up so early…3:45am

[aubreyc1988]

How are you getting to the port? Uber or a Taxi? Would love to know how plentiful the uber/lyfts are if you are using them

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, rxlowry said:

Tomorrow, we board the Joy for our first true Haven cruise on NCL.  We have stayed in a suite before but never with Haven access.  I like to do live reports as well as update my blog daily alpacamybagsblog dot com.  Not sure how well I’ll do with the internet so we will see.  If not, I promise to do it upon return. 
We were supposed to be boarding the Crystal Symphony tomorrow but that was cancelled due to bankruptcy.  Since we had airfare, we hopped over to NCL.  The ship is our destination as we have been to these ports multiple times.  Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll answer or take pictures for you.  I figure to let you ask now while I still have good internet.   
Lisa and Chris 

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by Sthrngary

[kruiserkatie]

Enjoy! Following along as we sail in the Haven in March. Say Hello to Efren, the concierge. He is wonderful ! 

[rxlowry]

4 hours ago, aubreyc1988 said:

How are you getting to the port? Uber or a Taxi? Would love to know how plentiful the uber/lyfts are if you are using them

We’ve used both.  Taxi seems cheaper and we used a taxi from airport to hotel.  Probably a taxi tomorrow….

[rxlowry]

Amazing Happy Hour dinner at Boulud Sud.  Highly recommend. 

[aubreyc1988]

1 hour ago, rxlowry said:

We’ve used both.  Taxi seems cheaper and we used a taxi from airport to hotel.  Probably a taxi tomorrow….

Let me know how the taxi goes. I currently have a hotel by the airport booked so I can use their shuttle from the airport to the hotel, then plan to use uber or taxi to the port from the MIA airport area 

[FlGoodShips]

9 hours ago, rxlowry said:

Tomorrow, we board the Joy for our first true Haven cruise on NCL.  We have stayed in a suite before but never with Haven access.  I like to do live reports as well as update my blog daily alpacamybagsblog dot com.  Not sure how well I’ll do with the internet so we will see.  If not, I promise to do it upon return. 
We were supposed to be boarding the Crystal Symphony tomorrow but that was cancelled due to bankruptcy.  Since we had airfare, we hopped over to NCL.  The ship is our destination as we have been to these ports multiple times.  Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll answer or take pictures for you.  I figure to let you ask now while I still have good internet.   
Lisa and Chris 

Don't miss the show in Q Smokehouse. Called "Broadway Cabaret".  It has performers from Footloose and other shows.

It was fantastic

[WAHMto5]

Looking forward to the review!  We will be getting on as you get off, also in the Haven. 

[Acruzaholic]

So much looking forward to your review-Will be sailing for the first time in the Haven on Joy in 5 weeks from today in the same category on Deck 14 (replacement for our Jan 18, 2022 Getaway cruise that was recently cancelled due to Covid issues by NCL). What a bargain we got with the current prices and the 20% discount applied from cancelled Getaway cruise-Thank You NCL. Please let me know if you might have booked one w/angled balcony, as we have, if so wold like to see what angled balcony is compared to a regular deck 14 Haven Penthouse Balcony. Please share pictures of room. So excited to try Haven for first time-wanted to experience after following Sthrngary's exceptional extensive reviews/suggestions(Thanks Sthrngary)- We booked because of Sthrngary. Never would have wanted to try Haven in the past, as I was very Happy to book a Club Balcony, score VIBE passes and purchase specialty dining for every night. Wishing you  a Wonderful Great Cruise-what a treat given the current reduced number of passengers-was last on Encore Dec 5, 2021 with reduced passengers-was Fricken Awesome!!!!

[Honolulu Blue]

18 hours ago, rxlowry said:

Tomorrow, we board the Joy for our first true Haven cruise on NCL.  We have stayed in a suite before but never with Haven access.  I like to do live reports as well as update my blog daily alpacamybagsblog dot com.  Not sure how well I’ll do with the internet so we will see.  If not, I promise to do it upon return. 
We were supposed to be boarding the Crystal Symphony tomorrow but that was cancelled due to bankruptcy.  Since we had airfare, we hopped over to NCL.  The ship is our destination as we have been to these ports multiple times.  Feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll answer or take pictures for you.  I figure to let you ask now while I still have good internet.   
Lisa and Chris 

 

First of all, I'm sorry that Crystal went busto on you.  This sounds like an excellent plan B.  Second, have a wonderful cruise.  I hope you get all that you want out of it - and nothing you don't.

 

Third, and my only question - have you received your refund from Crystal yet?  I'm guessing no, but I'm ready to be surprised.  Maybe you'll get a dining room set from Alang instead? 😄

 

Lastly, it must be nice to be able to pay for a luxury cruise and pay for a luxury cruise experience without waiting for a refund.  Yep, must be nice. 🙂  I don't think I could do that.  But no, I'm not jealous.  🙂  Not me.  Not at all. 🙂  OK, maybe a little.  😁

 

Seriously, go out and have a great time!  Entertain us all!  Make us all kinds of envious!!

[jimbri]

Have a wonderful cruise.

[rxlowry]

22 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

First of all, I'm sorry that Crystal went busto on you.  This sounds like an excellent plan B.  Second, have a wonderful cruise.  I hope you get all that you want out of it - and nothing you don't.

 

Third, and my only question - have you received your refund from Crystal yet?  I'm guessing no, but I'm ready to be surprised.  Maybe you'll get a dining room set from Alang instead? 😄

 

Lastly, it must be nice to be able to pay for a luxury cruise and pay for a luxury cruise experience without waiting for a refund.  Yep, must be nice. 🙂  I don't think I could do that.  But no, I'm not jealous.  🙂  Not me.  Not at all. 🙂  OK, maybe a little.  😁

 

Seriously, go out and have a great time!  Entertain us all!  Make us all kinds of envious!!

Thanks!  We did get the refund already!!  Crystal was a great value.  Probably too good honestly and part of the reason of why they had financial problems.  This is our first Haven cruise on NCL and we never did previous because Crystal was cheaper!  (Loved the ocean view rooms…never had a balcony there)

[rxlowry]

Embarkation was pretty painless.  We arrived at port at 9:50.  Took a quick Uber  from hotel.  Not much of a line to get the Covid test at all.  You are given a card with a time to check your results.  Ours was 10:20.   You get wristbands and then walk to the terminal to check in.  We checked in and went straight to a line to board.  We waited there maybe ten minutes and we were lead to our muster station. It was 11:05 when we were walking on.  After a super brief talk, we were then taken up to the haven.  Did not get to see the lounge area in terminal but I’d rather get on board any day straight away like that.  

[rxlowry]

I’ll probably write a more detailed blog post today.  
Yesterday was fabulous.   We loved our lunch.   Explored the ship.  Had mojitos with the famous Bong.  Met up with people from the F book group there.  Drank a bunch.  Enjoyed a great dinner.  We were a little late to the Beatles show (about ten min) in main theater so we stood in the back rather than disturb people.  Great music.  Explored some more. Had a quick salsa dance and but the casino.  
Clocks went back and I’m up way too early.  

[DiscalC8]

1 hour ago, rxlowry said:

I’ll probably write a more detailed blog post today.  
Yesterday was fabulous.   We loved our lunch.   Explored the ship.  Had mojitos with the famous Bong.  Met up with people from the F book group there.  Drank a bunch.  Enjoyed a great dinner.  We were a little late to the Beatles show (about ten min) in main theater so we stood in the back rather than disturb people.  Great music.  Explored some more. Had a quick salsa dance and but the casino.  
Clocks went back and I’m up way too early.  

Thanks for taking the time to do these updates.  I'm already picturing being there..... can't wait.

[travelwide]

Interested in hearing about how many are onboard the ship.

[vacation44]

On 2/11/2022 at 2:38 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

How are you getting to the port? Uber or a Taxi? Would love to know how plentiful the uber/lyfts are if you are using them

We are also on the Joy now.   Took Uber from the Intercontinental and it was very quick and painless (first time using Uber with out our young adult children so I was a little concerned about the process as they are always in charge of that).