Live from NCL Joy 6/12

[graphicguy]

20 hours ago, rxlowry said:

The Goslings Rum cruise was great!  Learned about rum, drank some and enjoyed the sunset 

How cool.  I’ve taken that excursion, but it’s been years. What fun.

 

Glad to see they still offer it.

[rxlowry]

On 6/18/2022 at 8:21 AM, Jac199 said:

Enjoying the "Live from" and loving the blog! Thanks for posting. I get to travel vicariously through you. 

Thanks!!  I’m glad your enjoying the blog. Should be more posted on it today!!

[cmjars]

@rxlowrycould you give us idea of what check in was like? Do we go to like piers 92-94 then walk over to 88? Do they do check docs, then security at 88? I am so confused going on Joy July 3rd.

 

Thank you!

[mking8288]

Thanks again for taking us along ... also heard from our CC friends currently onboard, they are packed & going to spent one final night on the Joy.  

 

For upcoming Joy sailings, all the Spa balconies and club balconies are gone, not available for booking and/or upgrade - trying to figure out what's going on ... are they shutting it down or doing work (unlikely, but never assume, right) or errors in their booking system ??  Maybe, you can check & ask them - it was offered in May but the few times we walked by, didn't seem very busy.  

 

Enjoy the last sea day and understood that seas are calm and flat.  

[rxlowry]

The seas were slightly calmer but the bags did remain in place the last sea day.  
Did the black glass tasting with macarons which was nice but it was so much better in February.  Way more knowledge and interesting wines.  But I still think it’s a great time.  
Last dinner was the buffet which was seafood night.  We also wanted a crepe for dessert which was excellent.  

[rxlowry]

I updated the blog yesterday and I’ll do the last sea day today. 
Slept great in my own bed.  We both had the worst beds of all our cruises.  Super hard and bumpy. 
I really enjoyed the upgraded beverage package.  I’m not sure I’d do it every cruise, but that’s the same for Haven and Vibe.  None of these things are things I have to do each cruise.  I’d have to evaluate the itinerary, cruising companions and my personal preference for that cruise.  

[Mademypoint]

On 6/18/2022 at 1:43 PM, cmjars said:

@rxlowrycould you give us idea of what check in was like? Do we go to like piers 92-94 then walk over to 88? Do they do check docs, then security at 88? I am so confused going on Joy July 3rd.

 

Thank you!

Just get dropped off at 88 so you can leave your luggage before walking in. 

[Mademypoint]

7 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

I updated the blog yesterday and I’ll do the last sea day today. 
Slept great in my own bed.  We both had the worst beds of all our cruises.  Super hard and bumpy. 
I really enjoyed the upgraded beverage package.  I’m not sure I’d do it every cruise, but that’s the same for Haven and Vibe.  None of these things are things I have to do each cruise.  I’d have to evaluate the itinerary, cruising companions and my personal preference for that cruise.  

I didn't have one good night's sleep, actually debated on using the sofa instead. Don't remember it being remotely like that in the studio and I have no clue why.

[rxlowry]

1 hour ago, Mademypoint said:

I didn't have one good night's sleep, actually debated on using the sofa instead. Don't remember it being remotely like that in the studio and I have no clue why.

We had same thoughts!!!

[andychris]

4 hours ago, rxlowry said:

The seas were slightly calmer but the bags did remain in place the last sea day.  
Did the black glass tasting with macarons which was nice but it was so much better in February.  Way more knowledge and interesting wines.  But I still think it’s a great time.  
Last dinner was the buffet which was seafood night.  We also wanted a crepe for dessert which was excellent.  

this looks so nice!  Can I ask how much this costs?
thank you!

[rxlowry]

2 hours ago, andychris said:

this looks so nice!  Can I ask how much this costs?
thank you!

It was about 25.  You get a discount with the package. For plus it’s a 40% discount. 

[rxlowry]

On 6/18/2022 at 1:43 PM, cmjars said:

@rxlowrycould you give us idea of what check in was like? Do we go to like piers 92-94 then walk over to 88? Do they do check docs, then security at 88? I am so confused going on Joy July 3rd.

 

Thank you!

It is straight to 88.  Security first, then document (they give boarding number here). Then to room key.  The haven went all the way to the right early on.  Casinos at sea and latitudes ahead separate lines for keys.   Clueless though about priority boarding.  I had to ask many people to get it. 

[cmjars]

2 hours ago, rxlowry said:

It is straight to 88.  Security first, then document (they give boarding number here). Then to room key.  The haven went all the way to the right early on.  Casinos at sea and latitudes ahead separate lines for keys.   Clueless though about priority boarding.  I had to ask many people to get it. 

A little discouraging... We are in the Haven not sure that will do much based on what I am hearing. But your trip sounded like fun. I followed your blog 🙂

[rxlowry]

13 hours ago, cmjars said:

A little discouraging... We are in the Haven not sure that will do much based on what I am hearing. But your trip sounded like fun. I followed your blog 🙂

I think you’ll be fine.  The Haven had a designated area and I believe a shorter line to check Bermuda authorizations.  Just ask the first agent you see because you might have own security too.  I did hear them tell people to go all the way to the right.  
Enjoy the Haven.  I loved it in February!

Glad you liked the blog. 

[rxlowry]

Blog is updated with last sea day.  I’ll work on disembarkation and final thoughts.  
My next cruise will be a Mediterranean on MSC in the Yacht Club for a milestone anniversary.  First time trying MSC so fingers crossed. 

[rxlowry]

My daughter tested positive today.  Ugh.  My husband and I both came home from our April cruise with it.  All boosted.  She avoided it all year at college too. 
I can’t see them dropping the vaccine requirement anytime soon.  Didn’t hear much coughing and sneezing and I was listening for it especially at end of trip.  

[JandC_Cruising]

17 hours ago, cmjars said:

A little discouraging... We are in the Haven not sure that will do much based on what I am hearing. But your trip sounded like fun. I followed your blog 🙂

Haven check-in is very easy!.  

First off, be sure to go to the FAR LEFT to go through Security.  There is a dedicated line there that Haven guests can use, rather than the big snaking line.

You have to show your Bermuda docs and get a "green sticker" placed on your passport.  We did that to the desks on the right just after security.

From there, walk to the end of the terminal to the right just after the rest rooms to the Haven Check-in Lounge.  You will receive a number and then sit in the lounge to wait with the others (coffee, juice, snacks in there).  There are 2-3 staffers who check parties in sequentially and then hand you your key cards.  

We were at the pier around 9AM and were the 4th party through the Haven Security line, and maybe the 12th in the Haven lounge as we were not fleet of foot walking to the lounge 🙂 and on the ship by 10:45 (if I recall).  First Pina Colada in hand by 11:15 after making some dinner arrangements with the concierge desk and dropping our backpacks in our 2BR on 18!  

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by JandC_Cruising

[CDR Benson]

7 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Haven check-in is very easy!.  

First off, be sure to go to the FAR LEFT to go through Security.  There is a dedicated line there that Haven guests can use, rather than the big snaking line.

You have to show your Bermuda docs and get a "green sticker" placed on your passport.  We did that to the desks on the right just after security.

From there, walk to the end of the terminal to the right just after the rest rooms to the Haven Check-in Lounge.  You will receive a number and then sit in the lounge to wait with the others (coffee, juice, snacks in there).  There are 2-3 staffers who check parties in sequentially and then hand you your key cards.  

We were at the pier around 9AM and were the 4th party through the Haven Security line, and maybe the 12th in the Haven lounge as we were not fleet of foot walking to the lounge 🙂 and on the ship by 10:45 (if I recall).  First Pina Colada in hand by 11:15 after making some dinner arrangements with the concierge desk and dropping our backpacks in our 2BR on 18!  

 

 

Thank you!  That clarified the vagaries that remained after reading other posts about check-in at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.  (I'm one of those folks who need "Directions for Dummies")  My wife and I are Haven passengers on JOY for a September cruise.  Yours was excellent instruction for us to know where to go and what proceeds.

 

Much obliged.

 

 

[cmjars]

55 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

My daughter tested positive today.  Ugh.  My husband and I both came home from our April cruise with it.  All boosted.  She avoided it all year at college too. 
I can’t see them dropping the vaccine requirement anytime soon.  Didn’t hear much coughing and sneezing and I was listening for it especially at end of trip.  

How is your daughter doing? I have had it twice, first time bad and the second time pretty mild.

[rxlowry]

30 minutes ago, cmjars said:

How is your daughter doing? I have had it twice, first time bad and the second time pretty mild.

Thanks for asking!  She has a fever, headache, body aches and slight cough. My husband and I both had very mild cases so I'm hoping it will be the same for her. 

[PTC DAWG]

On 6/16/2022 at 2:11 PM, rxlowry said:

It is at the Dockyard right next to Snorkel Park

I believe this is it..

 

http://www.fungolf.bm/

[rxlowry]

15 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I believe this is it..

 

http://www.fungolf.bm/

Indeed it is.  Thanks for posting the link!

[Mike A]

We were the 5/29 sailing and Priority Access used the same check-in line as Latitudes and Casino at Sea

[umpisoccer]

Thanks for the review.  We sail on the Joy July 10th

[rxlowry]

2 hours ago, umpisoccer said:

Thanks for the review.  We sail on the Joy July 10th

Glad you liked it.  I think I'll add debarkation and final thoughts to my blog today.

 

Some basic final thoughts:

 

Debarkation was easy.  I did have to go to the desk to get priority tags for debarkation.  On previous cruises, they were delivered to the cabin.  We were back home in Delaware around 11.  

I loved having the premium plus beverages although I would not splurge on that every cruise.

The beds were not good.  I was never so happy to be home to my own bed and I have always liked my cruise bed on every cruise.  

My daughter did test positive for covid on Tuesday with some symptoms starting Monday night.  I wasn't shocked by this happening as it happened to us after our April cruise.  It was mild though and we've had worse cruise crud in the past after a trip.