History/Cultural Nods of NCL Joy

[schelercamus]

I remember the Joy being built and designed for the Asian market. Now I see that she is not spending most of her time there-- would someone fill me in on that history? Genuinely curious.

 

We're also onboard in a few weeks for a Panama Canal cruise-- i.e. before the major overhaul in dry dock. 

What are some cultural nods that we could notice? Design/layout/colors/ menus-- etc. 

[graphicguy]

Best as I recall, the Joy was as you say meant to sail the Asian cruise routes.  Not sure why, but it only sailed those itineraries for a brief while.  I assume those routes weren't deemed successful enough by NCL.  

 

Generally speaking, NCL tries to make their ships appeal to a wide audience as they like to redeploy them.  The only real ship they have specific to a given market is the Pride of America, which sails a Hawaii itinerary only.

 

Menus are generally the same ship wide.  

 

I'm not sure there is anything culture specific on any of their ships.  They all have different "features" given their original build date.  For example, some have the race tracks, some don't.   Some have an Observation Lounge, many don't.  That's just two examples.

 

The Joy was refurbished about 3 years ago, so it should be in good shape and have the current Breakaway Plus furnishings.

Edited November 10, 2023 by graphicguy

[hallux]

I definitely felt Asian 'inspiration' in at least one of the specialty dining venues (I ate at Cagney's and Le Bistro on that ship in 2022), and in some other places around the ship.

 

Yes, the ship was designed for and originally deployed to Asia but NCL either couldn't fill the ship or found the clientele were 'disrespectful' in some manner to the ship.  Bottom line - it just didn't work.  There was a whole thread dedicated to the 'Westernization' of the ship (you should be able to find it easily using the search for that word), which was completed in May of 2019, that thread might have more of the history as to why it was re-done and moved.  The Joy was in fine shape last year.

[Pitzel]

One interesting thing you will see: None of the stateroom numbers end with a number 4, as it is considered an unlucky number in China. Same with the theater seat numbers -- no ending 4s!

[schelercamus]

10 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

One interesting thing you will see: None of the stateroom numbers end with a number 4, as it is considered an unlucky number in China. Same with the theater seat numbers -- no ending 4s!

That's really interesting-- likewise, we probably won't see a lot of white either.

 

[Homosassa]

I cruised on the Joy immediately after the ship was brought back to the US, so my observations  may no long hold true.

 

Seven is also an unlucky number in China so none of the staterooms  also did not end in seven.

 

There was no Deck 7. What would have been Deck 4 was labeled by a name, not a number.

 

On one of the decks, there was a shrine to Buddha.

 

China red was used in the decor around the ship.

 

A fast check of the Joy deck plans show that none of the cabins still do not end in 4 or 7. The exception appear to be cabins that were added in dry docks after leaving  China.

Edited November 10, 2023 by Homosassa

[RocketMan275]

7 hours ago, schelercamus said:

I remember the Joy being built and designed for the Asian market. Now I see that she is not spending most of her time there-- would someone fill me in on that history? Genuinely curious.

 

We're also onboard in a few weeks for a Panama Canal cruise-- i.e. before the major overhaul in dry dock. 

What are some cultural nods that we could notice? Design/layout/colors/ menus-- etc. 

IIRC, Harr travel mentioned in their review of the Haven on Joy that the area shown on the deck plans as the Haven Library on deck 18 (overlooks the Horizon Lounge on deck 17) was a special high roller casino while the ship was in Asia. This casino was removed for the US market. 

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

IIRC, Harr travel mentioned in their review of the Haven on Joy that the area shown on the deck plans as the Haven Library on deck 18 (overlooks the Horizon Lounge on deck 17) was a special high roller casino while the ship was in Asia. This casino was removed for the US market. 

That's interesting.   Hard to picture as a casino space, but I guess for high rollers perhaps 3 or 4 gaming tables?   It would be fun to see pictures of what those spaces looked like originally.

 

It's been reported that the Joy Haven library area will be closed off during the upcoming renovation to become part of two larger suites.    We checked it out during our cruise last month since we knew it would be gone before we return to the Joy.  It appeared larger (to our recollection) than the same space on Bliss, but the Bliss Haven library had a stairway down to the Horizon lounge.  We used it several times on the Bliss.   You really had to know the library was there to find it on the Joy.

[UKstages]

the joy haven library is the quietest place on the ship.

 

as for other asian influences on the original joy... my understanding is that there used to be two tea houses on board.... a fancy one and an ordinary one. and also a korean hot pot restaurant and a noodle bar. some of these occupied the spaces now housing teppanyaki and district brew house. there was also a karaoke bar and a lot more retail space. and only a very small gym. and no starbucks.

 

and, of course, a lot of the original art was chinese. that's all gone.

 

and in an ironic twist, they took out cabins to create the observation lounge!

 

and we all know how that story ends.