Raleigh Traveler

We are booked on both TAs, the Miami to Southampton and the Dec 3 return, Southampton to Miami. As mentioned, the Joy had a similar drydock early this year and from all I could tell, no sailing dates were changed. I have heard differing accounts on areas that were still being worked on during the post drydock cruise. Because they are available, we took the risk and booked one of the new cabins that will be going into the port side of the observation lounge. Later I asked our PCC about what happens if the cabins are not ready and was told they would not discuss protocol for something that is not yet an issue. We will certainly report on all that occurs or does not.

It has been a few years but we cruised out of Tampa and need transport from the airport to the terminal. As we walked through the airport, we saw an NCL rep with a sign for their shuttle. We asked and told that it was around $75 pp and we could go, get on the bus and wait for it to fill. Instead we walked out the door, hopped right into a taxi and off we went for probably half the per person cost of the NCL shuttle. Taxi was very easy and affordable.

We are booked on the two Encore TAs this fall that bookend the drydock. Part of the drydock will be adding 25 balcony cabins in place of part of the port side Observation Lounge. Our PCC has gotten us booked into one of those new cabins. Someone that was on the Joy right after its drydock where it added cabins to the same area, stated that a lot of the work was finished but not the cabins, people were moved elsewhere. We are thinking of taking the risk and not changing our booking, but does anyone know the NCL policy or how they actually decide where to move people if the cabins are not ready?

Not sure there is one. Usually we find out by seeing gaps in itineraries. There is a 16 day gap between two TAs on the Encore Nov-Dec this year but nothing official and only speculation on what is being done. It was like pulling teeth to get my PCC to admit to anything as we are on the cruise before and right after the break.

On the Joy a year ago. Line started 45-60 minutes before the first show. It is small but then makes for a great show. There is a bar just outside on the Waterfront and they pipe the music through their speakers and on the screen behind the bar. Not sure when they started lining up for the second show but people started coming in immediately as our show ended.

A lot of speculation on what is happening and very little official word from NCL. They said that adding the balcony cabins in the Lounge area with the Joy was possible because the original plans had cabins there so infrastructure was in place and they insert modules. We have booked a cabin in this area so at least know that the Encore is getting this change. Everything else is guesswork at this point.

Years ago we booked the transfers in advance. A few years ago we spotted the NCL rep at the airport (I think Tampa) and asked about joining their bus as we had not booked. Was told yes, maybe $75 for us both and we could go wait on the bus until full. We stepped outside and right into a taxi for half the price.

Encore is having work done in late Nov this year. Goes to Southampton, arriving on Nov 17 and leaving Dec 3. A lot of speculation on the work during that two week break, mostly assuming similar to the changes the Joy had early this year. We are booked on both cruises so will find out then.

There is definitely a variety of Indian food in the buffet. A number of years ago they offered a Taste of India event one evening with wonderful selection. A couple years later we asked about it and was told that they could arrange a special Indian dinner for us if scheduled. We did and had the food served in the MDR but later discovered it was simply the same Indian dishes that were being served in the buffet that night.

We check in with the muster station and then check our carry on bags. There is usually one lounge area where you can drop off carry on bags, staffed with claim tickets. Then off to lunch at a MDR. We pack swim trunks in our backpacks and head to the hot tubs before they get packed.

On our last cruise, an excursion was full. I kept watching the monitor in the Atrium and the day before the excursion, slots opened up, I jumped in line and got it. Don't know the how or why but it did happen and could for you as well. We were on the waitlist but did not get a call previous to me seeing the opening and checking myself.

We have checked our carry on bags on each of the past few cruises. As we board, we ask a crew member two things, which lounge has the carry on drop off and which MDR is open for lunch that day. It has always been in one of the lounges, a roped off area with staff that provides a claim ticket. The only issue was that on one cruise, the service ended before the cabins were open but at least we didn't need to cart them to lunch and our initial ship exploration.

My wife and I did the Miami to LA cruise this Jan-Feb. The weather was great and the only time it got cool was the last couple days heading up to LA. We always fly in a day or two pre-cruise and we preferred to overnight in Miami. We also live on the east coast so the trip began in the same time zone and dealt with the time change post trip. We were on the Joy but the itinerary is the same as the Miami-LA you posted. Great cruise.

Ship - Spirit Deck - 11 Stateroom # - 11631 Stateroom Category –Inside Starboard or Port Side - Aft Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes, Any specific problems with this cabin? - Yes, we cruised in this cabin a few years ago and another post brought back this memory. There is a post in the center of the room. Not noted when we cruised but now noted only that the “beds are not combinable.” The post/pipe is why.

We were on the Joy for 15 days this Jan-Feb. How wings are cooked is pretty low on our list of why we cruise. We did have the wings at the Local and they were just a good as what we get a most restaurants in our area. Give them a try and either repeat or move on. What did not impress at the Local was the hot dogs. What was really good are the pretzel bites and the Lechon Asado (Cuban roast pork with plantains, rice and beans).

We booked a future cruise while cruising Alaska last summer. I reached out to our PCC once we got home and had the reservation connected to her which she appreciated and now makes it easier to edit if necessary.

We have done two TAs, one each way. Tampa to Southampton was in the Spring and weather was great for the entire trip. End of April. Our Copenhagen to Miami was early Oct. Weather was a bit wet and rough until we got out of the Channel then clear the rest of the way. Both had plenty of on board activities and often had to make choices as two things we wanted to do were happening at the same time. We love the longer TAs and all the sea days.

On our recent 15 day cruise on the Joy, a separate Starbucks package was offered. With gratuities, it came to about $15.50 per day per person or $233 for the cruise. Here is the menu and costing at the Atrium venue. The math doesn't work for us but may for some.

Don't worry and stress. On all of our ten NCL cruises, we have never had to wait more than 10 minutes at a MDR for a party of two. On one cruise with a party of 8, we were actually seated quicker because most of the people in line wanted tables for 2-4. We have never even made reservations pre-cruise for specialty dining and have always gotten a table, maybe not at the exact time we hoped for but never missed a good meal.

Be careful what you wish for. My previous comment was based on ship experience. My wife and I spent three weeks in the Bengaluru area of India and the food we experienced there could not be served on a cruise ship because of the heat factor. At each meal, they served us Westerners a separate selection that was toned down considerably and I could hardly eat that because of the hot spices. On the ship, we are given a “taste of” but not the real thing.

We have enjoyed the variety of food on our cruises, including what is labeled as Indian. Many of the chefs are from South Asia and do influence the menu. At times we have enjoyed a Taste of India event with special items made by the staff. Realize that “Indian” food is a category, not a defined type. With over 120 different language/people groups there are bound to be considerable variations on a theme. Think of the differences in American recipes and multiply by a significant factor.

Interesting with the level of opinion on coffee. We were on a 15 day in Jan-Feb on the Joy and the coffee, for us was fine. I had multiple cups in the buffet, MDR and Local for breakfast and decafe each evening after supper. One French press at a specialty venue. Enjoyed it all.

The OP did ask for experiences. Several years back we cruised and pre-paid the gratuities. Surprised at the end of the cruise to find it added to our bill. I went to have the duplicated charge removed and was told I would have to talk to NCL after we got home. Maybe I could have pressed, but with a line behind me, I did not. Did call and got it straightened out and received the refund.

We did a TA out of Copenhagen several years back and stayed two nights at a hotel pre-cruise. It was my wife and I, not solo but we just grabbed a taxi at the airport and off to the hotel with no problem. I think the cost was between $30-50.

We cruised a 15 day Panama on the Joy, early this year and enjoyed our first big ship experience. This was our 8th cruise but first on a larger ship so no way to compare with the other Bliss class. As mentioned, the Joy was designed for the Asian market but after a couple years it it was repurposed. We were told this is why no thermal spa or solo cabins. It also explained the atypical pool deck that has a wide open, central area (for group exercises). We enjoyed how they used that area for evening movies. Each ship is a bit unique and that makes each cruise unique. To us, that's a good thing.