Whats up with the JOY?

We are interested in going on something a bit different with NCL so we thought of the NCL Joy from Shanghai. But for the life of me I can't seem to find anything bookable on her thru NCL's site or other sites. I can find no itineraries whatsoever either close in or at later dates. Does anyone know what's happened with the Joy? I'm assuming she is still in the fleet as she is displayed on NCL's website.

https://www.icruise.com/ships/norwegian-cruise-line-norwegian-joy-cruise-itineraries.html

Thanks for this. Wonder why nothing is displayed for her on the NCL site?

Thanks for this. Wonder why nothing is displayed for her on the NCL site?

because the Joy is built and spec for the Chinese/Asian cruise market. the ship was never ever designed for American people. They are a few cruises you can book on NCL website, for the rest you will have to find a travel agent.

because the Joy is built and spec for the Chinese/Asian cruise market. the ship was never ever designed for American people. They are a few cruises you can book on NCL website, for the rest you will have to find a travel agent.

That I understand but it seems awfully counterproductive to include a ship on your website without the opportunity to book it regardless of who I am or where it's home ported and for whom it was designed. That being said, I will track down an agent and book it that way. Thanks for your help.

Actually I would not really recommend booking the Joy and you hardly will find an US TA to book it - they can´t. You will be the only American amongst Chinese. Language onboard will be Chinese. It´s a totally different culture and you might not enjoy it.

steamboats

Actually I would not really recommend booking the Joy and you hardly will find an US TA to book it - they can´t. You will be the only American amongst Chinese. Language onboard will be Chinese. It´s a totally different culture and you might not enjoy it.

 

steamboats

Plenty of Chinese customers seem to enjoy the American sailings. Why would the reverse not be true?

Having been on a sailing that was over half mainland Chinese chartered, I Understand why the Joy isn’t offered to western customers. About 300 passengers on our sailing were from Hong Kong and they didn’t get on well with the mainland China groups either. Much different to be in a ship with some mainland Chinese passengers than to be the only one from western culture. The Joy and other purpose built Chinese market ships do a great job with the market they have. They can cater to their passengers language wise, ship design, foods, activities.

Plenty of Chinese customers seem to enjoy the American sailings. Why would the reverse not be true?

Because of the food/culture/and language barriers.

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You might want to read this multi-page thread about Americans on the Joy ....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2564448&highlight=JOY

because the Joy is built and spec for the Chinese/Asian cruise market. the ship was never ever designed for American people. They are a few cruises you can book on NCL website, for the rest you will have to find a travel agent.

Because of this NCL was able turn the space one cabin into into 3 and increase the casino fourfold, just to name a few of the changes. Huge mark up on Sake as well. Oh and lets not forget smaller elevators.

Because of the food/culture/and language barriers.

 

 

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Aren't there food/culture/ and language barriers when Chinese passengers take a cruise out of an American port?

Plenty of Chinese customers seem to enjoy the American sailings. Why would the reverse not be true?

It´s a difference between having 300 Chinese passengers on a 2,000 pax ship in the Caribbean and being the only Americans on a 4,000 pax ship out of China.

steamboats

Aren't there food/culture/ and language barriers when Chinese passengers take a cruise out of an American port?

If you don’t what the difference is then I am not sure I will be able to explain but I can try. Most Americans when they travel expect that they will be able to find someone who speaks English and for the most part (in touristy areas) that is true. That may not be the case on the Joy.

Additionally just try and imagine...many Americans are not very foodie and I think will probably not like the food.

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That being said, I will track down an agent and book it that way. Thanks for your help.

You'll be sorrrry.

Hong Kong-based Chinese T/A that specialized in booking Asia cruises are advising their local clients to NOT sail the Joy, aimed at & catering to mainland Chinese nationals ... Hong Kong is a much better gateway to sail Asia/China and look at other mass lines, also, consider the Gentling cruises (a/k/a Star Cruises) doing that region. Or, take a good look at the upcoming NCL Jewel 12 days, Shanghai to Tokyo, JP - oceanviews & insides.

To access the available itinerary & online links, you need to VPN into oversea websites & navigate those URL's in Chinese. Booking is done mostly with authorized partnering T/A directly by telephone as it's quite a challenge to look at pricing info & other details.

NCL Asia does seem to release unsold inventory on a last minute basis for the "general" public - mostly balconies & higher for these short 5 or 6 days Shanghai to Japan R/T. South Korea is no longer a port stop. You are responsible for obtaining PRC (multiple entries, issued for up 10 years validity) visas as U.S. nationals, an additional $150 to $200 + p/p. There're some last minute Sail Away deals around last X'Mas/New Year sailing (so, it didn't sell out ???) but airfares from the U.S. mainland was crazy to even think about it. No "Free At Seas" promos available but feel free to add them & pay the extra fees/charges, etc. The main production shows, apparently, not impressive at all.

For local residents in that region, it's a bundled special packages with ground transfers from Shanghai ... apparently, not available to others. Availability of shorex in Japan are another consideration. These milky runs seemed to place a priority on duty-free shopping experience, both onboard & during its limited port stops.

Good news, if you like Tappanyaki, it is often not fully booked or sold out, so very easy to do last minute reservations ... ditto for many of its specialty dining options. If you are good with having a Chinese/Asian buffet dining experience daily, mixed in with some of NCL's typical Western menu items - the experience could be eye-opening for you ... They are known to be ignore lines & queues and anyone who's sailed with them lately as a group in the North America can attest to how they sometimes behave ... not all.

In contrast, Asians & other "oversea Chinese" sailing in the Americas & Europe tend to be more seasoned travelers, better educated (as much I dislike stereotyping) and blend in/fit in much better on a cruise. Ship has devoted more outdoor garden green space for the pax instead of pool & sun deck space - just 2 typical NCL-sized pools, one for adults & for families with children and far fewer loungers in the sun (they scroll the "outdoors" holding umbrellas - seriously, not kidding, LOL) The primary language spoken on the ship is, said to be, Mandarian (Chinese dialect) by the crew ...

Good luck finding a T/A here in the Americas if NCL isn't doing it themselves, but, if you insist ... your money, your choice - been firmly advised & cautioned gently.

That I understand but it seems awfully counterproductive to include a ship on your website without the opportunity to book it regardless of who I am or where it's home ported and for whom it was designed. That being said, I will track down an agent and book it that way. Thanks for your help.

Just guessing but it’s most likely to keep people who are used to the Americanized cruise experience from unintentionally booking these cruises. Generally when you go to the NCL website scanning for cruises you expect some commonalities with them, regardless of where they sail, the biggest being English as the common language on the ship. My understanding is that this isn’t the case on the joy so it makes sense that it wouldn’t be readily available to book outside of Asian markets. Based on everything I’ve read, most NCL cruisers would probably not enjoy cruising on the Joy. And it’s hard to find a politically correct way to deter potential cruisers on a website advertising and selling cruises.

As far as people from Asian countries enjoying American cruises so why wouldn’t the reverse be true? I’ve not been to Asia yet (plan on going next year) but there are some simple truths you learn traveling to less developed countries. I was in Tanzania last year and the bathroom situation there is pretty horrific. And it took close to the end of the trip before you just came to accept that A. There would be no toilet paper provided, B. The toilets simply didn’t flush so you could either use a backed up toilet or not go, and C. If you had a seat at all, it was a good day. I don’t know exactly how things will be on the joy. But I can’t discount that there are cultural/sanitation differences that Americans find very unappealing. So I’m willing to accept that if people say I wouldn’t enjoy the joy, that they are probably right. I would take a cruise on it if it offered an itinerary that couldn’t be found anywhere else, otherwise I’d prefer to sail on a different ship.

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Read an article this morning about the Joy. Here’s a link. The Joy missed a port in Shanghai due to safety concerns over heavy fog. Passengers staged an angry protest including jostling crew. Doesn’t sound like a great way to spend vacation.

Angry Chinese tourists stage another noisy ‘patriotic’ protest after fog forces cruise ship to stay in port - South China Morning Post https://apple.news/Ar_hdP12DSu69oC4lmkY3Sg

Read an article this morning about the Joy. Here’s a link. The Joy missed a port in Shanghai due to safety concerns over heavy fog. Passengers staged an angry protest including jostling crew. Doesn’t sound like a great way to spend vacation.

 

 

Angry Chinese tourists stage another noisy ‘patriotic’ protest after fog forces cruise ship to stay in port - South China Morning Post https://apple.news/Ar_hdP12DSu69oC4lmkY3Sg

Another link for people not using Apple devices:

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2139686/angry-chinese-tourists-stage-another-noisy-patriotic-protest

Read an article this morning about the Joy. Here’s a link. The Joy missed a port in Shanghai due to safety concerns over heavy fog. Passengers staged an angry protest including jostling crew. Doesn’t sound like a great way to spend vacation.

 

 

Angry Chinese tourists stage another noisy ‘patriotic’ protest after fog forces cruise ship to stay in port - South China Morning Post https://apple.news/Ar_hdP12DSu69oC4lmkY3Sg

This is what happens when you can’t protest in your own country ... you do it on a cruise ship.

This is what happens when you can’t protest in your own country ... you do it on a cruise ship.

I didn’t think it was allowed on a cruise ship either. regardless of what country you’re from I’m pretty sure you not supposed to stage protests and start pushing the crew around because the ship gets fogged in. Sounds like Ncl gave them a reward for it though so must be a cultural difference.

I didn’t think it was allowed on a cruise ship either. regardless of what country you’re from I’m pretty sure you not supposed to stage protests and start pushing the crew around because the ship gets fogged in. Sounds like Ncl gave them a reward for it though so must be a cultural difference.

NCL didn't reward their behavior, they gave them compensation for trip interruption.

Because of this NCL was able turn the space one cabin into into 3 and increase the casino fourfold, just to name a few of the changes. Huge mark up on Sake as well. Oh and lets not forget smaller elevators.

Didn’t know the Chinese liked Sake. You learn something new everyday!

Didn’t know the Chinese liked Sake. You learn something new everyday!

I think the poster intended to reference rice wine. In the West, we typically understand it to be sake although that is a Japanese variant.