NCL JOY infor

[mesci14]

EMBARKATION NYC:

This will require a lot of patience on the part of the passenger. If you have any leg, hip, or back problems it can become a nightmare. First of all we signed up for the 9:00-9:30 arrival time. This is a misnomer. They did not even begin security check in until 9:30 or later. We arrived at 8:50 and waited in an already decent size line of people until they opened up security at a little after 9:30. Once it was opened we were through security in about 15 to 20 minutes. Just an FYI there are 2 additional security lines (one to the left for supposedly walker, wheel chair, and scooter people) and one to the right for Haven people only. Once through security because this was a Bermuda cruise there is an additional checkin. This line was the longest and most frustrating. There is also no perk here for platinum and up members or people who paid for priority access (we are platinum); the only people with a perk are the aforementioned walker, wheelchair, and scooter people, and Haven people. The other difficulty with this line is no one is monitoring the line. So all of a sudden you had people who were at the back of the line but saw a friend or family member at the front jump the line to these people making this checkin take even longer (they now became groups of 8-14 people). At this check in they are checking Bermuda TA, Vaccinations, COVID 19 testing, and that you are booked for the cruise. Have all paperwork out and ready to go as this does speed up the process. They will put a sticker on your passport if you have met all of the requirements. Then you move to a 3rd and final check in area (pre-covid this was the only checkin area you had after moving through security) this provides the perk for Haven, Disabled, Platinum and up, and Paid priority. That said it really didn't matter as there were no lines here because it took so long in the previous lines. Very quick here and were seated in the priority seating. Sat for maybe 5 to 10 minutes and then boarded at that point. So patience is the key for getting through the first 2 areas and soon you will be relaxing on board with a drink in hand.

CABIN:

We were in 8146 which is a club balcony. We loved it and the location. I use to laugh when people said they got the club for the bathroom....I was like how can that be worth it? The bathroom is SOOOO worth it. The shower alone was fantastic. Having a double sink was convenient and room for legs for taller people when sitting on the toilet is fabulous. Highly recommend a Club Balcony.

DINING:

This is where my review is split. Because we are Platinum we ended up with 4 specialty nights. Specialty restaurants are amazing in service and food. We went to Cagney's 2x, La Cucina, and Le Bistro. Cagneys and Le Bistro were superior in service and food choices and quality. La Cucina was very good (this is a change for me because on other NCL ships LaCucina was not very good). Highly recommend these restaurants on the Joy. Our greatest disappointments came from the Main Dining room. We have always loved all complimentary food on board, but this restaurants service and food quality were underwhelming. Someone mentioned that they were training a lot of people on this ship (not sure if this was true or not) which could explain the service issues.The food lacked flavor and was not an adequate temperature, and sometimes were not what was listed, for example, my husband ordered the ravioli with lobster sauce and received ravioli with a tomato sauce. Presentation of food was still very good, but did not have flavor. We started going to Taste and Savor instead. Service was a little better while the food still was not very flavorful, but a better temperature. Another disappointment was The Local. This has always been one of my favorite restaurants due to their chicken wings. They were not very good. They were not crispy and the buffalo sauce was definitely not buffalo sauce ( I ordered this 2x); it was more of a spicy chili sauce....very disappointing. All other food we ordered from there was good. I am hoping that the ship will return to their pre-covid quality in their complementary restaurants

ENTERTAINMENT:

This was very good! Footloose was very good. I found it not to be of the quality of say Jersey Boys on the Bliss. They acting was good, but the projection of the singing was a little weak. Some of the best characters were the supporting cast members. All in all very good and definitely entertaining. So most of the main characters do a Broadway Cabaret show in the Q. This was amazing. The voices were outstanding. This was one of the best shows we saw...definitely a must see. Elements was excellent as well. There were some extreme talents in the production. It was an acrobatics and magic presentation. We did not see the magic show but if elements is any indication it would be fantastic. Another must see would be the Beatles Story. They have done an amazing job replicating the members of the Beatles in voice, action, and playing of instruments. LOVED IT! Several music groups on board were excellent...nightlights, the piano guy, and the latin duo were all great. Did not enjoy the band I think it was called Four nor the piano player called Zoe. Our other disappointment was the country band Frank and North sound. They are VERY musically talented, but seem not to be in touch with what their audiences enjoy listening to. They are posted as playing country music, but what they really play is old country music Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell etc. The female singer once in a while will throw in a new country song. When she does the crowd goes wild because that is what they want to hear, but Frank always insists on playing the old stuff and nobody claps when he sings. not because he isn't talented because he is. It is because of his choice in music. The population listening is under 50 and want new country music; we even asked them to play new country. We heard 3 somewhat fairly new songs in one set, but mostly old stuff. NCL needs to replace them if they aren't interested in playing to what their crowds want to hear...too bad because they are VERY talented

THINGS TO DO ONBOARD:

Go-Karts: If you are a go-kart person who likes to go fast, this is not the ride for you. You will pay 15 dollars to be very frustrated. NCL tells people to stay right if they are nervous and going to go slow, but every time I have been on this (Bliss and Joy) there is a parent who block the whole lane so that their child who is going slow is protected from getting bumped. NCL really needs to have an experienced driver session and a novice session because you feel like you have wasted your 15 dollars. It is unfortunate because it could be amazing and fun, but 9x out of 10 if you are an adult, you will leave very frustrated.

Laser-Tag : did not go on, on the Joy. Did this on the sister ship the Bliss. It is lots of fun...best time is at night. Once was good for us, but I can see how people would love to do this multiple times.

Galaxy Pavillion: we did not do this, but heard it was worth the money!

Pools and Hot tubs: We would go early morning to get in the hot tubs and the pool. If you are a person who likes to hang out at the pool, the chair hogs are prevalent on this ship. We saw chairs with towels on them at 7 am with no one in sight. Staff did not remove any...We heard people bragging to others. "We reserved these 5 chairs and those 4 over there for ____because he likes it in the shade" One person holding 9 chairs with no one else in sight and staff not moving towels etc.... For us it didn't matter because like I said we used the pool and the hot tub first thing in the morning. The hot tub we liked to use was in the H2O adult area. First thing in the morning usually not a problem, but if you are not a smoker or sensitive to smoke H2O is virtually unusable. Unfortunately they made the smoking are on the starboard side on H2O the only adults only area. The smoke becomes overpowering and unusable for people who are non-smokers or are sensitive to smoke. Hot Tubs in the main area have been used by very young children (1-4) making it very unsanitary to use.

Waterslides: Drop slide (my husband did this one) was fast and fun. Be aware at the end a bucket load of water will be shoved in your face...hold your breath. The other waterslide was ok. Not very fast, but definitely a good family waterslide. There is also a kids aquapark that was always busy with kids and they looked like they were all having fun.

SERVICE: With the exception of the main dining room, service was excellent.

PROS: Service, Specialty dining, Beatles, SHOWS, non smoking casino, and club Balcony room

CONS: Adult only area is a smoking area, Frank and the North Sound plays mostly oldies, and Main Dining Area food and service. There is also no thermal spa on this ship.

Overall a great cruise.

[cruisekitty22]

Great review but what ship is this on?

[cruisekitty22]

Never mind I see  it was the Joy!

[mslayer_99]

Thank you for your review! Very nicely detailed.  We are going on the Joy next month.  Are there still issues of types of alcohol being unavailable, like at the beginning of summer?

And do you recall when were the showings for Footloose and Elements? Are they limited to just one night during the week?

[CDR Benson]

Aye, thank you for your comprehensive review.  My wife and I sail on Joy in forty-five days, and every bit of first-hand information we get from helpful folks like you is valuable.  Especially, as the closer it gets to our sail date, the more current the info is.

 

Much obliged!

 

 

[Farmer387]

I love, love, love older country music so thanks for the heads up!  I will be sure to check out Frank and the North Sound.  Any difference in service between Taste or Savor or are they about the same?

 

[The P]

Were you able to use any of your Latitude perks or was OBC offered instead?

[scooter6139]

I thought Taste, Savor and Manhattan all pulled from the same kitchens?  

[Farmer387]

Don't know if this was directed at my question, but was asking about the service in Taste and Savor, not the quality of the food.

[KiddieKruzer]

I’m super excited to hear the country band now!  It’s not every day you find a country band that plays the oldies!  To each their own, I guess. But I see this is a PRO! 

[scooter6139]

26 minutes ago, Farmer387 said:

Don't know if this was directed at my question, but was asking about the service in Taste and Savor, not the quality of the food.

 

Each server/waiter/bus person/supervisor works in 2 restaurants on NCL ships (I believe).  Usually in an included and then a specialty restaurant.  If we liked someone we would try and go to their other location.  We've never eaten in the Manhattan as we prefer the ambiance and smaller setting in Taste/Savor.  I would presume the service is the same in all three, as they are all part of the MDR.

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, mesci14 said:

They are posted as playing country music, but what they really play is old country music Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell etc. The female singer once in a while will throw in a new country song. When she does the crowd goes wild because that is what they want to hear, but Frank always insists on playing the old stuff and nobody claps when he sings. not because he isn't talented because he is. It is because of his choice in music.

 

2 hours ago, mesci14 said:

Once through security because this was a Bermuda cruise there is an additional checkin. This line was the longest and most frustrating. There is also no perk here for platinum and up members or people who paid for priority access (we are platinum); the only people with a perk are the aforementioned walker, wheelchair, and scooter people, and Haven people.

 

They are posted as playing country music, but what they really play is old country music Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell etc. The female singer once in a while will throw in a new country song. When she does the crowd goes wild because that is what they want to hear, but Frank always insists on playing the old stuff and nobody claps when he sings. not because he isn't talented because he is. It is because of his choice in music. 

 

THINGS TO DO ONBOARD:

Go-Karts: If you are a go-kart person who likes to go fast, this is not the ride for you. You will pay 15 dollars to be very frustrated. NCL tells people to stay right if they are nervous and going to go slow, but every time I have been on this (Bliss and Joy) there is a parent who block the whole lane so that their child who is going slow is protected from getting bumped. NCL really needs to have an experienced driver session and a novice session because you feel like you have wasted your 15 dollars. It is unfortunate because it could be amazing and fun, but 9x out of 10 if you are an adult, you will leave very frustrated.

 

Thank you for confirming NYC is now allowing Haven guests to have their own line! This was not the case in April, so I'm looking for the change in August, especially as we're going back to Bermuda!

 

Old Country? Ugh...I'm with ya! When will NCL get rid of the old music. It needs to go. Sorry, I know many of you like it, but I just want some modern music. 

 

The go-karts sound terrible. I'd be blasting whatever parent that is and you know I'd be looking to bump that protected car. Call me terrible, but it's ridiculous parents do that. 

[andychris]

Thank you so much for your detailed review. I have a few questions:

Were the platinum perks available(wine tasting around the world or the ship tour)?

How full was the ship?

Thank you again!

[geegee1]

2 hours ago, mslayer_99 said:

Thank you for your review! Very nicely detailed.  We are going on the Joy next month.  Are there still issues of types of alcohol being unavailable, like at the beginning of summer?

And do you recall when were the showings for Footloose and Elements? Are they limited to just one night during the week?

Was on Joy the week of 7/17.  They were rationing some of the frozen drink mixes every day at the pool bars, so they made sure they had them for the duration.  Only thing we wanted and couldn't get anywhere on the ship was Frangelico.  

Footloose was Monday and Tuesday, while Elements was Friday and Saturday.

 

btw, our embarkation was the quickest ever, we were on and having a drink at the pool at 10:45am

[Diane67B]

3 hours ago, CDR Benson said:

Aye, thank you for your comprehensive review.  My wife and I sail on Joy in forty-five days, and every bit of first-hand information we get from helpful folks like you is valuable.  Especially, as the closer it gets to our sail date, the more current the info is.

 

Much obliged!

 

 

My sister and I are on the same cruise as you. Very excited!

[Diane67B]

Thanks for the review. Very helpful!

[CDR Benson]

8 minutes ago, Diane67B said:

My sister and I are on the same cruise as you. Very excited!

 

I understand that.  We booked this cruise almost two years ago, and for most of that wait, it's lingered in the back of our minds.  But, now it's rushing at us fast and so is our feeling of excitement.

 

Here's wishing an absolutely enjoyable cruise for all of us.

 

 

Edited August 2, 2022 by CDR Benson

[cheryl525]

Thank you for this! We leave on the Joy this coming Sunday(we've had 6 cruises cancelled due to pandemic since our last scheduled one on the Bliss was cancelled two weeks before it sailed due to the shutdown) and we can not wait to be onboard! Looking forward to a sunny week in Bermuda! 

[kitty-sail]

Will be on the Joy in a few weeks but I haven't boarded out of NY since pre-covid so thanks for your boarding update.

 

You arrived at 8:50 - what time did you actually board the ship?

 

Edited August 2, 2022 by kitty-sail

[Sand and Seas]

We were in 8146 which is a club balcony. We loved it and the location. I use to laugh when people said they got the club for the bathroom....I was like how can that be worth it? The bathroom is SOOOO worth it. The shower alone was fantastic. Having a double sink was convenient and room for legs for taller people when sitting on the toilet is fabulous. Highly recommend a Club Balcony.

 

@mesci14,  thanks for sharing your observations with us!     

 

Did your cabin 8146 have a larger balcony?   On the deck plans, it appears to be  next door to the M6 large balcony Club Suites.   Was your balcony large enough to have loungers?   We love the Club Balconies too😎

 

 

[summercruiser20]

On 8/2/2022 at 1:26 PM, andychris said:

Thank you so much for your detailed review. I have a few questions:

Were the platinum perks available(wine tasting around the world or the ship tour)?

How full was the ship?

Thank you again!

We were on the 7/24 sailing they offered us the wine tasting no ship tour....back in April they offered OBC.