Dish on the Joy!

[GORDONCHICK]

Will be on the Joy 9/4.  I need the scoop on the ship - the great places away from crowds, favorite public viewing areas, fave MDR, etc.

 

Any other things I need to know?  It's almost like I'm a new cruiser, not having been on NCL since 2017.  I know many things have changed, service reportedly has declined.

[Pitzel]

The Waterfront is generally an underused area. There are lots of comfy couches and ocean views, nearby bars, and very few people! Great place to read a book or get a nap.

There is a public sundeck with a hot tub and nearly the same furniture as the Vibe on deck 19. Often, most people don't find that area until later in the cruise.

The Observation Lounge is awesome, though will likely fill up as people find it during the week. 

The Manhattan Room is a popular MDR, but we find that it is crowded and noisy. Go to Taste or Savor for the exact same menu, a shorter line, and (usually) better service. You can make reservations for the MDR, which is recommended if you want to dine there on the first night.

If you want to go to the shows in the Cavern Club, show up at least 30-45 minutes early to grab a seat.

 

[vacation44]

4 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

There is a public sundeck with a hot tub and nearly the same furniture as the Vibe on deck 19. Often, most people don't find that area until later in the cruise.
 

 

The Vibe is on both the port side and starboard side on the Joy.

4 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

The Waterfront is generally an underused area. There are lots of comfy couches and ocean views, nearby bars, and very few people! Great place to read a book or get a nap.

If you want to go to the shows in the Cavern Club, show up at least 30-45 minutes early to grab a seat.

 

Absolutely agree with these two points!

[Pitzel]

1 minute ago, vacation44 said:

The Vibe is on both the port side and starboard side on the Joy.

Really? According to the deck plans, there is public space on the port side. Is that no longer accurate?

On sister ships, this area is public.

[RoundGuy2771]

 

 

For a drinker, the quickest bars were SpiceH20 and the Observation Lounge. There were always 2 bartenders at Spice and sometimes 3 in the OL. Unless it's packed, or there aren't many servers, we found ordering from a server was nearly as fast as ordering at the bar in the OL.

 

Maltings Whiskey Bar is usually fast, with less people, but we found it kind of dark and dreary, with no windows, compared to the Encore's whiskey bar.

 

This was last September, so YMMV.

 

Otherwise, completely agree with Pitzel's remarks.

 

 

 

[vacation44]

 

4 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

Really? According to the deck plans, there is public space on the port side. Is that no longer accurate?

On sister ships, this area is public.

Yes, absolutely positive as we were on the Joy twice last year.   They never changed the posted deck plans.

[hallux]

Hint - at the main forum list (one level up from reading this thread) at the top is a drop-down.  Select the ship from the drop-down and get a pre-formatted search for all threads where the Joy is mentioned.

[baileycat122]

I'm on the Joy on 9/25 for a similar itinerary as the 9/4 cruise--New England & Canada. I'm really looking forward to hanging out in the Observation Lounge on sea days. I'm also looking forward to sleeping in a bit on those days, so I'm worried that the OL will fill up early and we won't be able to find a spot (traveling with 2 friends). Do you have to get there early to find an open chair in the OL?

[RoundGuy2771]

12 minutes ago, baileycat122 said:

 I'm worried that the OL will fill up early and we won't be able to find a spot (traveling with 2 friends). Do you have to get there early to find an open chair in the OL?

 

The Joy's OL is huge. Last September (early) we never had a problem. The ship was not full, and although it's possible (late Sept. with the leaves turning), I just can't imagine a packed ship anytime in September.

 

And, as I think someone else said, it takes a while before many find out it's even there.  If they ever do.

 

 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, GORDONCHICK said:

Will be on the Joy 9/4.  I need the scoop on the ship - the great places away from crowds, favorite public viewing areas, fave MDR, etc.

 

Any other things I need to know?  It's almost like I'm a new cruiser, not having been on NCL since 2017.  I know many things have changed, service reportedly has declined.

Here’s my life post just before the pandemic. Menus are out of date, but the ships’s photos are accurate. 
 

 

[JandC_Cruising]

1 hour ago, Pitzel said:

Really? According to the deck plans, there is public space on the port side. Is that no longer accurate?

On sister ships, this area is public.

The deck plan is incorrect.  The vibe now takes both the port and starboard.
 

[Pitzel]

22 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

The deck plan is incorrect.  The vibe now takes both the port and starboard.
 

Bummer!

[mking8288]

OL had early bird, light breakfast in the morning and wasn't crowded last year and in the afternoon, Tea services with finger sandwiches, scones, fruit salad and dessert - can make that into a late lunch or early dinner (port side)   Comfortable sofas and low back chairs, outlets along the wall by the window (BYO 2 pins 220V-110V outlet adapter) to read, listen to music (wireless headset/earbuds) and perhaps an insulated mug.  If it's too crowded, move to starboard side & restrooms near the entrances.  

 

Garden cafe is relatively "huge" on Deck 16 Fwd and during non-peak hours, shouldn't have trouble finding a nice window spot to check out the scenery at sea, or watch the waves.  Deck 8 Fwd is your District Brew House, port side and it's mostly quiet in the morning unless it's reserved for private functions (i.e. CC Meet & Greet/Mingle, etc.) and there are also comfortable sofa/lounger chairs.  Food Republic, Deck 8 Fwd (starboard side) is one of the specialty dining restaurant, a hidden gem on ships with them, usually open for dinner by reservations only, was never busy in 2022 but might be open on a full sea day - if you are traveling solo or dine with another guest, shouldn't have any trouble getting a table onboard - lots of food, choice of any 4 items on the digital tablet menu (none with upcharge) ... they're more than happy to wrap & pack them to go for us then (apparently, "take-out" is not permitted as a matter of policy, enforced in 2023 (maybe, NCL will flip-flop again, whatever.)  A great place to enjoy peace, tranquility - never rushed by the server unless you are in a hurry to catch something else in the club/lounge, etc. 

 

Away from the crowd, Deck 8 AFT in the morning & afternoon, plenty of sofa/chairs in the corridor leading into Cagney's & Moderno, quiet ... sometimes, there might be a private function inside but otherwise, little to no traffic - especially if the outdoors aren't accessible due to weather and/or rough seas ... shouldn't be, sailing north to NE & Quebec/Canada in early September.  Already mentioned, the Waterfront outside and it goes all the way around at the back of the ship ... can be quite windy.  

 

MDR - we stick to either Taste or Savor, Deck 6 Mid - faster service and less noises from the crowd and as you probably know, go early & shouldn't have trouble getting a small table to dine, with luck by the windows.  Stay away from the busy atrium lobby as there's something going on there from morning until night, game shows, presentations ... discover the lounger hogs' newest indoor campground in small clusters.  American Diner - Deck 17 Mid/Aft is a paid option but you can sit there & sip coffee, tea or juice, etc. with the jogging track and fitness center nearby.  

 

 

[phillygwm]

6 hours ago, GORDONCHICK said:

Will be on the Joy 9/4.  I need the scoop on the ship - the great places away from crowds, favorite public viewing areas, fave MDR, etc.

 

Any other things I need to know?  It's almost like I'm a new cruiser, not having been on NCL since 2017.  I know many things have changed, service reportedly has declined.

I was on the Joy last year and going back in November.  Of the Breakaway Plus class, I prefer the others, largely due to the Observation Lounge.  As others have noted, it's huge and I never saw it close to full.  It lacked the giant circular bar, which I enjoyed on the other ships.  There was a walk-up bar and servers, but not as good for socializing.

 

Taste and Savor are essentially identical, one port and one starboard.  Agree that it's less hectic in there, though I only went at breakfast and lunch (I went all specialty for dinner.)  Food was decent or better. 

 

There are a lot of bar options on Deck 8; if one is crowded, the others won't be.  Maltings and Sugarcane were often empty.  A List was usually hopping, situated as it is between Cagney's and Le Bistro.  District Brew House also got crowded when there was entertainment.  Still, I got there early and enjoyed myself.  Perhaps I'm deluding myself but I think throwing a few bucks to the bartenders helped me get their attention when needed. 🙂

 

Enjoy!

[Dorhead1230]

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Food Republic, Deck 8 Fwd (starboard side) is one of the specialty dining restaurant, a hidden gem on ships with them, usually open for dinner by reservations only

Does FR take reservations once onboard? Our last time at a FR was 2019 on Escape and I can’t remember if we had to make a reservation. My mom loves FR and is excited that Joy has one, so I just want to make sure to make a reservation right away when we board if necessary so we won’t miss out on going there. Aren’t they usually open for lunch and dinner in the summer when the ship is crowded? Or is it dinner only since Covid?

[Envelope21]

We were on the Joy in 2020 right before the pandemic. We loved going to the Casino bar and sitting on the comfy leather couches and have a pre-dinner drink. There were floor-to-ceiling video screens showing various singers and jazz musicians. It was almost like having live music. Can anyone tell me if those video screens are still there?

 

[mking8288]

9 hours ago, Dorhead1230 said:

Does FR take reservations once onboard? ... Aren’t they usually open for lunch and dinner in the summer when the ship is crowded? Or is it dinner only since Covid?

Once onboard last year, yrs - you can make dining reservations for FR.  It was supposed to open for lunch on full sea days, but only dinner on other evenings. 

Edited June 24, 2023 by mking8288

[GORDONCHICK]

16 hours ago, hallux said:

Hint - at the main forum list (one level up from reading this thread) at the top is a drop-down.  Select the ship from the drop-down and get a pre-formatted search for all threads where the Joy is mentioned.

Completely familiar with this - but it pulled wayyyyyy too much that wasn't applicable.  Hence the post.

[JandC_Cruising]

2 hours ago, Envelope21 said:

We were on the Joy in 2020 right before the pandemic. We loved going to the Casino bar and sitting on the comfy leather couches and have a pre-dinner drink. There were floor-to-ceiling video screens showing various singers and jazz musicians. It was almost like having live music. Can anyone tell me if those video screens are still there?

 

Yes.  That's the Skyline Bar...the video screens will also scroll through various world city skylines...Hence the name of the bar.

[GORDONCHICK]

This is a 9 night cruise with only one "sea" day.  The quotes are because on that one day, we will be traveling from Corner Brook, NF to Quebec City, across the Gulf of St Lawrence, then up the river.  We will have a port side balcony, so we will be able to take in the scenery the whole time but will probably check out public viewing areas as well.  The Observation Lounge definitely sounds like a place we will check out - especially for tea sandwiches (seems like a good place to grab a nibble before going for lobster in Boston).

[Sand and Seas]

5 hours ago, GORDONCHICK said:

This is a 9 night cruise with only one "sea" day.  The quotes are because on that one day, we will be traveling from Corner Brook, NF to Quebec City, across the Gulf of St Lawrence, then up the river.  We will have a port side balcony, so we will be able to take in the scenery the whole time but will probably check out public viewing areas as well.  The Observation Lounge definitely sounds like a place we will check out - especially for tea sandwiches (seems like a good place to grab a nibble before going for lobster in Boston).

 

We were on the Joy in April for a 12 day cruise.  Loved going to the Observation Lounge for something light in the afternoon.  In addition to small sandwiches, they had quiche and scones.

 

Hope you have a great cruise😎

[baileycat122]

As I posted earlier, I am on the Joy for a 9 day cruise starting 9/25. We have reserved our specialty dining for the two sea days, Le Bistro and Teppanyaki at 5:30 pm. My original thought was to book  relatively early dinners as the sea days were likely to be the nights that Footloose and Elements was presented, and we'd want the earlier show. But now I'm wondering if we'd really have time to catch a 7:00pm show, or if that would make dinner too rushed? What are people's thoughts on that? How early would we have to be in line for a 7:00pm show, assuming we have reservations. Thanks!

[uneamie]

On 6/23/2023 at 5:50 PM, vacation44 said:

The Vibe is on both the port side and starboard side on the Joy.

Absolutely agree with these two points!

They mentioned the upper sundeck which I am guessing is "Spice" with a hot tub, lounges and a bar...... not the Vibe which is a pay to enter location. 

[uneamie]

It is suspected that the "dry dock" for Joy in Jan/Feb is going to take some of the observation lounge away....not sure what is going in it's place but some say more cabins. This was mentioned by someone who spoke to a few officers. It's not written in stone but it's out there so I am mentioning it again. Believe it or not! 

[RoundGuy2771]

15 minutes ago, uneamie said:

They mentioned the upper sundeck which I am guessing is "Spice" with a hot tub, lounges and a bar...... not the Vibe which is a pay to enter location. 

 

 

They were talking about deck 19. Spice is on deck 17.