CHECK-IN

The check-in process was extremely easy and efficient. A lot of the crew members were working the lines and after about 15 minutes, we were off with our key cards and onto the ship!

FIRST IMPRESSION
Our first impression of the ship was it was very clean, very new, and that it felt like modern luxury. The darker tones and dark wood finish gave off a very luxurious feel and the ship felt like it had the space of one of the bigger ships, yet we were not overwhelmed by people since her guest capacity size is only 3,800. We made our way to our well-acquainted Ocean View Balcony stateroom and we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the room, bathroom, and balcony.​

​​After we checked out our room, we went out to the main Sun Deck for the Sail Away party as we disembarked from the Port of Vancouver. Once the party was finished, we decided to grab one of Norwegian’s famous mojitos from the Sugarcane Mojito Bar and walk the Waterfront. The Waterfront is a quarter-mile oceanfront promenade that allows you to walk past outdoor dining venues, bars, lounges, and many comfortable seating areas with plush chairs, all with beautiful views of the ocean. This is something that I have yet to experience on a cruise ship. It was almost like walking down streets in a little town and was easily my favorite part about the ship! 

ENTERTAINMENT

​The entertainment on board was spectacular! One evening was saw the musical Footloose and another evening we saw Elements which reminded me a lot of Cirque Du Soleil. Both AMAZING shows are held in the Joy Theater. The Social Comedy and Night Club features two stand-up comedians and later in the evening, a DJ spins tracks until late at night. There is also a Beatles cover band that plays at The Cavern Club and The District Brew House has live musicians playing almost every night and features 50 different bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap. Joe really enjoyed the beers on tap at The District Brew House!

ACTIVITIES

​The activities on the ship were endless! The most talked about activity on board was easily the thrilling two-level Race Track. Which was KILLER. There is also Laser Tag which is both indoor and outdoor and boy was it cool to play laser tag at night, in the middle of the ocean under the stars! On the top deck, there is a 5-hole Mini Golf course which is beautiful on a sunny day with views of the ocean and is suitable for all ages. The Mandara Spa & Salon is stunning and has a wide variety of services to choose from. 

In addition, there is the Aqua Park featuring a double loop water slide over the side of the ship, a Kids’ Aqua Park, the Pulse Fitness Center with beautiful views and brand new gym equipment, the Splash Academy for the kiddos, the Entourage Teen Club for the teenagers, and of course the casino and many great shops to purchase some souvenirs in.

Our favorite activity on board was hands down the Galaxy Pavilion. As you walk into the Galaxy Pavilion, it feels as if you are walking into a futuristic spaceship. This room reminded me a lot of an arcade but everything was virtual reality. My fiance's favorite part (probably of the entire ship) was easily the Formula One Race Car Simulator. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased a REAL Formula One race car and replaced the engine with a computer system to allow for the car to be converted into a simulator. With three huge screens in front, and the real steering wheel in hand, my fiancé felt as if he was truly driving this race car which has been a dream of his for as long as I’ve known him. Needless to say, we could have spent hours in there!

DINING

With every cruise fare comes five complimentary dining restaurants. The Manhattan Room, Savor Restaurant, and Taste Restaurant are the ship's three main dining rooms. Garden Café is another complimentary dining venue but it is the buffet option and The Local is a 24-hour eatery and bar lounge/restaurant.

One of our favorite meals was at Savor where I enjoyed some of THE best lamb shanks I have ever eaten and Joe enjoyed beautiful lobster tails.

There are also nine specialty dining restaurants that are either a flat cover charge or a la carte. Ocean Blue for seafood lovers, Teppanyaki for an authentic Japanese hibachi experience, American Diner for a slice of Americana, Cagney’s Steakhouse for steak lovers, Food Republic to enjoy foods and cultures from around the globe, La Cucina for an Italian flavor, Le Bistro for French cuisine, Q for some Texan BBQ and live music, and good ole’ Starbucks for your favorite latte.



Another favorite meal of ours was at Q, the specialty Texan BBQ restaurant. Joe said that Q had some of the best jalapeno cornbread he has ever had and I fell head over heels for the deviled eggs as well as the banana pudding and the bread pudding for dessert!

Everything we ate on board was SO delicious, you really can't go wrong anywhere you eat!

BARS & LOUNGES

All the bars and lounges were beautiful and each bartender on staff was extremely professional and made the most delicious drinks. I couldn’t have enough of the mojitos! There are a total of 15 different clubs and lounges, but by far my favorites were the Observation Lounge and Spice H20. The Observation Lounge is located at the very front of the ship and features full-service bar offerings, one of two of the Starbucks on board, and AMAZING 180-degree panoramic views of the ocean. Spice H20 is an adults-only lounge with a large hot tub and a beautiful bar located at the very back of the ship. 

THE HAVEN

Hidden at the top of the ship is The Haven. The Haven features the most luxurious, well-appointment suites on the entire ship. These include penthouse suites, family villas (some with multiple bedrooms), connecting stateroom suites, and courtyard penthouses, all with very large balconies. 

​With 24-hour butler service, concierge service, private restaurants, private lounges (including their own private Observation Lounge), and a private sundeck, Haven guests never have to leave The Haven if they don't want to!

WIFI

The WiFi on board was efficient and fast. There are two options available for purchase. The first option is just for regular internet browsing, emailing, and messaging. The upgraded option is for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc. Both worked like a charm and were easy to purchase once in our stateroom!

Overall, the ship was absolutely stunning, the food was so delicious, the staterooms were beautiful, and the staff on board were absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to sail on Norwegian Joy again and hopefully soon! 

Interested in enjoying this ultimate joyride for yourself?

Contact Christine Hakenjos to book your next cruise on Norwegian Joy today! (314) 439-5700 ext. 134 or email her.