Norwegian Joy

by Danielle Contray

Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

This sister ship of Norwegian Bliss has a unique history. Built by Norwegian Cruise Line for the China market, it was launched in 2017 and sailed in Asia before it was renovated and repositioned in 2019 to North America, where it is sailing Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, and Panama Canal itineraries. A January 2024 drydock added new enhancements (including a Spa Thermal Suite a bigger Vibe Beach Club and 64 additional staterooms) while getting rid of a few activity spaces (namely Galaxy Pavilion’s virtual-reality gaming and the deck 20 laser tag arena). With many of the features that make Bliss so successful, this mega-ship offers big entertainment for a wide swath of travelers, all under one roof.

What We Love

It Covers All the Bases: Whether your group needs multi-story water slides or a nap on a comfy lounger, burgers and beer, or a Pan-Asian feast, you can find it on Norwegian Joy. The ship’s strength is in its sheer variety of options, and it bucks the notion that it’s impossible to do many things well at once. Restaurants and public spaces are attractively designed. Food — particularly in the specialty restaurants — is flavorful and fresh. Marquee activities like go-kart racing and big-name Broadway shows bring plenty of excitement onboard, but there are also places to hide away and find some quiet, like in the Observation Lounge.

It Offers Excellent Value: Norwegian ships pack lots of punch for the price. Sailings on Joy start at around $800 per person for seven-night itineraries, and you can often take advantage of the line’s Free at Sea promotion that includes beverages, excursions, dining, or other perks.

The Bar Selection is Stellar: Joy offers a variety of spots to sip your favorite libation: District Brew House for craft beer, The Cellars Wine Bar for top vintages, Maltings Whiskey Bar for distilled spirits, Sugarcane Mojito Bar for tropical cocktails and Mixx Bar for pre-dinner indulgence with live music.

Best Known For

Joy Speedway: The winding two-story go-kart track, where you can race your friends at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, is situated on the top deck and is a focal point of the ship. When we tried it, the race was fun and fast without being intimidating or scary — a key factor that keeps this activity suitable for the entire family. Try it at night for an extra-dramatic effect.

The Observation Lounge: As on its sister ships, Bliss and Encore, the Observation Lounge on Joy is a showstopper. Flooded with light from windows that span the entire height of the deck, and furnished with ultra-comfortable leather loungers and overstuffed couches, this is the place to scenery-gaze. In a ship that offers so many (literal) bells and whistles, the relative quiet of this space is a godsend.

Marquee Entertainment: Whether you’re craving Broadway-caliber productions, a fun cover band (Beatles look- and sound-alikes at The Cavern Club), or more abstract, Cirque de Soleil-like performances with dancing, feathery costumes, and acrobatics, the variety and quality of the performances onboard is notable. As on many larger cruise ships, you will also find a fair number of singing solo pianists and vocals-and-guitar duos in the bars and public spaces, but the focus here is all on the splashy shows.

Who It's Best For

Families Who Want to Spend Time Together (And Not): While the kids are racing go-karts or enjoying the aquapark, parents can taste wines at The Cellars, a wine bar presented by the Michael Mondavi Family Estate. At the same time, Grandma and Gramps can relax in the pool, or watch the scenery go by from their balcony. Then, everyone can meet up for dinner in The Manhattan Room and share stories of the day. Whether together, apart, or exploring in small groups, Joy caters to family groups in ways that will keep everyone happy.

Megaship Newbies: If the thought of sailing with more than 3,000 strangers seems intimidating, Joy offers a solution. Energetic without feeling exhausting, its social-yet-spacious vibe hits the spot whether you need to cut loose on the dance floor or lounge in the sun.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

There Are No Solo Cabins: While Norwegian’s newest crop of ships have all included a dedicated block of Studio cabins for solo travelers, Joy does not. The space where you’d typically find these cabins on other ships is occupied by the multi-bedroom interior Family Suites.

The Spa Is Evolving: Joy’s sister ship, Bliss, has a splashy spa that includes its own pool and thermal suite. Joy’s Mandara Spa was initially much smaller, but it has been enhanced for a February 2024 debut with a new Thermal Suite.

The Pool Deck Might Leave You Scratching Your Head: If you’re looking for obvious signs of Joy’s origins as a ship built for the China market, you won’t find anything obvious — except for the pool deck. Situated so that they’re mostly in shade, the pools occupy the outer edges of the deck instead of sitting right in the middle as they would on other ships. This leaves a gaping empty spot in the center of the deck — a space that feels a bit awkward. Here’s hoping that activations or entertainment can fill this literal gap in the future.

The Pool Deck Might Leave You Scratching Your Head: If you’re looking for obvious signs of Joy’s origins as a ship built for the China market, you won’t find anything obvious — except for the pool deck. Situated so that they’re mostly in shade, the pools occupy the outer edges of the deck instead of sitting right in the middle as they would on other ships. This leaves a gaping empty spot in the center of the deck — a space that feels a bit awkward. Here’s hoping that activations or entertainment can fill this literal gap in the future.

Danielle Contray

Deal Expert / Travel Blogger