Norwegian Joy

Wow. I’m surprised by this announcement after they were touting how well it was doing in China and how it had the highest occupancy in the fleet.

 

I wonder if that was all just smoke and mirrors...

 

Something must’ve seriously gone downhill for them to move it out of the Chinese market so quickly. Especially considering that they will have to put an additional $50 mil into converting it for the North American market.

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That is what I have been trying to say here and in another thread. I heard a few months back that the Joy has never been on full capacity. The Chinese people want to see the world and not get stuck in their own backyard. Assigning a new and expensive ship like Joy solely dedicated to the Chinese market was a bad move.

It also did not help that they designed the internal part of the ship based on the taste of the Chinese market. These people want to see how the outside world is ! Also, considering how much they smoke ( Chinese people are heavy smokers) -- you can imagine what the smell would be like.

Their running costs were also higher. NCL had non Chinese speaking staff members working alongside their interpreters when serving the customers. I have spoken to a couple of those that were assigned to Joy and they said it was so stressful. The worst part is that they yanked off a lot of the senior staff restaurant members from the other ships for Joy.

Oh well - at least we will get to see the new Joy soon.

I found this on facebook:

They itinerary is Ketchikan, Juneau, Holkham Bay Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Victoria ; Ketchikan, Juneau, Holkham Bay Glacier, Skagway, Victoria and Juneau, Skagway, Cruise Glacier Bay, Kethcikan, Victoria

Yikes! The spa looks small and is directly under the fitness center! (n)

Got this email yesterday:

Dear Valued Guests & Travel Partners:

Norwegian Cruise Line has important information for you regarding your Norwegian Pearl Alaska sailing between April 27, 2019 to September 28, 2019. All guests booked on any sailing within this period needs to be aware of this change and travel professionals are asked to forward this information to their clients.

Today we announced that Norwegian Joy, sister ship to Norwegian Bliss, will be sailing to Alaska in summer 2019, with seven-day sailings from Seattle. As a result, we are extremely excited to share with you that Norwegian Joy will be replacing Norwegian Pearl's 2019 Alaska sailings. As you may know, Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded the Alaska cruise experience as the first line to sail to the state from Seattle over 24 years ago and we are very happy to further strengthen our presence with the addition of Norwegian Joy.

Prior to her arrival in Seattle, Norwegian Joy will undergo approximately $50 million in upgrades to enhance her already popular features and bring her designs and offerings identical to those of her sister ship, Norwegian Bliss. Guests will experience incredible ocean and glacier views from our stunning observation lounges and they'll have access to the best-of-the-best at sea, with entertainment options including Norwegian Joy's Galaxy Pavilion, which features thrilling simulator rides and interactive video walls, as well as our race tracks and laser tag arenas, available on both ships.

We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to sail aboard this incredible ship for your confirmed Alaska cruise.

Guests will be protected in their booked category or better. An updated confirmation will be sent the week of July 23, 2018 with your new stateroom number. Your original reservation number will remain the same.

We look forward to welcoming you onboard Norwegian Joy.

Sincerely,

<img style="border-bottom-color: rgb(31, 31, 29); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(31, 31, 29); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(31, 31, 29); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(31, 31, 29); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; display: block;" alt="">

Vivian Ewart

Senior Vice President, Passenger Service

I'm worried because I picked my cabins (extended aft balconies 10668 and 10168) for my daughter and me, my mom and my aunt for my mom's 80th birthday over 6 month's ago! I loved the location, the extended balcony and dare I say...the smaller, older ship! For taking two less mobile ladies, it was important to me NOT to be on an overwhelming ship. We won't be using any of the bells and whistles on this cruise...but I HOPE AND PRAY that they give me a cabin equal or better to the ones I booked!

Just announced today the Joy returns to the west coast 2019

Yikes! The spa looks small and is directly under the fitness center! (n)

The spa is small - check out this

Sandra

The spa is small - check out this

of Norwegian Joy from last September by Bob's Your Uncle - he has subtitles (which are quite amusing). I really hope they give the carpets a good clean!

 

Sandra

Wow, thanks for linking that! It was very fascinating. I can see where some changes are being made based on the new deck plans, but overall, it definitely looks to be on par with the other BA+ ships. Once, they get it retro-fitted, I think it will be a great addition to the west coast.

The spa is small - check out this

of Norwegian Joy from last September by Bob's Your Uncle - he has subtitles (which are quite amusing). I really hope they give the carpets a good clean!

 

Sandra

Thanks for sharing. I hope they keep Neptune's as that looked amazing

Thanks for sharing. I hope they keep Neptune's as that looked amazing

I'm afraid not. On the updated deck plans, that space will become Los Lobos.

The spa is small - check out this

of Norwegian Joy from last September by Bob's Your Uncle - he has subtitles (which are quite amusing). I really hope they give the carpets a good clean!

 

Sandra

Excellent find. Thanks for posting.

That video was extremely interesting especially with the translation. It does make you wonder how many changes they will make in the short term, and then how many at a future dry-dock. I wouldn't be interested in an Alaska cruise on a ship with a Spa that small, but the Galaxy Pavilion does look entertaining for families. Thanks for sharing with us!

The spa is small - check out this

of Norwegian Joy from last September by Bob's Your Uncle - he has subtitles (which are quite amusing). I really hope they give the carpets a good clean!

 

Sandra

In the video he shows there are 3 Chinese-style electrical outlets and one American-style electrical outlet. Wonder if they will be changing those during the refurb.

Almost certainly. It's my understanding that they make the outlets "modular" on all of the ships for when they sail other itineraries (like Europe), since outlets are different the world over.

They're going to spend $50mllion for refurb on Joy.

Here is an article about the reposition.... http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/ncl-pulls-joy-from-china-adds-europe-australia-ships.html

 

 

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I hope everyone has noted that the $50M transformation of the Joy will begin in Shanghai but WILL BE COMPLETED ON THE REPOSITIONING CRUISE to Victoria. So no one can complain about construction on this cruise. I wonder if fares on this TP will be discounted to reflect this? Might make it a great deal.

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I hope everyone has noted that the $50M transformation of the Joy will begin in Shanghai but WILL BE COMPLETED ON THE REPOSITIONING CRUISE to Victoria. So no one can complain about construction on this cruise.

Wanna bet? :')

My guess is the ship will sail to Victoria passengerless

Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on what they can do in transit before they hit dry-dock in Victoria. Will be interesting to see how they do this.

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We were booked on the Pearl for a May 2019 Alaska cruise. I just got an email that they are moving us to the Joy as that is going to be sailing Alaska in 2019

https://www.ncl.com/travel-blog/norwegian-joy-to-join-sister-ship-bliss-in-alaska-2019

Panama Canal And Mexico itineraries are out https://www.facebook.com/pg/HongKongCruiseSociety/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1762736520476495

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From where I write it is no surprise that NCL pull Joy out of China. They had no knowledge of the China market yet went head first with Joy and a second ship to follow.

RCL had been working the ground for the last 5 years and had developed "guanshi" (relationship) with the government officials. In China you just cannot come in tomorrow and try and take away a slice of the market.

They could have work with their previous partner Genting HK or at least get advice from them. Genting would have told them many things including the very tempting casino market. Genting had 2 ships in China 5 years ago but pull out both ships after a little while because the locals cannot go on these ships. They need a visa from the central government to go on the ships which is only issued through some government run travel agencies. No such thing as direct sales to customers.

Genting pull out of the Shanghai last year after some further attempts and NCL should have done the same. But I suspect with Joy build purely for the China market they could not see their way out. Is it possible to convert Joy for the Western market with just $50M. Just about every thing have to be changed. From the very large items like the pool deck which I don't think they can do any thing to the very little inconsequential chop sticks which would now be fork and knife instead.

I hope everyone has noted that the $50M transformation of the Joy will begin in Shanghai but WILL BE COMPLETED ON THE REPOSITIONING CRUISE to Victoria. So no one can complain about construction on this cruise. I wonder if fares on this TP will be discounted to reflect this? Might make it a great deal.

 

 

 

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Victoria?? Where does it say Victoria?

Victoria?? Where does it say Victoria?

Not sure if accurate info but it was mentioned in this article http://http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/andy-stuart-tells-what-drove-ncl-deployment-changes.html

https://www.ncl.com/travel-blog/norwegian-joy-to-join-sister-ship-bliss-in-alaska-2019

I am booked for the Pearl August 2019, and have not recieved notification yet

I hope everyone has noted that the $50M transformation of the Joy will begin in Shanghai but WILL BE COMPLETED ON THE REPOSITIONING CRUISE to Victoria. So no one can complain about construction on this cruise. I wonder if fares on this TP will be discounted to reflect this? Might make it a great deal.

 

 

 

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Counting on a lower fare with only Honolulu as a port, also with fewer passengers, Boston to Chian flights are pretty low, under $500

The sad note, heard there will be no Studios for solos