Joy – any hidden gems, tips?

[svmodi]

We will be sailing on the Joy for the first time in June. Have been on the Gem. Anything special, not-to-be missed, tips about Joy?

[gvgseg]

Sailed on the Joy in January 2020 to Mexican Riviera...

 

Ocean Blue - Hong Kong Style Snapper - one of the best things I've ever eaten on a cruise ship

[JGmf]

Gem v. Joy?

 

Hands-down, the Observation Lounge and The Waterfront bars on the Joy are, to me, the biggest upgrades...oh, and the casino is way better on the Joy....it's not a living ash-tray like it is on the Gem (there's a separate smoker's glass-enclosed section). 

 

The Gem has a better pool area.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

[cruisingbooboo]

I am interested in all of these tips! Preparing to sail in Aug.

[Bonobochick]

I will be on this ship later this year. Does the Joy not have a thermal suite? I was looking at my reservation and the only thing that shows up on the spa page are treatments. 

 

[vacation44]

3 minutes ago, Bonobochick said:

I will be on this ship later this year. Does the Joy not have a thermal suite? I was looking at my reservation and the only thing that shows up on the spa page are treatments. 

 

Correct, does not have a Thermal Suite.

[Sthrngary]

I have been on the Joy two times in the last six months.  First was in the Haven, H2 Deluxe Owners Suite with my family of four.  The second time was my first Solo Cruise Experience in a Club Suite.  Both cruises offer a new incite on the Joy and cruising experiences.  I am going to give you the experiences I thought were the best so with other, you have a strategy.

 

1. Observation Deck: In the Haven, it is called the Horizon Lounge.  Below that is the observation deck for all guest. Either place in my opinion are the highlights of my cruising experience.  The views were outstanding, both places had limited food/snacks, the deck 15 Observation deck had a full Starbucks.  You could always find a seat and the view was the best as well as climate controlled. 
2. The Sugar Cane Bar: The band that plays here at night is a group of two.  They do a fantastic job and most nights I go there just to listen and watch people.  The Bartender, "Bong" is a social media character and makes the bar fun.
3. The Cavern Club:  The Beatles play their several times a week.  The place is small so usually, unless you are lucky, you are standing.  I never missed a show and when I was with my family, they always did something else so I went alone.  That is how good it its.
4. Elements-The Show: Sit upfront, middle.  You will thank me for that advice.  Even though "Footloose" was really great, Elements was even better.  This is a surprise because most shows on a Cruise Ship are usually not that great. 
5. Vibe Beach Club:  This is a adults only private sundeck with two giant hot tubs.  It has a full bar, padded lounge chairs and a great staff.  Lots have been said both positive and negative about the Vibe.  Since this ship did not have a Thermal Spa, it was also a highlight of my trip.  The Joy Vibe is bigger then most and never, ever crowded.
6. Water Slides: Not just for kids, I am 65.  Get there just as it opens and there are no lines.  So much fun and complementary.
7. Mr. Sexy Legs Contest: By the pool on day two lunch time.  The funniest thing I have seen in a while.  Just have a drink at hand, and watch from the pool deck.

Those are just a few things that I like.

 

Cruise well.

[bkrickles1]

Just a little something that I enjoyed on Escape and Encore and I assume it'll be the same on Joy.

I go to the gym almost every morning on a cruise between 5:30 and 6am.

On Escape and Encore I would go down to the Waterfront after I was done and before I showered (thankfully there's rarely anyone around at that hour to smell me). 

They had 2 coffee stations set up on the Waterfront. I'd go to the one by the Cavern Club/Five Oclock Somewhere bar and enjoy a cup while watching the world go by.

Very beautiful, soothing and comfortable.

I'm sailing Joy at the end of June and hopefully they do the same.

[vacation44]

3 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

 

On Escape and Encore I would go down to the Waterfront after I was done and before I showered (thankfully there's rarely anyone around at that hour to smell me). 

They had 2 coffee stations set up on the Waterfront. I'd go to the one by the Cavern Club/Five Oclock Somewhere bar and enjoy a cup while watching the world go by.

Very beautiful, soothing and comfortable.

I'm sailing Joy at the end of June and hopefully they do the same.

One of my favorite spots too!  Since we were in the Haven this time, we did not utilize it, but it was on the Joy when we sailed this past February.  When we sail this September, we will definitely stop there bright and early in the mornings.

 

Enjoy your sailing as I remember yours got cancelled a few weeks before our sailing.

[bkrickles1]

3 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

One of my favorite spots too!  Since we were in the Haven this time, we did not utilize it, but it was on the Joy when we sailed this past February.  When we sail this September, we will definitely stop there bright and early in the mornings.

 

Enjoy your sailing as I remember yours got cancelled a few weeks before our sailing.

Excellent memory!

And not a good memory for me. Lol.

Was scheduled for 1/15/22 sailing on Joy and it was cancelled mere days before we were to leave for Miami. 

And, in hindsight, it was cancelled for no good reason. But I digress. Lmao!!

The only good thing that came out of the cancellation/rebook was that now we're leaving from NYC so no flying for us and we'll take a car service to the pier from out on the island.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that those coffee stations exist on Joy too.

We're 51 days out and are getting excited, again.

[vacation44]

30 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

Excellent memory!

And not a good memory for me. Lol.

Was scheduled for 1/15/22 sailing on Joy and it was cancelled mere days before we were to leave for Miami. 

And, in hindsight, it was cancelled for no good reason. But I digress. Lmao!!

The only good thing that came out of the cancellation/rebook was that now we're leaving from NYC so no flying for us and we'll take a car service to the pier from out on the island.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that those coffee stations exist on Joy too.

We're 51 days out and are getting excited, again.

As Long Islanders too, the only reason we are sailing this September is we do not need any airfare and we have a $900 FCC from a price drop from our February cruise.  But we are going to drive in instead of a car service.  

[bjtravelnews]

On 5/5/2022 at 12:39 PM, svmodi said:

We will be sailing on the Joy for the first time in June. Have been on the Gem. Anything special, not-to-be missed, tips about Joy?

You are on the same sailing as me!  Really looking forward to seeing the Joy.  I watched her dock in Bermuda last Wednesday morning on the Port Bermuda Webcam!

[Woodholme Cruiser]

We are sailing on the Joy on Sept. 6th leaving out of Manhattan.  No flying for us either.  Taking AMTRAK with one night pre-cruise in a hotel.  Love reading everyone's experiences.  We are Celebrity cruisers, and this will be our first NCL in a number of years.  We are going to be Haven guests so it is nice to read the reviews and comments.

[js]

OMG Bong is on the Joy?
I remember he was on, I think, the Escape in the Haven at one point when I was sailing.

Haven't been on a cruise since Covid and so happy to be booking again.

Thinking of Joy for our next trip out of New York.

 

[CleverUserNameHere]

We loved hanging out on the waterfront and in the Observation lounge. There were hardly ever people in there except when they had snacks. Never a wait to get a drink. Also, people seemed to avoid the whiskey bar so we went there often for drinks, and they don't just have whiskey. 

 

Something I never heard mentioned is that, although you can't use the regular drink package at the Starbucks(es) you can use the Starbucks app!

[newcruiser69]

Any more tips and tricks for the Joy? Non Haven tips?! We are leaving in 10 days. We’ve been on the breakaway twice from NYC but never the Joy.  Super excited to be cruising again since Covid. 

[Sthrngary]

12 minutes ago, newcruiser69 said:

Any more tips and tricks for the Joy? Non Haven tips?! We are leaving in 10 days. We’ve been on the breakaway twice from NYC but never the Joy.  Super excited to be cruising again since Covid. 

I posted above.  I was on the Joy with my family of four for my 42 Wedding anniversary, in the Haven Owners Suite. That trip was on November 26, 2021.  I went back on the Joy solo in April 2022 not in the Haven.  I did Haven Lite.  

 

Look at my post and ask me anything you want.  I can also give you pros/cons of the Premium Plus Beverage Package.  I wish I was doing it again.  That is how much I enjoyed it.

 

Cruise well.

[mking8288]

Spice H20, adults only - especially on port days (i.e. while docked in Bermuda)   It was semi-secluded as it's away from the pool & sun deck, buffet, etc. 

[coalman78]

14 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Spice H20, adults only - especially on port days (i.e. while docked in Bermuda)   It was semi-secluded as it's away from the pool & sun deck, buffet, etc. 

This will be my first time on the Joy. I'm eager to see if I find the hot tub situation better or worse than others (large & shaded vs 2 small & sunny). The H20 hot tubs were usually the only time I got continuous sun on the ship.

Edited June 16, 2022 by coalman78

[Harratine]

On 6/16/2022 at 1:46 PM, js said:

OMG Bong is on the Joy?
I remember he was on, I think, the Escape in the Haven at one point when I was sailing.

Haven't been on a cruise since Covid and so happy to be booking again.

Thinking of Joy for our next trip out of New York.

 

I remember Bong from the Escape Haven,,,,