NCL Joy behind the scenes tour

[jeffw67]

Anyone know if NCL has restarted the ship tours for platinum or higher latitude's members? They were discontinued the last cruise we took during the pandemic.   

[deweytrader]

Was not back for the 10/12/22 Joy Sailing...

[BirdTravels]

5 hours ago, jeffw67 said:

Anyone know if NCL has restarted the ship tours for platinum or higher latitude's members? They were discontinued the last cruise we took during the pandemic.   

I do not think that they have offered the BTS tours on any ship yet. They did not offer BTS or dinner on the Prima two weeks ago. Just the wine tasting and latitudes party. 

[dexddd]

They are using it as an excuse.  On the BTS tour you only come into contact with guide and security and guests.  No different than anywhere else on the ship.  No problem with VIP party, packed.

 

Lats was a joke on Prima.  No BTS, no dinner with officer (not a big loss), no Sapphire pins, wine tasting was a wait list.

[BirdTravels]

6 minutes ago, dexddd said:

They are using it as an excuse.  On the BTS tour you only come into contact with guide and security and guests.  No different than anywhere else on the ship.  No problem with VIP party, packed.

 

Lats was a joke on Prima.  No BTS, no dinner with officer (not a big loss), no Sapphire pins, wine tasting was a wait list.

And most importantly, no compensation for the lack of top tier benefits.

[GeezerCouple]

41 minutes ago, dexddd said:

They are using it as an excuse.  On the BTS tour you only come into contact with guide and security and guests.  No different than anywhere else on the ship.  No problem with VIP party, packed.

 

Lats was a joke on Prima.  No BTS, no dinner with officer (not a big loss), no Sapphire pins, wine tasting was a wait list.

 

It wasn't "just guide and security and guests" when we took a BTS tour.  There were members of each area who would explain what they did/how it worked.

 

The final "stop" of the tour was in the Bridge, and we spent a lot of time there.  Several others wandered off, but some of us were really intrigued by some of the equipment.  We didn't necessarily completely understand all of what they were saying about how some of it works, but we caught enough of it to be fascinated.  And it wasn't the guide trying to explain these things to us; it was the Captain and a few other Officers.

 

I don't remember exactly, but there were something like 15 passengers, including us.

If the entire group is in the Bridge, and they were at least at the start of that final portion of the tour... that's a lot of potential COVID exposure, I would think.

 

GC

[mking8288]

Ditto what BirdTravel said re dexddd's comments - I guess we're lucky to be able to do Dine w Officers onboard the GA in March but both subsequent times on the Joy, was no can't do ... first go around in May, issued OBC but not in September, like everyone else.  I even jokingly left a written comment with "Dear GM", hey - why not do a virtual tour instead, one of the CD onboard the BA and Escape, pre-Covid, did that in the atrium lobby and it was quite informative, for everyone interested vis-a-vis another CruiseNext presentation.  Surely, they can come up with an in-house video production, maybe even make it a PPV (hate to do offer them ideas to generate revenue, but this poor shareholders just wanting to be fair & reasonable).  Thoughts, dexddd ... for "their" convenience, right & biomed health safety.  

 

VIP and private/captain reception were jammed full inside the Joy Haven Lounge, elbow-to-elbow & not everyone masking up ... maintaining social distance, etc. etc.  Skipped the Lats reception entirely as others from the CC circles shared that we didn't miss anything.  

 

Last time being on a bridge tour was just about 10 years, right after Sandy came thru NY (2012 ... it's been 10 years) and we left with an inbound Nor-Easter on the GEM, invited not because of Lats status but b/c the small group was with CC - escorted by security & done on a sea day.  That was really nice but to such tour since then for security reasons, not b/c of infectious diseases and Covid.  I don't expect ever to experience that again in my lifetime with NCL.  

 

Ron is a very good & friendly GM and has command & respect of the teams under him ... maybe, those sailing next / soon on the Joy can speak to him privately.  Most likely, it's out of his hands & in the directives issued by Miami HQ.  Just my thoughts. 

 

Now, what's this message about 50% sale, hahaha 🤣🤣🤣

Edited November 1, 2022 by mking8288

[jeffw67]

Sorry to hear its not back. Its a really cool perk for latitudes members with little or no cost to NCL. Hopefully they will reinstate it soon.

[MoCruiseFan]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:08 AM, BirdTravels said:

And most importantly, no compensation for the lack of top tier benefits.

 

 

What exactly did you want for compensation for missing a very meager tour?

[dexddd]

On 11/1/2022 at 6:08 AM, BirdTravels said:

And most importantly, no compensation for the lack of top tier benefits.

Correct, and while I've heard of it in the past, no more.  We even had a port cancelled and no refund of port fees.  I asked about it and got no response.

[dexddd]

On 11/1/2022 at 6:54 AM, GeezerCouple said:

 

It wasn't "just guide and security and guests" when we took a BTS tour.  There were members of each area who would explain what they did/how it worked.

 

The final "stop" of the tour was in the Bridge, and we spent a lot of time there.  Several others wandered off, but some of us were really intrigued by some of the equipment.  We didn't necessarily completely understand all of what they were saying about how some of it works, but we caught enough of it to be fascinated.  And it wasn't the guide trying to explain these things to us; it was the Captain and a few other Officers.

 

I don't remember exactly, but there were something like 15 passengers, including us.

If the entire group is in the Bridge, and they were at least at the start of that final portion of the tour... that's a lot of potential COVID exposure, I would think.

 

GC

When was the last bridge tour you had?  To best of what I've read here and our experience, bridge tours ended years ago.  Other BTS contacts were easily socially distanced.  Heck, even the main show area you didn't run into anyone other than guide, guests, and security.  So if ok to do VIP party last month on Prima with wall to wall people how is this one a no go?

[dexddd]

On 11/1/2022 at 12:24 PM, mking8288 said:

Ditto what BirdTravel said re dexddd's comments - I guess we're lucky to be able to do Dine w Officers onboard the GA in March but both subsequent times on the Joy, was no can't do ... first go around in May, issued OBC but not in September, like everyone else.  I even jokingly left a written comment with "Dear GM", hey - why not do a virtual tour instead, one of the CD onboard the BA and Escape, pre-Covid, did that in the atrium lobby and it was quite informative, for everyone interested vis-a-vis another CruiseNext presentation.  Surely, they can come up with an in-house video production, maybe even make it a PPV (hate to do offer them ideas to generate revenue, but this poor shareholders just wanting to be fair & reasonable).  Thoughts, dexddd ... for "their" convenience, right & biomed health safety.  

 

VIP and private/captain reception were jammed full inside the Joy Haven Lounge, elbow-to-elbow & not everyone masking up ... maintaining social distance, etc. etc.  Skipped the Lats reception entirely as others from the CC circles shared that we didn't miss anything.  

 

Last time being on a bridge tour was just about 10 years, right after Sandy came thru NY (2012 ... it's been 10 years) and we left with an inbound Nor-Easter on the GEM, invited not because of Lats status but b/c the small group was with CC - escorted by security & done on a sea day.  That was really nice but to such tour since then for security reasons, not b/c of infectious diseases and Covid.  I don't expect ever to experience that again in my lifetime with NCL.  

 

Ron is a very good & friendly GM and has command & respect of the teams under him ... maybe, those sailing next / soon on the Joy can speak to him privately.  Most likely, it's out of his hands & in the directives issued by Miami HQ.  Just my thoughts. 

 

Now, what's this message about 50% sale, hahaha 🤣🤣🤣

That is an excellent idea about virtual as the Captain held one on BA for anyone when we sailed years ago when we sailed with you.  The bonus was they showed engine room and other places not part of BTS.  They even answered my question about an issue that popped up before our sailing that had an impact on a prior sailing that could have been an issue for us.  Something with a damper IIRC.

 

Think last bridge trip for us was Dawn with Captain Bengstton (sp) around ten years ago.  There were maybe three families and we spent a solid hour up there.  He was so nice and loved sharing his experiences.

[MoCruiseFan]

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

Correct, and while I've heard of it in the past, no more.  We even had a port cancelled and no refund of port fees.  I asked about it and got no response.

It would have been posted to yr on board account and used to offset your expenses.  Normally it is not a big amount by any means.

[GeezerCouple]

7 hours ago, dexddd said:

<snip>

 

Think last bridge trip for us was Dawn with Captain Bengstton (sp) around ten years ago.  There were maybe three families and we spent a solid hour up there.  He was so nice and loved sharing his experiences.

 

Heh... at first I thought maybe you were on *our* cruise, and on *our* Bridge tour!

But looking at your cruise history, it seems we were more than a year after you.  I think it was September, 2014.   I don't remember the name of the Captain, but your description could certainly fit the Captain we met.  The more interested we got, the more eager he seemed to try to explain more, and that was just perfect for both of us!

 

We understand why they did away with public access (in a guided tour, not just an "open house", of course!) to the Bridge, and that was before COVID.  So we are especially glad that we were able to have that experience.

 

I understand they've done away with the "Bridge viewing rooms", too?  That would be too bad, but I guess I can understand that, too...

 

GC

[ChiefMateJRK]

21 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

 

What exactly did you want for compensation for missing a very meager tour?

Yep.  It's like those chocolate covered strawberries.  DW eats one and then we have to figure out how to get rid of the leftover.  

[phillygwm]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:54 AM, GeezerCouple said:

The final "stop" of the tour was in the Bridge, and we spent a lot of time there.  Several others wandered off, but some of us were really intrigued by some of the equipment.  We didn't necessarily completely understand all of what they were saying about how some of it works, but we caught enough of it to be fascinated.  And it wasn't the guide trying to explain these things to us; it was the Captain and a few other Officers.

I've done BTS on a number of ships, obviously all pre-pandemic.  Never saw the Bridge.  Thought they stopped going there, perhaps for security reasons?

[phillygwm]

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yep.  It's like those chocolate covered strawberries.  DW eats one and then we have to figure out how to get rid of the leftover.  

You'll pry those strawberries out of my cold, dead hands 🤣

[GeezerCouple]

5 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Heh... at first I thought maybe you were on *our* cruise, and on *our* Bridge tour!

But looking at your cruise history, it seems we were more than a year after you.  I think it was September, 2014.   I don't remember the name of the Captain, but your description could certainly fit the Captain we met.  The more interested we got, the more eager he seemed to try to explain more, and that was just perfect for both of us!

 

We understand why they did away with public access (in a guided tour, not just an "open house", of course!) to the Bridge, and that was before COVID.  So we are especially glad that we were able to have that experience.

 

I understand they've done away with the "Bridge viewing rooms", too?  That would be too bad, but I guess I can understand that, too...

 

GC

 

26 minutes ago, phillygwm said:

I've done BTS on a number of ships, obviously all pre-pandemic.  Never saw the Bridge.  Thought they stopped going there, perhaps for security reasons?

 

Yes, as I noted in my other comment (quoted just above), we also think they stopped the Bridge tours, and before the pandemic.  We were quite sure that was for security reasons, and it makes good sense, these days...  I assume it was for security purposes that the Bridge viewing rooms were also eliminated, or at least, my understand is that's "gone" now, too.

 

Seeing a variety of different areas Behind The Scenes was very interesting, including food storage (cold, frozen, other - there was a LOT of space for that food!) and also the kitchen and actual food prep areas.  One of our photos is standing in the main food prep area, with a humongous whisk, seemingly almost as tall as we were.  I did not see if that was actually *used* or it was a cute, and BIG, prop.  Serving thousands for each meal does mean *huge* quantities, of course, so perhaps they did use some that size...? 😉 

 

And the trash handling was incredibly elaborate, with separating different types, etc.  I don't remember everything now, no surprise.

 

I think the non-Bridge area tours were stopped due to the pandemic, but I'm not sure.  Perhaps someday they'll re-start the non-Bridge area tours, but my guess is that with all the craziness these days... probably not.

 

GC

[ChiefMateJRK]

I'll go on record as saying that I think the whole "behind the scenes tour" thing is dumb.  It is likely disruptive to those trying to cook, do laundry, etc. and I just can't see it being much fun (disclosure: I've never tried to attend one).  Probably like those ask-questions-about-the-ship things in the theatre where there is inevitably some clown near the front with a long list of questions intended to show the crew on stage and the audience how smart they are.  If I wanted that, I would go back to Megacorp and attend staff meetings.

[The Traveling Man]

15 hours ago, dexddd said:

When was the last bridge tour you had?  To best of what I've read here and our experience, bridge tours ended years ago.

We were on the Getaway in April 2019.  Our "dinner with an officer" turned out to be eight Platinum+ Latitudes members with the Captain and Cruise Next Manager.  The Captain invited the eight of us to join him on the bridge the next day.  He gave us a personal tour for almost a half hour.

[tgloersen]

On 11/1/2022 at 7:08 AM, BirdTravels said:

And most importantly, no compensation for the lack of top tier benefits.

Not true for me, whe i spoke to the concierge, she said just go to guest services and inquire about going on the behind the scens tour and while they are not offering it, they instead give yo $50 OBC.  I did this and thats exactly what happened.  $50 is better than nothing at all. 

[Laszlo]

26 minutes ago, tgloersen said:

Not true for me, whe i spoke to the concierge, she said just go to guest services and inquire about going on the behind the scens tour and while they are not offering it, they instead give yo $50 OBC.  I did this and thats exactly what happened.  $50 is better than nothing at all. 

I'll have to try that if they don't offer it on the Getaway

[dexddd]

3 hours ago, tgloersen said:

Not true for me, whe i spoke to the concierge, she said just go to guest services and inquire about going on the behind the scens tour and while they are not offering it, they instead give yo $50 OBC.  I did this and thats exactly what happened.  $50 is better than nothing at all. 

What ship and when?  We just sailed Prima and I asked concierge about this as well as refund of port fees for missed stop.  He never got back.

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, tgloersen said:

Not true for me, whe i spoke to the concierge, she said just go to guest services and inquire about going on the behind the scens tour and while they are not offering it, they instead give yo $50 OBC.  I did this and thats exactly what happened.  $50 is better than nothing at all. 

How long ago was this?  After the return to sail, folks reported getting that OBC, but not recently. It seems that once the ships started offering the wine tasting again as a Lats benefit, they stopped giving out the OBC. 

[JGmf]

11 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

We were on the Getaway in April 2019.  Our "dinner with an officer" turned out to be eight Platinum+ Latitudes members with the Captain and Cruise Next Manager.  The Captain invited the eight of us to join him on the bridge the next day.  He gave us a personal tour for almost a half hour.

 

Never took advantage of the dinner with officer(s).  Didn't seem to be interesting, plus the officers would likely be going through the motions of having yet another guest dinner (ho hum for them)....but the offer of a tour (which is likely a one-off, lucky thing) would make it pretty special.  Glad you got to do that.  It seems pretty great.

 

Regarding the regular ol' behind the scenes tour - we did that in the before times, when they ran them regularly.  It was interesting, but there were awkward moments, mostly when we toured the laundry facilities: hard working people in tight, warm work area doing our sheets, towels, etc.  Yeah, I know it's their job that they freely chose to do, but it just didn't feel right.