Joy vs Bliss

[curlstravel]

I just got off the Bliss and will be sailing the Joy in 2 weeks.  what are the differences?

[SuzieQ521]

4 minutes ago, curlstravel said:

I just got off the Bliss and will be sailing the Joy in 2 weeks.  what are the differences?

 

Sorry I can't answer your question directly but what did you think of the Bliss? We sail her in a couple weeks!

[debenson0723]

22 minutes ago, curlstravel said:

I just got off the Bliss and will be sailing the Joy in 2 weeks.  what are the differences?

The Joy does not have studio cabins or a thermal spa.  There is an additional Starbucks in the Observation Lounge.  Going on the Joy next month for the first time but have been on the Bliss 3 times.  It is my favorite NCL ship.

[curlstravel]

We really enjoyed our cruise. I thought it would feel really crowded being such a big ship but it did not feel that way at all. We didn’t have any issues getting into any of the shows we wanted it to go to. We made our reservations when we got on the ship and it was really easy and quick.  The shows were excellent, the comedians were good and we felt like the entertainment all around the ship was good except for the Beatles which was extremely crowded and loud and the singers were very disappointing. We did not feel like the food in Manhattan was as good as Hudsons on the prima but all of the specialty restaurants were great.  Also our breakfast in Taste  was very slow on the days we went.  During the day we spent a lot of time in the Thermal Spa  and  on the deck Next to Vibe where there were a lot of comfortable chairs and a hot tub and bar.  We loved The observation room and the big circular bar. We will definitely book another cruise on the Bliss in the future.

[hallux]

I've sailed both, enjoyed both.  They're more similar than different.  Mostly the same venues (except for the previously mentioned thermal spa as the biggest missing venue for some).  The Joy does still have some of the Asian-inspired decor that she was built with (originally built for the Asian market) but you may not even notice it if you didn't know.  

 

I would sail on either ship again in a heartbeat!

 

I will say that the Cavern Club on the Joy is laid out a LITTLE better (rotated 90 degrees, with the stage on a short wall so the crowd can be deeper).  That doesn't fix how rowdy a Beatles crowd can get.

Edited January 5, 2023 by hallux

[curlstravel]

Looking forward to trying the cavern club again on the Joy!

 

 

 

[BrownEyedGirl686]

We were on the Bliss in Dec of 2019 we will be on the Joy 5/2023. Cannot wait 

[davencl]

Biggest difference for me was lack of Thermal Spa on the Joy.  However enjoyed both ships very much.  Joy was trip thru panama canal so not much need for thermal spa.  Bliss was cruise to Alaska, enjoyed the thermal spa for that cruise.   Would sail either one as itinerary is more important to me.

[Goldconnection]

Loved sailing both.

[schmoopie17]

13 hours ago, BrownEyedGirl686 said:

 Cannot wait 

You have to wait...😀

[wolft927]

Never been on Bliss or the Joy but we are sailign on the Joy in April. Been on the breakaway class ships, not the BA+. 

[SeaShark]

On 1/4/2023 at 8:17 PM, curlstravel said:

I just got off the Bliss and will be sailing the Joy in 2 weeks.  what are the differences?

 

Quite honestly, if you just got off of the Bliss and you'll soon be on the Joy, I'd say that you are in the best position to document the similarities and differences between the two ships. Perhaps you can provide a detailed comparison thread upon your return? It certainly would be helpful for anyone asking the same question.

[schmoopie17]

Bliss has our all-time favorite waiter/bartender in the District Brewhouse. He also works the pool area. Keep an eye out for Carlo...he's funny, sarcastic and an all-around great guy.

[BirdTravels]

On 1/4/2023 at 8:17 PM, curlstravel said:

I just got off the Bliss and will be sailing the Joy in 2 weeks.  what are the differences?

The major facilities are the same. Have a great cruise!  
 

NCL spent over $50M to Americanize the ship, removing Asian facilities (tea rooms, gardens, VIP casino, seafood buffet) and putting in familiar US bars and venues. They also ripped out a large number of suites to install an observation lounge. The ship still has 2x the number of suites as other BA+ ships. 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by BirdTravels

[Oceansaway17]

On 1/4/2023 at 8:42 PM, debenson0723 said:

The Joy does not have studio cabins or a thermal spa.  There is an additional Starbucks in the Observation Lounge.  Going on the Joy next month for the first time but have been on the Bliss 3 times.  It is my favorite NCL ship.

and those are two things IMHO that would make me NOT go on the Joy.  

Love the spa on Bliss and Escape.

 

[phillygwm]

On 1/4/2023 at 8:17 PM, curlstravel said:

I just got off the Bliss and will be sailing the Joy in 2 weeks.  what are the differences?

I preferred the Bliss, mostly for the Observation Lounge.  On the Bliss, there's the large circular bar.  On the Joy, it's just a walk-up (or waiter service.)  I also found my (balcony) room laid out slightly oddly, though that's nitpicky.  Basically, because of the way it's angled, you needed to squeeze around the foot of the bed to get to the balcony.  Others have spoken about the studios and the spa but those aren't things I care about personally.

 

That said, my next cruise is on the Joy.  I didn't dislike it, just liked the Bliss a bit better.

Edited January 7, 2023 by phillygwm