Norwegian Joy deck plans

Norwegian Joy (2017-built, initially named “Norwegian Bliss”, last refurbished in January–February 2024) is the second vessel in the Breakaway Plus class of NCL cruise ships, alongside the sisterships Norwegian Escape (2015), Norwegian Bliss (2018) and Norwegian Encore (2019). The ship was ordered in 2014, and construction (under the name Norwegian Bliss) began on September 16, 2015. On October 12, 2015, NCL announced that she would be renamed and specifically designed for the Chinese market. Her new name, “Norwegian Joy” (in Chinese glyphs 喜悦号 / Xi Yue Hao), was officially revealed on February 29, 2016 (leap day). The characters for “Joy” mean “Inner Joy”.

In 2019, NCL Joy underwent a major drydock refurbishment to make her nearly identical to the highly successful Norwegian Bliss. She was relocated from China to the USA. The refurbishment was managed by MJM Marine (part of the MJM Group, Northern Ireland), a company specializing in cruise ship interior design and refits. The project involved around 1400 workers and upgrades across 40+ onboard venues and areas. Following the refit, NCL Joy began Alaskan cruises from her homeport in Seattle WA, followed by deployment on Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles CA.

Norwegian Joy’s deck plan includes 1926 staterooms (across 42 categories and 15 types), accommodating 3804 passengers (max 4622), and a crew of 1820. The ship has 20 decks (16 accessible to passengers, 11 with cabins), 29 dining options (9 complimentary), 22 lounges and bars, 3 swimming pools, 5 waterslides, 9 jacuzzies and 16 elevators.

The following section reviews NCL Joy’s new features, venues, facilities and innovations:

• The ship was designed specifically for the Chinese cruising market. Her interior décor, amenities, entertainment and cuisine were curated to appeal to Chinese guests, offering a premium and stylish vacation experience.
• She is the world’s first cruise ship purpose-built for China.
• Norwegian Joy features the fleet’s highest crew-to-passenger ratio. Compared to NCL Escape, she carries 250 fewer passengers, with the freed space allocated to an expanded Casino and enlarged shopping areas.
• The ship has a Haven VVIP Casino (a private high-stakes gambling lounge).
• Two Observation Deck areas were added to The Haven and Concierge Suite decks. These fore-located open-air areas provide 180-degree panoramic sea views.
• The top deck features a 2-level family-friendly go-kart racetrack (a first at sea). The electric track was designed and built by RiMO Supply (Germany) and Bolidt (Netherlands).
• The ship also offers an open-air laser tag arena (with a large touch screen for kids).
• On deck 16, the Galaxy Pavilion complex houses virtual reality and advanced gaming experiences. Highlights include interactive video walls, hovercraft bumper cars, a professional Formula 1 simulator (a real race car converted into a tri-screen simulator), multiple 3D simulators (spaceship, flight and racing), surround sound and special effects, six Xbox gaming stations, Star Wars Battle Pods, three dark ride simulators (with roller coaster, hang gliding and building-plank scenarios) and Oculus VR games.
• The ship has two water slides. The Double Aqua Loop is a free-fall slide with two loops, one extending over the ship’s side and the other featuring a transparent drop loop. The high-speed Aqua Racer is a side-by-side racing slide with twisting tubes over 360 ft (110 m) long.
• Forward on the top deck is Serenity Park, an outdoor relaxation complex with live greenery, a large video screen, a swimming pool and a sun deck with loungers. The park also hosts open-air classes such as Yoga and Tai Chi.
• The onboard shopping arcade is the largest duty-free retail area in the NCL fleet, offering high-end apparel, jewelry, cosmetics and electronics.

Additional features include multiple karaoke rooms, a traditional tea room, the new Concierge Suite accommodations (in a complex located above The Haven), the exclusive Concierge Lounge & Bar, Interior cabins with virtual balconies and numerous connecting cabins suitable for multi-generational travel.

Norwegian Joy drydock refurbishment 2024 review

The ship’s 3-week drydock (January 22 to February 12, 2024, at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport) resulted in several major upgrades, including new venues, an expanded spa, 24 new staterooms and redesigned Premier Owner’s Suites (converted into 3-Bedroom Haven Suites).

The 24 new balcony staterooms were added in an area previously occupied by part of the Observation Lounge. Forty existing staterooms were reclassified as “Spa Balcony”, giving guests complimentary and direct access to the Mandara Spa & Salon on deck 16, which is now fitted with a Thermal Suite. The new Thermal Suite—the largest on any Breakaway-Plus ship—occupies the former Galaxy Pavilion space and includes a Sauna Room, Ice Room, Aroma Steam Room, dedicated Spa Lounge (with tiled heated loungers and 4-senses loungers), a Biostation (for IV therapy/body treatments) and new Kneipp foot hydrotherapy features.

The two redesigned Owner’s Suites now each include 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 1 half bath, a separate bow-facing dining room (overlooking the Haven Horizon Lounge), redesigned living rooms and master bedrooms, and upgraded terrace furniture.

Vibe Beach Club on deck 20 will be expanded into the former Laser Tag Arena space. Similar to Bliss and Encore, Joy’s enlarged Vibe Beach Club will offer private cabanas.

The drydock also included routine maintenance, technical upgrades and hull cleaning/repainting.

NCL Joy dining (new restaurants)

Norwegian Joy has 29 restaurants, some available at a surcharge, including a Korean steakhouse and a Japanese shabu-shabu restaurant.

• (new) “Sakura and Hibiscus” – the ship’s Korean restaurant, also serving Korean barbecue specialties.
• (new) “Neptune’s” – seafood restaurant with a chilled/raw seafood buffet on ice and an à la carte menu.
• (new) “American Diner” – serving classic comfort foods (including burgers, fried chicken, meatloaf, pot pies).
• (new) “Grand Tea Room” – offering premium Chinese teas with snack pairings (including finger sandwiches).
• (new) “The Bake Shop” – onboard bakery selling Japanese mocha sweets, cupcakes, pralines and macarons.
• (new) “La Cave” – a premium spirits and wine bar.
• Complimentary dining includes the MDRs “Savor” and “Taste”, both offering traditional Chinese cuisine in addition to Western dishes. “Garden Café” buffet is arranged as themed pavilions/stations and serves both Chinese and Western items.
• “Manhattan Room” features an extensive Chinese menu complemented by Western classics (including prime steaks and seafood).

Other popular NCL dining venues include “Food Republic” (first introduced on NCL Escape), Teppanyaki (hibachi), “Noodle Bar” (noodles and dim sum), “Cagney’s Steakhouse”, “La Cucina” (Italian) and “Le Bistro” (French).