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We sailed on Valiant Lady on June 16th. We had a great time apart from the rough weather and seas we endured heading to Mexico. We were rocking pretty bad all night long. But everything else made up for it.

NCL is my least favourite cruise line.

I was on that ship for a cruise and it was great hope you have fun

When you paid for food and then pay super expensive to eat at a restaurant on board with basically the same food lol. Restaurants on board should be cheap since they should count the money you ain't eating going there instead of the main dining room.

We sailed on this ship out of LA in February of 2023. I've seen recent videos critiquing and showing some unfortunately worn areas. Lots of peeling paint, poorly painted or coated surfaces, visible corrosion, and worn upholstery . We were fortunate that we didn't really experience any of these things. The things we enjoy most were the main dining, the live entertainment, the group parties (like ABBA night), and the solarium pool. Oh, and the martini bar which is outstanding. The service was fantastic and we were made to feel so welcome. The energy you mention is very real. Perhaps its the all the wonderful small places to sit and enjoy conversation, like the library. Perhaps it is just the more refined and mature vibe. But maybe its the beautiful living tree suspended in the atrium. No matter what we also experienced that feeling. Can't wait to see solstice again.

wife and i love the pride. Just wish it would go out of Baltimore to more than the eastern Caribbean or Bahamas. say western Caribbean.

I did the joy in 2019 and they had the stage show Footloose which was great it's too bad they've gotten rid of those bigger productions

The Joy is the lowest rated cruise ship on cruise critic.

Zak..... We have a chance to sail for 11 nights to the Southern Caribbean in a Aqua class sky suite for October 2025 on Reflection for $ 9,500 dollars. After seeing this the only way I do the retreat is the edge class if at all. Also for this kind of money maybe a smaller luxury ship like Oceania or Regent is a better choice if spending 9 or 10K

Another question, did you stop at the Swizzle Inn? This is something we wanna do.

Zach, what tour was this? I would like to book it

I just get off noreign joy 3 days ago and I was not happy with the way some staff treated my husband and daughter . Every time my daughter ordered a drink ' she was reminded ' that drink is not in your package ! When ever my husband ordered a drink ' most staff did not seem please to serve him . Not so happy staff! And when eating at the specialty dinner ' staff seem less to want my family to eat there ! I was dissappointed ! I felt like I did not belong on the cruise . I will never sail on the Joy ! Instead of me feeling overjoyed ' I felt sad and ready to go home!

Hi Zach, I’m a new first time solo traveler and my first trip will be in September. I am both excited and super nervous as naturally I am an introvert. Initially, I wanted someone to travel with however, no one‘s time could sync so I’m taking the ball by the horns and I’m going to enjoy every bit of this trip. Thank you for your tips.

Thanks for your review! Nickle & Dime ... I think that I will pass on it for our family vacation.

PLEASE, PLEASE CARNIVAL....BRING BACK THE EDIBLE TOSTADA BOWLS IN THE MEXICAN FIXINS AREA. LOVE THOSE!!!...

CARNIVAL PRIDE IS OUR FAVORITE SHIP!....GREAT DECOR, FRIENDLY CREW, THREE POOLS, AND A LOVELY AUDITORIUM UNLIKE THE SEAGOING EPCOT CENTER SOME PREFER. HOPE THEY EITHER CONTINUE TO RETROFIT OR BUILD ANEW!!!!

What the is the difference between an honest review and a BRUTALLY honest review?

Chair hogs are the worst

No gratuities required on this cruise correct?

Great review. I do enjoy NCL. I have sailed on the Joy, Bliss, Gem, Getaway, and Breakaway. The Joy was definitely my favorite! The Waterfront, Observation Lounge,, Cavern Club, lounges, and all the restaurants were wonderful. Sadly, NCL has reduced or eliminated their high caliber Broadway type shows, and their absence is certainly keenly felt. Game shows are just not for me. I did feel the service was excellent on my cruises. I’m glad you had a good cruise!

that ship need more updates like on water slides for kids and young ones and they need more waterslide

Agree on the lack of soundproofing with the balcony cabins. Was on a 15 night Panama Canal cruise on the Bliss ( similar to the Joy ) had a balcony stateroom and a senior gent as a neighbour who kept is TV on all night, I barely slept the entire cruise and after several complaints to guest services, I was given a spare 'inside' to use to sleep.

Great review…. Spot on IMO… Agree with you 💯

Hey Zach , I agree with you about the food on NCL…. I always enjoy the food on NCL ships.. My issue now is the entertainment…. They are removing a lot of the big broadway production shows on the ships and aren’t replacing them with anything good

Thank you. I have never gotten an upgrade. I have inside stateroom experience only. I have made bids but they are low. I did ask once at the desk, but mwill try that, who knows. Have only cuised with NCL and Carnival. :) Going 7/5 Boston to Bermuda. My 7th cruise.

Loved the video. Thank you for sharing. Hopefully, we are going to Bermuda in September for our First time on The Carnival Venezia. We were scheduled last August on The Legend out of Baltimore, but due to hurricane we were rerouted to Bahamas. So, I sure hope we make it this time!

We cruised to San Juan last year. I had forgotten a prescription at home and I was able to call my provider and have her send a script to the CVS there. It's to the left once you get off the port. Not only was I able to get my script, it was cheaper too!

Do they have drinks here?

Joy was my first cruise in 2019 and it's sad that entertainment has fallen off so bad since then. We had Footloose on that cruise that was Broadway caliber performance.

We were on the June 9th sailing and I agree with most of what you said I think one of the saddest thing was the staff. Most of them didn't seem happy until like the last 3 days when I saw more of them smiling. The first 2 dining room staff seemed so focused on getting foodnout that they even forgot some of the things we ordered. Lucky the waiter in Taste redeemed that, she was the best. We had issues with the toilet in our room that sometimes didn't flush but eventually it did and almost all the public ladies' restrooms seemed to have a stall out of order. We did bid for an upgrade and got a beautiful, spacious room which were happy about. Yes it was below Social so we heard the music but it wasn't loud enough to bother us. Food was delicious, except for the baked wings in The Local. Loved the Indian and Asian offerings in the Garden Cafe. Ship itself is beautiful and was a Joy to be sailing on her.

Hey Zach! I was on the Joy when it was returning to America from it's refurb. I thought the ship looked beautiful but not every public area was open yet. Minor annoyance. My solo balcony was huge and lovely but I wish it had included access to a solo lounge. Entertainment was pretty meh but I thought the food was some of the best I've had on an NCL cruise.

We are on the Joy in late 2023 on a Panama Canal cruise. We loved the ship, but do sort of agree about the Entertainment. Like your cruise, the only stage show in the main Theatre was Elements (which we did not see), however, they did have the Beetles cover band do a few shows in the theatre, which were decent. In my experience, the best entertainment was a Broadway review with some amazing performers the last night in the Q Lounge. I was less impressed with the "local" entertainment that played in some of the bars and open areas.

Not paying for entertainment. Stopped taking Norwegian because they nickel and dime so much that it stresses us - we just get tired of constant upsell pitches while we’re trying to relax. And, NCL’s coffee sucks.

My husband and I used to cruise on Norwegian a lot but it went down hill. We don't sail them anymore. The service is better on other ships. Just my opinion

They really do struggle with entertainment and also nickel and diming you. I also do not like the freestyle approach, it makes for huge gatherings at places including getting on and off the ship.

Thank you Zach!! we have been cruising since 1993 and have completed 56 Cruises, we have yet to experience Norwegian !!! your review has encouraged me to at least consider Norwegian… I know this sounds ridiculous but not including water in the drink package is one of the main reasons that kept me away… It was the principal and it still is… But this was a great review and I appreciate it thank you🚢

Not happy with entertainment on the Joy however going on the Joy for the fourth time next week only because it fits my schedule

Ncl is pricing very aggressively but i struggle so much with the onboard experience. The newer ships have better staff but worse and sometimes paywalled activities. The older ships have better activities like free and included pools and public venues but the staff is somewhat clueless which is problematic for my party as people have food allergies.

Hey Zach, great job on your review. Straight forward, good facts and easy to understand. By November 2024, I will hit 30 overall Cruises, ..... just behind your 33 as oh this video. P.S.: I have been on 6 Norwegian Cruises and I remember distinctly experiencing the same thing you did, ..... sitting in the main dining room where they had a large dance floor and a band, ..... the music was SO LOUD I literally had to leave the dinning room, go back to my Cabin and grab my "Ear plugs." What made things worse was that I had met a lovely woman on the ship that I had invited to join me for that specific dinner. We couldn't hear each other talk, because the music was SO LOUD then when I returned witwith my ear plugs I was so embarrassed wearing them and the dinner was destroyed! 😎⛹️‍♀️🤸‍♂️🚴‍♂️

Anyone else notice the girl get stuck on the water slide 16:15 in

Thanks Zach! We like the structure of the STEPS approach that you use. Are you back on Celebrity at some point? Are you seeing the price of cruising going up everywhere and every line? Keep up the great work!

I did the breakaway and their stage production shows were great!

My friend didn’t like the the BBQ place either…what date did u go? I think he went may 25th maybe the 27th something around there

Thanks for mentioning the overly loud music at Q. Good to know. Guess I’ll avoid that place since that would really bother me. I have 21 nights on Joy in a solo Balcony coming in 2025. Your review is very helpful.

Hi Zach - is there a travel agent you recommend? Thanks. I'm looking at a Celebrity retreat cruise later this year.

NCL used to have great entertainment with at least two different main production shows on a 7 night sailing. They've cut the shows in half and I miss those shows. 😢 I still love Choir of Man its the best show Ive ever seen on a cruise but 1 main show a week isnt enough.

Does NCL still have welcome back party for past cruisers?