The 4 and 5 star reviews about this ship must have come from crew, family members or first-time cruisers. If you've ever cruised on other ships, you recognize them as lacking accuracy. We had the unfortunate ...

Sail Date November 2019

2pedersens

1 Review Written

1 Helpful Vote

Most recent cruise to Panama Canal, Miami to Los Angeles

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

I chose Norwegian because we cruised Mexico last year and just returned from a Panama Canal cruise. Both cruises have been enjoyable, but recent news, if true will make me think twice about cruising with them again. ...

Sail Date February 2020

SS17

5 Reviews Written

8 Helpful Votes

Who designed these ships

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

Whoever designed these ships most have been on some drugs. When you hold all your games and talks in the Atrium, which has future cruises, guest services and and tours, you are asking for trouble. You have to yell ...

Sail Date February 2020

Dholm

1 Review Written

Great trip

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

Overall a wonderful trip. The ship is magnificent. Boarded in Miami and was so glad to have just moved up to platinum as my line to get on was 10 minutes long, the others were in the hundreds and took 3 hours to get ...

Sail Date February 2020

ofbp Walt

5 Reviews Written

14 Helpful Votes

Halfway through Panama and back...

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

We selected a 12 night cruise to see the Panama Canal. We got to visit some cool places in addition, and have lunches in local bistros. We're not into sailing or snorkeling, but would rather walk/tour around to get ...

1 photo

Sail Date February 2020

dbebushesldifnhs

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Great way to see the Panama Canal and a bit of South and Central America.

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

This was our 9th cruise on Norwegian and our 17th cruise overall. This was our first time on the Norwegian Joy. Due to the size of this very large ship, embarkation was a bit frustrating with very long lines, but ...

Sail Date February 2020

memajajo

1 Review Written

7 Helpful Votes

Disappointing

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

We took the Norwegian Joy from LA to Miami on Jan 17, 2020 because it went through the Panama Canal, which was on out bucket list. We have done several cruises on various cruise lines, but this was our first ...

Sail Date January 2020

angelfish888

4 Reviews Written

5 Helpful Votes

Great nightly entertainment, great staff, limited hot food selections in buffet

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

For our 17th cruise, we wanted to experience the Panama Canal. We had taken NCL in Sept. to New England and in October around the Western Mediterranean. This 3rd Norwegian cruise was a charm. We are a couple in our ...

1 photo

Sail Date February 2020

RogerLJ

2 Reviews Written

5 Helpful Votes

Near Perfect Cruise

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

This was our 8th NCL cruise but our first on a large ship. My wife and I were a bit concerned about the size, but were pleasantly surprised to discover that large doesn't necessarily mean crowded and congested. ...

Sail Date January 2020

Igo4fun

1 Review Written

5 Helpful Votes

Never Again

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

My Husband and I were looking for a winter getaway from the cold of the Midwest and choose the Panama Canal Cruise because of the January departure from Los Angeles, Ca. This was one of those bucket list trips for ...

Sail Date January 2020

Notgonnalie

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Mixed Feelings

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

This cruise experience was truly a mix of positive and negative impressions. Our biggest frustration was that the Joy changed our itinerary without explanation less than a week before taking off. They eliminated a ...

Sail Date February 2020

lindykaye

1 Review Written

Overall, had a great time!

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

We were on this cruise as part of a tour group to experience going through the Panama Canal. Therefore, most of the planning and details were taken care of for us. When we got to the ship, there was a long ...

Sail Date January 2020

tortuga777

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Great staff and food, but this boat is just too big!

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

Is bigger always better? That depends, of course, on whom you ask. In my opinion The Norwegian Joy is just too big. My wife and I took the Joy, from LA to Miami because of the itinerary: a full transit of the ...

Sail Date January 2020

lsnhc

4 Reviews Written

15 Helpful Votes

We had a wonderful time, but..............................

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

The Joy is, unquestionably, a beautiful ship. That being stated, there are several deficiencies as to the ability to handle 3800+ guests. The theater is not able to handle the crowds and unless you got there at ...

Sail Date January 2020

COOP4444

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

A fully delightful Cruise experience!

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

As Platinum travelers on NCL and having cruised multiple times with other cruise lines all around the world, my wife and I selected this NCL cruise as we have never cruised through the Panama Canal and wanted to do ...

Sail Date January 2020

tooold

2 Reviews Written

2 Helpful Votes

Can't Trust Norwegian

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

A group of 9 went on the November 8th Panama Canal Cruise. After the payment deadline and our money was collected in full, Norwegian announced that the stop in Costa Rica was cancelled and replaced it with Acapulco. ...

Sail Date November 2019

Holly1a

3 Reviews Written

14 Helpful Votes

Wonderful -- unexpectedly delightful

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

This was a last minute booking--about a month before the cruise. The fare dropped to $699 (this is not a type) for a balcony cabin! For a 16-day cruise and Panama Canal on our bucket list, we just couldn't pass ...

7 photos

Sail Date November 2019

Billsimmo

1 Review Written

Panama experience

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

This was a first time cruise with NCL and we booked it because it gave us transit of the Panama canal which we had missed with other cruises in this area. Embarkation at Miami was to say the least a shambles it took ...

Sail Date November 2019

tractor1

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Worst cruise with NCL ever

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

This was our fourth cruise with NCl. We felt dedicated to sail with them again. But our room was changed from the 10th deck to the 9th deck with notification. Our friends asked for a room the the 10th deck so we ...

Sail Date November 2019

Cutaqueen

1 Review Written

6 Helpful Votes

The good, the bad, and the very ugly

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

We liked this cruise for the itinerary and the ship. We are fans of the newer and larger ships. The crew were friendly and the ship very nice. But sadly we were on the ship with the Norovirus. I got the ...

Sail Date November 2019

Dant-eh

1 Review Written

Expected more from Norwegian

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

But got less! While I have no big issues with the ship itself, the cruise line itself was lacklustre. Embarkation was a mess. The waiting area was a mess! No water, coffee, tea at all available, all machines were ...

Sail Date October 2019

KathleenKl

1 Review Written

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

We had chosen The Norwegian Joy so we could experience a full transit of the Panama Canal and this cruise fit our time schedule. The Good: The ship is beautiful, there was a fun atmosphere, and a lot of ...

Sail Date November 2019

MrGadget007

3 Reviews Written

7 Helpful Votes

Beautiful ship, outstanding crew, entertainment ok, on and off was a disaster.

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

Wanted to do the Panama Canal, and the bonus of Costa Rica was a big plus. Been on a couple of cruises and lines, so wanted to try something different. The included 5 'free' perks was a draw as well, especially the ...

Sail Date November 2019

Jimchu

1 Review Written

4 Helpful Votes

Redesign of public areas is a MUST! The Joy was not a Joy to be on.

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

The price for the cruise was great and always wanted to go though the Panama Canal. The room was nice size and the aesthetics of the ship were great. The dinning rooms looked nice and the main theater was nice ...

Sail Date November 2019

2FLGuys

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Fears, Fun, & Noro

Norwegian Joy

Panama Canal & Central America

With a name like Cruise Critic I think we can too easily get in the habit of finding problems with sailing. As with all things in life to find a problem is pretty easy but to recognize the good is something that too ...

Sail Date November 2019