What these renovations REALLY MEAN for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) 

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Given the reduced number of children in most countries it makes sense to cater more to adults and leave the kid stuff to Carnival, Disney and RCL

I think Galaxy Pavilion was glitchy, and the technology gets dated very fast. I was also told that Vibe was very tiny on Joy. Laser tag is also only viable in the dark and good weather.

Hi Grant! While not a fan of either the laser tag or the Galaxy Pavillion, I am pleased that they are expanding the spa area. I am disappointed that NCL is taking space away from the observation lounge. The lounge is a great place to meet up with friend or family for planning or recapping a day of fun. The light refreshments offered are wonderful when you want a little something to hold you over until dinner. I can also see the benefit of reduced staff for the spaces, and increased revenue fleet-wide. As always, sending plenty of sunshine smiles your way my friend!

Getting rid of the vr and laser tag is fine. They were empty. But the observation lounge loss is awful. That place gets packed and was so relaxing during mid day.

Great video! Timely and well researched! My partner and I had the pleasure of taking the Norwegian Joy in December from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riveria. Ports of call included Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada. It was over the Christmas holiday so there were a lot of multi-generational families and lots of kids. We never saw anyone using the laser tag course but maybe we weren’t there are the right times. It’s not something we wanted to do. The virtual arcade was always busy but perhaps that’s because of all the kids. While I enjoyed arcade games when I was in high school and college, these were all too noisy and too expensive for my taste. So, no much love lost with those going. However, the observation lounge was one of the places we hung out a lot, aside from our balcony because it was peaceful. If they are taking away space from that, I hope they still keep some quiet spaces intact away from where they have the food and drink or the Starbucks counter. I agree with you, it feels like a way to pare down on some features that don’t bring in as much revenue and focus more on those that they hope will do.

Here's my take, similar to others. Kids are expensive to travel with and really can only do 3ish months of the year...most schools. So unless you live close to port. It's very expensive to fly everyone and driving could kill one whole day or two. The laser tag and pavilion were always empty when I checked. We purposely cruise when most kids are in school. Nothing against kids, just want to relax. We enjoy the entertainment, bands, trivia, karaoke and chatting with other people and staff if available to chat. I think older than 30 is their market. And I like the moves they make. The anytime dining is what sales is so we can plan our day. Not the cruise line with set dining times. Keep up the great videos! I enjoy them a lot. 45 days out now for next cruise!

I had heard on a recent cruise I was on, that NCL may be looking to stay in the smaller ship market and focus on quality over size and quantity. Have you heard anything about this?

Watched your review of the Getaway and immediately watched this one. Thanks for taking the time. This was very helpful.

I love the Joy, i was on it October 2022 and going on again when its refurb in August of 2024, lookin forward to the refurb and wonderful ship

The way I look at it, these bigger spa included balcony cabins and 3 bedroom haven suites are going to be far up in the price range for room offerings, so having a bunch more of these added to the ship is going to make the working class rooms more affordable. Ship only sails if they make a profit and those Haven suites must fill the owners pockets a lot faster than my lowly room would if they jacked the fair up another 25%, so now they will only increase my room 10% and the new additional rooms make up the difference..... Its like I told my wife on the last cruise when they announced that suite guests can make their way to disembark and we were standing for our turn "Anyone who wants to subsidize the ship by paying what their rooms cost can jump in front of me in the queue anyday".

Whaaaat????? Take space from the observation lounge? This is very bad news for me. It's hard to find quiet indoor lounging, reading and relaxing areas on the ships. This space on that class of ships is my favorite. It is also where I usually have my breakfast and/or afternoon scone. On a lighter note, only 35 days until I sail away to Tokyo on the Jewel!!

Recently, I read that a spokesperson for a Norwegian stated the cruise line is trying to attract a different type of customer. They were not very specific, but from my take away, I believe that they are trying to attract individuals with deeper pockets and possibly following in the footsteps of a cruise line like celebrity or princess. Both celebrity and princess have a reputation of being premium cruise lines and I believe that’s where Norwegian is headed.

My sister and I are NCL cruisers but we did not care for the Joy. It was definitely catered to a foreign market as the casino is large. Cabins were somewhat smaller also.

Very excited to see the changes to Joy. Hoping to sail on her this year.

The Joy and the Encore both have really crowded pool decks. I enjoy the Joy better because it does have a Spice H2O. Expanding vibe will make the cruise line more. However my 16 yo old did not like the teen club compared to what the Getaway offered. Taking away the galaxy pavilion will give teens even less to do. However my kid wasn’t interested in it or laser tag. It looked like few people were. The Joy doesn’t have a thermal spa. I’m interested to see how it would turn out. I do agree these changes will make NCL more money.

NCL is following the preferences of its paying customers. Longer itineraries mean fewer kids... means less laser tag... means less arcade type activities. Our long Joy cruise in the Fall will have very few kids on it but a plethora of over 50s who use specialty dining and spa services. It's a wise decision.

Sailed on the Encore twice, and while enjoying the beautiful and spacious Observation Lounge, I started a mental countdown of "this non-revenue generating space won't last long." So, not surprised they are decreasing this on the Joy and won't be surprised if the other Breakaway Plus ships follow. Overall, I'm happy for the changes to the Joy. Building her with no spa or solo cabins and solo lounge was made her ship I would not sail. But now, a proper spa puts her on my list.

I am a solo cruiser sail with NCL for the first time. I was originally booked on the Joy October 2024 until I got the dry dock news. I wanted to experience the Galaxy Pavillion VR, so I rebooked on the Prima.

Hey Grant, Joys laser tag is on deck 20 above the current Vibe Beach Club. Encores laser tag is in the aft if the ship where Spice H2O is usually located. Good insight as always, but Vibe Beach Club will be similar to Encore after dry dock with two levels.

just off the Encor, was a good value but they are definitely trying to make more profit by nickel and dimeing you. Taking away space from Observation Lounge , super big mistake, very busy on the Alaska cruise. that might be a squeeze too far for the extra cash.

I’m really looking forward to the go carts and doing lazer tag on my cruise through the Panama Canal.

Being that I've been on the Joy twice I believe its a great change. Went to the pavilion Lazer tag in July & it was empty however the kids were in bars at midnight. Going on the Joy in October & wish it was after the refurbishment

I agree with your assessment. I have cruised on the Joy twice and there were not a lot of people using the Galaxy Pavillion. It was very expensive and I think most people wanted to spend their money elsewhere. I will miss the space in the Observation Lounge (though the side lounges didn't get used much). I have sailed NCL out of NYC now for several years - on the Breakaway and Escape also (missed Encore because of COVID cancellations). I have also noticed a change in the type of passengers sailing out of NYC. There aren't as many families as there used to be. It seems to be more younger people (20s and 30s) who want to party.

I made a reservation on NCL Joy for early March 24 a while ago, before they announced their plans for the upcoming dry dock. If I am not mistaken, I will ship on the 3rd sailing after the dry dock. The observatory lounge and the outside area of the 8th deck are the jewels of the breakaway class ships. Cutting room from the observatory room is a crime!!!

We sailed Dawn last spring and really missed the spinnaker. The spa and vibe expansions are good.

I wasn’t really impressed with the VR experience on the Encore. My 8yo gran daughter kinda liked it but wasn’t upset we were only there just over an hour. I can see why this and the Lazer tag are going. Capitalizing on the Spa, makes good sense, I agree with NCL on that.

We have a Thanksgiving cruise booked this year on the Joy and they have already cancelled Footloose for all sailings from November onward. At least they aren’t getting rid of laser tag , the observation lounge and galaxy pavilion until after we cruise🤞🏼very little joy will be left on the Joy after dry dock 😢

I’m excited. Seems carnival is better for families with children. My son recently went on his first cruise, MCL, and he said the kids were constantly stealing adult drinks & running wild. I will prefer a quieter cruise personally but that is because our children are grown.

I am cruising on the Joy later this year. I am glad I will get a chance to try out some of the areas before they are either lost or reduced. On a separate question, have you heard what NCL is doing with the Footloose show? I thought it was being cancelled yet the NCL site still shows it.

Overall good video. I will point out the laser tag on the Joy is mid ship on deck 20, not in the back. So it looks like they’re going to replicate Vibe how it’s set on the Encore. The Joy desperately needed a thermal suite since she’s been home porting in NYC for a few summers now. I don’t think much space will be taken from the observation lounge. And I’m 99.9 percent sure the Joy came out in 2017, not 16 lol.

Doesn’t make sense to take away from the observation lounge if the ship will be sailing Alaska!

We don't use any of these except the observation space. We sail in the off season to avoid children and the high summer prices. We only sail NCL. So we are fine with all of this.

Seeing that they are willing to eliminate something is for cost like laser tag has me thinking that they are listening to feedback after Joy/Encore/Prima just had to many attractions and not enough space for relaxation. Spice H2O replacement for laser tag when Encore goes into dry dock in a couple years. Im likely wrong but one can dream and make suggestions cant I.

The observation lounge is awesome and was always busy when I was on the ship. I’m sure Norwegian doesn’t like the fact that such a big piece of real estate isn’t generating any revenue.

We are scheduled to go on the Joy later in 2024. From what we understand the Entourage area for teens was part of or next to the Galaxy Pavilion. I can't imagine it staying next to a Spa so is it going away entirely, is it being moved elsewhere, or is it staying where it is? I can't find any information about it. We are going with a 15 and 14 year old so this is important. Thank you.

We'll be sailing on the Joy on February 13 on her TA return trip and it will be interesting to see how everything looks in person in 2023 as opposed to the ship we knew in 2019. I would welcome changes that enhance my desire to relax when I cruise. Will the thermal suite be up and running when we cruise?

I’m not too fussed about the changes. Galaxy Pavilion: this venue (on all ships) seems destined to fail. It’s expensive to maintain and keep updated with the latest tech (or risk feeling outdated). It also always seemed like a weird addition for NCL. They pride themselves on being the cruise line that makes you feel connected to the ocean, burying yourself in virtual reality seemed counter to that. The laser tag: personally I’m meh on it…it never really seemed to be used that often by passengers and again, very technical venue with ongoing maintenance costs. If they are keeping the joy primarily on the Alaska routes, then the observatory changes are possibly…contentious. I’ll reserve judgement until we see how much space they take.

I cruised on the Joy in November of 23, I not once did I see anyone doing laser tag and the galaxy pavilion was pretty empty. I did however enjoy the observation lounge daily, sad to see them make that smaller since it was usually packed

I can imagine a lot of the decisions were made due to the actual revenue from those spaces. If they were manning the laser tag and it wasn’t getting fully booked, it was a true waste of dollars. It also will depend on the itinerary. The spa and the balcony cabins are high $$ for an Alaskan cruise and will always get booked…not necessarily the galaxy pavilion as kids aren’t the biggest group on those sailings.

Sailing the Joy next summer to Bermuda. I haven't sailed on her yet so I won't have any views to compare from before dry-dock to after. But, since the Haven is only being changed to add a third bedroom to the highest suite, I don't think it will matter to us being in the 2 bedroom suite this time. I'm guessing the reason they are removing the laser tag and VR games is because they were under-utilized?? Personally, I'm happy that they seem to be appealing to cruisers who want a more quiet and relaxing vacation. But, they really need to do some serious thinking about the pool areas on all ships. They are way too small for the number of passengers on board.

Laser and VR can go. But the pavilion seems weird.

I wonder if they change their shareholder benefit as they are only giving me $150 for my upcoming 10 day cruise in Iceland.

Oh no, when is the dry dock please? 😢😢

Remove the American Diner. Always seems empty.

Prices going up, and getting Less.

I only got $100 obc as a nclh sharholder..

👀

The Joy is there worse rated ship. That’s why they making changes.

NCL is realizing that some of their mistakes and under used or utilized spaces are far better suited for other purposes. Whoever thought up the go-karts at sea should have been fired before they ever implemented that idea- what an absolute waste of space. The Prima and Vivas designs are also abysmal for their public venue spaces - shrunken down bars and an under used theater. They need fresh blood making these decisions

So sad! (rob from the poor and give to the rich)!!!

I saled NCL many years ago,namely on the older Dreamward. It was my first and last time as my friend and I were not impressed by a bottle of Wishbone salad dress on the salad bar, tacky to say the least

Noooooo norwegian joy was good the way it was

I will not be sailing on the NCL Joy ever I hate the changes they're making I am a big fan of the Galaxy Prevail and the observation Lounge and of course the laser tag I could care less about The about The Spar or the cabin upgrades never again on the joy!!! And if they do that to other ships I will be moving to another Cruise Line

Observation Lounge is the best thing about the ship. Bye bye

Boo NCL is starting to suck!!!!