Norwegian Joy

Joy's pool deck is built for families. The Ocean Loops drop slide sends riders out over the side of the ship, with a raft slide on the far side and smaller slides in the Kids' Aqua Park below. There are two pools, several hot tubs, and loungers in the sun and in the shade. A big screen shows movies and games, the bandstand hosts sail-away and evening deck parties, and two pool bars serve the whole area.

Joy was the first ship with a race track at sea, and it was such a hit that Norwegian added one to Bliss, Encore, Prima and Viva. The Joy Speedway is a two-level track on the top deck, with single and tandem karts. Racing is an extra cost, and unlimited passes are available. Right next door, the mini golf course is complimentary, and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club sits just below.

The Haven is Norwegian's private, key-card-only complex for suite guests, and Danny calls it his happy place. The lounge centers on a bar with world-class mixologists. The climate-controlled Courtyard has a pool, a hot tub and a retractable glass roof. Joy was Norwegian's first ship with a forward-facing Haven lounge. The Haven Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with yacht-style service, and the adults-only sun deck has hot tubs that jut out over the side.

The forward Observation Lounge is one of the signatures of Joy and her sisters, with a massive two-story window looking straight out the front of the ship. Joy was refit with Alaska in mind, so there's plenty of room to watch the scenery. You'll find a second Starbucks here, light bites in the morning, appetizers later in the day, complimentary drink stations and a full bar. There's music in the afternoon and evening, and it works well for private group events.

The Mandara Spa has a barbershop, a salon with ocean-view manicure and pedicure stations, treatment rooms for one or two, and med spa options such as IV therapy. The Thermal Suite, added in the 2024 refresh, took over space that used to be a virtual reality center. It has heated loungers facing aft, Four Senses meditation loungers, a salt room, an aromatherapy steam room, a Finnish sauna, experience showers, an ice room, a cold plunge and a hot tub.

The Waterfront is an outdoor promenade on Deck 8 that wraps around the ship, with bars, lounge seating and heaters for Alaska. Several specialty restaurants have indoor and outdoor tables here. La Cucina serves Italian, Ocean Blue is the seafood specialty, and Cagney's Steakhouse wraps around the aft. Nearby you'll find Le Bistro for classic French, Food Republic for sushi and shareable plates ordered on an iPad, and Teppanyaki for dinner and a show.

Named for the Liverpool club where the Beatles played, the Cavern Club hosts a Beatles tribute band that plays sets from different eras of the band, plus a full show in the Joy Theater. The stadium-style theater also hosts Broadway-style shows, game shows like Wheel of Fortune, and comedians. The Social is a comedy club that turns into a nightclub with silent disco, and Q Texas Smokehouse has live country music and dancing.

678 Ocean Place is Joy's three-deck heart, built around a sparkling chandelier. On top, The Local Bar & Grill is complimentary and open 24 hours, with breakfast, burgers, Reubens and late-night wings, overlooking the atrium's game shows and movies. Nearby are an arcade with bowling and basketball games, a large casino with an enclosed, ventilated smoking area, and the Skyline Bar. The complimentary Manhattan Room, Savor and Taste dining rooms are close by.