My First Sailing Adventure – Norwegian Cruise Line!

Posted:  Cruises Trip Reports

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on my very first cruise! Team member Cassie and I had the chance to experience Norwegian Cruise Line on a three-night sailing on the Norwegian Joy. 

The dark blue funnel and black smokestacks of the Norwegian Joy are seen under a blue sky. On the funnel there is a light blue sign reading “NCL” in white lettering.

This adventure gave me a new appreciation for why cruising is such a popular vacation choice. Cruises offer an all-in-one option: meals, drinks, activities, transportation, and the chance to explore multiple destinations—all without the hassle of booking separate flights, accommodations, or transit for each stop.

The white exterior of the Norwegian Joy cruise ship is seen under a sunny blue sky. The side of the ship is decorated with yellow, red, and green swirl designs and reads “Norwegian Joy” in black lettering.


Pre-Trip Preparations and Embarkation

We began our journey by flying to Miami a day before our cruise embarkation. This gave us peace of mind, knowing we had ample time to get to the port. It was also my first time exploring Miami, and driving around the city, I truly felt like I was in a movie. 

David’s Vacation Club Rentals team members Mya and Cassie hold up their drinks in the airport. Behind them is a dark blue information screen reading their flight information to Miami in white lettering.

Norwegian Cruise Line makes the embarkation process seamless with their mobile app, allowing online check-in to be completed 21 days in advance. On the morning of our embarkation, we arrived at the port for our 11 a.m. check-in time, dropped off our luggage with the porters, and proceeded through security, which I found much simpler than airport security. 

A tall sign with a beach vista on it reads “Norwegian Cruise Line – Welcome” in white lettering inside the Miami cruise terminal building.

We stopped at the terminal’s check-in desk to receive our cruise keycards and a copy of the Freestyle Daily, which detailed the activities scheduled on the ship for that day. Once our boarding group was called, we made our way onto the ship, and that’s when it truly felt like my cruising adventure had begun. 

The exterior of the Norwegian Joy cruise ship is seen from inside the walkway leading from the terminal to the ship. The pier, ocean, and skyline of Miami can be seen in the distance under a sunny blue sky.

Once onboard, Cassie and I easily located our assigned assembly station to check in for the Muster Drill. Throughout the cruise, I also became comfortable navigating the ship, learning to identify the bow, aft, port, starboard, and various decks.

 

Dining Highlights

The variety of dining options onboard was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The buffet at Garden Café offered a vast selection. I particularly enjoyed the made-to-order omelets at breakfast, pizza for lunch, and indulging in lots of soft-serve ice cream daily.

A chef prepares an omelet in a small pan in the Garden Café aboard the Norwegian Joy. A variety of ingredients that can be selected by guests including diced onions, tomatoes, and green peppers are seen in black bowls in front of the omelet station.

We dined at several restaurants throughout the sailing, including the American Diner, Savor, Taste, The Manhattan Room, and Teppanyaki. I would love to try many other dining venues on a future Norwegian Cruise Line voyage, too.

The retro-inspired interior including a sign reading “American Diner” in neon lights is seen on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. There are red vinyl booth tables and an old-fashioned gas pump on display as well.

While the American Diner, Savor, Taste, The Manhattan Room, and Garden Café are complimentary main dining rooms, Teppanyaki is a specialty dining option that requires an additional fee. 

A chef in a black uniform and red hat prepares Japanese food using eggs and rice on a griddle in the Norwegian Joy’s Teppanyaki restaurant. Guests are seated at a table around the griddle as the chef performs culinary tricks during the dining experience.

At Teppanyaki, guests enjoy a Japanese culinary experience where chefs prepare meals in front of you on a flat-top grill while performing tricks, such as juggling utensils, tossing food into your mouth, and making heart-shaped rice. I highly recommend this dining experience, particularly for the chefs’ entertaining performances and the best fried rice I’ve ever had. 

A bowl of noodles and vegetables is seen in front of the performance chef who is preparing food on the griddle at the Norwegian Joy’s Teppanyaki restaurant.

As Teppanyaki is a popular dining option, I suggest reserving a spot as soon as your booking window opens.

Entertainment and Activities

There was no shortage of entertainment on the ship. Each night, we received a new copy of the Freestyle Daily, listing the activities and events for the following day. On our first day, we attended the sail-away party, which featured music, prizes, and an introduction to the exciting activities planned for the cruise. 

David’s Vacation Club Rentals team members Cassie and Mya smile on the exterior deck of the Norwegian Joy. Behind them are other guests gathering for the deck party and a large screen reading “Sail Away Party Norwegian Joy” with a blue and white drawing of the ship sailing through the waves.

Some complimentary entertainment we enjoyed included a Beatles tribute band, a comedy show that had us laughing until we cried, and Elements—a multi-sensory performance blending dance, acrobatics, aerial stunts, and magic. We also loved dancing at the Glow Party on the pool deck and watching the Broadway Series show featuring iconic songs from ’80s musicals such as West Side Story, Les Misérables, Annie, and more.

Performers are seen on stage in colorful costumes and on a set designed to make them resemble the Beatles. The performers are playing guitars as fog rolls around them and multicolored lights shine in the background.

Onboard activities also kept us busy. We relaxed by the pools and experienced the thrill of the Ocean Loop waterslide, where you slide in tubes over the side of the ship. Cassie had fun zipping down the Aqua Racer waterslide, too! Quick note: The Aqua Racer does have some specific restrictions, such as no piercings, jewelry, or metal/plastic on swimsuits, so be prepared! 

The circular blue tubes of the waterslides on the Norwegian Joy are seen under a sunny blue sky. The slide exit and water landing area are also visible.

We also raced go-karts on the Joy Speedway and played mini golf with a view (though I must admit, I’m not the best golfer!).

The asphalt tracks of the Joy Speedway are seen under sunny skies. The track is lined with a black padded wall and red and white stripes are seen along the ground to help drivers avoid the track walls. The ocean can be seen in the distance.

Ports of Call

Our cruise made stops at two ports of call: Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.

David’s Vacation Club Rentals team members Mya and Cassie smile on a bench in front of a sign reading “Great Stirrup Cay” in dark blue lettering, with a blue tropical bird design in the background.

In Nassau, it was amazing to see the ship’s full size up close, and it was fascinating to compare the size of other cruise ships docked at the port. Seeing the ships in person was an entirely different experience than seeing them in photos.

The exterior of the Norwegian Joy and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas are seen next to one another, docked in Nassau, Bahamas. The Norwegian Joy has a multicolored mural on it, and guests can be seen walking along the pier between the two ships.

To reach Great Stirrup Cay, we took a tender—a small boat that transports guests from the cruise ship to the island while the ship is anchored offshore. To catch the tender, you have to register for it in advance, either at the service desk onboard or using the screens located throughout the ship. We secured spots on the first tender of the day, giving us plenty of time to explore the island before the crowds arrived.

A wooden arch and sign reading “Welcome” is seen under a blue sky as guests arrive at Great Stirrup Cay. Tall green palm trees are visible in the background as guests pass under the sign.

Several complimentary dining options were available on the island, and I particularly enjoyed a delicious BBQ burger at Jumbey Beach Grill, fresh watermelon, and salads. I also stopped by Abaco Taco Bar for a tasty taco (I found it a bit different that cheese was unavailable for the tacos, though). Guests can also use their drink packages on the island, though a drink tax fee applies. 

A multicolored mini truck with drink dispensers called the “Tiki Zoom Bar” is seen under a white canopy reading “Great Stirrup Cay.” Behind the truck there is another bar, as well as tables with orange umbrellas, and the ocean can be seen in the distance.

If you are not planning on purchasing an excursion, you can bring something to enjoy on the island, such as a book or a game, while you relax at one of the many seating areas. One thing to note, however, is that the island does not offer Wi-Fi. 

Blue and white sun loungers line the white sand beach at Great Stirrup Cay in the sunshine. In the distance you can see the Norwegian Joy cruise ship and the turquoise ocean water.

Overall, Great Stirrup Cay proved to be relaxing, offering stunning beaches, crystal-clear water, and flavorful food.

Tips for Future Cruisers

Here are a few of my tips if you’re considering a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation:

  • The ship can feel crowded at times, so don’t hesitate to retreat to your stateroom when you need some quiet time. I often went to our stateroom to read on the balcony or find quieter areas on the ship. 
  • Prepare for a lot of walking. I recommend challenging yourself to a walking goal before your cruise. I tracked my steps with an Apple Watch and found that on day one, I walked 15,899 steps; on day two, 14,927; and on day three (the day we visited Great Stirrup Cay), 20,519. Wear comfortable shoes (even on the islands) that won’t easily fall off, as you may also walk long distances.
  • Organize your days to prioritize the activities, events, and dining experiences you most want to do to ensure you enjoy everything you hope for.

A video screen reading “Welcome Aboard” displays information about the days activities including dining, entertainment, excursions, and more on the Norwegian Joy.

Final Thoughts

The cruise was a wonderful experience, and I definitely look forward to more cruises in the future. Exploring the ship and islands was truly a wonderful experience!

The dark blue waterslide tubes and ship funnel, as well as a light blue sign reading “NCL” in white lettering are seen from the upper decks of the Norwegian Joy.

Having the chance to gain firsthand experience was invaluable, and I had a blast seeing all the features the ship and ports had to offer. My favorite part of the trip was finding different spots on the ship to relax and enjoy the stunning views of the water while watching both sunrises and sunsets.

An orange, yellow, and blue sky is visible as the sunset is seen over the ocean. The dark blue waterslide tubes from the Norwegian Joy are seen on the right-hand side of the photo as they jut out over the side of the ship.

I eagerly anticipate my second cruise adventure in April 2025, aboard the Disney Fantasy for our 20th Anniversary Fan Cruise! 

What is your go-to cruise line, and when is your next cruising adventure?

~ Mya

 

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