Norwegian Joy - Alaska Glacier Bay from Seattle
Norwegian Joy's summer 2026 deployment is a longer 9-night Seattle round-trip that squeezes in five Alaska calls plus Victoria, BC - two more ports than the standard week-long run. The route pairs a full day of ranger-narrated scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park with stops in Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan.
Price Range
$
Budget
*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Norwegian Cruise Line before booking.
Ship Details — Norwegian Joy
View full Norwegian Joy detailsYear Built
2017
Tonnage
167,725 GT
Passengers
3,804
Crew
1,821
Decks
20
Class
Breakaway Plus
Itinerary & Route Map
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Onboard Amenities
Cruise Highlights
About the Ship
What Travelers Say About Norwegian Joy
Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Norwegian Joy sailing. Based on 1,300 discussions.
Norwegian Joy is a 2017 Breakaway-Plus mega-ship with an unusual backstory: it was originally built and outfitted for the Chinese cruise market, then pulled to North America in 2018 and refurbished to mirror its sister ship, Norwegian Bliss. A second major refurbishment in early 2024 modernized it further, adding cabins, expanding the Vibe Beach Club to two levels and installing what reviewers call the best Thermal Suite at sea. The result is a ship that looks nearly new and carries the familiar Breakaway-Plus thrills, but with a slightly quirky heritage layout.
What People Love
- The 2024 refurbishment left the ship looking nearly new, with fresh furnishings and a generally well-maintained feel for a 2017-built vessel
- The new Thermal Suite added in 2024 is widely called the best at sea, surpassing even NCL's newer Prima and Viva
- The expanded two-level Vibe Beach Club is a standout adults-only retreat that many reviewers say is worth paying for every time
Common Complaints
- The 2024 refurbishment added 24 cabins, increasing passenger load to over 4,300 on some sailings and worsening crowding
- Reviewers report the ship feels crowded at pools, restaurants and elevators, with only two elevator banks instead of three
- Food draws heavy criticism in recent member reviews, with the buffet and main dining rooms called bland, repetitive and sometimes cold