The Norwegian Joy cruise liner is an amusement park, arcade, casino, theatre, luxury resort and shopping mall all rolled into one enormous vessel. If you can dream it, you can probably do it on the newest cruise offered by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
The ship made its way to Hong Kong for the first time on 7 June. From there, it will sail to Shanghai, which will serve as one of the cruise liner’s home ports, in addition to Tianjin and Beijing. Short cruises lasting three to five days will be offered year-round.
Unlike other cruises on the market, Norwegian Joy is specifically tailored to meet the unique demands of the Chinese market. Casino machines are programmed in Chinese, the hallways are adorned with Asian art, and guests will be spoilt for choice when it comes to Chinese and Asian cuisine. In total, there are 28 different dining and beverage venues on-board, including everything from Chinese hot-pot to sophisticated French cuisine to classic American steak.
Measuring 29 metres long and weighing 167,725 tons, Norwegian Joy is the fourth largest cruise ship in the world. It can accommodate up to 3,883 people, but guests probably won’t feel claustrophobic. In particular, The Haven is an ideal choice for those who want a more luxurious getaway. Marketed as a “ship within a ship,” The Haven has its own private facilities and interconnected staterooms designed for families travelling together.
Norwegian Joy also features plenty of entertainment options for the young and young-at-heart. It boasts the first racetrack at sea, where guests can ride around in electric go-karts while taking in views of the sea. A laser tag course, hover craft bumper cars and a virtual reality gaming centre are also included. And of course, it wouldn’t be a proper cruise without some multi-story waterslides.
Text: Emily Petsko