Norwegian Cruise Line · Breakaway Plus Class
Norwegian Joy: ship guide
Breakaway Plus ship with the Joy Speedway, a 2024 thermal suite, Alaska and the Bahamas.
Best for: Couples and families who want a big Breakaway Plus ship with a strong spa, go-karts and waterslides on longer Alaska cruises from Seattle in summer or short Bahamas getaways from Miami in winter. Sails from Seattle, Miami in 2026 and 2027.
About Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Joy is the second Breakaway Plus Class ship, built by Meyer Werft in 2017 for the Chinese market and refitted in 2019 to match its sister Norwegian Bliss for North American cruising. At 167,725 gross tons and 1,094 feet it carries 3,776 guests at double occupancy with a crew of 1,821, one of the highest crew counts in the fleet. A three-week dry dock in early 2024 added a large Mandara Spa thermal suite, an expanded Vibe Beach Club, three-bedroom Haven suites and 24 balcony staterooms.
The Joy Speedway is a two-level go-kart track, Ocean Loops and Aqua Racer are the waterslides, and the Observation Lounge wraps the bow with 180-degree views. Entertainment includes the magic and acrobatics show Elements, The Cavern Club Beatles tribute, comedy and Bring Back the ’90s. Dining runs from the Manhattan Room, Taste and Savor to Cagney’s, Le Bistro, La Cucina, Food Republic, Q Texas Smokehouse, Teppanyaki and Ocean Blue, many with tables on The Waterfront.
Norwegian Joy splits 2026 and 2027 between Alaska and Florida. Each summer it sails from Seattle on seven, nine and ten day Alaska cruises that reach Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. From November 2026 it homeports in Miami for three and four day Bahamas cruises to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau plus five-day Western Caribbean sailings, repositions through the Panama Canal in spring, and returns to Miami for Bahamas getaways from November 2027. It suits couples and families who want flexibility.
- Joy Speedway two-level go-kart track
- Ocean Loops and Aqua Racer waterslides
- Mandara Spa thermal suite added in 2024 with sauna, ice room, steam room and heated loungers
- Observation Lounge with 180-degree views over the bow
- Expanded adults-only Vibe Beach Club with private cabanas
- Elements magic and acrobatics show and The Cavern Club Beatles tribute
- The Haven with three-bedroom Premier Owner’s Suites, private pool and Horizon Lounge
- The Waterfront promenade with al fresco specialty dining
Staterooms and suites
Inside
Interior staterooms sleeping two to four, including family layouts; the best-value way onto a Breakaway Plus ship.
Oceanview
Picture-window staterooms including large family oceanviews on the lower decks.
Balcony
The core category with full-height glass doors, including 24 balcony staterooms added in 2024 in part of the former Observation Lounge space.
Club Balcony Suite
Mini-suites with a larger bathroom, more living space and priority perks, sleeping up to four.
Suites
Concierge-level suites outside The Haven for guests who want more room without the full Haven package.
The Haven by Norwegian
Keycard-access complex at the top of the ship with Courtyard Penthouses, Spa Suites, Owner’s Suites and the Premier Owner’s Suites with Large Balcony, expanded in 2024 to three bedrooms with three and a half bathrooms and a dining room; all include 24-hour butler and concierge service, The Haven Restaurant, lounge and private pool.
Norwegian Joy deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
Deck 20
Aqua Racer, Laser Battle.
- Aqua RacerSwirl down a double loop waterslide over the side of the ship on the Ocean Loop. Twist and shout while rushing down the Aqua Racer.
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board Norwegian Joy
Dining on Norwegian Joy
The Manhattan RoomIncluded
Main dining room with a dance floor, live music and aft views.
Taste and SavorIncluded
Two main dining rooms facing each other across the Mixx Bar with the same menu.
Garden CaféIncluded
Indoor buffet on deck 16 for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Local Bar & GrillIncluded
24-hour pub-style eatery for burgers, salads and nightly specials.
Cagney’s SteakhouseSpecialty
American steakhouse with Black Angus beef and seafood.
Le BistroSpecialty
Norwegian’s signature French restaurant.
La CucinaSpecialty
Italian restaurant with seating on The Waterfront.
Food RepublicSpecialty
Asian-Latin fusion small plates ordered from tablets.
Q Texas Smokehouse and TeppanyakiSpecialty
Texas barbecue with live music on deck 6, and a Japanese hibachi grill.
Ocean BlueSpecialty
Seafood restaurant with Waterfront tables.
Entertainment and activities
- Elements magic and acrobatics show in the Joy Theater
- The Cavern Club Beatles tribute, comedy and Bring Back the ’90s
- Joy Speedway two-level go-kart track
- Ocean Loops and Aqua Racer waterslides
- Observation Lounge with 180-degree views
- Mandara Spa thermal suite with sauna, ice room and steam room
- Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O adults-only outdoor spaces
- The District Brew House, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Skyline casino bar and Casinos at Sea
Families and who it suits
Splash Academy runs complimentary programs for ages 3 to 12, Entourage is the teen club for 13 to 17, and Guppies sessions welcome under-threes with a parent; the Kids’ Aqua Park, Speedway and waterslides suit families.
Best for: Couples and families who want a big Breakaway Plus ship with a strong spa, go-karts and waterslides on longer Alaska cruises from Seattle in summer or short Bahamas getaways from Miami in winter.
Sails from: Seattle, Miami · Regions: Alaska, Bahamas, Western Caribbean, Panama Canal
Norwegian Joy questions we answer every day
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Facts checked against Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Joy, Norwegian newsroom: Norwegian Cruise Line announces extensive enhancements to Norwegian Joy, Norwegian newsroom: winter 2027-28 deployment on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every Norwegian Joy sailing, priced all-in
Every Norwegian Joy departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
SmartCruiser picks
Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Norwegian Joy sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.