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We Took a 2-Day Cruise on Norwegian Joy 🚒 | First NCL Experience

Travel with the Howells
Travel with the Howells
πŸ₯‰Knowledgeable
πŸ‘οΈ 125 viewsπŸ“… 2 months ago⏱️ 20:43
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsCruise VlogπŸ₯‰Knowledgeable Creator
πŸ‘« Best for GroupCaribbean Β· Spring Β· 2 nightsFrom MiamiVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I'm trying the Norwegian cruise line for the very first time. And I've got my best friends Lauren with me. This is her very first cruise ever.

Avoid the buffet on the first day when you board cuz it's a mad house. Everyone goes to the buffet. Go to the American Diner.

We highly recommend the chicken pot pie casserole. It was so good.

My one gripe with the Norwegian app so far is it doesn't tell you the times of anything, and neither does the board outside the rooms in the hallway.

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Avoid the buffet on the first day and go to the American Diner instead.
βœ“Wear closed-toed shoes and tie back long hair for go-karts.
βœ“Use the freestyle daily pamphlet for activity times since the app is limited.
βœ“Go earlier for tender boats to avoid long lines.
βœ“Cut through hallways on lower decks to avoid crowded elevators when returning to the ship.

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

First-time cruiser anxiety β€” Freestyle dining is flexible; no fixed dining times, service is fast.
Navigating ship activities β€” Use the freestyle daily pamphlet for schedules since the app is limited.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat is the first-time experience on Norwegian Cruise Line?
QHow does freestyle dining work on Norwegian Joy?
QWhat are the activities on a two-day short sailing?
QWhat are the pros and cons of Great Stirrup Cay?

Topics Covered

Dining Main3Β½ Happy BaconDining Buffet1Β½ Sad BaconService Crew3 Happy BaconWifi Connectivity2 Sad BaconPort Destination1 Sad BaconCabin Balcony4 Happy BaconEntertainment Activities2Β½ Happy BaconCrowd Capacity1Β½ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Great Stirrup Cay1 Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description↓

We sailed on the Norwegian Joy for a 2-day cruise β€” my first time on Norwegian Cruise Line and my best friend Lauren’s very first cruise ever 🚒✨ From Great Stirrup Cay to go-karts and freestyle dining, this trip was such a fun introduction to cruising. On this Norwegian Joy cruise, we: 🚒 Experience Norwegian Cruise Line for the first time πŸ’™ Take my best friend Lauren on her very first cruise 🏝️ Spend the day at Great Stirrup Cay 🍽️ Enjoy the flexibility of freestyle dining 🏎️ Check out the go-karts, water slides, mini golf, and explore everything the ship has to offer If you’re new to cruising or considering Norwegian Cruise Line, this vlog gives an honest look at what it’s like onboard the Norwegian Joy β€” especially for first-time cruisers. Ready to plan your own adventure? Reach out to Katelyn: πŸ‘‰ www.LetsPlanAdventures.com/Katelyn πŸŽ’ Travel & Filming Gear I Use πŸ‘‰ https://kit.co/travelwiththehowells Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our channel! πŸ‘‡ Let us know in the comments: Would you try Norwegian Cruise Line for your first cruise? πŸŽ₯ More cruise & travel vlogs coming soon β€” subscribe so you don’t miss them!