Are you wondering about the best things to do on the Norwegian Joy? The Norwegian Joy has some amazing entertainment and must try activities.
As someone who recently cruised on the Norwegian Joy, I know first hand which are the best activities, features and amenities. The Norwegian Joy has multiple entertainment venues, shows and onboard activities.
There are many activities and entertainment are “free” or included. However, there are also some things that have an extra charge, so it’s important to know what to expect before boarding the cruise.
With that being said, here’s a list of the best activities on the Norwegian Joy.
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The Best Activities on Norwegian Joy
Galaxy Pavilion (Virtual Reality & Arcade)
The Galaxy Pavilion is the virtual reality and arcade area on the Norwegian Joy. This is a great place for the entire family to get a quick thrill and to try some virtual reality video games.
In the Galaxy Pavilion, there are interactive games and games where you just sit and watch. I recommend trying the games that are interactive, as they are way more fun.
The Galaxy Pavilion does have an extra cost. Each virtual reality game costs $8 per person and last for around 2 minutes.
If you plan on playing a few virtual reality games, there are packages available which allow passengers to play an unlimited amount of time.
Galaxy Pavilion Packages
- 1 hour pass – $29
- Day pass – $49
- Weekly pass – $199
The Social (Comedy Club/Night Club)
The Social is the comedy club and night club on the Norwegian Joy. Throughout your cruise, there are comedy acts performing inside The Social. In the late evening, The Social will become a night club with dancing.
Inside The Social, there is a bar area with seating and tables so you can talk while listening to the music. There is also a dance floor in the middle of the club, which gets very busy as the night goes on.
If you’re looking for a fun place to go in the evening time, The Social is a great spot to check out. There is great music, an awesome vibe and loads of people dancing the night away.
SugarCane Mojito Bar
The SugarCane Mojito Bar is a great place to go and grab a drink while enjoying live latin music.
If you like Mojitos, you will love the SugarCane Bar. They have a great selection of fresh Mojitos and they taste amazing!
In the SugarCane Mojito Bar, there is a really fun atmosphere. Between the friendly staff, the live music and the people dancing on the dance floor, SugarCane is a great place to have a drink.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Packages: What’s Included and is it Worth it?
Water Slides
Norwegian Cruise Line is known for having some of the best water slides at sea. The Norwegian Joy, is no exception! The water slides are awesome on this cruise ship.
The Norwegian Joy has two waterslides, Aqua Racer and Ocean Loop.
Aqua Racer Waterslide
Aqua Racer is a water slide that is fun for the whole family. On this slide, you will be seated on an inner tube. If you’re scared of waterslides, this one is perfect as it moves at a fun, but not too fast speed.
The cool thing about the Aqua Racer is that the inner tubes can fit up to two people. This is great for if you have children or if you want to go down the water slide with your loved one.
Ocean Loop Waterslide
If you are into waterslides. the Norwegian Joy has one of the best waterslides on a cruise ship, the Ocean Loop.
The Ocean Loop is an extreme double loop waterslide that hangs over the side of the ship. This is by far the coolest water slide I have tried on any cruise line!
Related: 6 Best Norwegian Cruises for Families
Speedway (Go-Karting)
Norwegian ships are currently the only ones that have race tracks. One of the best activities on Norwegian Joy are the go-karts!
Along with Norwegian Joy, the Norwegian Bliss and the Norwegian Prima are the only two other ships to have go-kart tracks onboard.
As someone who loves Go-Karting, I was thrilled to find out that the Norwegian Joy has a race track onboard their ship.
Each race costs $15 and lasts for around 8 minutes. I decided to purchase the Unlimited Speedway Pass, which allowed me to race as much as I want for $199.
If you’re a fan of exciting activities, I would definitely check out the Speedway on the Norwegian Joy.
Tip: The quieter the Speedway is, the better of a time you will have. When there are a lot of racers there will be stoppages and the cars will be slowed down.
Laser Tag
The Laser Tag is located outside on the top deck of the ship. This is a really fun activity for the whole family and it’s actually a really good value.
A game of Laser Tag costs $10 and lasts for around 12 minutes. The game itself is really fun and can get quite competitive.
If you prefer to watch your family play, there is a spectating area where you can sit and watch the action on TV’s.
Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal is a game that is loved by the passengers and it is hosted in the atrium. Deal or No Deal seems to be replacing Bingo on some cruise ships. However, this NCL ship did have Bingo onboard as well.
Deal or No Deal has an extra cost, and you can buy a card (or more) if you want a chance to participate in this game.
Trivia
There are a lot of free activities on Norwegian Joy, including trivia, sudoku, and origami. Many of these activities take place in the atrium on Deck 6, near guest services.
Spice H2O
Spice H2O is an outdoor space at the aft of the cruise ship. It serves multiple purposes so it can be used during the day and at night.
The Spice H20 on Norwegian has some really nice features. There is a super large hot tub which was a cool spot to hang out on sea days and have a good time. Seriously, it can probably fit 30 people!
This is especially good for the daytime, but can be used in the evening as well.
In the evening Spice H20 becomes a night club. This is where themed parties will be hosted throughout your cruise.
During the day it is used as a smokers area and it’s a great place to tan while getting a drink.
Related: How to Plan a Perfect Group Cruise
Casino
The Casino on Norwegian Joy is beautiful! You’ll find the casino on deck 7 and 8, near the stairway and central chandelier.
Karaoke (The Social)
If you enjoy Karaoke, then you will love Karaoke in The Social. Throughout your cruise Karaoke will be happening a lot.
It’s a great place to listen to others sing, have a drink and meet new people.
Video Arcade
The Video Arcade is located right next to the Local. There is a variety of different arcade games and there is even a bowling game.
This is a popular area for those who love arcades!
Each arcade game costs around $2 and you can pay directly from you key card.
The Cavern
The Cavern Club is one of the most popular places for live entertainment on the cruise ship. A live band will play most evenings. I
The Cavern Club on Norwegian Joy is an homage to the original Cavern Club in Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles. If you love The Beatles, then you will love the shows in this club.
Beatles Revolution
The Beatles Revolution shows (a tribute band) are very popular, and seats fill up quickly in the Cavern Club. Make sure to check your daily planner for the times and get there early!
Fitness Center
When it comes to fitness centers onboard a cruise ship, the Norwegian Joy has one of the best ones I’ve seen. The gym is equipped with cardio machines, workout machines, a bench press, a TRX and multiple weight racks.
The fitness center also offers spin classes, at an additional cost ($30 per class).
Vibe Beach Club
The Vibe Beach Club is an exclusive adult only area located towards the top of the ship. The Vibe Beach Club is quite popular on Caribbean and hot weather sailings in particular.
In the Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Joy, you’ll find beautiful lounge areas, a bar and hot tubs that overlook the edge of the ship. The Vibe Beach Club is a great option if you are on a sailing that is full capacity because the pool deck can be really noisy and it can be hard to find a chair.
The Vibe Beach Club varies in price, depending on your itinerary and sailing. Caribbean 7 night sailings are currently priced at $209 per person. Private cabanas are also available for rent.
Mini Golf
If you’re looking for an included activity that the whole family can enjoy, check out the mini golf course. The mini golf area has 9 holes and is a nice area to play a relaxing game of mini golf.
The mini golf is located at the top of the cruise ship, right next to the speedway. Not only do you get spectacular views of the water, but you also get the best view of the race track!
Observation Lounge
The Observation Lounge is located forward on Deck 15, and it can be hard to notice at first. It’s simply the best place to sit and relax, read a book and enjoy a coffee or drink while looking at the ocean.
In the Observation Lounge, you’ll find comfortable chairs and couches, many which are placed near the windows and overlook the ocean.
If you’re on an Alaskan cruise, this is the best place to experience the beautiful scenery while staying warm and comfortable. During a recent Canada and New England cruise, the Observation Lounge was a great place to sit and have a morning coffee as we sailed into the scenic cruise ports.
There is also a small buffet area located inside the observation lounge which offers healthy snacks and desserts.
If you’re in the mood for a larger meal, check out the Garden Café, which is located a deck above the observation lounge. You can grab some food from the Garden Café and bring it up to the observation lounge so you can enjoy the ocean view.
Jogging Track
The jogging track is a great place to burn off those cruise calories from the main dining room and restaurants! If you like running, walking, or jogging, check out the outdoor jogging track.
It’s located conveniently on the sun deck for easy access. The best time is early morning, if you like when it’s more quiet and less busy.
Poolside Activities
On the Norwegian Joy, one of the best ways you can spend a sea day is by the pool. Throughout the day there are movies on a big screen, live music, a DJ and poolside activities.
Here’s a list of Pool Side Activities on the Norwegian Joy:
- Mr. Sexy Legs
- Poolside Olympics
- What’s In the Bag? Challenge
- Ice Carving Presentation
Tip: Get your chairs early in the morning as it will be very hard to find a chair as the day goes on.
Waterfront
The waterfront is a unique concept that is seen on many Norwegian cruise ships (first seen on Norwegian Breakaway). There are bars and specialty restaurants (extra costs) located on the Waterfront.
It’s pretty amazing as and you can have a drink or eat dinner al fresco, while overlooking the water from the 8th deck.
On a hot Caribbean itinerary, the Waterfront a great place to hang out and have a drink. If you’re on Canada New England cruise or an Alaska Cruise, there are heaters in the ceilings, which keeps the area warm.
Maltings Whiskey Bar
Maltings Whiskey Bar is a bar that is located right next to The Social. This is a quiet bar where you can enjoy whiskey and other beverages.
Throughout my time on the Norwegian Joy, this was the place where I would meet up with friends. This bar and lounge had a nice vibe and the bar staff was very nice.
District Brewhouse
The District Brewhouse is THE bar for beer lovers! They have over 20 beers on tap and a wide variety of nearly 60 different bottled beers. In the evenings there are sports games being shown on the TV and a piano player who interacts with passengers by singing and making jokes.
Somehow we missed it when we were on our recent cruise on Norwegian Joy. Therefore, I wanted to make sure to include it so you don’t miss it on yours!
Tip: Use the interactive video wall to see what’s going on around the ship. This way you will never miss out on any dining options, shows and activities.
The Humidor Cigar Lounge
The Humidor Cigar Lounge is a classic cigar lounge with leather couches. Many passengers have trouble finding it, since it can only be accessed from the outside on Waterfront. This is done to prevent the smell of the cigars from entering the ship.
If you’re looking for a place where you can have a drink and light up a cigar, check out the Humidor Cigar Lounge on deck 8.
The Local Bar & Grill
If you’re a fan of a sports bar atmosphere and food, then you will love the Local Bar & Grill. This is the spot for watching live sports, eating pub style food and grabbing a drink.
As a football fan, this was one my favorite spot to watch the game, meet new people, have a drink and eat some food.
The great thing about The Local Bar & Grill is that it stays open pretty much all night. Whether you’re coming out of the casino, the Social or another part of the ship, grabbing food at The Local is a great way to end your night!
Footloose
Norwegian Cruise Lines is known for having world-class entertainment. On the Norwegian Joy, Footloose is the main broadway style show. Reservations are needed and should be made as one of the first things you do after boarding your cruise ship.
Footloose is a broadway classic and the cast on the Norwegian Joy does a great job at bringing the show to life. It is a feel-good musical that is really fun to watch and will have you moving to the music in your seat.
Elements
Elements is an incredible show that combines magic, illusions, music, dancing and acrobatics into one. It plays in the main theater, and you’ll need to make reservations to see it.
This show was particularly cool because of the moving stage, the incredible lighting and the music. If you’re on the Norwegian Joy, be sure to reserve your seat at the Elements show. You can do this on embarkation day.
Comedians and Guest Entertainers
Like on all Norwegian cruise ships, you’ll find comedians and guest entertainers that perform in the evening either in the theater or another venue.
Live Bands
Dance or listen to the music of live bands and singers in the atrium, on the pool deck, or in one of the clubs or lounges.
Try a Specialty Restaurant
The Norwegian Joy has no shortage of specialty restaurants that offer a delicious dining experience.
Eating in a specialty restaurant is a great way to try different foods, that aren’t offered in the “free dining” venues, like Garden Cafe (buffet), Taste, Savor and the Manhattan Room.
Specialty restaurants have an extra charge. However, if you have the Free at Sea promotion, you likely have at least one specialty restaurant as a perk.
Here’s a list of the specialty restaurants and extra charge dining options onboard the Norwegian Joy:
- Cagney’s Steakhouse
- Teppanyaki
- American Diner
- Food Republic
- La Cucina
- Ocean Blue
- Q Texas Smokehouse
- Le Bistro
Aqua Park (Kids Area)
If you’re cruising with younger kids, then they will love the aqua par!. The aqua park is located on the pool deck, so parents can stay nearby while their kids play in the water.
The aqua park has a small water slide, a play structure and a big bucket of water that fills up and splashes everyone.
Splash Academy Kid’s Club
Splash Academy is the kid’s club onboard the Norwegian Joy. If you have kids between the ages of 5-12, then you can sign them up for splash academy.
In Splash Academy, children will be able to play video games, participate in activities and there will be themed parties. The great thing about Splash Academy is that you can leave your children in a safe and supervised environment while you enjoy the cruise ship.
Related: Are Cruises Kid Friendly? Everything You Need to Know
Entourage (Teen Club)
The Entourage teen club is for teenagers between the ages of 13-17. This is an area where teens can meet, listen to music, participate in activities and enjoy themed parties.
As someone who grew up cruising, I will be the first to say that my parents could never get me out of the kid’s and teen clubs on cruises. The staff is always friendly, the activities are always fun and it’s a great place for teenagers to meet.
Tip: Be sure to visit and send your children to the kids club on the first day of the cruise, so they can meet other kids. It’s easier to make friends early on, then to come in when groups of friends have already been formed.
Port Lectures
If you aren’t sure which shore excursions to book or have some questions about the cruise ports on your itinerary, be sure to attend the port lecture given by the shore excursion staff.
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Final Thoughts on Best Activities On Norwegian Joy
Well there it is, the best activities on the Norwegian Joy!
If you’re considering booking a cruise on Norwegian Joy, make sure to take advantage of the many activities onboard this cruise. As someone who has tried many different cruise lines, I think the wide variety of activities is the reason why Norwegian is such a fun cruise line.
What activity or entertainment option are you looking forward to most on the Norwegian Joy? Please et me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com. As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.
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