Norwegian Joy to Undergo Extensive Refurb

Norwegian Cruise Line is planning for an extensive refurbishment of Norwegian Joy in January 2024. Additions to the ship will include a spa thermal suite – replacing the ship's Galaxy Pavilion VR arcade, new balcony cabins, expanded Vibe Beach Club – replacing the Laser Tag arena, and upgraded The Haven, among other changes.

"We have listened to our guests and have taken action," said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "With this revitalization we are adding some of the most beloved spaces and offerings across our ships to enhance the guest experience aboard Norwegian Joy. Guests will have a greater variety of staterooms to choose from and a world class, full-service spa to spend their days at sea fully immersed in relaxation."

New Cabins
The redesign of the ship will include repurposing a portion of the Observation Lounge to create 24 new balcony staterooms, as well as recategorizing 40 new spa balcony staterooms, which will include direct access to the Mandara Spa and the premiering thermal suite.

Additionally, responding to demand, the Premier Owner's Suites with Large Balcony in The Haven will be expanded to three bedrooms. The two suites will include three bedrooms, three and a half baths, a fully renovated living room, new separate dining room, and outdoor balcony furniture.

Thermal Suite
The all new thermal suite, which will be the largest of the Breakaway-Plus class ships, will replace the Galaxy Pavilion, the ship's virtual reality complex. Designed with guest feedback in mind, the thermal suite will boast a more centralized layout with saunas, ice room, and an aromatic steam room, and an attractive entrance corridor encompassed with waterfalls.

A separate lounge area will feature three times as many of the popular hot tile lounger.

Additional offerings include a new Biostation with IV Drip Therapy, which the line says is an "increasingly popular rejuvenating treatment delivering essential nutrients to the body"; four senses loungers that provide deep relaxation; and Kneipp haptic foot therapy, which massages feet as guests walk across the pebbled moving stream that alternates between hot and cold foot baths.

Vibe Beach Club Expansion
The nearly always sold-out adults-only Vibe Beach Club will also be expanded, taking over the existing Laser Tag arena on Deck 20. The space will have a similar layout to the Vibe Beach Club found on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss, with new private luxe cabanas.

Norwegian Joy will be in dry dock for the refurbishment for three weeks, from January 22 to February 12, 2024. The ship will resume sailing on February 13 with an 11-day Transatlantic voyage from Southampton to Miami. In March, the ship will start a season of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami, before sailing to Bermuda from New York for summer of 2024.