Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line and owned within the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings group. Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, the vessel was delivered in April 2017 as the second ship in the Breakaway Plus class. The class was conceived as a larger evolution of Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway ships, adding guest capacity and more extensive entertainment, dining, retail, casino, and family facilities. The ship was initially developed for deployment in China. Norwegian Cruise Line announced the order for the second Breakaway Plus-class vessel in 2013, following the initial class order in 2012. The ship was first associated with the name Norwegian Bliss, but after the company committed to a China-focused deployment it was renamed Norwegian Joy. The name was accompanied by the Chinese designation 诺唯真喜悦号. Its design was adapted for the intended market with features including more connecting accommodations, family-oriented suites, expanded shopping and casino areas, a larger dining portfolio, and a two-level electric go-kart track. Chinese artist Tan Ping created the hull artwork, which was inspired by the phoenix. Construction began with steel cutting in September 2015. The keel-laying and coin ceremonies took place in April 2016, and the first major hull section was launched in June of that year. Two fires occurred during construction in September and October 2016; both were attributed to welding work, with the second damaging several cabins. Meyer Werft subsequently stated that the incidents had not put the project behind schedule. The vessel was floated out in March 2017, transported along the Ems River to Eemshaven, and tested in the North Sea before delivery. Norwegian Joy entered service in China in June 2017 after inaugural calls and promotional events in Singapore, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. It operated primarily four- and five-day cruises from Shanghai and, for a shorter period, Tianjin, visiting ports in Japan. Singer Wang Leehom served as the ship's godfather and christened it in Shanghai in June 2017. In 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the ship would be transferred from China to the United States. The move required a major refurbishment costing approximately $50 million, intended to redesign public spaces for Western guests and align the vessel more closely with Norwegian Bliss. The work included a 21-day dry dock in Singapore during the ship's transpacific repositioning and a subsequent wet dock in Seattle. Norwegian Joy began its North American career with Alaska cruises from Seattle in May 2019. It later operated Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles, Panama Canal voyages between Los Angeles and Miami, and itineraries in the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Canadian Maritimes, and other North American markets. The ship's scheduled 2020 operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of a planned Alaska season. In January 2024, Norwegian Joy underwent a 19-day renovation in Rotterdam before repositioning through Southampton to Miami. Some spaces were temporarily unavailable and passengers reported initial Wi-Fi problems during the early part of the subsequent sailing. The vessel remains an active Norwegian Cruise Line ship, marketed around resort-style cruising, entertainment, specialty dining, retail, family facilities, and large-scale deck attractions.

Norwegian Joy originated in Norwegian Cruise Line's plan to expand its fleet with a larger class of ships than the existing Breakaway series. In October 2012, the company ordered the first Breakaway Plus-class vessel from Meyer Werft and retained an option for a second ship. Norwegian confirmed the second order in July 2013. The class increased gross tonnage to approximately 163,000 GT, creating room for additional accommodations and larger onboard venues. The two vessels were reported as representing an overall investment of approximately €1.4 billion, although the individual figures are not treated here as independently verified financial data. The ship was initially announced under the name Norwegian Bliss after an online naming contest. Norwegian Cruise Line later decided to deploy it in China and changed the name to Norwegian Joy, adding the Chinese name 诺唯真喜悦号. The China-focused concept influenced the accommodation plan and public spaces. Compared with related ships, the design included more connecting cabins and family suites, a larger casino and shopping area, additional restaurants, and a two-level electric go-kart circuit. Tan Ping's phoenix-inspired hull artwork gave the ship a visual identity associated with renewal, energy, and good fortune. Meyer Werft began construction with steel cutting in September 2015. The keel-laying and ceremonial coin placement occurred in April 2016, when the hull was assembled from a planned total of 80 blocks. The first 120-metre section was launched in June 2016. Two fires occurred during construction. The September incident was linked to welding work, while a second fire in October damaged cabins after starting on a balcony and was also attributed to welding. Meyer Werft said in November that the incidents had not caused a continuing schedule delay. Norwegian Joy was floated out in March 2017, moved along the Ems River to Eemshaven, and completed North Sea sea trials before delivery in Bremerhaven in April. Following delivery, the ship sailed toward Asia and made inaugural calls in Singapore, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. It arrived in Shanghai in June 2017, where it was christened by Chinese singer Wang Leehom. The first scheduled cruises began from Shanghai on 28 June 2017. A short Tianjin deployment followed from late August to mid-September. During this period, the ship generally operated four- or five-day voyages to Japanese ports. The China deployment was relatively short-lived. In July 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Norwegian Joy would be reassigned to the United States for Alaska cruises from Seattle, replacing Norwegian Pearl and operating alongside sister ship Norwegian Bliss. The change required a reported $50 million refurbishment. Work began in March 2019 with a 21-day Singapore dry dock, continued during the Pacific crossing, and concluded with a five-day wet dock in Seattle. Two preview voyages took place in late April, followed by the first Alaska sailing on 4 May 2019. After the initial Alaska season, Norwegian Joy operated Mexican Riviera voyages from Los Angeles and Panama Canal repositioning cruises between Los Angeles and Miami. Further plans included Alaska, Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canadian Maritimes programs, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the scheduled 2020 Alaska season and altered the wider cruise calendar. In January 2024, the vessel received another 19-day renovation in Rotterdam. It then repositioned via Southampton toward Miami, where it resumed regular itineraries. Temporary closures and early Wi-Fi problems were noted during the initial voyage after the renovation. Norwegian Joy continues to function as an active cruise ship in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet.

• 2024

  Rotterdam renovation

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Norwegian Joy underwent a 19-day renovation in Rotterdam before returning to Miami-oriented operations.

• 2019

  North American debut

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Following refurbishment and transpacific repositioning, the ship began Alaska cruises from Seattle on 4 May.

• 2017

  Delivery and Chinese christening

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Meyer Werft delivered the vessel in April, and Wang Leehom christened it in Shanghai in June.

• 2017

  Inaugural Shanghai cruise

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Norwegian Joy began regular inaugural-season voyages from Shanghai on 28 June.

• 2016

  Ship renamed Norwegian Joy for China deployment

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Norwegian Cruise Line announced the new name and Chinese designation after deciding to position the vessel in China.

• 2016

  Keel laying and ceremonial coin placement

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  The keel-laying ceremony took place in April as the ship was assembled from modular hull sections.

• 2015

  Construction begins

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Meyer Werft began construction with the ship's steel-cutting ceremony in September.

• 2013

  Second Breakaway Plus-class ship confirmed

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Norwegian confirmed the second ship in the class, originally associated with the future name Norwegian Joy.

• 2012

  First Breakaway Plus-class order announced

  [1]Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org

  Norwegian Cruise Line announced an order for the first larger Breakaway Plus-class ship from Meyer Werft, establishing the platform that would later include Norwegian Joy.

A large, resort-style Norwegian Cruise Line vessel combining flexible destination itineraries with high-capacity entertainment, dining, retail, casino, and family attractions. Its original proposition was tailored to the Chinese cruise market, while later refurbishment repositioned the ship for North American and international guests.

• Cruise travel · 2017

  Norwegian Joy cruise voyages

  The ship offers multi-day leisure cruises combining accommodation, dining, entertainment, retail, casino facilities, and organized port visits. Its itinerary history spans China and Japan, Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Canadian Maritimes, and Panama Canal routes. The exact schedule varies by season and operating deployment.

• Onboard attraction · 2017

  Electric go-kart track

  Norwegian Joy includes a two-level electric go-kart racing attraction, one of the ship's signature deck experiences. The feature was part of the vessel's China-market design and remained an important differentiator within its entertainment offering after the ship moved to North America.

• Cruise accommodation · 2017

  Accommodation and family suites

  The ship was designed with a relatively strong emphasis on connecting cabins and family-oriented suites, supporting group and multigenerational travel. Its accommodation portfolio forms part of the broader Breakaway Plus proposition, which pairs large-ship capacity with varied cabin categories and access to extensive public spaces.

• Onboard hospitality · 2017

  Dining, retail, casino, and entertainment venues

  Norwegian Joy was planned with an expanded collection of restaurants, shops, casino facilities, and entertainment venues. The China-market configuration was later modified during the 2019 refurbishment so that public areas would better suit Western audiences and align more closely with Norwegian Bliss.

• 2019North American relaunch

  United States · Alaska · Pacific Coast

  After a major refurbishment during its repositioning from China, Norwegian Joy was presented to North American guests through preview voyages and an Alaska debut from Seattle.

  Outcome. The ship entered the North American fleet deployment with Alaska as its initial regular program.

  Source
• 2017China introduction and christening program

  China · Japan · Singapore · Hong Kong

  Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the ship through inaugural calls, one-day events, Shanghai and Tianjin homeporting, and a Shanghai christening by Wang Leehom.

  Outcome. Norwegian Joy began regular China-based cruises in June 2017.

  Source
• 2013Online ship-naming contest

  International

  Norwegian Cruise Line invited fans to participate in naming its ships under construction. The vessel was initially announced as Norwegian Bliss before the company changed the name after choosing a China-focused deployment.

  Outcome. The ship entered service as Norwegian Joy rather than Norwegian Bliss.

  Source

• 2024

  Rotterdam renovation and Miami repositioningOther

  Background

  Norwegian Cruise Line continued updating the active vessel and preparing it for a new regular deployment pattern.

  Action taken

  Norwegian Joy underwent a 19-day renovation in Rotterdam and then repositioned through Southampton to Miami.

  Aftermath

  The ship resumed regular Miami-area itineraries, although some spaces were temporarily closed and initial Wi-Fi issues were reported.

  Source

• 2020

  Cancelling the planned Alaska seasonStrategy

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cruise operations and travel schedules worldwide.

  Action taken

  The planned summer Alaska season for Norwegian Joy was cancelled.

  Aftermath

  The ship's proposed later itineraries were subject to the broader operational disruption affecting the cruise industry.

  Source

• 2018

  Redeployment from China to North AmericaStrategy

  Background

  Norwegian Cruise Line decided to shift Norwegian Joy from its initial China role to a United States-based deployment.

  Action taken

  The company assigned the ship to Alaska cruises from Seattle and ordered a substantial refurbishment to adapt public areas for Western guests.

  Aftermath

  Norwegian Joy began North American operations in May 2019 and later served several United States-based itineraries.

  Reported refurbishment cost. $50 million (2019 refurbishment)

  Source

• 2016

  Renaming from Norwegian Bliss to Norwegian JoyOther

  Background

  The vessel was initially associated with the name Norwegian Bliss, but the China deployment led Norwegian Cruise Line to develop a different market identity.

  Action taken

  The company renamed the ship Norwegian Joy and assigned the Chinese name 诺唯真喜悦号.

  Aftermath

  The new identity was used for the ship's China launch and Shanghai christening.

  Source

• 2015

  Reconfiguring the ship for the Chinese marketStrategy

  Background

  Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the new ship would be deployed in China, requiring a product concept tailored to local demand.

  Action taken

  The company specified market-focused accommodations, dining, shopping, casino, family, and entertainment features, including a two-level electric go-kart track.

  Aftermath

  Norwegian Joy launched with Shanghai and Tianjin deployments and short cruises to Japan.

  Source

• 2013

  Confirming the second Breakaway Plus-class shipStrategy

  Background

  Norwegian Cruise Line was expanding its fleet with ships larger than the existing Breakaway class.

  Action taken

  The company confirmed the option for a second Breakaway Plus-class vessel from Meyer Werft.

  Aftermath

  The vessel ultimately became Norwegian Joy, the second ship in the class.

  Source

1. 1Norwegian Joyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Norwegian Joy official pagencl.com