Norwegian Joy leaves Miami on Monday, January 4, 2027, for four nights in the Bahamas, which is the cruise equivalent of a quick escape from the winter blahs. It is a post-holiday, mid-winter sailing on a ship that got a 2024 refit. Listings put a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island, on day four. That island now has a waterpark that only opened in September 2026. The ship then returns to Miami on Friday, January 8. Our own database has no port list for this departure, so the routing below comes from third-party listings and your booking is the final word.
Start Here
- Now (82 days out): book specialty dining, spa and excursions in your NCL account. Popular ones sell out, because the good stuff always does.
- Mon Dec 14, 2026: online check-in opens (21 days before). You choose your pier arrival time here.
- Thu Dec 31, 2026: the date NCL recommends finishing check-in (4 days before), and the last day to buy transfers during check-in.
- Fri Jan 1, 2027: online check-in closes (3 days before). eDocs vanish about 72 hours before sailing, so download and print them early.
- By midnight Sun Jan 3: last chance to prebook Garage B parking, if you want to.
The Sailing at a Glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Ship | Norwegian Joy, Breakaway Plus Class, built 2017, refurbished 2024 |
| Size | 167,725 GT, 20 decks, 3,804 passengers, 1,821 crew |
| Departs | Monday, January 4, 2027, from Miami |
| Length | 4 nights, returning Friday, January 8 per listings |
| Likely ports (unconfirmed) | Sea day, Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay |
| Season | Winter |
| CDC sanitation score | 100, inspected July 12, 2026 |
Want the inspection backstory? Our CDC cruise ship inspection lookup has the details.
What to Do Now and the Deadlines That Bite
Book the fun stuff today and put four dates in your calendar. Procrastination is a lovely hobby, but it doesn’t get you a dinner reservation. At 82 days out, you are already inside every reported pre-booking window of 90 days or more. NCL’s own guidance on exact opening days is inconsistent, so don’t wait for a “magic day.”
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Now | Book specialty dining and spa at ncl.com (account login) or on 800-327-7030. Online dining parties are capped at 8. Shore excursions: your NCL account or 866-625-1167. |
| Mon Dec 14 | Online check-in opens. Once everyone on the booking has checked in, NCL sends the eDocs link. |
| Thu Dec 31 | NCL’s recommended finish line for check-in, and the last day to add transfers during check-in. |
| Fri Jan 1 | Check-in closes. eDocs become unavailable about 72 hours before sailing. |
| Sun Jan 3, midnight | Garage B prebooking cutoff. |
Prepaid add-ons cancelled at least 24 hours before sailing go back to your original card. Cancel later and you get onboard credit instead. NCL also recommends a credit card rather than a debit card for onboard spending.
A word on loyalty perks. NCL’s Latitudes pages reportedly tie most tier benefits to sailings of 5 nights or longer, and this one is 4. Confirm with NCL before you count on priority anything.
Embarkation Logistics
Complete online check-in, arrive in your assigned slot, and be on board at least an hour before departure, because the ship will not wait for your hair to finish. Listings show a 4:00 PM sail-away, but your booking carries the real embarkation and departure times. If 4:00 PM holds, the hard cutoff is 3:00 PM, and NCL’s own page also recommends being aboard two hours before departure. Plan around the stricter rule.
- Use the arrival time you picked at check-in. It is printed on your eDocs, and early entry may be refused for security reasons.
- Skipped online check-in? Arrive after 12pm and at least 2 hours before departure.
- Everyone goes through security and the check-in counter, even if you checked in online.
- Bring a government photo ID, your passport if applicable, and one printed eDocs copy per stateroom. The eDocs are your boarding pass.
Which terminal?
Probably Terminal B, but it isn’t confirmed. NCL’s dedicated terminal is B, at about 1751 N Cruise Blvd. Joy is new to Miami, so the internet is still figuring her out. Treat “likely Terminal B” as an educated guess until your eDocs say otherwise.
Parking at Garage B
Walk-up parking is $35 a night, and prebooking through ParkWhiz adds fees on top. Garage B is at 1756 N Cruise Blvd, with a free shuttle on cruise days only. The garage takes cash and most major cards, but not debit cards.
| Option | Per night | 4 nights |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-up | $35 | $140 |
| Prebook via ParkWhiz | $38.50 ($35 + $3.50 fee) | $154 before the 3% card fee, about $158.62 after |
So prebooking runs about $18.62 more than walk-up, because nothing says vacation like a convenience fee. Reservations are subject to availability and are not mandatory. Whether the garage bills four days or five depends on how it counts your return day, so treat these totals as estimates. Off-site lots are cheaper, but their prices vary too much to quote.
Airport to port
Budget about $20 to $25 for a rideshare, $30 to $35 for a taxi, and around $41 if you need an UberXL. The trip from Miami International is about 10 miles and 26 minutes, per Uber’s route page, which lists UberXL at $41. The rideshare and taxi ranges are estimates from a third-party guide (Cruzely). Fares are per car, not per person, and they surge. Metrobus Route 150 costs $2.25 and takes about 35 minutes, but that is a hard sell with suitcases.
Hotels for Sunday night, January 3
Shuttle deals vary wildly, so confirm everything with the hotel. The figures below come from one third-party guide, and nightly rates and January 2027 availability are unknown.
| Hotel | Shuttle arrangement |
|---|---|
| Comfort Suites Miami Airport North | Free with stay; $15 per person for the return |
| Comfort Inn & Suites Miami International Airport | Free; $15 return |
| Embassy Suites Miami International | Cruise package with transport, about $30 above the base rate |
| Hilton Miami Downtown | $10 per person (downtown hotels are about 2 miles from the port) |
| Courtyard Marriott Miami Downtown | $10 per person, hourly 9am to 1pm |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Brickell-Downtown | $12 per person |
| DoubleTree Biscayne Bay | $10; the shuttle reportedly runs Friday to Monday only. A Sunday-night stay with a Monday-morning ride would fall inside that window, but confirm with the hotel |
| The Elser Hotel, YVE Hotel | About 0.5 miles away; free Coral Way trolley (Sunday hours are shorter, so check Monday morning) |
Hotel shuttles reportedly have limited departure times and run first come, first served, so don’t assume one is waiting with the engine running.
The Ship and How to Work It
Joy is a big, family-friendly Breakaway Plus ship that was built for China and reworked in 2024, which in ship terms is a very expensive glow-up. She carries about 250 fewer berths than her sisters, more family suites and a two-level go-kart track. Our Norwegian Joy ship page has the full profile.
What changed in 2024
- A Thermal Suite (sauna, ice room, steam room, four senses loungers) joined the Mandara Spa, replacing the Galaxy Pavilion VR and gaming complex. NCL lists it as adults-only.
- 24 staterooms gained balconies, carved from part of the Observation Lounge.
- Haven Premier Owner’s Suites were redesigned as three-bedroom suites.
- Vibe Beach Club expanded into the former Deck 20 laser tag arena, with private cabanas at a surcharge.
Don’t plan on laser tag or the Galaxy Pavilion. Some older pages still list them, but the refit reports say they’re gone.
Eating
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the fare. Freestyle dining means no set times and no dress code, so nobody is judging your shorts. NCL’s ship page names Le Bistro as complimentary, while a third-party listing shows a $20 cover charge, so check the Cruise Planner. Third-party guides list Savor, Taste and The Manhattan Room as the main dining rooms, with The Local Bar & Grill and Garden Café as casual spots. Those lists are undated or from 2023, and venues change, so check the Cruise Planner or NCL app for what’s complimentary on your sailing.
- NCL’s ship page names Cagney’s Steakhouse, Teppanyaki and Sugarcane (the mojito bar) in the dining lineup. It doesn’t say whether Teppanyaki is free or extra.
- Specialty prices in circulation are old and conflict, so the Cruise Planner is the place for today’s numbers.
- Which venues open on a short four-night sailing isn’t confirmed.
Adults-only spots
- Spice H2O, an adults-only pool and beach club area with its own bar.
- Vibe Beach Club, with surcharge cabanas.
- The Thermal Suite.
- The Haven’s private pool, for Haven guests.
Kids and fun
- Splash Academy covers ages 3 to 12 and Entourage covers teens 13 to 17, per a third-party listing.
- The Guppies nursery’s upper age limit conflicts between sources (2 or 3), so ask NCL.
- Daytime kids’ programs are reportedly free and late-night care has a fee, so check the policy.
- The Ocean Loop waterslide is confirmed by NCL, and so is the Norwegian Joy Speedway go-kart track. Kart prices vary by source, so check onboard.
- Joy Theater seats 907. Which shows run on a four-night sailing is unconfirmed. The Cavern Club does Beatles-themed live music.
The Ports
Expect a sea day, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, in an order your booking has to confirm. Reseller listings give the pattern below. Other listings show a different order, and Joy’s neighbouring sailings swap the calls around, so NCL clearly likes to shuffle the deck.
| Day | Most likely plan (unconfirmed) |
|---|---|
| Mon Jan 4 | Depart Miami, 4:00 PM |
| Tue Jan 5 | At sea |
| Wed Jan 6 | Nassau, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Thu Jan 7 | Great Stirrup Cay, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fri Jan 8 | Back in Miami, 7:00 AM |
Those port hours are listing times, not all-aboard times. All-aboard is earlier and printed in your daily planner. Check the planner each night.
Nassau
You can walk off and be on Bay Street in about two minutes, so independent exploring is easy. Ships berth at Prince George Wharf with no tender needed.
- The Straw Market is about 5 minutes along Bay Street. Bargain, and carry cash.
- Junkanoo Beach, the closest free beach, is roughly 10 minutes on foot. The Queen’s Staircase has 66 limestone steps.
- US dollars are accepted at 1:1 with the Bahamian dollar.
- Atlantis and Aquaventure day passes are pricey and the figures in circulation are unverified, so check Atlantis directly.
- Taxi fares quoted online conflict, so agree the fare before getting in.
- If you book excursions, be back 30 minutes before all-aboard.
The US State Department renewed its Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for the Bahamas on July 28, 2026, with no change to the level. Per secondary reporting, it names Nassau and Freeport as the main crime areas. It also says to stay alert in the “Over the Hill” area south of Shirley Street, two blocks south of the cruise terminal, and to check credentials of jet ski operators. Nassau Cruise Port expects about 6.7 million passengers in 2026, up from 6.1 million in 2025, so expect crowds.
Great Stirrup Cay
Whether you dock or tender is unresolved, and the waterpark is a paid add-on. NCL opened a new pier on December 28, 2025, then closed it on April 1, 2026 for expansion to a second berth, with tendering in the meantime. Seatrade reported in March that reopening was planned for late July. Whether it has reopened is not confirmed, so check with NCL closer to sailing.
| Great Tides Waterpark | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opened | September 4, 2026 |
| Day pass | From $99.99 per person as of June 2026; NCL’s page showed $79.99 on one sailing, so it varies |
| Cabanas | $999 and $1,199 as listed June 7, 2026; each covers up to 6 guests aged 4+ |
| Kids | Ages 0 to 3 free; 13 and under need a ticketed adult aged 18+ |
| Size | 19 slides, 9,000 sq ft kids’ splash zone |
| Booking | MyNCL up to 2 days before sailing (about Jan 2), subject to availability |
Passes include loungers, towels, lockers, tram and life jackets. Shore Excursion Credits don’t cover admission but do apply to cabanas. The waterpark is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the entry zone, or take the tram. Beach-only people can skip the pass, though exactly which areas are free isn’t firmly established.
Conditions and Packing for Early January
Expect mild days, cool-ish water and a real chance of a cold front, so pack for “tropical-ish.” Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so January 4 to 8 sits outside it. The temperatures below are approximate, drawn from travel-weather roundups rather than official climate normals, so check a forecast in the final week.
| Place | Highs | Lows | Rain (January) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | About 75 to 77°F | About 62°F | About 2 to 2.1 in |
| Nassau | About 72 to 75°F | About 65°F | Sources disagree: 2.6 to 3.5 in |
| Sea temperature | About 71 to 72°F | ||
Winter fronts can bring gales to the northern Bahamas. On January 24, 2025, gusts neared 40 mph at CocoCay, Norwegian Epic stayed at sea instead of calling at Great Stirrup Cay, and Icon of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas skipped CocoCay. Nobody can forecast this itinerary 82 days out, but a swapped or skipped port is plausible.
- Warm-weather clothes for daytime, plus a light jacket for evenings, deck wind and the sea day.
- Swimwear, but know that 71 to 72°F water is brisk.
- Sunscreen and a rain layer.
- Motion-sickness remedies, just in case. Fronts can stir up the swell.
Money
The fare doesn’t include the daily service charge, and a drink package’s gratuity is billed separately, because of course it is. Here is the 4-night math, assuming each charge is billed for all four days. Confirm the day count on your booking.
| Item | Per person per day | 4 nights, per person |
|---|---|---|
| Service charge, standard cabin or Club Balcony Suite | $20 | $80 ($160 for two) |
| Service charge, The Haven and most suites | $25 | $100 ($200 for two) |
| Open-bar gratuity (2 to 5 night sailings, from May 1, 2026) | $32 | $128 |
| Free at Sea Plus, starting price | $49.99 | $199.96, about $200 |
The $32 is the gratuity on the open bar, not the package price. It applies to pre-cruise bookings, and adding a package onboard costs more. See our cruise tipping guide for the wider picture.
Free at Sea and Plus
Check your booking before counting on any of this. One secondary source says Free at Sea applies to bookings made on or after November 5, 2025. For a 4-night sailing it reports:
- One specialty meal per person for the first two guests aged 2 or older.
- 150 minutes of Wi-Fi per guest, one device at a time, no streaming.
- A $50 shore excursion credit. Whether that is per person, per port or per stateroom is unclear.
- An open bar with drinks up to $15, plus unlimited fountain soda and juice.
Not covered: bottled water, fresh-squeezed juice, specialty coffee, Starbucks, energy drinks, room service, minibar, bottled liquor, and drinks at Great Stirrup Cay. Free at Sea Plus reportedly adds unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, Starbucks, premium spirits, bottled water, 50% off extra specialty cover charges and unlimited drinks at Great Stirrup Cay. It also includes the daily gratuities, per one secondary source, and must be selected 72 hours before sailing. The standalone price of the premium drink package isn’t established, so check My NCL. Paid Wi-Fi on a regular fare is extra, so check the Cruise Planner for current pricing.
Bringing wine
Wine and champagne may come aboard, but corkage applies unless you hold a beverage package. NCL’s alcohol FAQ lists $15 for a 750 ml bottle and $30 for a 1,500 ml magnum. It doesn’t state a per-guest bottle limit, so confirm with NCL before packing a small cellar. Box wine is not allowed. Alcohol bought in port or in the ship’s shops is held and returned on the last night or morning. Our bring alcohol on a cruise guide covers the rest.
Documents and Rules
A passport is the easiest answer, even though this routing doesn’t strictly require one for US citizens. NCL says a valid passport always works, and strongly recommends one anyway. Otherwise you need proof of citizenship plus a government photo ID.
- Accepted proof: a state-certified birth certificate, a passport card, or a certificate of naturalization. Photocopies and pictures are not accepted.
- US citizens under 16 don’t need photo ID, but still need proof of citizenship.
- Non-US citizens need a passport valid for at least six months after the return date. A visa may be required depending on the countries visited. Check the Bahamas immigration site and NCL for your nationality.
- US green card holders must carry the card and a valid passport from their home country, or they will be denied boarding.
- Ask NCL directly about ages 16 to 17 and about minors travelling without both parents. Cruise forum posters mention a parent-signed letter, but that is unofficial.
- Whether any Bahamas departure tax applies to cruise passengers is not confirmed, so check with NCL before you go.
Medication
- Pack medication in original containers in your carry-on.
- Narcotics need a valid prescription.
- Bring enough for the whole voyage plus 10 extra days, and keep prescription copies.
- A personal cooler up to 12″ x 12″ x 12″ is allowed as carry-on.
- Guests who haven’t entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise can sail. Guests at 24 weeks will not be permitted.
- NCL’s medical policy line is 866.584.9756.
Don’t pack these
- Illegal drugs, plus all CBD and THC products, including gummies.
- Drones, firearms, ammunition, fireworks and pepper spray.
- Knives with blades over 4 inches (10.16 cm).
- Non-NCL appliances with heating elements, plus irons and steamers.
- Candles and incense burners.
- Hoverboards, scooters, Segways and bicycles.
Small electric or battery fans are allowed but may be inspected and confiscated. NCL can confiscate anything it considers a safety threat, so check its current prohibited-items page before you pack.
FAQ: Your Joy Questions, Answered
What time should I arrive at PortMiami for a Norwegian cruise?
Arrive in the terminal slot you picked at online check-in, printed on your eDocs. Don’t show up early, as security rules may prohibit early entry. Skipped check-in? Arrive after 12pm and at least 2 hours before departure. Everyone must be through check-in and on board 1 hour before the departure time on their documents.
Do I need a passport for a 4-night Bahamas cruise from Miami?
US citizens on a Miami round trip to the Bahamas can sail with proof of citizenship, such as a state-certified birth certificate, plus a government photo ID. NCL strongly recommends a passport anyway, and says a valid one always works. Non-US citizens need a passport valid six months past the return date.
How much is parking at PortMiami for this cruise?
Walk-up Garage B parking is $35 a night, so about $140 for four nights. Prebooking through ParkWhiz is $38.50 a night including its reservation fee, which is $154 before a 3% card fee and about $158.62 after. How the garage counts your return day is unverified, so treat both totals as estimates.
Can I bring wine on Norwegian Joy?
Yes, wine and champagne may come aboard. Corkage is $15 for a 750 ml bottle and $30 for a 1,500 ml magnum when you drink it in a restaurant, public area or stateroom. Box wine is not allowed. Guests with a beverage package, including Free at Sea, pay no corkage. NCL’s FAQ doesn’t state a per-guest bottle limit, so confirm with NCL if you plan to bring more than a bottle or two. Other alcohol, beer, water, soda and juice are generally prohibited.
How much is the Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay?
Day passes were listed from $99.99 per person in June 2026, adults and children alike, though NCL’s page showed $79.99 on one sailing. Cabanas were $999 and $1,199 as of June 7, 2026. Ages 0 to 3 are free. Prices vary by sailing, so check your own booking in MyNCL.
How much is the daily service charge on Norwegian?
It is $20 per person per day for standard staterooms and Club Balcony Suites, and $25 for The Haven and most suites, per a May 2026 report. Over four nights that’s $80 or $100 per person, or $160 or $200 for two, if it’s billed for all four days. It applies with or without Free at Sea.
Will my January Bahamas cruise skip a port because of weather?
It could. Winter cold fronts can bring gales to the northern Bahamas, and on January 24, 2025, Norwegian Epic stayed at sea instead of calling at Great Stirrup Cay. Hurricane season is over by January, so that isn’t the risk. Nothing can be forecast this far out, and NCL can also swap port order on any sailing.
The Bottom Line
This is a short, easy, sun-chasing getaway, and the homework is front-loaded. Book your dining and excursions now, mark December 14 and December 31, and don’t assume the port order until your booking says so. Pack for mild days and a possible windy deck, and budget for the $80-per-person service charge (standard cabin) before you even look at a drink package. Then go be dramatic about a waterslide.
Ships in This Story
- Norwegian Epic Norwegian · Latest CDC score 93
- Norwegian Joy Norwegian · Latest CDC score 100
- Icon of the Seas Royal Caribbean · Latest CDC score 100
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