Consider this your go-to guide for Chefs Making Waves 2026! Use it to plan, explore what’s waiting onboard, and keep it handy throughout your vacation for all the delicious details along the way.
Come hungry. Stay curious. Make some waves.
Expect this guide to expand with helpful info over the coming weeks!
Check In
Along with your eDocs, you'll need to bring your passport and/or required travel documentation. Every guest needs to have proper identification to board the ship.
Review what identification documents are accepted.
Complete online check-in beginning 21 days prior to sailing, but no later than November 3, 2026 using the Reservation Number in the email titled "Your Reservation Number Is Here!". Before you begin your online check-in process, here is a helpful overview.
Still haven't received your reservation number? Contact us and we can help.
All purchases on the ship are made with your Norwegian keycard. As you complete online check-in, you will be asked to provide a method of payment for all your onboard purchases. All purchases you make on the ship will be tied to this method of payment. We recommend doing this during your online check-in!
If you prefer to wait, you may put down a method of payment or open a cash account once on board.
Once everyone in your cabin has completed online check-in with Norwegian, you can print out your eDocs. (You will not be able to print until all guests in the cabin are checked in.) If your party is traveling and arriving to the terminal together, you only need to print and bring one copy of your eDocs.
This option is available on Norwegian's website up to 3 days prior to sailing.
Prepare
Need a contact number to give loved ones at home? From the USA, they can dial 1.888.NCSHIPS (1.888.627.4477). From anywhere outside of the USA, please dial 1.732.335.3280. Let them know the name of the ship is Norwegian Joy.
ELEVATOR ETIQUETTE
Please help us ensure a smooth and accessible experience for everyone on board. Guests with mobility needs or ADA accommodations rely on elevators for transportation. We kindly ask you to prioritize their access and use the stairs when possible.
ADA SECTIONS
Please help us ensure a smooth and accessible experience for everyone on board. Cruisers with mobility needs or ADA accommodations rely on ADA sections for a comfortable viewing experience. We kindly ask that you prioritize their access. Additionally, we ask that anyone within this space, sharing the experience with a friend or loved/one with accessibility needs, refrain from standing during the show/performance/demo.
GRAND CAYMAN TENDERING
Grand Cayman is a tender port. Please be aware of the accessibility requirements for the tender boats that will transport us from the ship to the port.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Tenders Policy
Guests must be aware that certain vessel transfers, such as tendering and gangways, may not be fully accessible to wheelchairs or scooters at the time that they desire or that they cannot go ashore at all. When a ship is unable to dock, guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called tenders. Guests may need to utilize steps or a staircase to access the tender and to re-board the ship. Some guests with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark the ship at certain times while at dock or while tendering.
Note: We are unable to provide assistance from the ship to tender and/or from tender to shore for guests with scooters and/or wheelchairs that weigh a combined 100 lbs. Mobility devices must be able to fold in order to be accommodated onboard the tender.
At Sixthman, we're committed to creating a fun, comfortable, inclusive, and respectful environment for all our guests. As such, we kindly ask that you refrain from racially/culturally-insensitive costumes or wearing or displaying any political messages, offensive language, or symbols during our sailing, as these items will not be tolerated.
Photos and short video clips are allowed. However, please respect your fellow guests and be unobtrusive when taking photos or video clips.
**Camera-equipped smart glasses and other wearable recording devices are not permitted to be worn or used onboard, regardless of whether the recording function is active.** If brought onboard, these devices should remain stored in your cabin. This includes, but is not limited to, smart glasses and other camera-equipped wearables. These devices are not considered permitted cameras under the photography guidelines below
The following are not permitted at any performances or activities:
- Detachable lenses longer than 3”
- Filming an entire performance
- Flash photography
- GoPro or similar style action cameras
- iPad or other tablets
- Professional audio or video equipment
- Selfie sticks, monopods or tripods
Sixthman reserves the right to ask guests to stop filming or taking photos at any time to preserve the guest experience and honor the wishes of our artists.
Camera-equipped smart glasses and other wearable devices capable of discreetly capturing or transmitting photos, video, or audio may be brought onboard; however, guests are not permitted to wear or use these devices while onboard the ship and must keep them stored in their cabin.
This includes, but is not limited to, Meta/Ray-Ban smart glasses and other camera-equipped eyewear or wearable cameras.
Guests using these devices may be asked by event or ship personnel to remove and store them. Repeated disregard for the policy can result in the confiscation and holding of the item till disembarkation and up to the prevention of sailing on future events. Recording another guest, artist, or crew member without their knowledge or in circumstances where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy is prohibited. Additional photography and recording restrictions may apply during performances, artist activities, and in designated onboard spaces.
Guests who require smart glasses or similar technology as an accessibility aid should contact Guest Services at least 60 days prior to sailing so appropriate accommodations can be discussed.
All guests must also comply with the cruise line's Guest Conduct Policy and event photography, recording, and device policies.
Please note that with the exception of wine and champagne, all guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships.
Corkage fees are waived as all Chefs Making Waves guests have the Unlimited Bar Package.
To speed up the process of checking your wine or champagne at the port, print out this form and bring it with you. All corked wine and champagne must be carried on.
Seat saving is not allowed.* While it is fine to run to the bathroom or grab a drink, leaving items in seats unattended in order to save them is not permitted.
Towels left on seats will be regularly cleared by Sixthman and NCL staff. Any personal items left unattended will be collected and turned into lost and found at the NCL Guest Services desk in the Atrium (Deck 7, MID).
Things that DO NOT save a seat:
- A towel.
- Tipping a chair forward.
- Your purse, backpack, notebook, or any other personal item.
- A friend or partner saving multiple seats for others that are not present. Again, a quick bathroom trip or heading to the bar to grab a drink is FINE! Heading to a show and leaving one person to hold seats is NOT.
- Anything other than you.
Things that DO save a seat:
- YOU!
Always feel free to ask someone from NCL to pick up towels or clear chairs of items if a Sixthman person isn't around (our staff isn't working on the pool deck when there isn't programming).
*Limited accessible seating areas are available and a Sixthman representative will be working in those areas during show times if you are in need of any assistance.
Smoking is prohibited indoors, in staterooms and balconies, as well as outdoor dining areas, and other various outdoor areas on the ship. This includes regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
Smoking is only permitted on the Port side of the Pool Deck (Decks 12 and 13), in the casino (limited to those engaged in active game play during gaming hours), and on the Starboard side of Deck 7.
Smoking inside your stateroom or on your balcony will result in a $250 USD cleaning charge added to your onboard account.
Packing
While Real IDs are NOT required to sail, changes are occurring to this policy during our sailing.
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card. Between now and the effective date of the new regulations, we encourage all travelers to check their IDs and obtain a REAL ID if they don’t already have one. To obtain a REAL ID requires documentation beyond what is required for most standard drivers' licenses. Prepare to collect and present several documents to DMV officials that prove residency and identification.
Guests should take this into consideration when planning travels for their cruise.
To check in at the Port of Miami and board the ship, you must have proper documentation. Do not place these items in your checked bag. Take it/them with you into the cruise terminal, as you'll need to present it/them at the check-in counter. You will not be allowed to board the ship without proper documentation.
If you printed out your eDocs, have them handy when you arrive at the port. It will help speed up the check in process!
If you were unable to print your eDocs prior to embarkation day, please proceed to the port with proper documentation. You will still be able to board the ship even if you don't have your eDocs.
Check out our helpful packing list here to make sure you're all set!
- Travel Documents. On boarding day, you should bring your printed e-documents with you as well as a PASSPORT or other accepted documentation. If you forget everything else, please remember your documents.
- Clothing or costumes for our Theme Days.
- Please plan to carry on any fine wine or champagne you wish to enjoy on the cruise. You will pay the corkage fee in the port. To speed up the process of checking your wine or champagne at the port, print out this form and bring it with you. DON'T PACK ANY ALCOHOL IN YOUR LUGGAGE.
- Bring cash, if you plan to purchase items while in port.
- Lots of sunscreen!
- Please plan to carry on with you any essentials, particularly any medication or valuables, since it could take several hours for your checked bags to be delivered to your cabin. You can carry on items that measure 24''w x 16''h (there is no restriction on the length of the bag). Be sure you keep your boarding documentation with you (passport, etc). DON’T PACK YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IN YOUR CHECKED BAG.
Review what to leave behind while you're packing your suitcase!
Tips for the Terminal
Lighten your load! Check your bags with a porter before you enter the cruise terminal for easy boarding.
Bags will be delivered to your room by 8:00 pm ET, so be sure to keep anything you might need in your carry-on bag (passport, medicine, etc.).
*Please note that curbside porters are not employees of Norwegian, and it’s customary to tip them $1 per bag.
You can keep your shoes on but belts and laptops will need to go into a bin for screening. Also, wine and champagne need be taken out. Just like at the airport, throw away open drink containers and empty your pockets.
For your theme night attire, please keep in mind that anything that may look like a weapon may be seized by security agents so it's better to leave those items safely at home.
If you brought wine or champagne, stop at the table immediately after security to check-in your corked wine or champagne.
Please note that with the exception of wine and champagne, all guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships.
Corkage fees are waived as all Chefs Making Waves guests have the Unlimited Bar Package.
To speed up the process of checking your wine or champagne at the port, print out this form and bring it with you. All corked wine and champagne must be carried on.