Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that its brand new ship, Norwegian Joy, will feature the first ever race track at sea: Go for the checkered flag on a thrilling two-level racetrack in the middle of the ocean.

The 3,900-passenger Breakaway Plus Class ship is set to launch in summer 2017 and has been tailored specifically for the Chinese market. She was originally named Norwegian Bliss, but this was changed when Norwegian  determined that the ship would go to China.

Norwegian Cruise Line has also gone into more depth on Norwegian Joy’s homeporting plans for the first time, noting that she will sail from Shanghai and Tianjin.

Onboard the vessel, there will also be an open-air laser tag – in addition to the Galaxy Pavilion – promising an immersive virtual reality experience, thrilling simulator rides and interactive video walls. There will also be hover-craft bumper cars (which I personally love the sound of!) and a racing simulator.

Similar to her sister Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy will have two multi-story waterslides and the top deck will feature a new open-space park.

The Haven will feature 74 suites and a new class of room : The Concierge level, featuring larger balcony staterooms with in-suite amenities and the services of a dedicated concierge to make arrangements onboard, from entertainment to dining.

Norwegian Joy will also feature the fleets largest upscale shopping district with everything from exceptional duty-free shops to world-renowned global luxury brands.

I think this ship looks VERY exciting! I am keeping fingers firmly crossed that the UK market, in time, gets something similar – what a treat it would be!

Norwegian Joy was ordered in 2014 and her construction (under the original name Norwegian Bliss) began on September 16, 2015. On October 12, 2015, it was announced that Bliss would be renamed and designed specifically for the Chinese cruising market – the word Bliss in Chinese doesn’t have positive connotations, hence the name change. On February 29, 2016, her new name, “Norwegian Joy”, was officially announced. The name translates into Chinese as “Xi Yue Hao”.

Norwegian Cruise Line will also feature a different name in China – Nuò Wéi Zhēn, meaning “Promising, Exclusive and Authentic”.