Norwegian Jade-information please
Sep 27th, 2009, 07:41 AM
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Norwegian Jade-information please
Norwegian Jade is offering deals for cruises in the Mediteranean. We'd like to hear from anyone who's been on the boat or the line. What are the highpoints? Any problems or disappointments? We're in our 60s. Not looking for a party boat or all-you- can-eat ambience. Like lectures on destinations, etc.
I'll appreciate any advice.
Joe
I'll appreciate any advice.
Joe
Sep 27th, 2009, 02:02 PM
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I'm booked for the Jade at the end of November. I'll let you know when I get back! We're also in our 60s. From what I've learned from cruisecritic.com the food is not a highlight, and "freestyle" dining means every day is casual, but the destinations for the cruise and the price can't be beat.
Sep 28th, 2009, 05:24 AM
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If you are looking for lectures, I think you may be disappointed with NCL, which is not very good at those kinds of things. It's a good cruise line if you like to eat in a smaller atmosphere whenever you please, and if you don't like to dress up. However, I've found the enrichment programs to be lacking. The emphasis on these cruises is bingo, scratch off lottery cards, art auctions, and few other activities. Nightly entertainment tends to be pretty good and varied, but the casino on this particular ship is an afterthought since it was added after the ship stopped sailing Hawaii itineraries.
They do have a lecturer on almost every cruise, and I stopped in on my Bahamas cruise a couple of times, but the lectures weren't very interesting, so I can't really say much about it.
I'd have to disagree with some posters and say that I've always found the food on NCL to be fine, but a lot of people don't like that you have to pay extra to eat in virtually all the restaurants except for the two main dining rooms. NCL does have a LOT of extra charges for everything, and that's a downer. But the basic cruise is pretty cheap. Cabins (except for the so-called minisuites, which are more like regular verandah cabins on HAL) are a little small, but they are certainly adequate.
They do have a lecturer on almost every cruise, and I stopped in on my Bahamas cruise a couple of times, but the lectures weren't very interesting, so I can't really say much about it.
I'd have to disagree with some posters and say that I've always found the food on NCL to be fine, but a lot of people don't like that you have to pay extra to eat in virtually all the restaurants except for the two main dining rooms. NCL does have a LOT of extra charges for everything, and that's a downer. But the basic cruise is pretty cheap. Cabins (except for the so-called minisuites, which are more like regular verandah cabins on HAL) are a little small, but they are certainly adequate.
Sep 28th, 2009, 06:39 AM
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I've been on the Jade 4 times (2 when it was the Pride of Hawaii). Last trip in 7/09.
The ship is still full of Hawaii decor, I like it. But also don't sail any ship for the "ship", and always for where it takes me and at what price.
They do a good job in Europe, in my opinion. Last trip was a 14 med, with decent port times. The "lectures" were very poorly attended, but they did have some interesting comments from the 2 women who did them. This isn't the cruiseline to consider, if that is your priority.
I toured all the ports independently, and easily. The ship does do a very good "job" at discouraging this. I found many people just too "scared" to venture out, and instead opted, then "complained" about the high cost touring through the ship. I went for a fraction of the costs on my own.
The pay restaurants, in my opinion are certainly worthwhile. BUT does get a lot of neg. due to the costs. There were no 2 for 1 options on my particular cruise. The regular dining is OK, don't expect a top dining and there should be something you like.
The ship is still full of Hawaii decor, I like it. But also don't sail any ship for the "ship", and always for where it takes me and at what price.
They do a good job in Europe, in my opinion. Last trip was a 14 med, with decent port times. The "lectures" were very poorly attended, but they did have some interesting comments from the 2 women who did them. This isn't the cruiseline to consider, if that is your priority.
I toured all the ports independently, and easily. The ship does do a very good "job" at discouraging this. I found many people just too "scared" to venture out, and instead opted, then "complained" about the high cost touring through the ship. I went for a fraction of the costs on my own.
The pay restaurants, in my opinion are certainly worthwhile. BUT does get a lot of neg. due to the costs. There were no 2 for 1 options on my particular cruise. The regular dining is OK, don't expect a top dining and there should be something you like.
