This was the fifth cruise that we chose since February 2020, the first four were cancelled. Still a good cruise with six ports. This was also just the third cruise for the Jade since return to cruising on July 25. That all those aboard went through two covid tests and agreed to wear a mask onboard shows how badly we all wanted to travel since the virus began. Loved all the Islands, Crete was my least favorite port, Mykonos my favorite with Corfu a close second. Visited Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics, great history. All in all, this was a great cruise, ship was good and the staff was excellent. Usually want my Cruises to visit multiple countries, but after 26 months this one will do.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Our first flight on Saturday was delayed 3 hours so had to change our entire trip from the US. Because of this we didn't arrive in Athens until 5 pm (1700). We were not alone as many others came in at the same time, so many we filled a bus. So instead of just a few coming each half hour per the schedule a large group of us came at once. I believe we overloaded the Covid testing people because it took almost an hour before we boarded the ship. That we finally made it gets three stars, but a one star experience really.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Only can compare this to our Princess cruises where the buffet food was excellent and usually different every day so we ate there often. The Jade buffet was just OK, but the other dining was fantastic, ate two nights in the Grand Pacific, two nights in Alizar, one night in Cagney's, and one night in the Italian restaurant. All had great service and good food.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
All the shows were filled so didn't attend any.
Entertainment
1 out of 5
Had late dinners so didn't do any of these
Children's Programs
1 out of 5
No kids
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
My only complaint for this cruise was lack of communication for both tendering at Santorini, and disembarkation, but the crew and staff all worked hard to make this a great cruise, especially our steward and the wait staff in all the food venues. They also all were vaccinated to serve this ship, no small thing, especially in America.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Older ship but updated and well maintained. Studied the decks before our cruise so pretty much knew where stuff was. Decent layout that was usually easy to navigate.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
9512 was an enclosed baloney cabin small but functional, bathroom was divided into sink area, shower area and a toilet that gives new meaning to WC.
Ship tip
This was the third vaccination cruise from Athens so protocol was different than pre-virus cruises. Fly in a day or two early because of flight disruptions, many of us arrived late and barely made the ship. The end of cruise covid test was given on Friday and Saturday so because we stayed two days past the cruise we had to test again before flying home. We only got one daily printout on the first day and didn't ask enough questions after that so missed info on tendering and disembarkation.
Beautiful place that we visited in 2017, but this time toured the Venetian fortress, which is massive. Had remodeled the port area from our last visit so looked different. Just took a taxi to the fortress and returned by horse and buggy which cost more but well worth it. Lots to do and see, unfortunately we had to leave by 3 pm (1500).
OK, only gave this four stars, but an unbelievable beautiful place, negative standing in line to take the cable car to the top. Lots of shops and restaurants. No dock that I could see so all ships have to tender. 3 ships there on our day.
A small seaside village but filled with shops and restaurants and again close to the dock. Absolutely a beautiful Island and port, main history is neighboring Island of Delos which we choose not to visit because of the heat.
Five stars because I love history. We got to dock when other ships had to tender so we were just blocks from Old town and the fortress, filled with tourist shops and restaurants. Only negative the heat.
Katakolon is just a small village with about two blocks of shops and restaurants. Took the excursion to Olympia, the birth place of the Olympics, 2700 years of history so had to go. Very hot and very dusty. Also a number of steps to get in and out of the site. Don't remember the steps being mentioned, just tell you lots of walking when in the ruins.
Did two days after the cruise so visited the acropolis and took the red hop on hop off bus. Only negative was super hot. All taxis were more than reasonable.
Don't know how NCL did this before the virus, but most people carried their own bags off the ship. I finally asked our steward where our luggage tags were at and he said you had to request them from the service desk. Guesting all this was to keep a large crowd from picking up their bags at once. Again, if this was communicated before hand, I missed the memo.
Great advice about flying in early. I would be nervous flying in on embarkation day with a local flight. I would be a nervous wreck trying to pull that off with an international flight.
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