Jade, a polished ship

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 28

Review summary

We chose this cruise specifically for the ports in Romania and Bulgaria but due to the ongoing conflict those ports were switched for additional Greece ports. At first disappointed but the new route didn't disappoint. Overall we were extremely satisfied with the cruise and the cruise line. The Jade sparkles like a brand new ship. It was hard pressed to find signs that is was nearly 20 years old. Everything was in great shape, clean and still looked updated in design. The following were some observations from our experiences. embarkation/disembarkation was smooth and seamless we boarded in about 20 minutes. we were met at the port at the cab and handed off at every junction and went immediately on ship. The same with disembarkation we got off at 8:15 and walked directly off the gangway in 5 minutes. =All tours we booked through NCL and were very satisfied with all of them ( 4). Organized, efficient, entertaining. If we had any regret the Knossos tour was "touristy" and the Ephesus tour was too fast. = Not happy with PREMADE cocktails at whiskey and martini bar from NCL drink menu. Also think it was unethical and misleading to guest that the PREMADE cocktail is in a branded liquor bottle. So if you order say a Woodford old fashioned. The premade drink is already made and stored in the WOODFORD bottle and they pour from this. The bartender also goes through the motions of making the cocktail- shaking and stirring..for effect when everything is done. Long Island Iced tea are all premixed and poured into a VODKA bottle, same with many of the cocktails. However after I voiced my complaint the bartender would make the drinks fresh if I asked at the whiskey bar but not at the martini bar. Food- we had no problems with the quality or quantity of food in the buffet, rotation menu, themed nights etc. Could it be better of course but didn't get tired of it in 9 days. Specialty Restaurants - we ate at all on the ship. We were most disappointed with CAGNEYS as we were on last cruise. and we still are. We were served baked potatoes that were the size of a fingerling potato. So small that you couldn't put sour cream on it. One was rotten and was still served. Replaced when notified but shouldn't have been served since potatoes was already cut open and was visible. All sides miniscule. The menu is uninspired. There is no way this meal I would have paid $188 dollars a la carte. I could and can get much better on land for less. If I didn't have vouchers I wouldn't bother. Moderno was our top choice overall however they had dropped lamb chops off the menu. Being that we had a port stop everyday of the cruise we spent alot of time off the ship as on it seemed and we enjoyed every minute. Service was good, housekeeping good. 

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Onboard Activities

Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

HERAKLION, CRETE, GREECE

Santorini, Greece

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey

Volos, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Rhodes, Greece

Disembarkation