Norwegian Jade Cruise Reviews - Reviews

Our daughter became very ill on the ship - medical expenses on the ship over $8000 - had to leave the ship midweek to hospital on Roatan/more expenses - fly to Houston from Roatan - $4000 (per 4) one way airline tickets. Norwegian should remimburse part of their cruise expenses

We booked the Jade last minute and made it to the terminal in plenty of time to board.  The wait line was short and we were able to get in our room by 1:00.

The dining was fine with food being tasty and well presented.  We did not opt for the dining plan so we ate at the buffet for breakfast and the dining rooms every night except for one.  Lunch was either on deck or the buffet.  The last couple of nights were not as nice, not because of the taste of the food but one night we waited for 45 minutes to get our appetizer and another night was 30 minutes to get dessert.  On our last night my husband ordered his meal and didn't get what was on the menu (ordered garlic shrimp on mashed potatoes with asparagus and got spicy shrimp on a rice/pea plate).  The outdoor barbecue was excellent and other than those instances our dining was good.  

Our room was tiny for 3. Inside room 10073.  Really, if you are a stickler on space, opt for a balcony.  Our stateroom service was fine. This was one ship where I didn't feel that the staff really got to know us.  Which is fine but it didn't seem as personalized.

We did the Xplor excursion from Cozumel.  If you get at all queasy, do not do this excursion!  It is a very rough ride to Playa del Carmen.  We did love the place.  We didn't do an excursion in Belize,  Outside the shopping area is kind of sketchy.  We got a cab to the West End beach and loved our time.  The Tabyana Beach is this one and we spent as much as if we would have booked it through the ship.  

There are no Broadway shows on the ship and I didn't think their singers were very good but enjoyed the shows.  The acrobat act and comedian were good.

Bingo made me mad.  I played the first night it was offered and they played one game.  I paid $50 to play one game and obviously didn't win.  I refused to play on subsequent nights.  

The NCAA finals were the week of our cruise and no one from the staff could tell us where to see it (many said to watch it on the television in our room or didn't know it was a basketball tournament).  When it aired it was on a small tv in a lounge.  In the meantime, we walked around back and forth to our room and the lounge to see if anything was airing.  

We enjoyed a massage at the spa.  Do the $139 special so that by the time your gratuity is added you pay the $179 original price.  

Now for the part about waiting.  We waited for hours for tenders to take us to and from port except for Cozumel.  It seemed like we waited for dining.  

I would say we had a good time but probably will choose a different boat to see if that makes a difference.  We cruise often, and seemed to be more at home on Royal Caribbean and Disney.  

Jade is an older ship and in need of some remodeling, but was clean and most of the staff was very nice. For the cost it was a great value. We picked a bad time to go because it was spring break and the ship was very crowded. We were told the ship is full at around 2600 and there were 3001 people on board.  All & all we had a good time. 

I felt that the customer service of many of the crew members was less than desirable. Called and requested ice the first evening aboard the ship, never received it.  I purchased 2 cabins that had 2 different cabin stewards assigned. The one argued with me and told me I had to go find the other one to answer my question. Changed cabin steward. We had 3 families that went and when we checked in each family was given different instructions at check in. Lack of organization when disembarking the cruise ship for cruise paid excursion, would call our group then tell us no, first time she called our group half of us were down the gangplank to board the tender before we were stopped by other members of our group and told she changed the group to go on that particular tender. Wait staff in Blue Lagoon and in the Grand Pacific were less than desirable, most nights in Grand Pacific we were not even offered drinks. The one night one table in our group was offered and received drinks and we were not. Several statements were made that for several members of the crew it was there last cruise before vacation. In my opinion that was evident. Mario our 2nd cabin steward was wonderful! We finally just finished our "formal" dining in the Alizar, where the wait staff was attentive to passengers, the second night we were the bartender had already memorized our drink orders. Port calls were enjoyable staff on the docks were friendly. "Washy-Washy" who was spraying hand sanitizer was fun.

Nothing great, just a time to rest and relax. No good shows, no good activities. NCL was even charging us for room service now. The cruise staff were all wonderful as always. Just an OK nofrills cruise.

We loved the food and the dining options.  The gift shop was overpriced and the  staff was not knowledgeable or helpful. Our cabin was clean and the beds were comfortable, but our steward was grumpy and acted as if we were a nuisance rather than guests. The tenders used to get on and off the ship were way too pokey. 

The nightly shows were better than I have seen on other ships. they were great for adults and even my kids were mesmerized! The ports of call were not as nice as eastern Caribbean islands I have visited. I will never go on another cruise with tendering, as I would just skip the poor operation. twice we we were tendered rather than the one time they notified us about and to make it more confusing each time they tendered they handled the entire operation differently. the first time it didn't matter if you waited inline for 2 hours early, you left at the same time as someone who just showed up. the second time we showed up at the advertised time and weren't scheduled to leave for HOURS!! I missed the unique food options that I could choose on the Carnival cruises. There were not many activities to do with children lest you place them in the daycare.  

5 of us went on the Norwegian Jade for our Senior Spring break. We made so many friends (both crew and other cruisers) and couldn't have asked for it to go any better. I have never been on a cruise as an adult (only as a 10 year old with my mom and dad) and this was such a great first cruise! We stayed on the 4th floor in an interior cabin. The price was unbeatable. I'm sure staying in a suite with a balcony or window would be awesome, but we didn't really want to spend any time in our room, and we really didn't! The club upstairs (Spinnaker's) was very fun and we frequented it every night (Special shout out to Roy, our favorite cocktail server!) Our second favorite activity on board was watching Carlos play the guitar in the lounge. Carlos is FABULOUS and was by far the most talented person we met on board. (Another special shout out to Oliver the bartender at the Martini bar for being awesome and fun!) 

The food was extravagant as well. As college students, you can imagine we spend a lot of time trying to stay fed, and this was an awesome experience because it was always unlimited! (Unlimited food in college is equivalent to an "I love you" from your significant other :P) Our favorite appetizers included the Brie sticks from Alizars, the french onion soup (to die for) amongst many others. Favorite entrees include Prime rib from Alizars and Lamb from Grand pacific. Desserts: Tiramisu and Warm chocolate volcano (available every night :P). We also greatly enjoyed that the Blue Lagoon was always open for the late night post-club food run. Over all, the waiters were all so friendly and very deserving on the service tip. The only thing I could've asked for is that the tip fee be included in the initial payment, because by the time you visit 3 countries and drink all the delicious drinks on board, your budget has been WAY overshot! 

The room was always very nice and clean, our stuff never tampered with and a cute little towel animal waiting for us! the itineraries were given out in a timely fashion for everyone to make decisions about the next days activities. 

We wish we would've made it to karaoke, it sounded very fun, but the trivia offered was great (shout out to Ricky!!), and so were all the shows! we only made it to a couple, but I heard they were all great. 

The only things we weren't too fond of was how long it took to get off the boat at ports. It took a solid hour - 2 hours to get to where you were going and if you didn't book an excursion through the cruise, you could very well miss it. 

These things didn't at all take away from our experience though. We would definitely book another cruise with the Norwegian Jade staff and crew. 

We hope to see you all again!

Love, The CSU girls!

We just returned from this cruise on the Norwegian Jade. We will never sail with MCL again!  The ship didn't have enough to do and with 2 days at sea back to back, we were so bored, we wanted to get off early! The staff know little English which made communication past "hi" difficult. The tendering in Belize was a nightmare and disembarcation was even more disorganized!  Bottom line, go with Royal Carribean!

Exceptionally clean, sound proof staterooms, friendly and accommodating staff, loved food in the Garden Cafe - great selection and available most of the day. Con: took a long time to disembark for the on-shore excursions, especially at Cozomal.

Sailing on the NCL Jade was a wonderful, relaxing and fun time!  The staff was amazing!  They were friendly, positive and very energetic.  Always eager to help in any way and with a smile!  This was my daughter's first time to cruise and she fell in love with this cruise line and the entire experience!

The food was excellent at the specialty restaurants and the staff really went the extra mile to make sure we enjoyed our meals.  

The Cooking excursions in Cozumel was exceptional!  The chef and his staff really were so much fun!  Our kyacking and snorkeling in Honduras instructors were so patient and helpful!  This was our first time snorkeling and we fell in love with it!  

I would highly recommend this cruise line and the Jade.  

we had a nice vacation with NCL Jade, the food was good, room service was great, shore excursions by NCL was definitely pricy, but nice on board activities

The Officers and crew of the Norwegian Jade were extremely professional, and attentive.  The food in the restaurants that my friend and I experienced was wonderful, and last but not least, the excursions were the best I have ever experienced on a cruise! 

The stateroom steward was excellent, and the ship is beautiful!  We met a lot of new friends to plan future cruises with, and the embarkation and disembarkation were the most organized I have ever experienced!  We were so thankful for the concern of the crew, and their reminders of sanitation all around the ship.  "Washy, washy, happy, happy!"  Everyone onboard the Jade (passengers and crew) were always happy and smiling!

Way to go, NCL!!!

This was the 2nd cruise that my husband & I took & it was the best ever.   The food was the best ever.  

We had some very noisy disrespectful neighbors & that was not pleasant.

I called Jo Ann on Saturday and after talking she was suppose to get us off the ship We could not get a hold of her. It was the worst trip ever. We met 2 other couples that were mad also on the rooms they got....using you. We tried to get Jo Ann no answer then no service. The room was a closet and was dirty. I took pictures of it. I was told my room would have a loveseat and a chair. I had 3 drawers and a closet the size of a locker. The bathroom was so small my husband could hardly use it. We had poop on the door frame of the toilet. I will never us NCL again and I will never use again. We were going on a cruise  next fall with2 other couples...not with NCL or you.. Like I said it was terrible and I as never so glad to get home. I cried because I was so upset.

Our room was so bad and I complained to the service desk that the Captain came to our room and then sent us strawberries and a bottle of  wine. Saying he was so sorry. He also hugged me and told me not to cry. He said he was going to contact you.?????

 Thanks for a terrible cruise..We saved for it for 5 years and got this.

Sharon Butchart  

I

The room was adequate.  Mattress had a dip in it.  Towels were not very soft.

Room attendant was good.  The food was good.  Restaurant choices good.

The gym was crowded and children were in the gym working out.  I had to go to the spa area to find someone to ask the children to leave.  Activities during the day were lacking.  The shows at night were very good.  I loved the comedian, the magician and the dancers and singers.  The Elements show was fantastic.

We had a great cruise and NCL is our preferred cruising line.  One thing that bothered my husband....he gambles and this is the first cruise ever (on any cruise line) where he has not been offered a drink (soda/water/alcohol) while playing.  He spent several hours every night in the casino and it is usual practice to serve a drink to players.

My sister and I were taking our annual year-long cruise, and decided to sail out of Houston on the Norwegian Jade.

Beautiful ship.  Well-appointed with great amenities.  Lots of choices of where to eat, though not a huge variation in the menu unless you pay to go to the speciality restaurants.  

Lots of nitpicky charges for everything--the drink package was outlandish--would have been around $500 for the week if I'd bought it. I was unfortunate to have missed the free package because I booked two days too late (though it was still being advertised on every website on my date of booking).  Every individual drink purchased was charged an 18% gratuity, and they had the nerve to leave another line on the signature receipt in case you wanted to leave an ADDITIONAL tip.  So, a glass of wine could start out at $11 (when you could purchase the bottle for that much at the grocery store).  Wifi packages were really high for not a lot of internet time.  Pictures taken by ship photographers were $15+ for 1 print.  $15 corking fee per bottle of wine brought on the ship.  Room service is $7.95 plus 18% gratuity (when it's free elsewhere).  I found myself indignantly refusing to purchase certain things just due to the fact that the prices were outlandish.  Ironically, I spent less money onboard on this cruise than I have on any other cruise I've taken.  Probably would have spent more money had I not felt nickeled and dimed to death. 

Crew was very accommodating, though not as "fun" as I've experienced with cruiselines like Carnival.  

The only show I attended on board was "Elements," which was the best show I've ever seen on a cruise ship.  It has dance, illusion, aerials, and acrobatics.  There's something for everyone in that show.  

One thing that I didn't care for was the abundance of college students, which I don't guess could have been helped.  There was a group of around 100+ students from Baylor and TCU that, to our chagrin, had the same week for Spring Break.  I don't begrudge their good time, but hated that they had to have it at the expense of others.  When dancing at the Spinnaker Lounge, the music had to be stopped several times because one of them brought liquor on the dance floor.  Inevitably, someone spilled their drink, and everything had to stop so that the drink could be cleaned up.  While dancing, I was nearly knocked down every couple of minutes by one of the heavily intoxicated college students on the overcrowded floor (probably populated 10-1: college students to everyone else).  

Over all the trip away from home was good--since I was able to escape reality for at least a week.  I was quite disappointed with the food/quality/temperature/options on the cruise.  The room and it's cleanliness wasn't over the top.  Cozumel was good, Belize was not good, and Honduras was great!  

Great cruise and great service.  Our entire family had a great vacation on board the Jade.  The staff was wonderful and went above the call of duty.  

I wish they had more areas where you can fill your water bottle.  Our family does not drink alcohol or pop.