Norwegian Jade Cruise Reviews - Reviews

After a four year hiatus, we choose to take the Norwegian Jade cruise from Venice. We chose NCL as we’d cruised once before with them so knew what we’d get and this cruise as it departed from Venice and had an interesting, varied itinerary a little off the ‘beat and track’ such as Split in Croatia and Ephesus in Turkey.

As we’d done before on prior cruise, we’d arrived in Venice a few days beforehand so had created a little mini-break holiday really getting to explore the city and area first. If you can find the time then you won’t be disappointed having at least a whole day in Venice, ideally 2 or 3.

As the Jade is one of NCL’s ‘Jewel class ships, we found our way around easily having been on the Gem last cruise. We did feel that the passengers on this cruise had fewer youngsters and teens than a prior cruise from Barcelona, but that may be just the dates we cruised.

The food and services on board were just as we’d experienced before on the Gem, so we were happy with the quality and overall value that NCL provides. That said, we did have one waiter one evening in the main dining room who was very curt and sloppy. Otherwise, we had great service from all other NCL crew, considering their workload in the dining areas their front of house team really work hard to serve.

The stops at Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia were real eye-openers. In the summer weather, what we saw of these cities and the surrounding Croatian countryside and coast was glorious. They’re very much on our ‘go-back-again’ list.

If you take a tour to Ephesus then you’ll most likely get some hawkers selling sweets and souvenirs as soon as you arrive before entering the archaeological site. Try to resist buying then as you’ll then be burdened with carrying it all the rest of you tour and especially that when you leave the site, you’re at another location where there’s a mini market area with plenty of stalls and more hawkers selling same merchandise for less!

When you disembark in Venice, if you have a late evening flight, then take advantage of a luggage service offered there. For about €15 you can leave your luggage right there, get water bus into central Venice for the day and then head to the airport where they will have already transported your cases to their pick up facility just outside the terminal.

lThe Jade was smaller than the other NCL ships I've been on. My cabin steward was a lovely woman who tried to meet my every need. The food was bad news, good news. The bad news was that the food was not satisfying and not worthy of a cruise ship. The good news is that I didn't gain as much weight as on my previous cruises.

We just returned from the Mediterranean itinerary (June 2012) and left from Venice on a back to back cruise (15 day cruise). Out of all the other cruises we have taken this by far had the best food. (We have been on a few Carnival cruises, Princess Cruise and Royal Caribbean cruise lines) For example, the fresh pineapple tasted just like Hawaii, the meats ...my husband loved his steak! The shopping on the ship was less than desirable for me as an AVID cruise ship shopper. Mostly items you can find in typical mall and some jewelry lines from large city malls only. If this is your first time to Italy and Mediterranean and you love to shop, pay attention!...IF you see something you like, get it for you won't likely find it (at least I haven't and I live in Las Vegas) in the states. For example, my husband purchased a Byzantine jewelry piece for me and I have spent hours online and went to the local major casino's and found non it's equal...not even close. I enjoy a good negotiation for prices and believe me, don't expect much if any during your journey. I don't know if it's previous cruisers who ruined it for everyone else or what the case but, never hurts to try. ;-) I have to wonder if the water is that incredibly smooth during this time of year. It was ASTOUNDING...never seen water so incredibly smooth. Best description was picture the most luscious smooth silk you have ever seen, now drape it on your bed with a hint of ripple and no joke, that is how beautiful the water was. Later in the trip it was slightly choppy looking but appeared mostly from the wind. Only for a couple hours one evening was the first time we ever felt any sway like feeling, other than that you never knew you were on a ship so to speak. If you have kids (my sister brought her "tween" daughter) and they loved the pool. Interestingly enough, we don't have kids and really didn't see very many. In fact, tho the ship was full of people I often wondered where in the world they were! As far as smoking goes, as an American I am not used to being around it and was a bit concerned when I found out they do allow it on this ship in certain areas. Turns out there is only 2 places to smoke, the casino and on deck 12 on the port side. (PLEASE SEE COMMENT ON STATEROOM QUALITY: A MUST!)

It seems the buisness plan is to cheapen the Maibn dining to get you to pay for other options. The cabins were the smallest my wife and I have experienced out of six other cruises. The shows were rather like high school performances.

The ship was clean, the crew friendly & helpful. The stateroom was comfortably spacious including the balconyNumerous places to eat good food. Nice pool area.Great mix of travelers. .

The ship was big, but not too big. It was beautiful in decor and so clean.

The ship was in good condition. I was in a mini suite. I actually put the coffee table on the balcony to make more space in the room. The port calls were nice and the ship got us there on time. Disappointed in the food in the buffets.

The Norwegian Jade is excellent. It is clean, easy to get around on and has lots to do.

The Norwegian Jade is a sister ship to the Jewel which I've been on twice. So finding my way around was super easy. The food is really good (and I can be very picky) but I always had something to eat that I thoroughly enjoyed. I only went to a specialty restaurant once on this cruise (Nov 16-26 to Greece, Turkey, Egypt) but I've been to the others before on the Jewel and thought the food was delicious then. The staff is one of the best parts of cruising with NCL. They are really nice people. I was able to have dinner with the Hotel Director, Armando da Silva (who has since moved to another ship :( and he was an absolute delight! Gary the cruise Director was simply awesome, not to mention the Captain and all the many others (like Mercedes and JJ) that make sailing on the Jade an enjoyable experience even for solo travelers. I plan on going back in the Spring.

I took the Jade on it's last Voyage for the year to Greece, Turkey and Egypt. So please not this isn't referencing the Canary Islands (though I plan on doing this itinerary in a few months) --- I didn't have anything fancy room wise, but I had a window cabin to let in some light and I was quite satisfied. I've sailed on the Jewel twice and as it's a sister ship to the Jade I was able to find my way around easily. --- I'm in my 30's and married but decided to make this a solo vacation. I've traveled solo around the world but never on a cruise, so I really didn't know what it would be like. In one word it was excellent. --- There's plenty to do (and not do) if you're so inclined. It's also a very pleasant atmosphere it doesn't feel rowdy and at the same time doesn't feel dull either. A good balance of fun and relaxation. --- The ports of call were exciting and I had no trouble at any of them, both where I used NCL for excursions and made them on my own. --- I LOVE, being able to dine alone without assigned seating. You also have the choice of sharing a table if you choose, so it's great for those that like flexibility.

Norwegian had rave reviews and lent a hand in my selection although the reviews I read all said the food left a lot to be desired. I did not find this to be the case at all and in fact was more pleased with the free dining than the specialty restaurants. Gary, the cruise director was exceptional! All staff members (from the directors holding signs at the port, to check-in, to housekeeping, to cooks, to performers, to luggage holding after debarkation) were the friendliest and most plesant group of people imaginable. The casino options were fantastic and there was so much to do that no single part of the ship was overcrowded and almost no lines for anything. For travellers comfortable navigating in new places, I'd strongly recommend making your own adventure at ports; my boyfriend and I pre-booked an excursion for each stop and although 2 of them were exceptional, 2 were fairly poor. For the cost it wasn't worth it to us but the convenience and set up for excursions is rather nice, regardless of the itinerary. The staff made it very easy to be in the right place at the right time and the excursions promote a stress-free vacation since all you have to remember to do is wake up in the morning!

The food was a disappointment. Quality varied all over the place from unacceptable to very good. Portions were sometimes ridiculously small. Scallops served for a starter were about the size of a pea and there were maybe five of them. Being charged for a glass of juice at dinner seemed out of line when it was being provided to children for free. The water slide was useless, not enough water to keep even children moving. The wait staff in the dining rooms was not formal at all. They were intrusively gabby, didnt know even basics of formal service (such as serve from the left and remove from the right.) Even place settings were inconsistent in places, sometimes you got a bread plate, sometimes not etc. (In the same restaurant.) Room service was prompt at delivering our breakfast tray to our room except totally forgetting us one morning and then taking a half an hour to bring a carafe of coffee. Our in room coffee maker was not working that day. I spilled coffee on the provided robe and ask that it be washed. It was taken away and never returned.

Service lacking. When tipping is automatically withdrawn before hand there is no incentive for better service.

The ship was beautiful and immaculate. Our concierge and suite butler and other staff for the COurtyard Vernada Suites was awesome!

Embrakation: In Rome. Very smooth. In 10 minutes we were on the ship.

Public rooms: Modern and beautiful.

Dining: MDR: good.         buffet: average            specialty: excellent

Entertainment: sometimes average to good, sometimes excellent. There is too much music around the ship.

Ports: WOW

Disembrakation: very smooth, like embrakation.

7 day cruise western mediterennean 

Wonderful ship. NCL Jade was perfect for us. It did not have some of the gimmicks others have (rock climbing, surfing, etc.). What it did have was beautiful layout, comfortable decore, excellent dining facilities, beautiful theater. We'd definitely choose the Jade again.

Pleasant and helpful unless you have a problem and then they refuse to talk to you

I THOUGHT THIS CRUISE WAS OBSCENE, THE WAY THEY TREATED THE PEOPLE ON BOARD WAS DISPICIBLE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SUCH A HORRID PLACE IN ALL MY LIFE. WOULD NOT RECCOMMEND THIS CRUISE TO ANYONE UNLESS THEY LIKE UNCOMFORTABLE BEDS, FOOD POISENING AND UNCLEAN TOILET FACILITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(

The ship was excellent. Boarding easy, Barcelona a great starting point. I am not familiar with the 6 star rating. It was not the best, In some cases excellent, But it was really good.

We were very pleased with this cruise. The crew was wonderful. Don't think we encountered anyone that was unpleasant. Our room was great and the bed was so comfortable. We had a mini-suite which was a good size for myself and husband and teenage son. It was wonderful to have the balcony as well. The entertainment was fantastic. I even went to one show twice I liked it so well. My son really enjoyed the teen program and participated with it every day. We really liked most of the ports. Our favorite was Funchal and Malaga. We did do some of the shore excursions offered by the ship. The quality of them I think depends on how good your guide is. We had a great one in Casablanca but some of our friends didn't get a guide that was as good and therefore didn't care for that stop as much as we did. There are a lot of extra costs but we kind of expected that so no big surprise. I probably would not have done the soda package for myself and husband if I had realized that water and iced tea were included in the cruise price. It was not bottled water but it was fine and the iced tea was really good. We didn't end up using the soda package very much. We only ate at 2 speciality restaurants, Cagneys and the Tex-mex place. They were both really good but Cagneys was exceptional. Probably the best steak I have ever eaten. The other restaurants were good also. We really enjoyed the buffet too. Better than most buffet food. Overall, we loved the cruise and look forward to booking our next one with NCL.