Norwegian Jade Cruise Reviews - Reviews

This would have been the perfect cruise if it wasn't for "free" perks that we still ended up getting charged for in full. Our first night at dinner, our waiter told us that because we had "PRTY" on our room key, that means we get all the free drinks we want. So we ordered a glass of wine. He proceeded to tell an elderly couple near our table the same thing after he also saw on the room key "PRTY". They were as pleasantly surprised as we were. We were told by both RCI and NCL that we were allowed up to $15 per person, per day on drinks. To our shock at the end of our dinners - us and the couple nearby - the waiter came back insisting we sign a receipt that charges us IN FULL for our drinks! The elderly couple nearby went ahead and signed theirs. After what happened in the spa, I made a big stink about what the waiter did, leading us to believe that we could order any drink for free, then at the end of our dinner insisting we sign a receipt that we agree to pay for our drink in full. We refused to sign as we believed the waiter. The waiter finally reversed the charge. We never returned to that restaurant again! The cruise next desk, I only inquired on an Asia cruise and the matching $250 cruise next certificate NCL was offering while sailing. Next thing I know, I receive a message from my bank letting me know of a $1000.00 credit card charge. Then I find out the cruise next desk went ahead and booked me for the cruise, unbeknownst to me and unauthorized to charge my credit card. I had to wait in line the next day to reverse the charge and cancel the Asia cruise since my husband and I hadn't really decided on it yet. The cruise next rep told me I could gift any of the certificates if I can't use them. I. WAS. LIVID! I had the guy cancel everything out and told him I just want ONE cruise next certificate. I took our cruise week for that $1000.00 charge to clear out.

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. 

Brilliant itinerary, good excursions and very good ship.

It was just what l expected, no complaints or surprises

Although our itinerary was absolutely fantastic, NCL as a company is completely inept. I will not ever cruise with them again. The flight that were included in our fare were a mess and we missed planes there and back due to too tight connections. Their insunrace declined our claim. Our friends (along with 90 other people) missed embarkation due to these terrible flights and had to hop on at the first port which was a disaster. There was no plan and no care about this situation. Without my husband advocating and putting immense pressure on NLC they would have been left higher and dry in Israel.

A lovely ship which links the old-style NCL Ships to the new, have great memories onboard and loved it just as much as before. A great ship and amazing destinations!

Cape Town the best by far, cruise itinerary lacking. Significant gastro / food poisoning illness on board, which NCL tried to cover up

Fantastic experience going to Cape Town & South Africa, did as much as we could highly recommend it.

A truly life changing cruise for the culture and wildlife

The ship is in fine shape. The crew are working hard and friendly. The ship was very clean and good hygiene habits were strongly encouraged. There wasn't a ton of activities but this is a port intensive cruise. We got to see some amazing bucket list places. Unfortunately, my husband came down with covid while on the ship but it may have been from the plane.

I want to indicate that after 30/45 minutes later your ship docked to the Port.I highly recommend you to meet ur guides or drivers , So, you might beat the crowds and hot weather in order to have a better experience during your Tours or travellings around the city. So, you might beat the crowds and hot weather in order to have a better experience during your Tours

Nice ship , great crew . Recommend booking excursions early … some ports like Kefalonia , no taxis , nothing

Gorgeous scenery and warm friendly people in Greece. Also great food and shopping. The ship was beautiful. Excellent staff. Great shows.

We enjoyed most things about the cruise. We enjoyed the ship. The food was good to excellent. Unfortunately, two ports were so far away we decided against traveling into the city. Missed seeing BanI am not sure the visit to Cambodia was worth the price of the VISA. May visit Cambodia again visit other areas. Recently saw an article in the New York Times that identified Kampot Cambodian as one of 53 places a tourist should visit. Kampot is only an hour away from Sihanoukville. Had we known that we would have arranged to visit there. Missed seeing Bangkok and Kula Lampur. Enjoyed staying overnight in two ports. I wish we had stayed overnigh in Phuket. There was a lot there to enjoy. Go, enjoy. Focus on the positives and let go of the minor annoyances.

Keeping a travel log helped me remember things about each port as after the 6th or 7th one they all seem to merge together. Our group thoroughly enjoyed this cruise - this is our first one so we don't have anything to compare against but I would not hesitate to cruise Norwegian Line again. There were not many young families on board; I don't think the Jade caters for young children like other ships do. Beware the Spa - can turn out to be very expensive. Enjoy yourself, it's why you're there.

well it's wad wonderful getting ready for my next one,hopefully the next one will be ad good as the jade

We loved our 10 night cruise with every port being a good port. The ship was very clean with the staff in good spirits and very happy which always makes for a good cruise. Best restaurant and food to be found is the French restaurant the steak was the best ever onboard a ship. The rest of the food was very good with one exception the English bacon in the buffet. The shows good but getting old and music would not be everyone’s taste. This our second time on Jade and would go again.

The food was great. The staff was wonderful the ship was clean. We had lots of fun. The pool parties were great. There’s lots of space to sit outside.

Cruises the NCL Jade on January 10th (5 day western Caribbean) I was so surprised that the ship felt bigger than it is, yet it was not too crowded. The food was excellent both in the main dining/buffet and also the specialty dining. I had an issue with the cabin next door arguing late at night. Called Guest Services and they took care of the issue within minutes. Our cabin was also one of the cleanest cabins so far in all our cruises!

I would certainly recommend and would have no problem sailing on The Jade again.