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brilliant holiday
Reviewed By: smith, sheffield on 24th Aug 2008
Cruise Line: NCL Cruises	Times cruised before: 1-2
Cruise Ship: Norwegian Jade	Sailed: August, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 36-45

We set of from Sheffield on the 9th August to Southampton to sail around the med on the Jade, we had cruised before with P&0 Oceana etc, I was a little apprehensive because of all the negative comments that I had read on various internet boards. There were four of us including our two teenage daughters, we arrived at 11-30am and were on board within 45 mins. We found the embarkation quick and efficiant and the staff very friendly. Once on board we were offerred free champagne which we duly accepted. Our cabins were ready within 20 mins and our suitcases arrived an hour later. We were in a balconey room on deck 9 and our children were in a inside cabin also on deck 9. Our cabin was more than adequate for space we had a large very comfy bed, decent size bathroom, TV, telephone, coffee maker and we loved the balconey, the kids room was also spacious and their bathroom was quite big. Soon after finding our cabins the staff who would be cleaning our rooms introduced themselves, they were friendly and nothing was to much for them, they worked really hard and I have no complaints about them what so ever. Its a shame that a lot of people in this country havnt got the work ethic that they had. The staff throughout the ship, from the cleaners to the waiters in the bars and restaurants, to the reception staff, all the staff in the casino were excellent, they truly know the meaning of customer service. It was their attitude and dedication to the customer that made our holiday even more memorable. The attitude of other customers I will mention later Some restaurants were better than others, and you do have to pay a little extra in 10 of the 13 restaurants. The one restaurant that was consistantly good was the Alizar, the food was excellant and the service was to a high standard. The quality of the food ranged from Lobster Tails to pasta dishes and steak etc, food for all tastes. In this restaurant we heard one women (British) that her coffee was to weak, in a restaurant where over 300 people dine every night, it was sadly one of many cringing moments where you over heard someone complaining over nothing Our favourate restaurant was the Jasmine, the food was to die for and their was four courses for an extra 15 dollers £8, we didnt go in the restaurant until the second week, so we only ate there three times. Other ones were Cagneys and the Italian which were good, but I did expect betterf rom Caneys, the food was on par with Alizar and for an extra 20 dollers per head you accpect better. We ate in the garden cafe for breakfast and dinner there were different selections of food Asian, English Salads, Fruit etc, but it was always busy, that said we always found somewhere to sit. We didnt go on any excurions because we found it to expensive, but in Rome we got the train there and back for less than 20 euros, we had a really good day there but only just made it back to the ship with 20 mins spare. One couple missed the last train and had to get a taxi which cost over 300 euros, and another couple missed the ship altogether, it set of without them but they got a local with a boat to sail out, the Jade slowed down and they were able to get on board but this cost them 2000 euros each. We enjoyed all ports, and in most they put on free shuttle bus's to take you into town. There was always something to do on this ship, always an activity, my daughter went to the gym and said it had excellent facilities. Both my kids loved this cruise, ever night without fail they went to the shows and really enjoyed them, We cant comment because we never went but for both of them to rave about them says a lot to me. We spent most evenings in the casino after we had eaten and some nights were better than others, depending on weather we won or not. The one complaint I have was about the other winging passengers, the complaints I heard were , 1. As mentioned the women complaining her coffeee was to weak. 2. Another guy asked to see a manager the reason was there wasnt a glass in his cabin, and his poor wife had to drink out of a can, You had to hear this to believe it. 3. Another women told me all the food was like slop, she actually said I was on the Ocean Village last year and the food was far better (Ocean Village the bargain basement of cruises) 4. And on the last day there was a queue of Brits all lined up at reception getting their sur charge taken opf their bill, and for the most feeble of exuces. I was happy to pay this what is in effect a tip because the service was excellent far better than I have had before on a cruise. Unfortunatly this cruise was full of people trying to punch above their weight, I could say more but I wont. We enjoyed this cruise and will be going again in the not to distant future.
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Shore Excursions	n/a

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Comment by Minett, Kirkby-in-Ashfield (24 Sep 08 10:04) about this REVIEW.

Glad you had a great cruise jus what I want to hear as we are considering similar 2009 with 17 and 11 year old boys I was interested to read about cabins I thought under 21 were not allowed in their own cabin I would like my boys together as do not think we could cope all in one cabin am I wrong ?

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Comment by smith, sheffield (26 Sep 08 20:04) about a COMMENT by Minett (24 Sep 08 10:04)

Your boys will be able to share a cabin, however on paper it will show one of your boys with you and the other with your wife. When you get on though you and your wife share. Its something to do with legalities US style, but dont worry your boys will be able share a room. Hope you have a good holiday, its a good ship, esp for families

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Opinion: Agree Comment by MacDonald, Dundee (25 Aug 08 20:11) about this REVIEW.

Thank goodness I have found someone who thinks along the same lines as us!! We are first time cruisers who had an excellent trip on the Jade which was only spoiled by the unnecesary complaining of other British guests.

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Opinion: Agree Comment by thomas, winford (24 Aug 08 23:49) about this REVIEW.

I too went on this cruise with my family of 16.I agree with most of the things you say, the food was excellent in the pay eateries and good in the non pay but i feel that ncl should sort out the entertainment.Even the most generous of views would say that it would ok but no more.The ship is much better than the early reviews suggest, the staff are excellent.You know it is very difficult to please all of the people all of the time!Having spoken to the senior staff on board they will admit that the ship had its problems in early summer but most of the gremlins are out of the system now.I would recommend this ship to anybody looking for a relaxed cruise with little or none of the usual cruise fomalities.if you are a p&o type person thn dont book this cruise if you you are an ocean village type but want a bit more except the entertainment then book this cruise.

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