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Mini - Cruise - Jade getting more Jaded |
| Reviewed By: Lindsay, Newport on Tay on 30th Jun 2008 |
| Cruise Line: NCL Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Norwegian Jade |
Sailed:
June,
2008 |
| Destination: Mini Cruises |
Age: 46-55 |
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Having previously cruised with NCL we were fully aware of what to expect, our last NCL cruise was on the Jewel, on the Jewel we had the luxury of a suite and all the perks that go with this (queue jumping, restuarant bookings assured, preferential restuarants for breakfast etc.) this time we were in an outside cabin deck 9, with balcony. We booked this cruise as it was such a good offer, even considering we had to fly down from Edinburgh to Southampton for the two days! Also just to get us in a good mood for our main holiday in five weeks time on the Ventura (although reading the reveiws I'm getting worried). Back to the Jade - embarkation was not too bad, although I have read some other comments and would agree you did have to go from one queue to another, check in, lounge, security, then stand in the walkway, whilst crew escorted the suite passengers past us, not complaining as I have previoiusly enjoyed this priviage (by paying for it). But we were on board by 12.15 and having lunch in the buffet but too full for my liking. We also managed to book at this time and only just made it for getting our preferred reservations for the speciality restaurants, Bistro on the first night and Cagneys on the last night.More on these later.
We were soon in our cabin, actual cabin size was ok the shower room, toilet was very tight at the WC, OK for a short cruise, but too small in reality. Cabin was clean but carpet could have done with another hoover, dirty finger marks on the glass balcony doors and mirrors from previous occupants. Compared to our experiences mainly on P & O and Cunard not as sharp as you would expect.
Dinner in the Bistro was very good, although almost the same menu as on the Bistro on the Jewel two years ago (mushroom soup served in sour dough bun), but the food was worth the extra surcharge. I know others will disagree but you know before sailing if you want to enjoy these restaurants then you have to pay extra.
Gave the show a miss on both nights as it did not appeal to us.
Casino staff very friendly, Casino good size four times the size you will find on a P &O ship.
Le Harve just as expected, we used a taxi 8 euro from ship to city centre, simply to avoid the queues waiting to go on. We did try and get on the bus for the return trip, despite being about second in the queue, when the bus arrived, partly filled it was instantly filled by queue jumping pushing people, desperate to get back to the ship for lunch - we just a taxi again and had a tour of the city with a friendlly driver for 8 euros - well worth it.
Dinner the second night was in Cagneys - again like the Bistro worth every penny of the surcharge.
Downsides on the ship - Blue Lagoon - service was apalling give this a miss.
Service in Grand Pacific at breakfast rather slow, in fact very very slow. Second day they could not cook poached eggs! but managed to do kippers!!
What does NCL want from doing mini cruises - if the reason is to attract those virgin cruisers then they are definitely going about it the wrong way, this will put them off for ever.
If you get a good deal then go for it but for people who prefer the P&O or Cunard style then perhaps the Jade is not for you.
Finally like some other reports on this mini cruise my wife also took ill on the last night and morning of leaving the ship.
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