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Overall enjoyable cruise on Norwegian Jade |
| Reviewed By: Lawson, Wakefield 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 |
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We have just returned from an enjoyable cruise on the Norwegian Jade around the Western Med. We arrived at Southampton around 11.00am and were on board by 11.45. Our cabin was ready just after lunch and was compact but comfortable. We had a good inside cabin on deck 10. Only had to either go up 2 decks to the pool or down 3 to the restaurants. The Jade hasn't got the wow factor of some other ships but overall is a very nice ship.
The meals in the main 2 restaurants were very good by and large but I must say got a bit repetitive over 14 days. We later ate in Papas Italian which was very good and ate 3 times in Le Bistro. This restaurant was excellent. We ate before 6.30 to get the 2 for 1 offer. Some people may miss having the same waiter each evening.
We were looking forward to the ports of call on the cruise but having sailed through the Bay of Biscay whilst it was fairly rough I would choose to fly direct to the Med in future. The tours from the cruise ship were prohibitely expensive as we were traveling as a family of 4. We had booked 3 tours independently on the internet before we sailed. The best trip we went on was a private limo to Rome with a private guide of St Peters. (Romeinlimo.com). This cost us 500 euros plus 80 for the private guide. The ship offered the same tour at a price of £1825. A bit beyond our budget. We did a Jeep Safari in Lisbon for a full day, again a lot less than the ship (1/2 day).
Drinks on the ship were very expensive and the 15% service charge shouldn't be charged when you go to the bar yourself. The pool area was very crowded, especially the days at sea, and with around 800 children on board was very noisy. The children monopolised this area, and I could imagine this would not suit a lot of people.
The entertainment on the evening show ranged from poor to very good. I know they have to cater for different tastes but should be of a certain standard. Smokey Joes Cafe was my favourite along with the illusionist. Eugine (the guitar, the voice) played music each day around the pool and was very good the 1st time you heard him, but played the same 10 songs each time.
The art auction was very interesting. There was 7 Rembrandt etches for sale, but were too expensive for most people. I later found out they had sold 4 during the cruise.
As mentioned in earlier reviews people cancelled the service charge $10 each per day. This i find very disappointing as you know before you cruise there is a service charge. This cost us $35 per day and the cabin staff, waiters, kitchen staff etc worked very hard. Because of the Freestyle concept you have different waiters each night, therefore this system, I feel, is the best way of tipping the staff.
Disembarking at Southampton was ok and were in our car within 15 minutes.
Overall an enjoyable cruise, and would consider cruising with NCL again.
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