Jade Review (1/30-2/6)

Hi All,

This was my 9th cruise, and my 4th with NCL. We chose the Jade for a few reasons. Since it's a sister ship of the Gem and we've been on the Gem twice, we wanted to experience the Jade. The port was different for us. We never sailed out of Houston and lastly, the price was amazing! We booked a 2 bedroom family suite in the haven and were 3 adults and 2 children. This was our third suite in the Haven and 4th suite experience with NCL overall.

We book with NCL strictly for the suite perks. We have sailed on a suite with Royal and they can't even touch NCL. We read a lot of the bad reviews before embarking but we know to always manage our expectations. Our expectations are in the Haven all will always be good and outside of the haven, mediocre to sometimes excellent.

The ship was very well maintained. The food was excellent except for the main dinning room on Italian night! We ate in Le Bistro twice, Cagney's once, and Teppenyaki once. We went to the main dinning room one night and the food wasn't great. The lasagna smelled and tasted like Chef Boyardee. The service though in the main dinning room was really, really great. Out waiter (wish I remembered his name) was so attentive and wonderful. He made sure to feed the kids first and that was a really great help. When he noticed we weren't eating our meals, he offered to get us anything we wanted but we really wanted to catch the show so we ended dinner and rushed over to the theater. We also ate at the smaller dinning room and whatever night that was, the food was decent. I am a New Yorker and we have access to the best food in the world. Overall the food in the specialty restaurants was a 9 or even 10. The main dinning room food on the "good" night was an 8 and the other "Italian" night was a 5 but the service was a stellar 10!

The entertainment was surprisingly good. The elements show was really amazing.

Omar, the concierge was the best concierge we ever had. He was really friendly and approachable. Everyone loved him! He came out on stage during the last show and the Haven and Suite section of the theater went crazy! I could hear people behind me saying how he spoiled them and now they can never go back to a regular room.

Out butler was so so. I don't think he understood English very well but he got us our breakfast and that is all we really cared about. We ordered from the main dinning room one night and he served us in courses. The food that night was good too (forgot about that one).

If you haven't done a cruise in a suite on NCL, try it out. You may even get an awesome deal out of Houston before they move the Jade permanently. You will not be disappointed.

I can't really comment on anything else unless anyone has specific questions on what we did in Belize, Honduras, or Cozumel.

Hope this helps. :)

Will be on the Jade first week of April. We were disappointed that Harvest Cay was changed to Belize City. But thats what we are stuck with. Tendering seems to be a huge issue at that port. We will probably just do a ships excursion but was wondering what your thoughts were on the tendering there? Alot of problems or did it go smoothly?

We have always arrived at the port early to board but then you go through long lines and still have to wait an hour or two for the room to be ready. Sitting around a crowded buffet waiting has gotten old. Been on most of the main cruiselines and with the exception of HAL they are all the same. Question, have you boarded later, maybe around 1-130? If so was it quicker through check in or the same? I know suites get priority but we have had priority before and it wasn't any better. We have gone out of Houston once but on Princess and the experience was as described.

Thanks.

Thanks for your review and information! We are on the Jade Mar 12th. Only our 2nd cruise and first time on Norwegian & a suite. We have Omar too so very excited to hear your comments about him! On the Tendering, How quick to do think we can get off at Belize & Rotan? I'm looking at booking private tours so we can have more time on the island,(not having to wait on others to join the excursion)...Will having priority tendering make much of a difference?

We will be on the Jade in 18 days. It will be the same Itinerary as our last cruise so we may stay on the ship for Belize. I have already booked a private excursion for Roatan so I just have to figure out what to do in Cozumel. Have been there several times. What did you do when there? Trying to get some new ideas. We have been to Isla Passion twice, Nachi Cocom, Salsa, Salsa, Island Tour. We stayed in the Haven on the Epic in 2013 for our Anniversary. Will have to do another 2018 for our 40th.

Will be on the Jade first week of April. We were disappointed that Harvest Cay was changed to Belize City. But thats what we are stuck with. Tendering seems to be a huge issue at that port. We will probably just do a ships excursion but was wondering what your thoughts were on the tendering there? Alot of problems or did it go smoothly?

 

We have always arrived at the port early to board but then you go through long lines and still have to wait an hour or two for the room to be ready. Sitting around a crowded buffet waiting has gotten old. Been on most of the main cruiselines and with the exception of HAL they are all the same. Question, have you boarded later, maybe around 1-130? If so was it quicker through check in or the same? I know suites get priority but we have had priority before and it wasn't any better. We have gone out of Houston once but on Princess and the experience was as described.

 

Thanks.

We got there at 11 and went to the suite room and boarded about 30 minutes later. They take the suite guests right to Cagney's and rooms are ready by 1.

I have never boarded later than that. I would imagine that later may be better. At 11, it was hopping in there, lots of people, really busy.

Here's a tip...go to blue lagoon or the main dinning room for a leisurely lunch. Throw out your watch, explore the ship and enjoy your vacation. :)

The tendering wasn't great. I wont lie. Try to get on the first tenders if you can. We were with a tour and we waited around forever, then waited in line to get on the tender.

Thanks for your review and information! We are on the Jade Mar 12th. Only our 2nd cruise and first time on Norwegian & a suite. We have Omar too so very excited to hear your comments about him! On the Tendering, How quick to do think we can get off at Belize & Rotan? I'm looking at booking private tours so we can have more time on the island,(not having to wait on others to join the excursion)...Will having priority tendering make much of a difference?

Roatan was fine, no issues at all. Belize took forever. Try to get priority tickets and get off as soon as you can.

For Belize, if you are interested in the zoo, I heard you can contact the owner directly and she will take you on the tour herself and get you up close and personal with the animals. We did the excursion through the ship and it was 6 hours and we only got 1.5 hours at the zoo.

Will be on the Jade first week of April. We were disappointed that Harvest Cay was changed to Belize City. But thats what we are stuck with. Tendering seems to be a huge issue at that port. We will probably just do a ships excursion but was wondering what your thoughts were on the tendering there? Alot of problems or did it go smoothly?

 

We have always arrived at the port early to board but then you go through long lines and still have to wait an hour or two for the room to be ready. Sitting around a crowded buffet waiting has gotten old. Been on most of the main cruiselines and with the exception of HAL they are all the same. Question, have you boarded later, maybe around 1-130? If so was it quicker through check in or the same? I know suites get priority but we have had priority before and it wasn't any better. We have gone out of Houston once but on Princess and the experience was as described.

 

Thanks.

We were on this same cruise.

We arrived in the parking lot at 10:30. We were assigned boarding group #10 so thought we'd be waiting a long time. There were already lots of people sitting in the lobby. We got checked in quickly and prepared to wait. We were standing near the area where the line to board started because my wife was having back pain and didn't want to sit.

They announced that boarding would start at 11:30 but they actually started at 11:10. We kept joking with the gate agent to let us board early. He was very nice about it and let us board with group #7. We were on the ship at 11:30, dropped our carry-ons in our cabin, and went to get a drink. The cabins were ready by about 12:30 so we went and put our big bags in the cabin and went to eat lunch in the MDR, which was very uncrowded.

As for tendering in Belize, we were on a ship excursion. They seemed to be a little delayed getting started with tendering. We waited a long time (30 minutes or so) in the Theater before they called our group. They called Tender Group #1 and #2 while we were waiting in line and they were boarding at the same time we were. There were two tenders. It was going pretty fast.

In Roatan, it was about the same. We got off quickly on a ship excursion and tender groups were getting off at the same time. I think we could have booked a private excursion either place without a problem.

We will be on the Jade in 18 days. It will be the same Itinerary as our last cruise so we may stay on the ship for Belize. I have already booked a private excursion for Roatan so I just have to figure out what to do in Cozumel. Have been there several times. What did you do when there? Trying to get some new ideas. We have been to Isla Passion twice, Nachi Cocom, Salsa, Salsa, Island Tour. We stayed in the Haven on the Epic in 2013 for our Anniversary. Will have to do another 2018 for our 40th.

We did Mr. Sanchos in Cozumel! It was sooooooooooooo fun! I think it was $55 per person for unlimited food and drinks. You get your own waiter and he comes around constantly asking if you need anything. The food was really, really, really good!

We did Mr. Sanchos in Cozumel! It was sooooooooooooo fun! I think it was $55 per person for unlimited food and drinks. You get your own waiter and he comes around constantly asking if you need anything. The food was really, really, really good!

I just looked it up and it has a very high rating... sounds like something to try. Thanks for the heads up. :)

I was considering Mr. Sanchos. Do you remember what the cab fare was? I know is was $17 each way for Nachi Cocom & we were with another couple.

I was considering Mr. Sanchos. Do you remember what the cab fare was? I know is was $17 each way for Nachi Cocom & we were with another couple.

It was $26 each way.

We did Mr. Sanchos in Cozumel! It was sooooooooooooo fun! I think it was $55 per person for unlimited food and drinks. You get your own waiter and he comes around constantly asking if you need anything. The food was really, really, really good!

We are considering Mr. Sancho's for our March cruise but are concerned that we don't get off the ship until 11. Assuming your timing was the same, did you have any issues getting good chairs at that time? How long were you there? Long enough to make the all inclusive worth it? We are also considering the pay as you go option but would probably just do Paradise Beach in that case.

I am enjoying reading through this. DH and I were on the same cruise - and had a very nice time (our second NCL cruise).

Our experience on tendering was the same: Belize was not much fun at all, while Roatan was fine.

We re-visited Paradise Beach in Cozumel ($8 each person by taxi, each way). Last time we were there was in 2005 and it has spread out considerably. We split an order of nachos. We were hungry and it sufficed, nothing special. The property is nicely maintained and the people watching was superb.

In Roatan, we booked directly (via FB) with Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary. That was a very special day. We learned much during our conversation with D. Johnson and later, with one of his cousins. We got wonderful photos. Well, I got wonderful photos; my DH absolutely cannot seem to catch on how to take decent photos of his wife.

On your way back to the port, I recommend Captain Jack's for super fast wi-fi and cold beer.

We'll be doing Daniel Johnson in Roatan as well. We were thinking about adding the Iguana Farm & West End Beach. Is Paradise Beach in Cozumel passed Nachi Cocom? Did you have a car or van? That is my concern on this cruise. We get there at 11am.

Thanks for the replies. We have always gotten to the port prior to noon. And, have had the same experience as the rest of you. Our friends just came back from the Regal and had gotten to the port at 2. Claimed it was the easiest embarcation ever with their bags in the room by dinner. Sounded better than what I have done. Really don't like sitting around with bags waiting for our room. Anyway not sure if getting at the port at 2 would still find me in a longer line than earlier? We have been on alot of cruises and cruiselines and may be getting "cruised out." Boarding seems the same no matter which cruiseline.

We did Mr. Sanchos last year. Cab was 10 bucks each way. But we were docked at the Pier Princess docks at so might be closer. Mr Sanchos was great. Would go again.

We did Cave Tubing in Belize with a private company. Amazing time and had no issues tendering while on the Emerald. FYI that tour was the only time we have ever been swarmed with mosquitoes. It was really thick in the Jungle while waiting to get in the river. Worse than a Minnesota lake at sunset :) Bring repellant if you do this tour.

We are considering Mr. Sancho's for our March cruise but are concerned that we don't get off the ship until 11. Assuming your timing was the same, did you have any issues getting good chairs at that time? How long were you there? Long enough to make the all inclusive worth it? We are also considering the pay as you go option but would probably just do Paradise Beach in that case.

I think we had enough time. We had a table with chairs and two beach chairs about 2 in from water. I think we stayed until 3:30? We had two children with us so that was good enough. :)

Thanks for your review and information! We are on the Jade Mar 12th. Only our 2nd cruise and first time on Norwegian & a suite. We have Omar too so very excited to hear your comments about him! On the Tendering, How quick to do think we can get off at Belize & Rotan? I'm looking at booking private tours so we can have more time on the island,(not having to wait on others to join the excursion)...Will having priority tendering make much of a difference?

Since you are in a suite you should be able to get on an early tender just let Omar know. They take you out a separate area to front if tender line.

Thank you for your review.

Keith

Since you are in a suite you should be able to get on an early tender just let Omar know. They take you out a separate area to front if tender line.

Thanks dporter! I was hoping that is how it would work.

I am enjoying reading through this. DH and I were on the same cruise - and had a very nice time (our second NCL cruise).

 

Our experience on tendering was the same: Belize was not much fun at all, while Roatan was fine.

 

We re-visited Paradise Beach in Cozumel ($8 each person by taxi, each way). Last time we were there was in 2005 and it has spread out considerably. We split an order of nachos. We were hungry and it sufficed, nothing special. The property is nicely maintained and the people watching was superb.

 

In Roatan, we booked directly (via FB) with Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary. That was a very special day. We learned much during our conversation with D. Johnson and later, with one of his cousins. We got wonderful photos. Well, I got wonderful photos; my DH absolutely cannot seem to catch on how to take decent photos of his wife.

 

On your way back to the port, I recommend Captain Jack's for super fast wi-fi and cold beer.

We are booked to enjoy the sloths as well. This will be one of the highlights of my birthday cruise.

Thanks for the review especially the raves about Omar. We were in the Haven on Jade in Dec and had Bruno as the concierge. Let's just say I was underwhelmed.

Do you remember the name of the butler? We had Antonio in Dec and, again, underwhelmed.

We had Jacob as our cabin steward and hope he is still there. He was great. Also Oliver in the Haven taking care of the food area and taking drink orders by the pool. He was awesome. One day he even hunted down oatmeal raisin cookies for my mom. LOL!

We were on the same cruise and a 2 bedroom suite as well.

I agree, Omar is the best. Butler was good but didn't see him a lot. Just found multiple deliveries of snacks and chocolates all day long.

We got on board from VIP lounge before anyone else. They escorted us. We went right for the great outdoors, got our table and then went in pairs to get our lunch.

Food was great and we enjoyed a couple hours there with our cocktails.

Suite was awesome. How can I ever go back to other cabins. :eek::eek:

Cagney's for breakfast each morning although they have a limited breakfast menu. Thought the breakfast in the buffet was surprisingly good. So many choices.

Had dinner one night in Jasmine. Many in our party had sour stomachs after. No sickness, just sour feeling. Ones who didn't have the fried rice didn't so we assumed that was it.

Only issues we had were people smoking in non-smoking areas and the same group of about 30 hogging chairs in prime location. They would get out there first thing when chairs were being put out, make their claim and leave. On port days, they'd mark their territory and head off ship for the day.

We told pool area people but nothing was ever done.

Wasn't a big deal to us (I know, it does sound like it was) because we found sitting upstairs to be more fun. This way you could people watch. That's always fun.

Just walked around Cozumel for about an hour or 2, then back on ship.

Ruins tour in Belize. Was good but wouldn't do again.

Pirates of Caribbean zipline in Roaton. That was a blast. Our 4th time zipling in our travels and this one was awesome. We'd go back there.

Thought Rodrigo was awesome. Enjoyed chatting with him. Ricky needs to invest in better jokes (he's still a great guy) and Lester is just a kick.

As VIP's, we had no issues with embarkation, embarkation or tenders. Priority for all.

Used Abdel for car sevice. 20 to 30% cheaper than other car services for RT from IAH to Bayport

Tip: If you sit in the Grand Pacific, ask to be seated in the extension off area 1.

Thanks for the review especially the raves about Omar. We were in the Haven on Jade in Dec and had Bruno as the concierge. Let's just say I was underwhelmed.

 

Do you remember the name of the butler? We had Antonio in Dec and, again, underwhelmed.

 

We had Jacob as our cabin steward and hope he is still there. He was great. Also Oliver in the Haven taking care of the food area and taking drink orders by the pool. He was awesome. One day he even hunted down oatmeal raisin cookies for my mom. LOL!

We had Pedro as our butler. Omar is the best we've ever had. Can't say enough good things about that man

We had Pedro as our butler. Omar is the best we've ever had. Can't say enough good things about that man

Thank you! Looking forward to Omar. And someone other than Antonio for our butler. lol

Tip: If you sit in the Grand Pacific, ask to be seated in the extension off area 1.

Is this the area around to the left as you come down the stairs? If so, they seated us in there one night (Wednesday or Thursday?) and it was so much warmer in there that we asked to be moved out into the main area of the dining room, which they gladly did. It felt like the A/C wasn't working in there. I think it must have been just a temporary issue.