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I wasn't trying to really compare the Jade vs Allure - we certainly knew the differences when we booked. I was just summarizing my thoughts on the two experiences. Again, we enjoyed the Jade and loved the cruise itinerary. If any upcoming Jade passengers have questions (I had many prior to the cruise), I am happy to answer.

I should have chosen a different word. My kids missed some of the amenities of the Allure, but we knew that going in and chose this ship for the itinerary, which we loved. For me, I enjoyed the smaller ship and liked the food very much in the specialty restaurants and thought it was fine in the mdr. I thought the servers in the mdr were not very friendly, but it was fine.

We just returned home from our 8 day cruise. All in all we had a great time and enjoyed the Jade. A few things were disappointing after being on the RC Allure of the Seas last year, but for the most part we enjoyed it. I won't have time to write a full review, but am happy to answer any questions about eh ship of the itinerary.

Great start to your review. We leave Wednesday for the 8 day leg leaving out of Venice. Excited to read more :) One question, I hope to buy a couple of bottles of wine in Venice (we arrive 2 days early) to take and enjoy on our balcony. I don't mind paying the corkage but wondered if you have to declare it or just show it at the check in point?

We will be in Venice next Wednesday - Friday before boarding the NCL Jade for an 8 day cruise. The #1 thing my 15 year old wants to do is a gondola ride in Venice. Should we prebook? I did a skip the line entrance fee to St. Marks and saw you could book a 30 minute ride for 100 euro. I hear that is fairly standard? Is it best to prebook as I know it will be crazy busy or should we just wing it?

Hello! We are leaving Atlanta for this trip next week. 8 day out of Venice. I am very comfortable with my plans for each port - with the exception of Santorini. I am worried about how long it will take to get up to the top of the cable car area? We arrive at 2:00 pm, was it the same for you? I have a sunset cat cruise booked, but am worried about being able to get to the top by 3:00 pm to meet the outfit. Any information would be appreciated including what you did in that port as I may be looking for an alternative. Thanks for the information!

What was the local time when you arrived? We are doing the 8 day out of Venice on Jade leaving July 15th. Our time into Santorini is 2:00 pm with a 10:00 pm departure. We are doing a sunset/snorkeling tour and I am worried about having enough time to get back if the que is that long. Just wondering if you arrived in the morning or afternoon. This is my biggest concern for our trip.

Anyone rented quad (ATV's) in Corfu for exploring? We will be on NCL Jade in July and thought that sounded fun. LMK!

Thank you for posting these! We are doing the 8 day out of Venice in July on the Jade. Quick question about tendering in Santorini. I have booked a private sunset catamaran cruise departing at 3:30. We will be responsible for getting to the top via cable car on our own and then someone from the cat will meet us and get us to the boat. My question is how long does the tendering take? Since we won't be on an NCL tour, I know we have to wait for tickets. Just wondering your thoughts? Thanks!

Lisa - Great review! We are doing our 2nd cruise to Europe this summer with our family of 4. We were on the Allure of the Seas in 2015 out of Barcelona and loved it! We are doing 8 night out of Venice on Jade this July.

I have been a little nervous that the Jade would pale a little in comparison to the Allure - which is very "tricked out" as my TA says. However, after reading your reviews and several others over the last few days, I am confident our family will love it! The trip is pretty port intensive but we have 2 sea days so I am looking forward to enjoying the ship. My one other experience with NCL years ago was also very positive.

A couple of questions:

Freebie Upgrades - we have booked two cabins - a balcony for us and an interior room for our 2 kids. Therefore, the whole family gets dining package for 4 nights and husband and I also get one extra upgrade/freebie.

I had originally selected the UPB package but am starting to re-think it. I am a big wine drinker and have heard mixed reviews about the selections on the package. Plus, since we will be in ports most days, I know I will have some nice wine at lunch so will not really be able to drink "cocktails" too much during the day except for sea days. I guess my question is, are all the mixed drinks included...painkillers, etc? I thought I read somewhere that you have keep drink cost under $10 - I see other than drink of the day, most of the fruity beachy drinks are more than $10. I guess it doesn't really matter but we had to pay so much in gratuity am wondering if it is worth it since the package isn't' really "free". We won't do many shore excursions through the ship, opting instead to go DIY or book with 3rd party and I can't imagine the wi-fi is really worth it...thoughts?

Also, can you explain what the i-concierge is?

Thanks so much - loved reading your review. Can't wait to start seeing some of the reviews from passengers once the Jade gets across the pond!

Stacy

We just got off the Allure on Sunday - had a great time, but as many people have said, the Mediterranean is very hot this time of year. One thing we wished we would have taken with us was a small battery operated water bottle thing with a fan attached. You see them all the time at theme parks and ball games, etc. We have several but never thought to take one with us. It would have come in really handy in Rome, Naples, and Pompeii. Just thought I would mention it. Have a great time!

My family and I just returned from RC Allure Western Med Cruise (fabulous trip!). We rented a car from Budget/Avis in La Spezia to travel to Lucca and Pisa. We had a great day, but were in a bit of a rush when we returned and I accidentally left my camera in the car:mad:

I have been in touch with both the local office and customer support but to be honest, I am not overly confident that I will be able to get them to return the camera to me in the US.

I know this is a HUGE long shot, but if anyone is planning to rent a car at Budget/Avis in La Spezia I would be ever so grateful if they could pick up my camera and ship it to me. I would of course reimburse for any expense and compensate for the trouble. The camera isn't as important to me as the photos we took on the first half of our trip.

Many thanks!

We have not prepaid our gratuities yet so I understand they will be billed to our SeaPass. Each of us in our party of 4 have a $100 onboard credit. Can that credit be used for the gratuities? Wish I would have pre-paid since they just went up...didn't know that was coming:mad:

Matt - curious about this as it seems you might be back from your cruise. I booked the soft drink package for my kids - not for us since we will be in port so much - however if there aren't Coke products, I am not sure it is worth it. Curious what you experience on the Allure in the med?

Hi Amy - We are on the same cruise and have the same question. We plan to rent a car and had hoped to possibly do Avignon, Les Baux and/or Aix en Provence. My husband is working on planning our day, but wondering if you have found any additional information about what it will be like on Bastille Day? We are traveling with our two kids, aged 14 and 8. What about you?

Stacy

Hello - my family of 4 will be on the July 12th sailing out of BCN. A few questions for anyone with information...

1) Hotel rec in Barcelona. We would like to be centrally located for a few days at the end of the trip. Anyone have any recs for family friendly hotel that won't break the bank :)

2) Keeping track of teens onboard - My husband will have international calling/data plan from his work but we kind of want everyone to unplug while on this trip so aren't planning to get anyone else the wi-fi plan. I anticipate my teen daughter being on her own a little (even if just in her room reading/chilling out) and would love to be able to text her. Has anyone rented the onboard phones I have heard about ? Do they work?

3) Wine on board - I know you can bring 2 bottle per cabin. When we booked, we put my husband and I together and kids in an interior balcony. Does anyone know if we can therefore bring 4 bottles since we have 2 cabins?

4) Valuables & cash in port cities - I have read all the boards and understand the dangers. I got my husband one of those little wallets that he can wear under his shirt with our money (we need to carry large amounts of euros for the private guides in Rome and Naples). My DH said he will be fine with wallet in front pocket. Anyone have good experience with that?

I think that is it for now - we are getting excited! Thanks!

i am sorry if I am missing it, but could you let me know the name of the tour company you used in Naples? We are sailing on 7/12 and that is my last day to confirm our plans. I have a quote for 500 euro, but your price sounds better!

We are traveling on RC Allure leaving Barcelona on July 12. We will dock in Marseille on July 14th which is apparently Bastille Day. We have rented a car at the train station and plan to head to either Aix or Avignon for a day of sightseeing, people watching, lunch, shopping, etc.

Should we be concerned about Bastille Day? Will many things be closed? Any things not to miss in the region? This is somewhat of a last minute trip for us so I am scrambling to make sure we have the best itinerary possible for our trip.

Any advice is appreciated!

Hello! My family of four will be on the Allure of the Seas to the W. Med leaving Barcelona on July 12. We have most of our days planned out, but my DH and I are still debating Naples. He would be happy spending the day at Vesuvius and Pompeii, I want to do Pompeii & Amalfi coast. We are also debating best way to do that part of Italy.

He is the rent a car and do it on our own type. We are doing that in earlier ports where our TA has advised us we will be fine. She has suggested to stick with tours in Rome and Naples. I have a quote from a private driver to do Pompeii & Amalfi coast for what I think is reasonable. He is pushing to cancel that and rent a car. That makes me nervous for a variety of reasons.

Thoughts? What is best? I need information so I can either feel more comfortable with his plan or persuade him to stick with the driver.

Thanks!