CAKEisgood

33 minutes ago, jd1212 said:

Looking for the menu of alcohol choices in the regular (not premium) beverage package.  Have searched for such a posting, but unable to find.

Can someone post same?

Hello. Here is a pic of the wine list from our Jan 2024 cruise on The Jade. It is the same wine list we had on the Escape in Nov 2023. The premium wines are part of the unlimited open bar, which means the wines are $15/glass or less. It also includes the Premium Plus wines, which are > $15/glass 

In reference to a “regular beverage package,” I believe this is the Premium wines, and it is the unlimited open bar/free at sea package  In regards to spirits, you can look here for a list of spirits https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/790164-BEV_Package_Flyer_UOBP_PPBP Update_V7_no_crops.pdf

2 hours ago, eyecantwait said:

Thank you! I was so happy to find this thread shortly after booking the Jade for a cruise out of Port Canaveral in July with some friends. Can't wait!

Most welcome. I’m sure you’re counting the days. Enjoy your cruise! 

4 hours ago, Pete Nice said:

Thank you Cake for all of the posts and information, my wife and I are sailing out on Jade in less than a month.

Enjoy your cruise! February and March are gorgeous months to cruise from Florida. 

2 hours ago, bluefish17 said:

Leonardo da Vinci Sangiovese

 

Duckhorn Cabernet Sav

Yes and Yes. Excellent choices

And thank you for posting this question. I would like to say I’m a wine aficionado, but I’m just someone that enjoys wine. I drink what I like no matter what others may say

we are on The Escape in a few weeks. The Escape has the Mondavi wine bar. It is lovely, if you haven’t been. Go to the wine tastings, and soak up all the knowledge from the Simms on board. They are incredible. Many of them are testing to be Master Simms, which even to test is an achievement. 
 

Go to the wine bar (deck 8 ) on your embarkation day and there is a table that lists the wine tastings and a sign up sheet. We always go to at least one tasting on a cruise. 
 

Enjoy your cruise and cheers 🥂 

7 hours ago, baflagg said:

I love the Robert Mondavi Emblem. 

Completely agree! 

we came home and bought 6 bottles from wine.com 

The wine is actually created by Michael Mondavi, Robert’s son. 
Michael Mondavi also has partnered with NCL to create the East West wines, and some of those, not all,  are in the unlimited beverage package (last time I checked on our cruise mid-January 2024) Try the East West wines on your next cruise. They are enjoyable reds and Prosecco. 
 

https://www.michaelmondavifamilyestate.com/The-Wines/Emblem

Cheers 🍷

1 hour ago, Atlgator said:

Thank you for a great review. My group are doing a 9-day out of Canaveral on the Jade. I have done 16 cruises on NCL but have not been on the Jade yet. I prefer the larger ships, but this ship had a great itinerary and was out of Canaveral. I live in Daytona. I am looking forward to the down scale size and comparing the differences from the other ships.

We have been on the larger ships and we found The Jade a delight for a smaller ship. We have cruised other cruise lines (some big, some smaller) and The Jade, so far, is our fav smallish ship. 
 

Nice to chat with a local Floridian. Keep in mind parking at Port Canaveral.  If you don’t know, there is construction to build a new parking garage next to the existing parking garage. The Port opens the gates around 10 am to start self parking. We arrive around 9:45, wait in line until they open the gates. You pay in advance with a credit card before you pass through the gate. 
 

Have a terrific cruise! 

1 hour ago, EllieinNJ said:

What?? No Barry Manilow?

Love me some Barry Manilow and Abba

On 1/26/2024 at 5:32 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

Good musicians gravitate towards the good music.  Dates don't matter.

So true. On our cruise a few weeks ago, one of the crew members, who described himself as a vocalist, loves the music of Joan Jett and Johnny Cash. Both are incredible artist, in my book, and worth replaying every day. 

Hello. It depends on how much you will drink and the quality of the spirits and wines you prefer. We have had the premium plus and the unlimited open bar packages on different cruises. My preference is the premium plus because there are more quality wine choices. However, my husband prefers the unlimited open bar becaise the whiskey he prefers is part of that beverage package. We compromise and get the unlimited open bar, and I order the wine I prefer, and pay the difference if it’s more than $15/glass. He orders the whiskey he prefers and there is no charge. 
 

enjoy your cruise! 

On 1/20/2024 at 8:17 PM, Sthrngary said:

My last cruise, all the brands and personal favorites gained by the Premium Plus were not longer part of the program.  My wife, could not find a white wine that was not super cheap stuff.

We’ve had a similar experience on last two cruises..in December and January. A som told us on our cruise in December the wineries that used to be offered by the glass opted to bottles only because they (the winery) couldn't supply NCL with enough wine to be offered by the glass. I wonder if the grape harvest in last years (meaning futures for drinking) was smaller and that is impacting the number and quality of wines offered by NCL. 

Just came off The Jade and there was a game show (I think) every evening

Price is Right

Newlywed

 Battle of the sexes

Deal or no deal (fees applied)

Shows were Elements, Blazing Boots and Acrobats. 
 

As I look back, it does seem there was more of an emphasis towards the game shows. 

9 hours ago, IAcruising said:

she doesn't have 2 husbands", right?

Hello.  I see how you might have asked that question 🤣 Oh, geez, that really didn't come out right.  So, I do not have 2 husbands. Just the one.

7 hours ago, complawyer said:

what if you have children and wish to take them along on a cruise? we often traveled with our grandson from the time he was 11 until he turned 20.

my response is related to the author saying they are traveling with 2 other adults. Including a comparison to children is not relevant to this post for the author. That's not for me. 

Everyone has a preference and they aren't all the same.  You do you and I'll do me 🙃

5 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Just off this same cruise as a family of 5 in the 3br garden villa suite.  Our first time on NCL.

Hello, again. Here is a link to The Haven forum that you might find interesting. 
 

the purpose of the live review was to give others a real life feel of my experience. If you have more questions about The Haven please defer to The Haven forum. 

Hello. I’m catching up after having spent a 5 night cruise on The Jade. It was refurbished in 2021 and is a beautiful ship. About your question regarding lounging on the promenade deck. There are none. Promenade deck is deck 7. Lifeboats hang above this deck. It appears it would not be practical for loungers on this deck for safety reasons. 
 

However,on the pool deck there are a lot of loungers, and many tables with chairs in the sun or not 

all I can say is No Freakin’ Way. I’d rather sleep on a lounger than in a room with 2 other people, no matter my relationship to them , except my husband. 

Hello and thank you for this conversation. We just spent fabulous days in The Haven on the Jade. The breakfast for Haven guest was served in Moderna and lunch in Cagney’s. The pictures and menu from the Encore Haven restaurant are very similar , if not the same, what we were offered on The Jade, but, as I said, these were in Moderna and Cagney’s, because Jade doesn’t have a Haven restaurant and bar. 
 

We loved our menu options for breakfast and lunch. Food tasted fabulous. 
 

interesting that the breakfast and lunch menu might be the same for all Haven guest, even if there isn’t a designated Haven restaurant on the ship. 

1 hour ago, mandersen12345 said:

Hence sailing in the Haven to try to get that exceptional dining experience while traveling with children.

The Haven doesn’t give upscale food experience on the Jade; instead it is upscale in service. We were given upscale food experience with Moderna for breakfast and Cagney’s for lunch - no extra cost. Our package came with Specialty Dining and so that’s where we chose to dine. 
 

Other larger ships with a Haven dining area and bar might provide that upscale food experience you are seeking without having to go to the specialty dining restaurant. Look at The Haven post that is pinned to the main NCL forums site for more details. 
 

Enjoy your next cruise 

2 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Where is the good beef?  The lamb? The best fishes?

High quality cooking and chefs serve guests In the specialty dining restaurants. 
 

See my previous posts of dinner options we had in specialty dining. Fabulous service and food was amazing 

2 hours ago, mandersen12345 said:

Is the way to get good food on NCL to eat in speciality restaurants only?

Hello. And Yes! MDR is mediocre and not exciting. It’s not bad,but if you want Wow, then go to Specialty dining options. From my cruising experience, this is not unusual compared to other cruise lines. Indeed, I’ve read other cruise lines have awful MDR to push passengers to specialty dining. 

As Haven guests we were treated to Moderna for breakfast and Cagney’s for lunch. I hope you tried those options, because the food and service was awesome 
 

I hope you will embark on NCL again and try the Specialty dining. 

2 hours ago, cj'smom said:

We always feel like a cruise is what you make it and have never had a bad one!

Agree!  We have no complaints. Enjoyed every day, the food, and the crew. It was spectacular. I suggest if you are in need of extra service or better meal option, just ask! 
 

Have a wonderful cruise 🚢 

4 hours ago, Chrissy3427 said:

Are there any loungers on the Promenade deck?

Hello. There are no loungers on the Promenade deck. This is the deck just below the lifeboats and it is used by the crew to move food, entertainment pieces, etc and it would seem loungers aren’t practical or safe. 
 

there are plenty of loungers on the pool deck that allow you to sun bathe or not 

7 hours ago, izzy19 said:

did you happen to notice if there was any Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic) on board? 

Hello. I didn’t look for ginger beer.  However, I noticed on the cocktail menus options for non-alcoholic drinks.

This is the last of the anniversary cake 

I have enjoyed sharing our journey on The Jade. She is an awesome ship and the crew is incredible. 
Thank you for following along.  
Have a beautiful rest of your day, wherever that may be, and Happy New Year 🎊 2024 🤩🥳