Just Back from the Jade - Any Questions?

[Snootbull]

Thank you for offering to answer questions!

 

I am sailing on the Jade, March 7th in a Courtyard Villa for my 50th Birthday. 1st time in such a higher category – highest has been a mini suite.

I am an event planner for work, and really enjoy knowing when and what is going to be offered so I can make schedule and not miss out on anything.

Do you have pictures of the Freestyle Dailys from your trip, so I can really pour over them?

What time does Cagney's serve breakfast and lunch?

Are they the same times as the main dining room breakfast and lunch?

Concierge vs Butler

I think the Concierge will book dining and excursions but what else does she/he do?

And the Butler – I think if you order food from one of the restaurants in your room he sets it up for you?

The cruise dates land on our wedding anniversary and have read that you can have food served in the courtyard – who would take care of that?

Lastly, I know it depends upon how much you use them, but how much did you tip them?

 

When was the party(ies) for the Suite guests?

Are they worth going to?

 

When was the welcome back cocktail party for past NCL cruisers?

 

Thank you

[mum and son]

Thank you for offering to answer questions!

 

I am sailing on the Jade, March 7th in a Courtyard Villa for my 50th Birthday. 1st time in such a higher category – highest has been a mini suite.

I am an event planner for work, and really enjoy knowing when and what is going to be offered so I can make schedule and not miss out on anything.

Do you have pictures of the Freestyle Dailys from your trip, so I can really pour over them?

What time does Cagney's serve breakfast and lunch?

Are they the same times as the main dining room breakfast and lunch?

Concierge vs Butler

I think the Concierge will book dining and excursions but what else does she/he do?

And the Butler – I think if you order food from one of the restaurants in your room he sets it up for you?

The cruise dates land on our wedding anniversary and have read that you can have food served in the courtyard – who would take care of that?

Lastly, I know it depends upon how much you use them, but how much did you tip them?

 

When was the party(ies) for the Suite guests?

Are they worth going to?

 

When was the welcome back cocktail party for past NCL cruisers?

 

Thank you

 

Hi, I have just returned from the Jade and was also in a Courtyard Villa. It was my first time in a Suite too. Usually on cruises I can't wait to get my Freestyle Daily and plan for the next day... but strangely enough on about day 8 or 9 of this cruise I commented that I hadn't even glanced at one once. I did bring them all home with me to remind me of places/dates etc but I rarely used them onboard. I think maybe this was because we had such an active roll call and such a huge Meet & Greet planned on day 2 (approx 160 people showed up) that I just went with the flow for the whole cruise and mingled with all of my new friends - plus you're in a new and exciting port every second day so I would spend the sea days relaxing without a schedule.

 

Cagneys breakfast was from 7-10am each day and I think lunch was from 12-2pm. Not sure about the Main Dining Room because we didn't ever eat breakfast or lunch there.

 

I didn't use the Concierge much... only for one dinner reservation and for disembarkation back in Barcelona. Her assistant once got me some umbrellas when it was raining in Rome. Probably priority disembarkation is the most valuable thing the Concierge can be used for... even though I didn't use it often.

 

The Butler looks after everything that happens within your room. Any room service requests or similar. He (Denny) also helped a couple of times when my son's room card stopped working and he sorted it very quickly. He also delivered DVDs that my son ordered from the Movie Library. If you have Denny as your butler you will be very happy - I thought he was excellent.

 

There was a get together in the Courtyard one day with the Captain for Suite passengers but I got the time wrong and missed it (hey, I was on holiday!!) and there was a Latitudes party that my mum was invited to, but she didn't go. I did keep all of the invites etc so if you really want to know the dates I can find out for you.

 

Also, Suite passengers were given a free meal at a speciality restaurant on the first night of the cruise (none of the big ticket places were included ie Cagneys or Teppanyaki) but we went to the Jasmine Garden Asian restaurant and loved it.

[magnoliabelle]

Hi, I have just returned from the Jade and was also in a Courtyard Villa. It was my first time in a Suite too. Usually on cruises I can't wait to get my Freestyle Daily and plan for the next day... but strangely enough on about day 8 or 9 of this cruise I commented that I hadn't even glanced at one once. I did bring them all home with me to remind me of places/dates etc but I rarely used them onboard. I think maybe this was because we had such an active roll call and such a huge Meet & Greet planned on day 2 (approx 160 people showed up) that I just went with the flow for the whole cruise and mingled with all of my new friends - plus you're in a new and exciting port every second day so I would spend the sea days relaxing without a schedule.

 

Cagneys breakfast was from 7-10am each day and I think lunch was from 12-2pm. Not sure about the Main Dining Room because we didn't ever eat breakfast or lunch there.

 

I didn't use the Concierge much... only for one dinner reservation and for disembarkation back in Barcelona. Her assistant once got me some umbrellas when it was raining in Rome. Probably priority disembarkation is the most valuable thing the Concierge can be used for... even though I didn't use it often.

 

The Butler looks after everything that happens within your room. Any room service requests or similar. He (Denny) also helped a couple of times when my son's room card stopped working and he sorted it very quickly. He also delivered DVDs that my son ordered from the Movie Library. If you have Denny as your butler you will be very happy - I thought he was excellent.

 

There was a get together in the Courtyard one day with the Captain for Suite passengers but I got the time wrong and missed it (hey, I was on holiday!!) and there was a Latitudes party that my mum was invited to, but she didn't go. I did keep all of the invites etc so if you really want to know the dates I can find out for you.

 

Also, Suite passengers were given a free meal at a speciality restaurant on the first night of the cruise (none of the big ticket places were included ie Cagneys or Teppanyaki) but we went to the Jasmine Garden Asian restaurant and loved it.

With the Villas, do you have any internet allowance or laundry? In our owner's suite on the Pacific Princess, we had unlimited internet access and free laundry/ Will be only my second NCL cruise.

[mum and son]

With the Villas, do you have any internet allowance or laundry? In our owner's suite on the Pacific Princess, we had unlimited internet access and free laundry/ Will be only my second NCL cruise.

 

No - unfortunately... No laundry deals for Suites (not even the laundry special was offered on our cruise) and internet was at the same cost for all passengers.

[Snootbull]

Hi, I have just returned from the Jade and was also in a Courtyard Villa. It was my first time in a Suite too. Usually on cruises I can't wait to get my Freestyle Daily and plan for the next day... but strangely enough on about day 8 or 9 of this cruise I commented that I hadn't even glanced at one once. I did bring them all home with me to remind me of places/dates etc but I rarely used them onboard. I think maybe this was because we had such an active roll call and such a huge Meet & Greet planned on day 2 (approx 160 people showed up) that I just went with the flow for the whole cruise and mingled with all of my new friends - plus you're in a new and exciting port every second day so I would spend the sea days relaxing without a schedule.

 

Cagneys breakfast was from 7-10am each day and I think lunch was from 12-2pm. Not sure about the Main Dining Room because we didn't ever eat breakfast or lunch there.

 

I didn't use the Concierge much... only for one dinner reservation and for disembarkation back in Barcelona. Her assistant once got me some umbrellas when it was raining in Rome. Probably priority disembarkation is the most valuable thing the Concierge can be used for... even though I didn't use it often.

 

The Butler looks after everything that happens within your room. Any room service requests or similar. He (Denny) also helped a couple of times when my son's room card stopped working and he sorted it very quickly. He also delivered DVDs that my son ordered from the Movie Library. If you have Denny as your butler you will be very happy - I thought he was excellent.

 

There was a get together in the Courtyard one day with the Captain for Suite passengers but I got the time wrong and missed it (hey, I was on holiday!!) and there was a Latitudes party that my mum was invited to, but she didn't go. I did keep all of the invites etc so if you really want to know the dates I can find out for you.

 

Also, Suite passengers were given a free meal at a speciality restaurant on the first night of the cruise (none of the big ticket places were included ie Cagneys or Teppanyaki) but we went to the Jasmine Garden Asian restaurant and loved it.

 

Thank you for all the helpful information

Yes, I would love to know when the Courtyard get together was and the Latitudes party.

Dont want to schedule dinner or something that conflicts

Thanks again!

[hjmckellar]

Which of the restaurants on the Jade are free of charge?

 

My husband is very fussy requiring burgers & chips or something similar will a cruise accomodate him?

[tiggerman101]

Which of the restaurants on the Jade are free of charge?

 

My husband is very fussy requiring burgers & chips or something similar will a cruise accomodate him?

 

Blue lagoon and the two dining rooms.

 

I just got off the Jade for the 1/23 cruise. The one that missed Egypt. We were in a Penthouse Suite on the Aft. Ask away.

[hjmckellar]

We have never cruised before but would like a balcony room we have been given a quote for a room on the 8th deck is this a good place to be?

[erdoran]

How useable was your front balcony? Was it too windy or did it work out OK?

[t-and-t]

Mia,

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I'll have to rethink my packing!

Caron

We were on the 11/21 (12 days) sailing of the Jade, and there were TWO laundry specials! One very early on in the cruise, and one at about day 8 or 9. DH took advantage of the second special, which cost $25 for whatever you could fit in the bag. It was returned two days later, neatly folded in the bag and waiting for us on the foot of the bed! As mentioned by others, I also took a small bottle of liquid detergent. This was mostly for myself, as I have skin sensitivities and can only use certain types of detergent. I washed a few things in the bathroom sink and hung them on the nifty little clothes line in the tub!

 

We loved the Jade, and we had a great cruise!

 

Tanya

[Dipsylee]

Tiggerman101:

We are going on the Jade Mar 27 so as yet we don't know if we will miss Egypt or not. Did NCL have shore excursions offered for Istanbul? We are in an aft penthouse suite too, 9670. Which one were you in? Was the weather ever nice enough to use your balcony? Were there beer and wine tastings offered? And any casino specials you are aware of? Thanks for any help!

[Duff Man]

The Ticket you buy in Civitavecchia includes the metro - so you only pay 9 euros for all day - just remember to validate your ticket on your departure at both ends

 

It takes an hour to get into Rome but it is worth it! - check out this thread it has great info and I think it references the guys site that has the Rome info and the train info etc.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1055354

 

Have fun!

 

Watch out for one day Italian train strikes. I understand that they are frequent, but must provide notice well in advance. A called strike may get cancelled, but not always. There is an Italian web site that notes all called strikes.

 

It happened on the day we stopped at Rome on our cruise in 2007. We had planned on taking the train in. Fortunately I had been watching, and at the start of the cruise we booked an excursion which was nothing more than a bus ride in to Rome (which worked well). At the start of the cruise I mentioned it to others and people thought I was crazy. Sure enough the night before we sailed into Citi port, the ship announced the strike. They tried to get more busses, but with other ships in port there were not enough. A lot of pax never made it into Rome. :(

 

Jewel, we are in that Same OS in Sept, I look forward to your video. :)

[tiggerman101]

Tiggerman101:

We are going on the Jade Mar 27 so as yet we don't know if we will miss Egypt or not. Did NCL have shore excursions offered for Istanbul? We are in an aft penthouse suite too, 9670. Which one were you in? Was the weather ever nice enough to use your balcony? Were there beer and wine tastings offered? And any casino specials you are aware of? Thanks for any help!

 

They did have some excursions for us available. They were broken up into Day 1 and Day 2. There were not a whole lot, but our stop was completely last minute. The Day 1 tours included the Mosque and Bazaar, a cruise down the Bosporus, and a night tour to a restaurant with entertainment. The Day 2 tours were mostly long with multiple stops. I remember one was 10 hours. If you do end up going there then my bet is they will have more.

 

Just remember that Istanbul is very easy to do on your own. Considering all the time you have there i would certainly consider it. We did all of it on our own and I am so glad we did. It gave us the opportunity to go exactly where we wanted and also how much time we wanted to spend at each place. Most importantly, it gave us the ability to just walk and wander around here and there to soak up more of the culture. I loved just walking the streets and trying different foods here and there. I found the city to be pretty friendly and felt safe there. Just be aware of your typical scams and you will be fine.

 

The weather was fine for the balcony on quite a few days. It was a bit cold, but you don't have much of the wind back there. We stood out there a lot and I sat in the chair and read a long time on a couple days (I was in 8630 for the record). They did have beer and wine tastings ($15) a a lot more then that (Rum, Bourbon, etc). They had a great 2 for 1 martini special in the Star Bar every night from 8-10. Not too sure about the casino stuff.

 

By the way, your concierge is Karabe and she was fantastic. She will do a lot for you so just ask. She took us off the ship personally for every port and that helped a lot at times.

[crabby apple]

Concierge Monica was incredilbe - and Mr T our butler was also amazing!

Tip to having a great relationship with concierge and butler - be nice to them - we had a great relationship with both - We got to know them well -our service was awesome

 

Please say hi to both of them for us - Melanie and Warren Fine from 10504 on the Christmas cruise - they will remember us.

 

I have asked this a few times and had different replies. For tipping, did you tip in advance 'to have the great relationship' with them or how did you approach this? I often wonder if these folks are used to getting tipped every time they do something along the way, daily, at the end, early on, etc.:confused:

 

Did you give them a tip up front then at the end also?

[Dipsylee]

Thanks, Tiggerman101! We are getting so excited--only 6 weeks till we leave!

[tiggerman101]

Thanks, Tiggerman101! We are getting so excited--only 6 weeks till we leave!

 

Not a problem. It was an amazing cruise with a fantastic itinerary. Have a great time!

[garyj4]

My wife and I are scheduled for the Jade in Feb 2012. My wife invived my mother, so now we are in a 2 BR suite. Did you stay in the Villas, if so is it worth the upgrade cost? How was the weather?