NCL Jade Review (March 12th - 19th)

[Lisalk12]

So many beautiful recent reviews about the Jade and I have loved reading them all. I thought I would attempt to add about our recent Spring Break cruise.

 

First a little about my family. "We" consist of my husband (41yrs), me (40) and our sons 14yrs and 9yrs.

 

DH and I have sailed in 2013 on NCL Star through CAS (7 night ocean-view to the Caribbean) and had an amazing time. June 2015 we booked a family cruise aboard NCL Sky's 4 night cruise to the Bahamas. This is where my family fell in love with the "suite" life.

 

Our accommodations:

For this trip we booked a category BA balcony on the 9th floor. We booked when we could choice one free perk and chose UBP. Which I loved on our last trip. Not that we drink a lot but I like to try different things and like not having to worry about getting something that I didn't enjoy drinking. Also, on CC I found a list of favorite drinks and want to try them all! We booked about 4 months out. Because my parents have health issues we have learned to get insurance on our vacations. We called 3 months out to set up my account to have a special dietary (Gluten & Dairy Free) note put on my account. This time NCL emailed me paperwork to add to my account. That never had happened before!!

 

30 days out I started seeing upsell forums all over cruise critic. I started taking screenshots of the number and sending it to my husband. Lol! So being the amazing man he is he called and asked for an upsell. NCL laughed at him... Yes laughed[emoji15] and said try back in a couple of weeks. 12 days before we set sail I sent him the screenshot of the upsell number again. After him looking and seeing nothing online he called (probably so I would stop sending him photos while he is trying to work) and guess what!!!!! UPSELL!!!!!! Our new home away from home will be room 11030 a family penthouse suite! [emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122]. Now being the sweet Mama I am I decided we would not tell the boys until they walk into the "fancy suite".

[Lisalk12]

After two long weeks at work Friday finally came and we had agreed to get off work as soon as possible and head of to Dallas to stay the night. My husband managed to get off work and home before I could even manage to get my students out the door. I still had tons of paperwork and phone calls to make before I could call it a day. Whoever thought that a teacher's day was 8:30-3:30 was delusional. So finally at 6:00 we were headed out. Or at least to the corner gas station to fill up. Boys still have no idea what they are in for when they board.

The drive from my home to Dallas should take about four hours. We had booked our hotel online and would be staying at the Sheridan downtown. We had stayed there once before and we're happy with the service, location, and room. We were almost there before we got into stand still traffic. Finally we started inching along and saw that our exit was blocked with tons of police. We figured there must of been a bad wreak. Then all of a sudden the police drive on and we are on our merry way. Taking our exit we see tons of police on each corner as well as a limo that my son takes a photo of.

At this point we can see the huge Sheridan S and are tired and ready to get some food and call it a night. As we get closer we notice a barricade with police about two blocks away from our hotels front door. We pull up and were told we could not enter at the moment. [emoji54] We politely ask why and were told a dignitary was entering the hotel and as soon as they were settled then guest could start checking in. So we pulled off on a side street and waited and waited... Finally my husband decided to walk up and see if we could go in. They said that there was no way the car could get in yet but we could go ahead and come in. So my husband came and got us and only the bag that we needed for the evening. Upon entering the Sheraton you are welcomed in to a beautiful lobby, it had two restaurants downstairs as well as a bar.

As we walk towards the elevator to our tower my husband said someone very important is here. I look up and see another checkpoint with metal detectors, luggage scanners, and secret service agents everywhere. Really!?!? So we made it through and took our things upstairs. The room is huge! Much bigger than the room we were in last time. Now we are tired and hungry. So we head back downstairs past our security friends to the bar/restaurant. The boys eat and I start worrying and looking up dignitaries schedules. That was when we figured out that we were possibly sharing a hotel with President Obama. This is when I start to really worry!! What if he leaves at the same time we do in the morning and we have to wait... Again. What if we put our car into the garage and they decide to lock that down and we cannot get to our things.... What if we leave our car on a side street in downtown Dallas and someone breaks in and takes all of our cruise luggage...what if they take the car!!! Pretty sure his VIP is more influential than my latitudes bronze statues and I am now an official wired up basket case! So my husband sensing I am on the edge ( as he is having a great time people watching all of the officers and assistants running around) decides that he will check with the front desk and see what they think we should do with the car. After much debate they decide that we could park across the street in the parking garage and should be okay. So I feel a little bit better and we decide it is time for bed. We pass back through the checkpoint and say goodnight to our friendly secret service friends and head up to our room. By this time it is 12:30 and I had already turn into Cinderella's ugly stepsister around 9:30 but my adrenaline is pumping and I can not shut my eyes. I start making lists of the things I forgot. Hairbrush, hairspray, movie for car, stapler to put on luggage tags ... Oh no I forgot to print out the pre-paid parking pass! Now I'm really awake!

[Lisalk12]

Finally I get about 4 hours of sleep and am awakened with a very loud alarm clock that must be turned off across the room. We get ready as quickly as I can make a very tired 9 and 14 year old move and we get out of there! On the way out we say goodbye to our new friends and my youngest asked if he may take a picture of the the secret service agents. They said sure.

They were so good with my boys it was very kind of them. I checked out and the boys ran to get the car and bring it over.

Police barricades were still everywhere but we were OUT and on our way to Walmart for breakfast and to pick up my list from last night.

We arrived at the port at about 1:00. This was our first glimpse of our home for the week.

When we entered we thought we would park first then take our luggage up to the Portman. But no.... You drop it off first and I had no tags on. No water inside the suitcase. So we threw everything in and prayed we got it all. My husband asked if we would need to carry in the water and the bellman said shhhh and pointed to the bag. Yeah!!! So we got it all ready to go and sent off to the ship. We circled back around and got in the parking line. My husband had the email saved where we had paid and I told him worst case senerio we would just pay again at which I got the look. After a short 5 minute wait it was our turn to beg to get in. The nice lady just smiled and said it happened all the time. Took our info and found our account. We were in!!!! So we parked in the extra parking lot and took a shuttle to the front door. Going through security was a breeze and we walked right in. Upon entering I started to get excited for the boys and wondering when they would figure out we had upgraded. Well of course my boys hadn't been cruising any other way so they just thought the food and getting escorted in front of others and into the ship was normal. Lol! We met Omar who was to be our concierge for the week. The lines going up the ramp to board were not bad at all. Most everyone was already aboard! So our escort left us at Cagneys for our first dining experience aboard the beautiful Norwegian Jade.

[Clarea]

Enjoying this so far, looking forward to an enjoyable review.

 

Bon Voyage!

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[Lisalk12]

Having a suite allowed us to enjoy breakfast 7:00-9:30 (7:30-10:00 on sea days) and lunch 12:30-2:00 (12:00-2:00 on sea days) at Cagney's.

At lunch we met Jade who brought us our appetizers

smoke salmon

and shrimp cocktail and entries Hamburgers and Turkey burgers. Not sure what happened to those photos but the boys didn't care for the Turkey burgers but my hamburger minus bun was yummy! My husband and oldest son had ice cream

and chocolate brownie

for dessert.

[Lisalk12]

This is the brownie dessert. Had nuts in it but husband ate it all.

[Keith1010]

Enjoying your report.

 

Keith

[Cruise-mom]

Nice report, looking forward to more.

[Bluesmania]

More, More...................................

[antiquehtr]

Do you have a picture of the room???

 

Thanks!

[Lisalk12]

Thanks guys!! I do have pictures!! It was a perfect room size for our family! Pics should be coming up in a couple of post.

[Lisalk12]

iConcierge:

While we were eating my husband figured out how to do iconcierge on our phones and the message and calling ($7.95 per phone)worked!! Best investment with two boys and a husband who likes to wonder off. We could check out transactions, look up itinerary for the ship, and LOVED the text feature. We had to hookup to the ship wifi but we did not have to pay for the wifi for the app to work.

[Lisalk12]

Room 11030

At the room my husband told the boys to stay back so mama can take her pictures. Then they entered! This is when they realized that this room was way bigger than mama had said. They were so excited!

Living Area

Boys Room

Boys Bathroom

[Lisalk12]

Master suite:

Had a sliding door from the living area into the master suite. In the middle of the door a small handle could be pushed up or down to let the door remain opened or allow it to be closed.

The master bed was wonderful. Very large with a curtain that could be closed to give privacy in the bathroom area or to keep light out when napping.

Master Bath

My favorite place to hang out and watch TV and the ocean at the same time!

Rainfall and jetted shower

This was the one thing that I would change. It was a very tight area and being able to see in was a little creepy to me.

[Lisalk12]

Between the master bath and bed the are had plenty of closet space.

Beside the hanging clothes area the room had three drawers and a couple of shelves with the safe. The safe was too small for a laptop but fine for small items. We had two comfy robes. Bath gel/shampoo, puff, lotion, conditioner, hand soap, cotton swabs, cotton balls were all available.

And for my favorite thing ever....

My favorite was the espresso and chamomile tea. Our butler keep it full of these flavors for me for the rest of the week.

We had a fruit bowl that was kept full of apples and grapes (my boys love them)

And a beautiful flower arrangement

[Lisalk12]

Can't forget the outside view!

[Lisalk12]

We met our room steward Joe (who happened to have the biggest smile and could manage to remember our name and yell "Hello Ms Lisa and Mr John" everytime we saw him) On we went to the muster drill. So on our other cruises we always had to be outside for our drill and I would stand in the heat and almost faint. I simply hated the drill. This time however we were in the theater. Nice comfy seats with air and entertainment. Yes!!! So much nicer!!!

After the drill it was drink time! #1 DRINK on my list was a mango meltdown (my favorite) and headed back to our balcony to watch us sail away. After a while I started unpacking a few things and we met our butler Bencar. He brought us yummy treats & showed us how to use the coffee maker. He asked what type of treats he could bring because of my food issues. Yes!! That had never happened before! And he said he would continue to bring cookies and sandwiches for the kids but would make sure that everyone had something to enjoy. That we all must gain weight on a cruise or he wasn't doing his job. Lol! While we didn't see him much during the trip we saw the evidence of his hard work to keep us full and happy.

After unpacking I needed another drink so my husband and I ventured out and got DRINK #2 the BEST Moscow Mule ever before heading to meet with the maitre'd about my diet.

I waited inline at guest services for awhile but no worries I had my drink.. When I finally got to the front I was told he was in a restraunt. And to be careful eating and tell all servers of my needs. Ok??? I think I could do that. Lol!

 

While waiting in line I got an iConcierge message that said "Houston we have a problem."

 

Yelp they managed to lock themselves out of the living room and their bedroom. They were afraid to leave the small entry way of our room because we told them to stay. Oh boy!! So we fixed this from happening again by opening the door but keeping the deadbolt in the

Locked position.

.

[Lisalk12]

After fixing this my husband and I and kids went to the buffet and had a little bit of everything for dinner.

 

This was possibly my favorite part of the buffet. Lol

DRINK #3 White Zin. (Because we were in Texas waters the first three drinks cost between $0.74- $0.90 each. They also had a limited variety of product. I had asked for a Moscato and they said it would be available later.)

[Linda the Book Lover]

What a great surprise for your boys! I am also happy you could enjoy the suite life again. I am looking forward to reading more about your trip.

[Lisalk12]

After they were full my youngest wanted to swim but it was simply to windy. The kids returned to the room to watch movies. My husband and I excused ourselves to look at the spa area. We toured the thermal spa area and fell in love with the peace and quite.

These photos are from the women's spa and changing area:

On each side the spa had dry saunas, whirlpools, jacuzzi tubs, cold plunge, rain showers and mineral showers to name a few items. Robes and towels were provided and lockers were available.

[Lisalk12]

In a shared area they had these amazing heated loungers.

Drink station

And a wave pool.

So we paid for week passes and enjoyed until 10:00 closing time. They only sell 100 and I'm pretty sure they sold them all. It seemed a little packed but people tried to be conscious of others and giving everyone time to enjoy. We had a hard time figuring out times to go to the thermal area (it was open 8:00 am-10:00 pm) We should of went more but something always seemed to be happening.

[Lisalk12]

Nighttime in room 11030

So when booking this room I was concerned because the pool deck is right above us. While I would say it was not terrible noise there was a steady bass beat during most of the evening and night and early morning sounds (maybe chairs moving) but did we still sleep well ... Yes we did! For me it wasn't a deal breaker but for someone with small children or light sleepers the noise might be an issue.

[Lisalk12]

Day 1:

[Lisalk12]