Jade or Getaway?

[manamin]

Hi folks,

 

Been a LONG time since I was able to take a cruise, but my mother's offering to get me out of the Michigan winter and into the Caribbean sun in Dec/Jan, and I definitely don't want to refuse.

 

She wants about a 7 day cruise and gets perks on Norwegian through some other program she is a part of. We are a little bit rigid on days as I am trying to work this in around a grad school schedule, and she does not want to be gone for Christmas.

 

So really, the ones that fit our schedule best are:

 

8 Day Western Caribbean from Tampa on the Norwegian Jade (visits Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Santo Tomas de Castilla, Roatan and Costa Maya) Dec 26 - Jan 3.

 

7 Day Western Caribbean from Miami on the Norwegian Getaway (visits Great Stirrup Cay, Ochos Rios, George Town and Cozumel) Dec 26-Jan 2

 

My impression is that the Jade is really an older ship, where the Getaway is newer with more amenities. However, my other impression is that there's more to do at the ports on the 8 Day tour? I know Harvest Caye is new and seems to have been prone to delays, so there's no guarantee that we will actually go there?

 

We did go to Cozumel and Costa Maya on the cruise I was previously on - though I don't mind terribly repeating a place or two, and that was back in 2007. I'm sure plenty has changed.

 

Basically, I want some beach time for sure - given that it will be winter and frosty at home, I want SOME time to spend on a beach, but I would prefer not to spend ALL of my time on a beach.

 

Any thoughts?

[OneWord]

Getaway

[Redbarnphotog]

I have not been on the Getaway, or any ship that class yet. Taking the Escape in a few weeks and will know whether I like the smaller or mega-ships better then.

 

Here's what I can tell you about the Jade. I am partial to it because it was my first cruise in 2013, and it took me to Greece from Venice, Italy. MAYBE that's why I loved it so much, or maybe it's this:

 

I'm a midwestern girl too. I like comfort and familiarity. The Jade was the perfect size ship I felt (but like I said I don't know other sizes yet) and it felt like home. I'm from a small town and I like smaller places to stay.

 

For example, in Vegas, I totally hate that they tore down my itty bitty favorite casino to build another mega-complex on the strip.

 

Anyway, it also depends on what you want out of your cruise. If you're a foodie, you may or may not get bored on the Jade, there are like 10-15 more options on the bigger ships I guess. We never had a problem.

 

Everything is bigger and better on the bigger ships from what I understand, but I was PERFECTLY happy on the Jade.

 

IF you are looking at a mini-suite for the two of you, check out 11636, it has a secret extended balcony - our room steward ran up to the pool and grabbed us a deck lounger to put out there and there was still tons of room!

[anonmom]

Hi folks,

 

Been a LONG time since I was able to take a cruise, but my mother's offering to get me out of the Michigan winter and into the Caribbean sun in Dec/Jan, and I definitely don't want to refuse.

 

She wants about a 7 day cruise and gets perks on Norwegian through some other program she is a part of. We are a little bit rigid on days as I am trying to work this in around a grad school schedule, and she does not want to be gone for Christmas.

 

So really, the ones that fit our schedule best are:

 

8 Day Western Caribbean from Tampa on the Norwegian Jade (visits Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Santo Tomas de Castilla, Roatan and Costa Maya) Dec 26 - Jan 3.

 

7 Day Western Caribbean from Miami on the Norwegian Getaway (visits Great Stirrup Cay, Ochos Rios, George Town and Cozumel) Dec 26-Jan 2

 

My impression is that the Jade is really an older ship, where the Getaway is newer with more amenities. However, my other impression is that there's more to do at the ports on the 8 Day tour? I know Harvest Caye is new and seems to have been prone to delays, so there's no guarantee that we will actually go there?

 

We did go to Cozumel and Costa Maya on the cruise I was previously on - though I don't mind terribly repeating a place or two, and that was back in 2007. I'm sure plenty has changed.

 

Basically, I want some beach time for sure - given that it will be winter and frosty at home, I want SOME time to spend on a beach, but I would prefer not to spend ALL of my time on a beach.

 

Any thoughts?

 

The Jade is a beautiful ship, still in great shape. Many of the people on CC will say she is old, but you have to take into account what experiences they have had. If they have ten cruises in the past 6 years listed in their signature, half of them in the Haven, then they are going to be looking for an over-the-top experience.

 

I can't comment on the Getaway, as I just booked my first cruise on her last week. We sail in January. But if you just want to escape the northern winter and get some sun, either cruise will be fabulous.

 

When we sailed on the Jade in January, our biggest problem was that we didn't have enough time to do all of the things that were offered. We didn't go to a single show, didn't eat in any of the specialty restaurants, didn't gamble in the casino, didn't make it onto the waterslide, and only used our spa passes a handful of times.

 

We still had a blast. We swam in the pool/kiddie pool/hot tubs, ate in both MDRs/both areas of the buffet/complimentary Asian/24-hour restaurant (the 24-hour was the only one that was disappointing - grabbed a quick bite there twice when it was the only thing open), drank mimosas on our balcony, had at least one drink in every single complimentary bar onboard (wish we would have discovered the Moderno bar sooner - great view of the whole atrium), watched karaoke, danced at the sail-away party, went to the CC Meet&Greet, saw our daughter be a tiger in the kids' circus, went snorkeling at the No Name Bar in Cozumel, visited the jaguars and other native fauna at the Belize Zoo, and just hung out on the rocks by the dock in Roatan.

 

I think the mini-golf, rock-climbing wall, ropes course and Kids' Aqua Park willl be fun on the Getaway, but I certainly didn't miss them on the Jade. Our dates were very specific, too, so we could only choose between the Getaway and the Escape. Otherwise we would have been happy to sail on the Jade again.

[karenpstok]

i have been on the getaway twice and just got off the escape on saturday and will sail on it again in december. Both ships are amazing. Never been on the jade but i like bigger ships as there is so much to do if you want to. So i guess i would say getaway!! Could have worse dilemmas in life right? lol

[UPNYGuy]

I loved Jade, but found a bit of the decor garish in the public areas (Medusa Lounge, Spinnaker). This should be rectified with the dry dock.

[martyandjanice]

Either choice, you can't go wrong! I can see your dilemma though. I absolutely love the Eastern Caribbean and usually that would be the deciding factor for me, but the Western also has it beauty. I have sailed on both size ships and in my opinion, I'm not a huge fan of the large ships. Yes, they have more to offer as far as dining and activities, but, on the ones I have been on, lack in customer service (larger ship, more customers). This is just my experience and opinion, I'm sure there are others who think differently. I cruised on Getaway last year. It's a beautiful boat for sure. I just feel the larger ships don't feel like boats at all.

In Nov I am cruising on the Jade out of Tampa. I chose this cruise because I live in the Tampa area and it's a smaller ship.

I think if I wanted to get away from the cold, I would choose the 8 day cruise and not worry about the ship. Either way, you will be in toasty weather!:p