Jade vs Star??

[KruzPrincess]

I’m looking at itineraries for Europe next year. I’ve cruised several times on different cruise lines, but I’ve only been on the newer (big) NCL ships. Ultimately, itinerary will have a lot to do with my decision, but is there any big difference between the Jade and the Star?  I see they’ve both been refurbished recently. I just read a review on the Jade that said the tv stations were very disappointing, so obviously they didn’t upgrade that. I will likely be traveling solo, so it’s nice to have some tv to keep me company. In the end, I’m just curious to hear what people think of these ships. Thanks in advance. 

[KeithJenner]

They are fairy similar, but the Jade has a few more public areas (bars etc) than the Star does.

 

I like the Star, but for me the Jade has just about everything that the Star does plus a some extras and I certainly prefer it.

 

For example, I like the forward observation lounge on the Jade and the area they call Bar Central, whereas the only thing I can immediately thing of which I prefer on the Star is that the seating area in o’Sheehans is slightly better.

 

The TV is equally rubbish on any NCL ship. I certainly wouldn’t have that as an attraction on any ship.

 

Basically, if there is no difference in the itinerary I can’t think of any reason not to go for the Jade ahead of the Star.

[don't-use-real-name]

There is a difference between the two ships - - -

The JADE is of the JEWEL class ships (JEWEL JADE PEARL GEM)

The STAR is of the DAWN class ships

The JEWEL class are newer in design and have HAVEN accommodations

 

For comparison you can use this LINK:

 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/cruiseline.php?line=Norwegian

 

You are traveling SOLO neither the JADE or the STAR have solo cabins like the big ships.

Thus you are stuck with a double occupancy bill - but you knew that anyway.

 

This is just a superficial glance at the basics of these ships.

 

Readers comments - - -

 

 

[KruzPrincess]

3 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

They are fairy similar, but the Jade has a few more public areas (bars etc) than the Star does.

 

I like the Star, but for me the Jade has just about everything that the Star does plus a some extras and I certainly prefer it.

 

For example, I like the forward observation lounge on the Jade and the area they call Bar Central, whereas the only thing I can immediately thing of which I prefer on the Star is that the seating area in o’Sheehans is slightly better.

 

The TV is equally rubbish on any NCL ship. I certainly wouldn’t have that as an attraction on any ship.

 

Basically, if there is no difference in the itinerary I can’t think of any reason not to go for the Jade ahead of the Star.

Thanks for your thoughts. I do remember reading about the observation lounge on the Jade and that does sound like something I would like. I appreciate your answer. 

[KruzPrincess]

3 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

There is a difference between the two ships - - -

The JADE is of the JEWEL class ships (JEWEL JADE PEARL GEM)

The STAR is of the DAWN class ships

The JEWEL class are newer in design and have HAVEN accommodations

 

For comparison you can use this LINK:

 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/cruiseline.php?line=Norwegian

 

You are traveling SOLO neither the JADE or the STAR have solo cabins like the big ships.

Thus you are stuck with a double occupancy bill - but you knew that anyway.

 

This is just a superficial glance at the basics of these ships.

 

Readers comments - - -

 

 

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. 

[Captain-John]

Been on Jade four times and would go back in a heartbeat. Lovely class/design of ship, just the right size yet packs enough amenities and variety to not be boring.

 

Although, I don't think I would be disappointed with Star either - others have covered the differences better but just putting in my $0.02 that you can't go wrong with Jade. 😄

[Turtles06]

As noted above, the Jade is one of the Jewel class ships. These are a very comfortable size, with some excellent public spaces, including, as mentioned above, the indoor, forward-facing Spinnaker Lounge. The Star does not have such a space (NCL carved it up years ago to create a bunch of suites). We’ve had no desire to cruise on the Star, but will be returning to the Jade and the Gem in the next year. 

 

Enjoy whichever you choose. 

[KruzPrincess]

16 hours ago, Captain-John said:

Been on Jade four times and would go back in a heartbeat. Lovely class/design of ship, just the right size yet packs enough amenities and variety to not be boring.

 

Although, I don't think I would be disappointed with Star either - others have covered the differences better but just putting in my $0.02 that you can't go wrong with Jade. 😄

Thanks so much. I’m leaning towards the Jade. I appreciate your post. 

[KruzPrincess]

14 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

As noted above, the Jade is one of the Jewel class ships. These are a very comfortable size, with some excellent public spaces, including, as mentioned above, the indoor, forward-facing Spinnaker Lounge. The Star does not have such a space (NCL carved it up years ago to create a bunch of suites). We’ve had no desire to cruise on the Star, but will be returning to the Jade and the Gem in the next year. 

 

Enjoy whichever you choose. 

Thanks so much! I looked at pictures of the ship online last night and I liked the Spinnaker lounge. It sounds very nice. 

[IrieBajan54]

Full disclosure: I am bias toward the Jewel Class over any other NCL class. Especially for the Great Outdoors. Spend a lot of there. Been on the Jade several times. Only once on the Star. Poor layout.

 

Three years ago, I actually had a round trip air ticket to do transatlantics 6 months apart on the Star. The first crossing on the Star was enough. Paid a $200 air change fee and switch to the Jade crossing.

Edited September 8, 2019 by IrieBajan54
correction

[KruzPrincess]

1 hour ago, IrieBajan54 said:

Full disclosure: I am bias toward the Jewel Class over any other NCL class. Especially for the Great Outdoors. Spend a lot of there. Been on the Jade several times. Only once on the Star. Poor layout.

 

Three years ago, I actually had a round trip air ticket to do transatlantics 6 months apart on the Star. The first crossing on the Star was enough. Paid a $200 air change fee and switch to the Jade crossing.

Good to know. Thanks a lot. I’m not sure what the Great Outdoors is, but I will investigate. Thanks. 

[lepidoptera]

1 hour ago, KruzPrincess said:

Good to know. Thanks a lot. I’m not sure what the Great Outdoors is, but I will investigate. Thanks. 

 

The Great Outdoors is an outdoor area behind the buffet at the back of the ship. It has dining tables to eat at, a bar and usually a smaller buffet with some of the food choices that are on the buffet. 

 

When I travelled on the Jade (this winter as a solo for a Western Caribbean) I started with an inside, called for an upgrade to oceanview when the price dropped and then won a balcony bid for $140 total. But I think if I sailed her again I wouldn’t worry about getting a balcony. Between Spinnaker and the Great Outdoors I could always find a place to relax and watch the ocean. Also love the Hawaiian decor on the ship. 

 

I sailed the Star (Greek Isles out of Venice) before the refurb, and I really liked her as well. I thought the layouts of the dining rooms were nicer. I hated how the Jade’s buffet was only one side of this ship, and relatively narrow. It was a real choke point to get through to the Great Outdoors on the sailing I was on. I also thought the Star did a better job of keeping the smoke in the Casino than Jade. Loved the five o’clock somewhere bar on the Star as well, we hung out there a lot and then would head out on the promenade to walk. Also not sure if it was just the location, but I liked the balcony itself in Star better than Jade-Jade’s seemed loud with wake noises.

[herdingdogmom]

We have been on the Star 4 times and the Jade 3 times.  We would chose the Jade over the Star.  

 

Both have been refurbished and the Star now has Spice H2O aft instead of the great outdoors eating area. Star has no forward viewing lounge.  The Jade has a bridge viewing room on deck 11 port side.

[4774Papa]

We are not fond of the Star design.  We especially don't like that there is no sunset bar aft of the buffet.   We live eating breakfast or lunch outside.

[Turtles06]

The Great Outdoors on the Jewel class ships is a fabulous place to spend time, even between meals. I know the Star doesn’t have it, which to me is a negative, but what exactly is Spice H2O?

[KruzPrincess]

21 hours ago, lepidoptera said:

 

The Great Outdoors is an outdoor area behind the buffet at the back of the ship. It has dining tables to eat at, a bar and usually a smaller buffet with some of the food choices that are on the buffet. 

 

When I travelled on the Jade (this winter as a solo for a Western Caribbean) I started with an inside, called for an upgrade to oceanview when the price dropped and then won a balcony bid for $140 total. But I think if I sailed her again I wouldn’t worry about getting a balcony. Between Spinnaker and the Great Outdoors I could always find a place to relax and watch the ocean. Also love the Hawaiian decor on the ship. 

 

I sailed the Star (Greek Isles out of Venice) before the refurb, and I really liked her as well. I thought the layouts of the dining rooms were nicer. I hated how the Jade’s buffet was only one side of this ship, and relatively narrow. It was a real choke point to get through to the Great Outdoors on the sailing I was on. I also thought the Star did a better job of keeping the smoke in the Casino than Jade. Loved the five o’clock somewhere bar on the Star as well, we hung out there a lot and then would head out on the promenade to walk. Also not sure if it was just the location, but I liked the balcony itself in Star better than Jade-Jade’s seemed loud with wake noises.

Thanks for your observations. I did look up pictures of the Great Outdoors. Thanks!!

[KruzPrincess]

19 hours ago, herdingdogmom said:

We have been on the Star 4 times and the Jade 3 times.  We would chose the Jade over the Star.  

 

Both have been refurbished and the Star now has Spice H2O aft instead of the great outdoors eating area. Star has no forward viewing lounge.  The Jade has a bridge viewing room on deck 11 port side.

Thanks for explaining those differences. I think I’m leaning towards the Jade. 

[KruzPrincess]

15 hours ago, 4774Papa said:

We are not fond of the Star design.  We especially don't like that there is no sunset bar aft of the buffet.   We live eating breakfast or lunch outside.

Thanks.  Very good points. I’m not a pool person, so I like the idea of the aft outdoor area. 

[KruzPrincess]

12 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

The Great Outdoors on the Jewel class ships is a fabulous place to spend time, even between meals. I know the Star doesn’t have it, which to me is a negative, but what exactly is Spice H2O?

Thanks for your comments. I don’t know what Spice H2O is. 

[Markanddonna]

I've been on both. Let the itinerary guide your decision. If equal, choose the Jade.

[TheTides]

So normally I would pick the Jade, and a lot of comments here mention the Great Outdoors being the biggest selling point of the Jade over the Star.  After the past refurbishment though, I think I would choose the Star for the Spice H20 area.  It’s like the Great Outdoors but amplified with better seating/couches and 2 hot tubs overlooking the aft.  For us, hardly ever crowded, and a great place to enjoy sail-away.  The Star also has a fantastic forward facing hot tub as well.  I know its not always about outdoor space, but for us the Star did a nice job with spaces to relax and enjoy the “Great Outdoors” without having “the Great Outdoors” the Jade has.

[KruzPrincess]

On 9/9/2019 at 8:44 AM, TheTides said:

So normally I would pick the Jade, and a lot of comments here mention the Great Outdoors being the biggest selling point of the Jade over the Star.  After the past refurbishment though, I think I would choose the Star for the Spice H20 area.  It’s like the Great Outdoors but amplified with better seating/couches and 2 hot tubs overlooking the aft.  For us, hardly ever crowded, and a great place to enjoy sail-away.  The Star also has a fantastic forward facing hot tub as well.  I know its not always about outdoor space, but for us the Star did a nice job with spaces to relax and enjoy the “Great Outdoors” without having “the Great Outdoors” the Jade has.

Thanks for your thoughts and pictures. That does look really nice. 

[KruzPrincess]

On 9/9/2019 at 8:29 AM, Markanddonna said:

I've been on both. Let the itinerary guide your decision. If equal, choose the Jade.

Thanks. Ultimately it will e itinerary, but liking the ship helps sway me.