Live- ish from the NCL Jade 9 day Carribean May 6–15

[pkt1976]

Howdy! I do have the unlimited wifi package but already had some connectivity issues so will see how the live goes. 

 

I’ve cruised many times, this is my 5th NCL cruise. I’ve cruised mostly on Princess (26ish times)  and a few times on Carnival as well.

I cruised on the Jade in 2012 in the Mediterranean. I like the action packed ships but also the small ship ambiance sometimes.  I’m cruising NCL, Carnival and Princess this year so looking forward to seeing the differences and what I like about each. 

 

This is my first time sailing  from Orlando. Prior to the cruise I was in Houston for a week for work and then Orlando for a few days. I had the opportunity to go to Epcot and then spend the night in Cocoa Beach the night prior to boarding the ship. I was planning to Uber from the hotel to the ship but another Cruiser I met at the hotel told me about Cocoa Beach transfer so I called them and booked a shuttle from the hotel to the pier. They told me that they were charged $10 each, however I was charge $20 as a solo, even though the transfer was already coming to pick them up at the same hotel. 😑

 

I Arrived to the port around 1030 and checked in. I got boarding group 12 and they began  boarding around 1130 I think. Once on board, I found that there were no dining rooms open for lunch (I went and checked both)  so I eat at O’Sheehans. 
 

muster was easy, a quick check in at my station and all done ! 

 

I booked  the thermal spa package for the cruise which I enjoy. For the first several Cruises I went on, I never got the thermal spa package. I didn’t think I would be interested. However, once I did, I was 💯hooked 😅🤷🏼‍♀️. In 2020 I was on the NCL Pearl and their spa area was beautiful. I prefer the layout of the Pearl versus this ship

but it’s still a very nice area to enjoy. 

 

Before sailaway there was a rocket launch and we had a great view!!! So very cool and not something I’d ever seen. Lots of excited cruisers on deck watching and enjoying. 

 

I was up on deck dancing for the sailaway party. I Always love going to those and dancing my cares away as my vacation begins. The single and solo meet up with at 6 PM so I didn’t leave much time to get cleaned up. We had about 15 people at a solo meet up and a group of us are going to share a cabana tomorrow at great stirrup cay. 

 

I feel like I’m new to Norwegian, because so much has changed since last time I saw it in 2020. I’m learning the app and where to find things, and still have some things left to figure out. 

 

With my free at sea, I booked Cagneys for tonight at 8 PM. I found out once I was onboard that I didn’t really have to do that and I could’ve booked while I was here. 

 

Unfortunately I did not have a great experience at Cagneys. I was very much looking forward to it but the experience just wasn’t what I was hoping for. I’d hope that it wasn’t because I was there solo, but the service level was not what it should’ve been. 

 

It took 15 minutes after I was seated to even be acknowledged. The other large tables near me received great service.

 

I’m Not the type to be demanding or aggressive but I was getting pretty frustrated as waiters walked by me repeatedly with no acknowledgment for so long. I was seated in a high traffic area across from large tables but Couples came in after me and got window seats and were being acknowledged and served right away. Frankly I was starting to think about just leaving.

 

A bit later the head waiter came over and apologize for the delay. That was very much appreciated as I understand things happen, however that wasn’t the only issue with the dinner service. I left very frustrated with the service level I received versus what other customers did. If they were busy and everyone had the same delays and others issues I’d 💯 understand. I was thinking about buying a dining package but I’ll pass. The food was good but not amazing. The dessert (cheesecake) wasn’t good and was actually warm. The cheesecakes I’ve had have been cool or cold, so not sure if thats how it should be, but I ate 2 bites. I know I could have asked for a different dessert but I was just done. 

 

I hope others have a great experience there, the filet mignon was very good. 

 

I have an inside cabin this cruise, I LOVE the glass shower enclosure I. NCL ships, so much better than the clingy fabric ones 👏

 

I have to meet at 7:15 am tomorrow 😬 to tender to the private island so early to bed. I’m looking forward to some beach time 🏖️ 

 

[umaine89]

Welcome aboard the Jade, I just got off!  I had a thread detailing my experiences. If you have another specialty night, the sushi was amazing. 

[pkt1976]

14 minutes ago, umaine89 said:

Welcome aboard the Jade, I just got off!  I had a thread detailing my experiences. If you have another specialty night, the sushi was amazing. 

Awesome, I’ll have a look 😁👍

[FLAHAM]

Did you embark before 12:00 p.m.?  That’s when the MDR usually opens for lunch.

[pkt1976]

11 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

Did you embark before 12:00 p.m.?  That’s when the MDR usually opens for lunch.

It was after. They were announcing just the buffet and o’sheehans were open. I checked anyway but neither were open 

[dmwnc1959]

Your experience in Cagney's is very upsetting. I travel solo as well and plan on limiting my specialty dining experiences to La Cucina and Sushi, both which were reviewed favorably by @umaine89. I'll wait until I get on board next year to see if they offer a better deal on the dining packages, but right now they seem to be too expensive ($40+ a meal) to even consider. Hope you get the opportunity to dine in Jasmine's which is complementary. 

If you happen to make it past the Starbucks coffee shop can you do me a favor? I was reading the menu board and was wondering what the added flavored syrup options are, and if I had the Starbucks package would I get charged for those and/or the added espresso shot? 
 

Customization Options

Add Flavored Syrup, Regular or Sugar-Free

Add Espresso Shot

Add Soy milk, Almond milk, or Coconut milk

 

Looking forward to your daily updates! I'm very excited to be cruising Norwegian Jade next year. 

👍😁

[pkt1976]

18 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Your experience in Cagney's is very upsetting. I travel solo as well and plan on limiting my specialty dining experiences to La Cucina and Sushi, both which were reviewed favorably by @umaine89. I'll wait until I get on board next year to see if they offer a better deal on the dining packages, but right now they seem to be too expensive ($40+ a meal) to even consider. Hope you get the opportunity to dine in Jasmine's which is complementary. 

If you happen to make it past the Starbucks coffee shop can you do me a favor? I was reading the menu board and was wondering what the added flavored syrup options are, and if I had the Starbucks package would I get charged for those and/or the added espresso shot? 
 

Customization Options

Add Flavored Syrup, Regular or Sugar-Free

Add Espresso Shot

Add Soy milk, Almond milk, or Coconut milk

 

Looking forward to your daily updates! I'm very excited to be cruising Norwegian Jade next year. 

👍😁

 

[pkt1976]

Other solos are going later in the week so hopefully have better experiences.
 

The dining packages on board are not less than they were online. 

 

I definitely plan to try Jasmine on the cruise 😁

[pkt1976]

I bought the spa package for the cruise, I have back and leg issues and the jet therapy pool and stone loungers are so nice to relax and enjoy.

 

the co Ed jet pool was not working yesterday but hopefully will be fixed today. 

[pkt1976]

Our Great Stirrup cay stop  was lovely. A group of 5 solos shared a cabana and it was a great way to spend the day. The weather was perfect and the water gorgeous. 
 

dinner 2 in the mdr was very nice, good food and great service. There was some passenger driven drama so hoping tonight will be a perfect dinner 😅🤷🏼‍♀️

 

Patrick is the NCL assistant cruise director for the solo/single group this cruise. He’s amazing, so fun and helpful. This is the last cruise of his contact so he’ll be going home when we do. He said he’ll be on the Encore next 

[dmwnc1959]

5 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

Thank you for the pictures. Looks like your cruise is off to a great start! As for the listed Customization Options at the Java Café, when you find time over the next week can you ask if I am charged extra for those if I have the coffee package. Very much appreciate it!
 

Enjoy St. Thomas tomorrow! Always loved the fact that AT&T is available without using the ship's Wi-Fi package. 

[pkt1976]

This is a Mango Madness. It  is soooooo good. 

[pkt1976]

Breakfast and lunch menus and food. 
 

great service and great food 👏 the orange chocolate mousse dessert was awesome. 

[pkt1976]

Another passenger is having issues too, Much worse issues. 
 

he woke up this morning with multiple bites all over his body. NCL staff checked his room and there were bed bugs and signs of them in the drop down bed he wasn’t using, so they’ve been there a while.  They are moving his room and doing cleaning his clothes… but only after he had to fight with customer service. Originally they said HE had to pay for the clothes to be cleaned, then tried to offer him a discount for cleaning but still have him pay part of it until finally relenting. That’s just not acceptable. And apparently this just escalated to a stupid and beyond unacceptable level. I’m encouraging him to go to the customer service director so we will see how it goes. 
 

Problems happen,  it’s how they are addressed that lives in memories.

[www3traveler]

May I suggest talking with the General Manager and the Executive Housekeeper.

[dmwnc1959]

6 minutes ago, pkt1976 said:

Another passenger is having issues too, Much worse issues. 
 

he woke up this morning with multiple bites all over his body. NCL staff checked his room and there were bed bugs and signs of them in the drop down bed he wasn’t using, so they’ve been there a while.  They are moving his room and doing cleaning his clothes… but only after he had to fight with customer service. Originally they said HE had to pay for the clothes to be cleaned, then tried to offer him a discount for cleaning but still have him pay part of it until finally relenting. That’s just not acceptable. And apparently this just escalated to a stupid and beyond unacceptable level. I’m encouraging him to go to the customer service director so we will see how it goes. 
 

Problems happen,  it’s how they are addressed that lives in memories.

Have him go specifically to the HOTEL DIRECTOR, have him settle for nothing less - no customer service people, no in-between people. The Hotel Director. 

[dmwnc1959]

And have him email the CEO. This seems to be a case where NCL on board customer service staff have handled this poorly.  
 

Try this email too...

 

publicrelations@ncl.com

 

and 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) executive customer service contacts

Primary Contact
Katty Byrd
Vice President, Guest Services

kbyrd@ncl.com 

 

 

Edited May 8 by dmwnc1959

[dmwnc1959]

1 hour ago, pkt1976 said:

Breakfast and lunch menus and food. 
 

great service and great food 👏 the orange chocolate mousse dessert was awesome. 

 

Wanted to say THANK YOU for posting the MDR breakfast and lunch menus, don't think I've ever seen them before. It also lets me know which specialty coffees I can get there. Never much been a MDR person, but this makes me very excited to try all of it! 
 

😁

Edited May 8 by dmwnc1959

[pkt1976]

6 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

And have him email the CEO. This seems to be a case where NCL on board customer service staff have handled this poorly.  
 

Try this email too...

 

publicrelations@ncl.com

 

and 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) executive customer service contacts

Primary Contact
Katty Byrd
Vice President, Guest Services

kbyrd@ncl.com 

 

 

Thank you! 

I will give these to him. He’s already contacted corporate after he was told if he didn’t like what they were doing he could get off the ship. Not @hey we are sorry for what you’ve gone through and the inconvenience”. He has valid issues, and their responses are wrong and sad. The immediate issues are resolved thankfully but he was treated very poorly. 
 

there are some exceptional NCL team members who’ve made things better. Thank goodness for them. 
 

 

[pkt1976]

6 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

 

Wanted to say THANK YOU for posting the MDR breakfast and lunch menus, don't think I've ever seen them before. It also lets me know which specialty coffees I can get there. Never much been a MDR person, but this makes me very excited to try all of it! 
 

😁

You are welcome!! I’ll post some more along the way 😁

[njkate]

8 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

You are welcome!! I’ll post some more along the way 😁

Ugh yes please update us! I’m on Jade 6/15 and this gives me qualms!

To top it off Ncl canceled Key West and replaced with Cozumel, canceled Ocho Rios and replaced with Falmouth, this was 2.5 weeks ago, we are 37 days out and no excursions available yet!

At this point if I could cancel without losing all my money and rebook something else I would and Jade is my favorite ship 

[eyecantwait]

7 hours ago, njkate said:

Ugh yes please update us! I’m on Jade 6/15 and this gives me qualms!

To top it off Ncl canceled Key West and replaced with Cozumel, canceled Ocho Rios and replaced with Falmouth, this was 2.5 weeks ago, we are 37 days out and no excursions available yet!

At this point if I could cancel without losing all my money and rebook something else I would and Jade is my favorite ship 

Key West was the main reason I was looking forward to our trip on the Jade on 7/13 🥵

[schmoopie17]

3 minutes ago, eyecantwait said:

Key West was the main reason I was looking forward to our trip on the Jade on 7/13 🥵

I think the Jade is allergic to Key West. It got booted from the itinerary on our cruise in February.

[Atlgator]

23 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

Another passenger is having issues too, Much worse issues. 
 

he woke up this morning with multiple bites all over his body. NCL staff checked his room and there were bed bugs and signs of them in the drop down bed he wasn’t using, so they’ve been there a while.  They are moving his room and doing cleaning his clothes… but only after he had to fight with customer service. Originally they said HE had to pay for the clothes to be cleaned, then tried to offer him a discount for cleaning but still have him pay part of it until finally relenting. That’s just not acceptable. And apparently this just escalated to a stupid and beyond unacceptable level. I’m encouraging him to go to the customer service director so we will see how it goes. 
 

Problems happen,  it’s how they are addressed that lives in memories.

Do you know what deck or cabin # this man was in? Will be on the Jade next week, and curious where this problem was located.

Thank you.

Also, if you could post your dailies for the 9 day, since they should be similar to our 9 day cruise next week.

[dmwnc1959]

Lovely view from the PTZtv webcam of the Norwegian Jade docked in St. Thomas.