Jade Nov 18- Nov 30- LONG!

[IDKaren]

:D:DWhat a great trip! First we were blessed with an upgrade from a balcony to an AC penthouse for just $200 each. How could I refuse that? But now I am SO spoiled and it will be hard to never do that again.

 

The ship: Beautiful- yes it does still have Hawaii decor all around but that makes it interesting. The ship was clean-easy to get around on and overall

a wellmaintained fun ship.

 

The cabin- The forward penthouse is great! The balcony is about 30x30 so lots of room! You do get awakened at 4:30 in the morning as the "windshield sprayers" come on with the bridge above you! I thought it was raining So hard and looked out and saw it was the sprayers! I expected a lot more "rocking and rolling" all the way in front but no problem.

The penthouse had its own little dining table and sitting area and actually had a shower you could move in AND a bathtub! Lots of closet and drawer space. The cabin steward did come running when it got dark to close the blinds so the light would not reflect for the bridge.

 

Cabin amenities- Oh so spoiled- how will I ever not do PH? We had an absolutely wonderful Butler- Teresa- there at night to bring us our 5 o'clock goodies- one wonderful perk was that we could order off the dining menus and she would bring it to your room and set up your table for you so you have "private" dining. How will i give THAT up? Our steward Noel was so much fun and kept our cabin spotless!

 

Food- All in all pretty good! We did only two of the specialty restaurants- the Tex Mex and Cagneys- food was so so in Tex MEx-ordered the "famous spicy Lobster tacos" it was hilarious- six tacos and only 3 had ANY lobster to speak of-two had NONE and one had splinters- just lots of peppers! The main dining rooms were never crowded as we eat very early- 6 or so. Service was fast and efficient. Buffet was good if you were beat and just wanted to eat on the run-selection was good-taste not bad. By the end of 12 days it was SALAD only! Disappointed in the desserts! As many have stated before me- seating is AWFUL! So many people would take up 2-3 seats at tables and sit and visit or read or play cards when they saw people wandering around with plates looking for tables.

As part of the "perks" for PH we got to use part of Cagneys for private breakfasts and lunch off the menu there. Now THAT was GREAT! Not crowded- not rushed and oh my the girls were absolutely wonderful!

 

Ports- We did not do any ship excursions- the one that we did have planned at Palma Majorca we did not take as the weather was too rough to stop. We found the Hop on Hop busses were GREAT to see the cities. We would get off and see the monuments/ cathedrals etc and hop back on to the next. Spend all day at several of the ports doing that.

 

Canary Islands were interesting except we arrived at Arricife on a Sunday and everything was locked up tight. Wandered around alot.

 

Morocco- Casablanca was SO big- maybe an excursion would be good. We walked almost 8 miles that day- walked to the Mosque and all around town. Not alot to see around the port.

Agadir- Took a private tour to Taradount and an oasis for lunch-basically same tour as ship except half the price! The souk is a bit overwhelming for one who does not like the bargaining game!

 

Lisbon- really liked Lisbon- rode around on the HoHo and then walked and explored-neat city to just wander and soak up the local culture!

 

Other Spain ports we either did the Ho Ho or hiked around soaking up the sights. Found everything to be VERY expensive! Even with our $ being better compared to Euro things were still VERY high! Did not do much shopping for that reason.

Barcelona- took the ship tour after disembarking- our flight did not leave until 8pm so lots of time! Went around the city and to Monseratt-interesting tour but can't really see much in such a large city on a 4.5 hour tour!

 

Ship Activites- not so much to do that I was interested in but I am a reader and a people watcher so kept busy that way when not in port. Casino- tight tight tight! Shows- Magician and Juggler were great-others were just so so.

 

Embarking and Disembark was quick and efficient- Got into Barcelona at 11:30 and on ship by 1:00 and right to cabin! Great! We had signed up for the NCL transfer and had to wait over an hour for next flight to get in for more people so that was kind of a bummer1

 

Would I recommend this ship? In a minute! Would I recommend this itinerary? In a minute! Would I recommend taking an upgrade! IN A SECOND! But how will I EVER go anywhere but that wonderful PH now?:confused:

 

Well this was longer than I thought it would be but had so much to say!

[islandgirlejfan]

I have totally been waiting to hear your review Karen!! Sounds like it was wonderful....and yeah, I am still jealous!!:D I told you you would be spoiled rotten! My husband now knows a suite monster has been created on NCL! We are looking into a Panama Canal cruise on Princess...don't foresee an upgrade there so shouldn't be a problem!

 

Glad you had a great time....it probably hard to go back home after all of that!

[IDKaren]

It was REALLY hard to come home after being pampered for two weeks and yes you were SO right--how does one EVER go back to a NON PH? It was SO cool! My hubby really liked eating at Cagneys for breakfast and lunch and not feeling crowded or rushed! My ONLY complaint was oh man was that coffee in the coffee maker in the room STRONG! No matter how weak I made it-wow! Of course I am probably the only person in the whole world that thinks Starbucks is awful so that may explain it! THanks for thinking of us while we were gone!

[islandgirlejfan]

It was REALLY hard to come home after being pampered for two weeks and yes you were SO right--how does one EVER go back to a NON PH? It was SO cool! My hubby really liked eating at Cagneys for breakfast and lunch and not feeling crowded or rushed! My ONLY complaint was oh man was that coffee in the coffee maker in the room STRONG! No matter how weak I made it-wow! Of course I am probably the only person in the whole world that thinks Starbucks is awful so that may explain it! THanks for thinking of us while we were gone!

 

I have to be honest, I really don't know how I am going to ever do it again. I have always had a lot of stress in my life with jobs, family and so forth that that I really like pampering when I go away. The suite upsell came right after my daughter's wedding (VERY stressful time for me!) and it spoiled me for life!

 

Which coffee machine did you have....was it the Lavazza? The Lavazza was intense if you aren't used to European type coffees. American coffees tend to be a little smoother for the most part. I just add more cream if it's too intense, but rarely they are for me. I was in love with that machine....if you had that one, I hope you tried the tea. I would so love to be able to get the limon tea for my Tassimo machine!

 

It was rough coming home to no treat in the afternoon! :( The counter says we have roughly a year to go...hope I make it!:cool:

[CBoy04]

Hi Karen,

 

So good to see you had such a good time on the Jade! I'm sailing with NCL for the first time on Feb 6 and have a balcony cabin booked and I was wondering, when did NCL offer you the upgrade? Was it at the port check in or did you call in advance? Thanks so much!

 

Cheers!

[Diana68]

Hi Karen,

 

So good to see you had such a good time on the Jade! I'm sailing with NCL for the first time on Feb 6 and have a balcony cabin booked and I was wondering, when did NCL offer you the upgrade? Was it at the port check in or did you call in advance? Thanks so much!

 

Cheers!

Hi CBoy04!

We are on this same sailing. We have a roll call started where we have been talking for a few months. Come and join us! :D

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=812972

[rudeman]

Hi all,

We were on the same cruise as IDKaren and our review is attached. Bottom line: 5 Stars

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=49659