CaptainTina

We just got off the NCL Jade. The service was terrific in all areas of the ship.

The food was pretty similar to every other cruise ship we have been on -- the buffets are an assortment of food (some you will like and some you will not). The two main dining rooms have a nice selection and very good food. The specialty restaurants have some really excellent dishes. My kids loved the crepes on the buffet and ate at least one every night of the cruise (even if they had just eaten dinner in some other restaurant). The food at Teppanyaki was delicious and the food at Le Bistro was one of the best things I have ever eaten anywhere. Yes, there were things I didn't like (I do get tired of the lack of dessert choices - although O'Sheehans had apple pie with ice cream!), but overall the food was great.

Disney has very nice suites and most of the same perks. However, even though their concierge level is a separate level, it does not require its own keycard to access, so there is more traffic than on the Haven deck.

This was one of my favorite stops. There is a great beach, little shops across from the beach and it is just beautiful to stroll along.

Yes. Sea days fill up fast and some of the restaurants are extremely tiny such as La Cucina on the Jade. Teppanyaki on the Jade only has 2 seats a night (7 pm and 9 pm) and can only seat 32 people at each seating. If there is a certain restaurant you want, just book it ahead.

As with all the promotions, you have to decide how much you are going to use it. If you drink a lot of alcoholic beverages, then it is very worthwhile to just pay the $170 or so for the gratuities - $15 martinis add up fast!

Here was my puzzle - since specialty coffee is not included, I could not get a latte as part of my drink package; however, if I have them throw a shot of whiskey in a latte to make it an Irish Coffee, then it is in included. Seemed odd.

Thanks for posting this! We just got off the NCL Jade and were considering the Epic for a cruise, but had heard the same thing regarding crowding. Did you happen to have teenagers with you? I am wondering what their opinions were about the number of people. I assume they would like the additional activities on the Epic that are not available on the Jade.

Thanks.

We booked a couple dinners prior to getting on the ship. It made it easier on a couple of nights to have to think about where we were eating. If you have a larger group, it is also better to book ahead.

We were originally booked in The Haven 2-Bedroom Villa with Balcony and received upgrade offers for the Owners Suites and the Garden Villas. We put in the minimum bid to upgrade of $1000 for each adult in the room (so a total bid of $2000), and did not get it, but someone did because all the suites were full.

So I assume that they are also offering upgrades to get into The Haven suites so everyone moves up a level when a successful bid is made.

The courtyard butler there is awesome. Ask him for anything and he will make it happen.

How do the butlers in The Haven work? Is there one that specifically works the courtyard area and then a separate ones for the staterooms? Do you remember the name of the awesome one?

We have booked a 9 day cruise for next year (yay!), but some of group is a little older and would prefer to not always have the rush of a ton of people. Besides their stateroom and the library, anyone have any favorite little quiet hideaways on the Jade. I know we have traveled other ships and have found nice little bars or decks that are very quiet and more peaceful.

Thanks.

We will be sailing next year on the Jade. I couldn't find anywhere on Norwegian's website that broke things down by ship (unless I want to look at deck plans). Can anyone tell me what sorts of things there are to do for a 13 year old boy (who absolutely will not go to a kids club of any sort).

I see on some of the ships there are waterslides, bowling alleys, etc. What is on the Jade?

Thanks for any help.

We just got off a Disney Cruise and they said the new ships would be about 3% bigger than the Dream and Fantasy, but with the same room number. Also, said the three new ships would be significantly different looking than the other ships, and that each of the new ships would be very different from the other new ships (whatever that means).

You don't have a special restaurant for dinner but will go to Cagneys or Moderno for breakfast and lunch. The pool area is small with an area to eat if you want the butler to bring you food there. Also, there is coffee, tea, etc in the morning along with fruit and pastries and during the day cookies and candy set up. There is also a hot tub and a small exercise area.

So no designated lounge area either?

You can call the Disney Cruise line customer service number, and they will tell you what your dining rotation will be (although it is not guaranteed). We did it in July to decide which night we wanted to go to Palo's instead.

On a four-night cruise, one of the nights will be a repeat night, so you can skip that restaurant and head to either Remy or Palo. You can call the Disney Cruise customer service line and they can tell you what your restaurant rotation will be and what night pirate night will be on. We usually have them set us up for two nights in our least favorite restaurant and then book one of those at Remy or Palo.

That still leaves you a choice of which other restaurant to leave out. Honestly, we have always loved the food in the main three restaurants as well. But we hit Palo's again this past July --- WOW it was still fantastic!

You will just have to book another cruise to get all the great dining in.

This will be our first time on NCL Jade. I am looking for information regarding The Haven area as I know this is a smaller ship than some of the others.

Is there a dedicated restaurant and lounge for Haven passengers?

If you have other information regarding the perks of sailing in the Haven on the Jade would love to hear.

Thanks.