KasperGutman

When I was on the Jade a little over a year ago, the entertainment did not have reservations. Of course, I can't say for sure this is still the case.

I am about nine years from retirement, unless health concerns force me to go sooner (not impossible by any stretch of the imagination). The cost of living where I live now (Vancouver), likely will make retiring here unaffordable. My goal when that day comes is for everything I own to fit into two suitcases, and winter in Southern Europe (Spain/Italy/Greece) There is work to be done. Obviously, I have got some time, but I have started the process: 1. I have hundreds of books. I have switched to an ereader and have started giving my existing books away, so I haven't bought a new physical book in over a year. 2. Board games/LEGO - also taking up a fair bit of space, I may try to sell/donate these as well. The board games are pretty niche (mostly military history style wargames), but there is a market for them, it is just finding the energy to sell/ship them that is a problem. (if you are wondering why someone in their fifties would have LEGO, just think of them as really expensive jigsaw puzzles. 🙂 3. I went through a couple of garbage bags of old clothes - some of which could be salvaged for donation, other stuff I don't know why I didn't throw it out at the time. It is weird how much stuff I have found that I have no idea why I kept it in the first place. The harder stuff - momento's, old letters, cards, photos etc. Well, I will leave that until the end. Furniture - again, until the transition to a nomad's life, I will need it.

No, the buffet has a variety of dessert options, I just came to enjoy going somewhere more civilized than the buffet for dessert and a drink every night (just about anyway).

I wasn't on the Escape specifically, but I didn't find the pizza at La Cucina that much better than the buffet. I will say though thatI really enjoyed the Cannoli (enough that I go to La Cucina after eating my dinner in the buffet just for dessert)

Was on a Jewel class ship (Jade) back in March. Your options for pizza are either: The buffet (Lunch and Dinner meals) and the Italian specialty restaurant (Dinner).

I sailed out of Athens in March, arriving about 12:15. I had a little over an hour to wait, but there was seating provided until my group was called. Once my group was called, there wasn't more than 5 minutes standing in a line. (I did get to skip most of the customs/immigration line, but that didn't look like more than a 10 minute (at most) wait.)

... a spanking?

Yeah, I would like this option too. It doesn't really matter that much to me, but if they are offering the full beverage package FAS it seems reasonable to offer the soda package as an alternative.

Well, that is one benefit to the specialty dining. By the third or fourth time I went there, they knew what I was there for and didn't bother handing me any menu at all. 🙂

I didn't find the specialty dining options to be something I needed. I did however, find myself going to La Cucina most nights for dessert (specifically, the cannoli), which I enjoyed quite a lot. 🙂

Just a quick follow up. The embarkation day turned out to be worrying over nothing. I did have 75 minutes or so of waiting, but there was seating provided, so it was all good. By the time I saw the post about the walkstool, it was too late to order one before I left on the cruise, but I really like the idea of them and am pretty sure I will get one before any future trips.(Thanks J-M!)

Well, Mamma Mia is sort of in that category (not going to that specific island(s), but in the area.)

Not the direction I was expecting this thread to go in, but an interesting choice. Thanks!

I think A Night to Remember is the better film, but Cameron's version undeniably has impressive visuals.

That seems like a fine addition to the list. 🙂

I am only a few weeks out from my first cruise (in the Eastern Med) and have decided to seek out and watch a few cruise/travel related movies as I count down the days. Anyone have any suggestions? To get a sense of what I looking for, tonight's movie is "A Night to Remember". Kasper

If this discussion were occurring on my cruise, as this point I would be looking for a waiver to sign that says: "In exchange for being excused the balance of the argument, I agree that in the event of the ship sinking, I will make no attempt to board a lifeboat and will quietly drown in my cabin" 🙂

When I first read the replies, I had two reactions at the same time: 1. Hard no, I am not nearly old enough to admit to needing something like a rollator. and 2. It actually makes sense and depending on the length of time waiting, it might easily save my cruise to have it. The argument for 2 was strengthened by a flare up of back pain that occurred last night, that left me taking 25 minutes to cover a distance that would normally be covered in 7 or 8. I can either accept this now or wait until after I fall and seriously hurt myself (balance is pretty bad too - diabetic neuropathy has taken a toll). Rationally, it is a slam dunk decision and yet it is a line I really don't want to cross. Thanks for the suggestions.

I feel a little strange posting this here, alongside with people who have actual serious issues, but I am not sure where else to post it... In March, I will be sailing out of Athens on the Norwegian Jade and I am trying to figure out the best time to arrive at the port to minimize the amount of time I spend standing in one place. The reason for this I have had some bad experiences with back pain if I have to spend too long standing in one place. (For example, an hour waiting in the immigration line at CDG back in October pretty much wrecked my first three days in France.) I still have reasonably good (not great, but sufficient...)walking endurance, but for whatever reason, my back cannot handle standing still for very long. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

To sum up, on Norwegian Jade avoid Le Bistro and aft dining room. (Don't own a pair of long pants and have zero interest in acquiring any 🙂 ) For what is worth, the shorts I wear habitually all cover the knees and would not be at all suitable for going to gym.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I will see what I can see while onboard. 🙂 Glen

Hi folks, It was a bit of a puzzle trying to figure out where to put this question, so I decided to start here and perhaps try elsewhere later... I live in a city (Vancouver) and rarely am out of it after dark, with the result I haven't seen a proper starfield in many years (While I have done a fairly bit of travelling, mostly it has also been to cities). I am less than two months out from a Mediterranean Cruise, and it occurs to me that maybe I could have a chance while onboard. Based on the destinations, certainly some (if not all) of the nights the ship will be out of range on land based light sources, so the big challenge will be the ship itself. For people who have done prior cruises, anyone remember what their experiences were?

Thanks for the feedback folks. I decided to book it and if things fall through, I will have an alternate plan in place for the time (Greek mainland and maybe a few days in Dubrovnik is my current thinking). Flatbush, I have been chasing that bird for 80 years, one day it will be mine. 🙂 Glen

Hi folks, I am contemplating taking my first cruise (second booking, first one was cancelled) and am trying to figure what to do about the very real possibility the cruise won't happen. A couple of options occur to me: 1. Book refundable plane tickets - could be pricey. 2. Develop an a plan B. I could probably make this work (the cruise I am looking at sails from Athens, but actually spends very little time in Greece, so it would be easy to create an alternate itinerary. Of course, the closer I get to cruise date, the harder this becomes. How are the cruises going of late, are a lot still getting cancelled? For what it is worth, the cruise I looking at is with NCL and leaves Athens March 3rd, 2023. Anyone have any suggestions? Glen