dporter

I recently cashed in the 10,000 points for $100 OBC. It was a quick phone call and then they sent me a confirmation via email.

I didn't have time to meet the other bonus for this cruise but that's ok there is always time before 2018.

Don't forget if you use it to pay for your cruise you get 3 points for every dollar and those can really add up!

Booked my first NCL cruise for next November and am pretty excited. I chose it because we really wanted a longer southern itinerary out of Florida to be able to skip to flight to San Juan this go around (financially breaks even when taking into account flights etc).

 

I am weirdly having second thoughts which is annoying because I know we will have a great time.

 

I'm worried that my Mom will go crazy with no access to Coke products since it seems NCL doesn't let people bring on their own at all? She drinks probably 6 diet coke's a day and doesn't do Pepsi. Seems minor I'm sure but it's in the back of my head.

 

Can someone explain the dress code thing? I read some restaurants have dress codes while others don't? Which do? We will be on the Jade. I think we're going to do the 5 meal plan so we can check out all the specialty dining. After cruising a lot with Celebrity I'm excited for more moderately priced specialty dining. :D

There isn't really a strict dress code. Sometimes the main dining room, Grand Pacific is the name I think, will not allow shorts at dinner. Although I noticed it isn't always followed. The other main dining room, Alizar, didn't have that stipulation.

I did notice that most people going into Le Bistro, one of the specialty restaurants tended to have nicer clothes on, like business casual. Jasmine Garden is a free option that we didn't try until the last day, we wish we would have done it sooner. Only sushi was an up charge.

As far as the coke addiction, there are many that are very particular to one brand or another, I look at as a week of detox from soda and make other choices. Of course, that doesn't work for everyone.

Enjoy your trip, the Jade will be going into dry dock in March 2017 and be almost completely refurbished. We will be on the 2nd to last cruise prior to dry dock.

Thank you for sharing the pros and cons. I am looking forward to the jade in january. We don't know if we will do a third Jade in 2018 or try for Bliss in summer 2018.

I am sure that the GV is fantastic, maybe someday this will be a possibility if we ever get al the kids and grand kids in one place.

We have been on Royal, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity and NCL. They all have very similar things on board. You just have to pick what you like and what you want to do.

Any cruise is better than work!!

I prefer NCL over Carnival, I feel that the food and shows are much better on NCL than the Carnival experiences I have had. Although I would be open to trying the Vista if I could ever get in a Havana room.

Since our children are grown now I cannot comment on current kid club activities.

Hawaiian air also has direct flights from Las Vegas to Honolulu

Gorgeous pictures, thank you for sharing.

I gamble on cruises, sometimes frequently and other trips rarely. Do I have to sign up for a players card or similar like I would for a Vegas casino to get casino room rate offers? Can my significant other and I be on the same one or combine for offers? Since I do more tables than slots do those get tracked to help with room rate offers too?

We will be on a 10 day on the Jade in January with 4 sea days so I foresee time being spent in the casino.

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You are welcome. Enjoy your trip. You will have to share pictures since the jade will be refurbished in March 2017.

There are no adult only outside areas on the Jade. However, the thermal spa pass gives you a nice indoor area with window and a heated lounger that children cannot use. Of course the casino is adults only.

First time cruiser ... Uber nervous, but this is definitely has helped ease it a little 😊

Don't be nervous, think of it as hotel, restaurants, transportation, entertainment all rolled into one. Bonus you visit lots of new places without having to lug your suitcases through several airports.

We will be booking on the Bliss for June 2018. Our first time to Alaska and our first time on NCL.

 

We already have a deposit that was gifted to us by my in-laws (made on their last NLC cruise). I'm not sure how to proceed though with booking the cruise once it becomes available. Should we go through a cruise agency or NCL directly? Pros and Cons?

 

Excited to be on a new ship and a big ship! :)

I prefer to book directly with the cruise line that I am going on, I may lose out on a little OBC but the ease of making changes directly with the cruise line is more important to me.

Any idea as to when they will be released for booking?

Supposed to be able to book January 2017 for Bliss

It was more than 15 years ago so I don't remember what beach it was. I remember lots of coral and the tink tink tink sound of the fish eating the coral.

amazing pictures! thank you for sharing these they are absolutely stunning.

Yes they do, I have paid for my last two annual cruises this way!

Enjoy your cruise.

so awesome, I did a discover scuba thing many years ago in st thomas and loved it!

I have avoided the large NCL ships because there aren't enough sea days. I love what amenities they have but if there aren't more sea days how would I see it all?

What areas do they tour on the behind the scenes tour?

Your reviews are wonderful, I think NCL should pay you to go on their ships and write reviews.

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thank you for sharing your adventures!

The best cure is another cruise!!

Feel better!!

oh my, embarkation hiccups. following because i love your reviews.

In our Jade roll call there was a post that said there was a new show called Blazin Boots. Last year we saw a production show called Elements which I loved, lots of costumes, dancing and singing and other fun things. Not sure if that replaced it or if it was an addition.

Hi,

The Jade is older but going into dry dock in February and will be updated in lots of places.

If I was traveling with my grandchildren I would probably pick Getaway over Jade as it seems to have more activities for kids.

But I love Jade and will be sailing on her again in January before she goes into dryadic.

Enjoy your cruise whatever you decide.