umaine89

NCL Jade was classic cruising. Karaoke, buffets, pina coladas by the pool, trivia, piano players, cigar bar, night club on top deck, main dining room, excursions on port stops, private island, shows in the theater. My only criticism is that I didn’t love the food in the Alizar dining room. I gave it high marks on the NCL survey but definitely mentioned the food quality in main dining room. But the Jade had specialty dining and a 24 hour sports bar, and I got great food at both. With the $210 upgrade at booking, I got upgraded unlimited drinks, 2 more specialty dining nights and unlimited non-streaming internet that worked for my conference calls. (Non streaming meant I couldn’t watch Netflix or listen to streaming music which is fine because I didn’t go on a cruise to watch tv) It did not have rock walls, ice skating, boogie boarding or water slides. It did have thermal suite that I want to try next time. I enjoyed it very much. It was very relaxing which is just what I was looking for and it fit my solo traveling budget. I believe that I would have paid twice as much for solo traveling on Royal Caribbean. I want to try a bigger Norwegian ship next. On that note, I bought $500 of next cruise credits for $250. I heartily endorse the NCL Jade and wish I was back on the ship.

I agree. I didn’t love the food in the Alizar dining room but loved almost everything else.

I started packing at 7a when the announcements started. I was done packing at 745 and headed to buffet for a quick breakfast. Started walking downstairs at 8. Line was short and quick to get scanned off boat. Then walked by everyone’s luggage (still a lot left at that time) and hit the line for the facial recognition scan. I was maybe 3rd person in my line. Stand and get scanned and when digital check mark displayed, I was on the way. Hit the car in the garage around 0830. Easy peasey. It could not have been quicker.

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.

I will summarize my final thoughts in a bit but I bought some Next Cruise credits so I will definitely be back on Norwegian soon.

I was looking at the parking garage from top deck at 8a and made it to the car in the garage by 830. I hit the gates of Kennedy Space Center right at opening at 9a. I stayed for a few hours and then headed back to MCO. KSC was a cool visit with many rockets. The space shuttle launch simulator was a cool ride where they tilt you 90 degrees so you are pointed straight at the sky. (That’s the real space shuttle, not the simulator). It’s amazing how small that thing is. There is actually a person in that suit. The Mars pavilion was cool also. It was a nice way to spend ~4 hours. I didn’t have time to get on the bus and go to “behind the scenes” launch area.

Last night dinner. Back at La Cucina (Italian) Appetizer was tomato caprese. I like big tomatoes but this tasted very good. Then pork Marsala. There was spinach underneath. If you got a bite of spinach, a michroom and some pork this was very good. Though some of the pork was a little tough. 7/10 due to tough pork. 8/10 when the bite was good. Cheesesteak for dessert. 10/10 and service was 10/10. Last night, bars were hopping. Karaoke was always popular and casino was busy. Nightclub was busy too.

@jamin jul I was passing through the buffet tonight on my way to Italian and got a picture of the salad bar.

I have T-Mobile so I can’t speak to Verizon. That said, if I am on WiFi signal and have airplane mode on so I am not picking up cell towers, I have made calls in Europe and Caribbean and it’s just like I am at my house on WiFi. No extra charges. My phone says airplane mode and T-Mobile WiFi.

I won’t go back to Deal or No Deal. I like the game show but the audience participation method was not that fun. I think it made money for NCL though. My estimate is they sold 100 cards at average value $25/ea. So $2500 revenue and gave away maybe $500 in prizes. I’d rather play bingo where someone will win the prize.

One more picture. This was taken at 1045a when I showed up. There was no way I was getting the first tender out at 0700. You see a sea of empty chairs. And my chair under the palm tree.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, look who’s next door. Two RCL big boats at Coco Cay. They did not have the empty island that I did.

Day 5 Private island, Great Stirrup Cay! My favorite part of any cruise. Unfortunately you have to tender in and out. I hear a pier is coming. But I only waited about 15 minutes each time after boarding to get underway. My boat was almost full both ways. This was during loading. I did not get a map so I have no map to share. That said, I walked all around the island. I headed to the fake lighthouse which is the zip line tower and kept going. Eventually you hit a gate for Silver Cove, Private retreat. But at the last beach before that, there’s a drink hut, food hut/truck thing and bathrooms. And since we were the only ship there, I shared the section with maybe 10 people. I figure we had 2000 off our boat on an island that could hold 6000 (my guess). It felt like COVID times all over again. It was AMAZING. I found a palm tree and 100 empty chairs and set up my spot. Lunch came from the food hut/truck thing and was also amazing. Ceviche and mahi mahi sandwich. With, of course, the Bahamian beer. There’s plenty to do for free, I saw people playing beach volleyball and ping pong and soccer pool. and even look at wildlife. Unfortunately, we had to leave an hour early due to congestion tomorrow at Cape Canaveral, but it was truly a Perfect Day at Coco, whoops I mean, Great Stirrup Cay.

Last one

I am operating with no dinner reservations so I appreciate the board telling me how busy things are. Dinner at Sushi 11/10. Couldn’t have been better. With the meal package you get to order any 4 things on the menu. I was stuffed. Yes that was all free for one speciality dining credit. For $210, I got upgraded internet, upgraded free drinks package and 2 more speciality dinners (3 total). I have had multiple calls and the reception is fine (I have t mobile WiFi calling). I have been able to drink whatever I want and they give me two at a time. And the two speciality dinners so far have been awesome. That is the best $210 I have ever spent.

I read, worked out and played Deal or no Deal this afternoon. Then had a couple of pina coladas (with Gosling dark rum) in the hot tub when things died down on the pool deck around 4. Someone came up and asked me what I was drinking. I’m just saying, it’s a much better looking drink with dark rum.

Deck 11, the bridge overlook is cool. Back on this Hawaii thing. I am going to go into MBA mode for a minute, so feel free to skip over this post. I am amazed how fast NCL stopped sailing in Hawaii. It must have been a horrendous business decision to start with. The Pride of Hawaii was registered in USA and they made a big deal of it coming to Hawaii, the Hawaiian House of Reps passed a resolution in May 2006 welcoming it and celebrating its arrrival. Its maiden voyage was 6/3/2006. February 10, 2008, they lower the US flag. February 29, 2008 it is in Miami. It sailed in Hawaii for 20 months and then was renamed and pulled to Miami. Kudos to NCL for the fast pivot and realizing that the business model obviously didn’t work but wow what a blunder in original strategic planning. I got all of these pictures from the wall in the bridge overlook which got me thinking.

@LatinaInTexas I heard some people talking in the casino and they said their kids were bored. I agree, I wouldn’t bring kids. This is classic cruising. Playing bingo, sitting by pool, listening to piano guy, singing karaoke, going to a show, gambling in casino, eating good food (specialty restaurants), walking on deck, drinking pina coladas, a couple of stops on the itinerary. While I have done the Rock climbing wall and zip line and water slides and surf riding and ice skating and other stuff I’m forgetting, I don’t need it on a cruise.

@jamin jul Music is good but no calypso that I’ve heard. Piano bar guy is good. Guy playing sax is good. A couple of different bands were good at pool and in Spinnakers. Many times I eat at the salad bar. This has not been a salad bar trip so I have no info. I do get fruit in the morning. Bananas, apples, and sliced watermelon, cantaloupe, melon and pineapple. Really breakfast bar looks same as RCL to me.

@GALSews That’s a Miami Vice. I didn’t ask what’s in it. It’s colorful and good.

Breakfast this morning, back at Great Outdoors which is behind Great Cafe. I love the two drinks at a time. I didn’t even ask for 2. RCL makes pina coladas with dark rum. In NCL, it is always light rum unless I ask for Goslings. It should be dark rum, IMHO, but this is definitely a first world problem. Haha. I have never been to the buffet when I didn't see multiple tables open by the window. This ship does not feel crowded at all. That said, it’s windy on the deck and they closed the port side top deck. So you’re not finding a lounger right now.

By request.

Dinner tonight. Back at Alizar. It was quiet at 930p when I showed up for late dinner after a nice nap. Cheddar and potato soup. Excellent 10/10 Also had lettuce wraps. The lettuce was a little soggy/limp but chicken was good. 9/10 if lettuce was crisp. 6/10 as served. Finished with bang bang chicken and shrimp. Shrimp and rice were good. I didn’t finish all of the chicken and skipped dessert because nothing was enticing.

So the Jade was built for Hawaii and was originally named Pride of Hawaii. You can see the Hawaii influence in the staterooms doors and the artwork throughout the ship.