Norwegian Jade - Western Med cruise

[mjgcruise]

Hi everyone. We're experienced cruisers who will be trying NCL for the 1st time in June. For those who've been on the Jade, I'd love to get any helpful hints or specific info for the Western Med cruise that you think would be helpful to us. Restaurants, excursions, flight times for departure, kid's program, etc. Any suggestions for stuff to do pre-cruise in Barcelona would be good too.

 

Thanks!

[AuntieBarb]

Are you spending a day or two in Barcelona pre-cruise?

 

We were on the eastern itinerary (see review link in my siggy), but as for Barcelona....

 

Members from our roll call arranged a 4 hour city tour of key sites in Barcelona, with pick-up at the airport and drop-off at our hotels via Barcelona City Tours. If you get enough passengers to sign-up, pricing can be as low as 39 euro per.

 

We also took in a Flamenco show called "Opera Flamenco" which was very enjoyable!

 

Otherwise, La Ramblas in Barcelona is a great area for a stroll, shopping and grabbing a bite to eat, etc....where you can also get tickets to the HOHO bus for do-it-yourself tours.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[mjgcruise]

Yes we're going to fly in a day early to see a little of Barcelona. The tour suggestions sounds like a good idea. I appreciate your reply. Will check out your review of the Jade and let you know if I have any other questions.

[Budget Queen]

I highly recommend the Magic Fountain at night, if available.

 

The HOHO bus of Barcelona is excellent, and a good value.

 

What is your itinerary? Plenty to see and do in ports.

[mjgcruise]

Cruise has stops in Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples & Palma. Any suggestions for shore excursions?

[Rodie H]

Oh, you'll have a great time. This past March, 3/28 I did the Jade on Med. cruise that included Rome, Athens, Turkey, Egypt and Malta.

 

First time on NCL--I think I prefer Royal Carib. did a similar cruise last April on the Brillance and really loved it. The Jade's food is comparable, entertainment, well not as great. But, you may prefer the Jade best--individual taste.

 

I've visited Barcelona now four times and love it. I would recommend the Hop On/Hop Off tour also. If you find free time, walk around the Barri Gotic, Ramblas, Cuitat Villa--areas where the bus does get to. See the Cathedral of Barcelona, also a charming church--Santa Maria del Mar, i n the Barri Gotic area. A definite must is La Boqueria--off Las Ramblas, off the left side if you're walking from the Christopher Columbus statue. The market, La Boqueria, is a must!! Unbelievable display of meats, veggies, fruits, candies, fish--I love returning there each time. Nice restaurant in the back, La Gardunya--reasonable prices, fixed meal of the day, and good food.

 

Enjoy! I have the cruise blues and need to find another cruise!!

[Budget Queen]

Cruise has stops in Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples & Palma. Any suggestions for shore excursions?

 

I've toured Florence and Rome, independent, using the Rome trains and a guide book. A SIGNIFICANT savings. The bus via the cruiseline "Rome on your own", was about $120pp, I spent $26us for 2. :)

 

Depends how you want to tour??

[mjgcruise]

I've toured Florence and Rome, independent, using the Rome trains and a guide book. A SIGNIFICANT savings. The bus via the cruiseline "Rome on your own", was about $120pp, I spent $26us for 2. :)

 

Depends how you want to tour??

 

I've done some research on the train to Rome and we are seriously considering doing that on our own. Can you tell me a little bit more about it? Do you just walk up & buy tickets that day or do you reserve it in advance? What's the difference in the ticket classes? I understand the train takes you into Termini and we can do some exploring on our own from that point.

[Fishbait17]

I've done some research on the train to Rome and we are seriously considering doing that on our own. Can you tell me a little bit more about it? Do you just walk up & buy tickets that day or do you reserve it in advance? What's the difference in the ticket classes? I understand the train takes you into Termini and we can do some exploring on our own from that point.

 

You just walk up and buy tickets right at the Civitavecchia station - get the daily passes that include bus and metro service for the most options. Don't forget to validate your tickets at each station in the yellow boxes. There are some trains that have different classes of service, but most do not. Train will take you into Rome, you can get off at San Pietro station (by the Vatican) or Termini (for the metro) or a couple others, your choice. There are some very explanatory threads in the Ports of Call - Italy section of this forum complete with pictures, etc.

 

We chose to hire a private guide on our first trip to Florence, as we had several must-sees on our list. He was able to get us into all the major museums with no waiting in line either for tickets or entrance. It was a bit expensive but worth it for everything we wanted to see. Rome is very easy on your own, just make sure you come up with an itinerary so you aren't backtracking too much and you see what you really want to see (Rome cannot be seen in one day). Most things in Naples are easily accessible by train (Pompeii, Sorrento) or ferry (Capri, Sorrento) I have done all three and each have their merit. In Monte Carlo we simply took the metro/train from the port into Monte Carlo, went to lunch and saw the palace and played in the casino. Again, for all your ports, the Ports of Call section will be very useful, especially if you wish to do them on your own.

 

Robin

[sweetpea143]

Hi everyone. We're experienced cruisers who will be trying NCL for the 1st time in June. For those who've been on the Jade, I'd love to get any helpful hints or specific info for the Western Med cruise that you think would be helpful to us. Restaurants, excursions, flight times for departure, kid's program, etc. Any suggestions for stuff to do pre-cruise in Barcelona would be good too.

 

Thanks!

 

Which sailing are you on? We are on th 6/13/10 sailing. Check the Roll Call Board for your sailing for info as well.

[mjgcruise]

Which sailing are you on? We are on th 6/13/10 sailing. Check the Roll Call Board for your sailing for info as well.

 

6/27/10 for us. Roll Call for ours is very quiet!

[Andros40]

First time cruiser here -- also sailing on June 6th -- western med. And yes, also looking to save some money on excursions by doing them on my own. Any thoughts/experiences on doing Florence on your own -- in terms of catching the train from Livorno. My only concern with doing them on my own is possibility of delays on the return trip and missing the boat!

 

Also, new to this message board... what is the "Roll Call Board"?

 

Thanks.

[wwwfla]

Roll Call is a Forum, go to the Boards link in the top left side of the Main CC page and look for your ship and then the cruise date. Most folks on that boad will be traveling with you!

Happy Cruising!

[CTCruisers]

We sailed the Jade's Western Med cruise a few weeks ago.

 

I posted a review with pictures and freestyle info:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1189792

 

 

It was a great cruise!!!!!!

[CTCruisers]

First time cruiser here -- also sailing on June 6th -- western med. And yes, also looking to save some money on excursions by doing them on my own. Any thoughts/experiences on doing Florence on your own -- in terms of catching the train from Livorno. My only concern with doing them on my own is possibility of delays on the return trip and missing the boat!

 

Also, new to this message board... what is the "Roll Call Board"?

 

Thanks.

 

Do the research and add some time as a cushion and you will find the trains a great way to get around.

 

We took the train from Livorno to Pisa as well as from Civitavecchia to Rome.

[mp8shnt]

First time cruiser here -- also sailing on June 6th -- western med. And yes, also looking to save some money on excursions by doing them on my own. Any thoughts/experiences on doing Florence on your own -- in terms of catching the train from Livorno. My only concern with doing them on my own is possibility of delays on the return trip and missing the boat!

 

Also, new to this message board... what is the "Roll Call Board"?

 

Thanks.

 

Did Rome and Florence on our own last year off the Gem. Do make sure you add time/cushion - I thought I had in Florence and we made within 1/2 hour of the last shuttle at the port to the Ship. It is easy to do....just add a little time...

[sottovoce]

In Barcelona: La Boqueria market, just off the Ramblas; Pinotxo bar in the market for cava and great tapas; at least one Gaudi house or apartment; Sagrada Familia; the Picasso Museum (see his style develop over time); Guell Parc; the marvelous tile work at the Espana Hotel on Carrer Sant Pau just off the Ramblas, designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.