Just got off the Jade

[olesiabr]

Have a few hours while driving home, so will offer a capsule synopsis!

 

Will find something to love on all vacations, and this one was no exception:

 

Port of Houston is easy, parking is super close.

 

We are used to the layout of the ship and have sailed Jewel class in the past.

 

Ship is super clean, although I am not a huge fan of the colorful Hawaii theme.

 

Staff was responsive and generally happy, although bar service virtually non existent except for the atrium. This not really a problem for us!

 

LOVED the UBP, but a double edged sword (see later).

 

Spa pass worth the $129 for a calm, quiet oasis.

 

Top three snorkels of my life at Hol Chan marine reserve in Belize. Roatan not too shabby either.

 

Elements was a great show, as were the acrobat duo.

 

MDR food and service just fine, no better or worse than years past.

 

My 11yo joined the Splash Academy first and last sea day, my 14yo did not use Entourage.

 

Now for the not so good...

 

We didn't have the best weather, and the first sea night was ROUGH! I know this has nothing to do with NCL, but thank goodness for the spa pass!

 

The tender situation, ugh. In line at 6am on Belize day, got group 1 and was ashore by 9:20. In line at 6:10am on Roatan day, got group 5, ashore by 9:30. Really a hassle.

 

UBP..... sigh. It's great if you're a beer or mixed drink lover, not so great for those that prefer wine. By the glass options are the same ship wide, about the equivalent of what is served on a plane. In coach.

 

This was a spring break cruise, so 4 times out of of seven we were woken up by drunk young adults banging on doors down the hallway. No biggie, didn't last long, but I think overall there was a lot more drinking than usual.

 

Also, regular drink prices now, if you don't have the package, are truly high. Drink of the day still reasonably-priced.

 

Last note: we had three in a balcony cabin, and it is truly the tightest stateroom I have ever been in on any line. Honestly, with the third berth out there was room for only one person to get dressed at a time...no floor space. A better bet is a sideways inside, or ocean view, where the third berth comes down from the wall.

 

I'd be happy to answer any questions!

 

Happy cruising!

[scanditaly]

Thanks for taking the time to write.

 

How was the actual embarkation process for you?

 

and

 

 

I empathize with regard to wine. We leave in a week, and have sacrificed space/weight in our suitcases to bring our own, even though we as well have the UBP. Combined with the possibilities of late departure from Bayport, or worse yet, early arrival, we did not want to risk not being able to get something of our preference due to the Texas liquor laws of only being able to dispense beverages purchased from a Texas distributor. Whew, long sentences!!

[olesiabr]

Wine choices, at least those offered on UBP, not affected by Texas liquor laws! We were out of Texas waters by about 8pm. No delays at all in Bayport

[olesiabr]

We arrived at the terminal around 11:30, took about 45 minutes to get on board. Easy!

Edited March 26, 2016 by olesiabr

[Clarea]

Thank-you for the feedback.

[scanditaly]

Wine choices, at least those offered on UBP, not affected by Texas liquor laws! We were out of Texas waters by about 8pm. No delays at all in Bayport

 

 

really great to know. Thanks for this info.

 

We arrived at the terminal around 11:30, took about 45 minutes to get on board. Easy!

 

Sounds reasonable. Again, Thank you for posting.

 

Scanditaly

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[Lineaway]

We will be on Jade next week. I have been dreading the tendering. Hate having to get up early on vacation then skip bfast to stand in line just to get a tender ticket to stand in line again to get off at a port. I was wondering if you had some guess at when the people get off that got in line around 7 ish???? Was it hours after you? Total guess on your part but you were there. Would not want to get up by 6.

 

There were cruise critic reports of people leaving shoes to signify them standing in line in the morning. Caused alot of problems. Was this going on??? Did they let one person pick up tender tickets for their family? I read they were but policies change fast at NCL. Just trying to gauge when to go down and stand in line. We booked private tours in both tendering ports.

 

We were on Pearl in August. Loved going to Spinnakers lounge at night. Was it crowded? Best place to get a drink on Pearl was the Great Outdoors and Spinnakers but you mentioned the Atrium as a good place any others? I remember Atrium being crowded but that was an Alaska cruise.

 

Thanks for any info.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your report/review.

 

Happy Cruising as well.

 

Keith

[karoo]

I intend bringing my own wine onboard as I'm a wine drinker only. Not from Texas, could you please explain the Texas tax laws.

[bryanjaync]

Question: Sailing on Jade in November (yes, a long way off) out of Tampa. Taking my parents, 88 years old. On embarkation day, i would prefer to avoid the hectic buffet (a bit much for my folks). Is the dining room open or Blue Lagoon? Other options? thanks.

[Starflyr3]

I intend bringing my own wine onboard as I'm a wine drinker only. Not from Texas, could you please explain the Texas tax laws.

 

While in Tx waters, the ship can only serve liquor that was bought in Tx. This limits their menu by quite a bit.

 

On departure, it really isn't such a big deal, but with Houston fog being a regular occurrence, they often dock hours early - both years we've done this cruise we ended up docking at midnight - which meant entering Tx waters around 8/9 ish.

 

With the drink restrictions and casino closed early, it makes people mad.

[Galleon1234]

Do they use regular tenders? We were on another cruise that they just used the life boats. They were brutally hot and miserable.

Thanks for any info!

[Starflyr3]

in belize, they use a contracted company, and i believe the tender is more open.

 

in Roatan, it is the lifeboats, but the ride is maybe a whole 5 minutes. not too bad in terms of hot, at least it wasnt over Spring Break.

[Linda the Book Lover]

This time next week we will be on the Jade. You sound like you really enjoyed the spa. It makes me double glad we purchased the spa pass.

[shout19661966]

Question: Sailing on Jade in November (yes, a long way off) out of Tampa. Taking my parents, 88 years old. On embarkation day, i would prefer to avoid the hectic buffet (a bit much for my folks). Is the dining room open or Blue Lagoon? Other options? thanks.

 

when you board ask a crew member which main dining room is open. every cruise has one open on sail away day for lunch. It will be better and quieter then the buffet. If you are in a suite Cagneys is open also.

we will be on the same cruise Dec 4.

Edited March 27, 2016 by shout19661966

[Galleon1234]

Anyone know when they open the gangway for non tender pass exit?

Thanks

[olesiabr]

Sorry guys, life and unpacking has intervened!

 

Lineaway:

When I got to the towel exchange on the pool deck (12) at 6am, there were 4 others sitting on chairs mid deck. I came up to them and found out they were waiting for tickets. Deck hands were just starting to put out the lounge chairs. Once about a dozen folks arrived we stood up and formed a line. Around 7 they set up a table with a double line and we all "fell in." Nobody left any shoes, but I was in line for eleven on Belize day, and 19 on Roatan day. My hubby brought me food, and the lady next to me took turns with her husband.

 

7am would probably be ok if your tour starts 10 or later.

 

We loved Spinnaker, Great Outdoors, Atrium and Whiskey Bar. Pool bars were pretty busy, and I don't like the plastic wine glasses.

 

Karoo:

Texas local tax about 70 cents per drink until you leave TX waters. No biggie.

 

Bryanjayne:

They will only announce that the buffet is open, but Grand Pacific was lovely and quiet! Unlike some other lines, we were able to stow carry ons in our rooms, even thought they were not ready.

 

Shadow1234:

I think around 11am...

[olesiabr]

Lineaway:

To be more clear, I got tender tickets for 11 people one day, and nineteen the next, so only one person per group needs to be standing....

We were a family and friends party of 25!

[Galleon1234]

In Roatan do you tender into Mahogany bay or Coxen Hole?

Thanks

[Lineaway]

Thanks for the reply. We are going to have 9 of us between two families.

[lbrandon]

We were on the Dawn this week and were docked in Roatan on the same day you tendered there. We were wondering how they decide which ship tenders and which one docks at that port.

[Cmawhitney]

I was also on this cruise, on the Jade. Regarding the Roatan tendering, I was told that the Dawn always gets to dock and the Jade has to tender. Not sure why, but it was a quick trip on life boats. We did the Tabyana Beach Party, which was nice, but very crowded, as we were there with NCL Dawn and 2 Carnival ships. In Belize we did the Cave Tubing and Rainforest Treck, which was awesome. Our guide was great...named Terik..aka...Mr. T. If you go on an NCL excursion, you don't have to mess around with tender tickets. Wish I was back on the ship now!

[lbrandon]

We did Maya Key in Roatan. It was a 5 minute boat ride from the pier to the island. Not overly crowded and plenty of shade. The animal sanctuary on the island was cool too.

 

We also did the Cave Tubing and Rainforest Trek through NCL. It was a really fun tour even though the bus ride was quite long.

[Galleon1234]

Did you book Maya Key through NCL or privately? If you booked NCL do you remember the cost? Sounds like you went into Coxen Hole port in Roatan. i really enjoyed Maya Key too. Went a few years back.