Would you sail on NCL Jade

[sjh422]

We are looking at Holland America Koningsdam and NCL Jade

for a 14 day itinerary to Norway and Iceland this summer.

The HAL Koningsdam is the newer ship but there are far too many negative opinions on everything about the ship.

 

What is the condition of Jade? Has it been updated lately? If you have sailed recently, were you happy with experience?

[Sauer-kraut]

I would worry less about the ship and more about the itinerary. Where is the ship docking, for example, a berth in central Stockholm rather than at Nynäshamn which is minimum 1 hour travel south of Stockholm. (This might not apply to your trip)

How long in port?

Which ports? and what is there to see in each of them....does one trump the other for experience?

 

Good luck with your search!

[KeithJenner]

To answer the question in the subject line, yes, absolutely I would sail on the Jade. It’s one of my favourite ships. It had a significant dry dock less than a year ago and has been improved a lot in the process.

[Blocks]

I have sailed Jade twice, last time was June 2017 and yes I would definitely sail on Jade again.

[Pitzel]

We sailed the 15 night UK/Norway/Iceland itinerary on the Jade back in August and we had a wonderful time. The ship has been refurbished and looks just fine. Enjoy!

[Traj]

Jade was in dry dock last March. I was on in April and it wasn’t yet complete (waiting for new furniture), but it was shortly after. It’s a beautiful ship, you won’t regret it! You can search there’s forums for the refurb photos, there are several.

 

 

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[littlelulu01]

We have sailed the Jade several times, most recently on the two week Norway, Iceland, Scotland... out of Southampton. Would definitely recommend. Great ship, service and itinerary. Have also sailed HAL Alaska on a similar size ship, the Zuderdam. Liked Hal but prefer NCL. Some aspects of Hal I enjoyed such as a covered pool area on zuderdam, not sure about the setup on their new ship, but overall the Jade service and experience far exceeded and post refurbishment, the Jade is a beautiful ship.

[kjquilts]

We love the Jewel class ships and have cruised on Pearl and Jewel many times. Our first cruise on the Jade is this April followed by a wonderful 14 night Mediterranean cruise next October. The itinerary is amazing and we're so glad the cruise is on a jewel class ship with forward observation lounge and the great outdoors on the stern. Love our roll call too :D

 

There are lots of videos of the Jade on youtube. Here is just one done after the refurbishment.

 

 

 

[casofilia]

We have traveled lots on NCL but not the Jade. If it is up to NCL's usual standard then no problem; the Jade it would be.

[NMLady]

We are looking at Holland America Koningsdam and NCL Jade

for a 14 day itinerary to Norway and Iceland this summer.

The HAL Koningsdam is the newer ship but there are far too many negative opinions on everything about the ship.

 

What is the condition of Jade? Has it been updated lately? If you have sailed recently, were you happy with experience?

 

We did two ta's on the Jade in 2016 and loved it! Since then it has been drydocked so should be even better. We are currently booked for Christmas/New Years cruise on Jade. Looking forward to it.

[psantho]

We sailed on the Koningsdam in January 2017 and the Jade in April 2017, and again in November 2017, and like them both. The 2 ships are very different experiences.

The Koningsdam is new and is a very lovely ship. It offers Lincoln Center Stage, with string quartets/quintets, a non-smoking casino, a one-of-a-kind World Stage theater with LED lighting that provides a very different show experience. Also, BB King Blues plays 3 sets almost every night and America's Test Kitchen also does demonstrations. The overall "feel" is more refined.

We were also on the Jade in November 2017, so we've seen her post-dry dock, and she is lovely. We have been very happy with the entertainment on our past 2 cruises on the Jade; in fact there seems to be more things to do late-night that on the Koningsdam. We didn't not like the smoking in the casino; it seeped into the stairways and invaded the floors above and below. The overall feel on the Jade is very relaxed and casual.

So, it really depends on the cruise experience you are looking for. In my opinion you can't go wrong on either ship.

[Wendy-Europe]

I prefer Holland America, if the price of the cruise is nearly the same.

[Barb Nahoumi]

I prefer Holland America, if the price of the cruise is nearly the same.

 

Does HAL have strict themed dress codes such as Formal, semi formal, or smart casual? We prefer NCL's resort casual every day.

[BostonGal35]

just got off the Jade. loved her! she was recently refurbished and looks awesome.

[Tatka]

Does HAL have strict themed dress codes such as Formal, semi formal, or smart casual? We prefer NCL's resort casual every day.

 

No. It is Formal and Smart Casual. While most of people adhere Formal night dress suggestions it is not very strict.

 

 

I love Jewel class ships, but I would probably sail with HAL for this. Covered pool is handy. Food in buffets are better on HAL too. And ...just to explore new ship. :)

[All-ready2cruise]

No. It is Formal and Smart Casual. While most of people adhere Formal night dress suggestions it is not very strict.

 

 

I love Jewel class ships, but I would probably sail with HAL for this. Covered pool is handy. Food in buffets are better on HAL too. And ...just to explore new ship. :)

 

I read minimum was cocktail dress/pants suit for her and suit and tie for him... is this wrong? I have a friend who prefers HAL to NCL but it seems more expensive for most cruises as a solo anyway.

[NMLady]

I read minimum was cocktail dress/pants suit for her and suit and tie for him... is this wrong? I have a friend who prefers HAL to NCL but it seems more expensive for most cruises as a solo anyway.

 

HAL has changed Formal night to Gala night. No suit or even jacket required for men. Just "dressy" for women.