Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jade Review

Overall Rating

Hi. Just returned from a 9 day cruise on the Jade going to Morocco, Las Palmas, Maderia and Malaga. Good points - very clean ship, excellent food in certain restaurants, easy embarkation and disembarkation, good (although compact) accommodation. And a very friendly crew.

I found there was lots of "extra" costs and thought the trips were expensive, spa costs very high, entertainment I thought wasd low quality at times. At times the Freestyle was replaced by Feestyle!

Embarkation: Flew to Barcelona airport (arrived 12.15) and got a taxi to ship (its about 40 euros for two with cases) Plenty of taxis at airport. Check in was quick and we were on the boat by 13.30. Food was available, and you could explore the ship. Could get into cabins just after 15.00, but cases took longer to arrive at cabin. But we were all unpacked etc by 17.00.
Accommodation: We had a cabin with balcony. It was compact but fine. Plenty of hangers etc. Bed very comfortable. Cleaned every day. Top marks for this service.
Eating. 12 places to eat, but of these you have to pay extra in 8. Garden Cafe is self service and always busy when open. Lots of different choices but when busy its difficult to find a seat. The two dining rooms are excellent, and I saw a review by someone else saying the menu was the same every day. Not true. A few dishes are on every day but there are plenty of new ones on that days menu. Paid extra to eat at Jasmine Garden (excellent food) and then at the top priced Cagneys. This was very disappointing and not the food experience that was promoted and the one we were expecting. And at an extra $20 each it was even more hard to swallow! The freestyle way promotes not wearing a watch, but you need to be aware that these eating places shut at times I would have expected them to be open longer (e.g. breakfast).
I was pleasantly surprised at the large numbers of people who "dressed up" for the evening meals all over the ship. And it was relatively easy just to walk into a non extra cost restaurant at any time without having to wait for a table.
Entertainment: Fabulous theatre, but nothing special in the way of shows. "Shout" was just that with the singers belting out numbers with no light or shade. Smokey Joes was full of singers putting over their version of classic songs - they should have just done them like the originals! Spinnaker room group sang off key lots of times. Best show was the Crew Show. Now that was really great. And why do parents with young children bring them to late shows (9.30) and you then have to endure crying tots when there is a baby sitting service available?
On days at sea the number of loungers available around the pool area is limited, so there were plenty of towels out early to "reserve" a place in the sun.
Costs; Should say something about the "extras". Very disappointing compared to previous cruises I have been on. Tour of the ship (its an extra cost), Beer tasting (extra) Sushi demonstration (its extra) Internet access (extra) etc. etc. And then there's a 15% service charge on every drink you have. Any thing you do on board that has a cost gets a service charge. This we are told gets shared by the crew, and you can have it taken off your bill if you are prepared to queue right at the end of the cruise. As I said before it becomes Feestyle and not Freestyle cruising. Once o board you are a captive audience. And talking of costs, the pleasant little game of Bingo was hugely expensive, and on the last day the cost rocketed!
Trips: Expensive. Only did two, and didn't really think they were value for money. At the other ports found that there are Hop On, Hop Off buses doing circular tours. Much better way to see places at a fraction of the cost - but of course you don't get told this on the Jade.
Smoking: Coming from the UK its a culture shock to be surrounded by smokers. Ok, they can only smoke in certain place but the Casino was thick with smoke and other places were not places to go near.
Disembarkation: Chose to take our own luggage off rather than have it collect the night before and taken to the terminal. Our way was a dream. Left when we wanted. No problem taking cases down in lift and into the terminal. Lots of taxis outside (the Jade will arrange transfers to the airport at $40 per person! Take a taxi - its cheaper.
So in conclusion. It was a good cruise. Public Rooms are good, the crew excellent, weather was great, there were some things to do that didn't have an extra cost so we took advantage of these. Food excellent in most cases (shame about Cagneys), and by being careful we didn't end up with a horrendous credit card bill. (We heard of one couple loosing $2,600 in the Casino!). Would I freestyle again? Not sure. But one thing I won't be looking at the cost of a freestyle cruise as being cheaper than other cruise lines, as once on board the costs really can mount up if you are not careful.