I’ve never been on a cruise before, and while I’d always heard mixed reviews about them (you love them or hate them), I always wanted to experience one for myself. Cruising is definitely a lot different from my normal travel style- like road trips from my hometown of Columbus or exploring Europe– but I was open to something new so for this spring break I decided to check it out. I started looking into Norwegian Cruise Line because after a suggestion from a friend who loves cruising. Additionally, they have deals for solo-travelers, teacher discounts, and from what I read they are geared more towards adults and less towards little kids (like Carnival for example). So that’s how I found myself on the Norwegian Jade, exploring the Bahamas for a week in March. Read to find out about my experience cruising on the Norwegian Jade.
Information about the Norwegian Jade
The Norwegian Jade is a Jewel-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Jewel-class is what NCL calls a group of medium-size ships, and these specifically are the fourth largest in their fleet. The Jade was originally built in 2006 as the Pride of Hawaii, but the ship was rebranded in 2008. Then, in 2017, the ship went through a renovation. While it wasn’t the biggest or fanciest ship in the ports that I saw, I thought it was great and didn’t feel outdated or gross.
The Jade sails across stunning destinations, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Northern Europe. After my cruise, the ship is traveling to Alaska on a 25 day cruise- an exciting change for the crew members (I hope). The 965-foot-long vessel accommodates around 2,400 guests (double occupancy) and features 15 decks. Though I only wandered from decks 4 through 13, many of those are packed with entertainment, dining, and recreational spaces. The crew consists of about a 1,000 people, and the staff was part of the most impressive part of my cruising experience on the Norwegian Jade- they were ultra-friendly (often funny), professional and personable. The bartenders remembered your favorite drink, the servers were either making jokes or serenading me, the housecleaning crew greeted me warmly every time I walked by, I felt truly looked after.
Check-in and the beginning of the cruise
My experience cruising with Norwegian Jade started in Miami. I arrived the night before, and prior to the cruise I picked my check in time (noon) which is when my shuttle to dropped me off. I dropped my luggage off with the porter, which was delivered to my room shortly before the cruise left. Then, I stood in a queue for about 45 minutes, showed my passport in exchange for my ship card (used for identification and receiving of food/drinks). Once on board, I had to find my muster station to learn what to do in case of an emergency, and then it was time for my first drink (I couldn’t decide between an Irish coffee and a peach Bellini- but then I remembered I didn’t need to decide!).
My room on the Norwegian Jade
For this cruise, I opted for an interior room. I heard that it might be better for me, since I get motion sickness very easily. And let’s be honest- it was cheaper. When I entered my room, I was pleasantly surprised- it was much larger than I expected! I did, however, receive a handicap room which I read is slightly larger. I definitely liked the layout and there was a surprising amount of storage and the bathroom wasn’t as tiny as I expected.
Speaking towards my sleeping experience while cruising on the Norwegian Jade- having no window or balcony helped me to sleep better (feeling like I was in a cave), however the bed was not the most comfortable. Additionally every morning at 8 there were announcements about the ports, which I didn’t love, because I enjoy a sleep-in. Definitely come with some earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Overall, I’d give my sleeping situation a 6.5/10 (and please note that I am not even a great sleeper in my own home, so take what I say with a grain of salt).
Entertainment on the Norwegian Jade
Let’s shift from sleeping to the opposite- all the lively fun! Entertainment on the Norwegian Jade is both diverse and engaging, with something for every guest. And there were events and shows going on every day. In the evening there was a schedule given to passengers with information on the going-on’s the following day, and announcements were made at the beginning of every day and in the afternoon. Throughout the ship, live music fills the air at various venues, with everything from piano tunes to rock and jazz performances. During my time cruising on the Norwegian Jade I wanted to experience as much as possible. My first evening I enjoyed the a piano player and later a guitarist playing tunes of the masters. The second night I went to a lounge to hear a duo singing Motown in the Bliss Ultra Lounge, a chic nightclub featuring DJs and late-night dancing.
Later the second evening I went to a session where they taught the Thriller dance and was followed by an 80s dance party. Man- that was a great night- I got to enjoy singing and dancing to my favorite song “Just Wanna Dance” twice! The dance party was held the Spinnaker Lounge- where also during the week there was karaoke and interactive game shows and more dance parties. On another evening there was a neon dance party, but it was so crowded with kids I didn’t stay long at that one. There were also scheduled get-togethers for solo travelers, LGBTQ cruisers, knitting fans and more. I bet lots of parents who were able to drop their kids off in the kid center so they could have fun while the kids were having their own good time! I loved all the options. Entertainment was definitely an 8.5/10.
Shows on the Norwegian Jade
The Stardust Theater is the main entertainment hub, hosting different shows twice every evening of the cruise. There are Broadway-style productions, live music performances, and comedy acts, magic shows… I didn’t make it to a show until the third night when there was an acrobatic show going on and it was outstanding! There was another evening where it was songs of Broadway, and the final night there was an ensemble show and all the performers were featured. Magic, singing, dancing, acrobatics. It was fun!
Though this definitely doesn’t describe me, but casino lovers will find excitement at Casino at Sea, which offers slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette.
More fun on the Norwegian Jade
If that wasn’t enough entertainment possibilities for you, Norwegian Jade offers a variety of recreational activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the jogging/walking track, basketball/volleyball court, shuffleboard, and even a golf driving net. Indoor fun includes the arcade, library, card room, and art gallery. If you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation, cruisers on the Norwegian Jade can visit the Mandara Spa & Thermal Suite, which features massages, facials, steam rooms, saunas, and heated loungers. The fully equipped fitness center offers treadmills and weights with stunning ocean views. There are also classes of yoga, spin, and Pilates classes (for a fee).
Pools on the Norwegian Jade
Though I’m not a big swimmer, I always enjoy sitting by a pool and relaxing. The Norwegian Jade features multiple pools and hot tubs for anyone seeking relaxation or fun. The Sapphire Pool, located on Deck 12, is the ship’s main pool, and is often accompanied by live music, games, and entertainment especially in the early evenings when everyone is coming back from the ports. This is where the passengers gathered as we watched the ship leave Miami.
Surrounding the pool are four hot tubs, perfect for unwinding with an ocean view. For families there is a kids pool and splash area, designed for little ones to enjoy safe water fun with a lifeguard keeping watch. I usually stayed on the upper level where it was a little bit more quiet. There was always music playing, and sometimes a DJ or other live music.
Dining on the Norwegian Jade
My experience dining on the Norwegian Jade was one of my favorite parts of cruising! Dining on the Norwegian Jade follows the Freestyle Dining concept, meaning guests can eat whenever and wherever they like. There is the Garden Café, a buffet offering global flavors, live cooking stations, and fresh desserts. The Garden Café is where I had breakfast in the mornings. I’m a late eater so I usually just had a big breakfast and then snuck a few things from the snack bar later on. O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill is a 24/7 Irish-style pub serving burgers, wings, and fish & chips. I must admit I had some late night snacks there after the dance parties, it was a nice option to have.
While a buffet is fine, I was the most impressed with the complimentary dining options of the modern Alizar and (my favorite) the elegant Grand Pacific Main Dining Rooms. Both of these dining rooms serve a rotating menu of international cuisine. Diners get to choose an appetizer, main dish and dessert every day. There is also an extensive drink menu, and the wine continues to be poured throughout the evening. There were tons of options and I was impressed! I give my food experiences in these dining rooms an 8.5/10!
Dietary restrictions while cruising
The main dining rooms were really nice, and I was always lucky enough never have to wait for a table and I always received have window seats. One of my biggest challenges while traveling, however, are my dietary limitations. The second day of the cruise I found out that as a person with dietary restrictions (vegetarian and gluten free) I could pre-order my meals every day. So when I went to dinner, Benjamin would come find me and show me the menu for the next day, and pretty much everything was able to be adapted. I had a really yummy three cheese ziti one day, and an eggplant Parmesan another. Plus gluten free bread, appetizers and desserts- I was in food restriction heaven!
Norwegian Jade also offers some elevated dining experience. There’s the Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro (French cuisine), La Cucina (Italian), Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi), and Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), all of which offer specialty menus for an additional fee. When I booked my cruise I got a complimentary elevated meal. So I, as a French teacher, of course chose the French Bistro as my special meal. I did make reservations for the evening in advance, but people were also booking these dinners on the cruise ship. Le Bistro was definitely très dĂ©licieux! Gluten free bread, escargot, soup, filet de loup de mer (a fish dish because I didn’t know about the pre-ordering options at this point) and a delicious fruit mousse.
It was a great experience, and one of the best parts was the amazing view! This dining experience was a 9.5/10 for me!
Drinks on the Norwegian Jade
For my experience cruising on the Norwegian Jade, I did opt for the unlimited drink package. It did cost an additional fee but was a GREAT value. I found out later that NCL does NOT include specialty coffees and smoothies in their drink package unlike some other cruise lines. In fact, I later opted to get some waters delivered to my room because bottled water is also not included in the package. Though you can get water at every restaurant and bar. For those interesting in unwinding with an adult beverage, Norwegian Jade features an array of bars and lounges, each with a unique atmosphere.
Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar is perfect for those who enjoy a sophisticated setting. Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar offers a selection of premium spirits (like a delicious Old Fashioned). Sugarcane Mojito Bar serves freshly made mojitos, while Mixers Martini & Cocktail Bar is ideal for those who appreciate expertly crafted cocktails (like those espresso martinis I couldn’t get enough of). There’s even a bar for sake lovers! For sports fans, The Pit Stop provides a casual space to watch live games with a beer in hand. And poolside, Topsiders Bar & Grill keeps the drinks flowing while cruisers soak up the sun. Those Pina Coladas hit the spot in the heat! And there are the bars in the entertainment lounges I mentioned earlier.
Packing for a cruise
I love dressing up on the regular day, but it was especially fun seeing people looking their best for the nice dinners and evening entertainment, though there was a wide variety of dress styles on this cruise. For a 5 day cruise I packed bathing suits, a hat, casual outfits and dresses for every evening. I also brought some workout outfits for the gym, a jacket, a few books and toiletries. I assumed the bathroom would have toiletries but only came with shampoo and shower gel. Something I brought but didn’t need was my own towel for the pool but those were always provided. Passengers were even allowed to take them off the ship too (though you have to give your room number and will be charged if it doesn’t make it back).
Other small items I brought were bag clips to attach my towel to my lounge chair, earplugs, and motion sickness patches / bracelets & Dramamine. I am prone to getting motion sick, and I felt find for the majority of the trip. However, on the last day the wind picked up and the last dinner I was seated in the direct middle back of the ship. That was not a great evening for me. In hindsight I wish I had taken Dramamine earlier in the rather just relying on the patches. Despite that, I would definitely go on a cruise again.
Excursions on the Norwegian Jade
When the Norwegian Jade visits the Bahamas it makes stops at Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini. There, passengers can choose from a variety of shore excursions ranging from beach getaways to snorkeling adventures. They also offer cultural tours and thrill-seeking activities. While I didn’t opt for any excursions, there were tons to choose from! And I enjoyed the stops, I just experienced them my own way. Check out a future blog post to hear about how I spent my time in the Bahamas. Until then, I hope you enjoyed hearing about my experience cruising on the Norwegian Jade. Have you been on a Norwegian Cruise Line? How did it compare to other cruise lines? I would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Thanks for visiting my blog!
-Catching Katie
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