 Expert Review |  | | | | |
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You may not be familiar with Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jade, which will be based in Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens and Southampton for several Europe-based cruises starting this spring. That's because the ship, which actually was built and designed to cruise all-American Hawaii itineraries, and now sails as Pride of Hawaii, will be moved out of Hawaii in February 2008 -- and over to Europe. But unlike most major cruise ship transitions, the only big changes to the ship, which launched in just 2006, involve repainting its hull -- to remove any traces of its Hawaiian existence -- and adding a casino. (U.S. laws forbid casino operation within its territorial waters and as the ship sailed an all-Hawaii itinerary there simply was no point to have one.) While Pride of Hawaii flew the American flag, as Norwegian Jade the ship will fly that of the Bahamas. We're told that its U.K. debut will be low key. In the meantime, though the Pride of Hawaii ship review itself is focused on its sailings in Hawaii, there's much information about the ship's dining facilities, entertainment programs and kids' club -- so take a look. After a series of repositioning cruises between Hawaii and Europe, Norwegian Jade will sail 12-, 13- and 14-night Eastern and Western Mediterranean itineraries in early spring arriving in Barcelona for its first cruise on March 30, 2008. Departures from Barcelona, Istanbul and Athens (Piraeus) throughout spring will visit ports including Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, and Venice, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ephesus, Turkey; Mykonos, Santorini, Iraklion, Crete, Corfu and Katakolon, Greece; and Alexandria, Egypt. After the spring, Jade will reposition to Southampton for several sailings out of the U.K. designed specifically for the local U.K. market -- a first for NCL. This series of cruises will visit the Mediterranean, North Cape, Western Europe and British Isles. For example, a 12-day North Cape itinerary roundtrip from Southampton will cruise the North Sea with several stops in Norway, cross the Arctic Circle and cruise by the Svartisen Glacier. A 13-day Around the British Isles and Northern Europe itinerary will visit France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. --by Melissa Baldwin, Managing Editor; Updated by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief | | |  top | | | | Overview
Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Cruise Line's first ever ship to sail in Europe year-round, may boast an incongruously decor that's tropically focused (more on that later), but the recently refurbished vessel is "freestyle" through and through. For the most part, its "Freestyle" design refers to an onboard ambience that abandons traditional cruise formalities. All meals are open seating and choice of cuisine and vibe is relatively unrivaled (range goes from a top-notch steakhouse and Tepannyaki to French, Italian, tapas, sushi, buffets and even a 24-hour cafe, complete with traditional English breakfast). "Freestyle" also incorporates onboard activities and entertainment ranging from its spa to comedy shows; opening hours are pretty expansive and performances aren't geared around restaurant seatings. Beyond that, Norwegian Jade, which in April 2008 repositioned from a year-round post in Hawaii (hence the tropical decor) to Southampton (and now on to the Mediterranean), got a fresh new look. Carpets were replaced and worn furnishings repaired. The small Hawaii cultural center has disappeared while the Jade Club Casino -- banned on ships that cruise in Hawaii -- has been added. Where the majority of passengers and crew were North Americans aboard Pride of Hawaii (90 percent of crew were required to be U.S. citizens), the breakdown on our 12-night Istanbul to Athens cruise was rather evenly divided between passengers representing the U.S. (1,286) and those from international countries, including Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico and Japan (1,115). The more global experience, with announcements now coming in Spanish and German as well as English, was the defining element of the cruise. I played poker at a table composed of players from Israel, Mexico, Northern Europe, the Midwest United States, Japan and China -- all yelling at our shy Peruvian dealer. The melange of languages flying by was somewhat distracting during play, but it still felt entirely natural. Somewhat lost in the shuffle -- with its new geography, moniker and clientele -- is the fact that Jade is also the first ship to debut Freestyle 2.0, NCL's new fleetwide service, dining and cabin initiative (other vessels have since followed suit). The touches range from little gestures, such as a "bubbly" welcome or on-deck Evian spritz, to new programs, such as the introduction of NCL-U "education" courses (beer tasting, digital photography classes) to the more indulgent addition of pillow menus to suites. NCL also debuted two new theme parties aboard Jade: the Monte Carlo casino party with its show girls in feathered hats and annoying host continuously rolling his tongue as he bellowed "Monte Carrrrrrlo" and the White Hot Party, a very well-attended danceathon where a large number of passengers clad in white spazzed about to some bass-heavy joints. Menus in all the restaurants have also been overhauled (and surcharges increased we should note), with signature dishes added to all specialty restaurants (Cagney's Steakhouse has a 32 ounce porterhouse). With "Lobster Galore," passengers will now find lobster in at least one restaurant every night of the cruise. And suite guests have a new place to dine for breakfast and lunch with the opening of Cagney's to guests booked in Romance Suites or higher. An interesting, but less talked about, upgrade is Crew 2.0. A happy crew is a good crew so this new initiative includes better food in the crew galley, opportunities for the crew to go on shore excursions, and more crew-passenger interaction (perhaps a crew vs. passenger b-ball tournament). All said, the dramatic shifts seem to have been taken in stride. It's a cruise where U.S. passengers can see Europe in the most economical way possible, and European and Asian travelers can take advantage of the woefully performing U.S. dollar. Clearly no one minds the island vestiges of Pride of Hawaii. Complaints about the additional costs of all the specialty restaurants -- something that's dogged NCL's Freestyle concept from the start -- were common, and a case could be made for NCL doing a better job of providing more realistic expectations. If guests really do want to enjoy the wide variety of dining options available during a single cruise, as the multiplicity of restaurants clearly suggest, an additional, say, $25 per person, per night, should probably be figured into the cost of the cruise. The concern of "nickel and diming" aside, Jade provides an international cruise experience on a relatively new ship, with a spectrum of dining and accommodation options. NCL's aim is to characterize itself as the line of unfettered choice, and now on a global level. | | | | top | | | | Public Rooms
Guests enter the ship via the Aloha Atrium, a central meeting spot that also houses the reception desk and concierge, the shore excursions desk, and the Port of Call shop, which features collectibles and memorabilia. The Aloha Bar here serves up for-fee Lavazza coffee products (hot and frozen), tea, cappuccinos, pastries and cookies, and plenty of plush red armchairs dot the floor at the foot of two grand staircases. As you work your way aft from the Aloha Atrium, the photo gallery with prints for sale is set up starboard (don't forget to take a peak; there are some really horrifying photos), while the art gallery, powered by who else, Park West, that impenetrable force in at-sea art auctioneering, and Internet cafe line the port side of the ship (there are eight terminals, open 24 hours; per-minute rates start from 45 cents -- it is cheaper if you buy a package). Where the ship previously lacked a duty free shop, it being subject to Hawaii's taxes, the international registry now allows for it. Aft on Deck 7 is the Dufry, a large department store-style shop where you can find everything from destination specific jewelry like Egyptian kartouches, brand name watches and clothing, toiletry items (but sadly no mouthwash) to souvenirs like key chains and stuffed animals. The main bar concept, dubbed Bar Central, features three connected but thematically different watering holes. Magnum's Champagne and Wine Bar, Mixers Martini and Cocktail Bar, and Tankard's Beer and Whiskey Pub each have their own comprehensive menu and distinct decor. The seating area of Magnum's spreads out toward the Corona Cigar Club (new name), and a piano where an entertainer plays nightly -- this is by far the busiest of the three areas, and a great spot for pre- and post-dinner cocktails. We also like the Star Bar for a drink, another upscale lounge with a piano player, and during the day, Bali Hai, which feels like a beach shack. NCL has gotten rid of the Kumu Cultural Center. In its place guests will find displays showcasing the new Freestyle 2.0 parties -- Monte Carlo casino party and White Hot Party. You'll also find a convenient "Menu Central" display with copies of all the specialty restaurant menus. The SS United States Library features ample shelves of fiction and non-fiction titles in multiple languages, but it is also worth a visit just for a peek at original photography, vintage advertisements and original lithographs from marine artists that decorate the space. The library is open 24 hours, and borrowing is done on the honor system. Sadly, over 100 books were "lost" on a previous cruise, and so we can't promise that the 24-hour system will continue to be in place. Enrichment courses are held in the nearby Lifestyles Room, and a chapel one deck up can accommodate 24 for an intimate wedding. Editor's note: It is easy to find your way around, even on day one of your voyage. When you exit your cabin, look down at the carpeting. If you follow the direction of the dolphins, you'll be headed forward; if you need to go aft, swim against the current! | | | | top | | | | Cabins
Cruisers are spoilt for choice onboard Norwegian Jade, with cabins ranging from entry-level insides to $10,000-a-week Garden Villas that seem more like something you'd find at a five-star resort than on a mainstream cruise ship. Sixty percent of the 1,080 standard staterooms are outsides, and of those, 54 percent have balconies. Best of all, for families, interconnecting cabins are available in a range of categories from standard insides to suites. And it's not just apples to apples: Different grades of cabins can be interconnected -- balcony to suite or suite to penthouse, for example -- to create two- to five-bedroom combos for small or large clans. All staterooms have a richer feel due to cherry wood finishes, and boast mini-fridges (you can have it customized or emptied), safes and in-cabin coffee facilities. And as part of the Freestyle 2.0 initiative, an impressive list of new standard features have been added, including the addition of upgraded mattresses and mattress toppers, new linens, duvets and pillows, including the trendy Euro pillows. And as of June 2008, passengers will find Elemis bathroom amenities. Standard inside and oceanview cabins (143 and 161 square ft., respectively) are very small industry-wise, but functional, with a sitting area, two twin beds that convert to a queen, and partitioned bathrooms with sliding door shower stalls on one side, a separate toilet compartment on the other, and a central sink area. When you move up into oceanview cabins with balconies, things get roomier (167 square ft., with a 38-square-ft. balcony); 134 mini-suites are slightly larger (231 square ft., with a 54-squre-ft. balcony) with a full-sized sofa and a small bathtub. If you're booked in a balcony or mini-suite, NCL will add a customized never-ending fruit basket, and some other small touches like better bathrobes, priority debarkation (honestly the whole process seemed a breeze for everyone), and a cookie on the last night of the cruise. Oh boy! What's a little odd, and especially for a relatively new ship built in 2006, is the absence of flat-screen TV's. It's the 48 suite (and above) accommodations that really benefit from Freestyle 2.0. NCL has added all new bedding, dubbed the "Bliss Collection by NCL," to all suites and villas, which includes pillow-top mattresses, down comforters and Euro pillows. Passengers will receive a free bottle of Champagne, evening canapes, private breakfast and lunch in Cagney's (with steak and eggs, eggs benedict and French toast rounding out the menu; at lunch, try the Caesar salad with chicken or steak), a pillow menu and MP3 connections. The suite distinction begins with the Romance Suites (there are four), which are balconied staterooms with a full tub and shower, and living and dining areas. Penthouse Suites (there are 24) feature a living area, private balcony, dining area, separate bedroom with queen-size bed, and bath and separate shower with massaging heads; most have a "spare" bedroom (slightly bigger than a big closet and outfitted with two twin beds -- great for kids). The living and dining areas are equipped with a mini-fridge (stocked with complimentary waters and sodas). There are three flat-screen TV's -- one in the living area, one in the main bedroom and one above the tub; the first two connected to CD/DVD players. The exclusive 14th deck is where you'll find the 10 Courtyard Villas -- a concept introduced on Norwegian Jewel. They are essentially identical to the Penthouse Suites (save for the fabulous tub set against a window with a birds-eye view), but what's extra is that they surround a private courtyard shared by all Courtyard Villa guests. The space is gorgeous, with a sleek pool, a Balinese bed, a Jacuzzi, a treadmill and a Stairmaster; one deck up is an exclusive sun deck with wicker loungers and a hammock. The only categories above Courtyard Villas are the Owner's Suites on Decks 9 and 10 (there are five) and the Garden Villas (there are two), on Deck 14 with the Courtyard Villas. The Owner's Suites offer king beds, BOSE entertainment centers, a whirlpool tub and walk-in closets; guests booked in these cabins are granted access to the courtyard. But the kings of all cabins are the Garden Villas, each with a private roof terrace and garden for open-air dining, hot tubbing and sunning. These complexes include three separate bedrooms -- one with a whirlpool tub -- and BOSE accoutrements. New with Freestyle 2.0 for all Villa and Owner Suite passengers is a private breakfast and lunch in the courtyard area. All suite guests (including the penthouse and romance cabins) also have a concierge and butler at their disposal to arrange restaurant reservations, expedite room service orders, stock diet Cokes in the mini-fridge, etc. L'Occitane products in the bathroom are replenished daily. The in-cabin coffee maker is also upgraded to a fancy espresso and cappuccino machine, and balcony furniture improves from plastic found elsewhere to teak. All cabins on Deck 14, as well as the owner's suites on Decks 9 and 10, have Wi-Fi; otherwise, in-cabin Internet access is available shipwide, but don't forget your Ethernet cable. TV programming includes a selection of movies, plus CNN, Fox News, ESPN. The interactive Freestyle TV system can be used for ordering room service, accessing e-mail, confirming shore excursion bookings, etc. The ship offers 27 cabins in a variety of categories for disabled and wheelchair-bound passengers. | | | | top | | | | Entertainment
The two-level Stardust Theater, with playful jester masks decorating the walls, is the main venue for Vegas- and Broadway-style reviews. The entertainment options range from the standard cabaret or song and dance review to the more offbeat ("The Sound of Music" sing-along) to the really out there (interpretive dance set to the sounds of Frank Sinatra). The main events have also been slightly reconfigured. There's now a variable 7:30 and 9:30 show nightly, with one comedy/variety act and one more standard Broadway or Vegas revue. Despite the ship's new home in Europe, the crew variety show held on the final evening was very well attended. Performances ranged from traditional Indian dance to renditions of Bon Jovi's "Bed of Roses." The talent was impressive, and the tryouts are apparently very competitive -- the cruise director tells me only the best of the best are selected to perform in front of cruisers. NCL-U "educational" programs are the main Freestyle 2.0 entertainment additions. The focus on destination lectures (The life of Socrates), technology (digital photo), and food and beverage (30-minute Italian meal, beer tasting at Tankards, wine tasting at Le Bistro). Also new are improv classes run by Second City performers, including one for kids (class clowns). By the end of the cruise, digital photography class was among the best attended. Separate from the 2.0 offerings, Jade is also serving as something of an experimental setting for new entertainment options. The Second City International Cabaret features a mixture of crowd-influenced improv comedy, lounge music, and other cabaret acts. If you want your own spot for entertainment, the Medusa Cabaret Lounge -- a loud looking venue with blazing orange fire flower sculptures -- is outfitted with three private "Whatever" rooms (complete with curtains). Inside you'll find seating, a huge flat-screen TV, a phone for dialing in your bar orders, as well as Nintendo Wii and a karaoke setup. All the necessary goods are locked behind glass doors, so you'll have to request a key from the bartender. And if the demand is high for the rooms, you may be held to an hour or so (it makes more sense to invite the waiting group to join you). NCL is also trying to discourage the drawing of the curtains, because, well, the game playing might transcend the virtual. High atop the ship, overlooking the bridge, forward, is the secondary showroom. Spinnaker Lounge serves different purposes throughout the day. Passenger-participation shows, such as the Newlywed, Not-So-Newlywed game, take place here; Second City's International Cabaret; and a DJ spins tunes into the wee hours. Otherwise, onboard activities run the gamut from trivia in the atrium and three-on-three b-ball tournaments up on the sports court to informal chess, checkers, cards and Scrabble in the Card Room on Deck 12. Music is found throughout the vessel, with a more toned down "San Tropez" style poolside crooner and a packed jazz night in the Aloha atrium -- with plenty of guests tappin' and boppin' along to oldies standards. Norwegian Jade's Jade Club Casino lets you double down with slots, black jack, roulette, craps, and the first at-sea Texas Hold 'Em cash game ($60 minimum buy-in; $200 maximum). There are also at least two tables using euros. Editor's Note: Gone are the 70's style hairy leg contests, wacky pool games and emphasis on karaoke. NCL feels it's time to move on. | | | | top | | | | Fitness and Recreation
The pool area midship on Deck 12 features two swimming pools (there's a third, further aft, just for kids). These are flanked by whirlpools under bright awnings and a water slide. One good thing about Norwegian Jade's port-intensive itinerary is that there are only two sea days -- so there's less overall demand for deck chairs! But on those sea days, come early. Most poolside loungers do, however, get snagged early in the day. I never had trouble, however, finding somewhere to sit and sun, particularly one deck up on Deck 13. The Ying & Yang Spa & Beauty Salon is operated by London conglomerate Steiner Leisure, and offers the usual treatments (facials, massages) as well as more trendy wellness offerings, such as acupuncture and teeth whitening (a 40-minute session was on special for $199). Arrive early or stay after your treatment to take advantage of the steam room, therapy pool and heated-tile loungers. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day and features state-of-the-art equipment such as treadmills and bikes, as well as weight machines and free weights, all with floor-to-ceiling windows as a backdrop. There's also an aerobics room for class. Some, such as stretching, are complimentary; others (yoga, Pilates and cycling) cost $10. For staying in shape outdoors, the stadium-style sports deck with bleacher seating that was introduced on Norwegian Jewel is back, and accommodated, on my cruise, basketball and football (soccer). The court also could serve as a regulation size tennis court, but no such activity was offered. There are also golf driving nets on either side of the aft sports area, a shuffleboard court (very popular -- high-stakes games going at 10:30 p.m.), Ping-Pong tables, oversized chess sets and a walking/jogging track (5.5 laps to a mile). | | | | top | | | | Family
NCL's Kids Crew, like other children's programs industry-wide, divides younger cruisers into four groups with age-appropriate pastimes: Juniors (2 - 5), First Mates (6 - 9), Navigators (10 - 12) and Teens (13 - 17). Activities for Juniors might include, for example, storytelling and painting, while Navigators visit the video arcade or participate in team-building sports games. The colorful children's facility on Norwegian Jade, Tree Top Kids Center, is divided into areas based on activity and in some cases age range. There's a spacious cinema with a big screen for movie viewing and cushy beanbag chairs, an arts and crafts station, a long desk with several computers for gaming and learning (don't worry moms, no Internet access here), and even a naptime area. The Sapphire Kid's Pool features slides and a wading area. For teens, there's a surf-themed Wipeout Club with a touch-screen jukebox, gaming terminals, a juice bar (all the mocktinis and mocktails will run you $3.50 each) and easy access to the arcade, which includes Zoofari, our favorite fun-time arcade game. Your task? Shoot peanuts into zoo animals' mouths. During days in port, parents booked on excursions can leave tykes between the ages of 2 and 12 behind for supervised complimentary "Port Play" from arrival into port or 9 a.m. until departure from port or 5 p.m. (in both instances, whichever time is earlier). At night, group babysitting is available from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. and there is also a "Late Night Fun Zone" from 10:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. "Port Play", group babysitting and the "Late Night Fun Zone" are all fee-based services; the costs for each program are $5 per hour and $3 per hour for siblings in the same family (charged to guests' onboard accounts). Editor's note: Children who are not potty trained are able to participate in the Kids Crew program -- but youth staffers are not allowed to change diapers; parents will need to remain onboard and carry a beeper or have a phone handy so that they can fulfill that particular duty. Also, children under the age of 2 cannot be left with youth staffers, but families can meet in designated areas throughout the ship for scheduled "Under 2 Zoo" playtime. Norwegian Jade is one of several ships in the fleet that boasts a jungle gym with a ball crawl. | | | | top | | | | Fellow Passengers
In a clear nod to cruise travel's international explosion, the passenger manifest was split nearly 50-50 between passengers from North America and those from other countries including Australia, Great Britain, France, Spain, Mexico, Japan and Korea. Typical of longer European itineraries, the average age hovered around 55, with the largest number of guests in the 55 to 70 range. In terms of the younger lot, about 4 percent of those onboard were from the under 18 group. The youth program staff told us that 99 children, ages 2 to 17 were onboard, a not surprising number given the longer length of the cruise. | | | | top | | | | Dress Code
On Jade's European itineraries, guests' dress choices were varied. But in general, with an older demographic, there were plenty of suit coats, dress shirts and dresses on display around dinnertime. None of the guests donning suits for their evening meal looked particularly out of place. And with so much time spent in port -- there were only two sea days on our 12-night Eastern Mediterranean sailing -- dinner on said sea days took on even more of a formal demeanor. During our days at sea, when the sun was out, resort- and beach-wear were appropriate in public areas and by the pool respectively; it's kindly requested that shorts and tank tops are not worn in restaurants (except for the Garden) after 5 p.m. | | | | top | | | | Gratuity
Because of the resort-like nature of Freestyle Cruising, NCL and NCL America ships carry a tipping policy that's slightly different from other cruise lines. A fixed charge of $10 per person, per day ($5 for kids 3 - 12), is deducted from guests' onboard accounts -- which jives with the industry standard -- but here it is considered a "service charge," not a "gratuity." The line explains on its Web site: "Our crew is encouraged to work together as a service team and is compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that the service charge supports ... guests should not feel obliged to offer a gratuity for service that is generally rendered to all guests. However, all of our staff are encouraged to 'go the extra mile,' and so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities entirely at the discretion of our guests." Guests are able to adjust the automatic charge at the reception desk. If you utilize a butler and/or concierge, NCL recommends offering a tip "commensurate with services rendered"; I kept a mental tab throughout the week of meals delivered, requests handled, etc., and offered my "thanks" accordingly in cash. However, fellow passengers were able to put gratuities for these staffers on their onboard account by visiting reception, so keep that option in mind. Gratuities are not automatically added to bar tabs; you can add a tip to your onboard account, or leave a buck or two in cash. --by Dan Askin, Associate Editor; updated by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief | | | | top | | | | | Expert reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation. | |  | |
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