Entertainment On Board NCL Jade

Entertainment onboard the NCL Jade garners a favorable reception. According to one reviewer, shows such as Blazing Boots showcase impressive talent, and unique acts like the Acrobat Duo and a magician were standout performances. They also had high praise for Gareth, the Cruise Director, who effectively added value to the cruise experience through his engaging moderation and entertaining initiatives like the Last Man Standing show (source).

Another reviewer echoed the sentiment about the high-quality entertainment lineup, specifically highlighting the exceptional Blazing Boots show. Despite not having water slides, the ship’s array of activities catered to all age groups, ensuring no shortage of entertainment. The variety of performers covered across the ship, notably in venues like the Spinnaker, enriched the overall entertainment experience. However, they noted that some performances could benefit from better promotion to ensure passengers don’t miss out on these talented acts (source).

I thought the food was actually pretty good. I can’t complain about that. I liked the layout of the Garden Cafe (i.e., lido restaurant), since it had food setups in lots of areas so there weren’t a lot of lines. The specialty restaurants were quite nice.

on the deck of NCL Jade 

Jade deck plans included in this video 

Cabin Reviews for Jade

Reviewers have shared mixed insights into the cabin experience aboard the NCL Jade. One reviewer noted that although the inside room felt a bit small, it provided ample space for two, with comfortable beds and plenty of storage, such as cupboard space and cubbies. They acknowledged that the ship’s age might mean smaller dimensions compared to newer vessels like the Prima, but appreciated the fantastic water pressure in the bathroom. Despite its size, they expressed satisfaction with the overall experience, particularly enjoying the onboard dining options. You can read more details here.

Another reviewer emphasized the comfort of the beds as one of their favorite aspects of the ship, describing the pillows and mattress as having “the perfect firmness and the perfect softness.” They appreciated the well-maintained cabin, despite a minor issue with a broken USB port, and also found the shower to be more spacious than expected. While the food experience was mixed, with some dishes enjoying preference over others, the reviewer found solace in consistently enjoying fruit salad as a dessert. Further elaboration on their experience can be found here.

What’s the Crew Like on Board NCL Jade

The reviews regarding the crew aboard the NCL Jade suggest a disparity in service quality. One reviewer felt the staff did not meet their expectations, describing the crew as unfriendly and unapproachable. They highlighted a lack of engagement and enthusiasm from the activity staff, which detracted from their enjoyment of the cruise’s planned activities and entertainment. The full review can be accessed here.

In a contrasting review, another passenger expressed disappointment with the overall service, mentioning that it seemed as though the crew members were not pleased to serve guests. Although there were a few staff members who were friendly and engaging, these individuals appeared to be the exception rather than the norm. Challenges were noted at O’Sheehan’s for meal service, where interactions with staff were subpar across various dining times. Yet, they did acknowledge the excellent service received in the main dining room. For more details on this perspective, click here.

This ship was in great shape. Very clean throughout. The crew does a real great job keeping things clean.

A oceanview cabin on NCL Jade

How Crowded is NCL Jade

Reviewers of the NCL Jade have offered mixed feedback regarding the level of crowding on the ship. One reviewer detailed their experience during the Canadian New England cruise, expressing initial frustration with the lengthy embarkation process in Boston, where a crowd of around 2,000 people formed without clear updates. Despite the delay, they noted the efficiency with which passengers were eventually boarded, resulting in a relatively smooth start to their journey. Onboard, they found the buffet setup with separate stations to be efficient, reducing lines and making it easy to access food, catering well even to picky eaters. They enjoyed the cruise overall, even though some excursions were full and schedules shifted. Learn more here.

The importance of securing specialty dining reservations early was also highlighted by another cruiser, as these restaurants tend to fill up quickly, sometimes leaving latecomers dining as late as 9 PM. This advice suggests that certain onboard activities and amenities, like specialty restaurants, see high demand, which may limit availability for those who don’t plan ahead. This emphasizes a need to navigate certain ship features strategically to avoid overcrowding and ensure a smooth experience with more timely dining options.

Spa & Gym Reviews

Opinions about the NCL Jade’s spa and gym facilities vary among guests. One family of six praised the ship’s beautifully renovated state, despite its small size. They noted that the Haven area pool, which should have provided a more exclusive experience, turned out to be exceptionally hot, pushing them towards the main pool area instead. The thermal spa was not included in their package, and in retrospect, they felt it wasn’t worth the extra cost. They appreciated the spaciousness of their suite, although they found it too warm, reflecting broader challenges with climate control in spa-associated areas on the ship.

In contrast, another reviewer had positive comments about the fitness center, describing it as well-equipped. While the review is brief, it suggests that the gym facilities met the expectations of fitness enthusiasts, providing well-maintained and accessible workout spaces. This is indicative of some positive aspects of the ship’s offerings, which motivate active-minded passengers to find the gym a worthwhile visit during their cruise experience.

General Comments

In their review, one guest had a mixed experience aboard the NCL Jade. They were particularly frustrated with their cabin experience, specifically mentioning persistent temperature issues and substandard lighting, which detracted from their enjoyment of the cruise. Despite a problematic stay, they found solace in the excellent personal service provided by their cabin steward, who went above and beyond to address their concerns. Additionally, they appreciated the quality entertainment on board, noting the excellent performances in the ship’s shows and music venues. However, they did express dissatisfaction with certain elements of management and communication, pointing out the absence of key ship officers during events, which limited the opportunities for direct feedback and resolution of issues.

Another passenger’s review highlighted significant challenges with NCL’s onboard internet service and app connectivity. They experienced frequent disconnections from the ship’s network, which was essential for making reservations and accessing daily information, leading to considerable inconvenience. Additionally, they encountered difficulties in claiming the free internet package, ultimately being charged for services they did not intend to purchase. This incident added to their disappointment, suggesting that there are areas within NCL’s technological framework that require improvement to enhance passenger experience. Both reviews indicate that while NCL offers quality entertainment and service in certain areas, operational and management issues need addressing to improve overall passenger satisfaction.