Norwegian Jade Ship Review

I can’t conclude this blog series without a few word about the Norwegian Jade itself. Originally launched as the Pride of Hawaii, the Jade was redirected and renamed when NCL’s three ships in Hawaii proved an overload. There were some service issues in her initial months as the Jade—likely a carryover from her American-flagged days; but we found the crew to be friendly and helpful.  (By the way, she was scheduled for a dry-dock overhaul not too long after our cruise, adding more restaurants and features.)



Black Diamond Suite Living Room

 Let’s face it: Civitavecchia is just not a pretty port, and Italians are not always the most orderly people in the world. Our Italian tour guide, Roberto, had arranged for our bus to drop us off at the terminal. The port police had other ideas. Apparently, the rule had just been changed requiring buses to bear a certain permit—newly added since our driver’s last time there not long ago. We passengers could offload and haul our bags the last few yards to the terminal, but the bus could not enter. Despite Ben’s conversation with the authorities (with Franca’s translation expertise, thank you!), the rule stood. We were not happy; but with smiles on our faces, Ben and I made sure all in our group trekked safely, bags in tow, to the terminal entrance. We arrived at an apparent mass assembly time, but sections of seated passengers were called up in organized fashion for boarding, will everyone making it on pretty quickly. I confess Ben I had booked a suite and loved our immediate escort to the ship without waiting. I could get used to that. We’d arranged for a cocktail party right after the lifeboat drill, and our group coordinator and butler accommodated us beautifully. Nothing like getting our group off to a smiling start despite the trials at the port.

We had all looked forward to our initial days at sea after a busy week touring Italy. For some, however, the rough seas we encountered prevented much relaxation. Strong winds ushered in a cool front with a little rain and had even some seasoned cruisers feeling queasy. Our suite was situated on the top deck, though midship, and our primary problem wasn’t queasiness as much as it was the patio door in our bedroom that kept opening during the night. Yeah, gotta fix that door. As we entered into the Eastern Mediterranean, though, calmer winds and seas prevailed making for a smooth ride the remainder of the cruise and even back up to Rome.



Teppanyaki



NCL’s forte is the abundance of dining options. Over the course of the 10-day cruise, Ben and I dined in each main dining room (twice with our entire group), Teppanyaki, Cagney’s, Papa’s Italian, and the Garden Cafe. Cagney’s and Papa’s remain our favorites, though we really didn’t experience a bad meal anywhere. With two overnight shore excursions, we missed out on hitting every restaurant, but this cruise was about so much more than meals! The dining staff hosted NCL’s signature Chocoholic Buffet, but I confess I don’t think the variety and quality is what it used it be. It was also held in the Garden Cafe, which took away some of the event’s previous elegance. A popular addition in more recent years is the Jazz Brunch, held in Le Bistro. Ben and I were delighted to see a favorite head waiter there whom we’d first enjoyed on the NCL Spirit out of New Orleans. She is the epitome of excellent customer service and gracious hospitality, and it was a delight to reconnect with her. She admitted she looked forward to returning to the smaller Spirit in 2012, the NCL ship she still adores.

Our favorite entertainment was courtesy of a delightful combo called Three Guys and a Gal—British singers/musicians who played all of my songs—60s, 70s, and many wonderful standards. I could hear them playing on the pool deck from our suite and couldn’t get enough of them. A variety of entertainers headlined throughout the cruise, but the highlight to us for 4Ever, a vocal quartet on par with Il Divo, and I’m a big fan of that group. Frankly, in my opinion, 4Ever’s voices blended even better than more famous counterparts. Up later in the week was Elements, NCL’s production show portraying Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Nicely done.

Admittedly, there was exception in good customer service. Israel promotes the fact that customers buying merchandise there are qualified for refunds of the tourist tax (VAT) when departing the country, and that officials will be set up at the terminal to assist them. Unfortunately, almost every excursion bus returned to the ship in Ashdod simultaneously, making for terrible traffic and a late departure for the ship. We were told that NCL staff instructed the Israeli officials to leave the ship before everyone re-boarded, which meant many who expected that refund didn’t get it and made their frustrations known. Although Ben and I did not personally witness these interactions, reliable sources said there could have been a kinder, gentler way to handle the situation. The case became a “not my fault or problem” situation. We don’t know if those who returned to the ship first got their money back, but we do understand that it’s very difficult to receive that refund after leaving the county. Frankly, we think it’s best for folks to buy things without the expectation of a refund. That said, I would love some feedback from people who have had successful attempts with these refunds.

Aside from that one instance, though, it was a fantastic trip. We can’t thank NCL enough for staying on course with this Holy Land itinerary. We came so close, before AND after, to not hitting every port, particularly Port Said/Alexandria for Cairo. Even the crew were delighted to be seeing these historically significant cities and sights, and those lucky enough to get time off shared their excitement with us. Ben and I received excellent support from our group coordinator, butler, concierge, and office staff to meet our every need with this group, and we thank them!

Our return to port brought the only really heavy rainfall of the entire ship—again at that wonderfully disorganized Port of Civitavecchia. It was a challenge to wait for our prearranged drivers and get to the airport or hotels, but we finally made it, soggy and tired, and ready to return home after almost three weeks away.

Would I return to Cairo? No. Been there, done that, but we recommend it for anyone wanting to see the marvelous and amazing pyramids and other historical architecture there. Israel? You bet, but at a slower pace and maybe during January when crowds are fewer and I could spend more time at certain places. Did I feel safe? Absolutely! Remember, cruise lines are the first to pull out of trouble spots . If the ship is headed there, you can rest assured it’s okay. Put this itinerary on your top ten list!

To see our photos from this wonderful cruise, click here and select from several albums.

NCL Jade Holy Land Cruise-Alanya, Turkey and Limossol Cyprus

Ben set up our group on the Norwegian Jade way back in March 2010 to coincide with our 2011 Aviano Reunion since many in our group like to make the most of their time in Europe with a cruise extension. As soon as NCL announced this Holy Land itinerary with perfect dates to match, we were sold on it--never anticipating the turmoil that would occure in the ensuing months during the revolution in Egypt. Our initial group of more than 90 passengers dwindled to 61--some due to health and other specific reasons, but others due to concerns about the region. Ben and I knew, however, that cruise lines are the first to pull out of a region at the first hint of security issues. At worst, NCL would cancel the call on Egypt; at best, we would hit every port of this wonderfully unique itinerary. Sanity prevailed, and we have all decided we couldn’t have picked a better time to go!

The ship was to depart Civitavecchia and sail for two days straight before reaching Alanya, Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa and Ashdod, Israel; and Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt; before finally sailing two more days for Civitavecchia. What joy! We hit them all...and never once feared for our safety.

We had an idea of what we would see in Israel and Egypt, but the first two ports were new to us and excursion selections required more research. In the end, Ben and I personally chose to round out the “Holy Land” theme by choosing those that allowed us to walk where the Apostle Paul walked. Others in our group selected different options (or nothing), but for my blogs I‘m going to write only about our own experiences.



Ruins at Perge

 Alanya is primarily a resort town on the southern coast of Turkey. Though the population is almost entirely Turkish, the ship‘s port summary states that it is also home to some 10,000 Europeans. the region has seen many empires come and go over the centuries, and our excursion took us way back in time to the ruins of ancient Perge, where Paul and Barnabas visited twice during Paul's missionary journeys, where he delivered a sermon, and to where John Mark left Paul for Jerusalem.
The excursion actually took us first to Aspendos for a visit to a famous and wonderfully preserved Greco-Roman amphitheatre. It seats 15,000 spectators and is said to be the most magnificent and best example of a Roman theater. With such excellent acoustics, it's easy to understand why for a month each summer, the theater still comes alive with productions such as Aida (without the elephants, though) and renowned choral groups like the Russian Army Choir.

The day continued with a Turkish-style lunch at a five-star resort, a quick visit to the Kursunlu Waterfalls, and a shopping stop for those interested in buying quality Turkish rugs. Ben and I weren't in the market, but a few in our group purchased some beautiful pieces.


Birthplace of Aphrodite

 Limassol on the island of Cyprus was our next port of call, and Ben and I headed to Paphos, the ancient capital of Cyprus and where Paul first introduced Christianity to the island...probably because it was also the center of worship of Aphrodite, the ancient goddess of love and beauty. As a matter of fact, our first stop was at Petra Tou Romiou, a rugged, turtle-shaped rock (do you see it?) near the shore that marks the legendary birthplace of the goddess.

The first of two UNESCO World Heritage sites of this trip was the Tombs of the Kings, so called because of their size and the impressive artifacts found buried with their owners. (Status matters.) Dating back to the 2nd century, some of the passages were used as catacombs by early Christians. Excavations of this ancient necropolis began in 1974 and are still not complete.

We then visited the archeological park of Paphos with its Roman-era mosaics accidentally discovered by a plowing farmer in 1962. The nearby House of Dionysus reflects the wealth and opulence of Imperial Rome through floor mosaics of ancient mythology that are said to be among the best found in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Two very interesting ports of call...but these were only the appetizers to the next four days!