Norwegian Jade Cruise Review

This was my second NCL cruise and the ships (Star and Jade) were identical and perfect for free styling. Although you are charged a per person tip fee, leaving a couple dollars/euro helps encourage the stewards to be creative with their towel animals--fun to see and compare.

Biggest and most important point--Listen to the ship's cautions; pickpockets are fast and will even re-zip your bag after taking your wallet. Don't take all your cash on shore trips.

Excursions were awesome except for Greece, which was the biggest disappointment. Could have been the cultural differences of the escort, but she was curt, rude and didn't think of older travelers (my hubby is 81) who needed to use the bathroom; she told him to just wait!

Turkey was most interesting and satisfying. Rome was fast and busy but beautiful. Be sure to wear good walking shoes or chose private tour, the cost is more but so worth it in sights and comfort. Cairo fulfilled the dream to see the Pyramids. Just listen to the guides regarding aggressive vendors. Don't show your money to them! Malta was coldest (November) but beautiful, clean and quaint. Alexandria was an eye opener to poverty but everyone waved to the buses. Driving there is nuts! Learned a lot in Egypt.

As for the NCL activities, that's really called work for the crew! A lot of things to do, entertainment was good, shows were great. Be sure to go 15 min early for best seating, and games activities/shows were fun. We had "Silver Service" from 4th day, a hassle but absolutely appropriate and in our best interest health wise! Again it pays to adhere to the recommendations about shore food, water, washing hands! This became my hubby's dream trip and a once in a life time for our daughter and her husband. I would travel NCL again--now if they just had a ship doing the Orient routes!