HeinBloed's Blog from NORWEGIAN JADE Civitavecchia to Istanbul

We had a good time so far on NORWEGIAN JADE in the Eastern Med Sea:

minor negatives (like too loud at certain spots - as usual: service gaps as always when a new ship is opened and the quota of new untrained crew members are higher than normal)

many positives

like our pre-cruise through the Tuscany - A VERY NICE ALTERNATIVE TO STARTING IN ROME.

Florence

Pisa

San Gimignano

Siena

Self-(ME!!!)-made pasta with Guiseppinas Cooking Lessons

The first three chapters 0.1 - 0.3 of the blog is now available - but as I am enjoying the trip in my mind - forgive that following chapters need a little time.

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.de/2014/01/tagday-01-pre-cruise-vor-derbefore.html

You need to click on "Newer Post" at the bottom to continue.

I will notify when new chapters are available.

Regards

HeinBloed

The right places to get to your ship the following day:

San Gimignano...

Siena... Remebering James Bond... Quantum of Solace

and a cooking lessen with Giuseppina... Bruschetta... hmmmm....

Homemade fettucine... If Paradise would be half as nice...

Pork Loin in herbal crust and Chianti... Heaven... I am in Heaven...

Tirami Su... May be we should rebook to one week cooking class but cruise...

Chapters 0.6 - 0.9 of the blog is available now:

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-06-pre-cruise-vor-derbefore.html

Please continue at the bottom by clicking on "Newer Post"

See you on board of NORWEGIAN JADE the next day...

Regards

HeinBloed

Chapters 1.1 - 1.3 of the NORWEGIAN JADE Blog is now available.

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.de/2014/01/tagday-11-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

Through a beautiful landscape in the Tuscany we headed to the ship:

Olive oil tasting in Canino.

An angel named Michele.

A good old friend was welcoming us: NORWEGIAN JADE.

And many many new and old friends were waiting for us onboard like Aydin and Sandesh.

And we brought NCL also new friends like Sigi.

Click on Newer Post at the bottom to continue.

I am back and will let you know from our day at sea incl. many pictures from our cruisecritic.com-Meet & Greet.

Regards

HeinBloed

Chapters 2.1 - 2.2 of the day at sea is available now.

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/seetagday-at-sea-21-auf-deron-norwegian.html

Click on "Newer Post" at the bottom to continue.

Meeting a great chef Philmore.

Having a wonderful breakfast at Cagney's.

cruisecritic.com-Meet&Greet

"Charly's Angels"

One of the best Concierge with NCL: Mark Asenjo.

One fo the best Restaurant Teams with NCL: Vicenta Lumontad, Daniel Mulia, Mahmut Atar, Andreea Carutasu, Jackelyn Tolentino

I am coming back from Katakolon, Greece on Day 3 of our cruise.

Regards

HeinBloed

Now Chapters 3.1 - 3.3 of our in Katakolon, Greece is available.

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-31-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

Click on "Newer Post" at the bottom to continue.

A bunch of old stones... Olympia...

[/img]http://www.heinbloed-cruiseblogs.de/Places-Southern-Europe/Greece-2014/2014-NCL-JADE-030936.jpg[/img]

Meeting Despoina for a wonderful Greek meal

The best Taramasalata ever...

Which Greek Farmer's salad looked and tasted better? Despoina's or

Rodney's onboard?

Learning the meaning of Greek Hospitality.

I am back once we are in Piraeus for Athens with Day 4.

Have fun to read.

Regards

HeinBloed

Day 4 in Piraeus/Athens, Greece incl. Chapters 4.1 - 4.3 is now avaialbe in my NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog:

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.de/2014/01/tagday-41-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

Shipspotting instead of Culture in Athens: Who knows SALAMIS FILOXENIA?

From Mount Lycabettus: a great view over the City of Athens.

Meeting our Athens friends Johanna and Niko.

The nicest buffet on board.

Raw or medium-rare?

My personal hero: Housekeeping Manager Orlando Manual who got me some 100% cotton sheets which allow me to sleep without skin problems.

Click on "Newer Post" at the bottom to continue.

I am back from Izmir with Day 5.

Regards

HeinBloed

Chapters 5.1 -5.3 of our Day 5 in Izmir Turkey are now available in my NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog:

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-51-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

Click on "Newer Post" at the bottom of the chapter to continue.

The healthy choice: fresh ginger-mint infusion

Entering the Islamic world: my first visit in a mosque

Izmir from the top

Fresh - real fresh

Catch of the day

Turkish desserts

I will revert once the next chapters from Istanbul are available.

Regards

HeinBloed

Chapters 6.1 - 6.3 of our 1st Day in Istanbul, Turkey are now available in my NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-61-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

To continue click on "Newer Post" at the bottom of a chapter.

Arriving in Istanbul.

The first touch with Hagia Sophia.

Our tour guide Faruk and the Topkapi-Palace.

The perfect view from the Sultan's bedroom.

Color and smell therapy in the Spice Bazaar.

The wonderful Cagney's Galley Team.

The 2nd day in Istanbul will be one of the greatest experience of the cruise. I am back soon.

Regards

HeinBloed

Our 2nd day in Istanbul incl. chapters 7.1 - 7.3 is now available in my NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog:

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-71-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

To continue click at the end of the chapter on "Newer Post".

Taking the tram to the hot spots like Sultanahmet-Mosque (Blue Mosque).

Heading to Hagia Sophia.

Remering "From Russia with Love" in the Basilica Cistern.

Having the very best Döner Kebap.

Like at the film set of "Skyfall": over roofs of the Grand Bazaar-District.

An outstanding team in the Cagney's.

Now two days at sea are to follow. I will revert.

Regards

HeinBloed

Day 8 is now available in the NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog.

Only one chapter as it was a relaxing day at sea.

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/seetagday-at-sea-8-auf-deron-norwegian.html

Relaxing day.

More than a cabin steward - more like a butler: Ronaldo.

Egg Benedict with sea food on brioche toast.

Napkin folding with Jill.

Great waiters in Alizar: Kadek and Lloyd.

A great Motown-Show: Soul Satisfaction.

I am back with another day at sea.

Regards

HeinBloed

The last day at sea is now available incl. chapters 9.1 and 9.2 of my NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/seetagday-at-sea-91-auf-deron-norwegian.html

To continue click on "Newer Post" at the end of the chapter.

Looks like Code Orange. No more self-service.

Everywhere.

Remebering a good friend.

Mt. Etna.

Crew-Farewell.

A very last time Teppanyaki.

I am back from Naples and Capri. The last stop of a wonderful cruise.

Regards

HeinBloed

Our last call: Naples and the visit in Capri

Chapters 10.1 and 10.2 are now available in the NORWEGIAN JADE-Blog

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-101-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in.html

Click on "Newer Post" at the end of the chapter to continue

Our day on Capril

Our tour guide Michele.

A last time the view of the ship in full length.

Something new: Granita.

The last bite in Le Bistro before leaving the ship.

Chocoholic Buffet.

One more day - the day of debarkation and return is left.

Regards

HeinBloed

Coming to the end: Time to leave the ship and to return home.

http://heinbloed-ncl.blogspot.com/2014/01/tagday-11-auf-deron-norwegian-jade-in_18.html

We had a great time on board - in general - minor "problems" if you can call them as problems

But no additional new reasons not to return with NCL like last time on NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY.

Looked like that the Captain has not missed the port.

A last Egg Benedict with Steak in Cagney's.

The perfect Concierge with passion: Mark.

The perfect Angus-Burger but ruined with the topping of cocktail sauce.

Flying home.

Next time NCL again on NORWEGIAN JADE.

Next time you hear of me on CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM from Asia in April 2014.

Next time on NCL you hear of me on NORWEGIAN JADE in September 2014 again from our Venice-sailing before everyhting changes in Venice for cruise-ships.

I hope it was a pleasure for you to read while it was a pleasure for me to write my blog.

Regards

HeinBloed