Need some advice: 12-day Italy and Greece (Star) or 14-day Greece and Italy (Jade)

We have been loyal to Royal for many years, though did go on the Dawn back in 1994 and were happy with it. We are thinking of jumping ship because I really like both of these 2 itineraries. My original requirements were Barcelona, Venice, the Almafi coast, Pisa and Rome. But the fact that these both include Greece too is awesome.

I know nothing about either of these ships or these cruises. Can someone please share with me pros, cons etc. We will be 71 and 64 at the time of this cruise (Oct/Nov 2019). Right now we are fairly good health wise and fairly active so hopefully that will stay the same.

I would like to know pros and cons of ships, pros and cons of NCL/RCL, and any thoughts on which itinerary might be better. (they are basically the same, just different order). I guess I should ask if this is a bad time of year to go too. One leaves end of Oct and the other Nov 10.

Sun Venice, Italy (EMBARK)

Mon Kotor, Montenegro

Tue Dubrovnik, Croatia

Wed Corfu, Greece

Thu Santorini, Greece

Fri Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Sat Mykonos, Greece

Sun At Sea

Mon Naples, Italy

Tue Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

WedFlorence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy

ThuProvence (Marseille), France

FriBarcelona, Spain (DISEMBARK)

Thu Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy(EMBARK)

Fri At Sea

Sat Santorini, Greece

Sun Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Mon Mykonos, Greece

Tue Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece

Wed Dubrovnik, Croatia

Thu Venice, Italy Venice, Italy

Fri Venice, Italy

Sat Kotor, Montenegro

Sun Corfu, Greece

Mon Messina (Sicily), Italy

Tue Naples, Italy

WedFlorence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Thu Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy(DISEMBARK)

Thank you so much for all your help.

Have you priced these out? We looked at both cruises, and ended up booking the Jade. The price for the category we were interested in (aft penthouse) was about $1300 more for the Star for 2 fewer days. In the end, that was the deciding factor for us. I also thought the Star itinerary was really pushing the envelope, time wise. Both of the cruises are late in the season, but the Star cruise goes the furthest into November. While I liked the idea of beginning in Venice on the Star, the Jade overnights there, so that works for us. And while Barcelona would be nice, it wasn't a priority for us, so missing that on the Jade was fine with us as well.

We haven't sailed on either ship, but reading on here quite a bit, it seemed that more people prefer the Jade. Though as both of these are port intensive itineraries, I didn't factor too much into the ships themselves.

Both cruises look pretty terrific in my opinion. I think you'll be happy with whichever you choose.

I'd go with the Jade as well. Marseilles isn't all that impressive, while Corfu and Messina (more so) are nice places to visit.

I've not sailed on the Star, but Jade is my favourite ship (have been on 5 of varying sizes). She has most of the offer of the larger ships without the crowds.

I've sailed at the very end of October into November 3 times now and the weather has been perfect - and the crowds have left.

Not sure what stateroom type you’re looking at but a real bargain on the Jade that hasn’t seen a price increase yet is the aft penthouse. That’s a full suite room including butler concierge and separate dining. All the same perks as Haven - just no Haven access. Also eligible for all perks (you pay gratuity on beverage and dining package if you want them). In addition, the Jade has the distinctive voyage perk worth an additional 250 mins Internet, phone call package and an additional $50/port shore excursion credit. The $100/cabin per port excursion credit puts ship excursions within a reasonable cost realm. Distinctive voyage perks also includes airfare airfare and hotel credit, ymmv on that. Only 2 sf suites left and IMO it’s a really good deal for an Ncl suite.

Good luck with decision. The October Jade looks like a fantastic, although very port intensive itinerary. It borders on the end of season as is. I think any later is pushing it weather wise. Venice overnight on Halloween. Very active roll call with some excellent shared private excursion plans and some experienced well organized ladies running the roll call.

The 10 night Jade early October is currently priced better for non suites. Still a good itinerary but the Jade 14 night is one of the best I’ve seen in sometime.

I agree the ship itself shouldn’t be a factor for either sailing. Both being very Port intensive and both just the right size for ports visited. The Jade has the Haven and the ship was recently extensively refurbished. I think The Star was also recently refurbished. No Haven on the Star.

I see the Star sailing also has distinctive perk and also free port fees. Even so I’d go with Jade 14 night for earlier date /better weather odds.

If you could swing a suite great. I’ve sailed the Haven and non Haven suites on the Jade and loved them but I’ve also sailed in an obstructed ov on deck 8 and really liked the location and room we had. Priority tender and suite perks not so much a factor for these ports/ships. Either ship won’t feel too crowded at meals and public areas because many are off the ship all day and eating in ports.

We are going with a suite for this sailing. I justified cost with all the extra perks.

Thank you all so much for your opinions and because of them, I am leaning toward the Jade. Understandable this is a very big cruise for us. I would love to do a suite, but just think it is more than we care to spend, unless I am missing something. I have priced out the inside and balcony cabins. I just had read that you are so exhausted with this heavy of an itinerary that a balcony was wasted? I just am so new to NCL that I don't quite understand all the perks either. If I do balcony I can choose 2 free perks... let's just say open bar and $50 off excursions. Then there is the "distinctive voyages". Does the cruise include all those too? I just am really confused.

An inside for the Jade sailing gets you one extra perk. The ov and above get two extra perks. The beverage package on this cruise will cost gratuities. If you think you will drink more than $250 each then the beverage package is a good deal but they allow you to bring your own wine for $15/per bottle corkage fee and a good wine in port can be had for around 5-7 euro per bottle. The ship will have drink of the day specials. FYI The beverage package does not include bottled water, speciality coffee or canned soda, fresh squeezed juices. Even though, “free”, it adds $500 to your cruise total for this sailing.

All staterooms categories USA site bookings will receive the distinctive voyage perk which includes 250 mins Internet, 120 mins phone calls from your stateroom phone to anywhere, $50 per port per cabin excursion credit, $100 pre or post cruise hotel credit in Rome, $400 total airfare credit (have to book airfare with Ncl to get credit). Wouldn’t count on air and hotel being a savings but there’s a possibility it could be.

The extra perks are pick one extra for inside and pick two extra perks for up through mini suites. Choices are 1.) the ubp beverage package unlimited; fountain soda, mixed drinks, beer, wine by the glass. it’s $500 package gratuity for two on 14 night. 2.) Speciality dining package. 4 meals for two in speciality venues. $32 gratuity charged. 3.) An additional 250 mins Internet package or 4.) an additional $50 per cabin per port excursion credit. Note that Ncl excursion pricing is pretty high to begin with compared to diy so with the $100 total per port excursion credit many excursions would be free or almost free but other excursions are $$$ and can be done diy for less or the same even with double credit.

The balconies are pretty expensive right now. I’d be inclined to go with an obstructed ov on deck 8 and still get 2 perks. If you’re planning on ship excursions regardless of $, then the extra shore excursion perk credit is going to be of major benefit. If you’re both going to benefit from the alcohol package then the beverage package is probably biggest potential savings depending on how much you drink. Speciality dinners are a nice treat but the main dining room, 24 hour pub food, the buffet, the casual main dining room and an Asian venue are included in fare. They are decent to good depending on your food taste. speciality dinners definitely a notch above but certainly not critical for many.

The Jade has great viewing areas inside and outside so you will have ample comfortable public space to relax when onboard. There’s an excellent observation lounge at the front of the ship to sit and watch the sea. Likely on this sailing public space won’t be crowded.

littlelulu01 - You have been an amazing help. So the "perks" are not all what they appear. I am not a big drinker and my husband only is when he has the drink package. lol He has to get his money's worth. And when on Royal, if they have a good "deal" we will get it but it includes specialty coffee, and bottled water so I really make up for it there. We are pretty easy as far as food goes. We usually do not find it necessary to do specialty restaurants (at least on RCL). I will need a little internet just to make sure all is ok with our pets, but that is not a huge requirement. I usually always book private excursions as they are smaller groups and cheaper. Our cruises have always been to the Caribbean (except Alaska) so wasn't sure if there were the same private excursions overseas.

You have given me a lot to think about and I appreciate all the information. This is hard planning such a big cruise (for us) on a new cruise line when you don't know what to expect. Thank you again.

To anyone, any other tips and tricks are so helpful

Ports visited are very well set up for diy. I’d say more so than Alaska. Many European passengers don’t even plan till they walk off ship. If you can get by with just the extra shore excursion credit, the inside stateroom is thousands less than a balcony or higher. If you book directly with Ncl or a Travel agent who utilized the upgrade advantage program you may end up with a balcony bid at the last minute. Just know that it’s not a gt so if you’re ok with an inside then I’d go for it. I’m perfectly fine in an inside. Husband couldn’t do it though. The perks can be changed up to five days prior to sailing. So if you decided to get a different perk there’s plenty of time to switch. With double shore excursion credits Some ports currently offer basically free excursions. Example with double excursion credit the Dubrovnik transfer bus and cable car ticket is $45. So that’s a free day. Athens hop on bus can also be free but you’d probably want tickets to Acropolis. Santorini has the Oia excursion currently at $75 so $25 with credit. Naples has Pompeii and Sorento for $119 so $69 pp with credits. Those are all priced less than diy but without the double credit they are much more than diy. Pricing may increase by sailing date but an example of what costs would be.

Re the food- I’d say it’s on par with rci. Obviously food is subjective. We tend to prefer speciality venues but the inclusive venues are varied and certainly good enough. IMO Desserts are their week spot. They look good but I think they taste like gelatin.

The thing I really like about Jade med is how simple it is. Very low key, easy walk off each day with no crazy crowds onboard, diversity of passengers, ship officers very visible, guest service very easily accessible. Set up pretty much like a USA land based hotel that floats to a new place each day. When you get off you’re immersed in the country. Get back on and you’re back to English usage. They do announce in a few different languages because of the diversity but most passengers speak English even if not native language. Even sail away may be different than they typically are. They may have the typical band and woo hoo dance party but it could easily be just some food on deck and Italian opera music for sailing out of Venice.

If you’re big on ship entertainment- it’s not typical either. Comedians are absent because comedy doesn’t translate well. They will have a few good bands on board and the nightly theater shows. Some trivia. the casino is typically quiet.

And Jade has a Great Outdoors-aft shaded dining / Drinking / see where you’ve been space. If we have a choice m, we always take the one with a Great Outdoors.

Either way you will have a great cruise!

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And Jade has a Great Outdoors-aft shaded dining / Drinking / see where you’ve been space. If we have a choice m, we always take the one with a Great Outdoors.

 

Either way you will have a great cruise!

 

 

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Yes, those are my favorite ships on Royal. Thank you for the added information.

Littlelulu01 - again thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate your information... I have also gone over to the roll call to start read that.. That roll call is amazing.

Yes, those are my favorite ships on Royal. Thank you for the added information.

 

Littlelulu01 - again thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate your information... I have also gone over to the roll call to start read that.. That roll call is amazing.

No problem. The various perks are difficult to figure out for sure but once you do it’s much easier to compare apples to apples.

Btw- for USA bookings- if you see a price drop anytime till final payment you can rebook at lower prices. I’m not sure the pricing would go down on this one though. And after final payment if you see balconies drop to a price you are comfortable with you can always upgrade. Just can’t downgrade after final payment.

Sometimes Ncl offers up a sail away rate. Right now those rates are the same price as pick your cabin with perks but close to sail date they can often be much less. In that case you would have to give up all the perks to go with a potentially much less expensive cruise rate. Might be worth keeping an eye on.

Well, to be honest, this is my opinion, the food on Norwegian on Med. cruises in Europe, is not that good. They had 2 nice on deck meals, one was Turkish before we went into Istanbul, the other was German. They were excellent. However, the other meals were just okay. They had next to nothing at the buffet if you decided not eat in the dining room . If you schedule eating in the restaurants on board the food isn't that much better, tough steak, French food that included some of the same thing we had in the dining room, and beans, boy do they love beans on Norwegian. Beans with every meal, different kinds of beans but beans. And on our Norwegian account site it doesn't even have a place where you can enter food allergies. So I guess you just have to do that with the dining room staff. Now this was 2014 and 2012. Maybe things have changed.

I think you should decide whether you want to spend more time in Rome or Venice. It depends how mobile you are, what you want to see. In my opinion, anyone, everyone needs more than one day in Rome. If you do Vatican sign up online for the official Vatican tour on the Vatican web site. That way you go right up to the front of the line and pass all the people waiting. 9long long line) If you go to the forum and colloseum go to the gate on the side close to Trajan's column, and enter the forum there and buy your colloseum ticket there as well. Get Oxfords Guide to Rome and that will tell you all about the forum. The signs are not adequate. Also, that way you go right into the collosium and past all the people waiting to buy tickets. (and the line stretches around the building)

Venice is beautiful and more expensive. All, Rome, Venice and Barcelona have easy good flights back to the USA.

For excursions we always did Rome On Your Own. It's a long ride to Rome from the port. We also did Athens On Your Own. The bus drops you off right at the Parthenon. You can spend all your time in the Parthenon and museum and forum there. All are fascinating. And wear comfortable non slip shoes as the marble is slippery. Have a hat, the sun is hot. It will be very crowded and involves many steps.