Live From the Garden Villa on the Jade

[erdoran]

Any chance of some pix of the GV? (from those of us who can only dream.....)

[ETHS1965]

Many of us who are on the March 28th cruise are reading your posts. It sounds wonderful! We are looking forward to the cruise and reading more of your fascinating posts. Stay healthy and have fun.

 

Meg

[jannandjohn]

. .

 

We have noticed a few subtle changes .......... .

the pod coffee pot has been removed from the large master bedroom........

there was no champagne at embarkation .

was there not a coffee machine there in the suite at all, or just not in the bedroom?

and are you talking about the trays of glasses of champagne/mimosas they used to serve as you boarded ?

.... or no bottle of sparkly in the cabin to sailaway with?

TIA.

[snorklinbarb]

Thanks for taking us along, Cathy! We loved our Norwegian fjords cruise on the Jade last June.

 

Sounds like the salt & pepper issue is related to noro precaution. Same with serving you at the little Cagney's buffet table in the morning.

 

Your meal at Le Bistro sounds wonderful. That 32 oz. "cote de boeuf" for two is really something, isn't it! I think the new menus are only being offered on the Gem and one other ship so that's probably why you still had the older menu. Did you try the fondue?

 

Sounds like you're enjoying some good service. I'm sure your butler will try to get you some choc. covered strawberries.:)

 

We also liked the way they scattered the shows so you could catch one later if you missed it. Any good entertainment aboard this cruise? How about the lounge music/combos or has the casino been too distracting?;):D Congrats on your winnings & may your good luck continue.

 

Have fun and enjoy the Villa!

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Thanks Cathy for a well-written and informative thread. Do you know how many butlers are on the Jade?

 

P.

I have no idea, but I'll ask Roland and let you know....

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

was there not a coffee machine there in the suite at all, or just not in the bedroom?

and are you talking about the trays of glasses of champagne/mimosas they used to serve as you boarded ?

.... or no bottle of sparkly in the cabin to sailaway with?

TIA.

 

Sorry for not being clearer. There was a coffee machine in the suite - just not in the large bedroom where it had been on the Gem last year. We never used it last year. There were no glasses of champagne/mimosas at general boarding but we did have a bottle in the suite.

 

Erdoran,

maybe some pics after we get back - this computer is way too slow and time is too expensive to upload anything!

 

Barb,

We missed the welcome aboard show and both shows last night due to dinner. We saw Shout tonight and we weren't that crazy about it. The applause was more polite than enthusiastic. The young ladies had lovely voices but never changed costumes while singing their great songs from the 60's. The production men weren't in the show. It was a little bit of a yawner, and since I'm really tired after Rome, I was stifling one the entire show.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day and my DH is looking forward to passing through the Straits of Messina. We're rocking a little tonight, but we're all feeling fine.

[Turtles06]

We have also used Monica's services and unfortunately were less than happy.

 

Sorry you had that experience. We were in a suite on the Jade's Jan. 24 sailing and thought Monica was fantastic. In fact, she was a big factor in our enjoyment of this cruise.

[carontori]

Sorry you had that experience. We were in a suite on the Jade's Jan. 24 sailing and thought Monica was fantastic. In fact, she was a big factor in our enjoyment of this cruise.

 

I'm glad to hear she was helpful to you. Although we had issues, it didn't affect our cruise and hopefully we were the exception. It was the only time we were unhappy with ncl service.

[DMH15]

Thanks for such a fun read! Can't wait for more.

[k4btzs]

I'm really enjoying your sharing your trip with us. And congratulations on your casino win! I will likely not be able to afford the GV for a long time, if ever, so its nice to read about others experiences in this wonderful suite!

[Maxy Mouse]

Cathy,

Thanks so much for sharing your trip. We hope to follow in your footsteps (all be it in steerage) in a bit more than a month. Would you please help with a big question from my daughter, the 9 year old fish. Is it too cool to swim in the pool?

Have a wonderful trip and please keep those reports coming.

[Turtles06]

Cathy,

Thanks so much for sharing your trip. We hope to follow in your footsteps (all be it in steerage) in a bit more than a month. Would you please help with a big question from my daughter, the 9 year old fish. Is it too cool to swim in the pool?

Have a wonderful trip and please keep those reports coming.

 

Maxy, I swam on the Jade two weeks ago (early Feb). On my first day in the water, the air temp was quite chilly, particularly with the wind, but the water in the pool was warm, and no way was I not getting a swim in at least once on the cruise. (Okay, I was probably one of the few adults in the water that day.) Our last sea day was fairly warm, and a good number of people were in the pools and using the water slide.

 

Since you aren't going for more than a month, and also factoring in that most kids don't seem to mind the cold as much anyway, I think your daughter should be bringing her bathing suit for sure! :)

[hcf]

 

More later and thanks for all your comments. In response to the cruise director question, our CD is Jill (not quite sure what her last name is). Hotel Director is Armando Da Silva.

Cathy

 

Cathy,

 

Do you mind posting the names of the ship's other officers; e.g. the new Captain, the Assistant Hotel Director, the Customer Relations Manager, the Dining Services Manager?

There is a panel of their photos and names on Deck 12.

Thanks much.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Cathy,

 

Do you mind posting the names of the ship's other officers; e.g. the new Captain, the Assistant Hotel Director, the Customer Relations Manager, the Dining Services Manager?

There is a panel of their photos and names on Deck 12.

Thanks much.

 

I will check it out and post..

[carontori]

Cathy,

 

Thanks so much for all the info. Could you tell me if they are offering the laundry specials on this cruise, the one where you fill a bag and they wash and fold for a flat rate.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Wednesday, Sea Day

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise, partyly cloudy skies and a temp of about 54. Supposed to hit 65 today, but it's very windy. This is what I call a freestyle day for sure. Everyone up at different hours and headed in different directions. One friend hit the spa - the special was a full facial and full massage for $195 (plus 18% automatic gratuity). My husband has been excited about cruising through the Straits of Messina which we did at about 10:30. The city of Messina, Sicily was starboard and the tip of the boot of Italy was on the port side. Messina has quite a few high rise condos (or hotels) and was larger than I expected. A few miles later, we passed Mount Etna, which was snow covered and really beautiful. We made a left hand turn and are now out on the open sea in rougher waters. We're sailing at 22 knots and the waters are classified on the television as "rough" and 7.5 to 12 feet. So a few white caps, but it's not bothering any of us (two have patches on).

 

The view from the GV is about the best you could ever want. We are looking down on the pool. The pool is heated and currently there about 8 people swimming/playing (most of them children) and every hot tub has people. Kids are even occasionally coming down the slide. while the adults walking across the pool deck have on coats with their hands shoved in the pockets. Looks like the swimmers and walkers aren't on the same cruise! At this exact moment two people are playing cribbage at the dining table (for 8) and eating wings, two are sipping champagne at the art auction and one is in the casino (where I will be in a few minutes). Tonight is dress up or not and we're choosing NOT as we had a dressed up for the Captain's party and dinner at Le Bistro. After our day in Rome yesterday, we are all hungry for Italian food tonight. Imagine that. Speaking of Italians, I gave the wrong website address for Fabrizio - it is allarounditaly.net.

 

We went to the Italian specialty restaurant for dinner. It was only OK,not spectacular. The food was fine, the service was a little slow. I think we all agreed it was maybe a little better than an Olive Garden. Like the maitre' d. He was on the ball, but the ambiance doesn't have a lot going for it. The tiramasu is a favorite for our friend. She usually orders it delivered to the room at least once on a cruise.

 

One thing we forgot to do this trip was to bring our own tea bags to make iced tea in our room. Tea on a cruise ship is SO strong. We order half a glass and cut it with water.

 

The rest of the day was movies and casino and shopping onboard and hot tub and sauna and a little workout - just another average day in paridise. Tomorrow is Athens........ Wish you could ALL be here (or will be here soon). So far not a peep from anyone who knows anyone who is ill - so that's really good news.

Cathy

[OceanDreaming2]

One thing we forgot to do this trip was to bring our own tea bags to make iced tea in our room. Tea on a cruise ship is SO strong. We order half a glass and cut it with water.

 

Cathy - I remember having an assortment of teas bags when we had the GV on the Star. I'm sure your butler can provide you with some.

[royalcaribbean101]

We're debating on going on the Jade for a European cruise in 2011. Can you give us a review? Thanks!

[jvsnana]

Cathy-Are you writing this post from the computer provided in the Garden Villa? Can't wait to hear about Athens!

[jannandjohn]

We're debating on going on the Jade for a European cruise in 2011. Can you give us a review? Thanks!

I believe this thread IS a review;)

[DMH15]

I'm really enjoying your sharing your trip with us. And congratulations on your casino win! I will likely not be able to afford the GV for a long time, if ever, so its nice to read about others experiences in this wonderful suite!

 

I like your attitude. Happy cruising!

[DMH15]

Whenisour....

 

I remember at our meet & greet there was a nice chest of assorted teas. Like the other poster suggested, I am sure the butler can accomodate your request. I know how us Texans like our iced tea!

[Stillfloatin']

Thanks for sharing, I'm lovin' it! :D

[heathero]

Hi Cathy,

You sound like you are having a fantastic time,thanks for the live updates.

 

How are you getting the internet, do you have mobile Brouadband, or using the ships internet?

 

Very pelased to hear they are getting the Noro under control. The last thing anybody wants to be on holiday is sick..

 

Thanks

Heather (joining the ship on the 26th)

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

The Official I'm On Vacation and Refuse to Do Laundry Bag has arrived. At our M&G a guest asked if, since this is a 12 day cruise, we will have a laundry special and the answer was that it would be considered. Thank you NCL for delivering the bag! The instructions are....

• simply place any clothes you want washed and folded into laundry bag (provided) and leave on your bed.
  
• fill out laundry slip and itemize for recordkeeping only.
  
• leave the bag(s) on your bed by 10:00 am prior to leaving your stateroom. Please write "WASH AND FOLD NO PRESSING" on the bag and leave on your bed.
  
• your room steward will collect and then return the items after two days.
  
• suits and other delicate items, such as dry cleaning, are not included. These items will be charged at regular prices
  

At $24.95, that is a deal! Three pairs of socks, 5 pairs of pants (some of them leggings type) and 3 tshirts filled up about half the sack and would have been $57 at their regular prices. Once my DH adds his laundry, it will be a huge bargain!

Also I want to give credit to Roland (our butler) because he magically made lowfat buttermilk appear! That is truly above and beyond expectations! As a public service, and because I hauled all these ingredients across the ocean, I'm including my amazing 11 calorie per Tablespoon recipe for low cal, low fat buttermilk ranch dressing that I made last night and put in our refrigerator. one caution - the pepper gets very peppery after a couple of days and if that is an issue for you, cut it by half

1/2 cup low fat buttermilk

1/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic (they have it in large containers at Sam's)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs such as chives (had to use the dried type), tarragon, basil or dill

Whisk everything except fresh herbs in a small container until smooth. Stir in herbs. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (it thickens - and sometimes I add a Tablespoon of low fat sour cream).

Per Tablespoon, 11 calories, 1 g fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 1 g carbs, no protein, no figer and 103 mg sodium.

Answers: We are enjoying the hot tea - but we are nutballs for cold brew - that's what I should have brought. Especially since I hauled a few grocery items anyway. And yes I am using the computer in the suite and using NCL's internet package. I try to type as much as possible offline and then cut and paste into Cruise Critic. And by the way - how great is it that we have this forum to exchange experiences?

It was foggy this am, but the sun has appeared and it's burning off. I'm feeling pretty positive it will be a lovely day in Athens (a place none of us have visited before today).

Cathy