Review of our 12 Day E. Mediterranean Cruise aboard the NCL Jade 3/7/2010

[FLAHAM]

The threat of pickpockets is very real in Barcelona. It takes much more that merely avoiding unsavory or very crowded situations to be safe from them.

[AuntieBarb]

The threat of pickpockets is very real in Barcelona. It takes much more that merely avoiding unsavory or very crowded situations to be safe from them.

 

I can appreciate what you are saying and goodness we heard/read about it plenty before we left. Even the Freestyle Daily had notations of such.

 

But....

 

Pickpockets are very real in lots of places, like NYC (as well as other US cities and other places around the world) too. Sure, if you aren't vigilant, you are a moving target. It just takes some street smarts.

[hightownCO]

Enjoyed reading your review very much!

 

I was going to be on your cruise (started the roll call in fact) but jumped to a Princess cruise that was this last November. Wanted to go sooner and $wise better. Still had Egypt but a few different ports and was roundtrip from Rome so we spent two days touring there before the cruise.

 

So sorry you had to miss Athens! This was my first time to the Med and the Acropolis was one of the top highlights for me.

 

Good to know that you had a fine time! We might even consider doing it all again in the future on Jade or NCL!

 

Thanks!

[AuntieBarb]

Enjoyed reading your review very much!

 

I was going to be on your cruise (started the roll call in fact) but jumped to a Princess cruise that was this last November.

 

So sorry you had to miss Athens! This was my first time to the Med and the Acropolis was one of the top highlights for me.

 

Thank you!

 

I remember you making the switch. Good to hear it all turned out well for you and that you got to enjoy Rome before going on the cruise!

 

We're disappointed not getting to Athens, as we were looking forward to both the Acropolis and spending some personal time in Plaka. But I'm bound and determined to get back there, so there is always another day...another cruise! :)

[mellygo]

Loving your review!! Booked on the Jade for 10 day in Oct of 2011, and cannot wait!!

[AuntieBarb]

Loving your review!! Booked on the Jade for 10 day in Oct of 2011, and cannot wait!!

 

That's a long time to be anxious!!!! :) But I can so relate!

 

First we booked Alaska for 2009, over a year in advance. Then we decided to take this cruise in 2009 instead, later discovering that my booking would put us in Rome on Easter Sunday! So we postponed it until this year. It was well worth the wait though!

 

Make sure you come back and tell us all about it. Enjoy your cruise!

[airlink diva]

Thanks for a great review on your 12 day cruise!

This is a group of ports that I would love to do!

One of the people on my roll call wants to do this cruise!

I will let her know to check out your review.

----------------

Now playing: Streetwize - Lost Without U

via FoxyTunes

[AuntieBarb]

Thanks for a great review on your 12 day cruise!

This is a group of ports that I would love to do!

One of the people on my roll call wants to do this cruise!

I will let her know to check out your review.

 

You're welcome! I hope it helps entice a booking! :)

[stegosaurus1]

Hi Barb! Thanks a bunch! Much love for the two of you! {{{huggers}}}

 

I've got my scopes on the Holy Lands in 2011. LOL Wanna come?

I'll work on Dan!!!Love Barb

[AuntieBarb]

I'll work on Dan!!!Love Barb

 

Better make that 2012! LOL

[lucille&mike]

Barb;

 

Thanks so much for the absolutely wonderful review and pics. We enjoyed it so much, I posted it on our roll call for the same cruise in November 2010. Thanks again!

[AuntieBarb]

Barb;

 

Thanks so much for the absolutely wonderful review and pics. We enjoyed it so much, I posted it on our roll call for the same cruise in November 2010. Thanks again!

 

You're very welcome!

 

Hey, I'm excited for you. It's a great itinerary for sure. Enjoy your cruise!

[tequilalynn]

Oh my gosh, thank you for the wonderful review and the awesome pictures. My husband and I will be on the Jade 3 weeks from tomorrow and it looks like a beautiful ship. Our first time with a balcony, BB on deck 9 and I'm sure it will be beautiful. Thanks again for sharing your cruise!:o

[hightownCO]

Just wanted to pop back in and say how much I enjoyed your pictures! I couldn't see them from my work computer before. They are great.

 

I bought the same cartouche as you. I love the filagre (sp)

 

Happy future cruising to you!

[msdizzy]

Hi.........Your trip looked wonderful..thank you for sharing with us...We are travelling on Jade in November and really looking forward to seeing all the ports.. Cant wait!!!! Linda

[AuntieBarb]

Just wanted to pop back in and say how much I enjoyed your pictures! I couldn't see them from my work computer before. They are great.

 

I bought the same cartouche as you. I love the filagre (sp)

 

Happy future cruising to you!

 

Thank you, Sharon. Glad you enjoyed the pictures! :)

 

The majority of folks on our bus were buying the cartouche with the silver background. We liked the filigree the most too. :)

 

Hi.........Your trip looked wonderful..thank you for sharing with us...We are travelling on Jade in November and really looking forward to seeing all the ports.. Cant wait!!!! Linda

 

Linda, thank you. Have a wonderful cruise! Be sure to come back and tell us all about it, so I can relive it once again!

[AuntieBarb]

NCL Jade:

 

Knowing this was a hectic itinerary as far as excursions were concerned, we can’t comment much on the entertainment. Our sea days for the most part were to recoup, kick back and reflect! We teamed up with another couple and played some “tribond” trivia (and won). Messiah (Exec Chef), Jill (CD) and Armando (HD) put on a baking show in the Atrium one sea day. (Quite comical to say the least!) We took in a few shows in Stardust Theater; flamenco dancers, the comedian, and crew show. I played bingo once, came out a loser and didn’t win the free cruise (boo hiss hiss boo). We made our donations at the casino (machines were tight). Paid our visits to some of the bars. (Lowest bar tab yet!) Went to see “What’s My Line” at Spinnaker’s Lounge (and helped the panel cheat a bit! LOL) Joined another couple to play “Quest” on the last night (and won). Otherwise, we enjoyed our aft balcony and as much nice weather as we could!

 

For those who know Uncle Paulie, isn't he looking great?

 

I neglected to mention that Paul was able to keep up with his workout routines in the gym daily. Although he is used to working out after work, he managed to switch it up for the cruise and went bright and early each morning, without much competition for the equipment. They didn't have every apparatus he is accustomed to working with, but there were satisfactory alternatives to amply cover his strength and cardio exercises.

 

I know...I know...I could use some exercise myself. However, I slept while he was working out! :D

[coka]

You are a gorgeous couple! I enjoyed reading your review over the weekend and loved the pictures you included. Thank you for taking the time to post it all!

 

I do have a question or two for you. Have you been to the Med. countries by land before? If yes, was cruising better, not the same as, or different than? Did cruising the open waters of Med. look/feel different than the Caribbean Sea open waters? Thanks in advance,

 

coka

[AuntieBarb]

You are a gorgeous couple! I enjoyed reading your review over the weekend and loved the pictures you included. Thank you for taking the time to post it all!

 

I do have a question or two for you. Have you been to the Med. countries by land before? If yes, was cruising better, not the same as, or different than? Did cruising the open waters of Med. look/feel different than the Caribbean Sea open waters? Thanks in advance,

 

coka

 

Hi Coka! Thank you for the compliments!

 

This was my 1st time abroad to any extent, while Paul has been to Europe but in the vicinity of Germany/Switzerland/Austria. So other than his preconceived appreciation for old architecture, it was a new adventure for both of us; especially all the wonders of the world to see!

 

We've always considered cruising the "best bang for our buck", but there's no doubt in my mind that traveling it by land would heighten the experience and afford much more time to truly see and appreciate everything. This cruise was the perfect introductory package though!

 

A couple of friends of ours have stressed how easily and inexpensively one can travel the region by small planes, trains and automobile, with nothing but small bags of clothing in tow and doing laundry at hotels, etc. Oh how I wish we'd taken this adventure in our earlier years with the time to do it right.

 

Perhaps March is not a good month for comparison, since we experienced a lot of rain early on and rough seas. We never saw the gorgeous aqua waters which the Caribbean provides or seas smooth like glass. However, things calmed down extensively once we were going through the area of the Greek islands and down through Egypt. The water in and around Malta was beautiful as well. But I'd have to say the Mediterranean reminded me more of the open waters of the Gulf. The Caribbean is still my favorite in that respect! :)

[coka]

Thanks Barb for the feedback. I appreciate it very much!

 

coka

[bkaction]

great review and pics, will be taking same cruise 3/11, Thanks

[GARNERSINMH]

Great review and photos! Thanks for taking the time to share. We are on a similar cruise next year and I'd love to see the onboard options. Did you keep your dailies, by chance? If so, could you please share those too?

[AuntieBarb]

Great review and photos! Thanks for taking the time to share. We are on a similar cruise next year and I'd love to see the onboard options. Did you keep your dailies, by chance? If so, could you please share those too?

 

Thanks and you're welcome! Enjoy your cruise!

 

No, sorry to report we did not bring them home this time. So much changes from year to year.

[AuntieBarb]

great review and pics, will be taking same cruise 3/11, Thanks

 

Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

[tiyana4]

What a wonderfully illustrated and informative review! I have never been so excited about taking a cruise based on one review alone, as I have with yours. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

 

We are booked on this same itinerary on the Jade in November and hope to have half the good times you and DH did. Thanks again.