Just off the Jade, and have the post-cruise blues

[OceanDreaming2]

You are correct. Perhaps Orlando was head of housekeeping.

 

Very possible.

 

Thanks for writing your review. :)

[andmad]

This was the one port where we did an organized shore excursion. We selected the Ancient Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary tour.

 

The House of the Virgin Mary, which was about 30 minutes from the port, was interesting to see and very moving. Ancient Ephesus was great as well. Our guide, while moving quickly through the site, shared a ton of interesting information.

 

After Ancient Ephesus, our tour went to the "Ephesus Theme Park." It was as bad as it sounds. Our tour guide said the Turkish government built the park a year or so ago. From the looks of the number of buses in the parking lot, every tour makes a stop here. It is basically a big store with lots of overpriced souvenirs. There was also a 10 minutes show where guys dressed up as gladiators pretended to fight before a Roman emperor. We spent about 40 minutes at this place. The whole thing was tacky.

 

The last stop on our tour was a rug making demonstration/sales pitch. Fortunately, this stop was near the port, so we just skipped the demonstration and walked into town.

 

While we loved Ancient Ephesus, Kusadasi itself wasn't too impressive. We strolled around town for a little while, but then decided to go back aboard for a late lunch.

[andmad]

After lots of walking the prior two days, we were really looking forward to a relaxing day at sea.

 

We had lunch in the Grand Pacific then spent the afternoon by the pool. While crowded, we had no problem finding chairs. Also played a little trivia in the Spinnaker Lounge (and was soundly defeated).

 

There was a second Latitudes party where we met a few more of the ship's officers. I would encourage any Latitudes member to make these events, for the free drinks, if nothing else.

 

Dinner again in the Grand Pacific with my lovely wife followed by an evening of piano music in Bar City and blackjack in the casino - what could be better?

[andmad]

The last day of the cruise (boo!).

 

The Jade docked just outside of the old section of Split. It was a short walk into town. There was one other ship in town that day, but that ship used tenders.

 

Like Dubrovnik, Split is a charming city with lots of history and character. Roman emperor Diocletian built a palace here, much of which still stands. The main cathedral in town was supposedly built over Diocletian's tomb. In any event, the cathedral should not be missed. Also, there is bell tower next to cathedral which rewards the long climb up with some spectacular views of the city and its harbor. Just outside the walls of town is a long waterfront strip with lots of stores and restaurants. After touring the old city, we stopped for a drink or two along the waterfront.

 

By 4:00, we were back aboard the Jade, just in time for the 4th of July party by the pool. For our last dinner aboard the Jade, we wanted to go to Le Bistro, but it was fully booked. We went to Cagney's instead. We enjoyed it, but my favorite still is Le Bistro. Next time I'll remember to book it early. After dinner, we again enjoyed AJ Clarke on the piano in Bar City.

 

The following morning, it was time to disembark. The process was simple and well-organized. We used our yellow Latitudes priority luggage tags. Unlike when we boarded, the Jade was birthed at a slip much closer to the People Mover tram. We walked off the ship at about 9:00, grabbed our luggage and headed to the People Mover. By 9:15, we were in Piazzale Roma.

 

We decided to stay one extra night in Venice, so when we got off the People Mover, we walked to our hotel (Hotel Arlecchino). Fortunately, our room was ready, so we checked in, dropped off our bags, and spent an incredible day strolling around Venice. While the hotel was in a great location, the room was so small it made our inside cabin the on Jade look spacious by comparison.

 

All in all, we had an absolutely wonderful aboard the Jade. If fact, we enjoyed it so much, we took advantage of an on-board promotion where you get a $100 on-board credit if you place a $250 deposit for another NCL cruise. Hopefully we will be sailing again this time next year!

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Thank you for the review! Since I booked this itinerary (sailing in October), I've been spending a lot of time reading everything I can find and I don't know how I missed your review. It sounds like you had a great cruise. :D I really enjoyed hearing about your experience. I double checked our tour for Ephesus and we're not scheduled to stop at the theme park (thank goodness!), but we are stopping for a rug-making demonstration. I'm a crafter and quilter so I'm actually looking forward to seeing how they make the rugs. :o

 

I've never had to turn over my passport, so that will feel a bit odd. What was the process like to get them back?

 

Thanks!

[ladybird77]

I know this is an older thread. But this is one of the better reviews I've seen for the itinerary of the NCL Jade Adriatic cruise that I am going on May.

[AF-1]

I agree with you Ladybird77

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I know this is an older thread. But this is one of the better reviews I've seen for the itinerary of the NCL Jade Adriatic cruise that I am going on May.

 

 

Have a wonderful time! I went on this cruise in October and it was fantastic. :) It was my first NCL cruise, and I really enjoyed the Jade.

[CruisingGs]

I think this is the same cruise I wrote a review on last year :) we had an amazing time!!

[CruisingGs]

Sorry, we did the same cruise but on the 14th of June last year.

[earn]

We are sailing on Jade in October. Different itinerary, as mostly in Greek Islands, but just wondered what your weather was like. I am doing something closer to your cruise on Spleandour of the seas in November. This will be our first cruise with NCL.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

We are sailing on Jade in October. Different itinerary, as mostly in Greek Islands, but just wondered what your weather was like. I am doing something closer to your cruise on Spleandour of the seas in November. This will be our first cruise with NCL.

 

HOT! I had looked at the historical weather and was ready for mild temperatures, but that wasn't the case. It was humid, too. Keep in mind that I'm a cool-weather kind of girl and I don't like being hot, but it really was unseasonably warm.

[earn]

We did the Greek Islands on Grandeur in October 2012 and the weather was perfect. Although we come from Scotland and can obviously cope in the cold, we all love the sun and heat :)

[san92103]

Great report! I'll be on this cruise Sept2015 and CANNOT WAIT!!!

[san92103]

Can you elaborate on what the "People Movers" people keep referring to for Venice cruises??

 

I'll be on the Jade SEPT2015 and staying at the Marriott a short distance from the cruise port. But, how did you find transportation to the cruise terminal and then to Venice airport on debarkation day?

[AF-1]

san92103, if you are at the Courtyard Marriott that hotel is next to the airport and about a 20 min taxi ride from the port. The People Mover is a small train the moves people from Piazza Roma to the cruise terminal. It costs 2e; sometimes it can get crowded. There is a bus stop right at the Courtyard Marriott. Hope this helps. Piazza Roma is the last land based area before you have to hop a water taxi to downtown Venice.

Edited March 31, 2015 by AF-1

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Can you elaborate on what the "People Movers" people keep referring to for Venice cruises??

 

I'll be on the Jade SEPT2015 and staying at the Marriott a short distance from the cruise port. But, how did you find transportation to the cruise terminal and then to Venice airport on debarkation day?

 

On debarkation day, I went to the Piazza Roma and took the express bus to the airport. I believe it was 6 or 7 Euros. Very easy. It's the same bus I took from the airport to the Piazza Roma (my hotel was just off the Piazza) the day I arrived.

[meatball_nyc]

Will be there in June with my sis. Thanks for the info !

[3PrincessMommy]

Have a wonderful time! I went on this cruise in October and it was fantastic. :) It was my first NCL cruise, and I really enjoyed the Jade.

 

We are going this October. Do you mind me asking how many children were on your sailing? We're just curious how many to expect for our kids.

 

Thanks!

[gwsster]

My wife and I just returned from a one week cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade and decided to post a review.

 

 

We flew directly to Venice from Philadelphia, leaving on Friday evening and arriving in Venice on Saturday morning. While the flight departed from Philadelphia about two hours late, we arrived in Venice in plenty of time to make it to the ship.

 

Once we dropped off the bags, we checked-in and received our room keys. The check-in process was quick and efficient.

 

After checking-in, but before getting aboard the ship, non-EU citizens were required to turn-in their passports. We were provided a receipt and told that we could pick-up them up on Thursday.

 

Why do you have to give up your passport? We are taking this cruise in a year. When we were on the Jade 5 years ago to Italy, we did not have to surrender our passports. This makes me uneasy.

Edited April 7, 2015 by gwsster

[Quilting_Cruiser]

We are going this October. Do you mind me asking how many children were on your sailing? We're just curious how many to expect for our kids.

 

Thanks!

 

I was sailing solo and didn't really pay that much attention. I do remember seeing children, but couldn't estimate how many. Sorry about that. The ship certainly wasn't overrun with them. :)

 

 

Why do you have to give up your passport? We are taking this cruise in a year. When we were on the Jade 5 years ago to Italy, we did not have to surrender our passports. This makes me uneasy.

 

I believe it's because the ship calls in Turkey. When I was on the Jade in October, the process was very efficient. When it was time to get my passport back, I stood in line only about 10 minutes. It did feel very odd relinquishing my passport though. But, as I understand it, you don't have a choice (other than to not sail on a ship that calls in Turkey).

Edited April 10, 2015 by Quilting_Cruiser

[bearette]

It is Athens, Greece that required the passport. We had them back by Turkey and they were stamped from Pireaus.

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

[bearette]

I was sailing solo and didn't really pay that much attention. I do remember seeing children, but couldn't estimate how many. Sorry about that. The ship certainly wasn't overrun with them. :)

 

 

 

In.March we had a lot of kids due to spring break, but I heard the week before there was a handful of kids. In October there won't be too many.

 

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

Edited April 11, 2015 by bearette

[Quilting_Cruiser]

It is Athens, Greece that required the passport. We had them back by Turkey and they were stamped from Pireaus.

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

 

 

On my sailing in October, they said they took the non-EU passports for the Turkish officials. We called in Athens the day before Kusadasi, so they had them if they were needed there, too (there isn't a Greek stamp in my passport from the Athens visit though), but my understanding--both from what they said on the ship and numerous others here on CC saying it as well--is that it's necessary for Turkey since it's not in the Schengen area.

[CruisingGs]

We are going this October. Do you mind me asking how many children were on your sailing? We're just curious how many to expect for our kids.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

When we did this one last year, there were lots of kids. All three of mine 9, 13, and 16 at the time, all found friends. It was great.