"Class" of Ships

[SandyMc]

Does NCL have various classes of ships? We are cruising on the Jade in February but there are few threads about her (i.e. cabins, public spaces). Are there other ships in the line with basically the same configuration so when I see comments about them I can relate those to the Jade? Haven't cruised NCL since 2000 and things have changed!

[DMH15]

I don't have my book with me - but I recall it is a Jewel Class and is similar to the Jewel, Gem and Pearl.

[VoyageVirgin]

If you're having trouble finding information on the Jade - then google Pride of Hawaii - The POH was removed from the NCLA fleet and renamed the Jade in Feb of this year.

[cheshiremackat]

When we were on the Jade last week, during the Captain's presentation, he stated that the "Jewel, Pearl, Jade and Gem are sister ships (but Pearl and Gem have bowling, but otherwise the same). The Star and Dawn are also 'half-sisters' with mostly the same attributes, except for a few small details (4 generators instead of 5, no glass floor on the bridge wings).

 

I would take anything on the Pearl, Gem or Jewel as the same as the Jade (from my experience).

[coke72]

Hi Sandy,

 

actually there are six similar ships in the fleet - the libra class (Star and Dawn) and the so called Jewel-Class. The libra class is a little smaller (I think by one deck). Actually the latest additions to the Jewel class (Pearl and Gem) are very similar. Jewel and Jade are a little different. The Jewel has a few cabins less compared to her newer sisters. The bowling alley and climbing area are missing and the tvs are still old-fashioned. The location of shopping area and night-club (Bliss Ultra Lounge on Gem/Pearl, Fizz Lounge on Jewel) are swapped between those. The Jade is based on the Jewel design. But she was originally developed as "Pride of Hawaii" for sailings from Hawaii. On Hawaii sailings casinos were not allowed. So the casino on the POH was added when she was transformed into Norwegian Jade this year. The Jade is a little bit in between the Jewel and the Pearl/Gem. The shops are still at the far end of deck 7 (like the Jewel) and there is no climbing area. Nightclub is still in the location of the Fyzz-Lounge (but I think it is called Medusa on the Jade). The cabin layout is more similar to the Pearl/Gem. So the POH/Jade was the first to get a deluxe owner suite (Pearl/Gem have two of these cabins).

But to get a first impression of the ship all these details are not that important. Read through all of that Jewel/Pride of Hawaii/Pearl/Gem reviews and do not expect exactly waht you read. This will keep a little excitement but gives you a very good first impression.

 

Regards,

Arno

[DAGVBSB]

NCL basically uses a "sister ship" system, where there are two ships that are extremely similar. I have been on both the Star and the Dawn and if you didn't know better, you would think you were on the same ship.

 

 

The sisters:

 

Pearl & Gem

 

Jewel & Jade (formerly Pride of Hawaii)

 

Dawn & Star

 

Sun & Sky (formerly Pride of Aloha)

 

The Dream's sister ship was the Wind, no longer with NCL.

 

The Spirit does not have a sister in the NCL fleet, her sister sails as part of the Star Cruises Asian Fleet. (Superstar Ares I think...).

 

The Pride of America is a unique ship that has no sister ship anywhere.

[newmexicoNita]

NCL basically uses a "sister ship" system, where there are two ships that are extremely similar. I have been on both the Star and the Dawn and if you didn't know better, you would think you were on the same ship.

 

 

The sisters:

 

Pearl & Gem

 

Jewel & Jade (formerly Pride of Hawaii)

 

Dawn & Star

 

Sun & Sky (formerly Pride of Aloha)

 

The Dream's sister ship was the Wind, no longer with NCL.

 

The Spirit does not have a sister in the NCL fleet, her sister sails as part of the Star Cruises Asian Fleet. (Superstar Ares I think...).

 

The Pride of America is a unique ship that has no sister ship anywhere.

you are close to correct but the Jewel and all ships since she was introduced are normally thought of as being Jewel Class ships. The Sun and Star were both purchased from Costa at about the same time. I think they used to be thought of as sister ships, but basically are pretty different. There are some similarities, the difference lies in, one was further along in the buidling process so only certain changes could be made.

 

thanks for the info about the Spirit sister ship. That is very interesting.

Nita

[DAGVBSB]

you are close to correct but the Jewel and all ships since she was introduced are normally thought of as being Jewel Class ships. The Sun and Star were both purchased from Costa at about the same time. I think they used to be thought of as sister ships, but basically are pretty different. There are some similarities, the difference lies in, one was further along in the buidling process so only certain changes could be made.

 

thanks for the info about the Spirit sister ship. That is very interesting.

Nita

 

My point on the Gem & Pearl vs. Jewel & Jade stems from the Bowling alley and the lounge set-up. Only on Gem & Pearl, not on Jewel & Jade. That what makes those two pairs different.

[newmexicoNita]

My point on the Gem & Pearl vs. Jewel & Jade stems from the Bowling alley and the lounge set-up. Only on Gem & Pearl, not on Jewel & Jade. That what makes those two pairs different.

 

oh, I am not questioning you, I was just clarifying it a little more.

 

Nita

[boeckli]

NCL basically uses a "sister ship" system, where there are two ships that are extremely similar. I have been on both the Star and the Dawn and if you didn't know better, you would think you were on the same ship.

 

 

The sisters:

 

Pearl & Gem

 

Jewel & Jade (formerly Pride of Hawaii)

 

Dawn & Star

 

Sun & Sky (formerly Pride of Aloha)

 

The Dream's sister ship was the Wind, no longer with NCL.

The Spirit does not have a sister in the NCL fleet, her sister sails as part of the Star Cruises Asian Fleet. (Superstar Ares I think...).

The Pride of America is a unique ship that has no sister ship anywhere.

 

Sistership to the Spirit (ex SuperStar Leo) is the SuperStar Virgo

[HLP]

Nita,

 

The way I remember it is the SUN and SKY were purchased from Costa.

The Sun was in its early stages so some NCL changes could still be made

to her like mini suites and larger cabins.

 

I heard that the STAR was originally slated for star cruises but was changed

to NCL after Star cruises purchased them. Thats explained the more Asian

type of Decor on her. You can see some of the same stateroom designs

like modular cabin bathrooms and family suites that exist on the Spirit.

 

Anyway,thats how I thought I remembered it. Going back too many years

now.

 

I hear your next cruise will be the Spirit,I think you'll love her.

 

HLP

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Even though they have differences (Jewel and Jade vs Pearl and Gem) they are still considered sisters.

[Ron & Kristy]

I hear so much information in bits and pieces about all of the NCL ships that it gets a bit confusing. The only NCL ship I have sailed on is the Wind which NCL no longer owns. We are sailing in a week and a half on the Sun. Would you all say that the Sun is not as fancy/luxurious as some of the newer ships? Does it not offer as much as other ships owned by NCL? I'm just curious. No matter what we are going to have a wonderful cruise on the Sun. Thanks for any information forthcoming.

 

Kristy

[newmexicoNita]

Nita,

 

The way I remember it is the SUN and SKY were purchased from Costa.

The Sun was in its early stages so some NCL changes could still be made

to her like mini suites and larger cabins.

 

I heard that the STAR was originally slated for star cruises but was changed

to NCL after Star cruises purchased them. Thats explained the more Asian

type of Decor on her. You can see some of the same stateroom designs

like modular cabin bathrooms and family suites that exist on the Spirit.

 

Anyway,thats how I thought I remembered it. Going back too many years

now.

 

I hear your next cruise will be the Spirit,I think you'll love her.

 

HLP

interesting about the Star and Spirit, that probably explains why I felt the cabins on the Star were a little on the small side, even the balcony cabins compared to the Sun. The spreads and carpeting were the same. As for the Sky and Sun, yes, that is about the way we understand it. NCL could do more of what they wanted with the Sun as it was pretty much just a shell.

 

I am really looking forward to the Spirit. My boss sailed her right after she came to NCL and loved her.

 

Nita