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Monday 8th September 2008

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STRESSFUL
Reviewed By: BOWMAN, DROMORE CO DOWN on 2nd Jul 2008
Cruise Line: NCL Cruises	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Norwegian Jade	Sailed: May, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 56-65

We have just returned from a two week cruise on board the Norwegian Jade (Mediteranian Escape May 30 - June 13). To us this trip was a big disappointment. Although we thought 'freestyle' crusing would be a little more relaxed we found it to be more like a holiday camp atmosphere. Embaration took over to hours - after waiting in a small reception room with just a vending machine for refreshments. We had started our Journey at 4.00am and when we arrived in Southampton Airport we were taken immediately to the terminal by coach where we were advised we could not book in yet. During the time we were waiting to book in visitors were going on board. When we finally did board our cabins were not ready. We were asked to go to the Garden Restaurant. When we arrived it was completely full and chaois was the order of the day. We were unable to find seats and ended up in the Kids Cafe sitting on two stools. We were not told when our cabins were ready and were left to find them ourselves. We were in a Balcony Cabin on Deck 9. The overall size of the cabin was very small with only three very small drawers, some open shelving and a closet. This was for two adults. Although the shower was a good size the overall size of the bathroom was small, especially the toilet - watch you don't bump your head rising from the throne! The two main Dining Rooms left a lot to be desired. There was always a 35min wait to get into the Grand Pacific and the Alizar even though there was always plenty of emply tables set up in both restaurants. It looked as if there was a staff problem either in the Dining Rooms or else the kitchen could not cope. The foood was very disappointing. Not the quality normally served on any cruise we have been on (this was our 14th cruise - our 4th with NCO and sadly our last). The food was always very spicy and the starters and desserts were very disappointing. The Garden Cafe was complete chaois. Food here was also of a very poor standard. In the morning there was always a queue for toast - there seemed to be only one toaster in this large cafe. The coffee machines were always running out. There never was a steward came round to offer more tea/coffee. Alternative Dining - NCL'S brochure clearly highlights a cover charge in four of their alternative dining rooms but they were also charging in Papa's Italian Kitchen, Sushi Bar and Shabu-Shabu, a total of seven. Entertainment was poor and repetitive. Also, we got fed up with staff trying to sell goods in the theatre before the shows. There was also too many flyers and the staff from the spa became a real pain when they started standing outside the lifts in the morning pushing for business. Tours and Drinks were overpriced and we got fed up with bar staff asking us if we would like a double? Bars and Lounges. All of the Bars and Lounges were noisy. It was impossible to find a quiet place to chat to new acquaintances. The Latitudes rooms was very small and endless announcements came through the tannoy. Cabin Steward - She was wonderful! Our cabin was always well made up and very clean and we couldn't have wished for a more pleasant girl. Ports of Call - These were all very good except we would have liked to stay longer in Gilbralter. Our stay there was very short and rushed. In our opinion this cruise was not worh the money we paid (over £3,000). We arrived home feeling very disappointed and completely stressed out. MR K Bowman, Belvedere, 61 Ballymacormick Road, Dromore Co Down BT25 1QR
Quality of Food
Varied
Entertainment
W.T. GREER AND MATT CLARKE
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff
cABIN STEWARD - CABIN ALWAYS MADE UP AND VERY HELPFUL AND PLEASANT.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
TOO MUCH BINGO AND AUCTIONS.
Cabins
CABIN WAS JUST A BIT SMALL BUT FACILITIES WERE OK
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Agree Comment by POMERY, SOUTHAMPTON (27 Jul 08 09:40) about this REVIEW

Totally agree with everything u say plus could add more. We have cruised with most cruise lines with no complaints. Never again with NCL.

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Rippedoff and disappointed, Cheshire (06 Jul 08 17:25) about this REVIEW

We too have just returned from the same cruise as initally reviewed. I totally agree with your comments, and could add more. NCL need to recognise that even Dick Turpin wore a mask. They want to suck every additional penny from you that they can. I was so disappointed at the end of the cruise that I complained and got my $10 per person per day gratuity waived. (we'll see when the credit card statement arrives eh!!). The kids causing the trouble were all spoilt yank brats, nay prats straight out of high school musical, and a total pain in the butt to say the least. NCL are geared up for yanks, not so cheep, but very tacky. They should forget the English market(as I'm sure the english market will soon forget them), and bugger off back to where they'll no doubt get the patronage they long for. The yanks pay no where near what we pay, they take up twice as much room, breath twice as much air, speak twice as much crap at twice the volume, and believe the rest of the planets occupied by doughnuts. Well done NCL, and its accompaniment of yanks for ripping me off to the tune of £3,000 , you'll not get a second go. (Do Philipinos the ability to smile, or indeed speak understandable English - they certainly can when dealing with American customers, but as soon as you let on your English, suddenly they cant quite understand you, or dont have the ability to communicate back).

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Sargeant, Northampton (05 Jul 08 10:21) about this REVIEW

Agree with all this except we liked the cabin, we had an internal cabin which we found large enough for our needs and of a very high quality. This ship seems to cater solely for the USA market. I thought the meat on board was discusting. We won't be doing NCL again.

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Opinion: Disagree Question by price, hailsham (05 Jul 08 09:00) about this REVIEW

thanks a lot for being so frank-we are due to go onboard for 13th-27th July around UK-so far paperwork amateur.was food really that bad or were you cut short of variety??always found salads plentiful,coffee is now a total joke,it is called "liquid coffee" one step lower than instant,why did you not take your own cafetiere as we now do and enjoy a good cup,all it needs is to put some coffee and cafetiere in your luggage and go to the urn and fill up!!

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Burrows, Southampton (02 Jul 08 21:53) about this REVIEW

You didn't mention the art auction! Surely there was an art auction wasn't there? An NCL speciality! Except for the "freestyle" dining, have experienced it all and found it equally draining. Think you deserve a medal for managing 4 cruises before you had enough! Happy cruising.

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