Norwegian Jade

Norwegian Jade is the third ever Jewel Class ship, launched in the same year as Norwegian Pearl. As you might expect, the ships are very similar, and most differences are in interior décor, itineraries, and pricing. 

While ships like Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl are big hits in the Caribbean and Europe, the Jade focuses on standout itineraries in Asia, the Mexican Riviera, and Alaska. If you don't want to spend a ton on a cruise and want a fun, adult-friendly experience, you should definitely pay attention to this review.

What we like about Norwegian Jade

While a ship like Norwegian Pearl offers a lot of affordable and unique itineraries in the Caribbean, Norwegian Jade is more about niche destinations. The Jade focuses more on Asia, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera, but it also sails to Peru in South America and the Panama Canal. 

The best thing about the ship, however, is its affordable itineraries. Prices begin at just $240 for a 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise, which is amazing. Sure, there are some extras not included in the base fare, like gratuities, and you can also pay extra onboard for activities, food and drink, but it’s still a fantastic price for those who don’t want to spend thousands to visit unique destinations. There are also over 20 different Alaska itineraries, starting at $350 per guest, departing from Vancouver or Whittier and ranging from seven to 16 days.

The ship also feels brand new in some areas, thanks to a major refurbishment in 2022. Rooms now have dozens of shelves and a few USB ports, carpets and furniture have been replaced, and the beds earn the precious “you won’t wake up with back or neck pain” badge… which is definitely important. Rooms now include a small makeup area with a little round seat, which is a nice bonus. Inside cabins aren’t the largest you’ll see at sea, but it’s great that so much has been updated to modernize the staterooms and make them overall more comfortable.

Entertainment is mostly geared toward adults. Night shows include Fusión, a Latin dance performance where you can even practice your salsa skills; Blazing Boots, a tribute to country-pop music and Carrie Underwood fans; and a few shows featuring singers performing classic Broadway hits. The ship also offers Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune, which some adults will definitely enjoy.

What we don’t like about Norwegian Jade

Let’s get one thing out of the way: this ship isn’t aimed at children. The itinerary might explain part of that, but the ship also lacks a waterpark, waterslides, and even a rock climbing wall like you’ll find on Norwegian Pearl. It does have swimming pools, an arcade, a sports court, and a Kids Club, but that’s about it. There are better options for families wanting to visit Alaska with their children, even if it’s hard to beat the price offered by Norwegian Jade. Do keep in mind that the swimming pool area only has two small pools and four jacuzzis, and those get crowded very fast.

Drinks are also a bit of a letdown on Norwegian Jade, and this seems to be a sentiment shared by many on Reddit and Cruise Critic. A lot of staff appear to struggle with some of the menu items, and service can be slow. The local Starbucks is an even bigger issue, with lines often reaching an hour in the morning and service taking far too long, sometimes with missing items.

Alcoholic drinks tend to be weak, and most of the beer onboard is limited to Stella and Blue Moon. A drinks package might be worthwhile, since you may need multiple shots to get a strong drink, and in the end, that could be more cost-effective than paying for each individually.

Conclusion

Norwegian Jade is a ship to sail if you can score a great price and are traveling alone, with friends, or with a partner. It doesn’t do anything particularly spectacular, but it’s hard to complain when you can take a 7-day cruise for as little as $400, including taxes and gratuities. If you do choose to sail on Jade, it’s a good idea to at least book a balcony cabin and get the drinks package - those two upgrades make a huge difference and can eliminate most of the cons on our list.