Norwegian Jade

The 2006-built Norwegian Jade cruise ship is the second vessel in NCL’s Jewel-class, with sisterships Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Pearl.

The vessel (IMO 9304057) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308416000) and registered in Nassau.

History – construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). Founded in 1966, NCL is headquartered in Miami, Florida and publicly traded (NASDAQ/NYSE). NCLH’s principal shareholders historically included Apollo Global Management (USA), Genting Group (Malaysia), and TPG Capital (USA). In 2017, the NCL brand held a global cruise market share of 8.7% (passengers) and 8.4% (revenue). NCLH owns the brands NCL, Oceania, and RSSC-Regent.

The 2200-passenger Norwegian Jade has an exterior similar to the Norwegian Star (2001) and Norwegian Dawn (2002). However, her interior layout and amenities differ considerably, aligning her fully with the Jewel-class design. Dining and entertainment concepts are consistent across the NCL fleet, but Norwegian Jade stands out for her notably international passenger mix, typically including guests from the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, and Japan.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Jade staterooms (1201 total, in 36 categories) include 181 Suites, 360 Balcony, 243 Oceanview, and 417 Inside cabins. Most staterooms measure 140–160 ft² (13–15 m²). The largest accommodations are the 3-Bedroom Haven Garden Villas (2320 ft² / 216 m², with a 1035 ft² / 96 m² terrace).

The ship has 15 decks, including 12 passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

Norwegian Jade offers open-seating dining, with an extensive selection ranging from a steakhouse and Teppanyaki to French, Italian, Asian, tapas, sushi, buffets, and a 24-hour café featuring English breakfast. The main dining rooms are Alizar and Grand Pacific. One is open for breakfast and lunch; both serve dinner with walk-in seating. An onboard electronic system displays real-time restaurant occupancy (green to red), helping guests avoid queues and select the least busy venues.

Below is the complete list of Norwegian Jade restaurants and food bars.

• Alizar Restaurant (forward dining room; complimentary; “Your Time” dining)
• Le Bistro (French specialty, dinner-only; reservations required; US$20 cover)
• Jasmine Garden (Asian restaurant, dinner-only; complimentary since 2015)
• Sushi Bar (10 seats, à la carte; within Jasmine Garden); Sake Bar (inside Jasmine Garden)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi; lunch and dinner; reservations required; US$25; live-cooking demonstrations)
• Grand Pacific Restaurant (aft dining room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Blue Lagoon (fast-food buffet; complimentary)
• Bali Hai Bar & Grill (complimentary fast-food bar)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty dinner venue for premium steaks and seafood; reservations required; US$30 cover; complimentary kids’ menu)
• Bali Hai Bar & Grill (complimentary burgers and grills)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations required; US$20 cover; now on deck 13 with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass-door entrance following the 2017 refit)
• La Cucina (Italian specialty; reservations required; US$15 cover; outdoor seating waterfront area); Papa’s (Italian)
• Garden Café (complimentary buffet with multiple food stations); Kids’ Café
• The Great Outdoors (outdoor complimentary buffet)
• Topsiders Bar & Grill (poolside; complimentary)
• O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill
• The Pit Stop (poolside grill)

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

The two-deck Stardust Theater is the main venue for Broadway- and Vegas-style productions, cabaret, and variety acts. Shows are typically offered nightly at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. A popular highlight is the crew variety show, staged on the final evening of each voyage.

High atop the ship, the Spinnaker Lounge serves as a multi-purpose venue—hosting games and activities by day and transforming into a nightclub in the evening, featuring comedy, lounge music, and cabaret (including The Second City troupe).

The ship features 7 Jacuzzis and 3 swimming pools (including the Sapphire Kids’ Pool). Entertainment offerings also include NCL’s FIREWORKS show and rotating large-scale productions such as “Rock of Ages,” “Cirque Dreams,” and “Illusionarium.”

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, a supervised kids’ program (“NCL Kids”), Internet/WiFi access, and self-service laundry. Gratuities on Norwegian Jade are US$12 per person per day. The ship also accommodates onboard weddings and features a dedicated chapel.

Below is the full list of Norwegian Jade lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Stardust Theatre (1042 seats; Broadway-style productions; two shows nightly)
• Bar City (Tankards Beer & Whisky Bar, Mixers Martini & Cocktail Bar, Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar); Cigar Bar; Topsiders Bar; Star Bar
• Medusa Lounge & Nightclub
• Spinnaker Lounge (394 seats, floor-to-ceiling windows; disco and nightclub); Java Café
• Aloha Atrium (two-deck midship hub with LED screen, dance floor, and live entertainment)
• Atrium Café & Bar (specialty tea and coffee)
• Internet Café (24-hour); Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop
• LifeStyles Room; Library; Card Room
• Jade Club Casino
• Galleria Boutiques / Shopping Alley (duty-free retail)
• Ying & Yang Spa (Thermal Suite, Snow Room, Salt Room, Medi Spa, Smile Spa, treatment rooms, beauty salon, barber shop); Body Waves Fitness Centre; Waikiki Beach Pool; Sapphire Kids’ Pool
• Tree Top Kids’ Club; Wipe Out Teens’ Lounge & Disco; Video Games Arcade
• The Haven Courtyard Fitness & Spa (suite-guests only; steam room, gym)
• Rock Climbing Wall; Sports Court; Jogging Track; Golf Nets; Shuffleboard; Giant Chess
• Venues added during the 2017 drydock: O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The Cellars, Los Lobos Cantina, The Pit Stop, Bliss Ultra Lounge

Itineraries

Norwegian Jade’s itinerary program is centered on Mediterranean voyages from Civitavecchia–Rome and Venice, including routes to Turkey, Greece, the Greek Isles, and ports along the French and Italian Riviera.

In 2017, NCL homeported a ship in Hamburg for the first time, deploying Norwegian Jade on 6- and 8-night Western Europe cruises, 8- and 9-night Norwegian Fjords itineraries, 11-night Norway and North Cape voyages, and a 13-night Norway–Iceland–UK cruise. Additional turnarounds were offered from Amsterdam and Southampton.

In summer 2018, the ship again operated Norway, Iceland, and North Cape itineraries from Southampton and Hamburg. In 2018–2019, she was deployed in the Southern Caribbean from Miami on 11- and 14-day roundtrip Panama Canal cruises from Tampa and Miami.

Following the COVID-19 pause, in April 2021 NCL issued revised deployment plans: Jade (7-day Mediterranean/Greek Islands from Piraeus–Athens, starting July 25), Joy (Caribbean from Montego Bay, starting August 15), and Gem (Caribbean from La Romana, starting August 15). Their earlier restart dates were Joy (October 19, 2021 from Miami), Gem (October 29 from NYC), and Jade (January 2, 2022 from Cape Town).

The winter 2021–2022 deployment—including NCL’s first roundtrips from Cape Town—was canceled. The planned 12-day “Extraordinary Journeys” itinerary featured Namibia (Lüderitz, Walvis Bay) and Durban, with overnights in Richards Bay and Cape Town. Norwegian Jade resumed operations on March 3, 2022, in the Mediterranean.

Between 2006 and 2008, the vessel sailed for NCL America under the name “Pride of Hawaii.” Within the NCL America fleet, she operated alongside her sistership Pride of Aloha (now Norwegian Sky).

The ship was christened on May 22, 2006, during a ceremony at San Pedro Pier in Los Angeles, California. Senator Daniel Inouye was selected as the ship’s “Godfather,” an uncommon choice in the cruise industry, where the role is traditionally assigned to women.

JADE is a Jewel-class vessel. Her sisters in the NCL fleet are Gem, Jewel, and Pearl. The ship was initially intended to feature a design similar to Pride of America, but plans later shifted and she was enlarged to adopt the NCL Jewel-class design.

In 2007, NCL announced that the vessel would be permanently redeployed from Hawaii due to significant revenue losses. In early 2008, NCLH transferred her to the European market. Her final departure from Honolulu took place on February 4, 2008. The ship subsequently entered drydock for modifications—including a new livery, addition of a casino, and renaming to “Norwegian Jade.” Despite these changes, she retained her Hawaii-inspired interior décor, featuring floral and landscape motifs throughout public areas.

JADE’s Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) departed on February 16, 2008, sailing via the Panama Canal from Los Angeles to Miami. The ship’s first master was Captain Frank Juliussen.

NCL Jade refurbishment 2017 review

The 2017 drydock (March 7 – April 3) in Freeport, Bahamas resulted in the following deck plan changes:

Atrium décor refreshed, including replacement of the original chandelier.

More than 2250 new artworks installed throughout the vessel (including all staterooms).

All cabins upgraded with new furniture, carpeting, flat TVs, and bed headboards fitted with USB charging outlets.

The Haven Courtyard fully refurbished (new outdoor deck finishes, updated pool and hot tubs), with new furniture and cabanas added.

Main pool deck areas also refreshed.

Spinnaker Lounge (deck 13) upgraded, and the Fitness Centre (deck 12) equipped with new TechnoGym machines.

All Haven suites and villas renovated with new furniture, finishes, wallpapers, carpeting, drapery, and artworks.

Several new dining and lounge venues added: O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, The Cellars (Mondavi Family Wine Bar), Los Lobos Cantina (Mexican restaurant), and The Pit Stop (deck 13 poolside grill).

Moderno Churrascaria relocated from deck 8 to deck 13 and redesigned with floor-to-ceiling windows and a new glass-door entrance.

Bliss Ultra Lounge (nightclub) added on deck 7.

All existing eateries updated (new carpeting, artworks, upholstery, window treatments), including La Cucina (deck 12), Cagney’s Steakhouse (deck 13), Teppanyaki (deck 7), Jasmine Garden (deck 7), and Garden Café (deck 12). Cagney’s received additional seating and a virtual fireplace; La Cucina received a new wine wall.

During the same drydock, Norwegian Jade was retrofitted with new hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (“scrubbers”). The system reduces sulfur oxide emissions by an equivalent of approximately 1500 tons. NCL was the first cruise company to retrofit in-service vessels with hybrid scrubber technology. The five in-line scrubber units are lightweight and capable of operating in dry mode as well as in open- and closed-loop configurations.

The 2017 refurbishment was part of NCL’s fleetwide “Norwegian Edge” enhancement initiative—a two-year program with a USD 400 million budget. Each drydock costs an estimated USD 35–40 million.

NCL Jade refurbishment 2011 review

The 2011 drydock introduced the following upgrades:

• (Deck 8) Moderno Churrascaria replaced the former Paniolo’s restaurant.
• Stardust Theater renovated and technically enhanced.
• All passenger and crew cabins upgraded with new flat TVs; wheelchair-accessible staterooms also updated.
• Shipwide Wi-Fi coverage improved.
• A new aerobics room added to the Spa–Gym complex.
• Additional enhancements included new carpeting, tiling, and silk plants in various public areas.