REFURBISHED NORWEGIAN JADE

It was January 2016 at the Epic Hotel in Miami that Norwegian President Andy Stewart announced a new $400 Million initiative called “The Norwegian Edge”.  This new investment was to raise quality and standards of the Norwegian cruise experience, incorporate ship upgrades and make significant culinary enhancements on all its vessels, as well as in its ports.  The new initiative also required many members of each ship's cooking teams to be certified by the American Culinary Foundation.  The centerpiece of “The Norwegian Edge” was to focus on ship upgrades. 

Fast forward to March 2017.  The Norwegian Jade heads to dry dock for 20 days.  What emerged was an upgrade from the original color palette of mostly orange, purple and pinks to the more subdued and classical European color palette of black, tan and creams. 

I sailed the Jade in April 2017 on a 14-day Transatlantic crossing from Tampa to Southampton.   It had been a year since my last cruising on the Jade so I was excited to view the new upgrades.  At embarkation you enter on deck 7 and your eyes are immediately drawn upward to the large custom chandelier and the constant color-changing light patterns.   The revamped atrium area has been upgraded with modern furniture in the neutral black, tan and cream colors.  

Norwegian Jade Atrium

The old Blue Lagoon has been replaced by O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, a 24 hour pub located on deck 8.  One of my favorites here was the fish and chips. 

O'Sheehan's Neighbood Bar and Grill, Deck 8, open 24 hours

The Pit Stop, Deck 13, is a new poolside concept that serves up  fun and fare in a 1950s-style American diner atmosphere, clad with vintage license plates, gas station signage and classic car elements. 

Moderno Churrascaria has been relocated from deck 8 to it’s new home on deck 13 and now features a new upscale glass door entrance along with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for those stunning sea views. The upgrade also included new flooring, wall coverings and upgraded furniture. 

Moderno Churrascaria on Deck 8

Cagney’s Steakhouse, Deck 13, has added additional seating to a completely refurbished space, which now offers the new color scheme, upgraded flooring, new wall linings and an intimate virtual fireplace. 

Cagney's Steakhouse, Deck 13

The Italian restaurant, La Cucina, now features a wine wall, updated décor and furniture, new flooring and a new decorative bar.  

La Cucina Italian Restaurant

Teppanyaki, the Japanese hibachi grill restaurant, has updated furnishings and fittings while the complimentary Jasmine Garden received extensive enhancements including newly designed spaces with upgrades to furniture, new flooring and much more. 

Teppanyaki, Deck 7

Jasmine Garden, Deck 7

One of the things I enjoyed most with the cabin upgrade, other than the new carpet, furniture and flat-screen TVs, was the headboards built-in USB charging outlets.  Nice enhancement for the current tech savvy travelers. 



*Photos courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines