The Norwegian Jade, operated by the Norwegian Cruise Line, will embark on a cruise from Miami to Panama City in early January 2025, also passing through the Panama Canal. There will be many stops in the Caribbean, including Grenada and Aruba. Currently, you can book an outside cabin for 15 nights for only €1,263 per person, which is only slightly more expensive than an inside cabin at €1,217. A balcony cabin costs €2,017 at the moment (prices are per person based on double occupancy).
The surcharges for solo travellers are very moderate here. An outside cabin costs €1,276. This is also our recommendation, as an inside cabin is only slightly cheaper at €1,230.
By the way, all mentioned prices include all meals in the main and buffet restaurants, as well as coffee and tea during the main meals.
Norwegian Cruise Line will automatically charge a crew gratuity of US$20 (~€17) per person, per day, to your onboard account. If you are not okay with this, you can request an adjustment or removal at the reception.
The Route
Your cruise starts in Miami. At the beginning of the trip, you’ll have a relaxing day at sea before the ship reaches the port of Puerto Plata. Then, it continues to San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. Here, you should definitely check out the historic Old Town. The next stop is St. Croix, the largest of the US Virgin Islands with around 50,000 residents. Cruise ships rarely visit here.
After a stop in St. Lucia, the ship continues to Scarborough, the capital of Tobago. If you enjoy snorkelling or diving, Buccoo Reef is the perfect spot. The next day, you will reach the port of St. George’s in Grenada. You can relax during a sea day after all the shore excursions.
Next up is Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba. This tourist-friendly city offers shopping, casinos, and beautiful sandy beaches. The Norwegian Jade then docks in Santa Marta, the oldest city in Colombia. Nearby is the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Cartagena, the ship continues to Colón in Panama. At the end of the trip, there is a stop in Puerto Limón. The highlight before arriving in Panama City, where your journey ends after 15 nights, is the passage through the Panama Canal.
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 4 | Miami | 17:00 | |
| January 5 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| January 6 | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| January 7 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| January 8 | St. Croix, US Virgin Islands | 08:00 | 14:00 |
| January 9 | St. Lucia | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| January 10 | Scarborough, Tobago | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| January 11 | St. George’s, Grenada | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| January 12 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| January 13 | Oranjestad, Aruba | 07:00 | 20:00 |
| January 14 | Santa Marta, Colombia | 12:00 | 20:00 |
| January 15 | Cartagena, Colombia | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| January 16 | Colón, Panama | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| January 17 | Puerto Limón, Costa Rica | 07:00 | 17:00 |
| January 18 | Panama Canal | ||
| January 19 | Panama City | 03:00 |
The Ship
The Norwegian Jade was built in 2006 and last renovated in 2022. The ship is 294 meters long and 38 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 23 knots. Up to 2,402 passengers can enjoy their vacation on the Norwegian Jade, and they are served by over 1,000 crew members.
As part of the Freestyle Cruising concept by Norwegian Cruise Line, the Norwegian Jade offers a diverse range of dining options, entertainment, and activities, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
For those looking to stay active, the ship offers plenty of options. There is a jogging track, a tennis court, and basketball and volleyball courts. For relaxation, there are various massages and wellness treatments. In addition to the theatre shows, the casino and 14 bars and lounges provide plenty of entertainment.
In addition to the included dining options, there are also speciality restaurants (for an additional fee), such as Teppanyaki and a traditional American steakhouse. Norwegian Cruise Line does not have pre-set dinner seatings, so each guest can decide freely when, where, and with whom they want to dine.
The Norwegian Jade offers a wide variety of cabin categories, from affordable inside cabins to luxurious suites in the exclusive The Haven area. There, you’ll find two garden villas, each with 438 square meters, featuring three bedrooms and a private sundeck with a hot tub. Even guests with the highest expectations will feel at home here.
The onboard language is English, and the onboard currency is the US Dollar. You can settle your purchases made during the cruise either by credit card or cash. Even on European cruises, the US Dollar is the official currency.
Flights
While most people probably have a good idea of how to get to Miami, how to fly back from Panama is maybe a more interesting question. Here’s a list of cheap options to get back to the USA (including luggage):
- Panama City – Miami: $243 with Avianca
- Panama City – New York: $268 with Avianca
- Panama City – Seattle: $389 with United
Feel free to check out how much flights would cost to your home town, using our search form below:
Cover Picture: Photo by Sol Cerrud on Unsplash