The Jade: Costa Maya

 And, I'm back. Again, wildly behind (two cruises, and like four vacations), but lets try and get us caught up, shall we? Expect these next dozen blogs or so to feature pictures out of order, low on detail, and mis-remembered facts. Because, Costa Maya day was almost three (very busy) months ago at this point. 

Anyway, we're here- back on the Jade for Asa's birthday cruise. Our first port stop was Costa Maya. The port itself is nice enough, that if you really don't want to venture outside of it, you don't have to. The port has a pool, shops, restaurants, and a treetop aviary. It's here that you get to climb rope bridges and venture in and out of bird habitats. It's also here where Asa got bit by a bird, despite the fact that you're not supposed to try and feed them. It's a bite he was pretty proud of to. You have no idea how many people he's told 'I got bit by a bird in a foreign country'. 

Anyway, we spent some time in port, both before and after our adventure into town. Mahahual is just a short trip by taxi (and not too terribly expensive, if I remember correctly). Originally, Mahahual was a kind of fishing town, but it has been turned very touristy. It's mostly lined with tables of souviners and what they call 'beach clubs'. Everyone is trying to get you to come to their club, and it's a little overwhelming with everyone trying to sell you things and direct you places. Originally I was looking for a spot I saw on YouTube, where you only have to pay for a beach chair if you want it, otherwise, it's a public beach. Mostly, I was hoping to Snorkel there. But, the waters were very rough that day, and the skies very cloudy. In fact, we were told the boat almost didn't dock there because of the rough seas, so I figured anything I could do would be better than nothing. 

We kind of wandered, a bit overwhelmed, not sure my orientation from the YouTube videos I watched and where the taxi had dropped us off. We were turning down people left and right. Eventually, someone coming up to us to ask to come to their beach club was from the Krazy Lobster. Asa, at this point, was pretty good at saying 'no thanks' and I was like 'wait! The Krazy Lobster! I saw you guys on YouTube!' and I knew that would be our landing spot for the day. 

Beach Clubs are all over the place in Mexico. And they all work differently. Some you pay an admission fee, and then pay for your food and activities separately. Some are all inclusive. At the Krazy Lobster all you pay is for the food you want to eat, and they'll happily let you use their beach, seating, hammocks, kayaks. I had seen that they had reasonable prices, and good food, and minimal hounding, so I was happy to find something I at least recognized. 

We were quickly seated and given some free mini margaritas as a welcome. Our server, whose name escapes me three months later, was wonderful and checked on us often. We got some food, including shrimp nachos, and we each ordered a giant margarita (mine was mango). The prices were totally reasonable, and the food was good. We attracted a random cat, who Asa fed shrimp to- so we affectionately named him 'shramp' and he hung around most of the afternoon. 

Our table was steps from the beach, though the area was roped off by makeshift boueys out of empty soda bottles. It's amazing how resourceful people in other countries can be. The reason it was roped off was because of all the seaweed and grass coming in, so they could keep their water cleaner. I put on my snorkel gear hoping to see anything, but the water was cloudy, and I couldn't really see anything. Still the water was warm, even in the light rain, so that was nice. 

After a couple rounds of food, drink, hanging with shrimp, and quite a few venders someone up to see if we'd be interested in various services/goods, a guy came around with freshly cut mango, and I couldn't resist. It was here I also learned fresh lime juice squeezed over mango was absolutely delicious. For real, I've been buying and eating mango like this ever since I got home. (And then telling everyone it was a little trick I learned in Mexico). 

Eventually, the sun started to come out and the area got more crowded. We paid our tab, and headed out, walking along the sidewalk that goes along the water, nosing through vendors to find a magnet, and walking down to the lighthouse. On the way it gets a little less touristy, and you'll find a random pier that I think probably has decent snorkeling if you can get calm waters. It was about a 15 minute walk from the Krazy Lobster to the lighthouse (and the Mahuhual sign). Once we took all of that in, we hailed a taxi back to the port. Our driver didn't speak English very well, and while I should be learning Spanish (it would come in much more handy than French), I couldn't understand him very well either. So, we didn't stop at the coffee shop I had hoped to swing by on the way back to port. 

Back in port, we hit the pool and cooled off before finally heading back to the ship. It was then that we discovered on 7 day cruises you really need to pace yourself- which means naps may be necessary. We started saying things like 'day 2A' and 'day 2B' to denote our times. Of course, the time back on the ship was also filled with desserts, O'Sheehans for wings, and shuffleboard. Turns out NCL ships don't have as much to do as Royal, so you're left with very leisurely evenings. 

Enjoy all my un-edited, out of order photos from Costa Maya day. 

The Jade: Happy Birthday, Asa!

You guys know I have my way of getting things free, or at the very least, severely discounted. Hotel rooms. Restaurants. Indoor Skydiving. Shoes. Cruises. It's funny because when I tell someone about something they'll say something like 'oh, is that from this... or this..." and I have to be like 'oh no, this is something different'. (I cannot tell you all my secrets, after all). Anyway, the cruises are never exactly 'free', we do have to always pay Port taxes, fees, and gratuities, no matter what cruise line we sail. And on NCL, they also charge you an admin fee ($20 per person, per day). But, there is nowhere else I can vacation that inexpensively, so if given the opportunity, I scoop it up every single time. 

And this time just so happened to run out of Tampa (excellent! Calib could drop us off, no parking cost!) and over Asa's birthday (also excellent, because there's no 'what are we doing for your birthday conversation). So, we booked the Jade for the last week in March, and Calib dropped us off at the Port of Tampa. In no time at all, we were sitting at O'Sheehans for what would be the first of many wings for Asa. 

I haven't cruised out of Tampa in a hot minute. In fact, I've only done it once and it was at least 7 years ago. We were on basically the same itinerary as that one- Honduras, Mexico and Belize (although there was a problem with the ship that time, which resulted in us leaving late and cutting Belize). Anyway, it was weird to not be at Sparkman Wharf or the Aquarium just looking at the ships, but actually on one of the ships. 

Our ship was the Norwegian Jade. It was an older ship, with less of the bells and whistles of the newer, bigger ships. It was a little strange having last been on Allure, which is crazy big. The ship has a Central Park, after all. 

Jade is the same class of ship we were on for our first cruise: the trip to Alaska, so we were familiar with some of the areas. O'Sheehans, of course, but also Topsiders, a quick hamburger and hot dog buffet line out by the pool. 

The 'free' rooms are also always inside state rooms. Asa and I don't mind this. We don't spend a ton of time in our room anyway, but the inside rooms are like a cozy, dark cabin that's very easy to sleep in (even in the middle of the day). The Jade cabins were a bit smaller than something we've had on RC, but that's because the bathroom is bigger. You get a nice normal sized shower instead of a 'beam me up' shower tube. Something I did appreciate on the week long cruise. However, you do lose the couch to sit on. So, it's a trade off. 

Before long, our ship headed out of port. We had noticed, the week before, when we were on the Wild Dolphin Cruise that the middle back of the ship was pretty empty for departure, so we headed back there, and sure enough, we were the only ones there. 

So long, Tampa! 

Before we had even made it out of the Bay, we were headed off to dinner in the Main Dining Room. 

Ok, so I realize when I am about to say is at bit at odds: But, the NCL 'free' cruises do cost more, but you also get more. NCL offers 'Free at Sea'. It's a promotion they seem to run 99 percent of the time, and it's basically if you book with them you get free internet, free drink package, and one free specialty dinner. Now, none of this is really 'free', you do have to pay the gratuities on the full amount, but if you want those things, it really is a good deal. So, we paid the gratuities to have the drink package and the meal (the internet truly is free- though you only get a certain amount of minutes instead of unlimited). Anyway, that resulted in wine with every meal. Turns out, Asa loves a good melbek and I am quite the Reisling fan. 

I do also feel like the food on NCL is just slightly better- or maybe it's more the variety. Either way, the main dining room the first night had very good crab rangoon, and shrimp pasta. 

If the food is only slightly better, the desserts are head and shoulders above. This creme brulee was one of my favorites all week, but even the buffet had some absolute winners. 

We got awesome seats in the dining room the first night, too. We were at the very back of the boat, and we got to see us go under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This bridge, however, is the reason that only the smaller boats can sail out of Tampa. Everyone must fit under this bridge, even if it's by the tiniest margin, so those big girls like Allure, Wonder, or Utopia will never leave from here. 

After dinner, we braved the very cold waters of the pool, and then quickly made ourselves comfortable in the hot tub. 

And we finished out our evening with some drinks, karaoke and shenanigans. I will say, there is WAY less to do on a small ship of this size. Usually, Asa and I were running from activity to activity. Last cruise we logged 20,000 plus steps on a sea day on Allure! But, you go hours between anything organized on the boat. It's not bad, it's just very, very different. 

The next morning, we headed to the breakfast buffet. Everyone knows I love a good breakfast. And on cruise ships, I love to get 'mega breakfast' (it's what I call when you can have french toast, pancakes, and waffles on the same plate!) However, on Jade, there were no waffles to be found. Sadly, a whole week on a cruise ship with no megabreakfast. BUT the toppings were way better on this one. Every morning there was a banana fosters syrup and mixed berries. Plus whipped cream, and various syrups and chips. And to replace the waffle, there was a very good take on sticky buns. 

I would be remiss, if I did not mention the second day on the boat was not only an at sea day, it was also Asa's 41st birthday! I know he struggles with us celebrating him for his birthday, but come on, this guy deserves his celebrations. He's such the foundation of our family, a total rock for all of us, who brings out the fun and laughter in whoever he's around, and thinks so wildly different from the rest of the world, he will ALWAYS keep things interesting. It's because of Asa I'm becoming a 'why not' person, and because of him that are kids are such wonderful humans. So, we should share some love and appreciation on his birthday! 

The birthday started out with Ukrainian Folk Dancing (did I mention Asa is almost always 'down for whatever'). I tried for about 10 minutes, and then the boat rockin on Deck 13 was too much for me, so I grabbed a mimosa and sat in support. 

We spent some of the day at the pool. Oddly enough, I was less motion sick in the pool, even with waves crashing side to side than I was just walking around the boat. Although, it was on this trip I brought what I call my 'electric shock bracelet'. I don't know exactly what it is called, but it sends little electrical pulses to your brain to tell you not to get sick. It was pricey, but covered on the HSA card, so I took a chance on it. And while it does make your hand go a little tingly, it totally works. I would find this out the next night though. I did struggle with sea sickness a bit this day (the boat was really moving since we had to book it across the Caribbean to make it to Mexico on time). 

Asa, meanwhile, just wanted to spend his day eating, reading, and relaxing. So that's exactly what we did. We made a stop by O'Sheehans to add to his wing count mid-day. (I, however, was still pretty full from breakfast). 

After that, we went up to the card room to get a chess set. On the very first day, there were chess sets out in the martini lounge, but apparently, that was just an embarkation thing. I promised Asa one game a day (he wins every single time), and so we had to track down a board to play. Of course, Asa won. 

But then, another family showed up also looking from the boards from yesterday. Apparently, the youngest, Miles, was just learning chess. The parents were trying to be supportive, but knew hardly anything about it. It was Tuesday, though, and Asa was missing chess club, so he offered to work with Miles. They had so much fun playing together, and we learned that Miles and his family lived very close to us. We told them about chess club at the library, and they said they had seen it and thought about coming, and that maybe they would after the cruise. Of course, on the small boat we saw Miles and his family quite a few more times. 

Fast forward to almost a month after we got off the boat (and had missed no less than three chess clubs since then), and I'm sitting there talking to one of the moms, when I see those blond curls bouncing into the chess room. Miles showed up with his dad who said 'Miles has wanted to come every Tuesday since we got off the ship, but has had soccer'. Good thing we didn't miss him! Everyone at the library loved the fact that Asa was recruiting for chess club on the cruise ship. As Victoria said 'Outreach at it's finest'. 

There were plenty of drinks to be had on Asa's birthday as well. Turns out I loved having the frozen Sangria (or in a pinch the frozen Rose) and some fries every day around 3. 

We tried dinner in the second of the two dining rooms, and we were not at all impressed with the service. But, we did get out of there in time to see at the show that evening. Do I remember what it was? Um, maybe the magician? We were also not super impressed with the shows on the Jade. Some nights all that was in the main theater was a game show you had to pay to participate in, or a movie. Other times the shows felt repetitive. 

Since we ditched the main dining room before dessert to make it to the show in time, we did go up to the buffet for deserts. That lemon meringue pie was the best dessert I've ever had a on a buffet. Even the crust was delicious. I went back every night hoping to find it, but to no avail.  

We did swing by karaoke for a bit that night, as it's one of Asa's favorite things (to watch, never sing). Being there a week, we found some of the same people every night. There was the old guy that sang anything old school very well. Josh, who always picked a Disney song to sing. And, some 12 year old girl that picked a different Taylor Swift song every night. We did bail some nights though, because there was an inordinate amount of country music. For some reason, there were a lot of Ohio/Michigan/Wisconsin/PA/WV people on this boat, and they loved their country. 

After that, I didn't feel great, so I laid down (I should have just put my electric shock bracelet on at that point), but Asa enjoyed some solitary time alone with his book and some wings at O'Sheehans, so he had a lovely birthday, and that's really all that matters. 

Up Next: Mahahual/Costa Maya Mexico