sueb

Thank you for your complete review! We were on the week before you and are looking forward to doing the other route next year!

She was my first cruise... I do miss her. But a piece of her is on the Allure and Oasis!! The huge blue Crown & Anchor over the aqua theater came from the Sovereign! I do miss that lady!!!

What a cool bit of Trivia! Sovereign of the Seas was also my first cruise on RCCL...also our Honeymoon cruise.

We were on Kuralu a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time although we ended up with 15 of us (I believe that was the number) and was under the impression there would be less. It was crowded and several passengers had to sit in the back. The crew was great and I think everyone had a great time despite the tight quarters.

There were two fairly large sections on Indy, several rows, on either side of the pool bar, off the staircases up to the Sky Bar. Here's a photo I took. On sea days the sections were fairly full, but not until later in the afternoon. In the mornings they were still fairly empty, as is evidenced by this photo.

 

Thank You! I hate fighting for seats...it was a problem on the Jewel this year. Thanks for sharing your picture!

We are considering taking an 8 day Indi cruise Feb 2015 vs one out of San Juan on the Jewel. Did the Jewel this year and loved it fyi. Any comment on the reserved ('vip' for suite guests) seating at the pool on the Indi? Seems like a perk we might like, but am trying to justify the price of the GS on this particular cruise. Also, as far as the Concierge club goes...any comments on how crowded it gets? We had trouble with seating on the Jewel. Thanks!

This was offered for "free" via our suite on Jewel of the seas last month. We didn't make it , but those that did, said it was a great tour.

Great info...we will use this on our upcoming cruise!

Wow! Thanks for all the info. We have been in a JS many a time, but first time in a 'real' suite. You all are the best!

Although I'm sure this has been addressed before....since there isn't a functioning search function I'll need to ask again...We are leaving on the Jewel of the seas next week out of San Juan. Recently was "upselled" to a Grand Suite (our first!). Can you still order from the dining room menu in full suites? Can we order full room service for breakfast our last day before debarkation? Does the concierge lounge offer bottled water? Thanks!

Thank you for all the great info!

Sue,

Jewel is very organized about informing you of your "perks"- my best on a cruise so far...I have posted a picture of the paperwork that will be in your cabin on embarkation day in my review (linked in my signature - I think its post 18...or thereabouts!)

 

You will each have one; on the front lists all the parties and events, perks available to you and the reverse has a list of your seapass linked "coupons". If you look at my paperwork, I'd imagine the dates, and places will be very similar unless there are an extra large amount of C & A folks on board at that level requiring a change of venue. But with a such a busy itinerary, the times won't change much!

 

Have fun!:D And congrats!

Thank You! Great informative info for my cruise planning (half the fun :o) sue

Thank you

We have been on the Jewel Several times, but not out of San Juan. This is our First Cruise as Diamond and am wondering about the perks on the Jewel as I know they are different than some of the other ships. Most interested in knowing if there is a seperate area offered for breakfast in the windjammer for seating offering specialty coffees, current procedure for evening cocktail hour (are they using the coupon system yet ) etc. Thanks!

Thank you for the info...we are sailing in Feb and this is one item I hadn't addressed yet. Are the porters at the airport at the drop off area?

Wow, Great review! We are looking forward to our trip aboard the Jewel in January!

We were just at Carambola last week. It is beautiful! It's $10 per chair and $10 for an umbrella. We ended up renting a cabana for $40 and 4 of us shared it. The beach was not rocky where we were.

I have looked at pics of Carambola, but cannot find a picture of the Cabana's that have been mentioned. What are they? Do you have a picture you could share with us? Thanks!

The Godfather Music Beach Bar. A lovely traditional Caribbean beach bar that looks like it came straight from a travel magazine. It was not at all crowded. Lots of shade and comfortable sun chairs. The owner is a very friendly local guy that told us St Kitts pirate stories and some interesting island history. Played some wonderful music that we have never heard before. No food was available but a good selection of cocktails, fruity ice smoothies and cheap local beers. It was on the reef just in front of The Godfather Beach Bar we got to do the best snorkeling we had during our entire cruise. We even saw a turtle and lots of squids. Do n't be put off by the reef if you think it would spoil your time in the sea. While you can't do laps straight out from shore, there are beautiful pool like inlets that's perfect for wallowing in the gentle waves with an ice cold beer or rum punch in hand.

We sure had a wonderful day at The Godfather Beach Bar. The time spent on South Friars Bay was the best island experience of our cruise. A real Caribbean beach day. Highly recommended.

Is this near Carambola Beach Club? Thanks!

Thanks for all the info. A Quick question about the indoor restaurant. Is it a typical beachfront casual dining venue or is it a little more dressy...thinking about making reservations for lunch and renting chairs and Not sure what the wear.

Thanks for all the great info, we are in the process of planning our trip in Feb on the Jewel of the Seas. Were there any beach stops on any of these sailings?

Great info. We have been on the Jewel twice before and are looking forward to sailing on her in Feb. Did you find the stateroom, and the ship in general, in good shape or is it getting obvious a dry dock is in the future? Thanks

Just to clarify, We had kids ages 15,16, 17, 18x2 and 20x2 with 5 adults. Because of the gender of one of the younger passengers and the fact we had one person sailing solo it was a bit of a challenge to book and keep the cost down for the younger one paying his own way. I've booked many a cruise and, on this line, booking was a challenge because of how they have layed out their cabins.

We are experienced cruises with RCCL and Princess (17 in all). We have booked before with adults in a kids room then switched (on princess), but it was a challenge on this ship due to our needs and the cabin set ups/ availability. This cruise line had very limiting rules. This new policy was offered to my TA by the Groups Dept at NCL, she did not ask. We were having problems with cabin assignments and they offered! When we originally booked this was not the policy, buy had additional passengers sign on with us and we had to accomidate them.

All I'm trying to do is inform those that are interested that there is a policy that has been changed, but obviously hasn't been updated on their website. I booked with a TA (well known) as part of a group booking and all the conversations were with NCL's group dept. It was explained to me that they have loosened to rules to align more closely with other lines booking rules. If your TA does not know about the changes in the policy, then have them call and ask. I'm not sure they are pushing the policy change, but have done so. I was leary also, but had all my documention in order. Just hoping this will help another family in like situation. That is it! Happy Cruising!

Well IMO if they changed it, this is one policy I think NCL should have left alone and actually enforced or revamped just the age part of the policy. I’m not talking the OP’s 17 & 18 yr old since as far as I’m concerned an 18 yr old is an adult and I thought rather dumb that they need a chaperone or supervision by being in a connecting cabin. Besides by the time they are that age they probably don’t get in until well after midnight and probably fall right into bed.

Yes many people did it anyway and especially those from CC that knew others had put their children in different rooms and then switched. But since the majority of cruisers are not on CC, I could only hope they didn’t realize they could do this.

Here’s my reason for my thoughts. Our last cruise we had the joy of having a family in the next cabin (Mom, Dad and 2 children). These children were school age but not teens. Daily they would decide to use the bed as a trampoline or boxing ring or something to that effect and bounce off of the connecting wall. After a while Mom and/or Dad would settle it down. If these 2 had been in their cabin across the hall I can only imagine how long this would have kept up and mom and/or dad being no wiser since they would not have heard it.

I think this was the same group of kids we had above us on this trip!!!

I am maybe a bit confused about the "new policy". Folks come here often and say they "book" an adult in each room, but once onboard, the kids take one room, and parents the other.

 

So, what are you saying has changed?

 

Maybe that you can just book in that way in the first place?

 

If so, a very small change and one that does not impact anything. But, I am not sure what you are saying changed.

Hi, Sorry for the lack of clarity...It was late when I posted last night. The new policy allows minors to be booked in an adjoining cabin or a cabin accross the hall from the get go.I'm not sure at what age they are allowing this, but our feeling was not too allow this for 'older kids' of 18 was rediculous. This was important to us because we would have had 4 full grown 18 and 17 year olds in one cabin. That would have been miserable. We did switch cabins a bit once on board , but the bottom line is we were able to get away without stuffing too many people in one very undersized cabin!

Just back from the Epic and didn't want to share this until I was sure we wouldn't have a problem. A couple of months back our TA shared with us that NCL had changed their policy about children being in cabin near their parents on the Epic. We had her double and triple check with the NCL group dept. head and we were assured this was the new pollicy although it has not been updated on their site. So bottom line is we had "children" ages 17 and 18 in the cabin next to parents. This was not a connecting cabin. We were told they could also be in an inside directly across from us.

Bottom line is, we booked this way and had a note on our reservation to that effect. We did not have a problem at check in and the check in personel did know about this new policy. The contract we signed did not specify this and I wish they would update their website to that effect.I was a bit concerned we might have a problem at check in I was given the name and number of the groups dept. if we had been questioned. All is fine and I'm glad they a more reasonable policy due to the small size of the cabins and very limited connecting cabins. Hope this info helps someone!

I can't find any info on this cabin. I guess I didn't realize the ins and outs of all the balconies on this particular ship. I am concerned about our choice of this B6 cabin. It is at the start of the angle...is it exposed from above and does it look over an open balcony directly below? Thanks for any help.