DorothyB

This has not been my experience. We traveled three in a single (2 bedroom) cabin last June and have reservations for April. Last cruise I was required to pay for (or accept the free and pay the gratuity - can't remember) also. This cruise we have the Free at Sea and all three of us got free drink package and all three of us were charged the gratuity. (by drink package, I mean the basic one that includes alcoholic beverages)

I LOVE NCL's "freestyle" - I can wear nice jeans to dinner and I can eat whenever I want to and by myself if I want to. You are looking for more to do - not really "intellectual", but you can often find others to play games with if you reach out on the roll call or go to a "meet & greet" set up by the roll call or any other group. For my Panama Canal cruise, I checked out a book for my Kindle prior to leaving so that I could learn the history of the canal. For my next cruise (unless I do it on my week long vacation in March), I already have a spiritual growth type book on my Kindle Unlimited that I want to read through carefully and pay attention to.

We will! We have done non-NCL excursions often and we always make sure we are back in plenty of town. This one is on land less than 5 miles from the port.

I am NOT tech savvy. I bought a smartphone with more memory and started switching to it this month. I ported my phone number to the new phone which means the old phone doesn't have a cell phone plan anymore. I've been quite surprised to find that this phone is still updating Libby and Facebook (and probably other things). Does this mean that this phone will work on board the ship? I can download the ncl app using my internet but will I be able to access the app on board? I've heard good & bad about texting with the NCL app. I think it is $10 per person but is that for a 7 day cruise? Does it work on both android and i-phone? I have android and my friends that I would text with have i-phones. We would just be using it to find each other on board. Thanks!

We absolutely will - and will plan to be back on board quite early. We are considering an excursion that should be over 5:30 and is less than 5 miles from the ship, so shouldn't be a problem!

Thanks!! We sure don't want to be late!!

I can't remember if all passengers need to be back on board one hour or two hours or ??? before we leave port. The current itinerary says "Depart" time is 8 PM. Port is Puerto Vallarta if it makes a difference. Thanks!

There are three of us booked in a 2 bedroom cabin on the Jewell in April. We have the FAS Adult Beverage Package. We had to pay the gratuity (x 3) but no other additional charge for the 3rd person to get the Adult Beverage Package. (This is US, so UK may be different)

I'm wondering the same thing - will the Jewel be on a fixed menu in April. I have not seen anything anywhere saying that any other ship other than the Primo has switched to the fixed menu.

Actually, NO. the concierge and butler are NOT included in the daily service charge. You will need to tip them separately.

It happens automatically when I check out - no problems. In case this cruise and last cruise, there were times I forgot and was surprised when I paid 🙂

I will be sailing on NCL which does not permit soft drinks to be carried on board. I can't remember exactly where in the process the carry on luggage is scanned. I have read somewhere on cruise critics that some cruise ports have vending machines with soft drinks available in the waiting area after carry on luggage is scanned. Wondering if San Diego cruise port might have this? (Looking specifically for Dr Pepper which isn't available on board) 🙂 Thanks!

If it is the same as my Haven experience on the Jewel last June, embarkation lunch was in Cagney's and all other breakfasts & lunches were served in Moderno. Breakfast includes the buffet and there is also a menu to order from. Lunch is a different menu from the MDR menu. Breakfast & lunch menus do not change but have a lot of choices. Dinner you are on your own. You can eat at O'Sheehan's, main dining room, buffet, the chinese place, or a specialty restaurant (where you would pay just like everyone else) OR you can get room service

Lunch is definitely better / different than the MDR lunch menu. If you search for haven breakfast menus, you will see the many choices. I can't remember if they have anything that isn't on the MDR breakfast menu. I have not actually done it, but I understand that butlers can bring food from the MDR if arranged early enough.

I used to get confused also. Now I just remember that if I buy two, I owe $500 less the $250 credit so that my ending cost is just $250. I don't have to figure out how to "spend" the $250 credit as it just reduces the $500 cost.

And be absolutely sure you LOGOUT after each use!

Are there other cruise lines where you can wear nice clean jeans to dinner instead of needing to dress more formally?? (serious question!)

Bottled water is NOT in a bottle! It comes in a "box". If you want a "bottle" that you can carry ashore instead of the "box", you can bring an EMPTY bottle from home and then fill it with either the "boxed" water or the water from the buffet or elsewhere on the ship. If you fill it from the buffet, you will need to fill their small glasses with water and then pour the water into your water bottle.

I loved having lunch in the "suite / haven" venue when I have sailed in suite or haven on the Jewel class ships! note that your gratuities do not include the butler and concierge - you will need to tip them separately

Thanks! I will be on the Jewel in April. re: O'Sheehan's - you mentioned a "blue plate" special. Did they have a "blue plate" special each day? for lunch or only at dinner? How did you know what the special for the day was? Thanks!

Mine says "Latitudes" there because I am a past cruiser.

We were in the 2 BR Haven Suite on the Pearl last June. My room was the small bedroom. I had them make it into a bed and leave it that way. I was totally fine with that room and it was nice having the private bathroom.

On some of the Jewel class ships, we have utilized the "Garden Cafe" (buffet area) but not near the buffet, during "non-meal times" for games. The game room on the jewel class ships typically have 6 - 10 tables that seat 4 people and you could move some together.

I didn't see root beer in the non-alcoholic section. Last June I was able to get root beer at one of the bars on the Pearl. Anyone know if root beer is still available on the Jewel?

Thanks!! I did find a company in Cabo recommended in another thread. Personally, I think I would enjoy the excursion in a "nicer than zodiac" boat even if we don't see whales.