JJAuckland

While enjoying my third BM (not that I was counting. Or being judged ... I did notice a few weird looks but maybe I was dressed oddly or they didn’t like my singing or dancing with the

music....at leat I think there was music)

 announced cabins were ready on my deck 9 ....

woo hoo.. let’s get rid of the bag . I will take better photos of bathroom but room is great. Couch is like a park bench seat... so hard!!

Photos of Bahama mama which became my drink on day one and two.....

I had popcorn shrimp and the shrimp burger. OMG the pretzel bun was amazing and has now taken over from the crepe as my favourite food so far! 

Was eated next to a couple who were having an argument.....why.... first day.... this so far has become a theme ... not sure if it’s because I am on my own or that people are a bit frazzled this time of year... I smiled and drank my way through lunch!

Hi there

sorry for not coming back sooner but I have somehow lost all my data (lost/used up.... same thing). Not sure how THAT happened but I’m sure there will be comments... and by that I mean you sissy!!

So I shared a cab down to the port with a lady and her son who were waiting for a taxi too (Woo hoo) and boarding was so smooth. Arrived at port about 11.10am and was on board before midday. Happy happy washy washy.  I headed to the main dining room for lunch after picking up a raffle ticket for a spa prize (as you do).

Good morning! So I arrived in Sydney last night after a bit of delay on the plane..(engine issues, something you really don’t want to hear). Ah well, bring on more bubbly . The weather in Sydney was not the best so I didn’t venture far and wide. Not so keen on lightning ! 

Hotel is nice (Novotel, Darling Harbour) but away from the ship so it will be taxi for me today. 

I will take photos of the room (balcony for this sailing) and around the ship for everyone as I always love it when I see them from other people and I am hoping my photography skills improve ...let me know..ha ha.

my younger sissy kindly printed off colour luggage tags (orange) for me....but when I went to put them on the bag this morning for some reason the ship/room details hadn’t printed...so it’s back to the back up black n white one. Last year when we all went to Europe she made us all bright orange ribbons so that is firmly in place!

biarding it starting at midday so I am getting excited! 

So am now through immigration and am relaxing with a gin (I am ignoring the fact that it is still morning... as I am on holiday, right??)

Hi Nelsj099 yes I am travelling solo this trip.  See you all tomorrow after muster drill

Hi everyone. So today is the day that I set off on my Christmas cruise voyage. After 380 days I am finally packed (no, honestly, it didn’t take me that long to pack.....) and ready for friends to pick me up and drive me to the airport. Sydney here I come! Staying in Darling Harbour tonight before embarking on the Norwegian Jewel tomorrow. Normally this time of year I am baking Christmas cookies and wrapping presents and so it’s a bit strange to be “running away to sea almost” and leaving family behind . Also leaving behind the final rush at work and crazy people on the roads, all frazzled and wanting to be places yeaterday! I am looking forward to experiencing Christmas on a ship. . Lots of relaxing on the balcony with many pretty coloured cocktails. I will try to take photos (photography is not my friend and I sometimes get teased for the photos of the inside of my handbag or the surprise videos I have taken instead)...so I apologise now for any “out of focus shots” (see above, many pretty coloured cocktails) which may appear. If there is anything anyone would like to know or see from the ship please let me know! Cheers Julie

Yay. I am so glad you have started your review. I have been waiting patiently since your Alaska cruise and was hoping I’d see the start of this one before I fly to Sydney to hop on board the Jewel this week. Susan must have been so excited with the cabin (by the photos I am not so sure about the scavenger hunt...although it was a cool way to see the ship) and I love the way your reviews flow along with all the wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing.

Julie, Auckland, New Zealand.

The crepes are a winner with me...as long as the queue is small....:-)

Am loving your review.  Thanks for sharing your holiday with us. Am loving all the photos

Loving your review. Thank you for sharing....the guacamole looks amazing!!!!

Thanks sid for your review & time taken to show us all around the ship!  The ship looed beautiful and I loved the artwork (along with the food & drink porn).Got to tell you I am still a little freaked out about the spider. I could not have left my bag until I had seen it leave.  I am doing my first ever solo cruise in a couple of weeks (Jewel) and am a bit nervous (I will be throwing back a few tequilas...but maybe not enough to test your hangover cures!). Thanks again for your review & I look forward to your next one (if the problems with the internet connection hasn't put you off).

Cheers

Julie

The beach looked amazing. The spider story freaked me out a little (read LOT). I couldn't have left the spot until I saw the spider leave the bag...thanks for sharing your vacation and I am sorry its become so stressful trying to upload photos (would make me order more drinks!!). Weather looks wonderful and I hope you have a great day tomorrow!

Am loving your review. That shrimp looked amazing and tequila is my kinda drink! Looking forward to hearing more ...cheers!

My first NCL cruise on POA around the Hawaiian Islands for my 50th (a few years ago). We had an 2 bd family aft balcony suite that wrapped around.

It was an amazing space, to sit with a drink & friends in port or while sailing past those wonderful Islands.

The crew were superb and every day was just perfect.

That's great news for you bluesea777. I am glad everyone on the cruise gets to spend time at the Great Barrier Reef area.

I am chomping at the bit to get on board on 20th December and spend time at sea

Thirty eight days to go & I cannot wait. Am so glad both wm0566687 and ohioNZLcruiser sound like you had a lovely time (even with the changes to your schedules.

Ha ha I cannot wait now to turn on the BOW channel just to hear the music!

I remember getting hooked on salmon bagels with capers for breakfast

42 days to go until I hop on the Jewel & try some of the items in the above comments

I have voted for the longer cruise.....as.....if its your sisters first cruise, and although you are familiar with the ship it will be all new to her whichever you choose, the longer on board the better as you can really enjoy all the ship has to offer.

Coming from NZ & having been to New Orleans (and loving it), going on the shorter cruise if you can extend & have a couple of days in New Orleans exploring & spending time with your sister is also extremely appealing to me.. also a new ship for you so both you & your sister will be having a new experience together...sorry, no clear cut choice as I see it.. :-)

I am in heaven reading this.....am loving the review and your photos are fab!  Its 9.45 am here in NZ and my stomach is saying it wants cruise food!!!!

57 days to go for me....I am so looking forward to a holiday and a cruise in the sun is calling.....

I would love to receive an option to bid!  This will be my third cruise & I am yet to receive an offer to bid. I am not sure you receive an option to bid for an upgrade on each cruise, but if I am wrong..please let me know as, although I am happy with my current cabin on my up coming cruise (similar to how the OP will feel if they don't win a bid) I would love to "give it a go"

I have also followed along silently on this thread as I so love your posts and was hoping you would come back & report how it went. I am glad you had a good time (except for the Brat Pack show) and that your parents had a good time (even if your Dad was out of his comfort zone a bit). I hope you do manage an all inclusive family cruise in the future. I try to persuade my family to come on a cruise but I am always met with objections so I am glad you got to experience one with your parents. Thanks for sharing