srmsmg5 Posted May 31, 2010 #1 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Ok, first thanks for all of the advice! The experts on this board helped make our cruise wonderful. I don't have the attention span for an all out detailed message so here are the highlights. -Yes, plenty of people checked cases of water and soda with their luggage and it was delivered to their room. -We stayed in an AD "Romance Suite". I have never stayed in an aft cabin and I loved it. The only downside was when they powerwash the deck at the Great Outdoors, sludge winds up on the outer part of the balcony. The steward quickly took care of it, but there is an ewww factor! The cabin is a decent size, with a big bathroom and tub. It is wider than a regular balcony cabin, but not too much longer. In fact, the couch is tiny! The balcony was much larger than average. I would stay in it again even with the sludge! Wow...what a reality check to be back home! -I can't say enough about the suite perks. We had breakfast in our cabin every day from Cagney's. A few lunches from Cagney's in the cabin too (lots of crab cakes and shrimp cocktail!). After dinner we were too full for dessert, so we ordered and had it delivered to the cabin. Had priority tender tickets, preview of the chocolate buffet, cell phone in cabin to call the butler or concierge, cocktail party invite, priority embarkation and debarkation, great coffee/cappuccino machine and lots more. Totally worth every penny we spent. We did not use the concierge, but did use the butler for all of the meals in our room. -Our goal was to relax. We spent most of our time doing just that. We stayed on board, which I highly recommend, in all but in Nassau. We had been to the ports before, and got off for a few quick gifts. Love staying on the ship in port. It is so peaceful! -We ate dinner at several of the alternative restaurants. They were all good. -I don't know why people have issues with the buffet. We ate there several times and most everything was great. It does get crowded at peak meal times, but all that is required is a little patience. Tables were cleared often and we never had trouble finding one. -We attended 3 shows and they were all great. -Deck chairs were at a premium, as they usually are. -We didn't make the cruise critic meet and greet. Unfortunately, after our great breakfast we fell asleep. The beds are wayyyyy too comfortable! -I had huge concerns about the Nick at sea program. I was going on vacation to get a break from 5 kids and Sponge Bob! Well, my fears were totally unfounded. I can't believe it, but I never saw any of it. There were plenty of activities listed, but carefully planned in various lounges and such. It was amazing how well that was done! -I also can't say enough about the wonderful crew! They were very friendly and interested in giving good service. Naturally, as in any business, you run into a few bad apples, but the good ones FAR out numbered any bad ones. Most were willing to do whatever you asked with a smile. They are amazing at remembering names, and likes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JewlzC Posted May 31, 2010 #2 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Short and sweet!! Glad you had a great time. Can't wait till we sail on the Jewel 6/19. Thanks for your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srmsmg5 Posted May 31, 2010 Author #3 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I forgot to mention the Freestyle info. This was the first time we experienced it and I loved it! I used to really enjoy formal nights etc., but as life has gotten so crazy, it was amazing to not worry about what I was going to wear. I brought a few nice tops and capri's that would work dressed up or down. Quick and easy. My husband also adapted quickly. Of course you do see people wearing things that are beyond informal (way too tight and short shorts, baseball caps inside and on backward etc., yikes!), which we looked at as interesting conversation topics! They were the minority though. Plenty of people dressed very elegantly to have formal portraits taken or just for fun, and did not look one bit out of place. Loved not being tied to a dining time, however, we usually ate at the same time every evening lol! We did go to the Blue Lagoon a few times. The service was kind of slow one night, but the food was good. Drink prices were from $6-$10 plus. They would have daily specials. The martini/margarita/beer/whiskey tastings were $15.00 each and seemed to be a good value. They happened various days but we never seemed to fit one in, darn! I am sure I will think of more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldmom Posted May 31, 2010 #4 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Did you have priority disembarkation on the last morning? How did that work out? The last time we were on, the Concierge just stuck us in the long line and left and it was a zoo! We were supposed meet up at the Asian restaurant and we could barely fight our way through the crowds to get there. On our other trips, the Concierge escorted us off the ship. Just curious if you used this and how it worked out. Thanks for any info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srmsmg5 Posted May 31, 2010 Author #5 Share Posted May 31, 2010 The concierge did escort us off the ship. If he hadn't we probably would have missed our 1:30pm flight! It was fleet week, and the USS Iwo Jima was in the usual berth. We had to use a much smaller pier. They were only letting off 60 passengers at a time. It was crazy! Another suite perk that truly paid off!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldmom Posted May 31, 2010 #6 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Appreciate the info and glad you had a great trip. We leave on Saturday and can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldmom Posted May 31, 2010 #7 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Do you happen to remember about what time you were able to leave the ship? We have a friend picking us up and would like to give them a rough idea of what time to get us. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srmsmg5 Posted May 31, 2010 Author #8 Share Posted May 31, 2010 It seemed the very earliest were those carrying their own luggage off and that was at about 9:00am. Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenagurl Posted May 31, 2010 #9 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I'm glad you had a great time. DH and I were on that same sailing! I think I might have to try the "Suite Life" next time we go together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie51 Posted May 31, 2010 #10 Share Posted May 31, 2010 We have to wait 9 1/2 months until our Jewel Nick cruise with my sister's grandchildren. I am glad to hear there will be lots of activities for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLadyz Posted June 1, 2010 #11 Share Posted June 1, 2010 What were the shows you saw? Are the worth attending? Did you go ti the "white hot party"? If yes, how was it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser1978 Posted June 2, 2010 #12 Share Posted June 2, 2010 The White Hot Party on the Dawn was "ok", but not my favorite event. It was a huge dance club scene, with a lot of "younger" guests attending. My group (30 year olds) loved the staff performance on the last night, the X-Rated game / Newlywed Game / Liars Club (late night in the lounge). If these are options on your cruise, I highly rec'd them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyto2girls Posted June 3, 2010 #13 Share Posted June 3, 2010 So good to read your review we have booked the Jewel out if NY for January. It is our first time on NCL...do you mind if I ask how much the alternative restaurants cost? I am sure that is what we will do. We are also booked in an AE aft suite our first one...a bit nervous. We are suite people but never aft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srmsmg5 Posted June 3, 2010 Author #14 Share Posted June 3, 2010 You will have a great time! We had never been aft before either and I loved it! Very private (we were in an end cabin so only had another cabin on one side of us). The alternative restaurants have different prices from $10.00 per person to $25.00 per person. On port days, they would offer 2 for 1 in a few of them between 5:30-6:30pm. We had great meals in the included venues too, so don't feel like you have to do the alternatives, but it was a nice treat! We also took full advantage of having breakfast from Cagney's delivered to our cabin. It is not on the order form, but we wrote it in specifying what we wanted from the Cagney's menu. We also ordered from the lunch menu to be brought to the cabin. When we got back from the pool, it was waiting for us. When you meet your butler, ask him for copies of the main dining room menu's for the week, and a breakfast and lunch menu from Cagney's. That made it easier to plan what we wanted to do each day for meals. Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyto2girls Posted June 3, 2010 #15 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Thanks for the info...I have been very skeptical about NCL up until now...but I just don't want to fly the day before and book a hotel...the convenience here is worth the try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hailmary25 Posted June 3, 2010 #16 Share Posted June 3, 2010 So good to read your review we have booked the Jewel out if NY for January. It is our first time on NCL...do you mind if I ask how much the alternative restaurants cost? I am sure that is what we will do. We are also booked in an AE aft suite our first one...a bit nervous. We are suite people but never aft. I was a first timer on an NCL cruise Here is my review (sorry wordy) . Putting it here instead of another thread. click here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hailmary25 Posted June 3, 2010 #17 Share Posted June 3, 2010 What were the shows you saw? Are the worth attending? Did you go ti the "white hot party"? If yes, how was it? I went to the white hot party and had a great time. There was a range of ages on the dance floor in the beginning. As it got later in the night the avg age got lower and lower. I enjoyed the 2 for 1 mojitos. If you choose to drink the mojitos remember to order from the Bar its cheaper than paying the stand with souvenir glasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyto2girls Posted June 3, 2010 #18 Share Posted June 3, 2010 I was a first timer on an NCL cruise Here is my review (sorry wordy) . Putting it here instead of another thread. click here Thanks I am becoming less concerned with every review I read! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacewoman Posted June 3, 2010 #19 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Do you happen to remember about what time you were able to leave the ship? We have a friend picking us up and would like to give them a rough idea of what time to get us. Thanks! Goldmom --- we've done all of our cruises out of NYC pier - I'm not sure where Hawthorne is but, if you're only about an hour to hour and a half away - we've always called our friend as we were grabbing breakfast (say about 7) and told him we were in. Or we've called him as they gave the all clear - no issue for us to stay put until he called and said he was on the George Washington Bridge. You're at the mercy of customs so they can delay you getting off. We've had more than the two of us recently and we've had the limo service pick us up around 10:30. That time has worked out well. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howdyx2 Posted June 3, 2010 #20 Share Posted June 3, 2010 I enjoyed your review. We can't wait until October....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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