Just off the Jewel

[lilypi314]

The post-cruise depression has set in - what an amazing trip! I'll be working on my full review, but I'm happy to answer any questions in the meantime!

[Unknotted]

Looking forward to your review!

[pr0pel]

We're leaving next Sunday. How was GSC? Was the water warm enough to swim? What did you do in Nassau? We're heading to the Sheraton but wanted some other ideas.

[lilypi314]

We're leaving next Sunday. How was GSC? Was the water warm enough to swim? What did you do in Nassau? We're heading to the Sheraton but wanted some other ideas.

 

GSC was a good time, and I did a lot of swimming, but I wouldn't call it warm. It was absolutely enjoyable, but some of the "thinner blooded" folks were complaining. Nassau was...Nassau. We had wanted to do a beach day at Junkanoo, but the weather was damp and chilly. We ended up taking a tour of the island for $15 each and luckily got back on board right before the torrential rain that our cruise friends got caught in. If the weather is nice I would highly recommend taking the jitney to Ardastra Gardens. I was there in May and had an amazing time.

[PathfinderEss]

Looking forward to your full review. Welcome back.

[BaileyandBella]

Did they have the chilled fruit soups?

[KirkNC]

Welcome home, get busy on that review ;)

[jlacy1987]

What category cabin did you stay in? How was it? If you stayed in a suite, were the perks worth it? I'm trying to figure out if a suite is actually worth the extra almost $500.

 

We did an OV our first cruise and we were only in the embarkation line for about 1.5 hours, which really wasn't bad. We would probably never use the butler and would probably only use the concierge for help with dinner reservations since husband has Celiac. But we could easily handle that ourselves. All the perks are a nice touch, but I just don't know if they are worth it, so if you stayed in a suite, could you weigh in?

 

Which restaurants were the best on the ship? Why? What about the entertainment? Do you know if the deck games on Deck 13 stayed busy or not?

[jdvmd]

Can't wait to hear your comments!

[DMH15]

What category cabin did you stay in? How was it? If you stayed in a suite, were the perks worth it? I'm trying to figure out if a suite is actually worth the extra almost $500.

 

We did an OV our first cruise and we were only in the embarkation line for about 1.5 hours, which really wasn't bad. We would probably never use the butler and would probably only use the concierge for help with dinner reservations since husband has Celiac. But we could easily handle that ourselves. All the perks are a nice touch, but I just don't know if they are worth it, so if you stayed in a suite, could you weigh in?

 

Which restaurants were the best on the ship? Why? What about the entertainment? Do you know if the deck games on Deck 13 stayed busy or not?

 

Only $500 to move to full suite? I'd jump on that!

[NYGirl1002]

Oh the suite is definitely worth it. I stayed in one a couple of weeks ago on the Jewel. It was a fabulous experience.

[WaldosPepper]

What category cabin did you stay in? How was it? If you stayed in a suite, were the perks worth it? I'm trying to figure out if a suite is actually worth the extra almost $500.

 

We did an OV our first cruise and we were only in the embarkation line for about 1.5 hours, which really wasn't bad. We would probably never use the butler and would probably only use the concierge for help with dinner reservations since husband has Celiac. But we could easily handle that ourselves. All the perks are a nice touch, but I just don't know if they are worth it, so if you stayed in a suite, could you weigh in?

 

Which restaurants were the best on the ship? Why? What about the entertainment? Do you know if the deck games on Deck 13 stayed busy or not?

 

What category are you currently booked in? If you're looking into upgrading to a suite for only $500, that's a STEAL! However, make sure what you are looking at is a full suite, and NOT a mini-suite. Minis have ZERO perks. ;)

 

And, imho, the suite perks are totally worth their cost. :D

[lilypi314]

Did they have the chilled fruit soups?

 

None that I was aware of.

[lilypi314]

What category cabin did you stay in? How was it? If you stayed in a suite, were the perks worth it? I'm trying to figure out if a suite is actually worth the extra almost $500.

 

We did an OV our first cruise and we were only in the embarkation line for about 1.5 hours, which really wasn't bad. We would probably never use the butler and would probably only use the concierge for help with dinner reservations since husband has Celiac. But we could easily handle that ourselves. All the perks are a nice touch, but I just don't know if they are worth it, so if you stayed in a suite, could you weigh in?

 

Which restaurants were the best on the ship? Why? What about the entertainment? Do you know if the deck games on Deck 13 stayed busy or not?

 

We were in an inside cabin, so I can't speak to the suite perks. We didn't eat at any specialty restaurants this time around, but I heard good things about Moderno and Le Bistro from other passengers. I didn't see a lot of action on deck 13, but again didn't venture there much aside from heading to the Spinnaker.

[jlacy1987]

What category are you currently booked in? If you're looking into upgrading to a suite for only $500, that's a STEAL! However, make sure what you are looking at is a full suite, and NOT a mini-suite. Minis have ZERO perks. ;)

 

And, imho, the suite perks are totally worth their cost. :D

 

We will more than likely be booking an aft-balcony (B1). The price difference between it and the aft-penthouse (SF) is only $462. What about the suite perks makes it work the extra cost?

[Nalagh]

I can not wait to read your reviw!

 

Cherie

[lilypi314]

I can not wait to read your reviw!

 

Cherie

 

I'm hoping to get it done while at work tomorrow (shhhhh). The home computer is out of commission and I can't imagine writing it out on the iPad.

[WaldosPepper]

We will more than likely be booking an aft-balcony (B1). The price difference between it and the aft-penthouse (SF) is only $462. What about the suite perks makes it work the extra cost?

 

I'll try this in list form, as it seems the easiest way for me to highlight each:

 

Priority Embarkation - Fabulous way to start a vacation, because once you're through security, you're whisked through check-in and escorted to the Concierge Lounge. Meet your Concierge, check on reservations & special requests, then relax in a comfortable chair, and enjoy some coffee and danish while you wait to board. After an extremely brief wait, enjoy a swift boarding and an escort directly to Cagney's for lunch. (bypassing the often lengthy queues of folks waiting to check in or board)

 

Breakfast and lunch in Cagney's - quiet venue with servers who quickly learn your preferences and are always at the top of their game. Excellent menu, and in the morning there is also a buffet of fruits, cheeses, meats, cereals, yogurt, muesli, danish and juices in addition to the menu. Steak and eggs, crabcakes and eggs, indulgent french toast, and most importantly... divine french press coffee.

 

The suites - spacious, well-appointed including the amazing Bliss Bed, and Lavazza coffee machine (which even heats the cups as they sit on top), huge bathrooms with upgraded amenities, many also have jetted tubs. Plenty of room to relax and dine en-suite if you choose, or simply unwind at the end of the day either inside, or out on your balcony with cushioned chairs and loungers.

 

Butler service - Ask and ye shall receive, whether it is a full meal en suite, or simply the desire to have a particular type of fruit available at all times. Want to throw a cocktail party in your suite? Your Butler will handle everything beautifully. Want the refrigerator to always have a pitcher of V8 in it? Done. Oh, you enjoy small sandwiches in the afternoon? Poof, there they are every day. You prefer skim milk for your coffe? It will be in your fridge at all times. You get a hankering for chocolate chip cookies at odd hours? No problem, there will be a plate of them in your suite every day. The possibilities are endless, and although you could certainly do all these things for yourself, it's quite nice to be pampered while you're on vacation (particularly if you're the one who does all the pampering the rest of the year).

 

Concierge - Need a reservation for 6 at LeBistro for tonight, no problem. Running late at dinner, and really want to see the show? Don't worry, there are seats already reserved for you. Need to make contact with someone on the ship to help resolve a problem? Concierge at your service. The possibilities here are endless as well.

 

Priority Tendering - No need to start lining up on deck 4 at the crack of dawn. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then stroll to the head of the line when it's time to start tendering.

 

Priority Disembarkation - Escort off the ship, past the throngs of folks in line, and enjoy an escort directly to the VIP luggage area (which, incidentally, is directly adjacent to the custom's area, hence no need to schlep your bags through the endless hall). Grab a porter, and let him whisk you directly to the custom's agent, bypassing the queue of folks snaked for half a mile waiting to get to an agent.

 

Those are some of the many reasons why I feel the price of a suite is money well spent. We work extremely hard for our earnings, and when it's time for us to vacation, we enjoy the opportunity to avoid long lines and crowds, and to have someone else handling all the little details that make the vacation so much more enjoyable. We've sailed in inside, oceanview, and suite, and while we've never ever had a bad cruise, the ones where we've been in a suite have been immeasurably better. ;)

[nasushorses]

Tell us please!!!!

[nasushorses]

I'll try this in list form, as it seems the easiest way for me to highlight each:

 

Priority Embarkation - Fabulous way to start a vacation, because once you're through security, you're whisked through check-in and escorted to the Concierge Lounge. Meet your Concierge, check on reservations & special requests, then relax in a comfortable chair, and enjoy some coffee and danish while you wait to board. After an extremely brief wait, enjoy a swift boarding and an escort directly to Cagney's for lunch. (bypassing the often lengthy queues of folks waiting to check in or board)

 

Breakfast and lunch in Cagney's - quiet venue with servers who quickly learn your preferences and are always at the top of their game. Excellent menu, and in the morning there is also a buffet of fruits, cheeses, meats, cereals, yogurt, muesli, danish and juices in addition to the menu. Steak and eggs, crabcakes and eggs, indulgent french toast, and most importantly... divine french press coffee.

 

The suites - spacious, well-appointed including the amazing Bliss Bed, and Lavazza coffee machine (which even heats the cups as they sit on top), huge bathrooms with upgraded amenities, many also have jetted tubs. Plenty of room to relax and dine en-suite if you choose, or simply unwind at the end of the day either inside, or out on your balcony with cushioned chairs and loungers.

 

Butler service - Ask and ye shall receive, whether it is a full meal en suite, or simply the desire to have a particular type of fruit available at all times. Want to throw a cocktail party in your suite? Your Butler will handle everything beautifully. Want the refrigerator to always have a pitcher of V8 in it? Done. Oh, you enjoy small sandwiches in the afternoon? Poof, there they are every day. You prefer skim milk for your coffe? It will be in your fridge at all times. You get a hankering for chocolate chip cookies at odd hours? No problem, there will be a plate of them in your suite every day. The possibilities are endless, and although you could certainly do all these things for yourself, it's quite nice to be pampered while you're on vacation (particularly if you're the one who does all the pampering the rest of the year).

 

Concierge - Need a reservation for 6 at LeBistro for tonight, no problem. Running late at dinner, and really want to see the show? Don't worry, there are seats already reserved for you. Need to make contact with someone on the ship to help resolve a problem? Concierge at your service. The possibilities here are endless as well.

 

Priority Tendering - No need to start lining up on deck 4 at the crack of dawn. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then stroll to the head of the line when it's time to start tendering.

 

Priority Disembarkation - Escort off the ship, past the throngs of folks in line, and enjoy an escort directly to the VIP luggage area (which, incidentally, is directly adjacent to the custom's area, hence no need to schlep your bags through the endless hall). Grab a porter, and let him whisk you directly to the custom's agent, bypassing the queue of folks snaked for half a mile waiting to get to an agent.

 

Those are some of the many reasons why I feel the price of a suite is money well spent. We work extremely hard for our earnings, and when it's time for us to vacation, we enjoy the opportunity to avoid long lines and crowds, and to have someone else handling all the little details that make the vacation so much more enjoyable. We've sailed in inside, oceanview, and suite, and while we've never ever had a bad cruise, the ones where we've been in a suite have been immeasurably better. ;)

 

 

ThankYou! I booked a Haven.... what time can we get on the ship?

[WaldosPepper]

ThankYou! I booked a Haven.... what time can we get on the ship?

 

We generally arrive between 10 and 10:30, and by the time we park the car and check in, it's perfect timing to board and have lunch. :D I see you're sailing with us! Have you checked out the roll call yet???

 

EDIT: Nevermind, I just saw that you had! I'll get you added right now! :D

[rtn]

We've been in a suite twice, once on the Jewel and once on the Gem. Question...when we were escorted to Cagney's on the Gem this past Sept., it was the entire VIP lounge which was a very large group. When we went on the Jewel a few years ago, we were escorted to Cagney's in a group of six by one of the butlers. It was so great and started our vacation off perfectly. This past Sept. we were all escorted on by the concierge to Cagney's where a very long line formed waiting to get in. It was also difficult to keep our large group together once leaving the lounge in the terminal and making our way through the ship to Cagney's. Once in Cagney's, people were dashing to open tables since the staff couldn't handle everyone at once and people didn't want to wait to be seated. l'm just wondering if each ship/concierge handles it differently or is this something new. We sail this Sunday on the Jewel so I'm wondering what we should expect. We also had Adrian on the Jewel...he was amazing. Thanks in advance.

[WaldosPepper]

We've been in a suite twice, once on the Jewel and once on the Gem. Question...when we were escorted to Cagney's on the Gem this past Sept., it was the entire VIP lounge which was a very large group. When we went on the Jewel a few years ago, we were escorted to Cagney's in a group of six by one of the butlers. It was so great and started our vacation off perfectly. This past Sept. we were all escorted on by the concierge to Cagney's where a very long line formed waiting to get in. It was also difficult to keep our large group together once leaving the lounge in the terminal and making our way through the ship to Cagney's. Once in Cagney's, people were dashing to open tables since the staff couldn't handle everyone at once and people didn't want to wait to be seated. l'm just wondering if each ship/concierge handles it differently or is this something new. We sail this Sunday on the Jewel so I'm wondering what we should expect. We also had Adrian on the Jewel...he was amazing. Thanks in advance.

 

There are a number of factors which could be at play, such as what time you arrived (and how many others arrived at roughly the same time), as well as how many of the staff are changing contracts that day. If you arrive at 11:30, you can expect a mob scene such as what you described above. We saw that happen while we were eating our lunch on the first day of our most recent sailing. Also, if numerous butlers or the concierge or their assistant are ending/beginning their contracts that day, that can lead to a less-than-fluid process. :eek: My advice is get there early, as you have the best chance of a pleasant experience that way. ;)

[rtn]

Thanks Barbara...we arrived around 10:30 at the VIP lounge. What was also strange that day is that the assistant concierge told/advised everyone as they entered the lounge where to sit. He wanted everyone sitting in the center area seats only. Once everyone received their papers, cards etc. we lined up starting with the people sitting in the front row seats nearest to the concierge. It just felt like high school. Maybe our first time experience was so fantastic that it will be hard to match. We will enjoy no matter how it is handled since we do love NCL and their suites. Marilyn

[newmexicoNita]

The post-cruise depression has set in - what an amazing trip! I'll be working on my full review, but I'm happy to answer any questions in the meantime!

 

We cruised the Jewel on her first cross atlantic cruise, it was one of our favorite cruises, maybe our favorite...