Jewel Review March 10, 2013

[aprylstar]

Thanks Barb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I would have made it to a martini tasting! That was family time for us, so I'll have to wait until my son is a little older :)

 

Great review so far, April!!!!! I'm enjoying re-living the trip, and very much enjoying the photos of all your smiling faces. :D So glad you had such a wonderful vacation, and not surprised at all that you've become NCL Loyalists. ;)

[KevinsCruising]

Do you remember what night was the White Hot night ???

[aprylstar]

Friday night :-)

 

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[pizzalady1]

thanks for the review and double thanks for the menus:D

[aprylstar]

OK here we go - Day 3 Port Canaveral! We woke up to clouds & drizzle. Booooo - it's vacation time! lol I just kept reminding myself that it was cold & snowy back in Canada & 77 Partly Cloudy Port Canaveral would do just fine! I didn't know what to expect with this port. I hear a lot of people complain & wish the did key west or another Bahamas stop instead. We wanted to do Universal, but given that it was March Break, I didn't want to spend over $500 to go wait in lines. We decided to grab passes for the Cocoa Beach Shuttle - a cool 30 bucks & discount coupons to various retailers - & decide what to do when we got there.

 

Our day started with a note on our door to meet at Le Bistro for priority disembarking. These little suite perks including the mid day suite treats and/or shrimpies continued throughout the week. We had no idea why , considering we were only a mini suite & when we called concierge even they were confused! We later found out that one of the NCL Cruise directors on another ship (a friend of the family) had emailed Jamie (our cruise director) to let her know friends were sailing. Now after getting the special treatment all week, my husband says we must book a suite next time. If anything, he hates lines, so getting off first is a bonus in itself.

 

Off the ship first, on the shuttle second & in Cocoa Beach by 12:15. We wandered through the lobby of the Four Points Sheraton to check out the sharks. This is where the bus drops you & it is right near several shops including Ron Jons, Cocoa Beach Surf Co, Walgreens etc. The bar there serves $1 Margaritas to folks wearing wristbands from the shuttle. As much as I would have loved a frozen treat, we had our son with us, so we headed over the Dinosaur store. It was pretty awesome! We took a lot of pics and my son purchased a small fossil to bring home.

 

 

 

Once we were done here, we headed over to The Sandbar. We had read about it on cruise critic & I wanted to try the taco's! Tuesday is half price drafts & half price Taco's, however when we arrived at 1:30 we found out it didn't start until 4. Spring Breakers - this was the place to go. The place was packed with young people & we got the last seats in the place. If you plan on stopping here, get there early! My husband got a giant beer in a souvenir cup, I got a Category 3 Hurricane & my son got a pop. As well we ordered wings, fries & 3 tacos & I think the bill was under $40 with the tip. I had the fish taco and it was DELICIOUS!!!!

 

 

By the time we were done eating, the rain had stopped so we walked over to the beach (right outside the sandbar) and decided to stick around. There were lots of people surfing, some people playing beach volleyball and a whack of people lounging around. We headed back a block to purchase sand toys from the beach store & some beers & pops from the 7-11 next door. Back we went to the beach & spent the next 2.5 hours there enjoying the afternoon. We had the tunes going on my sons portable ipod speakers & the sun even tried to come out! In honour of NCL, my son mad a Patrick Star in the sand.

 

 

I would also like to mention that right next to the Sandbar, there is a public area with washrooms, showers, feet washing stations etc for everyone to use that is acccessing the beach.

 

Eventually we made our way to Ron Jon's and did some shopping. You could spend hours in that place! We bought a few souvenirs and then hopped on the shuttle to head back to the boat. All in all, I will say our day at Cocoa Beach was much better than expected. I am a glass half full girl, but not knowing what to expect, I was pleasently surprised.

 

 

We had to wait a while to reboard as they had to spin the ship around after refueling. Tons of people tried to cut in line, but NCL did a great job of directing them to the back of the line to wait like everyone else! We headed to our rooms, hopped in the shower, hit the buffet & made it just in time to the first comedy show. I had delicious Mahi Mahi in a corn sauce & my son had the chef make him some crazy fruit crepe. The comedian was pretty funny. We all laughed, especially my son!!!

 

 

After the show, my son opted to veg in our room for a few hours. They played a new movie each night & Nick was always on also. He had his video game with him too & everyone needs a little time to themselves on vacation! My husband and I headed back out to the Casino. Having gone through our $140 in promotional play the first two days, we decided to use our $30 in promotional chips at the Roulette Table & I found my calling! I won $140 that night & proceeded to play 3 other nights. I won 3 out of my 4 nights & on the last night I only lost 20, but won $80 on one of the dragon slots! all in all it was a successful week at the Casino for me! I'm not even a Casino kind of gal, but when you are on a roll, the excitement gets to you. It also meant a few more cocktails than I would normally have had and a lot of midnight Turkey & Avocado sandwiches from room service! lol ahahahahahahaha

[aprylstar]

 

 

 

Edited March 20, 2013 by aprylstar

[msmoger]

THANKS for the great review and as a major SpongeBob (and gang) fan I have to compliment your son on his remarkably accurate Patrick sand sculpture!!! :):)

[KevinsCruising]

Would you by chance have a liquor price sheet from the duty free liquor. Looking specific at the price of Patron Tequilla.

 

Thank you

[sayla27]

We are leaving this Sunday and can't wait! Your review has by far been the best I have seen. By any chance did you do the character breakfast or the kids ice cream party? I'm trying to find out the prices and whether or not its worth it. My girls are 4 and 6 (turning 7 on the cruise!)

[FLgirlCruises]

Would you by chance have a liquor price sheet from the duty free liquor. Looking specific at the price of Patron Tequilla.

 

Thank you

 

Ohhh good question! I was just at Costco today thinking about what I needed to buy on the cruise and if I should price compare.

[aprylstar]

Bottle Pricing for Groups 12-21-11.pdf

Here you go :)

 

Definitely pricey (twice what we payed on Carnival) HOWEVER, it was still cheaper than buying a drink at the bar and more importantly very convenient for making a drink in the room.

 

We ordered a bottle of vodka and brought on a 2L of Caesar mix. Conveniently there was hot sauce & worcestershire at the pool bar, so we'd spice up the drinks with that!

 

Also - they delivered a 6 pack (3 Tonic, 3 Pepsi) with the voda.

 

Also - if you brought liquor on when boarding or at a port it was confiscated & delivered to your room Saturday night. If you purchased it from Duty free on the boat you had to wait until Sunday morning to pick it up.

 

Cheers

Edited March 21, 2013 by aprylstar

[aprylstar]

Thanks! I am having a good time writing it. Definitely a nice way to remind me of what a great time we had.

 

As for your questions about the events, we didn't do either. I thought about doing the breakfast & if my son had asked I would have taken him, but the characters were out and about all the time. They had different meet and greets in spinnaker throughout the week. I did read good reviews prior to sailing about the breakfast and I think I read it was $15 for adults and $10 for kids.

 

Also, they had soft serve ice cream at the front and back of the Garden buffet. They always had sprinkles, cones & cups - Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla and swirls so we had our own decorating party! lol. If my son was a little younger he would have been all over any type of decorating party!

 

We are leaving this Sunday and can't wait! Your review has by far been the best I have seen. By any chance did you do the character breakfast or the kids ice cream party? I'm trying to find out the prices and whether or not its worth it. My girls are 4 and 6 (turning 7 on the cruise!)

Edited March 21, 2013 by aprylstar

[aprylstar]

I just realized you said Duty Free liquor! I should read better the first time around! lol. I looked at the Patron in Duty Free & I want to say it was around $35 or $40. Duty free had really great prices. We brought a 1L of smirnoff & bacardi for 13.99 & 12.99 a piece. The list I attached in the previous post was for ordering bottles of liquor to your room on the first day.

 

Would you by chance have a liquor price sheet from the duty free liquor. Looking specific at the price of Patron Tequilla.

 

Thank you

[lisakoivu]

I love your review... you guys did way different stuff than us! Even though we were on the same ship, we experienced a totally different cruise. Derek and I said the whole time, that it's completely different with or without the Bambino. Our turn will come next year, when we have the two teenagers. Your "bambino" is such a cutie, glad you all had such a great time....glad you solved the suite perks mystery too.

[KevinsCruising]

I just realized you said Duty Free liquor! I should read better the first time around! lol. I looked at the Patron in Duty Free & I want to say it was around $35 or $40. Duty free had really great prices. We brought a 1L of smirnoff & bacardi for 13.99 & 12.99 a piece. The list I attached in the previous post was for ordering bottles of liquor to your room on the first day.

 

Great... thank you :D

[aprylstar]

! Thanks Lisa! It was great meeting the two of you :) I would LOVE to book the breakaway next March break, but I don't know if it's in the cards for us. It's my hubby & I's tenth anniversary in April next year, so may plan something then. You'll have to send me a little mini review once you get back.

 

You're right, about different experiences! I think that's why I love cruising so much. It's like a choose your own adventure!

 

I love your review... you guys did way different stuff than us! Even though we were on the same ship, we experienced a totally different cruise. Derek and I said the whole time, that it's completely different with or without the Bambino. Our turn will come next year, when we have the two teenagers. Your "bambino" is such a cutie, glad you all had such a great time....glad you solved the suite perks mystery too.

[Luv2cruisewithtwins]

Did you book your shuttle passes through ncl? You said you grabbed passes, where can we get passes and discounts for cocoa beach?

[aprylstar]

Thanks!

 

Yes - they are sold as an excursion. $12 for adults, $6 for kids. I bought mine ahead of time online through my ncl on the ncl site, but you can also purchase once on board. The shuttles are parked and waiting as soon as you get off the boat.

 

They give you a wristband that allows you to ride it back and forth during the day. We were docked 12pm to 10pm & the last shuttle back to the boat was at 7pm.

 

They also provided business cards & mentioned those particular businesses offered a 15% discount with the card. The store across from the 7-11 near the beach was one where you could get a discount, so we saved on our beach toys & water wallet we picked up.

 

Did you book your shuttle passes through ncl? You said you grabbed passes, where can we get passes and discounts for cocoa beach?

Edited March 21, 2013 by aprylstar

[WaldosPepper]

Did you book your shuttle passes through ncl? You said you grabbed passes, where can we get passes and discounts for cocoa beach?

 

Thanks!

 

Yes - they are sold as an excursion. $12 for adults, $6 for kids. I bought mine ahead of time online through my ncl on the ncl site, but you can also purchase once on board. The shuttles are parked and waiting as soon as you get off the boat.

 

They give you a wristband that allows you to ride it back and forth during the day. We were docked 12pm to 10pm & the last shuttle back to the boat was at 7pm.

 

They also provided business cards & mentioned those particular businesses offered a 15% discount with the card. The store across from the 7-11 near the beach was one where you could get a discount, so we saved on our beach toys & water wallet we picked up.

 

As an alternative to the shuttle busses, when you exit the terminal at Port Canaveral, if you head straight and go into the tunnel, rather than heading left to the shuttles, you will find taxi vans that will take you to Cocoa Beach for $6 per person, and will drop you off wherever you choose, based upon your conversation on the way there. They will provide you with their business card, and arrive promptly when you call them for your return trip. Last year we used the shuttles, this year we went with the cab. We enjoyed the convenience and personal touch of the cab. ;)

[amarvel]

Great review! We are sailing the jewel this summer and loved reading your posts even if the itenery and things will be different. :)

[Canadianweaselette]

OP - We are also from Southern Ontario and were contemplating taking Amtrak out of Buffalo. I would love to ask you some questions about your train trip. Would you be able to email me at canadianweaselette at yahoo dot ca ?

 

Thanks!

[nydoll31]

Thank you so much for the amazing review. I can't seem to find any pictures though. Help please I am leaving on Sunday and would really love to see them

[aprylstar]

Hmmmm. Not sure why? They are embedded right into each post. I will be doing days four and five after work today. Gsc cabana and Atlantis! If you still can't see them maybe I can send a link some how

 

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[terrydtx]

This has got to be one of the best in-depth reviews I have seen on CC and it is so much appreciated. Our group will be on the Jewel in December and it will be our first NCL cruise. From what I have read so far we made the right choice in both the ship and NCL. The anticipation of this cruise gets more and more each day.

[sayla27]

I saw that you are planning to post about GSC and the cabana. I can't wait to read it. We have a cabana for next week and I am so excited. We don't plan to go to the Atlantis (Blue Lagoon Island for us), but I'm looking forward to any information you can provide.

 

Thanks again!