Just off Jewel of the Seas

[AggieCard]

thank you for the drink package response! I was wondering if you went to the Champagne bar at all. We don't drink expensive champagne but we do spend a lot of time there picking all the different drinks from the menu (usually just champagne and some kind of mixers) Was everything included? Did you find anything not included that surprised you?

we actually have 2 sea days on our itinerary so the package is starting to sound good. Did you have any trouble getting a drink by the pool (because of the souvenir glasses)?

 

The only thing included at the champagne bar were some martinis and beer. This was the only thing that surprised me is that it was hard to get a drink at the champagne bar, but no worries because the schooner bar is literally 20 feet away from the champagne bar. You could get inexpensive champagne at any of the bars. This is the only area we had any trouble at all getting a drink.

 

As far as getting drinks at the pool bar, there were no probelms. I would simply tell the waiter I wanted the drink of the day without the souvenir glass and they would bring it to me within minutes or i would simply walk up to the bar and ask for the drink of the day and get it that way. I was back and forth on the drink package right up to the minute we got on the boat, but in the end think it was very much worth it. It made getting drinks very easy because all you had to do was sign the slip and by the last couple of nights they would simply look at the card and hand you the drink.

[AggieCard]

I am looking for recommendations for a pre and post cruise hotel. Any information would be appreciated.

 

We stayed at the Caribe Hilton and found it to be just fine. It is by no means a five star hotel, but the pool and beach area are nice and the rooms where clean. It was also less than a 5 minute ride to the port and you get the real Caribbean feel there because the lobby is open air. Like I said it is not a 5 star hotel, it is an older hotel, but it did the job for our group.

[AggieCard]

Hi -- what was the attire for the MDR -- were "shorts" allowed?? Thanks

 

 

Yes they were allowed...People in our group wore them and no one batted an eye. Remember its your vacation just like everyone elses so wear what you want and enjoy it the way you choose to.

[AggieCard]

what did you think of shows? we have a room on deck seven above lifeboat is the view super obstructed you may not know answer to that one.Thanks sooo much

 

 

the shows were ok. We only went to the adult comedy show and a broadway show. I would tell you to go to the love and marriage show and obviously the quest.

 

As far as your view being obstructed I cant be 100% positive but I am pretty sure all of the life boats are on 5, so you shouldnt have nay problems at all.

[AggieCard]

What time were the shows? Wondering if MTD with a seating of 7PM would conflict with the shows?

 

 

I will confirm the exact times when I get home, but 7PM should be just fine as with the exception of the last night there were 2 shows. One at around 745 and the other at around 9. I will get you the exact times this evening.

[BillOh]

Just got off the Jewel of the Seas yesterday. It was a 7 day Southern Caribbean cruise with stops at St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. We left out of Puerto Rico. I am not going to do a review but I would love to answer any questions you guys may have. Ask away if you have any. I will say it was an awesome cruise and in my opinion the Jewel is a great ship.

 

I'm doing the same ship/intinary next season, as you can see, I've been on a few cruises, but not this route. Any general thoughts on embarkation/ disemarkation or any trivial thoughts welcome.

[AggieCard]

Heard formal nights were 2nd night(St Maartin) and 5th night (st Lucia) is that true? Trying decide which night to book for chops:)

 

Formal nights are night 2 and the 5th night. We actually went to Chops the first night because that is what the Maitre d' would be the best night to go. He recommended the first night and the 6th night and we opted for the 1st night.

[BillOh]

I was on the June 1st sailing. There were tons of locals. What about you?

 

I've wondered about that with Jewel being a smaller ship than when they used to alternate a Voyager class with a Raidiance Ship. Nobody has ever known if Puerto Rican school calendars follow the US ones. One of the reasons we cruise when we do is post spring break/ pre end of school year.

[AggieCard]

I'm doing the same ship/intinary next season, as you can see, I've been on a few cruises, but not this route. Any general thoughts on embarkation/ disemarkation or any trivial thoughts welcome.

 

Embarkation was a breeze. We got to the port at about 10:15 even though they tell you not to get there until 1. We stood outside until about 10:45 when they opened the doors. We went through security and went straight to check in. We were taking our boarding picture at 11:00Am and where walking on the boat by 11:10. Getting off the boat was just as easy a process. It probably took us 30 minutes from the time they called our number to walking through customs. Both processes are super easy.

[aggie1]

AggieCard - I am just curious as to what the "Aggie" stands for in your name and where are you from. I am Aggie1!!

[AggieCard]

AggieCard - I am just curious as to what the "Aggie" stands for in your name and where are you from. I am Aggie1!!

 

 

Aggie stands for New Mexico State Aggies

[aggie1]

AggieCard - Thank-you. My "Aggie" is Texas A&M University Aggies. Glad to know that there are other "Aggies" out there.

DH & I have done your itenirary and really enjoyed it. In fact we did a B2B on Serenade out of San Juan with 2 different iteniraries. Glad you enjoyed your cruise and the clarification.

[kcdancerkc]

Regarding St. Martin ---- go to tripadvisor.com

 

look at things to do

 

Captain Alan rated high

 

Had Fun!

 

half or whole day I think.

[Cruzin-K]

Who was the Cruise Director?

[GoCardsGuy]

Who was the Cruise Director?

 

Dennis Charles from the United States. Activities director was Elvis "The Pelvis" from Chile.

[GoCardsGuy]

I've wondered about that with Jewel being a smaller ship than when they used to alternate a Voyager class with a Raidiance Ship. Nobody has ever known if Puerto Rican school calendars follow the US ones. One of the reasons we cruise when we do is post spring break/ pre end of school year.

 

The first or second night the cruise director announced that of the 2500 or so guests there were roughly 2000 Americans, about 150 folks from Puerto Rico and a smattering of other nationalities, mostly from Europe.

[Cruzin-K]

Thank you. I'll let DonnaK know so she can update the CD thread.

 

She posted twice in this thread but didn't ask. She must be slacking :p ;)

[kmkristianson]

Was there a place in the port terminal to buy bottled water or wine?

 

Thanks for all the information......

 

Karen

[Uri1961]

this is the second time I heard there was alot of "locals". I could never understand that.

[AggieCard]

Was there a place in the port terminal to buy bottled water or wine?

 

Thanks for all the information......

 

Karen

 

I am pretty sure there is, but I am not sure where exactly it is. I know that AmandaKaye79 got on and off the ship a couple of times to buy wine. I didn't really pay close enough attention because I just wanted to get on the boat.

[AmandaKaye79]

As soon as you go through security and they scan your carry on bags, you will see the store. They had water, soda, wine, and champagne. They also had tons of bottles of liquor but if you bought the liquor, they held it until the end of the cruise.

Once you walk out the store, you go up the stairs and down the walkway to the ship. It takes about 2 minutes so it was very easy to take our carry on bags to the room and walk back down and pick up some more water and champagne for the trip.

[cmecompute]

As soon as you go through security and they scan your carry on bags, you will see the store. They had water, soda, wine, and champagne. They also had tons of bottles of liquor but if you bought the liquor, they held it until the end of the cruise.

Once you walk out the store, you go up the stairs and down the walkway to the ship. It takes about 2 minutes so it was very easy to take our carry on bags to the room and walk back down and pick up some more water and champagne for the trip.

 

Was there a limit? and do you know if they were enforcing it? I am sailing this ship in Oct and have 5 adults in the cabin (2br royal suite) want to have a few bottles of wine and champagne in the room for the balcony.

[DonnaK]

Thank you. I'll let DonnaK know so she can update the CD thread.

 

She posted twice in this thread but didn't ask. She must be slacking :p ;)

 

LOL Thanks!

[AmandaKaye79]

Was there a limit? and do you know if they were enforcing it? I am sailing this ship in Oct and have 5 adults in the cabin (2br royal suite) want to have a few bottles of wine and champagne in the room for the balcony.

 

No one was checking as far as I could tell. The store is after they scan your bags, so basically you could purchase anything you wanted. I stopped at the store twice and my husband got off the ship to go to a casino in the area and he stopped at the store again on his way back to the room.

[CanadaDeb]

Do you remember at what time they had muster? Trying to figure out what time to make a dinner reservation and not miss sail away. :)