Review of the Norwegian Jewel 10/13-10/20/13

[mpcaruth]

Yippee! Jewel cruise reviews are far and between. Looking forward to the rest of your review and your pictures. We will be taking our first NCL cruise this winter.

 

What caught my eye so far in your review is the tip on the cookies at the Great Outdoors. I am a cookie guru, and white chocolate macadamia is my favorite.

[RobinSie]

Yippee! Jewel cruise reviews are far and between. Looking forward to the rest of your review and your pictures. We will be taking our first NCL cruise this winter.

 

What caught my eye so far in your review is the tip on the cookies at the Great Outdoors. I am a cookie guru, and white chocolate macadamia is my favorite.

 

We loved the dessert options on the Epic, but were very disappointed on the Jewel (with the exception of the raspberry crème brulee in Cagneys, so when we found out about the cookies we hoarded them (eat them...they will make more!).

 

I feel your pain in regard to the lack of Jewel reviews. That's why I will try to share as much as I can think of. I'm sure I will miss some things (probably a lot of things) so please feel free to ask and I will do my best remember...it was just a week ago and yet it seems so long...<sigh>

[mitsugirly]

 

Garden Café - I had to laugh in remembering how people talk about the bacon police on Carnival. The Jewel has the ice cream police. There are 2 soft-serve machines that are staffed the entire time. You (or mostly likely children) cannot be trusted with the ice cream!

 

(Comparison to Epic - Epic, I my mind, has a much superior buffet with many more choices, as well better desserts, including hard packed ice cream)

 

 

 

They have ice cream police now? Really? Wow, that will be the first I have heard of that. How disappointing they have to police any food period. I know the ice cream is a big hit for everyone. I wonder what brought this on. Maybe people were making a mess or something. :(

 

I loved the buffet on the Epic. Their variety of food compared to any of the other NCL ships was just totally different.

[terrydtx]

They have ice cream police now? Really? Wow, that will be the first I have heard of that. How disappointing they have to police any food period. I know the ice cream is a big hit for everyone. I wonder what brought this on. Maybe people were making a mess or something. :(.

 

I remember on past ships with soft serve machines, there was always a gooey sticky mess from people not using them correctly. So this is most likely the reason for the supervision by crew. I am surprised that NCL does not offer any hard packed ice cream on the Jewel, but we will survive. :p

[realtorlady42]

enjoying all the little tidbits...really great info.

 

We are in an Aft Balcony cabin in January. We booked it because the one thing we really liked about the Epic (other than the shows) was the spa had an aft baclony lounge. You could rarely get a lounge chair there but we spent one sail away there and one afternoon we had a lounge for a couple of hours. It was beautiful.

When I booked it I noticed it was close to the little buffet you mentioned. elevator or stairs and we are there. We plan to get our breakfast there most mornings, and bring it back to our cabin and enjoy it on the balcony.

 

I love how different people like different things and can point them out and contrast from those who don't. It helps people to try and figure out what is going to be a better experience for them.

 

I also like the fact so many different options are available for different types of people.

 

We did not like the Epic, you preferred it...a perfect example of how NCL is trying to target a variety of types of guests...and doing a good job of it

 

We rarely visit the buffet when we are cruising, and prefer a leisurely lunch or dinner in one of the MDR's or other optional locations..like the grill. Others find the service at them too slow.

 

Really enjoying your review...it has a different feel to it than most reviews and I find it re-freshing...and confirming that we made the right choice for us this time...for all the reasons you did not prefer it lol

[RobinSie]

enjoying all the little tidbits...really great info.

 

We are in an Aft Balcony cabin in January. We booked it because the one thing we really liked about the Epic (other than the shows) was the spa had an aft baclony lounge. You could rarely get a lounge chair there but we spent one sail away there and one afternoon we had a lounge for a couple of hours. It was beautiful.

When I booked it I noticed it was close to the little buffet you mentioned. elevator or stairs and we are there. We plan to get our breakfast there most mornings, and bring it back to our cabin and enjoy it on the balcony.

 

I love how different people like different things and can point them out and contrast from those who don't. It helps people to try and figure out what is going to be a better experience for them.

 

I also like the fact so many different options are available for different types of people.

 

We did not like the Epic, you preferred it...a perfect example of how NCL is trying to target a variety of types of guests...and doing a good job of it

 

We rarely visit the buffet when we are cruising, and prefer a leisurely lunch or dinner in one of the MDR's or other optional locations..like the grill. Others find the service at them too slow.

 

Really enjoying your review...it has a different feel to it than most reviews and I find it re-freshing...and confirming that we made the right choice for us this time...for all the reasons you did not prefer it lol

 

I absolutely agree! I can't say there was anything bad (other than the steak in the "surf & turf") about this cruise, just our preferences on one vs. the other. We had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people. I will try to include any little "jewels" of advice about this ship that I can think of. Having fun and being happy are choices we each make. It's all about making lemonade! God has blessed our family abundantly and I choose to thank Him always...even in the storm!

[NextOne]

We had a CC Meet & Greet with several of the ships officers. We met at 11am on Monday in the Star Bar. There was a set up of juice and coffee along with cookies, which was nice. I always enjoy these meetings. The one thing I would suggest is to choose a different time, as that is the same time as the port and shopping talk.

 

A slot pull followed the M&G, but unfortunately the machine didn't pay out.

We're sailing next week, so this review is timed perfectly! I was wondering if, at the M&G, the crew offered the chance for a bridge tour later in the week? We had that opportunity on the Star last year and loved it! We signed up at the M&G and an invitation was delivered to our cabin for a tour on the last sea day.

[realtorlady42]

I absolutely agree! I can't say there was anything bad (other than the steak in the "surf & turf") about this cruise, just our preferences on one vs. the other. We had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people. I will try to include any little "jewels" of advice about this ship that I can think of. Having fun and being happy are choices we each make. It's all about making lemonade! God has blessed our family abundantly and I choose to thank Him always...even in the storm!

 

Seems like we have the same mindset :-) We too have been abundantly blessed and appreciate every bit of it....I have experienced both sides of the coin and know first hand there are many people who would trade our worst day on holiday for their best day at home.

Abundance starts with gratitude!:)

[cheaperts]

on the Star last spring the soft serve had an attendant, ok by me, keeps grubby little hands of the machine!:eek:

[RobinSie]

We're sailing next week, so this review is timed perfectly! I was wondering if, at the M&G, the crew offered the chance for a bridge tour later in the week? We had that opportunity on the Star last year and loved it! We signed up at the M&G and an invitation was delivered to our cabin for a tour on the last sea day.

 

To be honest, I don't believe the subject came up. I didn't know it was something you could just ask for. Please let me know if you have the same experience as that is something I would love to do.

[FF Woman]

I always look forward to cookies when I'm cruising--I know how weird, but I love oatmeal raisin cookies. Thanks for the tip on where to find them.

 

 

Thanks for the review. We'll be on the Jewel in February and love hearing all the little tidbits of info beforehand.

[rolling rock1]

Great review!

 

What time did the casino open on your way out of New Orleans?

[RobinSie]

We ate at Moderno, La Cucina (Mama's) and Cagneys. We had not experienced any of them before, so we had moderate expectations. As I mentioned before, we are early eaters and made reservations for 5:30pm, which was perfect for avoiding the crowds and being done in time for the shows.

 

Moderno - I had heard that the meat was overcooked and very salty. I'm glad to report that neither was the case for us. First they bring bread bites. My hubby loved them, one was enough for me. The salad bar had a lot of different offerings. I believe they also had soup. The meat selection included a couple types of steak, including filet, bacon wrapped chicken breast, roasted chicken, lamb, sausage and ribs. My hubby and I both loved the lamb, steak and chicken breast. They also have a pineapple with a brown sugar/cinnamon rub...I could have eaten the whole thing it was so good. Even DH, who professes not to like pineapple, said it was good. For those who have not eaten at a Brazilian steakhouse, you have a disc that is green on one side and red on the other. As long as you want more meat, keep it green. When you need a wheelbarrow to roll you out, turn it on red. I had either mango or papaya cream..can't remember which it was, but it was good.

 

La Cucina - I had the grilled shrimp and DH had the chicken parm. Both were delicious. I had the macadamia nut ice cream for dessert, yum!

 

Cagney's - we ate here Saturday night. I had the 8oz filet (and I'm not going to apologize or be embarrassed for eating it all) and DH had the 16oz ribeye. We both agree that these are the BEST steaks we have ever had. To finish it off, the raspberry crème brulee is a must have if you like crème brulee....it is heavenly!!!

 

Without a doubt Cagney's was by far our favorite. Next time we will probably eat there twice and skip the rest. Like other reviews have said, the food quality and service in the specialty restaurants far exceeds that of the MDRs...still you have to weigh in on whether you want to spend the additional money.

[RobinSie]

Great review!

 

What time did the casino open on your way out of New Orleans?

 

I believe it was supposed to open around 3:45pm, but was held up on our trip due to the issues with luggage and leaving the port late. I think it finally opened around 6:30pm, after the casino raffle.

[RobinSie]

I always look forward to cookies when I'm cruising--I know how weird, but I love oatmeal raisin cookies. Thanks for the tip on where to find them.

 

 

Thanks for the review. We'll be on the Jewel in February and love hearing all the little tidbits of info beforehand.

 

I am totally with you on the cookies. Oatmeal raisin are my favorite as well. I should have noted that the Great Outdoors has limited hours, so watch the daily for times to snatch up cookies. Take a few ziplock bags with you to store the booty!

[RobinSie]

on the Star last spring the soft serve had an attendant, ok by me, keeps grubby little hands of the machine!:eek:

 

Yeah, I get it, and they will give you as much as you want. I just thought it was funny to compare it to the notorious "bacon police" that I hear so much about with Carnival.

[RobinSie]

Cozumel - We have been here twice before on previous cruises, so we decided this would be our main shopping day. For those who have not been here, have a specific shopping destination and don't like to have "sales" people try to stop you every 5 feet, walk on the sidewalk near the water instead of the shop side. There are some neat souvenirs to be had and most of the small shops like to barter. You can often get them down to under half of what they originally ask for. We purchased my bridal set and his band at Diamond's International 10 years ago and they really did appraise for significantly more in the states. This trip we bought the sunglasses from Del Sol, along with more shirts, and really do like them a lot.

 

I will have to continue tomorrow. For any of you that are traveling soon, what would you like to know about next? I will try to prioritize the information that is of most interest to you first.

 

Sweet dreams for now...

[dasmonkey]

on the Star last spring the soft serve had an attendant, ok by me, keeps grubby little hands of the machine!:eek:

 

I was on the Star twice earlier this year and saw the same thing. They always had someone dispensing it on the Spirit as well.

 

Just got off the Jewel yesterday and sometimes it was attended and sometimes it was DIY. I prefer it be handled by the nice crew member wearing plastic gloves and away from the grubby little hands as well.

[KAurora]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your reviews. We sail on Sunday on the Jewel, and are beyond excited. :)

[ripjerry95]

I love the Jewel sailed on her twice out of NYC!

 

 

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[RobinSie]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your reviews. We sail on Sunday on the Jewel, and are beyond excited. :)

 

Where are you in St. Louis? We are from St. Peters. Hope you have a great time!

[NextOne]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your reviews. We sail on Sunday on the Jewel, and are beyond excited. :)

KAurora - come join our roll call -- it's not too late!!

[RobinSie]

This will be far from a complete list, so I welcome folks to jump in on my shortcomings.

 

The Pool Area - There are 2 pools, one for families and one for adults, located right next to each other. There are several hot tubs - I didn't go around to all of them, but at least one is designated for families and another is located in the kid's area. There is one big water slide in the main area and a small one in the kid's section. The hot tubs are nice and warm but not too hot. The pools were not cold, but cool enough to be refreshing on a hot day. There were plenty of chairs available each time we went and servers came around for drink orders on a regular basis. They also have live music several times throughout the day.

 

This is also the location of the sail-away parties and BBQs. It can be very loud and crowded at this time, so if that is not your cup of tea, you may want to find a quieter venue.

 

Sundeck - if you want a spot that is less crowded, there is an area above the Sky High Bar. You can still hear the music up there, but you don't have all the traffic. There is a super-size shower in this area for cooling off. If you want a really quiet sunning area, walk up towards the bow on this same level. The only down side to this space is that it is very windy.

 

Maltings - this is a great place to sit and watch sporting events. Unfortunately for the Cardinal fans on this sailing, the ESPN signal went out around the 4th inning of game 6 of the NLCS and never came back on. We didn't find out what the final score was until the next morning while flipping past the BBC channel in our room. One note - NCL only has one ESPN license, so if there are multiple events going on, not everyone will get to watch the game of their choice.

 

To be continued...

[FF Woman]

Where are you in St. Louis? We are from St. Peters. Hope you have a great time!

 

Small world--my family lives outside O'Fallon except for my brother who lives in St. Charles. They are surrounding you. In fact, we are driving to New Orleans and will be stopping to visit them on the way down and back. I know St. Peters well.

[RobinSie]

Small world--my family lives outside O'Fallon except for my brother who lives in St. Charles. They are surrounding you. In fact, we are driving to New Orleans and will be stopping to visit them on the way down and back. I know St. Peters well.

 

It is a small world. On our sailing we met a couple who live a mile from us and a family with relatives here.