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Jewel Review

tdc2673

By tdc2673,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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tdc2673

tdc2673

Posted
Posted

We are on the Jewel this week. Just left NOLA around 5. Were an hour late leaving not sure why. We are a family of 4. DH, myself, DS 13, and DD 9. We are in PH suite 10000. Our butler is Mama T. John the concierge, got off in NOLA, our concierge is Elvina.

 

Embarcation was a breeze. We stayed night before at NO Marriott downtown. Was 250.00 but included parking for the week. We took a taxi to the port this morning around 10:30. Got to port around 10:50. Was pretty busy with 2 ships in port (Carnival Sunshine). We waited for about 15 min. Then was escorted to.the lounge. There were snacks, coffee, juice, and water. We were given our keys. Waited about 10 minutes, then escorted to Cagney's. Service was good and all of our food was good. Cabins were not ready until 1:30. We got kids soda cards and signed up for teen club and Splash while we waited. Suite was great and everything I had requested from pre-concierge was done. Red Stripes iced down, fridge cleaned out, and feather pillows and duvet removed. Sailaway was cold but beautiful as we waved bye bye to NO and the Sunshine.

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DougandMatt

DougandMatt

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I just got off the ship yesterday in NOLA (burr it was cold) but our trip was great. I just wanted to pass on one tip that a few may find useful. The "Kids Café" is open most of the time and has Macaroni and Cheese that is really good. Also has Orange Juice 24 hours a day. I think only people with kids really new about this little "Jewel". Anyone can go to it and it is right at the front door near "Washy/Washy Boy". You will understand this later when you board.

 

The other "Jewel" we found were the Chocolate Brownie Sundays served until 5 PM in the "Blue Lagoon". A lot of people don't know much about Blue Lagoon but our cabin was on Deck 8 next to it. (Upstairs from the Atrium).

 

I can try to answer any other questions people have. Keep in mind we went budget with kids (inside cabin/no NCL Shore excursions).

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pokerpro5

pokerpro5

Posted
Posted

Hi. Thanks for these tips. I will be on the Jewel on 12/22 with my family.

 

Here are a few questions:

 

1) Did you try the pizza? Was it worth waiting for (and the $5 delivery charge), or should we skip it?

 

2) How did your kids (especially the 9 year old) enjoy the programs on board for them? We will have a 10-year-old and a 3-year-old, and I am concerned the 10-year-old might be bored if the activities aren't good. Any suggestions?

 

3) Any "must see" shore excursions? I still haven't settled on what we should do yet.

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coocooforshoes

coocooforshoes

Posted
Posted
Hi. Thanks for these tips. I will be on the Jewel on 12/22 with my family.

 

Here are a few questions:

 

1) Did you try the pizza? Was it worth waiting for (and the $5 delivery charge), or should we skip it?

 

2) How did your kids (especially the 9 year old) enjoy the programs on board for them? We will have a 10-year-old and a 3-year-old, and I am concerned the 10-year-old might be bored if the activities aren't good. Any suggestions?

 

3) Any "must see" shore excursions? I still haven't settled on what we should do yet.

 

Hi Pokerpro,

Have you joined our roll call ? You are more than welcome to join us.

I toowould like to know about the pizza.

:)

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DougandMatt

DougandMatt

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1) So my 8 year old pretty much ate Pizza for every meal. I too had it a few times and it was really good as long as you got one of the fresh ones but they seemed to be making them all the time and fresh ones coming out. Most of the Pizza in the Kids Café were old so just go for the fresh ones at the buffet. Never ordered the $5 pizzas as my kids were in bed anytime that they stopped the Pizzas at the Buffet. My son ordered a Pizza at Tsar's Palace Dining Room which was just as good. My 6 year old pretty much ordered "pasta" with a butter sauce at the Pasta Buffet. Just ask for butter sauce and they will make it.

 

2) Another Tip if you want cookies they put them out in back of the Garden Café only from 10:00-11:00 PM so stock up or else just order them room service for free anytime.

 

3) The Kids Club "Splash Academy" was GREAT! Very friendly staff especially the British Girl that sits at the front and "Jaws". My 6 and 8 were in the same "class". On Carnival last year they didn't want to participate much but this year I could hardly keep them away. Every night they had themes with the room even decorated and staff in costumes. One night was Spy Night, one night was Pirate Night, another Survivor Night, etc. We only had 200 kids on board so it wasn't packed. Thanksgiving week they say they have 700+ kids.

 

4) We didn't do any NCL Excursions but I WOULD definitely do an NCL one if you are in Jamaica. Just not a safe place much at all and especially don't take the kids!!! We were offered drugs and sex up and down the streets. I was prepared for it and just kept walking but we didn't stay long and got back on board. NCL really needs to cut this port. Of course I understand they may make more money as people NEED to use them to be safe.

 

5) Loved our Cayman Islands Excursion with Acquarius. Mario had Pizza, Fruit Punch and spent the entire day on his boat snorkeling, starfish beach, and the Stingrays. The best part is that we left our camera on the Jewel because he takes all the pictures and posts them to the web when we got home. I will say our 4 hour trip with him turned into 7 hours as other Ships were late in port and we had to wait for them. But we went to his boat and just hung out. We barely made it back to our last tender. I would do it again though. $50 per person including the kids. We stuck with shopping in Cozumel and felt very safe with kids on the (main streets).

 

I hope this helps!!

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JMHAM1

JMHAM1

Posted
Posted

Please post pics of the room. We have suite 10000 and 10500 leaving NOLA on Dec 15th. Tell the butler to take her Geritol because she might need it with our kids! We will try to be low maintenance.

 

I would also like to know the temps in the ports to see if it is ok to pack just Summer things. Also include the water temp and if it is nice and warm to swim.

 

We booked an AI in Jamaica and it sounds like that was the right choice

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

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Cherok

Cherok

Posted
Posted

We were on this cruise also. For Jamaica we used a private agency named Liberty Tours Jamaica. Ask for Ricardo. There was 6 in our party and he was our guide. He had a very nice air conditioned van. We chose to go to Blue Hole for swimming and diving off the falls. It was beautiful. Afterwards he took us sightseeing and then to Scotchies for lunch serving jerk chicken and rice and peas. Total price for everything was $70 each. Felt extremely safe with him all day and he will let you chose where you want to go and customize your day. Got back to ship over an hour before required.

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mitsugirly Great Review Rare

mitsugirly

Posted
Posted
I just got off the ship yesterday in NOLA (burr it was cold) but our trip was great. I just wanted to pass on one tip that a few may find useful. The "Kids Café" is open most of the time and has Macaroni and Cheese that is really good. Also has Orange Juice 24 hours a day. I think only people with kids really new about this little "Jewel". Anyone can go to it and it is right at the front door near "Washy/Washy Boy". You will understand this later when you board.

 

The other "Jewel" we found were the Chocolate Brownie Sundays served until 5 PM in the "Blue Lagoon". A lot of people don't know much about Blue Lagoon but our cabin was on Deck 8 next to it. (Upstairs from the Atrium).

 

I can try to answer any other questions people have. Keep in mind we went budget with kids (inside cabin/no NCL Shore excursions).

 

Good to hear the kids buffet was open most of the cruise. Our little one loves to eat there. We are also on deck 8, so it's awesome to know the Blue Lagoon is right around the corner.

 

Did you and the kids attend any of the Nickelodeon events? If so, how did it go? Most of all, did you go to the Nick breakfast and what were your thoughts?

 

I see a lot of my roll call peeps are on here. hehe Can you tell we are counting down the days until our Jewel cruise? 17 days, 10 hours, 11 min and 20 seconds to be exact. :D

 

Thanks for your review.

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realtorlady42

realtorlady42

Posted
Posted
Good to hear the kids buffet was open most of the cruise. Our little one loves to eat there. We are also on deck 8, so it's awesome to know the Blue Lagoon is right around the corner.

 

Did you and the kids attend any of the Nickelodeon events? If so, how did it go? Most of all, did you go to the Nick breakfast and what were your thoughts?

 

I see a lot of my roll call peeps are on here. hehe Can you tell we are counting down the days until our Jewel cruise? 17 days, 10 hours, 11 min and 20 seconds to be exact. :D

 

Thanks for your review.

 

We are on Deck 8 as well. Aft Balcony. But not until January :(

I think it is a perfect location...very close to Blue Lagoon, just a flight of stairs to Tsars and a perfect view.

 

What excursions are you doing this time?

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mitsugirly Great Review Rare

mitsugirly

Posted
Posted
We are on Deck 8 as well. Aft Balcony. But not until January :(

I think it is a perfect location...very close to Blue Lagoon, just a flight of stairs to Tsars and a perfect view.

 

What excursions are you doing this time?

 

I was originally on deck 9, so deck 8 should be a decent spot as well. :) I'm happy with the choice I made to upgrade and it's going to be a nice cruise.

 

This time around we are doing the Stingray sandbar and Rum Point beach.

 

In Jamaica we are going to Hilton Rose Hall.

 

I'm undecided in Cozumel still and need to pick something quickly. :(

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