Jewel of the Seas - Jan 4-11, 2014

[Illinois cruiser]

Just returned from a wonderful trip on Jewel of the Seas on Jan 11, 2014. We - 2 of us and our 20yr old daughter - flew in to San Juan the day before the cruise and stayed at the Marriot Stellaris Casino. The cab ride for the 3 of us from the airport was $23. There was a bit of a line at check-in so that took a little while, but they were helpful and had the room read for us. We walked around the area a little while and then returned to our room. We weren't sure what we wanted to eat, so we ordered Dominoes Pizza and it was great!

 

The next morning we walked the beach and then got ready and checked-out at 11 am and took a cab to the ship. The cab fare was around $25 to the ship.

We checked our bags curbside but had kept swimsuits for the day in a beach bag with us. Check in and boarding was very easy. The lady checking us in was not very friendly, but the process went smoothly.

 

Once on board, we had a quick lunch at Windjammer and then explored the ship and then changed and hung out at the pool until our cabin was ready. They opened the doors to the cabins at 1:00 pm. We had a balcony cabin #9076. It is right in the front of the bump-out on port side of the ship. It was a great location and we really liked the fact that it had an oversized balcony - about half again larger than the regular balconies. I would definitely request that cabin again.

 

I don't know when they changed it, but the muster drill is much nicer than past cruises. You meet in the muster station inside - ours was in the Schooner lounge - and don't even have to take your life jacket.

 

Day 1 - St. Thomas

We took a cab to Sapphire Beach. The cab was a preset price of $10 per person each way. We arranged with the taxi driver to pick us up at 2:00 ( although I wish we would have stayed a little longer) and he was there waiting on us. The beach is beautiful. There are a couple little restaurants and beach bars there. You can snorkel right off the beach and it is not uncommon to see turtles and sting rays there. Back at the pier, we walked around the shops and then back on board.

 

Day 2 - St. Croix

My daughter and I booked the 2-Fer package with Geckos Island Adventure which included an ATV tour through the rain forest with Jet Ski rental for an hour after the tour. I booked it online ahead of time. There was just the 2 of us with one other group of 2 and the guide. The scenery was really awesome and the guide did a good job. We returned to Rainbow Beach and my husband met us there ($3 cab ride from ship). They were very nice and set us up with the 2 chairs and the umbrella that came with the package. The jet ski ran great and there is a very large area to jet ski in. There is a nice little bar and restaurant right there for drinks and snacks.

 

Day 3 - Antigua

We went to the Coconut Beach Club all-inclusive resort for the day. Taxi there is $15 for up to 4 people each way. The resort charged $50 per person which included lunch and all drinks. It is a very quiet resort and not much to do but enjoy the beach, pool and scenery. They only served Caribe draft beer but would fix just about any mixed drink that you would want. Lunch was a buffet with salads, fish, and pork stir fry and dessert. It was very good. The resort is very clean and staff was very friendly.

 

Day 4 - Martinique

I had researched this island a lot, but never really did find much information on it. We just got off the ship and walked around the port a little while and looked in some of the stores. We were back on the ship by noon and it pretty much turned in to an at-sea day. Other people we talked to took a ferry to the beach but still not a lot to do there.

 

Day 5 - St. Lucia

We booked the Jalousie Beach Break with Spencer Ambrose Tours online ahead of time. I was a little disappointed that the staff was disorganized with getting people directed to their tours, especially since I had read good reviews and I know they do this all the time. Anyway, we were finally directed to our boat that was a short walk from the pier and were taken to the beach. There were 10 of us on the tour. Unfortunately, one of the engines went out on the boat but they handled us by putting us on another boat to the beach. The beach is located at the base of the Pitons. An absolutely beautiful location. Beer, rum punch, soft drinks and water was provided with the tour. They also served a very good lunch. There was a limited number of beach chairs and umbrellas available, but there is plenty of open sand to spread out. There is snorkeling right off the beach. It turned out that the weather did not cooperate with us that day and it rained on and off most of the day. We got back on the boats and headed back to the ship. The guides took us along the coast and showed us some different villages and sights, but it started raining so hard we just wanted to get back to the ship!

 

Day 6 - Day at Sea

Typical day at sea on a cruise.

 

Overall we had a great vacation. On board entertainment was OK, but I have seen better. We got a little tired of the fact they mostly played Latin music in the Centrium each night. I would have liked more variety. The Quest game was fun as always. The comedian was just Ok. The food on the ship was very good with a good variety offered. Waiters and staff were very friendly. I was very impressed by how clean everything was. The ship is a older than some of the other Royal Caribbean ships, but is still in good shape.

 

Debarkation was fairly easy and very organized. Had to wait in a line to clear customs but it went smoothly.

 

I have not posted pictures but have several I can share . I will be happy to give you more information if you are interested.

[bumbletigger]

I'm going to be on the Jewel this summer. I have 2 questions

 

1. What time is the muster drill? Want to plan dinner at Chops but be on our balcony for sail-away.

 

2. We will be just down the hall on 9070. How was the noise from the centrum? Could you hear music?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Fast_Camaro]

We're set to be on JOS first of April. Only question I have (actually 2): Was there Freestyle coke machines? Were they in working order? Thank you. ;)

[Clarea]

We're set to be on JOS first of April. Only question I have (actually 2): Was there Freestyle coke machines? Were they in working order? Thank you. ;)

Other posters have reported working Freestyle machines on Jewel.

Edited January 14, 2014 by clarea

[Langley Cruisers]

We will be just down the hall on 9070. How was the noise from the centrum? Could you hear music?

 

Probably not what you want to hear but yes you will hear the music, hopefully muffled though, by way of your closed door, but still... being only 5 cabins down you will hear something..

[LBumb]

Good review

[Illinois cruiser]

Sorry I haven't written back sooner. The muster drill was around 8 pm. Yes we could hear the music from the centrium in our room, but by the time we settled in, we really didn't notice it. I think it was usually over by midnight every night, and we were so tired from our days activities that it didn't bother us. The only Freestyle coke machines I saw were in the Windjammer and yes they did work. ( There were 2 of them)

[Traveling_Grover]

May I ask what time the shows were at? I'm about to pre-book our my time dining.. lol, and want to make sure we make the shows!

 

Thanks!

[Smith0154]

I'm going to be on the Jewel this summer. I have 2 questions

 

1. What time is the muster drill? Want to plan dinner at Chops but be on our balcony for sail-away.

 

2. We will be just down the hall on 9070. How was the noise from the centrum? Could you hear music?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Just got off Jewel the week of January 11th and if I remember correctly muster was at 4:30 PM, but be mindful that cruises out of San Juan depart the pier on sail away day at 8:30 PM, so it could very likely be dark when you sail.

 

Smitty

[Cshgrand]

Muster was at 8pm

 

We had 8088, first cabin off the centrum. It was noisy until gone midnight but ear plugs available free from guest services are comfy and effective.

 

Best ship we have ever sailed on, you will have a great time.

 

 

I'm going to be on the Jewel this summer. I have 2 questions

 

1. What time is the muster drill? Want to plan dinner at Chops but be on our balcony for sail-away.

 

2. We will be just down the hall on 9070. How was the noise from the centrum? Could you hear music?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[BettyPC]

Thanks for telling us about your trip! Sounds like fun - I did chuckle a bit when you said you were in PR the night prior to cruise and you had Domino's.

 

Did you go to your Meet N Mingle?

 

Betty