Jewel-Report-Good and Bad!

[swmrgrl]

Almost no kids on this cruise. Very few teens. Those I have seen are usually hanging around the stairs midship decks 10 - 13 in the late evening. I havene't seen many kids/teenws running up and down in the elevator either. The average age is at least 50+ and mor likely to be 60+. Most of our excursions have this age range in it. Kids are almost non-existent and those that come are very well behaved.

 

We are in a garden villa and are above Cagney's. After the first 3 nights of complaints about the noise from below from about 11 pm to 2 am, our concierge talked to the supervisor and had staff keep the noice down. We could hear voices, and the constant clattering of posts and pans, etc when trying to slepp. This was only in the master bedroom and living room. I found out it is because the galley and dishwasher is below our bathroom/bedroom. The problem was corrected and very little noise is transferred to our room now. This is a problem that should not occur and perhaps additional soundproofing should have been put in place.

 

We are enjoying our cruise. We went into this cruise knowing that there would be a few bugs to work out, but overall it has been great.

 

 

Internet charges for those who are interested:

40 centsw/min for 250 minutes

55 centsw/minute for 100 minutes

pay as you go for 75 cents/minute

[UKDeb]

Almost no kids on this cruise. Very few teens. Those I have seen are usually hanging around the stairs midship decks 10 - 13 in the late evening. I havene't seen many kids/teenws running up and down in the elevator either. The average age is at least 50+ and mor likely to be 60+. Most of our excursions have this age range in it. Kids are almost non-existent and those that come are very well behaved.

That's good to know, swmrgrl. I was starting to get a bit concerned, but I guess it was just the circumstances of colmil's particular cruise. We cruise after Easter next year, so I imagine most kids will be back at school.

 

We are in a garden villa and are above Cagney's.

Now, I never begrudge anyone anything, but I can't help feeling a teensy bit envious! :p Enjoy the rest of your cruise. :)

[alfies_my_baby]

colmil could you give me an idea of the shops onboard?

[PolandPeggy]

Hi from Poland< need an answer to a quick question: anyone who landed at Gatwick, where did you pick up the bus to get to Dover? I called NCL for the answer but that was last Friday, obviously no one was there to give us an answer. We are spending Sat night at the Gatwick Hilton and would love to pick the bus up at the south teminal. Any advise?

 

So far having a great vacation, sore feet and legs, dragging butt and tired, but what a great time. NMNIta

[colmil]

Re shops on board, there is the large main shopping arcade which sells clothes, jewellery, chocolate bars, souvenirs etc.

 

To our UK friends, I expected the prices to be high, however, my partner bought a Fossil mens watch as a present at $50 and I saw exactly the same one in our local House of Fraser today at £55 so thats a very good saving for a UK shopper.

[Whippets]

Just a couple more questions.......I read on someone's post who had been on the Jewel that the coffee was terrible, as well as the soaps and shampoos. I have no problem bringing my own tolietries but the thought of poor coffee, and I love my hazelnut creamer too, well, that doesn't sound good. This will be our first cruise and since we are going the first week in February hopefully all the little dears will be in school.

Diane

Jewel 2/5/06

[alfies_my_baby]

Thanks colmil, u do know how us scots like a bargain!!

[G&EUK]

Hello all

 

 

Been reading the thread with great interest.

 

This was our first cruise Which we also took our two kids (aged 14 and 16)

 

Our Observations:

 

1) Beautiful ship

2) Excellent crew save for the odd sullen face (everyone can't be happy all the time!!)

3) Great cruise itinary

4) One can of Boddingtons = $6.33 (incl 15%)

5) One bottle of beer = $5.18 (incl 15%)

6) A pint of beer next to the pool area cost $6.33 - when I asked for a bottle of heinken I realised I got the same amount of liquid for $1.15 less :eek: Notice the "pint" plastic glass has a second glass inside which allows about 330 ml or just over half a pint.

 

I also discovered that another "pint" was available at $4.45 but none of the bar staff advertised this - if you asked for a beer they gave you the most expensive one in the "pint" glass.

 

7) Shore excursions far too expensive - we did our own thing - was anyone else on the bus from Livorno train station to the bus station when its air suspension failed?? but the driver kept going!!

 

8) Wine list posted on this thread is different to the one on the ship (in price) - when we first boarded the cheapest Red plonk was $28 per bottle - as the cruise went on this "cheap" bottle disappearred off the list with the cheapest going up to $32.00 a bottle.

 

9) Kids arcade was full first few days but was then empty once NCL placed a charge for the games - I suspect it will remain empty on many cruises.

 

10) Kids allowed to eat on Mid ships stairs - dirty dishes left for the stewards or waiters to collect.

 

11) Stardust Theatre entertainment - very good

 

12) Must be a British thing (or perhaps we are first time cruisers) but cover charges for restaurants seemed a bit much

 

The whole cruise was so bad that we booked again - out of New York next August on the Dawn !!

 

Overall it beats lying on a beach for two weeks.

 

Graeme & Eileen

Newcastle Upon Tyne

[marilynd]

Hello Graeme & Eileen:

 

Good to hear you had a great time!!! Hope your kids did also?

 

I agree that there was a lot of unruly children onboard. My husband is not sure what possessed him to book a cruise in August.

 

Although the shore excursions were expensive, we took them because we were worried about getting back on time. We did change our Rome from a guided tour to the ships Rome on your own. I though going on our own we could go faster. It was just so crowded in Rome, we only made it though the Vatican and Basilica.

 

I thought that Jewel was a very nice ship. I look forward to sailing on her again in November.

 

Marilyn

[Maizie_Mouse]

Hi there all post Jewelers

 

Some of you have mentioned the cover charges in the restaurants, according to the info I have seen on the NCL website and in other various locations, there should be only 3 restaurants with the cover charge, the steak house, the french and one other that slips my mind at the moment. Is this correct or are there more adding a cover charge ?

 

We are leaving Dover to go transatlantic on the Jewel this Sunday, not long to go now.

[shoreguy]

Hi there all post Jewelers

 

Some of you have mentioned the cover charges in the restaurants, according to the info I have seen on the NCL website and in other various locations, there should be only 3 restaurants with the cover charge, the steak house, the french and one other that slips my mind at the moment. Is this correct or are there more adding a cover charge ?

 

We are leaving Dover to go transatlantic on the Jewel this Sunday, not long to go now.

 

 

http://www.7blueseas.com/cruiselines/ship.asp?id=139&page=2

 

 

"There are three extra-cost dining options aboard Norwegian Jewel. Prices are nominal but most agree, the cuisine is excellent and the dining ambiance is intimate. Le Bistro French Restaurant – an NCL hallmark – offers French and continental options. Cagney’s Steakhouse offers succulent, mouth-watering steaks and Chin Chin Asian Restaurant features a main dining area as well as a separate Teppanyaki Room and an adjacent Sushi Bar and Sake Bar."

[denims]

Shoreguy,

 

You should be packed by now!

 

Have a great cruise!

 

L

[Maizie_Mouse]

Shoreguy - all you seem to do is trawl the cruise forums (lol) when you should be preparing to travel. :)

 

 

Thanks for the reply to the restaurants.

[shoreguy]

Shoreguy - all you seem to do is trawl the cruise forums (lol) when you should be preparing to travel. :)

 

 

Thanks for the reply to the restaurants.

 

 

I am starting to get ready. Just back from the outlets. Much easier to pack new clothes. I was thinkng about getting my bag out tonight. I have plenty of time. I don't leave the house until 3 pm Sat.

[Whippets]

Shoreguy, certainly hope that you have a wonderful time on the Jewel.

Will you do me a favor and check out the coffee? I personally love the flavored coffee's - hazelnut but the flavored creamers work for me too.

I have heard some pretty negative reports on the coffee, so just hoping that you can give a report - you have been so knowledgeable on other topics.

Smooth sailing !

Diane

[Bewitched301]

thanks for the reveiw graeme & Eileen

 

thanks for your review you sound just like me your tips have been most helpful looking forward to the experience in 2 days time

[Goldryder]

Shoreguy, certainly hope that you have a wonderful time on the Jewel.

Will you do me a favor and check out the coffee? I personally love the flavored coffee's - hazelnut but the flavored creamers work for me too.

I have heard some pretty negative reports on the coffee, so just hoping that you can give a report - you have been so knowledgeable on other topics.

Smooth sailing !

Diane

 

In respect to coffee on Jewel.

 

You have your own facilities in the cabin plus machines in the Garden Cafe that are really very decent (for a machine), the others who I met up with also commented the coffee in Garden Cafe was very good too, and they have cruised more often in recent yrs than I have. I am not a great coffee drinker usually but Jewel seems to have changed that. :)

[G&EUK]

Marilyn and David

 

Yes Our kids had a super time despite their protests that "other" kids were allowed out of the cabin unescorted after 11.00pm but they were not :mad: !!

 

After meeting you in the star bar i can't recall seeing you again on the whole trip - I read some of your comments and it seemed you had a great time.

 

Have a good trip Maizie Mouse :)

 

By the way - we thought the cappucino from the machines was excellent - about the best machine coffee i have tasted...

 

Graeme & Eileen

[G&EUK]

Bewitched301

 

 

Hope you have a great trip ;)

 

Another tip: don't forget to take an emeregency stash of fire water......it keeps ya going when waiting for the Missus (or hubby) to finish getting ready :eek:

 

Graeme & Eileen

[las313]

Did they charge for the cappachino from the machine?

Louise:)