Jewel ~ S. Caribbean and Panama Canal ~ April 25th & May 2nd ~ My Diary

[maxs mom]

Dinner at MTD.......no problem getting seated with Ann. She s great. My only complaint about MTD is that the tables are so crammed in there so tight, there is hardly any room. We could have had a much roomier spot that overlooked the dining room, but we gave that up so that we could be with Ann.

 

I don't like the menu on the last night in the dining room. Usually we would eat in a specialty restaurant on the last night, but we always eat in Chops on the first night and that would be tomorrow night. B2B Specialty restaurants aren't good for us. We need to space them out. Too much food! Soooo......I ordered the salmon from the alternate menu. It was really good.

 

 

And this is John's nightly meal:

 

 

We enjoyed talking with Ann for a while after dinner. She was interested in our Fitbits!! She didn't know what they were!

 

 

On the way to the casino tonight, we ran into Karl and Silke. I'm so glad that we saw them again so we could say good-bye. What a nice couple! They continuously thanked us for introducing them to Palm Beach. I think they had a very good day there!

 

 

We don't gamble in the casino on the last night of a cruise! Why give it all back!!? We just went there to do our "Spin to (ha ha) Win"! I actually won a t-shirt!

 

Then we got our iPads to finish up our internet credit. I love taking mirror shots!!

 

 

This was the sad sight in the hallway! Oh wait......not sad for us! A good feeling!

 

[The Big Booper]

Selfies with a waist high SLR. Have to try that.

[maxs mom]

Saturday ~ May 2, 2015 ~ San Juan

 

Back to San Juan! We were already docked when I woke up. Even though we didn't have to move, we got up and got moving. We were saying goodbye to lots of folks and welcoming a lot of new ones on board.

 

 

We had breakfast in the main dining room......I would not suggest this if you are in a hurry. They are traditionally slow in here on the last morning.

 

 

When we got back from breakfast.....we had the first of many naps during the day!! We just stayed in our cabin and out of the way of the hubbub of the disembarking passengers.

 

At 10:00 we were to meet in the Safari Lounge for turnaround. There were a good many guests that were doing the B2B. This ship has the most organized turnaround of any we've done. We waited just a little bit, but the process soon started. We walked off and down to the terminal......showed our passports to the immigration and customs guy....and then got right back on the ship. We checked in with our new sea-pass cards.

 

 

 

 

[pam_1024]

LOVE your swimsuit in the Barbados beach pictures. I always enjoy your reviews. Love getting ideas for port days and your pictures are great. You guys are living my dream. Retirement cruising. :)

[maxs mom]

LOVE your swimsuit in the Barbados beach pictures. I always enjoy your reviews. Love getting ideas for port days and your pictures are great. You guys are living my dream. Retirement cruising. :)

Thanks, Pam! Retirement is wonderful. Just trying to stay healthy enough to enjoy it!!

[maxs mom]

Once back on board, there was some intensive sanitizing going on, so we had to go back to the Safari Lounge for about 15 minutes before heading back to our cabin for another one of those naps!!

 

There was a nice luncheon for us in the MDR today, but we decided to eat a bit lighter and we went to the WJ instead. The fried chicken that they have there on the first day is quite tasty (much better than the old honey stung stuff). I had a small piece of that with a salad.

 

We noticed quite a difference in the passengers getting on today from the passengers getting off! (As usual) There were many more seniors for one thing. 70% of the passengers would be Crown and Anchor with 44 Pinnacles on board. Most of them behaved.....but not all!! There was also a large Hispanic group this cruise. I don't know why, but I was a little surprised by this.

 

We had a pre M&M scheduled for 3 o'clock. It was well attended. Nice to meet these folks. Our roll call was VERY active and we had a lot of activities planned for the two weeks.

 

 

 

I needed to start getting ready for the evening a little earlier. Everything for this cruise has been pushed back a half an hour. Dining times were 5:30 and 8:00. Muster was a half hour earlier as well. I don't see how people can eat dinner at 5:30, but a lot of people do. Thank goodness for MTD!

 

We went to the CL early tonight because it closed at 7:00. It was busy but still easy to get seats. We met some nice folks. Muster was in the theater.

 

 

 

Chops for dinner. I had all the usuals, but got a different dessert tonight . The chocolate one. It was very good!

 

 

A little stroll through the casino.....there was absolutely no one there!!

 

On to bed.

[renjrusa]

Jane always enjoy your reviews . Was a pleasure to meet you and John and spend the day with you in St. Thomas and in Dominica that is the perfect spot for catching up on email and things at home. Wish Nalda had your luck in the casino...Looking forward to the rest of your review of the Panama Canal cruise...Hope to meet again sailing , Rob and Nalda

[maxs mom]

Sunday ~ May 3, 2015 ~ At Sea

 

Three sea days and the Panama Canal crossing in a row! Yay!! Some rest!!

 

Went to the CL early this morning for coffee and I could hardly get in the place! Oh my! My peaceful morning sanctuary is ruined. It would remain this way for the remainder of the cruise. Ugh!!

 

Went to breakfast and our area was packed!! The waiters seemed to be a little flustered. With so many C & A people on board....you would think that they would be better prepared, but they had no idea how to handle so many people. They definitely needed more wait staff here for this cruise, but it never got any better. You definitely could not be in any hurry if you were eating here. Thankfully, we had no place to be, so we dealt with it. We always start out with half a grapefruit every morning and they were always so good.

 

 

For some reason, they were very stingy with the Splenda on board. It was never on any of the tables and we always had to ask for it. I guess they got tired of us asking for it, so one morning they just brought a big bowl of it.

 

 

Even though it was crowded and slow.....breakfast was great. My favorite meal of the day.

 

 

Went to the CL for more coffee and to read. Holy Cow!! It was so packed.....everyone was waiting in line to see Diego.....some complaining about this and that......or trying to book excursions....they had no clue what to do! It was quite entertaining to watch Diego work his magic. This was the start of a very challenging two weeks for him!

 

It was impossible to read here, so we worked our way back to the cabin where I finished a book I was reading. I love the sea days!!

 

 

 

Lunch was in Seaview again, and once again we both got hot dogs and onion rings. After lunch I actually went to the gym. At 3 o'clock our roll call group was to have a game of Left, Right Center, but I got the time wrong and missed it.

 

Back to the cabin for more R&R. The seas were really rolling today but it was gentle and not a problem.

Edited May 31, 2015 by max'smom

[maxs mom]

On our way to the CL via the forward elevators. It was Formal Night tonight.

 

 

 

 

We sat and visited with Robert and Angela, Bernard and his lovely friend, Kristine who has just joined us on this leg of the trip.

 

 

 

 

It was great getting to know these folks!

[Colorado Babe]

I love reading your review Jane! I am so happy we finally crossed paths. I look forward to seeing you and John on another cruise.

[The Big Booper]

It appears that the crowd on this sailing was older and more experienced then on the prior routine S. Caribbean sailing. It's like this on all lines.

 

44 Pinnacles who have seen it all and want what they want now. Plus scads of ordinary D+ like us.;)

 

Still, I would like to squeeze another full Canal transit into our schedule.

[maxs mom]

Next.....down to Deck 5 for dinner and OMG......what a line!!

 

 

Usually when this happens we just give up and go to the WJ, but we stuck it out. So many folks don't realize that you have to have reservations so that slows down the process. Fortunately the headwaiter saw us and pulled us out of line and got a nice table for us, but it was not in Ann's section. Loved the table but we missed Ann! She DID come over to talk to us, though. We had great service but to start with I got a Spanish menu, and John got a French one!! No problem......we knew what we wanted anyway.

 

 

 

Our table overlooked Mike and Gigi's table!

 

 

The professional photographer came around and made pictures in the dining room.

 

 

We had Lifestyle pictures made tonight, too, since we were dressed up.

 

 

There was a little more action in the casino tonight. We both won a little bit more......again......amazing!

 

On to bed after that and we set the clocks back an hour before going to bed.

[maxs mom]

I love reading your review Jane! I am so happy we finally crossed paths. I look forward to seeing you and John on another cruise.

 

Hey Girl!! Thanks for stopping by. So glad to have met and hung around with you and Alice and Jerry! Good times! We MUST cruise again so we can meet Rory! Keep in touch.

[maxs mom]

It appears that the crowd on this sailing was older and more experienced then on the prior routine S. Caribbean sailing. It's like this on all lines.

 

44 Pinnacles who have seen it all and want what they want now. Plus scads of ordinary D+ like us.;)

 

Still, I would like to squeeze another full Canal transit into our schedule.

 

You got that right! I must say that the staff and crew did a marvelous job with having that many VIP's on board. They were constantly entertaining and getting around to everybody.....even us. I must say.....I heard some complaining that made me shake my head, though. Diego handled it masterfully.

[The Big Booper]

The only RCI ship I would do MTD on would be an Oasis class. Otherwise there are capacity and waiting issues such as shown in your picture of the corridor leading to the MDR.

 

With 18+ restaurants on Oasis class we have never had long waits and MTD (or even the CL snacks) allows us to schedule dinner around the many shows and events. We are evening people and always try to do as much as possible.

Edited May 31, 2015 by The Big Booper

[maxs mom]

The only RCI ship I would do MTD on would be an Oasis class. Otherwise there are capacity and waiting issues such as shown in your picture of the corridor leading to the MDR.

 

With 18+ restaurants on Oasis class we have never had long waits and MTD (or even the CL snacks) allows us to schedule dinner around the many shows and events. We are evening people and always try to do as much as possible.

 

Dave....we rarely experience lines like this......only on the first formal night....because people don't realize they have to have reservations.

[travelgoddess1]

Jane, love love love the review! It is so nice to see the cruise we are on through someone else's eyes -- and camera! :D

 

I did not realize the Ann you were referring to (dining room server) was the hostess seating people for breakfast and lunch in the Main Dining Room. What a job that is! I saw her very tactfully turning several men away who were dressed in tank tops, shorts, and baseball caps. (One guy was very sweaty and had obviously just come from the fitness center.) We were impressed with how she handled delicate situations like that, and even though she was not our server, we gave her a bag of chocolates, and a good comment on the esurvey.

 

Anyway, great job and many thanks! I look forward to the next installment. :)

Edited May 31, 2015 by travelgoddess1

[maxs mom]

Jane, love love love the review! It is so nice to see the cruise we are on through someone else's eyes -- and camera! :D

 

I did not realize the Ann you were referring to (dining room server) was the hostess seating people for breakfast and lunch in the Main Dining Room. What a job that is! I saw her very tactfully turning several men away who were dressed in tank tops, shorts, and baseball caps. (One guy was very sweaty and had obviously just come from the fitness center.) We were impressed with how she handled delicate situations like that, and even though she was not our server, we gave her a bag of chocolates, and a good comment on the esurvey.

 

Anyway, great job and many thanks! I look forward to the next installment. :)

 

Karen......wasn't Ann a sweetheart? We started calling her "daughter" and she was calling us "Mommy and Daddy"! We, too, gave her glowing remarks on the survey. Hope that helped her in some way.

 

Thanks for reading!

[travelgoddess1]

Karen......wasn't Ann a sweetheart? We started calling her "daughter" and she was calling us "Mommy and Daddy"! We' date=' too, gave her glowing remarks on the survey. Hope that helped her in some way.

 

Thanks for reading![/size']

 

She's one of the best, absolutely! :)

[Champagne Cruiser]

Isn't there a separate line for those with dinner reservations? There is on Celebrity when the line gets long.

[maxs mom]

Isn't there a separate line for those with dinner reservations? There is on Celebrity when the line gets long.

 

yes......in most cases there is. Here there were two lines but there were no signs distinguishing which was which. This was the only night that there was a problem.

[Dick and Jane]

Don't want to detour your review, but can I ask a question? I have never been on the Jewel and I am scheduled on the Jewel early next year, and I was wondering what their beer list looks like. Is there any hope of some craft beers or is it mostly the bud/miller/bass/newcastle types of beers.

 

 

Here are the beers I had on board the Jewel: Miller Light, Heineken, Dos Equis, and Peroni. I think I also saw someone drinking a Fosters. There are plenty of opportunities in the ports to try local beers.

 

Hi Jane! I love your review. You put a lot of work into this. I'm in the early stages of reading, and I haven't gotten to the Panama Canal part yet. It was a great cruise, and we so enjoyed meeting you and John. Your review is a terrific way to bring back fond memories.

[maxs mom]

Monday ~ May 4, 2015 ~ At Sea

 

Another day at sea......Yay!!

 

 

Still a lot of folks in the CL early. I'm not used to so much company!

 

Again......very busy at breakfast. We got there early so that helped. We sat with a couple from California and a lady from Baltimore. It was nice visiting with them.

 

 

More coffee in the CL after breakfast. I had more fun watching Diego handle the needy and the complainers. Here is Diego taking care of a coffee machine problem:

 

 

Then it was on to the Vortex for the Meet and Mingle. Wow!! What a turn out. The place was packed. I knew a few of the people that had actually been chatting.....but who all these other people were......I had no idea! Kind of defeats the purpose of the whole thing......whatever.

 

But I enjoyed chatting with the folks that I had been chatting with. They gave away some nice prizes.

 

 

 

[maxs mom]

Here are the beers I had on board the Jewel: Miller Light, Heineken, Dos Equis, and Peroni. I think I also saw someone drinking a Fosters. There are plenty of opportunities in the ports to try local beers.

 

Hi Jane! I love your review. You put a lot of work into this. I'm in the early stages of reading, and I haven't gotten to the Panama Canal part yet. It was a great cruise, and we so enjoyed meeting you and John. Your review is a terrific way to bring back fond memories.

 

Hey!! Good to hear from you!! Always great to meet another Jane! You guys were so much fun. Always enjoyed our conversations and loved watching you guys dance!! Hope to see you again soon.

[maxs mom]

John Blair, the cruise director, was in charge of the M&M today. He did a nice job.

 

 

At the end, Karen (travelgoddess) told everyone about our Cinqo de Mayo party that we would have on Canal day. She worked really hard to organize that and it wasn't easy!! More on that later.

 

 

Next took a stroll out onto the sports deck. My camera has a sensitive touch screen and I accidentally hit some button that made the pictures look like this: