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

[maxs mom]

A few more of the weird pictures!

 

 

 

 

I realized that something wasn't right, so I went back into the Vortex to figure it out. I had no clue, but I figured it out!

 

 

Then I went back out and took some real pictures.

 

 

 

I don't think too many people used the rock climbing wall this cruise!!

[maxs mom]

There were very few kids on this sailing so the kids pool was always empty. A lot of the adults hung out here since there were no kids.

 

 

 

The golf course needs some work.

 

 

 

 

[Coralc]

Those specialty photos are kind of neat looking, Jane! :D

[maxs mom]

Lunch today was in Seaview. We both tried something different today. I got the tuna melt and John got the Cuban Sandwich. Both good!!

 

 

 

Great R & R this afternoon. I got a lot of reading done. I think all in all....I read about 5 books.

 

Nightly picture on the way to the CL:

 

 

Had fun visiting with roll call buddies. Found these tasty little green things in the snack bowl. Never had these before. It was like a chocolate mint thing. Different.

 

 

Most people go up to Deck 13 for drinks, etc. Lots more room up there. So that freed up the CL for folks like us. Always easy to get a seat here and enjoy the company of friends.

 

We got a table back with Ann tonight. Even though we were cramped.....we were happy to be back with her. Dinner was good. They were using some different menus this week, so it was fun to try new things.

 

After dinner, we went to the casino......they were raffling off the Royal Suite tonight. Everyone with 100 casino points would be entered in the drawing. We needed to get a few more points so we played a few machines and actually came out winners again, but we didn't win the Royal Suite. It went to a woman from Puerto Rico.

 

I got the drink of the day to drink while we were waiting for the drawing. Quite tasty!

 

 

After the drawing, we went on back to our cabin:

 

[maxs mom]

Those specialty photos are kind of neat looking, Jane! :D

 

LOL! Thanks! That camera does so much stuff that I don't even know about. I just accidentally find out about stuff because of that sensitive touch screen!

[Dick and Jane]

I really loved your description of the beaches you visited. We have our favorites, but I'd really like to try some of the ones you mentioned for St. Thomas, Saint Kitts, and Saint Maarten.

[Colorado Babe]

Hi Dick and Jane!

[maxs mom]

I really loved your description of the beaches you visited. We have our favorites, but I'd really like to try some of the ones you mentioned for St. Thomas, Saint Kitts, and Saint Maarten.

 

I assure you......a lot of research and trial and error have gone into our selections. You won't be disappointed. It would be even better if we could go with you as your personal guides!! :D

[Kcjarvis]

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

 

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

 

 

 

Another fantastic review from the Queen Of CC reviews - as usual - Great to see you guys, Diego, The SKI Family, Buggs Bernie and Kristine. We had a great time with them on Jewel last May.

[maxs mom]

Another fantastic review from the Queen Of CC reviews - as usual - Great to see you guys, Diego, The SKI Family, Buggs Bernie and Kristine. We had a great time with them on Jewel last May.

 

Oh great, Ken!! You meet the nicest people when you cruise!!!

[PCWalton1]

Look what I found this afternoon. Another terrific report from Jane. :D

 

I have been enjoying the reading and you have barely started on the 2nd cruise. Plenty of more reading (and pictures) ahead.

 

Thanks for posting Jane. :)

[vavasmom]

I just found your review -excellent as always.

Diego is my favorite concierge. Only sailed with him once but he is by far my favorite for the way he treats everyone

[Cshgrand]

LOL! Thanks! That camera does so much stuff that I don't even know about. I just accidentally find out about stuff because of that sensitive touch screen!

 

 

Really enjoying your review.

 

That camera looks like a lot of fun! What make and model is it please?

[js4rq]

Enjoying your photo review so far! :D

[cruisingrightalong]

One of the best cruises we have been on. The people, the crew, the ship since it is the last we will see of the Seaview Cafe, all the events that were scheduled that worked out so the cc people would interact with each other, with bunches of special mentions for the staff that became friends.

 

Lou

[maxs mom]

Look what I found this afternoon. Another terrific report from Jane. :D

 

I have been enjoying the reading and you have barely started on the 2nd cruise. Plenty of more reading (and pictures) ahead.

 

Thanks for posting Jane. :)

 

Thanks, Bill! Sorry we missed you guys. We thought about staying on board for a couple more cruises, but we have a dog that we needed to home to. Hopefully we can meet up some other time!

[maxs mom]

I just found your review -excellent as always.

Diego is my favorite concierge. Only sailed with him once but he is by far my favorite for the way he treats everyone

 

You are so right! Diego is so special. I saw him handle some very difficult people on this cruise in a masterful way!

[maxs mom]

Really enjoying your review.

 

That camera looks like a lot of fun! What make and model is it please?

 

The camera that I use is a Sony Nex R. I've had it for a couple of years. I'm sure there's an upgraded model of it out by now. It's actually a point and shoot, but acts like an SLR. I love it.

[maxs mom]

One of the best cruises we have been on. The people, the crew, the ship since it is the last we will see of the Seaview Cafe, all the events that were scheduled that worked out so the cc people would interact with each other, with bunches of special mentions for the staff that became friends.

 

Lou

 

Lou....I agree! It was just the best. I really liked all the down time. Great activities that we had scheduled. Great meeting you guys!

[Alan's babe]

 

Liberty of the Seas still has Portofino too. Not sure if any other ships still do.

 

 

I will guess the picture above was the sampler? I have seen that ball looking dessert on the right in some other photos but am not quite sure exactly what it consists of. Am I right in guessing the whole thing is edible? Hard for me to tell if the round part is some sort of bowl or just an edible shell. :)

 

Whole thing is edible bowl is to!!

[Cabin8538]

I just found your review and am loving reading it! We are doing the Jewel New Year's Cruise. It will be our first RC cruise. Took some time to do some land trips.

 

I have to ask. . . what is the baby powder trick with sand???

[LA Law]

Just found my way here to your wonderful review...

I will check back often, now that I know the way!

[maxs mom]

I just found your review and am loving reading it! We are doing the Jewel New Year's Cruise. It will be our first RC cruise. Took some time to do some land trips.

 

I have to ask. . . what is the baby powder trick with sand???

 

When you are ready to leave the beach and put your shoes back on, sprinkle some baby powder on your feet and rub it in.......the sand just melts away.

[maxs mom]

Tuesday ~ May 5, 2015 ~ Panama Canal

 

We did something today that we rarely ever do......we ordered room service for breakfast. It was just OK.....but since we were entering the first set of locks this morning fairly early....we thought it would be nice to just relax with breakfast on the balcony while watching all the goings on. It worked out great.

Breakfast was delivered just as we were entering the Gatun Locks.

 

 

The waiter that delivered the breakfast had never been through the Canal before so we let him watch some from our balcony before he had to get back to work. We tried to explain what was happening to him. He was like a little kid!

 

 

So breakfast was not bad. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but it was fine.

 

The Gatun Locks were first. We went through three locks there and were raised up enough to get into Gatun Lake (some 80 feet). That took a couple of hours.

 

 

 

 

[maxs mom]

Here are some more shots of the Gatun Locks: