The Alaskan Jewel! Welcome Aboard….You don’t Exist!

[jenseib]

 

So, this reminded me of a very funny story involving my husband when he was just 22 (40 years ago...). He was in the service and the parents of a buddy had booked a 4 night cruise with their son, and at the last minute, they couldnt go, and they told the buddy that he could go and bring a friend. My husband was the friend. I guess it was in the old days when substitutions just days before a trip were allowed. But my DH and his friend were both servicemen, and although they were able to get leave, both were pretty much broke. So they went on this cruise, and had NO IDEA that all the food was free. They had each deposited a small amount of cash, and used what little money they had for beer, and spent the first 2 1/2 days eating peanuts and other bar snacks as their total sustenance. They then met a couple of girls near their age at the pool, who took them up to the buffet because the girls wanted a snack, and they finally realized they could eat at the buffet for free. They never figured out they could go to the dining room.....

 

That is so funny. Poor guys! I bet they really filled up on the buffet once they realized they could at least go there.

 

I really still can't get over their treatment of you. So disappointing. As others have said, you should have never had to confirm your dining or excursions they should have taken care of that for you.

 

We had one issue on the Gem last summer and I wrote a note to the Hotel Director - not expecting anything but just giving feedback for future cruisers. He called me and met with me and we were treated like royalty for the remainder of the cruise.

 

It sounds like all is well now and I'm glad they did give you some nice OBC for your next cruise.

 

I agree. And she said she would look into my dining later.....later wasn't good enough for me. And also with the excursions...she would look later if I didn't have tickets. What worried me most is that 2 of the ones I booked are ones that sell out.

I really should have contacted the HS, but at the moment it really didn't cross my mind. I was in a bit of a fuzz trying to figure everything out.

[jenseib]

Whart a shame so many people are reporting negative experiences with this concierge. We took an NCL cruise to Alaska a few years ago on the Pearl and were impressed daily by our concierge, Anoop. He was such a big part of what made that trip great that I am now newly grateful that we lucked out.

 

It is a shame. But for those that do have an issue, they really need to let NCL know so it can be rectified. Now we never really expected to even use concierge too much going in, but we were forced to because of the issue. If no issues had occurred I probably wouldn't had much of an issue with how much she interacted with us. We personally didn't need a lot of care for the basics. We didn't book for the use of concierge, we booked for the perks and room location. Of course if you have this service available to you, you should still have good service from them.

 

Our last NCL cruise was during one of the UDP promotions. As soon as we checked in our concierge gave us a form to fill out for our dinner reservations. He said that reservations were hard to get because so many cruisers had the UDP, and he wanted confirm we got the reservations that we wanted. So we wrote down what we wanted (some of them I had already booked online, and some not) and he confirmed and left us information in our cabin when all were confirmed.

 

 

I know what form you are talking about...it was in the packet.....that we never got! :rolleyes:

[vaddco]

What kind of camera do you use? Your photos are very good.

[jenseib]

Aren't they usually 4-6 weeks, and then when they come back they're sometimes assigned to a different ship (I'm hoping!!)

 

You are probably right. I think it depends on position and contracts. I know some go for 2 weeks, some a month and some as long as 3 months before they come back.

 

What kind of camera do you use? Your photos are very good.

 

Thanks.

I used a mixture, but most are taken with my Canon 50D. I use a sigma lens that is 18-200mm. It's not the best lens but I like that it's pretty much an all in one where I can get so many different types of shots without changing lenses. I also have a lens that goes to 300mm that I used here and there in some of the ports. I also used my phone a bit an then I just recently bought a Olympus Tough Stylus TG-860. This is a point and shoot that also can go underwater. My current point and shoot (which is a canon) is pretty slow and the fuji underwater camera is just a cheapy, so I decided to take the plunge and buy a better one and will have the other 2 as back ups. I read some fabulous reviews on cruise critic by Mitsugirly and she uses the Olympus Tough cameras. For a point and shoot it really is a nice little camera with a lot of little features.

 

I am cruising Disney in Feb and though I will be bringing my big boy along, I plan to be more relaxed and mainly carry the Olympus around. It will be my 3rd time on the Magic so I don't feel the need to get so many ship pictures with the good camera.

[Shellbelle28]

You are probably right. I think it depends on position and contracts. I know some go for 2 weeks, some a month and some as long as 3 months before they come back.

 

 

 

Thanks.

I used a mixture, but most are taken with my Canon 50D. I use a sigma lens that is 18-200mm. It's not the best lens but I like that it's pretty much an all in one where I can get so many different types of shots without changing lenses. I also have a lens that goes to 300mm that I used here and there in some of the ports. I also used my phone a bit an then I just recently bought a Olympus Tough Stylus TG-860. This is a point and shoot that also can go underwater. My current point and shoot (which is a canon) is pretty slow and the fuji underwater camera is just a cheapy, so I decided to take the plunge and buy a better one and will have the other 2 as back ups. I read some fabulous reviews on cruise critic by Mitsugirly and she uses the Olympus Tough cameras. For a point and shoot it really is a nice little camera with a lot of little features.

 

I am cruising Disney in Feb and though I will be bringing my big boy along, I plan to be more relaxed and mainly carry the Olympus around. It will be my 3rd time on the Magic so I don't feel the need to get so many ship pictures with the good camera.

Heh [emoji1]. A photography workshop instructor I worked with always told us to respond to "Your camera takes great pictures" with the answer "Thanks! I taught it everything it knows!"

[jenseib]

Heh [emoji1]. A photography workshop instructor I worked with always told us to respond to "Your camera takes great pictures" with the answer "Thanks! I taught it everything it knows!"

 

That's a fabulous answer! I love it! :D

[jollytammy]

We are going on the Jewel next May to Alaska and your report is wonderful!! I just love researching and finding all the information that people give! And your report is perfect! I read one report before we went on the Sun in January and the girl mentioned which that one elevator button didn't light up like all the others, and that you had to push it separate from the others. That information came in handy! Just like all the information you're giving!! Thank you for everything!

Jollytammy

[jenseib]

We are going on the Jewel next May to Alaska and your report is wonderful!! I just love researching and finding all the information that people give! And your report is perfect! I read one report before we went on the Sun in January and the girl mentioned which that one elevator button didn't light up like all the others, and that you had to push it separate from the others. That information came in handy! Just like all the information you're giving!! Thank you for everything!

Jollytammy

 

 

I know exactly what report you read too! ;) She does fabulous ones!

I hope this helps you in your planning!

[jenseib]

We decided to walk to the aft and look at the Navy ships and to watch them take the ropes off when it was time to sail.

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We discussed the different water level marks.

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Someone out patrolling the area.

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They had this bridge between the ships and we laughed that the net under it only covered half way. I guess you want to be on the right end if that bridge falls or you are going for a swim.

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[jenseib]

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We were watching this guy….which Skip called the Burly Dude.

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When it came time to take the ropes off a few others came to help, but Burly Dude did most of the work.

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And the ship dragged the rope back in.

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We find this interesting and enjoyed watching it.

[jenseib]

The guys went to the next one and you can see Burly Dude is doing most of the work.

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A look back at the ship to show where we were standing.

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And Mount Rainier.

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We’ve got some movement!

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Uh oh….someone lost their shovel.

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[jenseib]

Loved seeing the sailboat.

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At this point we decided to head up to 13 via an elevator and watch the sail away party.

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Holland America getting ready to leave too.

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And Princess was just ahead of us.

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[jenseib]

Goodbye Seattle! See Ya next week!

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Right away Skip spotted a pool side buffet and was sure he needed to eat again.

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Music was playing and everyone was getting into cruise mode!

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I will admit I was feeling a little blue still. A few times I was close to tears. How could this dream vacation be starting out on such a sour note? I sucked it up though and said screw it….I am going to have a good time even if it kills me and I let myself finally relax and enjoy myself. I will worry about things later.

Up next….Let’s get this party started!

[jenseib]

The Sail Away party has started and this was a Nickelodeon cruise…..so we got Nick characters!

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Skip and Claire were hoping for Squidward, but he wasn’t there. Sorry guys!

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Claire used to be a big Dora fan…of course now she is too cool for Dora.

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[jenseib]

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They weren’t out too long and then back they went….but I did catch a quick shot of Backpack!

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It was a nice little sail away party, but no one does it like Disney.

Skip was eyeing the food.

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[jenseib]

We went and got some drinks…Not sure what I had but it looks like something Mango again.

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And we just relaxed and watched us sail away for a bit.

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There were barges all over the place…not something we ever see normally.

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The pilot boat was out and I explained how it worked to Skip….and he doesn’t believe me. LOL.

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Holland America on its way!

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And of course one of the reasons to sail to Alaska is to see the beautiful scenery.

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[jenseib]

Claire and I headed back to the room to get her changed out of her swim suit. I went out and watched the world go by while she changed.

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I also called Florentina and told her we did not get our excursion tickets. She had the info on those and said she would get them taken care of. I also told her how our dining reservations were not in the system but I got them back….all except one but it was just a 15 minute difference so I was fine with that. She told me I was not supposed to do that and she has them all in the system….she can see them….And yep they were all the ones I just made. I knew because one was 15 minutes off. I just let it slide. I was happy to get them and I would be checking tomorrow on excursions if the tickets didn’t show up tonight.

After she was dressed we decided to go find the kids club and get her signed up.

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We cut through the buffet again.

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[jenseib]

The cake looks too pretty to eat.

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The club is right outside the buffet entrance.

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Claire is 10 and she was considered a Dolphin. Most of her activities were actually not in this room but in a conference type room at the front of the ship near the casino.

I wasn’t sure how she would like it here. Disney’s kids clubs are amazing and much bigger. They have all sorts of props and activities. They have little computers, games, toys, and costumes, dance floors…you name it, they got it….NCL….has a room.

splash2 by Jenseib, on Flickr

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The Counselors have fake names on NCL. The one that checked us in was Tweety. She was very nice …..and she recognized my DCL bag and lanyard and asked which ship/s we have sailed. We told her and she used to work in the kids club on the Wonder. She said right off the bat that I am going to notice A LOT of differences between the 2 lines. Oh you don’t have to tell me that….I already have! LOL!!! She did say they try to make it a lot of fun. Claire was happy she used to be on DCL and was excited to give the club a try later on. I told her if she didn’t like it she didn’t have to go back again.

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We went back on the pool deck and ran into Skip who had a drink that looked really good. I asked what it was and he said Mango Meltdown. I read about that one before and it did look good, so Claire and I went and got some drinks too.

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Edited September 2, 2015 by jenseib

[jenseib]

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This became my new favorite drink. VERY tasty. For those who have sailed on DCL before it is similar to a Princess Delight only this one has some alcohol in it. That being said, I never felt the drinks were heavy on the alcohol. For me, I like that, but Skip said they needed more liquor.

Claire and I found a spot to sip our drinks and look at the ocean….through a dirty window.

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Claire insisted I feel how warm the pool was.

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And it was VERY warm.

Up next…A little Exploring

[Paulchili]

Enjoying your report and pictures - awaiting specialty restaurant reports.

I wonder why so many former DCL employees are now on NCL if they liked DCL so much and don't seem too crazy about NCL?

[ighten]

Great report.

 

Enjoying your report and pictures - awaiting specialty restaurant reports.

I wonder why so many former DCL employees are now on NCL if they liked DCL so much and don't seem too crazy about NCL?

 

From those I have chatted to if they work for an agency they just get switched and moved on a regular basis or where the agency sends them..

[Kattus]

Enjoying your review so far, but now I'm hoping Florentina doesn't become the concierge on Pride of America! lol Last cruise we were on, our concierge Carlos (a few people mentioned him in this thread already) was amazing!

[berkley123]

We are sailing on the Jewel this January. I am enjoying seeing the ship ahead of time, can't wait to see more.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Claire and I headed back to the room to get her changed out of her swim suit. I went out and watched the world go by while she changed.

board82 by Jenseib, on Flickr

board83 by Jenseib, on Flickr

I also called Florentina and told her we did not get our excursion tickets. She had the info on those and said she would get them taken care of. I also told her how our dining reservations were not in the system but I got them back….all except one but it was just a 15 minute difference so I was fine with that. She told me I was not supposed to do that and she has them all in the system….she can see them….And yep they were all the ones I just made. I knew because one was 15 minutes off. I just let it slide. I was happy to get them and I would be checking tomorrow on excursions if the tickets didn’t show up tonight.

After she was dressed we decided to go find the kids club and get her signed up.

board84 by Jenseib, on Flickr

We cut through the buffet again.

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This set of pictures puts a great big smile on my face because I love the Jewel's Garden Cafe and I have about 65 more days till I can enjoy it.

[jenseib]

Enjoying your report and pictures - awaiting specialty restaurant reports.

I wonder why so many former DCL employees are now on NCL if they liked DCL so much and don't seem too crazy about NCL?

 

We ate at several. Our least favorite was Moderno....very slow. La Cucina was just ok....I should've probably gotten something different.

 

Great report.

 

 

 

From those I have chatted to if they work for an agency they just get switched and moved on a regular basis or where the agency sends them..

 

Interesting to know that. I also heard they work less hours on NCL verses DCL.