Kinda Live Review Jewel Alaska July 15-22 and Compare Contrast NCL and RCI

[BearClaw28]

About to board the Norwegian Jewel for a trip to Alaska from Seattle. I was on the Royal Caribbean Allure last month. I did a kinda live review for that cruise here on CC. I'm probably not going to get that in depth on this one but I want to do one focusing on food and shore excursion as well as comparing the 2 cruise lines since my Allure experience is so fresh in my memory. I know the ships are vastly different so I'll limit it to things I can fairly compare. Hope this will be helpful and informative.

 

Anyway, I'll be back soon.

 

 

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[mdaviswv]

I was just nosing around for something live to follow this week. Glad your post showed up, so I can follow along. We are Platinum NCL cruisers and really appreciate their product. Next cruise is Oasis of the Seas this fall though, so I'm actually looking forward to the NCL/RCCL comparisons. Have a great cruise.

[BearClaw28]

Thanks MDA. Glad to have you along.

 

Ok just some Seattle things. Uber from airport was $46. Uberx is cheaper but I understand you have to go hunting for the pickup area in the rental car garage. My uber select was picked up as soon as I exited terminal.

 

Stayed at Courtyard Marriott in downtown/pioneer square. Very convenient and walking distance to Pike Place. UberXL from there to pier 66 was only $12 for 3 people.

 

Pike Place was great but very crowded. Pike Place Chowder was the best thing there. BBQ pork bun was a close second and Oysters from Jacks were third.

 

 

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[BearClaw28]

Ok just checked in. It was really really easy. Very well done by NCL and the port. Got dropped off and walked out bags to the drop off point. Here's a pic.

 

 

Line moved very fast. Some people dropped bags with porters curbside but there weren't many so we just did it ourselves.

 

Walked inside to check in. We're here as guests of Casinos at Sea so we were able to use priority boarding. The regular line was pretty long but looked to be moving. From time we walked in to getting on board was about 20 minutes. Made out way to the buffet which was really crowded. We found a table at the very back of the ship outside. It's a beautiful day so it worked out perfectly.

 

 

 

 

NCL vs RCI

 

Buffet - much bigger on Allure as you'd expect. More options. Quality of food was similar so far. Maybe a little better on NCL. Personal preference of course.

 

 

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[NancyL2]

Nice review so far. :) Will be on the Jewel in 49 days and can't wait!

[easyboy]

Following along.

[BearClaw28]

Got to our cabin around 2pm. Bags came about 20 minutes later. I'm in room 8072 an ocean view room with an obstructed view. We went cheap, even with CAS absorbing some of the cost. Unlike the Allure, I know this ship allows you the ability to see the views from the decks and windows. Figured we're not going to be in the room much. Also with temps in 50's not going to hang outside on balcony which is what we normally get.

 

Here are pics of room after we unpacked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[mdaviswv]

Memories of the Jewel slowly coming back to me. We were there '11 and '12 out of NYC and loved it.

Looks like a beautiful day in Seattle! I'm guessing you won't really be able to compare the ships too much as they are kind of apples and oranges. But there are bound to be a lot of differences between NCL and RCCL, which is the stuff that makes me nervous.

[BearClaw28]

Memories of the Jewel slowly coming back to me. We were there '11 and '12 out of NYC and loved it.

 

Looks like a beautiful day in Seattle! I'm guessing you won't really be able to compare the ships too much as they are kind of apples and oranges. But there are bound to be a lot of differences between NCL and RCCL, which is the stuff that makes me nervous.

 

 

 

I was on Jewel a few years ago out of NYC, where I live, to Bahamas. Got my bearings very quickly. No need to explore ship like I did the Allure. If anybody wants pics of specific things just let me know.

 

Weather in Seattle has been absolutely perfect. Still tough to see Mt Rainier though.

 

Obviously this ship is much smaller and it's noticeable. But I like that. It's funny, this ship is smaller and has fewer people but seems more crowded than the Allure which was twice as big with twice as many people.

 

Doing muster drill now. Already this muster drill is so much better than the one on Allure.

 

 

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[Lionesss]

Following very attentively, next year Alaska for us.

 

Not sure on what ship or itinerary, but looking now.

 

Keep the pictures and commentary going.

 

And

 

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS.

 

Safe travels.

[Cruiseenthusiast101]

Following very attentively, next year Alaska for us.

 

Not sure on what ship or itinerary, but looking now.

 

Keep the pictures and commentary going.

 

And

 

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS.

 

Safe travels.

 

 

Totally Agree!!!:) We are booked on the Bliss next year in a 372 sq ft ocean view. Can't wait!

[mdaviswv]

Sounds good so far. Have a good Sunday! :)

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

We just returned from Alaska on the Jewel (2nd time on her to Alaska) and we have done Princess to Alaska, also. We are Platinum on both NCL and RCCL. Our last sailing on Princess was in a suite and we did not feel like we had any special treatment for the special price, so they have now dropped off our list of cruise consideration (at least for the next few years). We have always had Haven or suite on NCL, and we are truly spoiled! We have not tried the Genies on RCCL; I did book one, but then ended up swapping it out for NCL. I do like both Royal and Norwegian and find them pretty comparable....but we do enjoy the suite perks on NCL, as my DH has hearing issues and doesn't care for the big crowds.

Food, entertainment all great on both lines; although if I remember correctly, there is more availability of food during odd hours on NCL. If you have any complaints/issues, both lines will fix them if they can--and at least they act like they care and are considering your issue (although our first cruise on NCL we had issues and it was the first time on any cruise ship where we ever ran into an immediate "NO"; but our concierge was mortified when we told him and it was corrected the very next day!)

I would not hesitate to cruise either Royal or NCL. And now I'm even thinking about checking out some other lines.....

Anyway, have a great trip! It is an amazing cruise! Get lots of pictures taken or take lots of pix!

[BearClaw28]

Sorry for delay in posting. Internet isn't nearly as good as RCI. I'll catch up tomorrow when I'm Ketchikan and back on cell service.

 

 

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[mdaviswv]

I suspected internet was the culprit. Don't worry about us, that's the nice thing about the app, it'll tell us when you check in again.

 

 

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[FLAHAM]

 

 

Is your doctor aware of what you eat for lunch?

[BearClaw28]

 

 

Is your doctor aware of what you eat for lunch?

 

 

 

If you think that's bad you should have seen my breakfast this morning.

 

And I have a doctors appointment the day I get back.

 

 

 

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[BearClaw28]

Ok let's catch up a little.

 

After we got unpacked we headed up to deck 13 for the sail away. Weather was perfect and this was one of the nicest sail aways I've experienced.

 

There's a little BBQ on poolside with live music. Here are some pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[BearClaw28]

After the sail away we went back to cabin to chill until the muster drill. Our station was right in front of Maltings Whiskey Bar.

 

NCL vs RCI - NCL had the much better organized and comfortable muster drill. By far. RCI packed us into the guest relations area and forced us to watch a long heavily produced video and then listen to the captain over the loudspeakers which were inaudible.

 

From there we walked around the ship a little just to completely refamiliarize ourselves with ship and see if anything was new. Aside from layout of gym there's not much different from a few years ago.

 

Went back to cabin to rest and get ready for 7:15 welcome aboard show and then dinner at MDR.

 

Here are the Day 1 Dailies:

 

 

 

 

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[Clarea]

Enjoying the photos!

[BearClaw28]

Sorry. Lost cell service going on excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[BearClaw28]

Welcome aboard show was eh. Cruise directors name is Richard Matis (?) from the Philippines. Ships singers and dancers were good. The magician Jean something from Canada. I'm pretty sure I've seen him before. Act was very familiar. Don't remember what else but I was glad when it was done. From there we went to Azura, one of the MDR.

 

NCL vs RCI - Freestyle dining vs assigned time. NCL wins out for me. I enjoy the flexibility to eat when I want. Although it is nice to have the same wait staff taking care of you every night. They knew what we wanted before we did and had it ready to go.

 

 

 

 

 

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[BearClaw28]

I ordered the mushroom soup

 

 

It was ok

 

Salmon tartare

 

 

Pretty good

 

Pan Fried Flounder Fillet

 

 

Excellent

 

My brother had the sushi and linguini and clams. He liked the sushi but linguini was bland.

 

 

 

My stomach was bothering me so I had a pot of green tea which I really liked. I've had it multiple times since. Also because I wasn't feeling well I only had a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert which I didn't bother to take a pic of.

 

 

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[SunnyDaisy4842]

Bear Claw,

Do you have any more pictures of the cruise dailies?

I'm going on my first cruise in September to Alaska and live knowing what activities are planned. It was exciting seeing you point of view and the views of the ship.

[BearClaw28]

Yes. I have all of them. Plus MDR menus and pics of everything I ate. Doing this review Live was impossible due to internet on board and how busy I was in Alaska. I promise I'll get this review done this week. Complete with dailies.

 

 

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