Ncl Jewel What did you like and what did you hate

[misguy]

We are on the May 27th sailing of the NCL Jewel from Seward southbound, and we are interested in recent cruisers experiences on board.  What did you find that you really liked?  What did you hate about her?  How are the shows?

[newmexicoNita]

1 hour ago, misguy said:

We are on the May 27th sailing of the NCL Jewel from Seward southbound, and we are interested in recent cruisers experiences on board.  What did you find that you really liked?  What did you hate about her?  How are the shows?

We have never found a sing;e think we hated about any of the Jewel class ships. We do like the size of the Jewel, the casino and the dining choices. The shows are better than most other lines plus the smaller bars are fun to hang out in after dinner. We have a special place in our hearts for the Jewel. We sailed her on her first journey from Dover to America

[rascaldog]

My favorite thing about the Jewel was the Great Outdoors. Its at the back of the ship on Lvl-12 behind the buffet.  The best place for breakfast.  The Jewel is a great Ship I have had a couple of real good cruises on it.

[www3traveler]

If I could afford to retire to live on a cruise ship full time-- my choice would be The Jewel.

[JJAuckland]

I loved this ship.  Perfect size for me.  The shows were excellent - their new show Velvet was amazing!

Never felt crowded & hardly ever had to wait for a table in the main dining room. All staff were lovely

[NLH Arizona]

The Jewel is my second favorite.  Her size is perfect.  I love the Great Outdoors, go up around 3:30pm for great oatmeal raisin cookies.  The crew has always been fantstic all the times I cruised on her.

[misguy]

33 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

The Jewel is my second favorite.  Her size is perfect.  I love the Great Outdoors, go up around 3:30pm for great oatmeal raisin cookies.  The crew has always been fantstic all the times I cruised on her.

What is your favorite, we liked the Dawn and the Spirit, and just got off of the Breakaway and she was nice too, but a little big for our taste.

[NLH Arizona]

2 minutes ago, misguy said:

What is your favorite, we liked the Dawn and the Spirit, and just got off of the Breakaway and she was nice too, but a little big for our taste.

The Pearl.  I was on the Breakaway in early December. Way too many people for me.

[david_sobe]

Its been almost 10 years since I have sailed the Jewel but the Spinnaker lounge is fantastic.  Its the perfect spot for so many reasons.  Sail away, just to chill, see a show, relax and enjoy the view.
I really love the Jewel class ships and want to get back on one.

[newmexicoNita]

13 hours ago, NLH Arizona said:

The Jewel is my second favorite.  Her size is perfect.  I love the Great Outdoors, go up around 3:30pm for great oatmeal raisin cookies.  The crew has always been fantstic all the times I cruised on her.

Probably ours as well. We love the Sun and the Dawn, after that comes he Jewel. We too love the Great Outdoors. 

[hazelnut68]

I know that the Jewel just went through a dry dock so I'm not sure how much has changed from when I sailed on her in June 2018 but I agree with david_sobe that the Spinnaker Lounge is fantastic.  We spent a LOT of time there just hanging out or playing games or doing dance classes.  A large and inviting space with huge windows so you have a great view even if you're not sitting at the window. 

 

I didn't like the jogging track as it gets very narrow at the back of the ship and you are constantly having to stop or move around people who are just hanging out and watching the view (this was during jogging track open hours).

 

I also found that O'Sheehan's wasn't as accessible and feels less open than on some of the other ships I have been on.  This is likely due to the fact that it seems to be plunked in the middle of a bunch of staterooms rather than on a floor with a number of other public areas.

 

I did like the fact that the casino was kind of out of the way at the front of the ship.  This meant that you didn't have to walk through it and all of its smoke on a regular basis.  Nor did the smoky smell permeate other restaurants nearby.

 

I also liked Bliss Lounge which was well used for games, dance classes and just dancing.  Sorry to hear that they got rid of the private karaoke rooms though as we enjoyed using those.

 

Overall, I enjoyed the Jewel and all the wonderful staff on-board.  I prefer the bigger ships but I wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.

[MikeC1610]

Just returned from 13 nights on the Jewel and we absolutely loved every minute of it.  We were on the Epic last April and enjoyed that too but we all agreed that the Jewel wins hands down.  To us it had a much better layout and never felt crowded.

 

I always judge how crowded a ship feels by how easy it is to get a seat at the buffet during peak times on sea days.  I  have to say that we never had any problem finding a seat on the Jewel.  If there were no seats in the main Garden Cafe area we could always find one in the adjacent Great Outdoors (which was a better place to sit anyway) or in La Cecina which can be used for breakfast or lunch.  Cannot say the same thing about the Epic which was like a zoo and was always a fight to get a seat.

 

After the recent refurbishment the Jewel looks and feels like a new ship.  NCL have done a great job.  We would cruise on the Jewel again in a heartbeat.  Would love to have the ship down here in Australia year round.  Was told by the Future Cruise Consultant on the Jewel that NCL look like bringing the Norwegian Jade to Australia in 2021.  It is virtually identical to the Jewel.

[misguy]

Favorite shows?

Favorite Bar?

Favorite MDR

[MikeC1610]

23 hours ago, misguy said:

Favorite shows?

Favorite Bar?

Favorite MDR

 

Both Velvet and Rock You Tonight are great.  The Circus show is by all reports very very good but there were technical problems when we saw it and it was cancelled after about 15 mins.

Did not have a favourite bar.  When you have the drinks package they are all great.

Favourite MDR would be Azure.  It looks great after the refurbishment.  Very tastefully decorated.  Having said that Tsars Palace is also very nice with the windows at the rear of the restaurant.  Food in both Tsars and Azure are the same.

We like the specialty restaurants and had a 6 meal package.  Cagney's was our favourite.  If you don't enjoy the food there then you are very hard to please.

We also really liked Le Bistro French Restaurant.  Very nice atmosphere and wonderful food.

Our only disappointment was that the band on board (Prism) was very ordinary compared to what we had on the Norwegian Epic.  We had the Epic Beatles (brilliant) and another great band that played everything from Frank Sinatra to Metallica and were excellent.  I guess we were spoilt on the Epic.

Others on the Jewel were telling us that the band that were on the ship last year (Hotwire) were much better than Prism and were hoping Hotwire were still on the ship.

The Jewel is a great ship and you are going to have an incredible time.

 

[misguy]

What can you tell me about Chin Chin, I see that it is Asian fusion, but haven't found a menu or any information on it.  Also, do they do the special buffets in Moderno on sea days as they did on the Breakaway?

 

[MikeC1610]

We really enjoyed Chin Chin and went there twice on our 13 night cruise.  The menu is quite limited however the food is very good.  We loved the Salt and Pepper calamari and the Pot Stickers.  Chin Chin was very popular and it was not uncommon to have to wait up to an hour for a table.  Best to get there early, get a buzzer and go and have a drink at the Champagne bar or Maltings while you wait.

 

Never noticed any special buffets in Moderno on our Jewel cruise.  Moderno is used by the Haven guests for breakfast and lunch.

[misguy]

Do you by any chance have the menus for Chin Chin?

[Von & John]

We immensely enjoyed our only trip (to date) on the Jewel & would happily sail her again... 
We were on the Transpacific:  Vancouver to Tokyo (19 nights) - Sept/Oct 2018. 
This cruise was just b/4 the dry dock.  Even though this was a repositioning cruise - I believe the cruise was sold out.

 

It was a fabulous cruise with an amazing Cruise Critic Group!!!  I know many people prefer smaller Meet & Mingle - but our first one had 175+ people attending - not everyone signed in...  With great participation...  Due to the planned number attending - our event was held in the Spinnaker Lounge.  The peeps were up & Mingling...  Both before the event & after...

 

Cruise Critic Peeps rose to the challenge...  With ten (10) Sea Days - there were many planned events & activities.   With eight (8) Port Days - it was amazing the number of planned private excursions.  In addition, as happens many times, friendships were formed and informal activities became prevalent...  This group was truly a Blast - even the Captain joined in on the fun of the International Dateline Crossing "Pirates of the Pacific Party" - which led to the Mutiny Charge of the Bridge... 

 

The Jewel Special Events Team - Shout out to Katherine - embraced our Fun Loving Group & hosted a Cruise Critic Farewell Event in Le Bistro...  We had 125+ join us for the Farewell Event.

 

Now that I've bored you with reminiscing - on with information regarding the Jewel...

 

On this trip John & I made an effort to enjoy a beverage in every bar!!!  Our Faves were:

Deck 13 Outdoor Bar (Can't Remember the Name):  Met great friends here (Cruise Critic Peeps) & fabulous bartenders... 

Spinnaker Lounge:  Sea Days & late every evening...  Amazing bartenders... & Friends we met @ Outdoor Bar...

Martini Bar (Shakers) / Magnum's Champagne Bar:  Live Entertainment & great place to stop for pre-dinner cocktails

Fizz Lounge (Now Bliss Ultra Lounge):  Live Entertainment & a great place to stop for pre-dinner cocktails

Sugarcane Mojito Bar:  Very limited seating for a "Bar" - but nice for a pre-dinner cocktail - especially if we were dining in Cagney's or Moderno.

 

Maltings:  It took us until our final sea day to actually be able to capture a seat @ the bar...  We met another nice couple & were chatting about previous cruises - we mentioned the NCL Wind Hawaii to Fanning Island & our bartender overheard us.   He said - I used to be the bartender on the Wind...  Now this cruise was 12 year previous - we looked at him & said...   Pool Bar - right?  Yes...  He looks @ us & says...  Alaska?  Yes - we spent a few (OK - many) hours with him on the Wind & attempted to offer him a job @ one of the Remote Lodges we were operating back then...

 

Before dinner on our final night...  We realized the slide was to be removed during dry dock.  To this point I had not made it into any of the pools nor hot tubs.  Terry & I decided we needed to complete the slide, pool, hot tub circuit...
While we were cheered on from Top Siders - we made multiple trips down the slide & spent time in every pool and hot tub...   I will neither confirm nor deny the potential there are pictures/video of this circuit...

 

We enjoyed most meals...

Specialty Dining:

Moderno's:  For the first time, Moderno's takes top spot...  It may have been the night we were there, but not only was the Salad Bar Great - the meat was amazing.  Every bite was grilled perfectly, fresh & hot...  The best piece of advice our server gave us was - if we like our beef Med Rare - to let the Pasadores know & they will ensure to request it from the Chefs...

Cagney's:  Great service & Food

Le Bistro:  Wonderful Meals

Teppanyaki:  OK  --  the Teppanyaki experience was much different than we had experienced on other NCL Ships

La Cucina:  Great Service - Ate way too much!

 

Complimentary Dining

Tsar's Palace:  Great place for leisurely Breakfast, Lunches on Sea Days & Dinners.  Most breakfasts we were seated near a window - amazing scenery...  We much preferred Tsar's Place to the Azura Dining Room.  We had dinner one night in Azura & that was enough - their rhythm & ambience was just a little off...

 

Chin Chin:  We enjoyed both Dinner & Lunch (Sea Day) in Chin Chin

The Buffet, Great Outdoors & O'Sheehan's worked for a snack or quick meal. 
Breakfast & Lunch Overflow - La Cucina is open to sit in - after grabbing your food from the Buffet &/or Great Outdoors.

 

We love the size of the Jewel  --  in 19 Days - including 10 Sea Days...  We never felt like the ship was too crowded...

Edited February 17, 2019 by Von & John

[misguy]

Thanks for the information, we are looking forward to it for Alaska.  Our first Alaska cruise was the Spirit, and we were on her first sailing to Alaska, and we will be on the Jewel's second trip this year.

 

[Von & John]

4 minutes ago, misguy said:

Thanks for the information, we are looking forward to it for Alaska.  Our first Alaska cruise was the Spirit, and we were on her first sailing to Alaska, and we will be on the Jewel's second trip this year.

 

 

Enjoy your trip to our amazing State!

[misguy]

My granddaughter who is accompanying us was born in Fairbanks at the base.  This is her first trip back, we are splurging on this cruise, train from ANC to Seward, tour in Seward the day before we sail, Halibut fishing in IPS, tour and seafood feast in Ketchikan, rental car in Skagway and drive into Carcross, and then taxi to Mendenhall in Juneau.

[Von & John]

It sounds like you & your granddaughter will have a trip of a lifetime...
What a Great way to creating lasting memories!!!
My first visit to Alaska was a vacation w/ a friend in 2000 - that vacation created the need for me to move here...
We have now completed two Alaskan Cruises...

Whittier to Vancouver - Princess

Vancouver to Tokyo w/ 3 stops in Alaska on the way - NCL Jewel

[misguy]

Which dining room has the best views?

 

[rmurray847]

3 hours ago, misguy said:

Which dining room has the best views?

 

Tsar's, especially if you can get an AFT table.  I barely remember Azura having any views???  If you can, do Tsar's for breakfast and try Azura for dinner.  On our Jewel experience, the two were different and both good in their own ways.  Same menu, of course.  We found Tsar's to be very elegant, but the service a bit slow and indifferent.  Azura has nice decor but not the over-the-topness of Tsar's.   But the service was great.  (This was two years ago, and these things seem to change from cruise-to-cruise.)  We really just bounced back and forth as the mood took us.

 

Several folks have already said how much they like the ship and its size.  While we've done Jewel & Jade, we've also done Breakaway and Royal's Allure of the Seas.  We enjoy the big ships and all they have to offer...but in many ways, our cruises on these smaller ships were among the best.  The lay-outs are just about ideal, in our opinion.  And the entertainment, while not featuring a "Broadway Show", has been excellent.  And the theater itself is beautiful.  You'll have a great time!

[misguy]

Thanks, we were just on the Breakaway and loved her, we have also been on several others in the fleet.