LIVE from Jewel May 15, 2024 - 27 nights

twangster · May 16

I'm starting this LIVE thread a little late here on day two but I figure it's better late than not at all.

This is a B2B for me starting with 15 nights for cruise #1 and then 12 nights for cruise #2.

Screenshots from cruisemapper.com

Cruise #1:

Cruise #2:

Even though it's day two as I write this, let's rewind just a bit.

twangster · May 16

Flying from the U.S. for this cruise I made a connection in Atlanta (so that means a Delta ticket) with the overseas flight on KLM metal.

I chose this evening flight so I'd arrive close to the check in time for my hotel in Amsterdam the next day. I arrived in Amsterdam on the 13th of May two days before the cruise boards.

With the recent Northern Lights fiesta I was hoping to see a sign of them from the plane. I did a test shot with my phone to see if my luck was good. It was not.

Time for some sleep.

A little later I woke with some mild turbulence and discovered a sunrise in the making.

Time for more sleep.

Arrival into AMS airport was easy with a quick immigration stop and with my luggage secured it was off into Amsterdam.

I chose the train as my method of transportation into the city. For 4,90€ it's hard to beat.

The train was easy to board with a near level entrance making luggage handling a breeze.

Unfortunately it was announced this train is no longer in service and we were directed across the platform to an older train that required hoisting my luggage up a few steps.

twangster · May 16

From the Centraal station I chose to walk the 1.6 km to my hotel which given the nature of the brick lined sidewalks was probably not the best choice but I had another hour to kill before check in time.

At least I could do some sightseeing along the way.

So many canals!

It's a very pretty city.

twangster · May 16

After a nap in my hotel it was time to venture out.

What trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to the red light district?

twangster · May 16

The next day I slept in a bit as I adjusted my clock to local time.

To get around I bought a 24 hour ticket from GVB to ride the trams timing it so I could use the trams the next day for my transportation to the terminal to board the ship. The 24 hour pass was 9€.

As part of my exploration I did a dry run to the Passenger Terminal so I'd know the shortest route with luggage the following day.

The NCL Prima was at the terminal so I didn't venture upstairs.

The trams are very convenient and an easy way to get around.

Edited May 16 by twangster

twangster · May 16

Day One

I woke early to discover the Royal app was blank.

Meanwhile a text message came through.

Looks like I made the threshold for access to the Concierge Club.

A few hours later the app and website fixed themselves and my cruises returned. Phew.

twangster · May 16

Shortly before 10am I checked out of my hotel and started the journey to the ship.

Hauling my luggage was a bit of pain but with a tram stop a few hundred meters from my hotel it was easy and cheap.

My timing was perfect and the trip to the passenger terminal was super fast. I arrived at the terminal around 10:10am.

Luggage drop on the 1st floor, up the escalator to security and the waiting area.

I was through security and waiting by 10:15am.

There were already at least one hundred guests ahead of me with a dedicated seating area for suites and pinnacle. So while I as early I was by no means the first.

twangster · May 16

Despite not needing a VISA or travel authorization for entry into the UK just yet, we are required to go through passport control when we arrive in Dover on day two.

Shortly after 11am we began boarding starting with suites and pinnacle.

Fresh from dry dock this is the first revenue cruise. With a fresh paint job Jewel was looking very clean.

We were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and wooden tulips for the ladies.

twangster · May 16

Since the ship had just come from drydock with no passengers to debark our cabins were ready.

Cabin tour, 4D balcony on deck 7 forward, port side.

On deck 7 some of the balconies are extended and have an open upward view to the sky.

While there is little privacy when standing at the railing I enjoy these extended balconies. I'm not one to use my balcony without attire. Given the potential of the Northern Lights and views as we sail into the fjords of Norway on the next cruise I was glad to be able to secure these forward deck 7 cabins for both cruises.

I do have to move cabins for the next cruise heading aft a few cabins but after 15 nights a change will do me good.

I've stayed in these forward deck 7 cabins before and i really like the open views to the sky yet a covered balcony like every other balcony when it's desired. Plus these are some of the only balcony cabins with a view straight down to the water.

twangster · May 16

A quick Voom test from my cabin:

Pretty great speeds and low latency.

Voom rates on board:

twangster · May 16

Looks like new carpet in the guest hallways.

The Windjammer team was happy to greet us.

Views from the Windjammer aft outdoor seating area for lunch.

twangster · May 16

To illustrate how convenient the passenger terminal is from the Centraal station...

You can it's pretty close.

twangster · May 16

Day 1 and 2 cruise compass:

JW May 15 day 1 2 cruisecompass.pdf

Missusdubbya · May 16

Looking forward to this one! Thanks Twangster

FionaMG · May 16

Fabulous itinerary. Looking forward to following along. Have an amazing trip! ☺️

Sunshine3601 · May 16

Excellent itinerary! Great photos so far and will definitely follow along as we have been eyeing up these itineraries for a while.

We also enjoy those extended balconies on deck 7 forward or aft.

little britain · May 16

So they haven’t replaced the blue saggy sofas in the cabins. Wonder if the threadbare furniture in Colony Club has been updated.

Thanks for the very clear pic of the d7 extended balconies… have one of those next year 👍

bobmacliberty · May 16

I'm all in for this. Can't wait for some fantastic @twangster photos. Did you bring a tripod for the long exposure shots? Did you get a little house on KLM? I always preferred KLM equipment to/from Schiphol even if it was a Delta ticket.

RobInMN · May 16

We did an almost identical B2B in 2022. It was 12 & 12, so we did not hit any of those England/Scotland ports, just Iceland & Ireland. And some of the Norway ports were different. We did Arctic Circle first. I think the order you are doing it is better. As amazing as Iceland is, it sort of lost some of it's thunder after seeing Norway first. I think this way, they can both amaze you.

This was our favorite cruise so far. You are going to have a great time! We will be following along and re-enjoying it vicariously. 🙂