Just off the Jewel...WOW!

[lv2crooz2]

Hi All, We just arrived home and are too pooped to party (for the moment) but I wanted to give a few thoughts on our Jewel 4/16 sailing. First off.....the nicest thing about this trip was the folks we met, from Larry and Andrea and our friendly chat in the Blue Lagoon to the cute couple who sheepishly admitted they forgot their over the door shoe pocket holder:eek: ! Also....I found that I expended too much energy worrying about everything on the Jewel and what it was going to be like. She is BEAUTIFUL! Well appointed public rooms, comfortable stateroom, over the top staff, and clean from top to bottom.

 

Embarkation.....The best I've ever experienced. From parking to coffee and light snacks in the waiting area in 7 minutes. Once they released us to board it was about 5 minutes to that "Welcome Aboard."

 

Dining...I'm not sure I'll ever go back to traditional dining. I love the freestlye concept. Yes, book early. We booked the first day in Tango's and were able to get early times. I only did two specialty. Chin-Chin and Le Bistro. Fantastic! We also ate at both dining rooms and Mama's for pizza. Garden Cafe was adequate for both breakfast and lunch. Many folks asked me what I thought of the food. Let us remember they are cooking for over 2,000 guests...not to mention over 1,000 staff members. I was happy to be shoveling it in and was only concerned where and when I was dining next. If you are looking for 5 star...don't look here. I guarantee you (or the kids) will NOT go hungry. I loved the concept of the kids cafe. I half expected to see a bunch of little slices of pizza disembarking this a.m.! The kids on this sailing went through tons of hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chicken fingers, mac and cheese(good!), and ice cream that I hope there is never another question posted "Will my kids have anything to eat?" :D

Entertainment....NMNita and Shoreguy hit the nail on the head with their info about the Jewel and the shows were no exception. Don't miss Cirque Bijoux and Second City. Crew talent show was good-Michael Jackson impersonator was awesome! IMHO-I was not seriously impressed with the magic show. Wow...so much to remember. I'll sign off now but if anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer. I gotta go book a cruise on the PEARL!!!!!!:D :D Thank-You SO MUCH to all who contributed information about the Jewel and NCL. You enhanced my experience and for that I am extremely grateful. Peace and I'll see ya on the sea.

[claudie]

I'm so glad to hear you had a great time. I agree with your comments regarding the food. You'll never go hungry! We were on the Jewel the week before and I know how valuable these boards are, too. I have already booked the Pearl because I too love the freestyle concept. Welcome back and enjoy your memories.

[marilynd]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruise. It's nice to see such a glowing report from avid cruisers who try NCL and Freestyle for the first time.

[lv2crooz2]

Thanks so much for the nice comments! I didn't think I could be won over but now I'm a Latitudes member!!:) Cruising is what you make of it and I can honestly say I did not hear much negativity on board. Everyone went out of their way to accomodate even the "Grumps" who wandered in with the rest of us;). The weather was gorgeous, the sea smooth as glass with only one rough patch. We had a medical emergency on board right after Sail-a-way and the Captian was so concerned for everyones' enjoyment that he apologized for having to slow the ship near Marathon Key so they could evac the patient to a waiting Coast Guard cutter. There were no bathrooms on Tuesday morning:eek: and Karaoke was taken over by a group of strange acting people (teenagers;) ) but ya gotta roll with the punches. Even the casino was ever generous....dropping over 3,000 our way!! Of course...taking back some:o as well. Loved the Great Outdoors, the pools, Spinnaker lounge etc. Who knows.....I might just see you all on the Pearl. If anyone is reading this post and trying to decide if they want to "do" an NCL cruise...Have I ever lied to you?? Don't hesitate...this ship is great!

[trickiedick]

Loved It! Suprisingly So....

 

Didnt Realize The Bathroom Situation On Tuesday...

 

I'll Post My Thoughts Later, But My Parents Are In Their Late 70's And I Am 37...i Took Them As A Gift...they Are Also Hooked On The Freestyle Dining Thing Now...

 

Ciao For Now

[luvseadays]

Thanks for taking the time for the review! I know when we get off of a cruise, we are in withdrawal right away and not fit to talk to for at least a day, so you are to be admired.

 

We are sailing on her in one week on her Transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona, can't wait!!!

 

One question though, did you spend anytime in the library? Just wondering if the selection of books includes bestsellers? I am trying to pack as little as possible in the way of extras, so if I can leave some books home and get newer reads onboard, it would be great.

 

Thanks again! Linda

[Shappy]

Do you know if they have a self bag carry-off on the Jewel (ie no color)? We did this on the Mariner last summer and it helped us catch our flight.

[JoanP]

Happy to hear you had a great time on the Jewel. We are booked on the Jewel for a Fall transatlantic sailing (October), and, were wondering if you met anyone on the Jewel who was in a "hull" balcony cabin. We are trying to decide if the "hull" balcony would be better for a transatlantic sailing as we hear it is very windy on the Atlantic at that time of year. It does not appear that a "hull" balcony would be good for a Caribbean sailing (blocks the sun), but, it may help us on our trip.

Thanks,

;) J & J.

[Host Kewlguy]

Loved the Jewel. Only negative for us was the embarkation out of New York which was the worst system we ever experienced.

[RLP817]

Do you know if they have a self bag carry-off on the Jewel (ie no color)? We did this on the Mariner last summer and it helped us catch our flight.

 

Yes, they have express embarkation. If you are willing to carry off all your own luggage you will be first off the ship.

[sjbdtz]

Loved It! Suprisingly So....

 

Didnt Realize The Bathroom Situation On Tuesday...

 

I'll Post My Thoughts Later, But My Parents Are In Their Late 70's And I Am 37...i Took Them As A Gift...they Are Also Hooked On The Freestyle Dining Thing Now...

 

Ciao For Now

 

Did you run into any other "family" while onboard?

[sweetpea-2]

:D Glad to hear you had such a great time....isn't cruising the best !!! And I agree about the food, and if anyone goes hungry it's their own fault....there's no way I would even want to attempt to cook for 3000-3500 people :eek: under the circumstances they do a great job, some ships better than others, but you can always find something you like....

[sweetpea-2]

Happy to hear you had a great time on the Jewel. We are booked on the Jewel for a Fall transatlantic sailing (October), and, were wondering if you met anyone on the Jewel who was in a "hull" balcony cabin. We are trying to decide if the "hull" balcony would be better for a transatlantic sailing as we hear it is very windy on the Atlantic at that time of year. It does not appear that a "hull" balcony would be good for a Caribbean sailing (blocks the sun), but, it may help us on our trip.

Thanks,

;) J & J.

 

we had a hulled balcony on our western caribbean cruise and had no problems at all with it....you have more privacy and it definitly cuts down on the wind, so you might be wise to get one if your traveling on the Atlantic, which is much rougher and more windy.....I wouldn't hesitate to get a hulled balcony for any cruise.......

[mkad1109]

Thanks for taking the time for the review! I know when we get off of a cruise, we are in withdrawal right away and not fit to talk to for at least a day, so you are to be admired.

 

We are sailing on her in one week on her Transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona, can't wait!!!

 

One question though, did you spend anytime in the library? Just wondering if the selection of books includes bestsellers? I am trying to pack as little as possible in the way of extras, so if I can leave some books home and get newer reads onboard, it would be great.

 

Thanks again! Linda

 

No recent bestsellers that I saw ( I went to the library about 3 times, reread the davinci code, and got a couple of other light weight enjoyable books). I was only looking for fiction however so I can't speak to the other genres. There were good books, just not recent.

[trickiedick]

i did but not overly social

 

some of the performers were tastie!

[lv2crooz2]

Hi All, Thanks for the welcome home. I am having withdrawl from the buffet today and cannot figure out why it is that when I go to the kitchen....nothing is cooked and sitting on warmers. My silverware is still in the drawer and there is not a white linen napkin wrapped lovingly around it! Oh...the pain...the pain.

Luvseadays---We did venture to the library and I thought that there were a few good reads on the shelves. The books were locked up, however, and the attendant was not present both times we stopped by but I did see him there at other times.

Shappy--- Yes, there is self carry and on Sunday they were disembarking at 7:30 a.m.:eek:

JoanP---Sorry that I can't answer to your hull question but I did go to the bow of the ship and saw one guy on his balcony drying his shirt in the wind! We were docked in Jamaica at the time and it was windy there for a time.

I wish all of you lucky ducks that are doing the crossing a safe, fantastic, magical journey. If I were not one of those pesky "one out of every six Americans" or 25 million people in the United States that are afraid to fly...I'd be right there with ya!

I must add that the wonderful crew of the Jewel DID try to kill me while aboard but I was able to save myself. Heck....where is a good looking doctor when you need him? Seems that they make exotic pizza on the buffet line and since it just said "pizza", I took a slice. As I raised that mouthwatering puppy to my lips, I noticed a tiny pink thingie on the tip of my lunch. Could it be????? Shrimp?????? Yup and guess who has an allergy? Right.It is I! It might have been worth it if I could have been assured of a gorgeous hunk to administer CPR. My luck, I would have gotten the very nice gentleman engaging my Mom, who's 84, in conversation...hoping to get lucky I think.:o