Is the Jewel still sailing?

[Minorhawk]

I would love some mini reviews of the ship itself...Most of the members reviews speak more of the ports than the ship itself. If anyone has been on the Jewel, please follow this up with lots of good details. We are going on the Jewel with my in laws for New Years and they have never sailed on a large ship before...any info to whet their appetites would be welcomed.

 

Thanks in advance,

[RickT]

I've been on the Jewel's sister ship the Brilliance and loved it. Although a big ship it has a nice feel to it with lots of open space and private areas as well. Go find some reviews on the Radiance or Brilliance and most of what is said about these two ships will apply to the Jewel.

[negc]

Almost everyone who has cruised on the Jewel returns raving about this wonderful ship. Our October repositioning cruise will be our fourth on her in the past three years. To me, the Radiance class ships such as the Jewel are the ideal size, and with all of the glass you can get terrific views of the sea and the scenery from throughout the ship. The solarium with its retractable roof is a wonderful location and since it is mostly an adults only area (kids are allowed to use the pool for limited hours if the weather is bad) a very relaxing spot to spend a few leisurely hours. The made to order crepes in the Jewel solarium are great.

The ship is very easy to navigate, has some spectacular and some very whimsical artwork (check out the flamingos at the top of the glass elevator shaft), and the Centrum is IMHO one of the most spectacular on any ship. The rear section open-air area of the Windjammer is a nice spot for breakfast or lunch. Hidden away just one deck up is the Seaview Cafe that some passengers don't find until late into the cruise. It is open in the afternoon and late at night for burgers, fries, nachos, Cuban sandwiches and a large variety of such fare.

One of my favorite spots during a quiet afternoon is at the rear of the aft lounge where you have floor to ceiling windows and you can look out on the wake. The ship has a variety of lounges, a theater with good sight lines, an active casino, a sports bar and a relatively small but very comfortable cinema. There are card rooms and self-leveling pool tables and a mini-golf course if any of those activities appeal to you. Kids have access to a popular Adventure Ocean childrens program designed to appeal to various age groupings. You may come away from your cruise never realizing how many youngsters were actually on the ship with you.

I don't think that you will come away from the ship with the impression that it was "big" but rather the ideal size to handle a large number of passengers without anyone ever feeling crowded.:)

Bart de Boer's Parade of Ships website has several pages of pictures of this spectacular ship. Google it and you will more than whet their appetites. :)

[lv2cruisgrl]

We did the Jewel last april and loved her, she is beautiful. If you are looking for pictures try webshots.com and search for Jewel of the Seas, you will see some nice shots of the interior. Have fun!! We hope to do her again...:)

[cruisenfever]

We also sailed on the Jewel last August doing the Baltic's. The ship is amazing and worth her name. Bill has told you everything you should know about the ship. I agree, that the SeaView Cafe is the best kept secret on any of the Radiance class ships. We really enjoy it more than Johnny Rockets. The food and service is excellent. I don't think you will be disappointed at all. Any Radiance class ship is a wonderful experience. Wishing you a wonderful cruise.

[Gracie115]

We were on the Jewel this past January. It is a wonderful ship. We have sailed on several Celebrity and several RCCL ships and this was by far our favorite. It is beautiful, as others have said and its crew is the friendliest we have ever encountered. The entertainment in the lounges was better than any other cruise we've been on and the floor shows were also good.

 

Chops Restaurant was excellent, also liked Johnny Rockets. We were in Junior Suite, which is a great stateroom with walk in closet.

 

In both my husband's and my opinion the Jewel is a JEWEL!!!!! You'll love it!:) :D

[cruisenfever]

Chops Restaurant was excellent, also liked Johnny Rockets. We were in Junior Suite, which is a great stateroom with walk in closet.

 

In both my husband's and my opinion the Jewel is a JEWEL!!!!! You'll love it!:) :D

I think you meant SeaView Cafe? Radiance class ships do not feature Johnny Rockets.

[Parrotgirl]

I've been off the Jewel for under two weeks now so it's fresh in my mind. Feel free to ask questions. I'll be happy to answer them.

 

The Jewel is a beautiful ship. The Atrium is gorgeous. In the middle of the C&A Lounge on the 12th deck is a round, clear "window on the floor" that looks all the way down to the 4th deck. Make sure you check it out. When we first went in, it was open and some kids were walking on it but several days later, they had ropes around it so you couldn't walk on it. There is also a lot of glass and the views are great from all around the ship. Make sure you get up to the Viking Lounge.

 

We had cabin 9092 which is on the hump, next to the elevator and it had an awesome, large balcony. 9078 has the same thing on the other side of the elevator. If you have a chance to get either of these cabins, I would highly recommend them. 9078 looks forward, while 9092 looks back.

 

Have a wonderful trip.

[maxs mom]

Of all the RCI ships that we've been on in our 21 years of sailing, the Jewel is our absolute favorite. Can't wait to sail on her again.

[terri23]

I was on board with Parrotgirl (hi!) and agree with her comments (and was in a similar cabin 8088 with a huge balcony). Jewel is a real stunner. We had only been on Vision class ships prior to Jewel and we were just blown away by this beautiful ship. Enjoy!!

[bubbadog]

if you go to cruiseclues.com and in list of ships you will find the jewel,ad itll have a ton of info on it with photos:))))

[Minorhawk]

That sounds great...we have cabin 9076 and our in laws have an aft cabin number 9660. If you have any "insider" info, let us know!!!

 

 

Thanks again...

[RVfromAZ]

We have cabin#7094 on the Jewel this next Jan. We are hoping it's a good location on the the hump.

[Parrotgirl]

Terri - hi! I'm sure that everyone in our Cruise Critic group would agree that the ship is great! We did the Norwegian Fjord itinerary which was awesome but no matter where you go, the ship is still amazing.

 

9076 still has a wonderful balcony and the aft cabins are, well, at the very back watching the wake! It doesn't get much better. I have an aft cabin booked for the Vision.

 

Ask away. Maybe we'll even know the answers. :D

 

Patricia

[Tra4]

Are there any changes from the Brilliance or Radiance on the Jewel??

 

Thanks.

[joeyddog]

We were on the July 25th sailing in 7658. It had a very large balcony for the size of the cabin- big enuff for a lounge, 2 chairs and a side table. It was partially protected, so it had both sun and shade.The cabin but small but comfortable. We had 7 pcs of luggage and were able to findplaces for everything - amazing. We were aft but since the ship is so manageable it was a pleasant walk to the room and a good way to walk off all those desserts. The food was much better than the Voyager and the staff was wonderful.

[mcca2]

Is she ever. We just came off the Jewel to the Baltics in June this year. She is the most beautiful ship. We have done all classes except Freedom, and found the Jewel, as Radiance class the most beautiful.

 

We particularily liked riding the Sea facing elevators. They are awesome.

 

We had cabin 1102 Deck 10 Aft and the walk was worth the view. Particularily leaving Oslo as there was an annual yacht regatta of 1600 yachts in the harbor, and the Jewel trying to make her way out to sea between them. It was fantastic.

 

The two pilots boats were blowing their horns trying to clear all these yachts out of the way, and the Jewel just sailing through. Captain Thore told us first time it happened he was a little nervous, now he knows his ship is bigger, they better get out of the way. It was a great experience.

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/551979020/2381887290081263430jWVeOr

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/551979020/2000945000081263430jcOKNB

 

Our second experience was going under The Great Belt Bridge, between two parts of Denmark. The Jewel clears it by I believe 18 metres or 59 Ft.

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/551894083/2447200920081263430xcCnbb

 

 

Everything about this ship is beautiful. The Atrium is drop dead gorgeous. The bands and music very good.

 

I have to pay particular tribute to Tommy McPhee in the Piano Bar. Move over Sir Elton/ Barry Manilow. Tommy is the best. Love ya Tommy. You will have a great evening with Tommy doing name that tune and other games.

 

Also I must mention, Pedro the Manager in Portofino, and the Hungarian waitress, Renatta. All excellent They are such classy people. Be sure to eat there, it is spectacular.

 

From great music in the Centrum to good food in the Dining room. AJ the head waiter was exellent, and very attentive to all our needs. Our only problem was the choice of wines, as most of the ones we wanted were not available, so we had to drink lesser ones, by this I do not mean less expensive, we just didn't have what we wanted ( till we got to Portofino)

 

Somebody already mentioned the area the at the back of the Windjammer open to the sea and it's a lovely place to eat if it's busy inside. Also the Seaview Cafe was excellent. We never tried the crepes in the Solarium but everyone said they were good. The Solarium is spectacular by the way.

 

We just loved this ship and as people who travel the world and usually stay at 4-5 *** stars I would rate the Jewel of the Seas up there with the best. She has a CDC rating of 100.

 

Wish we could sail her all the time. I hope this gives you some idea how special this ship is. Enjoy her folks.

[AFT_LOVER]

Jewel doesn't have a Johnny Rockets. The Seaview Cafe with their onion rings is it. Capt Thor is a class act & a crew that adores him. My favorite spot on the ship? The glass elevators with the current day on the floor. A unique item that is changed at 12:01AM by a wonderful man who takes it all in stride. The solarium is beautiful & very relaxing since kids are out unless the weather is bad. Warm ater to swim in or just float. Padded lougers to nap or read in. Great goodies from the glassed in goodie rack, as I call it wit their crepes as a favorite. The double level dining room with curtains that automatically lower at a scheduled time. Mini golf another favorite especially on a windy day with same wave action. From Purser to Captain, you are treated like faily not a guest.

 

We were on the Jewel this past January. It is a wonderful ship. We have sailed on several Celebrity and several RCCL ships and this was by far our favorite. It is beautiful, as others have said and its crew is the friendliest we have ever encountered. The entertainment in the lounges was better than any other cruise we've been on and the floor shows were also good.

 

Chops Restaurant was excellent, also liked Johnny Rockets. We were in Junior Suite, which is a great stateroom with walk in closet.

 

In both my husband's and my opinion the Jewel is a JEWEL!!!!! You'll love it!:) :D

[Parrotgirl]

The current captain is James MacDonald. His wife was sailing with him for this trip and she was a hoot.

 

Yes, the glass elevators are awesome!

 

I didn't want to leave and wish I had been able to be away from work long enough to do the Baltic itinerary the next week.

[SheltieLady]

We are sailing on her in January we have booked a JS 1042 and we can't wait it's my dh very first cruise and I think I did the right thing by booking the Jewel. Just reading your replies makes me very excited to board her in January.

 

Christine:D

[Gracie115]

ALLRIGHT guys.... sorry I was thinking Johnny Rockets when I should've been thinking Seaview.... loved Johnny Rockets on Sovereign though!!!!

 

Still.... Jewel is the best as I said.

[Minorhawk]

Thank you so much...You guys are great. My mother in law was amazed at how much info was shared so fast!! I appreciate all and any additional info you all might have.

 

Thanks Again

[Tyrkitty]

How does it work at the Sea View Cafe. Cover charge - pay for what you have, or is it included with cruise?

[kborth]

My hubby and I were on the Jewel on the week before Christmas and we loved it, first time crusising. The Windjammer has the best food , that's the buffet they have and we ate there for breakfast and lunch every day and one evening for dinner and that was special. They changed the menus 3 times a day and so you are always surprised , the food was outstanding. The dining room is so beautiful and the atrium had a wonderful entertainment at all hours of the day from classical to jazz to a fabulous trio that played every kind of music you would want. Everyone was dancing. The the ship has a fabulous Schooner bar , my fav with a piano player who is out of this world. We had an inside cabin and I have never slept so well. Room service came every morning with fresh coffee and juice. The art on this ship is just fantastic , and the captains welcome party was a blast with officers from so many different countries who carried their own flags. Lots of champayne. The midnight gala with all the chocolate, deserts and shrimp etc. was gorgeous. Their deserts were the best I have ever tasted, try the cheesecake You will love this ship Enjoy,Kathi

[Jkeith]

We were on the Jewel this June - #7056 - and on the Brilliance in 2004. Found the Jewel just a little bit more classy than the Brilliance. Loved the glass elevators that go all the way up to the top, very easy to learn your way around, liked the layout of the public areas. But the best part was the staff and the pride they took in this ship, most had been with the Jewel since it had it's maiden voyage. You will not be disappointed.