Loyal Princess Cruiser thinking about NCL Jewel

[flvol77]

Hello,

 

First off I know zero about NCL. Other than they have a open dining option that is like Princess. I don't like to be told when I can eat.

 

I love Princess, but, I have a great deal from my TA for a Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard NCL. Can anyone give me some advice or what they Liked and disliked about NCL especially if you have been on the Jewel?

 

Thanx in advance

[howard6933]

I haven't been on the Jewel, but have sailed on Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn which are sister ships to the Jewel. I too am a Princess lover and I'm an Elite Member of the Captain's Circle. However, I like to try the other cruise lines as well and I'm booked on Jewel for Nov 12th. Free style dining is nice and the choices of restaurants are terrific, even if you don't want to go to one of the extra charge restaurants. If the show lounge is the same as Dawn & Star, you'll love it. It's like an amphitheater with a steep incline so there is never anyone in front of you blocking your view. The Jean Ann Ryan dancers & singers are excellent and their shows are outstanding. I've said this before on these threads, that NCL has really improved and now are pretty much on the same level as Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America. I don't think you can go wrong with a cruise on Norwegian Jewel, unless you wait for their newest ship Norwegian Pearl. which has a bowling alley on board. Is that nutty or what?? :rolleyes:

[newmexicoNita]

I am so glad to hear what Howard has to say as I am always amazed at the number of people that compare NCL with what the line was like 10 years ago and say it's gone down hill: I happen to feel just the opposite. Now that they are building thier own ships and offering some uniformity to the line I love them. Now, as for comparing with Princess, I have to admit I haven't sailed Princess but have many clients that do. Most of them are total Princess loyalists, but a couple, lately have tried NCL and been very impressed. Cabin size will be very similar, food is subjective as we know. Depending on who you talk to you may prefer NCL over Princess or visa versa. I beleive all the mass marketed lines offer similar food with NCL having the largest selection of eateries. This, to us, is one of the reasons we prefer NCL. The other is the friendly staff. Out of 20 plus cruises I would put the Jewell at the top of the list. The only bad thing about NCL: you absolutely can not smuggle booze on the ship and the drinks are more expensive than Princess: good news, you can order bar set ups prior to cruising on NCL, but Princess does not have this program anymore. NMNita

[mafig]

I've been on Jewel and also Coral Princess, Star Princess and Caribbean Princess.

 

I enjoyed Jewel very much and are considering sister ship Pearl or Emerald Princess next year.

 

I liked the variety of restaurants. I didn't like that I felt I had to make reservations for the week as soon as I boarded. But I'm a nervous nellie and overplanner.

 

I prefer the pool area(s) on Princess. I like that their pools are in different places and some are adult only.

 

Nita mentioned drink prices. It's true. On Jewel I don't think we had more than one drink by the pool. On Princess we had several, and they come in sizes. However, their regular cocktails (like a perfect Manhattan, although only $4.50) are tiny.:(

 

Main show entertainment was better on Jewel.

 

Hated the csm's (continuous shuffling machines) in Jewel's casino. Also, their dealers were like robots, no personality.

 

Do you like espresso and capuccino? Well, it's still free on NCL, in both the dining rooms and buffet. Remember when it was free on Princess? Not now.

 

Just my opinion. I'd certainly cruise NCL or Princess again.

[newmexicoNita]

I've been on Jewel and also Coral Princess, Star Princess and Caribbean Princess.

 

I enjoyed Jewel very much and are considering sister ship Pearl or Emerald Princess next year.

 

I liked the variety of restaurants. I didn't like that I felt I had to make reservations for the week as soon as I boarded. But I'm a nervous nellie and overplanner.

 

I prefer the pool area(s) on Princess. I like that their pools are in different places and some are adult only.

 

Nita mentioned drink prices. It's true. On Jewel I don't think we had more than one drink by the pool. On Princess we had several, and they come in sizes. However, their regular cocktails (like a perfect Manhattan, although only $4.50) are tiny.:(

 

Main show entertainment was better on Jewel.

 

Hated the csm's (continuous shuffling machines) in Jewel's casino. Also, their dealers were like robots, no personality.

 

Do you like espresso and capuccino? Well, it's still free on NCL, in both the dining rooms and buffet. Remember when it was free on Princess? Not now.

 

Just my opinion. I'd certainly cruise NCL or Princess again.

mafig, I hadn't thought about the table dealers but DH says the same thing: not only are the crap tables usually not busy which I guess makes craps no fun, the dealers are really lacking in anything resembling personality. Now, instead of gambling on the ship DH just goes to the cabin and pouts while I play the slots. LOL

[kannruss]

I have felt the same way when I first sit down to the table but after inviting the dealers into polite conversation, laughter often ensues and I keep coming back time and again.

 

I feel bad sometimes for the dealers and all the crew for that matter. They are often in the same ports for months at a time and they perform the same job nightly. Many are far from home - I like to try to make them forget about that and have a good time. It has worked on many initially "depressed looking" dealers. :)

[flvol77]

couple of questions:

 

What is the buffet like? Is it 24 hours like Princess?

 

I have read there is self Laundry - is this correct (on jewel)

 

Can you bring your own wine on board like Princess? The nice thing is me and my wife don't really drink, she will have a glass of wine in our room on princess and that is about it.

 

If you can't bring your own wine, can you buy it part of your "bar set" and enjoy it in your room on your balcony?

 

some more questions....I see that the Jewel has a sushi bar is it any good? I am a sushi FREAK! Is there a cover charge?

 

does anyone have a list of the speciality restaurants and what their cover is?

 

also what is the gym like?

 

I have been on the NCL website and its ok, not a lot of info.

[newmexicoNita]

couple of questions:

 

What is the buffet like? Is it 24 hours like Princess?

 

I have read there is self Laundry - is this correct (on jewel)

 

Can you bring your own wine on board like Princess? The nice thing is me and my wife don't really drink, she will have a glass of wine in our room on princess and that is about it.

 

If you can't bring your own wine, can you buy it part of your "bar set" and enjoy it in your room on your balcony?

 

some more questions....I see that the Jewel has a sushi bar is it any good? I am a sushi FREAK! Is there a cover charge?

 

does anyone have a list of the speciality restaurants and what their cover is?

 

also what is the gym like?

 

I have been on the NCL website and its ok, not a lot of info.

ok, I will try to answer your questions and I am sure others will elaborate: buffet is not open 24 hours and is so so but the Blue Lagoon is open 24 hours. It is like a diner or whatever, more like tgif with a very limited menu: great burgers, buffalo wings and the best fish and chips almost anywhere plus other choices:

 

Self laundry: yes, there are 4 decks that offer laundry rooms; they are free, you can buy boxes of detergent at the reception desk or bring your own. If you buy from them it is a buck which will do 2 batches.

 

You can bring your own wine, but they will charge a $15 cockage fee or you can order on the bar set up.

 

Sushi bar: I am not a fan so I can't judge, but I have heard it is good: $10 cover charge I think.

 

Specialty restaurants: I will try to list them, but might forget something:

 

no charge: Mama's kitchen: great food

 

Tangos: same, southwestern; no cover, we were not impressed but have lived in Texas and now New Mexico and raised in So Ca, so we are pretty spoiled when it comes to Mexican or So Western food; the ribs though are really good

 

Blue Lagoon: no charge; a must!!!

 

Cagney's about $15 cover charge unless you opt for Lobster: also a must: they may run a 1/2 price special one night.

 

Le Bistro: about the same price as Cagney's: Le Bistro is my favorite place to eat on any NCL ship.

 

The gym and spa: wonderful; charges for some things, but basically like any ship the use of the equiptment is freee.

'

Hope this helps some.

 

NMNita

[flvol77]

Awesome,

 

Thank you so much.

 

I really want to try NCL. It seem very ahead of its time, they seem to try a lot of new things and the other major lines "pile on"

 

Do you know what time the buffet closes? and does it run through out the day? I just want a place to be able to get a more healthy choice of foods, like fruits, salads, whole grain breads etc....I know I know its a cruise but, Its a part of my life style :)

[Froggitt]

Do you know what time the buffet closes? and does it run through out the day? I just want a place to be able to get a more healthy choice of foods, like fruits, salads, whole grain breads etc....I know I know its a cruise but, Its a part of my life style :)

It closes after lunch maybe 3ish, but you can go to one of the outdoor grills, and opens again for dinner maybe 5ish until 9ish I suspect.

 

Loads of different stations....salad station, vegetarian station, low-sugar desserts station, carvery, hot food, cold meat, pizza, grill, fruit, variety of breads.

 

My missus is a fitness fanatic, and loved the food......in the restaurants theres also a "Cooking Light" option on the menu, and the main restaurants have in addition to the changing menu daily, staples like grilled salmon, steak, chicken. The gym was as good as any she has been to.

[flvol77]

It closes after lunch maybe 3ish, but you can go to one of the outdoor grills, and opens again for dinner maybe 5ish until 9ish I suspect.

 

Loads of different stations....salad station, vegetarian station, low-sugar desserts station, carvery, hot food, cold meat, pizza, grill, fruit, variety of breads.

 

My missus is a fitness fanatic, and loved the food......in the restaurants theres also a "Cooking Light" option on the menu, and the main restaurants have in addition to the changing menu daily, staples like grilled salmon, steak, chicken. The gym was as good as any she has been to.

 

Sounds like there is food all the time...and am I correct that room service is open 24/7? BTW is room service limited to certain items after hours? I love have my midnight snack from the buffet on Princess that is why I ask.

[Froggitt]

Dont know...never did room service. Apparently Blue Lagoon is open all night.

[flvol77]

Dont know...never did room service. Apparently Blue Lagoon is open all night.

 

Thats cool, as long as something is open all night. Thanx for your help.

[newmexicoNita]

Blue lagoon is always open and yes, room service is available but I will tell you, it isn't all that great. Probably my biggest gripe about NCL. thankfully we rarely order room service except for a quick continental breakfast in the mornings once in awhile. NMNita

[MidtheNight]

If you like to eat and eat well then the Jewel is for you. We were on the Transatlantic in April/May and the variety of restaurants was fantastic. Try them all if you get a chance.

 

The other thing that we really liked on the Jewel was Michaela and Kenone (I know I spelled this wrong - ke na nee - is how it's pronounced) who are on the CD's Staff....and of course Scottie the Hottie as well. If you end up booking and going on the Jewel and they are still there tell Michaela that the Young Family says hello.