My Thanksgiving Jewel cruise 2 cents worth!

[steveaaaa]

We Drove to Miami with very little traffic and arrived at the ship before noon.We waited only a few minutes to get inside,then used the Latitudes line for a quick check in.We had a small issue with our 2 rooms but we got it fixed onboard. Our room was on the 8th deck and the kids on deck 4.Our room was a standard inside and I am glad there were only 2 of us.4 would never fit. Our room safe was not working so we called the desk and they told us to wait for someone.An hour later,we went to eat.We called again and after another 1 1/2 hours it was drill time.After that we called and waited again and it was dinner time as we had reservations at Tango's.After dinner I let the main desk know in person that this was it,I am POED now, so 5 minutes later they showed up and put new batteries in it,and it worked fine.

Being in an inside room,we never knew what time it was.After spending the night out until 3am, we overslept and missed the CC get together.Our romm now developed a bad light bulb issue and it was tough getting it fixed,but it was fixed.(main light in bathroom just flashed).

We had a few other issues of broken room items that the steward fixed.(remote stopped working,coffee pot dead,mini bar not stocked until mid week,ect)

I thought the entertainment was the best I have seen on any cruise my only complaint is there is no show on Sunday or Saturday (1 singer is not a show IMHO).

The Casino was kind to me.I hit Quad 4s on Let it ride and paid for my whole week expenses with some left over.

The food is a personal taste issue. I loved Tangos and hated Mama's.I thought the dining room food was poor and the buffet food just so so. I think Princess is the best. I thought they were trying to be too fancy.I think taste is more important than presentation. I was food to eat,not photograph. Who wants some soggy rice with twi trees growing out of it?

I give the food a 2/5

The drinks were outragous, price wise and watch out for the trap!!! The drink of the day special is NO special.It cost more than a regular drink because you get to keep the stupid glass.

Next page..............

[mbisson]

The drink of the day special is NO special.It cost more than a regular drink because you get to keep the stupid glass.

Next page..............

 

Of course you can ask for them in a regular glass. Then they are cheaper than a regular drink. (at least we could as recently as a couple months ago)

 

-Monte

[steveaaaa]

Next page..............

 

The ports

San juan we did the rain forest. It was OK

St.Thomas, diving at Coki beach.

Antigua...Terrible First we met some CCers who were left stranded by Lawrence tours.We ended up doing an island tour with them for $20 per person and it was just them and us in the whole van.

The problem we had was shopping in the market near port.My Daughter bargained for a t-shirt for $5 dollars after the kept wanting $6,but she prevailed,payed the five and walked out.15 seconds later,the shop lady's partner came out screaming and grabbed the shirt from my daughters hand and threw the $5 at her and left.

 

Private island..Poor compared to other lines. The seas were real choppy and the wind was blowing.We spent 20 minutes and then left.Being from FL,our beach is nicer and a beach day is no real big deal as we live only 8 miles from it.

 

There was a lack of activities I thought and anything they did have seemed short and not well attended. I think RCCL has that market covered.

I used a $1000 worth of points for this cruise and from a value point,that made it worth it. I enjoyed the nightly dancing and if the price is right I would sail again with them.

Freestyle dining is just OK.The specialty reservations are a disaster.I was inline when we boarded about noon and Cagneys and Lebistro were booked solid for 5.30- 6.30 already.

There we plenty of deck chairs and only the hot tubs seemed crouded.The Adults pool is a great idea,they just need to monitor it more.

The hand cleansing stations everywhere are a great idea.I always felt more safe with them.The ship is very nice but I prefer RCCL. I am going to Cancel my Alaska Pearl cruise next July and go with another line.

Steve

[steveaaaa]

Of course you can ask for them in a regular glass. Then they are cheaper than a regular drink. (at least we could as recently as a couple months ago)

 

-Monte

Yeah I know.We were suckered into it.We were looking at the drink menu and it was dark so we could hadley see.The waiter came over and after standing for at least 2 minutes while we looked,suggested the Drink of the day,so we bit and what a surprise.:eek: almost $20 for 2 drinks.

Steve

[ce2000]

I was on the Jewel last Christmas, and had a good time, but was very disappointed with the lunch and dinner selections in the main dinning rooms. I did like the breakfast selections in Csar's. I also had dinner in Gagney's one evening and was very pleased with dinner there.

[mbisson]

I also had dinner in Gagney's one evening and was very pleased with dinner there.

 

I can only hope it was Cagneys! GAGneys would get a completely different response ;)

 

But to show how different everyones tastes are...we were on the Jewel a couple weeks before you and were most pleased with the main dining room for dinner, a bit less at lunch, and least liked it at breakfast (of course that could be because we liked the waffle & omelet stations in the buffet).

 

But it's all good.

 

-Monte

[coka]

Steveaaa!!!!!

My only disappointment on this cruise was NOT meeting you! You say you were dancing late every night? So was I! Did you see a tall goofy blonde dancing alone while wearing black and white all the time? That was me! I am sorry I did not get a chance to meet you.

Coka

[Zeno]

Who wants some soggy rice with twi trees growing out of it?

OMG - even though I probably would disagree about NCL food quality - I loved this description - I laughed so hard, I spit out my coffee.

On my next cruise I want to ask the all important question "Can I have extra trees with my rice"

[steveaaaa]

Steveaaa!!!!!

My only disappointment on this cruise was NOT meeting you! You say you were dancing late every night? So was I! Did you see a tall goofy blonde dancing alone while wearing black and white all the time? That was me! I am sorry I did not get a chance to meet you.

Coka

 

Hi Coka,

Yes I know exactly who you were. We were righ next to each other on several occasions. I am 6ft+ and my wife was the bleach blonde with the real high heels.

Well mayby next cruise.

Steve

[perkythedog]

Hey Coka,

 

Meeting up with you and Tracy was one of the highlights of our cruise. Hope to get together again in the future! The 2 of you are the most fun. Happy holidays!

 

Nancy

[coka]

I feel better now Steveaaa, I think I know who you two were...the tallest guy in Spinnaker's with the spouse donning the awesome dress sandals!

 

Perky, The NYer and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you, your sister, your son and brother-in-law. You sure hubby was with you on this trip? I am one day away in my review where I meet you and sis...!

 

Coka

[theonlyjoie]

Awww, c'mon! Not all the time. You and I danced a few, too:p And Tracy, too!

 

I had a fab time on the Jewel Thanksgiving week. Of course, taking the up$ell to AC penthouse made it even better. And meeting up with you and Tracy absolutely made my day! I mean, "daze." Errr, "days." WHATEVER:D:D

 

NCL rules!

[steveaaaa]

I feel better now Steveaaa, I think I know who you two were...the tallest guy in Spinnaker's with the spouse donning the awesome dress sandals!

 

 

Coka

 

You got it!!

That was/is us. I just love her shoes.:)

And her too, first of course.

Steve

[coka]

Good answer, Steveaaa! haha

 

Joie, I had a blast dancing with you! What a treat to be suite neighbors! Steveaaa mentioned late night dancing...there were a few nights when everyone was in bed (or somewhere else)...and it was me dancing with me...oh wait, there were those two 20-somethings and a song called Heaven that I remember! LOL

 

Joie, I hear you have quite the snowstorm now? Once I am done with my epic review, I will finally get back to regular comunication!

 

Missing you all,

Coka

[theonlyjoie]

Snow, that is. We got a foot of snow our second day back from the (oh-so-fabulous!!!) cruise. Payback for the 98% great weather we had for the trip, eh? :p

 

Planer's Edge is from Colorado, too??

 

Your review of our cruise is even better than our chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne!! Gotta do it again...soon!!!

[Planer's Edge]

 

Planer's Edge is from Colorado, too??

 

 

Who else from this bunch is from Colorado??

 

 

PE

[mbisson]

Who else from this bunch is from Colorado??

PE

 

I was at a conference in the Boardmoor at Col. Springs a couple years ago. Now that I'm home, am I "from" Colorado :)

 

-Monte

[theonlyjoie]

Me! I'm from Colorado. (Originally New York; Colorado now for about 30 years) I live about 30 miles south of Denver.

 

Who else is in this illustrious group? ;)

[seahorse]

I was at a conference in the Boardmoor at Col. Springs a couple years ago. Now that I'm home, am I "from" Colorado :)

 

-Monte

 

Monte, even coming from you, that was pretty lame:rolleyes: ;) :D

[Planer's Edge]

Me! I'm from Colorado. (Originally New York; Colorado now for about 30 years) I live about 30 miles south of Denver.

 

Who else is in this illustrious group? ;)

 

We moved here from Minnesota twenty years ago. Are you in Castle Rock or something rural?

 

PE