What do you like MOST about the Jewel?

[old faithful]

I set sail on the Jewel on 4/1/07 ... As time drags by I was wondering what everyone's favorite part/thing/person/activity on the Jewel was/is ...

 

Thanks for helping =)

 

Old Faithful

[Twice-a-year]

Beside the Free Style Crusining, I like the restaurant choices. No line in the buffet area. When I took my cruise to Canada-New England, it was cold and rainy day, the main swimming pool was fully heated. You will love the Jewel. On my trip, we have a trio-musician, they played at the main lobby every night, they were great. I love the last show, it was grand. The cruise director, Paul is an american, smart, well dress and he is a very good singer too. Bingo was so expensive, they hooked a lot of people, because there were no activity at all.

Enjoy your trip.

[steveaaaa]

I set sail on the Jewel on 4/1/07 ... As time drags by I was wondering what everyone's favorite part/thing/person/activity on the Jewel was/is ...

 

Thanks for helping =)

 

Old Faithful

 

Entertainment!!They base shows are good but the improv comedians they had on our Thanksgiving cruise was top notch.

 

Complaints...There are truly 2 classes of cruisers.1st class and steerage.

The specialty restuarants book fast and early for early seating times.They reserve seats at all times for 1 class guests and even in the showroom on my past sailing was a large area blocked off for 1st class guests.

Would I sail again.If the price is right,I will bunk with a crew member.:D

 

Good cruise overall

Steve

[Hotmoltenlava]

What do you like MOST about the Jewel?

 

I'll find out on Sunday!!! Leaving for Miami tomorrow. Got a good deal on an AF Minitsuite. Wooohoooo!

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. I am excited, as you can tell.....:o

[Bequia]

The couches in the Spinnaker Lounge are incredibly comfortable, great place to read a book during the day or sip on a Mojito at night.

If you don't book where you want to dine when you first board the ship your going to be out of luck, that's the only downside to Freestyle. They say eat where you want, when you want....well not exactly, if you don't have a reservation your out of luck.

[ute_fan]

We were in an outside view cabin, and therefore didn't have access to our own balcony. If you do, the following wouldn't apply.

 

Our favorite part of the Jewel was the sitting area that was provided on deck 7. There were chairs, not loungers, placed around on deck 7 that provided a wonderful place to sit, read, do puzzle books, or nap! We (as many others did) pulled an extra chair up in front of the two of us to provide a foot rest, and spent LOTS of time out there just relaxing and looking at the ocean. For the most part, the chairs were in the shade, and since I burn extremely easily, I was happier here than in the sun on the pool deck. It was also quieter -- not near as many kids running around as there would normally be on the pool deck.

 

Other than that, my favorite thing was the bathroom in our cabin :D . My previous 2 ships were the Sun and the Sea, and on both of them, the joke was that you could brush your teeth while sitting on the john, and wash yourself by lathering the shower curtain and twirling around. The bathrooms on the jewel, at least for our cabin category, was laid out much better. When you open the bathroom door and step in, the sink is right in front of you. To the left is the toilet area, and to the right is the shower -- both of which separate off from the sink area by sliding glass doors.

 

Happy sailing!

[Twice-a-year]

Entertainment!!They base shows are good but the improv comedians they had on our Thanksgiving cruise was top notch.

 

Complaints...There are truly 2 classes of cruisers.1st class and steerage.

The specialty restuarants book fast and early for early seating times.They reserve seats at all times for 1 class guests and even in the showroom on my past sailing was a large area blocked off for 1st class guests.

Would I sail again.If the price is right,I will bunk with a crew member.:D

 

Good cruise overall

Steve

 

I agree with you, it is very annoying to have 2 classes in the ship. I did not realized it until I accidentally walked into the 1st class seating in the show lounge. I do not know the reason that NCL decided to make their guests feel the different. I do not know if other cruise ships do it this way. The reason that I do not want to cruise with the Queen Mary because there are different classes in the ship.

[dolfandude]

Other than that, my favorite thing was the bathroom in our cabin :D . My previous 2 ships were the Sun and the Sea, and on both of them, the joke was that you could brush your teeth while sitting on the john, and wash yourself by lathering the shower curtain and twirling around. The bathrooms on the jewel, at least for our cabin category, was laid out much better. When you open the bathroom door and step in, the sink is right in front of you. To the left is the toilet area, and to the right is the shower -- both of which separate off from the sink area by sliding glass doors.

 

 

I AGREE UTE FAN! We had a mini suite and the bathroom was great. Our tub/shower was fantastic! Super hot water and plenty of water pressure! My wife kids me because I raved about it all cruise long!!!!:D

The spa was a godsend. My wife had major back surgury in September and I hurt my back 1 1/2 years ago. We're both young and active so the spa really helped to regenerate us! $10/day. Cannot beat it!

I spent time in the Atrium writing posts for this board and it was comfortable and relaxing. There's just so much that we liked about the Jewel. Not any glaring negatives. Have a great cruise. We did! :)

[dolfandude]

Other than that, my favorite thing was the bathroom in our cabin :D . My previous 2 ships were the Sun and the Sea, and on both of them, the joke was that you could brush your teeth while sitting on the john, and wash yourself by lathering the shower curtain and twirling around. The bathrooms on the jewel, at least for our cabin category, was laid out much better. When you open the bathroom door and step in, the sink is right in front of you. To the left is the toilet area, and to the right is the shower -- both of which separate off from the sink area by sliding glass doors.

 

 

I AGREE UTE FAN! We had a mini suite and the bathroom was great. Our tub/shower was fantastic! Super hot water and plenty of water pressure! My wife kids me because I raved about it all cruise long!!!!:D

The spa was a godsend. My wife had major back surgury in September and I hurt my back 1 1/2 years ago. We're both young and active so the spa really helped to regenerate us! $10/day. Cannot beat it!

I spent time in the Atrium writing posts for this board and it was comfortable and relaxing. There's just so much that we liked about the Jewel. Not any glaring negatives. Have a great cruise. We did! :)

[Hotmoltenlava]

To quote P Diddy (painful, I know), "It's all about the Benjamins, Baby."

 

Cruise lines make a lot more money by giving "elite" perks. People will spend a lot of money to feel special. I discovered this a long time ago when I had a flight booked from Chicago to Honolulu. They had overbooked and put my wife and I in first class. That was the best flight of my life and 10 hours I will never forget. The seats reclined to fully flat, they served caviar, steak and a sundae bar, in addition to any free alcohol you would like. It was also before the days of personal video screens on a lot of flights and we each had one. I realized that if you have the money to do so, vacations are the time to pamper yourself and raise your standard of living for a week. You don't have to be a millionaire to live like one for a few weeks a year. Vacations also inspire you to make the most of your life and career, so you can take more vacations.......:D. It does stink to be in "steerage", though, and watch "how the other half live". Been there, done that, won't do it again.

[melissa89n]

Complaints...There are truly 2 classes of cruisers.1st class and steerage.

The specialty restuarants book fast and early for early seating times.They reserve seats at all times for 1 class guests and even in the showroom on my past sailing was a large area blocked off for 1st class guests.

 

While this is true, I have to say I thought the best part of the Jewel was the specialty restaurants, especially Chin Chin, Cagney's, and Le Bistro!

 

We were technically "steerage" having stayed in a regular balcony room, but we made our reservations the first day we boarded for the specialty restaurants and got the times we wanted. No problems, no wait, and we were treated like first class passengers!

[Stillfloatin']

Complaints...There are truly 2 classes of cruisers.1st class and steerage. Steve

 

I've been 1st class and I've been steerage and even though 1st class is WAY better, steerage sure beats "deskage." :D

[btown]

The layout of the buffet area is fantastic. No lines.

and I love the self serv cappucino machines.

I did not notice 2 classes of guests. And we ate in Cagney's one night.

[cruisingfromMN]

Two favorites:

 

1. The Great Outdoors Buffet, lovely tables and chairs, great food, great view.

2. The fine mist that is occasionally sprayed as you are sitting poolside in the hot sun.

[NoVaCruiser60]

I love the specialty restaurants, but lounging in the spa was superb. There is a charge (something like $15 a day or $63 for a week), but for that you get full access to the single sex and unisex areas, with a wonderful view off the stern. Try out the steam rooms, hit the free hydrotherapy pool, and then sit on the heated stone recliners and take a nap: nirvana!

[Bequia]

I love the specialty restaurants, but lounging in the spa was superb. There is a charge (something like $15 a day or $63 for a week),

 

Actually the spa is only $10 a day for a day pass. Those heated tile recliners are to die for. :p

[Cosmopolitan]

Complaints...There are truly 2 classes of cruisers.1st class and steerage.

The specialty restuarants book fast and early for early seating times.They reserve seats at all times for 1 class guests and even in the showroom on my past sailing was a large area blocked off for 1st class guests.

Would I sail again.If the price is right,I will bunk with a crew member.:D

 

Good cruise overall

Steve

 

As far as specialty restaurants, there is not a large amount of tables (if any) held for "1st class guests" to walk in at the last minute. 1st class needs to make reservations also.

 

The reserved seating in the showroom on the Jewel for "1st class" is larger than on the Dawn because of the Courtyard Villas being added to the Jewel. There is still PLENTY of seating for all passengers.

 

Passengers who travel "1st class" pay for these amenities and probably cruise less often than "steerage" passengers.

To each his own!

 

To the OP ~

Impressions is a lovely (no charge) restaurant.

Buffet is set up really well.

Teppanyaki a fun evening...reservations needed and a pay restaurant.

Staff throughout the ship is wonderful.

 

We spent many enjoyable days/evenings with "steerage" passengers who were great company and had NO complaints:)

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

[newmexicoNita]

First of all, I might be in the minority, but I see nothing wrong with perks going to, as some put it, first class cruisers. The same is done in hotels, as well as airplanes, etc. If I were paying for a suite I would expect a little special attention.

 

Now that I have that off my chest: it is hard to say what was my favorite part of the jewel, we loved all of it. I guess the restaurants choices. We fell in love with Blue Lagoon, liked the buffet set up and found the decor in the specialty restaurants very pleasant. We also loved the bathrooms in the cabins I thought the selection of slots and the pay offs were better than on most ships plus it probably was the first time I had actually seen casino staff members with smiles. They were very friendly. NMnita

[hotspur]

Complaints...There are truly 2 classes of cruisers.1st class and steerage.

The specialty restuarants book fast and early for early seating times.They reserve seats at all times for 1 class guests and even in the showroom on my past sailing was a large area blocked off for 1st class guests.

Yes, I'm not happy with the trend to two-class cruising, either. I believe all passengers should be treated equally once they leave their stateroom.

[RichNY]

We loved having Le Bistro and Cagney's open for breakfast and lunch for Penthouse passengers. It would be real nice it they did this fleet wide..:p

[calenita]

Just doing some searching and came across this thread. Any one else on what they like most about the jewel? We are sailing 2/29 and looking forward to it!

[Warm Breezes]

Just doing some searching and came across this thread. Any one else on what they like most about the jewel? We are sailing 2/29 and looking forward to it!

The lounges in Spinnaker, the Roulette wheel in Spinnaker, the Blue Lagoon, Tangos, the stadium seating at the back of the ship to watch kids play and the view at the same time, our room steward, no lines at the buffet, etc, etc, etc.....

[Guest Anorak33]

I have been looking at the few cabins left on Jewel for an early January 9 day cruise from Miami,

 

Can anyone tell me if there is breakfast and lunch in Cagneys for suite passengers on Jewel like there is on Gem etc?

 

And I see from the NCL website that the AG suite has concierge, does it also include the Cagneys breakfast/lunch dining privilege?

 

Thanks in advance for the info.

[wibeachbum]

We really enjoyed our aft facing mini suite and breakfast in the Outdoor Buffet.

 

We never made it to Blue Lagoon. After reading these posts, I'm wondering what we missed!

[coka]

One does not have to stay in the grand pooh-bah suites to get treated nice. NCL has a great past-passenger program. I have stayed in steerage AND received treats every day just like the VIP's. I was on Steveaaa's sailing during Thanksgiving last year and my favorite part of the Jewel was the staff.

Coka