All things Jewel of the Seas!

[llund]

Wow! I love reading everyone's comments. We will be on the 8/15 Baltic Sea cruise this year on the Jewel. I can't wait to see the ship.

[Cruiser-66]

Did they offer this on the 6day cruise JOS? If so how did it work?

[spenceandme]

We will be on the Jewel doing a B2B in the Batic. We are going in May and I am assuming it will still be chilly there. Is the pool onboard heated? We will have my son so will not be able to use the atrium pool. Also, it there a public laundy on board?

[hcat]

Here's what Royal carib advised for the 1/26 sailing on Jewel.....the Beatles tribute show sounds great! Not sure it will apply to any other sailings...

 

Thank you for your E-mail. Although entertainment may be subject to

change, here is the current schedule for your sailing:

 

Revolution (Beatles Tribute Act)

Dan Wilson (Comedian)

Charles Bach (Magic/Illusions)

Soul Mystique - Gavin & Lydia (Magical Transformation & Dance)

Jackie Wood (Cocktail Pianist)

Elini Trio (Centrum Trio)

Production Shows: "City of Dreams" - "West End to Broadway" -

"Tango Buenos Aires"

 

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International.

 

Lisa Perry

Customer Service Representative

[ortrud]

Hello All,

My Dh And I Will Be On The Jewel Ta Ft.lauderdale To Europe In March 2008. Thank You For All The Help, Hints And Information.

It Sounds Like A Beautiful Ship And We Are Looking Forward To Gettting On Board.

[golfguy57]

What areas or lounges allow cigar smoking?

[Denise&Paul STL]

Linda, thanks for the review. I always appreciate everyone's opinions and suggestions. We will be on the 8 day in about a month. Anything you wish you had done, or really enjoyed...particularly at the ports?

 

J. Sullivan, I wish I were you right now!!! 2 days to go!

[SPARKLE10]

Hi:

 

We just returned from the Jewel of the Seas New Years Eve cruise a couple of days ago. We saw the Beatles Tribute show and I talked to the guys afterwards and I told them that this was the best show I've ever seen and this was my 43rd cruise. The rest of the shows we've seen before. We just came off the Radiance to Hawaii in October and so the shows seemed to be a lot of repeats, except for the Beatles show. It was really great. This cruise had a lot of first time cruisers onboard. I was really surprised. Andrea was great in the Concierge Lounge, which was on Deck 10. On the Radiance we had to be moved to the lounge on deck 13 as there were so many Diamond members, but on this cruise, there weren't that many, so we stayed in the C. Lounge on Deck 10. Andrea was really nice and did a good job. I wasn't very impressed with the rest of the crew. We just came back from the Radiance and their crew was so great and friendly, that I'm afraid I expected the same with the Jewel of the Seas and it just wasn't there. I was really disappointed in the Seaview Cafe. We had such great food and service when we were on the Radiance and we only went one time on our 8 day cruise on the Jewel. The first sea day we went and I have never seen so many unhappy, unsmiling faces. We ordered chocolate malts and they gave us watery chocolate shakes. When I asked about the malts, they said they didn't make them. I said, I got them on the Radiance last month but they said they couldn't make me one. Then I had to make two trips to the table with the shakes and come back for the water, while 5 crew members in the Seaview Cafe just looked at me. I came back in again for some ketchup, because it wasn't on the table and one of them said to me, oh you want ketchup. We had such great service on the Radiance that it was hard not to compare the two, with regards to service. I know the Jewel is a lot newer than the Radiance (we've been on the Radiance 5 times) but the only thing I liked better on the Jewel, was the shower doors instead of the shower curtains that the Radiance had. That was the only thing we found better on the Jewel of the Seas. The ships are equally beautiful, but not equal with regards to service...just my opinion.

 

This was our 7th New Years Eve cruise but it will be our last for awhile. Out of 2000 passengers, 550 were kids. I like kids, I have kids and grandchildren, but it was the same old thing with parents arguing that their kids should be able to do as they pleased. They had to keep chasing kids out of the Solarium Pool all the time. One time I did say to a man who had his small children in that pool that it was an adult's only pool and he said to me that the rules didn't apply to him. Then we watched while a pool attendant tried to get 8 little kids out of a hot tub because none of the adults could get in.....I didn't care about the hot tubs so that didn't bother me; but it was funny watching this scene. The pool attendant goes to the kids in the hot tub and talks with them and then a little girl yells "mom". The mom comes storming over to see what was going on. I could hear her say "I'm watching them from way over there". The pool attendant got tired of arguing with them, so she walked away and the kids stayed in the hot tub. The very first day they announced that there were 550 kids onboard and their parents were responsible and would be held accountable for their actions. That was funny. At night, about midnight, you couldn't walk up and down the stairs as they were sitting on both sides of the stairs...the teenagers. Maybe there wasn't any place for them to go and so they chose the stairs. Our cabin was by the library on deck 9 and we had to duck crossing through the library from our cabin because the kids would be throwing footballs there. Even with all of that going on.....little kids screaming and crying on the floor in the dining room and we had second seating; we still had a good cruise. That is until we tried to fly home, but that's another story. I love New Years Eve cruises and this was about our 7th in a row, mostly RCCL but a couple on Princess. My DH says no more to NY Eve cruises for awhile.

 

We went to Portofinos for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. It was fun but the same show we've seen twice before. The rest of the time we ate in the dining room. The food was good, not great. Our weather was great, as was our ports of call; and of course, New Years Eve was fun as always. We were on the Freedom of the Seas last New Years Eve and they handed us a glass of champagne as we boarded, but they didn't do that on the Jewel.

 

Happy Cruising......Sparkle 10 (Anita);)

[SPARKLE10]

Hi Sparkle 10 Again:

 

During our cruise they came around and put little no smoking signs on the cabin doors. We were lucky this time and we were able to enjoy our balcony as no one smoked on either side of us, but with the new rules, I'm sure more people will be out on their balconies. On the Radiance, it was so bad, the smoke from our neighbor's balcony, at all times of the day and night, that we couldn't enjoy our 14 day Hawaii cruise. It seemed as if their smoke always came our way and both of them were always smoking.

 

To the person who asked about the cigar smoking; I seem to believe that there was a lounge on deck 13 that was a cigar lounge. We don't smoke so I'm not real sure about that.

 

They designated two nights out of the 8 as non smoking nights in the casino and that was a big hit; everyone loved it and there were a lot of people in there for the non-smoking nights.

 

Happy Cruising....Sparkle 10:)

[MomtoCCC]

Anita

 

Thanks for the review - sorry the service wasn't up to par. Hopefully it will be better when we go in Feb. We'll make sure we get to the Beatles show - did they say how long it was going to run?

 

Thanks again!

[SPARKLE10]

Hi:

 

The service wasn't bad, it was just that we had just come off the Radiance and they always seem to make it special for everyone. No, I don't know how long the Beatles show will be on the Jewel. If I had known it was that good, I would have tried to see it twice. I'm not sure if the young people enjoyed it as much, but I grew up listening to the Beatles, so I thought it was great. These guys actually looked and sounded just like the originals in my opinion.

 

You will love the Jewel. It's a beautiful ship. I think we're just going to stay away from NY Eve cruises for awhile.

 

Happy Cruising....Sparkle 10 (Anita);)

 

PS The head waiter also told us to go check out the Gala Buffet as they are doing away with them and this was the last cruise where there would be one. I went and looked, didn't take picutures, and I couldn't eat a thing.

[hcat]

Sparkle--thanks so much

Can't wait to see the Beatles show.

 

Would you rec. the Murder Mystery over a regular night at portofinos? I heard it was fun but the menu is much limited....

 

I wonder if the Buffet will be replaced by a dessert buffet or something else exciting! I won't miss it but maybe a Viennese table one night would be fun at an earlier hour...

[fun_one]

Can someone who is sailing on JOS soon tell me if the prices listed on the web page for "Wine Cellar Collection" are the same as the ones in the dining room? I have done the math and don't see the big advantage of those wine packages other than the fact that you can get the wine to go and bring it to your room. I know they say there is about a 25% discount if you order the wine package from the Wine Cellar Collection list when you first board.

 

Thanks!

Barbara

[SPARKLE10]

Hi hcat:

 

I don't know how the menu for Portofinos for the Murder Mystery Theater compares to regular dining there, as we have just dined there for 3 Murder Mystery Theater shows. We had a choice of filet or tiger shrimp, I think was the other choice for the main entree. We ordered the filet, as my DH and myself, we don't eat seafood, but I believe the other choice was seafood of some kind. The meal was very good, but with limited choices, but more than enough food. I had some wine there, that was very good, that was included in the price of the dinner and show. My husband doesn't usually drink wine with me, but he even said it was very good, but I don't know the name of it. I think it's a fun thing to do and the people over act so much, it just makes it all the more enjoyable.

 

We had a guy sitting at our table that asked the head waiter, when she informed us of the ending of the Gala Buffets, if they were going to take the money saved and make the food better in the dining rooms. This couple ate at Chops or Portofinos most of the 8 nights, and they were just at our table a couple of nights. The head waiter didn't know quite how to answer them. This couple was going to Chops for New Years Eve and the head waiter told them the filet at dinner in the Tides Dining Room, would be the same filet they would get in Chops, so this couple cancelled their Chops reservation and ate with us on New Years Eve.

 

Happy Cruising....Sparkle 10 (Anita);)

 

PS As far as other buffets replacing the Gala Buffet, they indicated that there wouldn't be any, except for the ones they have on deck when they have their deck party one night of the cruise.

[MomtoCCC]

Can someone who is sailing on JOS soon tell me if the prices listed on the web page for "Wine Cellar Collection" are the same as the ones in the dining room? I have done the math and don't see the big advantage of those wine packages other than the fact that you can get the wine to go and bring it to your room. I know they say there is about a 25% discount if you order the wine package from the Wine Cellar Collection list when you first board.

 

Thanks!

Barbara

 

 

I think one difference is that when you order the bottles of wine individually then there is a 15% gratiuity charge added. The wine package includes teh 15% gratiuity. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I think any bottle you buy in the dining room you can take back to your room if you don't finish it at dinner. I just ordered 5 bottle package for our upcoming cruise and I plan on taking a bottle back to the room to enjoy from our balcony.

[oldmancurtis]

does anyone know the menus and number of formal, smart casual and casual night there are on a 12 night baltic cruise? and how much is the surcharge for portofinos and chops, have not gone in 5 years?

[fun_one]

First of all, I believe the cost for the specialty restaurants has gone up to $25 each. I guess it used to be $20 but I read it was now $25.

 

As for the wine package.....if the 15% is INCLUDED in those prices, then I would agree that the wine and dine package is a good deal. I did the math and from what I could see the Gold package runs ~$26 per bottle, the Platinum is ~ $28.50 and the Diamond is ~$31.50. If you look at the wines on the Gold package, they run from $25 - just over $30. There are only a few additional wines in the Platinum and Diamond packages and even though the additional wines are slightly higher priced, if you cost average it, it doesn't look like any 25% savings like I have heard. You probably save some but it really depends on which wines you are selecting out of the package. If the gratuity is NOT included, then I don't see any price advantage.

 

Yes, if you buy the Wine and Dine package you can get any bottles in the dining room and bring them to your room which I agree is a GOOD DEAL. When I inquired about just ordering directly from the Wine Cellar Collection (under Deals and Gifts), they told me that they would deliver the bottles to your room and that if you took them to the restaurant, they would charge a $12 corkage fee! That is crazy in my opinon since you bought the wine on board! I could see if you brought your own wine on that they could charge a fee but since RCCL is so strict about that.......oh well!

 

Again, if anyone is on the boat now or gets off it soon, can you let me know if the prices in the dining room match the ones on the web site?

Thanks,

Barbara

 

JOS - February 23rd

[MomtoCCC]

Barbara,

 

On RCCL website it does state that the 15% is included in Wine & Dine package. Plus I think others here have said the same thing. I would be curious to know if the wine prices on-line are accurate. I wish they had a larger selection regardless of package or by the bottle. None of my favorites are on there. When we cruised 3 years ago we were able to bring our own bottles and took them to the dining room (expecting to pay corkage fee but we were never charged) We also brought a bottle of champagne for our anniversary and were not charged a corkage fee for that either.

[time4me2fly]

Sparkle10 Anita)Thanks for your review. I'm guessing holiday cruises must be very trying times for the crew, especially if there are 550 kids onboard. Rules are rules. If parents don't follow them, then how do they get the children to follow the rules? Nice to hear about the Beatle show. Hope they are onboard in June.

[fun_one]

Thank you all for the help. With the 15% built in, the Wine and Dine packages do become a better deal. Prices for the different packages now range from ~$23 - ~$28 per bottle. We will definitely get one even though I agree with the previous post that the wine selection is very poor and the prices are really outrageous. Many of the wines in the Gold selection are under $10 bottles here in Houston! Imagine charging $25 for a bottle of White Zinfandel when it costs $3.99 in any store? That is crazy.

 

In the past we've brought on a case of wine when cruising out of Galveston since we live here and had no problems but I realized those days are over on RCCL.

 

I will still hope someone can shed some light on the prices on the wine in the dining room when they return from a cruise.

 

Thanks again,

Barbara

 

JOS - February 23rd

[oshkosh1]

I have a question for any recent JOS Cruisers. We will be sailing on the 8-day Eastern Itinierary in March. Does anyone know the the seating times for Main and Late Dining?

 

Your help would be appreciated.

 

Tim

[referee]

we were on jewel in early dec...we had early seating at 600 p.m. i believe late seating was 830

[jaspercat]

referee is correct -- I was on the Jewel Dec 9/07 and had late seating -- it was 8:30.

 

This was my first cruise on the Jewel and absolutely loved it/her. I thought the Vision-class were beautiful ships, but the Jewel is amazing. I would sail on her again anytime (need to win the lotto first though) and will still sail on the Vision-class (in fact, I am - Dec/08). Cruise was a 6-night Western. I enjoy the dining room, but did have late afternoon lunch most days at the Seaview. The Solarium is a very nice spot to read / swim / relax in. Layout of Latte-Tudes and the Champage Lounge I found very nice (gotta like being able to sit and enjoy a good cup of coffee and a nice glass of wine/champagne and enjoy the view at the same time. Loved the flamingoes. We were a full ship, but found it not crowded.

 

Anyone sailing on her soon -- have a great cruise - you will enjoy her.

[Desertbelle]

Curses Jaspercat, how am I going to be able to wait 5 more months for our Jewel cruise when you write such things?!?!? :confused::D

[jaspercat]

Curses Jaspercat, how am I going to be able to wait 5 more months for our Jewel cruise when you write such things?!?!? :confused::D

 

 

:D :D :D :D I could have gone on and on an on!!!!! Know what you mean -- when I started checking these threads for info on her last year I thought my countdown screeched to a halt! The Schooner Bar is also nice and you access Portofino's and Chops through it. You also have to walk through it if you are going to the Safari Club. Went to the Pit Stop once (to catch NFL Thursday) - lots of TV's and a fun spot. Donated to the casino (slots) a few times.