Jewel - enough to do on sea days? (assuming not pool weather)

[newbie280106]

Hi there,

I'm considering a Baltic cruise in early June on the NCL Jewel. The itinerary is quite interesting and all of the ports will be busy days with the exception of the 'Berlin' stop where we don't want to take the long ride into town and will likely just explore the port town (Warnemuende).

I believe that the likely weather that time of year is rather chilly for hanging out by the pool (mid 50's to mid 60s) so is there enough on board to keep us occupied on the 4 sea days?

As a backgrounder I"' in my early 30's and traveling with my late 50's mom. We'll certainly want some rest time to balance the likely busy port days but won't want to read a book for 4 days straight.

What type of of activities are available during the sea days that people have found enjoyable?

Thanks

[Ottawa Lynne]

DH and I were on the Jewel for her Feb 1 sailing (9 days Carribean). Neither of us are pool people - we never sat out by the pool the whole trip. I looked a couple of times for loungers in the shade but could never find one.

 

That said, I did read a lot (we had a balcony and I loved to read my book out there - I read 5 while on board). I brought my laptop and wrote emails that I later uploaded for my friends and family. I napped :o)

 

Other stuff that I did - I went to the spa and loved it. They have heated lounge chairs that defy description - they are absolutely heavenly and I've never seen anything like them.

 

Trivia was a lot of fun - I didn't know at least 90% of the answers and I still had a good time (DH did - he's a trivia nut). We played trivia in the morning a couple of times (when it didn't interfere with ports) and played movie trivia in the evening a few times.

 

We went to the seminar on future cruises - a little too much of a hard sell at the beginning but super interesting to learn about other places norwegian sails.

 

We went to the improv seminar - I cannot recommend this enough. Even if you're not a comedy lover, you'll learn a lot about listening from these folks.

 

We went to some of the "gameshows" like the not-so-newlywed game (definite do not miss), Family Feud (not all that good) and quest (interesting and funny but a little riske).

 

We also went to quite a bit of the entertainment - it was all interesting to see and by in large I really enjoyed it.

 

Some of the stuff I didn't do - shoot hoops, try my hand at the golf-thing (you try to hit a target), play Wii, the booze tasting (extra charge for that, but I don't drink), the various seminars (e.g., towel animal making, beading, etc) and card games -- I'm sure I'm missing some.

 

Oh, and then there's the casino (not my thing but DH enjoyed a few hours there).

 

Have fun!

 

Lynne

[garycarla]

We did 5 or 6 days at sea. Never went to pool, and kept busy.

 

Always lots to do. Bars are always open!

[NorthernNeighbour]

Treat your Mom to a day at the SPA on board the ship.

[gagirl100]

We also do not care for laying out in the sun. We played Scrabble in the game room (overlooking the ocean), participated in a scavenger hunt and the murder mystery dinner, and went to alot of the activities in the night. It seems that every night there would have a show in the Stardust theater at 7:30, and they would have back to back activities in the Spinnaker Lounge. In the afternoons we would get our clothes ready for dinner and go to an early dinner so that we could be in the Stardust Theater by 7:00. You need to get to the shows about 30 minutes before they start so you can get a seat.

[kodos]

I love the sea days which is why I like some of the longer trips. There is always something to do. I'm also not sure there ever is a non-pool day except during a Trans-Atlantic trip. They have the ability to heat the water and as long as the sun is out it is pretty nice. I have been in the pool during Baltic, Alaskan, and Canadian cruises.

 

I would also reconsider the train trip. I really enjoyed Berlin and considered it very worth it.

[Cosmopolitan]

Hi there,

I believe that the likely weather that time of year is rather chilly for hanging out by the pool (mid 50's to mid 60s) so is there enough on board to keep us occupied on the 4 sea days?

As a backgrounder I"' in my early 30's and traveling with my late 50's mom. We'll certainly want some rest time to balance the likely busy port days but won't want to read a book for 4 days straight.

What type of of activities are available during the sea days that people have found enjoyable?

Thanks

 

The Jewel is a beautiful ship.

 

When we cruise Canada/NE, we bring jackets and sit on the promenade and read while enjoying our Irish coffee.

 

Many passengers to talk with and beautiful, relaxing views.

 

We also eat, eat, on port days;)

 

I've never finished even one book on a cruise:)

[NorthernNeighbour]

We did 5 or 6 days at sea. Never went to pool, and kept busy.

 

Always lots to do. Bars are always open!

 

Ditto for us -- we have done THREE transatlantic trips in the last three years and never had a dull day while at sea. We went to lectures, trivia, the cinema (but now they have DVD players in many staterooms), bingo, the spa, the gym. But never actually felt the need to visit a bar during the day!

[Ms belp]

There is the library, the game room, always something to do, somewhere on the ship. My personal favorite is to sit on my balcony and read!

[roxette]

To say it is bad weather/cold i june in Scandinavia is not true.

It can be very hot, around 90 degrees Farhenheit. While in july it can be 55 degrees and rain for 25 days.

 

So, don't be sure that it is bad weather.

 

Where I live, close to Copenhagen, the 10 warmest days of the year were in early/mid june 2004 and 2006.

[Froggitt]

10am Holdem poker tourney in the casino.......$60 buyin.

[Jill SC]

The weather on a Baltic cruise can be quite nice in June. Besides, you can always be in the hot tub during a cool day. But don't despair, on sea days there is always lots to do, movies, lectures, bingo, trivia games, the gym, walking the deck, tennis or basketball, golf simulator, library, bars, etc.

We spent our day in Warnemunde - It is a german resort town - lots of touristy things to do. There is also a beach if the weather is warm enough.