Reveiw: Jewel Of The Seas From Boston To Caribbean...repo Oct. 28 - Nov. 6

[CGTNORMANDIE]

THE JEWEL OF THE SEAS IS A GEM!!!

 

We just returned from the JOS and I want everyone to know that the JOS has to be the most beautiful ship in the entire RCI fleet. The workmanship and quality of materials are evident throughout the ship. Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany...We salute you...WELL DONE!!!

 

I have been on many RCI ships for inspection tours but I have to confess I am a CELEBRITY kind of cruiser...This was actually our first RCI cruise and we were not disappointed!!! We four, my wife, mother in-law, and aunt, all felt that the JOS was a wonderful ship in many ways.

 

EMBARKATION: The JOS had completed her scheduled Canadian cruises and was ready to make her debut in Caribbean waters...this was the inaugural voyage to the Caribbean with Captain Thore Thorvolsen in command.

 

We live in the metro Boston area so getting to the ship was a breeze. Our friend gave us a ride to the pier but we actually had to hire a cab to follow us with the luggage!!! (We love to cruise and dressing appropriately is part of the fun.) Not to worry...the porters at the pier handled everything smoothly and with great courtesy. They directed us into the main entrance and we were processed immediately. Kudos to the folks at Black Falcon Terminal!!! They did an excellent job of moving all the passengerrs and luggage. The Black Falcon Terminal is a modern and efficient operation. Everyone onboard the JOS felt that this was the best embarkation they had ever experienced. It was a joy to leave from Boston on this voyage!!!

 

We moved right through the security area (Yes...we boarded with all of our favorite beverages: wine, diet Pepsi, Champagne and various juices and mixers...No questions asked.) The cabins were closed off until 1:00...Our cabin was being shown to the tour groups so we had to wait until 1:00. RCI did have a place near the Tides Restaurant where you could leave your luggage and claim it at 1:00 PM...this worked nicely for us.

 

After a leisurely lunch, and tour of the ship, we were able to go to our beutiful home for the next 9 days. We were very fortunate to have been able to book THE ROYAL SUITE on the JOS!!! There was plenty of room for the 4 of us. The RS is stunning and very large...The reception area leads to the outside veranda which is about 35' long with 2 chaise lounges and an outside table with 2 more chairs which left a lot of space to walk around.

 

The living room is vast and includes an area with a baby grand piano (pre-programed to play differnt moods of music), a big living room area with 2 couches and 2 nice chairs, a dining area with a big table and 4 chairs and a wet bar with 2 large stools. (My only complaint was that the refrigerator was too small and inadequate...we had to call for a lot of ice...LOL!!!) The living room area had 2 large painted murals and a statue over the electronics cabinet. The suite was equiped with all the fun stuff...DVD, CD, Large flat screen TV that was hidden in the wall behind automatic wood panelled doors. The lighting, cutains, TV, CD, DVD and everything were controled from walll buttons and a central computer type remote control panel that could be removed from the charger and carried around the suite with you (ideal for shutting everything down at night). The bar area was thick polished granite with a brass sink and there was a lot of nice wood work. Overall...the suite was bright and the marble floor in the entry way really made an impression as you entered. Another very nice feature was the full marble bathroom off the entry way which made for 2 full bathrooms in the suite.

 

The master bedroom and bathroom were spectacular. The bedroom had a bay window of floor to ceiling glass that looked down 12 stories to the water. There was a full length walk-in closet behind the king-sized bed that easily accommodated 4 adults!!!

 

The master bathroom was a work of art. Both bathrooms were floor to ceiling marble. The master bath had a large Jacuzzi, a double vanity with 2 gorgeous cobalt blue bowls above the granite counter sinks. There was a seperate room with a toilet and bidet. There was a seperate shower area beside the Jacuzzi and this was a full marble double shower with 3 heads and steam on demand.

 

The heat and air had 3 zones and provided a very comfortable atmosphere.

 

If you have a suite you also have access to the Concierge Lounge with the services of M-Pho who was an incredible Concierge. M-Pho would provide just about any request you wanted...he was fantastic. The Concierge Lounge offered gourmet coffee and Italian espresso/capucino available 24 hours a day. There was a continentle breakfast with juices set up every morning...Afternoon Tea snacks and teas...And hot hors d'ouvres with a full complimentary bar from 5:30 to 9:30 every night. This was a very nice touch that shows the level of respect that RCI gives to its Diamond members and Suite occupants. The Diamond Concierge was set up in the Odessey Lounge on Deck 13...The suite passengers had their choice of either one.

 

The decor of the public rooms is very nice. Most ships strike me as over-done but the JOS is just perfect. The art work throughout the ship is better than any ship I have seen in ages. The color schemes and use of wood makes the JOS one of the most beautiful ships sailing today. Most ships are overblown in their colors and decor...The JOS got it right...she is stunning. the atrium and use of laser lights enhances the art. Even the elevators off the Atrium are beautiful and efficient as well. There was never a problem waiting...sometimes around dinner time the elevators were slower but never a problem.

 

There were many activities and the crew was outstanding. Captain Thorvolsen was a great promoter of the JOS...He was the Captain who took the JOS out for trials with the experts from Meyer Werft. His love for the JOS was evident. Our Cruise Critic group..."THE ROYAL JEWELS" presented Captain Thorvolsen with a nice certificate honoring the JOS for her inaugural cruise to the Caribbean. We made him an official member of THE ROYAL JEWELS and he promised to wear his RJ lapel pin with pride...We had a good time and a lot of laughs while we explained the definition of a PUNA to Captain Thorvolsen...he is a very gregarious and affable man with a good sense of humor...a perfect fit for RCI.

 

The dining room operation was a bit shaky the first night (the table location was too near to the service station where the waiters dumped the dirty dishes...my aunt could not hear the conversation at the table because of all the clatter) but we had our table changed and received excellent service thereafter. Thanks to Francisco, the Table Captain, and our waiters Tarkan and Christian...they were superb. The dining room service was excellent and the food was very wholesome...not quite as good as CELEBRITY but...the service more than made up for the soft spots. The food and menus reminded me of selections from years ago in the transatlantic tourist class...good but not quite first class...more comfort food. We did have some very nice meals. The lobster was actually from Maine!!! The prime rib was fantastic!!!

 

The first formal night was spent at the Captain's Table and we were able to meet and enjoy Captain Thorvolsen who was the perfect congenial host for this occasion.

 

THE WINDJAMMER CAFE:

 

The cafe set-up was user friendly and the passengers flowed freely inside and out. The food was good...not great...more home-style than restaurant-style. The menu was basic and your best bet was the carving station with Mary-Anne from Trinidad. The pizza was blah and the pasta was so-so but there was always something to interest the palate. The sea food paella was excellent and the stir fry and chinese dishes were good. the burgers were precooked and overcoooked but the fries were very good.

 

The Sea View Cafe on 11 Deck was also a good spot to have lunch...the food selection was limited but good.

 

THE HALLOWEEN PARTY: We had a fantastic time with the Halloween party and there were 500 party-goers in the Safari Lounge and Congo Bar. A great time was had by all!!!

 

THE JEWEL IS A GEM: I won't bother with the stops in San Juan, Aruba or Curacao...for me...the ship is the destination and you can't go wrong with THE JEWEL OF THE SEAS.

 

ANY QUESTION???

 

ROSS

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Ross,

Thanks for your review. Sounds like you had a great time! I'll be travelling on The Serenade in Jan and was wondering if they have 2 concierge lounges on the ships now? What's the difference in the two?

[emmy]

Ross,

Enjoyed so much reading your review..I so look forward to experiencing out first Radiance Class vessel after two Voyager class cruises. Your report just confirms what the pictures seem to show about how beautiful this ship is.

 

We are in a deck 10 aft balcony 1604 and can't wait to sail away on the Jewel in April.

 

Thanks again

 

Emmy :)

[skiiergirl]

Ross...Thanks for the review. We'll be on her in less than two weeks. (Not in the RS though.) Lucky you in the RS! One of these days I'm going to win the lottery and when I do it is RS here I come. lol

[bhughey]

Thanks so much for the review-- we'll be on the Transatlantic taking her back to Europe in May and cannot wait!!!!!

[redhead621]

Ross thanks so much for the review. I can't wait to sail on her in January. Your post has me really looking forward to it. I am also from the Boston area and kicked myself for not booking this one. It really is nice to sail from Boston. Last year we had this opportunity on the Grandeur's repositioning and you are so much more relaxed without that flight to the port.

[jstducky]

ross - glad to hear you had a great time! i was on jewel back in september and i too was blown away by how beautiful the ship was!

 

i totally fell in love with the radiance class ships that i already booked jewel's sister ship, serenade for next summer!

[lanabanana]

Thank you for taking the time to post. We are on this same repo cruise in '05, but certainly not in the RS! This cruise is already sold out for next year.

 

What time did you arrive at the terminal to begin the boarding process? We are from VT and will be driving to BOS to pick up the ship. We're trying to decide how to work out the car/pier/airport situation, since we'll be sailing from the pier and arriving at the airport 13 days later. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

HI GANG!!!

 

DONNA: When the ship is loaded with Diamond members they open up the Odessey Lounge for the Diamond members. The Suite people can use either lounge...some folks bounced around between the 2.

 

EMMY: You are going to love 1604!!! I tried to get some friends to take that cabin but they couldn't make it.

 

LANA: This is always a good question. You could try a fly and park deal on the North shore or near the airport. You could take a hotel room and stay over the night before and leave the car in the hotel lot...a lot of hotels will let you do this. You can park at the ship for $10-$12 per day...arrive early around 10:30 AM if you want to use the pier garage...an easy $15 ride from the airport.

 

ROSS

[GMIKEG]

I had friends that went on this cruise and said that the weather was

horrible and that it rained all the time. They also said that Portofino's did not have any pasta on the menu. The food was not that good also. All and all they

were very disappointed with this trip.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

HI GMIKE!!!

 

I think your friends might have gone on an earlier cruise to Canada. We were in the Caribbean and there was plenty of pasta in Portofino...Portofino and Chops were fannnnnnntastic!!! Tell you friends to try again...they definitely were not on the same cruise as we were on...I have more than 110 members from The Society of THE ROYAL JEWELS who will attest to the great time and wonderful crew and ambiance onboard the JEWEL OF THE SEAS!!!

 

ROSS

[GMIKEG]

Ross:

 

 

They also said that the drinks on board were in the $8.00 range. Food was not as good as other RCL trips they had been on. Also that a lot of people were getting sick because of the rough seas and bad weather.

[madforcruising]

Hi Ross,

 

Great Review!!! Thanks so much. I really enjoyed reading although of course it makes me want to go back. You are so right she is a beauty.

I´m glad you have had such a great cruise and I didn´t promise you too much about the ship.

 

Hope to see some of your pics too.

[clivenruth]

We sailed Monarch of the Seas way back when and Thore was Captain. We had the pleasure of dining with him at the Captain's Table. His young wife and infant daughter were on board for 3 sailings and he was absolutely delightful. His wife joined us that night and entertained us with stories of how they met, married and share a life with his frequent absences.

 

Best Captain we have had thus far due to his accessibility and personality! Nice to know he is still around and able to provide others with his sailing expertise!

 

Ruthie

[CGTNORMANDIE]

HI GMIKE!!!

 

The seas were only choppy 2 times for 1/2 a day or so. (This was a repositioning from Boston and the Atlantic Ocean is known to be less than placid from time to time.)

 

The drinks were $5.75 if you did not order top shelf. I think your friends must have gotten off to a bad start or something. We had more fun and I mean we had 2 groups...one was with my TA and they were having a great time and the other group was THE ROYAL JEWELS and if you don't believe me just go to RCI Meet and Mingle and read the last 2 pages of our thread pertaining to this voyage...complete with pictures and web albums!!! We had an absolute blast!!!

 

ROSS

[CGTNORMANDIE]

THANKS!!! Nobody knows the JEWEL better than you do!!!

 

ROSS

[negc]

GMIKE : I think your friends were either on a different cruise than we were or they are not experienced cruisers. The only time drinks were in the $8 range was if they ordered them in the souvenier glasses which they could keep. It did rain in the evening in San Juan (we stayed onboard and watched the Patriots debacle :( ) and there were brief showers one day and in the morning when we arrived in Curaçao, but in all cases it cleared up quickly and we had wonderful time at beaches on both islands, and had a great Pub and Bar Crawl in Aruba. Seas were a bit rough as we headed south from Boston, but the ship rode very well, and the speed it can attain got us into warmer and calmer seas very quickly. Actually one day in the Caribbean it was rougher than we experienced in the Atlantic, but weather and sea conditions are not things that can be controlled by the cruiseline. There were so many diamond members onboard that they opened a second concierge lounge in the Hollywood Odyssey, but actually diamond and suite members could choose to frequent either. Mpho was great.

We enjoyed our cruise and our fellow cruisers so much that we have booked next year's westbound transatlantic and the r/t Boston- Bermuda- Caribbean on October 22, 2005.

I am sorry that your friends were disappointed in their cruise. It happens and even if 98% of the passengers are highly satisfied, that still leaves some 50 or so passengers who aren't. I know that all of our friends who cruised with us and the vast majority of the folks we met onboard had a fantastic time and are looking forward to their next cruise.

[PH8]

All I know is if I went with the RJs,it probably would have been the BEST time of my life................

 

It's all what you make of it..................I have had lousy weather and not so good food,but had a FABULOUS time...................

[cruisercheri]

GMikeG,

 

I suppose you can go with that old saying 'you can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time'.....

 

With that said, we were a group of 4 couples who had an ABSOLUTE BLAST! 2 of the couples were members of the ROYAL JEWELS (hi Ross! - miss ya!! - miss you all!!!!!!). We attended 3 private parties - one with our travel agents. All in all, the ship is gorgeous, the drinks were mostly $5.75 or $5.95 for the specials where you could keep the glass or mug - but beer was $3.00-4.50 and regular drinks $4 and up. The food was good to fantastic - nothing bad. Steaks were supurb - breads and pastries to die for (anyone have that awesome chocolate cake the last formal night?). The staff were friendly, helpful and worked their tails off to please us - and were rewarded in kind. The captain is the nicest man - he truly loves the ship and his job - we were fortunate enough to have a private meeting with him (we being the Royal Jewels) - such a lovely man! Weather? OK, it rained in San Juan and for a couple of hours early in the morning after we got to Curacao, but as my fellow ship mates pointed out, the skies cleared up and it was a glorious day. Aruba was wonderful - sunny and hot all day with a gorgeous breeze. None of us got 'sick' - only a few short periods of rocky times - the rest was smooth. I'd return to this ship anytime. Sorry to hear your friends didn't enjoy the ship. BTW - the entertainment was wonderful! Very professional and excellent! We just wish we were still on board with everyone - sniff sniff!

 

Cheryl

[ria]

Ok, Im stupid, who and what are the Royal Jewels???

 

Ria

[cruisercheri]

I will defer to our fearless leader, Ross to answer your question. And Ross, kindly explain 'Puna Puna Puna'!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

THANKS SO MUCH CHERI!!! AND WE MISS ALL OF YOU TOO!!!

 

Hi Ria!!!

 

The Society of "THE ROYAL JEWELS" is a very elite group of cruisers who formed their organization on Cruise Critics. I posted the thread for the Boston Repo Cruise a year ago last November and as the other folks emailed in we started to form a very close bond. We evolved into THE ROYAL JEWELS and created an entire cruise activity itinerary for the above cruise. We even had custom lapel pins designed so we could recognize each other onboard. I will give you just a few examples of our activities:

 

Pre Cruise Party at Castle Island on September 18 th. to wave at the JEWEL OF THE SEAS as she sailed by...with cocktails (PUNAS...the official name for cocktails with THE ROYAL JEWELS!!!) and dinner at the Farragut House in South Boston. We had 22 RJs in attendance.

 

Sailaway onboard the JOS from BOSTON on October 28th. Held outside the Windjammer Cafe at 5:30 PM...attended by more than 50 RJs.

 

TEXAS "HOLD EM" TOURNEMENT...conducted by Kevin Priestley, our Chairman of "THE NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE". This tournement went on for 3 days.

 

FIRST GATHERING OF ROYAL JEWELS...in the Congo Bar on Friday October 29th. at 12:00 Noon...attended by over 75 RJs. We also bought shares in our horse racing syndicate (a division of the Nefarious Activities Commitee) for the purposes of buying a horse at the horse race auction.

 

Official MEET AND MINGLE PARTY...held on Halloween at 5:30 PM. More than 75 RJs attended...The RCI Cruise Coordinator, Tracy Cass, said this was the absolute biggest Cruise Critic turnout in history!!!

 

THE HALLOWEEN PARTY...everyone attended in costume and had an blast!!!

 

LITTLE LEAGUE BANNER PRESENTATION, CURACAO LITTLE LEAGUE. We had a huge 8 X 4 foot banner made (thanks to Kevin Priestley our NAC Chairman) congratualting the kids from Curacao for winning the World Championship Little League Title last August. The banner was presented from THE ROYAL JEWELS, at a dockside ceremony, to a delagation from the Curacao Bureau of Tourism. They were totally elated with the banner.

 

HORSE RACING AUCTION AND RACES: We bought the horse (we had 48 RJs who purchased shares) but came in second. We managed to bet the excess funds on the winner and then met in the Casino where we played the funds out in the $5 machine...lost again but had a whole lot of fun doing it!!!

 

PRESENTATION AND INDUCTION FOR CAPTAIN TOROLVSEN...Friday, November 5th. at 11:30 AM in the Main Conference Room onboard the JOS. We inducted Captain Thore Torolvsen into The Society of "THE ROYAL JEWELS" whereupon he was officially sworn in and given our OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION which commemorated the INAUGURAL VOYAGE OF THE JEWEL OF THE SEAS TO THE CARIBBEAN. The certificate was also accompanied by the official lapel pin. More than 50 RJs were in attendance to meet and greet our newest member. Captain Thore was also given instruction in the correct definition and recognition of THE PUNA...which is the official drink of THE ROYAL JEWELS.

 

We had many PUNA meetings along the way and I can recall several meetings, in the casino, of our "Sanctum Sanctorum" (Board of Directors) with our Chairman, Mr. Weary. There were also many informal meetings for PUNA consumption...too many to mention!!! LOL!!!

 

We are now starting to plan our reunion for next year. For more information go to Royal Caribbean Meet and Mingle and look for THE JEWEL OF THE SEAS REPO FROM BOSTON. I hope this helps RIA!!!

 

ROSS "GRAND KAHUNA" of "The Society of THE ROYAL JEWELS"

[Luna]

Loved your review! DH and I have booked a cruise on the JOS next October for his birthday. We love the idea that we can roll out of bed, jump into a cab, and end up at the cruise terminal in 20-25 minutes without having to fly (DH doesn't like flying, but will if necessary).

 

What time were you able to board the ship? How long did the boarding process at Black Falcon Pier take?

[cruisercheri]

Luna,

 

We arrived at the dock around 11 AM - walked right up to the counter and checked in (have your paperwork all ready so you don't have to stop and write it out), gave them our credit card, was given our sea pass within 5 minutes and walked on the ship 10 minutes later - I would guess around 11:20!!

 

We met up with friends who got on before us and walked up one deck to the Schooner Bar (awesome place - goes right into the Safari and Congo bars after passing the self leveling pool tables) and relaxed with our first 'puna' until 12:45 PM when we were able to get into our cabins to drop off the carry ons - then right on up to deck 11 to the Windjammer for lunch!! After lunch, our luggage was in our cabins, so we unpacked then roamed around the ship to get familiarized.

 

Oh, don't get me started - I'll cry! We've been home 4 days and I still wish we were back on our JOS with the RJ's!!!! wahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! You will have a ball!!!!!! Do start or check to see if there's already a thread for your cruise. I didn't start chatting with our group until a few weeks before the cruise - many had been chatting on our thread for a year!! I only found the thead the beginning of the year and just checked in from time to time to read what people were saying. I won't make that mistake again!!!

 

I KNOW you will enjoy your cruise. The ship is wonderful!

 

Cheryl

[Firefighterhoop]

Glad you liked it! I go on that cruise next year on 11/1/05!!!!