seeseasport

I'm trying to start a roll call, not sure if this is the way to do it.

Anyone going on the Rhapsody of the Seas from Tampa on January 28, 2018?

This is the second part of a back to back for us, we are on the Ruby Jan. 17 for the West Coast get away. Looking forward to this cruise as these be all new ports for us. We've never been on the Ruby either. :o

Diane & Charlie

Houston, Texas

I have a few questions as we will be on the jewel next week. Which place did you like eating the best? Were there lot of kids on board?

 

What time did you arrive at the cruise dock and did you use the lattitudes line? Was there plenty of lounge chairs availabile throughout the ship on sea days?

 

How was your weather? Finally thanks in advance for not only your original post but answers to my questions.

We just got back yesterday from the Jewel. We did not use any of the specialty restaurants this time, the 'free' ones were great. There is one a little fancy in the back of the ship (Tzar's Palace) and one less fancy (Azura) both with the same menu. Then there's the pub on Deck 8 and of course the buffet on Deck 12. My very favorite specialty restaurant is the Modreno but you have to like meat!

We arrived at the dock about 10:30 am and thought that was perfect timing, you go up to the front of the terminal to check in and once you get your sea card you wait for them to call your number to board. You'll be on board in time for lunch. The buffet is extremely crowded the first day but one of the main dining rooms will be open and we found it was not crowded at all. Be patient the first day as the elevators are very busy, use the stairs or be prepared to wait. I don't remember a latitudes line so I don't think we used it but we just went where we were told to go.

We had great weather except for the last sea day, it was cold and rainy. We founds lots to do inside though and the day went fast.

Enjoy your cruise!

Just got home from a 7 day Jewel cruise. Second time on her and 14th on NCL. Loved every cruise. However, I don't think any ship has had a crew as super nice and sweet as was the Jewel crew this past week. Wow. What a great group of NCL folks, all of them. Two of my favorites were going on vacation immediately and then returning to other ships though. Anyhow, all of you Jewel folks, you are truly outstanding. Thank you!!!

 

The Jewel looked great I thought. The recent dry dock replaced a lot of interior cosmetic items apparently. She looked really nice. Houston port was a super easy get on and get off experience for us. Texas does have the really stupid alcohol tax though, which includes locking and sealing with an "official Texas seal" the mini refridg the last night. Texas, you're really silly!

 

The whole experience, we were as happy as can be.

We also just returned yesterday from 7 days on the Jewel, I agree the staff was fantastic, best we've ever had. The ship was clean, the food was great, the entertainment fantastic. We'll do NCL again.

How can anyone go on a cruise and never spend anything? I save all year to enable me to enjoy my cruise to the fullest! Not buying any drinks, avoiding the casino, etc, etc---why? I'm sorry, but why bother with the cruise if you don't fully enjoy all that it has to offer? We will be cruising again this Feb 2015 with other family members, and I KNOW I will have a huge statement because we love to treat our children, their spouses, and grandchildren! I will admit that when my husband and I cruise alone (no other family members), we can keep it under $1,000. We are very careful about what excursions we choose, etc. But we all know, alcohol is not cheap on a cruise, and who can dine without a good glass of wine? And a great Mojito when enjoying some Latin music and dancing? Water, tea, coffee only??? I don't think so!! LOL!!

To each his own. We don't drink at home and don't enjoy drinking so almost never indulge in that. We don't enjoy gambling so don't do that. We do enjoy the shows, lectures, and other on board activities that don't cost anything. If we wanted to we could spend a lot but we're happy to just cruise and enjoy the experience. We do spend more if we cruise with the children and grandchildren because we love to treat them to a good time but we don't cruise with them very often. We always have a great time when we cruise and it doesn't cost us a fortune to have fun. :)

I see no reason to be rude, everyone has their favorite as do I. I've been on 3 different cruise lines and have a 4th coming up. I'm looking forward to trying a different line. If I don't like it I won't go back to that line. Of the 3 that I've been on so far there is 1 that wouldn't do again unless friends and/or family wanted to. We've never had a bad time on a cruise, we just prefer some of the lines more than others. :)

Our last cruise our bill was $8.24, I think it was for a diet coke and one alcohol drink. The cruise before that we spent $50.29 because we decided to try one of the specialty restaurants. We don't gamble, once in awhile we'll do a shore excursion if we see one we really want. Mostly we spend less than $100 for extras for both of us for 7 days. We cruise for the fun of cruising and don't feel the need for the extras.