RaiderCruiser1971

I'll be on this sailing, as well. First Alaska cruise (I've done three others - Mexican Riviera, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean), and looking forward to something different, yet the same (does that even make sense?).

I don't think this is considered one of the "mega ships" anymore, but it is still a very large vessel. I was on sister ship Voyager back in '08, and loved it. I really liked the promenade, the rock wall and other activities that come with being on a larger ship (the Voyager at the time didn't have the Flow Rider, so I'm looking forward to trying that, weather permitting). At the same time, it still felt like you were at sea, not the downtown area of Anytown, USA, which I feel (admittedly, from just looking at pictures) you would get on the mega-ships like the Oasis-class.

I was just on the Jewel, and noticed there was quite a variety of interpretations of "formal night" - everything from a few tuxes to no different from the casual nights (there were two formal nights, which I believe is the norm for a seven-night cruise). Personally, I wore slacks, blazer and tie and nobody asked me to leave the dining room. :) If you're really concerned about it, there are plenty of other dining options onboard - you don't need to eat in the dining room every night (Windjammer, room service, Johnny Rockets (is it open in the evenings?), specialty restaurants, etc.).

I must say that after my recent Jewel cruise (1/24 - 1/31) I've really caught the cruising bug (kind of weird that it didn't happen after my first two). I just need to figure out how I can work it out financially to reach the Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club in the Crown & Anchor Society. :) That, and how NOT to gain seven pounds in a week! :o

OK, I'm getting really excited for our upcoming Jewel of the Seas Southern Caribbean cruise, but I have a couple of questions.

1. What kind of toiletries do they have? Don't know if it makes a difference, but we'll be staying in an inside cabin. I imagine they'll have bars of soap and/or soap dispenser, but what about shampoo, lotion, etc.?

2. With the ship sailing at 8:30 PM and the muster drill between 7:00 and 8:30, how do they do dinner that evening?

Thanks.

Thank you all for your feedback, especially the link to the ports of call forums - and for not slamming me for not going there first! :o

Hi everyone.

In January my wife and I and my parents and siblings (and their spouses) are going on the Jewel of the Seas, leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I've done a little bit of research on different things to do at each of the stops, but would like to know what experiences people have had. The ports are: Bridgetown, Barbados; Castres, St. Lucia; St. Johns, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

Any information on which stops would be best for snorkeling, zip-lining, just hitting the beach, shopping or seeing the sights will be appreciated (as well as if there is anything at any of the ports that we should avoid).

Thank you.