Marion B

Thanks for posting. Experienced cruisers whose first NCL cruise will be on this ship in two weeks. I'm encouraged by what I'm reading.

Welcome back,

Marion

Megacruiser,

Your review has given me a good idea of what to expect on my upcoming first cruise on NCL and has enhanced my anticipation.

Your review of the QM2 has brought back wonderful memories of my time on her and made me realize that once was not enough.

Now I'm off to read your Queen Elizabeth review.

The time and effort you have devoted to your in-depth reviews is most appreciated.

I hope you are sailing again soon, because no matter what line you choose, I look forward to your thoughts and they could very well open my mind to expanding my horizons to a new (to me) cruise line.

Regards,

Marion

Thanks OP and to all posters who have posted the ins and outs of the Jewel. We are experienced cruiser but first timers to NCL.

Very much looking forward to boarding the Jewel in a month and especially appreciate knowing where I can get my early morning caffeine fix.

Marion

Johan,

I too enjoyed putting a face to the review. Until we meet again smooth sailings to you,

Marion

Johan,

I hate to see your cruise end. I have been entertained and enlightened, with great pics and helpful dailies and menus.

Smooth sailings to you and DP.

Marion

OP,

Your review and food pictures continue to excite and inspire me to book, so much so that I have booked all 7 nights of the cruise. I figure it's better to have our preferred times locked in and cancel later if we change our minds.

I'm happy to report that the online reservation is easy and with the UDP, the confirmation shows no charge.

Looking forward to your next installment.

Thanks again,

Marion

OP, please add me to the list of your fans. Thanks to you, I am seriously considering pricing out an upsell, and, if the cost is doable, surprising DH. We have been spoiled by the suite life on another cruise line, but from what you've posted, I think NCL will give that other line some stiff competition.

In looking at your other NCL cruises in your signature, I'm wondering - do you have a favorite NCL ship? If so, why?

Marion

Thanks divamimi312 for the heads up on the e-docs.

OP, I have learned more about NCL from your thread than the NCL site, especially about the suite life. This is a trial run for us, but I wouldn't be surprised to be back again - in a suite next time.

Marion

Thanks OP and mncruiser84 for your responses - unfortunately, my e-docs were not available for printing after the onlinecheck-in; I called NCL and they advised me that since we had a guaranty cabin (the only option available at booking), we won't be able to do the e-docs until a month or so before departure.

Has this been your experience? I'll just keep checking and I'm optimistic that we'll have them before embarkation.

mncruiser84 - very much looking forward to our first Ncl cruise!

Marion

OP,

Do you remember how much before your cruise you received your boarding passes? We just did our on-line check-in for a March 28th departure and am wondering when and how we get our docs.

Thanks,

Marion

Thanks OP.

This thread has really increased my anticipation that we are trying something new instead of our usual cruise line.

Marion

Loving this review, especially the great pics and daily program.

Since we are new to NCL, a question about the specialty restaurants: we have the specialty dining package but are not in a suite - does this allow us in any of the specialty restaurants for lunch, or is that reserved for the suite people only?

Marion

Sue in Florida - enjoyed meeting you and Jean also.

Donna - check your e-mail.

After completing my first Azamara cruise, I can say without doubt that the sense of community I felt onboard was greater than ever experienced on any other cruise line - loved the personal interaction with passengers (and crew) made possible by the smaller ship size.

Also, for those who will be sailing with Captain Jose, you are in for a treat - I am a fan.

Marion

We were on this cruise also; for the first time in 10 years (including a bad storm out of San Francisco) dh and I experienced seasickness. Loved our first Azamara experience, but wondering if this size ship is too small for us.

On the last two sea days, no problem.

OP (Donna) - enjoyed chatting with you and dh - hope your return trip avoided weather problems.

Marion

Tim,

Really enjoyed your narrative and photos. Very disappointed that the medical department was less than helpful in assisting you with Rosy's treatment. Hope her full recovery will be sooner rather than later.

Marion

Tim,

I enjoyed your interesting and informative blog - thanks for taking the time to post.

Smooth and safe return flights for you and Rosy.

Marion

Tim,

Very much enjoying the continuing commentary and photos.

Do you like the location of your cabin (we will be in one next door on our upcoming cruise)?

Please tell Rosy I absolutely love that red dress of hers.

Marion

Hi Tim,

Wishing you smooth flights and a fabulous sailing. As our first Azamara cruise will occur in a few months, I am especially interested in your observations. Also, your itinerary is on my "to do" list and I look forward to reading about your adventures.

Love photos and looking forward to more.

Bon voyage Tim (and Rosy)!

Marion

We weren't on the Pub Crawl, but after reading the anonymous cruiser's comments in the Sun Sentinel article, I was able to reach two people who were part of the event.

To say that they disagree vehemently with anonymous cruiser is an understatement; they are in complete agreement with OzzieCruiser36, that this was not an out-of-control, frat party group, being lead by a drunk HAL employee.

I don't doubt for one minute that OzzieCruiser came in contact with the whiners and complainers. I figured that they were out there, but we were lucky enough to have not come in contact with them.

Marion

We just disembarked the Eurodam also; Don provided a good synopsis. I'll add the information I have:

It seems like the fall occured on Deck 10, portside - I say that because we saw the area being roped off the morning after the announcement. I overheard a lady asking the Assistant Hotel Manager if it was known exactly how the incident occured and he said that HAL did. We of course knew this information would remain confidential.

Like Don, we heard mention of fighting from several different passengers; one source stated that there was a a "fight" between Jason Rappe and another passenger over politics. I consider this speculation.

One thing I am sure about is that this is a tragedy for the passenger and his family.

I am happy to report that I never once heard anyone complaining about the passengers inconvenience. In fact, the cruise director complimented the passengers' understanding and concern.

This is the first and, I hope, the last time something like this will ever occur on any ship I sail.

And, yes, several passengers stated they saw this man drinking "quite a lot." I have no personal knowledge of this.

Marion

Hi Colleyberry,

Thanks for the kind words - I may have made your day, but cabin 5191 will make your entire week. If you're a sucker for spectacular scenery like me, you are in a perfect position for an itinerary that offers fabulous views floating by: orcas leaping, whales breaching, waterfalls rushing, glaciers gleaming ...

I will offer my two cents: assuming they do the suite Indonesian luncheon on the final sea day, I highly recommend it. I found it to showcase the Pinnacle at its very best. Also, the Pinnacle breakfast will be held on the day of disembarkation and is a wonderful way to end the cruise.

I'm not a doctor (although I have watched "House") and I recommend a glass of chardonnay (the Australian Alice brand offered on board) to keep the crud at bay.

Your enthusiasm is infectuous and I look forward to hearing about good times aboard the ms Zuiderdam.

SwissMyst, you have me headed to the library to learn more.

Marion

Hi, Colleyberry,

Did I get it right - you're the lady who will be in suite 5191 on the Zuiderdam in September? If so, let me just say that after two recent nightmare flights, I now arrive in a state of high anxiety when I board the ship.

Not so in cabin 5191 and my first taste of the suite life. Not even one night of insomnia, nor a tinge of seasickness, nor one minute of anxiety thinking of the major life problems we left back home. If Yudi is your steward, he is a gem. Like you, I am prone to "the crud", but not this time.

I had always considered my ten days aboard the Queen Mary to have been the benchmark of cruising nirvana; my seven days in 5191 equalled that.

Fair winds and a following sea. Hope your happiness, relaxation and state of health will equal what I experienced from May 29th to June 5th. I was on such a nautical high that even the return flights were bearable.

Marion

PS - Swissmyst, I found what you posted very informative and am now doing some research - fascinating. Thank you.

Sailor Jack,

You had me at the first paragraph; it was a three Depends night read.

Thanks!

Marion