LAKECLIFF

Thank you for the great review! Just got back from this cruise and you are helping me keep my memories alive....AND you are taking much, much better pictures than I have!!!

Thanks for taking one for the team and drinking for those not in attendance at the party...LOL

Love seeing all your pictures and also "taking it for the team"! :eek: If anyone is interested in more photos and comments about the Jewel, ask Johan to post a link to his review from the Jewel in 2014 when he was in the Owners Suite...His review and pics were just as amazing as this thread.

Around 3:30 pm, the officers and crew started welcoming everyone back onboard. Everyone was dancing a having a good time.

 

 

 

 

 

Even Mesiah, the food and beverage director, was having a good time.

 

Shortly before 5:00 pm we said good-bye to Cozumel and started sailing towards Belize.

 

I love Messiah! My favorite crew member from ANY cruise line! :D I will remember the difference between the Jewel and the HAL welcome back parties this month when I am on the Zuiderdam (remembering the pics from last years cruise...lol) Maybe we will dock next to an NCL ship again and I can join the party line on my way back to my ship...:D

Do you recall the name of the tour company? Would you use them again?

Would also love to hear the names of good tour companies, especially for small groups. Thanks!

We spent the day with Joyce this past September and had a great tour and a lot of laughs! She is a lot of fun with stories about the island that had us belly laughing! She is booked way in advance, so book as soon as you can! Have a great day!

Let me add my sincere thanks for your story and I appreciated the "way" you told it! It really made me think seriously about things I never thought could happen to me. I assume the "flamers" were deleted since I didn't read any of them today, and I am thankful for that. Too, too much of that on CC lately. :( Glad you are home safe, sound and surrounded by your family!

Yes, please hurry with the "rest of the story"

I haven't smoked for 15 years. Smoking increases the chances of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. It also leads to increased chances of getting Cancer of the lung, throat, mouth, esophagus, bladder and cervix. That all being true, I remember when smoking was allowed almost everywhere. It was pleasurable to enjoy a cigarette in a fine restaurant after a meal with your coffee. I can remember flying across the country looking out the window enjoying a cigarette. I still enjoy the smell of smoke and if I had even 1 cigarette, I would be smoking 2 packs a day within a week. Smokers are now undergoing persecution through outrageously high taxes, restrictions on where smoking is allowed, and social ostracism. The result we are seeing in terms of lower rates of smoking is improving and will improve public health. How come the non smokers of 20, 30 or 40 years ago did not object to all the smoking? Or maybe a better question is why are there now many people who complain of smelling wisps of smoke on the open ocean while traveling at better than 20 knots? The nose can detect the smell of smoke in parts per million. I believe many of the rabid anti-smokers have been conditioned to react with disgust to any slight aroma of tobacco. Anti-smoking education, and even propaganda, and changes in regulations and laws have made these people feel empowered to self-righteously persecute non-smokers. Seems like I remember our country was once more free.

Can't believe this thread is still going, but glad I checked back through the past few pages. Finally some real insight into no one caring about losing freedoms until they come for YOUR freedoms...Thank you for your post!

I also remember growing up in a smoke filled house and cars on cross country trips with my parents, so current thinking is that I should not be healthy or alive now collecting my social security.

If a smoker feels "trapped" on a floating city during long sea days, it is because the smoker chose to cruise on a ship knowing their smoking policy; they have no one else to blame but themselves. If one doesn't want to be "trapped" on a cruise ship, then one should consider a vacation where they won't feel "trapped", after all no one is forcing a smoker to cruise.

I will absolutely quit cruising! I have already stated that several times...:rolleyes: I made the choice to cruise when balcony smoking was permitted. You also have the choice not to cruise!!!! But compromise is not in your agenda, so just be happy we are all gone...

"... why allow the minority with an addiction to impinge on the majority!!!!"

 

Because someday all of us will find ourselves in a minority position over something.

 

When that happens it is not particularly comforting to hear the majority simply say "we are the majority, what we say goes. Your minority interests are unimportant and not worthy of consideration or accommodation."

 

Finding appropriate and health respecting COMPROMISE is what is necessary for civilized folks to live together. Without compromise we all just go into our warring camps ... hardly a fun way to spend a vacation.

 

An NCL compromise that allows e-cigs and vaporizers on balconies and in private cabins is called for, both as an effective compromise and as a matter of general public health (meaning that includes the public health of vaporizer users trying to quit tobacco).

 

Anyway, a lot of my recent posts were deleted and it is true that this thread, though educational in some sense, is not going to have much impact on things. I have written my letter to Mr. Shaheen, made my decisions about which future cruise lines I will use (if things do not change), and figure it is time to stop posting in this thread.

 

Happy sailing all, though I doubt we will be seeing each other on an NCL ship anytime soon.

 

Skallagrim

And the argument that cities have smoking restrictions in businesses does not equate to being "trapped" on a floating city during long sea days!:rolleyes:

I don't normally post and am not really interested in getting into this silly debate, but have read it with amusement and interest.

 

But this information is not completely correct. There have been a lot of small businesses close because of Canada's smoking rules and a lot of businesses hurt by them.

 

BTW in all of these pages of debate, I really haven't seen one poster who has been swayed to think differently that what they did prior to reading an alternate point of view.

 

Carry on

What I read is that no one is willing to even try to "walk in my shoes" as the saying goes. Everyone seems to want it "their way". The me, me, me generation.

I still can't believe the cruise lines can't find a more sensible way to accommodate all their guests! Why they can't make some upper level aft balconies for smoking. Why people who hate balcony smoking don't book forward balconies when they know smoke travels backwards. I love to visit NYC, but know in advance I will choke on the diesel fumes on almost every street corner, especially in the summer. It is the price I pay to visit the city I love.

The main cruiser that will be turned away from the balcony ban are the retirees (who have the money and time to cruise often) and are not mobile enough or willing to walk a great distance to enjoy a smoke. Not to mention the ladies who don't want to get dressed to enjoy a smoke and morning coffee. There are many all inclusive resorts who are smiling since the retirees will be looking for more sensible, relaxing places to spend their money. Also smiling are the land based casinos!

You're right, you have no choice about bad weather or traffic jams. You do have a choice about cabin selection so again I reiterate, when will people take responsibility for their own actions for putting themselves into (as they see it) "harm's way"?

I have friends who always book forward balcony cabins due to asthma for exactly that reason...Taking responsibility for their actions. They don't have to worry about smoke drifting back to them.

Ohhhh I like it. Ummm I actually have an extra free room at the Gold Coast in Las Vegas. Long story as to why but we do. Pack your bags let's go.

Wish I could, but when you live on a Lake the summers are booked with company and activities of all kinds. I used to get monthly "free rooms" from the Orleans and at random times from Harrah's and the "Station" casinos. Haven't been in a while to build up my freebies in Vegas, so it really is time to go back. AND machines in Vegas have much higher pay outs than the NCL machines anyway...so win-win. :D

Lol great idea. I'm heading to Las Vegas August 14 but he's going for work so I tag along. He's out at work all day and towards the end of the trip he's out all day and night. Come meet me in Vegas lol we can smoke :-)

I want to join you both as my hubby doesn't like casinos and goes on fishing trips when I go with the gals cruising..lol. Maybe we should start a Roll Call for "Gals Land Trips"...

I cannot speak for other NCL ships but I can tell you, the Epic has just that. Covered smoking area, port side, next to the pool, with tables and chairs right next to the port bar. Sometimes you have to walk to the bar, sometimes they come over and get you your order from the table.

The ship I am booked on and considering cancelling is the NCL Jewel. Wish I could find out for sure where they plan to accommodate the smokers and how. Last cruise on the Jewel I didn't really look for the areas since I had my balcony and casino to enjoy.

IMO that is going to keep happening and only going to get worse.

 

If you clump all of those smokers in one tiny spot, they will remain in that spot longer (because that's the only spot they are allowed to smoke), they will smoke more than normal or one right after the other because they are not going to keep walking back and forth from one end of the ship to the other to have a "quick" smoke. I can't think of a spot on a ship that would be better to clump that many people together that it would not impact someone. So whatever spot they choose you are going to have one massive cloud of smoke because there is always going to be a group there.

 

People should really think past their noses when they ask for things (not directed at you but whoever keeps wanting to push the smokers into tiny designated spots). When smokers were spread out there were chances that you may never be impacted or near a smoker and if you were you could easily avoid one tiny cloud of smoke for the 3 minutes it takes for a smoker to smoke that cigarette. Move a few feet away, problem solved. Not as easy if you want to enjoy an area that is in the vacinity of a naughty spot as you have experienced.

Very well stated and I agree 100%. And not having a place to sit and have a beverage with an ash try should be addressed. The careless smokers will always ruin it for the responsible smokers by grinding out cigs on the decks, throwing butts overboard etc. if ash trays aren't available. I will miss my gals cruises and the casino...:D...But have always enjoyed my land trips and spending money in places that I can control my comfort levels. I am too old to be trapped on a ship looking for a space to be comfortable and relaxed. Vegas and New Orleans have been missing me, but I am headed back.

The great thing about NCL is that you don't have to be in the Haven or a Platinum member to get treated well. I still remember how kind the crew was to me even on my very first NCL cruise! One of my cruises on Breakaway was in a regular aft balcony cabin, and I had a wonderful time.

 

 

 

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I totally agree. Best crews in the industry, especially the Jewel crew...Thanks for the great review! This will be my first mega ship.

Yes. The shelves (with the safe) were on the left side of that area covered by two sliding doors. Here's the pic of that area with both doors closed. What is not shelves then is hanging closet room.

 

Wow, they really cut down the amount of shelves AND the closet size compared to my previous NCL cruises. (Jewel and Jade). Guess I need to pack things I can store in my suit case. :rolleyes: Hope there is still room under the bed for suit cases...lol Not a big deal, but glad to know in advance. Thanks again.

Yes. Regular balcony cabin. We normally book a mini suite on the other ships. Because this was a last minute booking, only standard balcony cabins left. However, it appears on the Getaway that there is not much difference in the standard and the mini, and it appeared that the balconies on both were the same size. And yes, they are small balconies, the smallest of the NCL ships we've been on. I did go look at a deck 8 large balcony mini. Those balconies are super nice. They appear to be at least as deep as they are wide, maybe more. One of them I looked at had a standard type table (one you can sit at) and 4 chairs around it, with room to spare. If we sail the Getaway again, and the price difference isn't too great, we will book one of those minis. However, the balcony we had was very adequate, just not what we have had before.

 

I just noticed you might have been referring to the cabin size itself. If so, I thought it was pretty close to the standard cabins sizes we have had on the other ships. The only thing I think would be nice would be a small desk chair. The weird box that had to slide out from under the desk area was too much trouble...and heavy. All we used it for was to store the mini bar items out of the refridge. Although we are used to a mini suite size cabin (the Sun minis are super great), we were very comfortable in this cabin.

Your first paragraph was right, I was referring to the balcony...Sorry I didn't make that clear. I did think the cabin looked the standard size except I couldn't tell the size of the closet. We are gals traveling together with lots of hang-ups. Was the wall of shelves also the hang-up closet?

Great photos, thanks for posting. Was the cabin a regular balcony? Looked very small.

Love reading your reviews! You really know how to organize your thoughts and put them in such a concise, logical and entertaining way. So happy you and Rob had a great anniversary trip! I raise my martini glass to you...:D. Will miss you on the Jewel next year...Maybe we will see you on board somewhere soon. Sure hope so!!!

do you happen to know who the Concierge was?

I wonder how many of the same crew will be onboard for the start of the Alaska cruise season?

We were only in a mid-ship balcony:(, but lucky to have a dear CC friend in the Owners Suite who entertained us.:D His Concierge was Virginia and his Butler was Bagus. He did a fantastic review with pictures of our cruise! Check it out... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1979682

He also has pictures and comments on the Haven.

No way to know how long the crew will stay on a ship. Wish there was some magical way to keep this crew together.

Norwegian Jewel as of 23 February 2014:

 

Captain: Sverre Sovdsness

 

Hotel Director: Ignacio Garcia

 

Food and Beverage Director: Messiah Ritzinger

 

Restaurant Manager: Christian Schagerl

 

Beverage Manager: Evaristo Luzente

 

Cruise Director: Jamie de Souza

Thanks, we had the same wonderful crew on the Jan 19-26, 2014 sailing and they were amazing. Most fun crew I have ever sailed with. Especially, Messiah! We loved him!

Just FYI- Other Crew Members were:

Alfie Barrete: Guest Service Manager

Lito Santos: Executive Chef

Jose Omier Wilson: Executive Housekeeper

Hate to see you end the wonderful review. You gave me precious memories every post and a few regrets of things I missed. Like the second Martini Tasting...How did we overlook that??? :eek: Guess Angie was right about us Jewels not reading our Dailies close enough...lol.

Can't wait to join you and Brian on another cruise!!!!

Thank you so much for your review! Your fellow passengers can so make or break a cruise. I want to cruise with you!!!![/quote

 

I can't agree more!!! (Keep looking for a "like" button on these threads but then remember where I am posting...lol.) A group of us from this cruise are looking at the Jewel out of Houston next January for the same week...Come join us! :D