Deeliteful

Day 5 Yes I had booked the Marriott with Resort for a Day and .I loved it. I needed a relaxing day after my hectic tour yesterday and this really hit the spot. Picked up at 9 am and driven the 10 min ride to the hotel. Checked in and got our card and voucher for drinks, food and towel. $65 of the cost is on your voucher for food and drink and you also get a soft drink and a bottle of water. I relaxed by the pool, swam a few times, had fabulous fish tacos for lunch, with a couple of margaritas and a Corona during my stay. The pick up is 6 pm is your ship is in port late, which ours was but we opted to be picked up at 3.45 instead which was perfect. Honest opinion? Yes totally worth it, great service, food and drink and a lovely place to chill out. 5* imo. Had arranged to have a wash and blow dry in the salon and was able to move the time to an earlier slot which was great. Met the girls in the R bar for pre-dinner drinks and then to dinner. Another nice menu and I splashed out and had two starters! 🐷 bay scallops and the shrimp and salmon fritters. Both very tasty, I went with the pork loin for my main and that was good too. No dessert or cheese for me tonight. Finished the evening with a nightcap in the R Bar as have an early start in Aruba tomorrow. Pics to follow as need to change devices!

Day 4 continued An amazing tour today. 5 hours around the island checking out different birds and beautiful locations. Enjoyed it so much. I’ll post some pics tomorrow and the name of the tour guide. Back in time for a pre-dinner drink, shower and dinner! More beautiful fish @MD_Dan but no pics, sorry! Shrimp Ceviche, Sole, and wild mushroom risotto. All excellent, but if you see the risotto on the menu, get it - it was fantastic! Early night tonight as an early start tomorrow so will post pics when I’m lazing at the Marriott for my beach and pool day. Night, night 😴

Dinner last night Moroccan Tuna, delicious as was the smoked potato soup I had to start with.

Day 4 Bonaire I have a Birding tour today with another couple from the ship who I haven’t met yet. But first a little shopping as my packing really let me down on this trip! Managed to buy a linen shirt and black top but still need a swimsuit for my resort day tomorrow 😱 Few pics in Bonaire and hope to put more on later. Rhapsody is next to us in port.

Well I’m a little late with my posts - sorry! Yesterday was another sea day, no poker tournament win for me today but still managed $100 profit in the casino - I’ll take that 😂 Nice lunch in the MDR again, then joined our FB group for a poker run and bar crawl. Probably won’t do the next one but can be fun. Got to try some new cocktails but still prefer a Bloody Mary or Kraken Colada, very different from each other but both delicious 🍹🍸 Dinner in MDR again and plenty to enjoy IMO. Had an early night as arthritis was playing up 😱 and have a busy day today.

They do!

It certainly was! Thank you. Will try again tomorrow 😂

Update- I also won the 2pm tournament! 😱 A little time in the Solarium, a nap, drinks in RBar and then dinner! Forgot to take pics again, too hungry 😂 Beef Carpaccio, Baked Cod and Grand Marnier soufflé. Now sitting in the Schooner bar having a nightcap. There must be a big (American) football game on as the bars with screens are absolutely packed. Probably another early night for me especially as clocks go forward an hour tonight! As if I’m not confused enough with the time 😂

Just finished playing the 11 am poker tournament and won it ! 😂

So Day 1 - met a few of the FB group at the Pool Bar pre sailaway. Probably not the best place to meet (my bad!) as so noisy! Went back to my room for a nap and to unpack. Went to the solos and singles meet up at the R Bar and nice to get chatting to other passengers. Dinner in the MDR, I have fixed dining at 8pm. Still the old menus and sorry I didn’t get any pics. I had the French Onion Soup, Salmon and cheese plate. All good. Washed down with a Kir Royale although our waiter brought me a Crown Royal at first. 😂 Popped into the Casino to check on Poker but no one at the table, maybe tomorrow, there are two poker tournaments tomorrow, 11 am and 2 pm so will probably play both. Managed to lose $200 at Ultimate Texas Hold Em though - too easy (to lose 🙄😱) An early night for me though due to time difference. Sea Day on Day 2. Catch you later.

Yes it is the last cruise before revamp x

Key lunch in the dining room was very nice. Menu attached and my choices but forgot when it came to dessert, hence a bite taken out! 😂 Rooms ready at 1 pm. I am on 8611 a promenade room as no balcony available.I could have tried to Royal up but think I’d rather spend the money in the casino or bars! I don’t buy the drink package as I get the 4 vouchers as Diamond and if I need more drinks I’m happy to buy them. I definitely wouldn’t get my monies worth with the package. Pics showing dining room, my room, view from room and lunch. See you later at the Pool party where a few of us are meeting up at the Pool bar .

Yes it is the last cruise before revamp x

On board in super quick time despite the line being the longest I’ve seen to board. One of the benefits of the Key, I was through in less than 5 minutes avoiding the line completely (which you would do too if you were Pinnacle or in a suite!) I realise it is easier to buy the Key if you’re solo and buying the internet anyway, which is what I do. Doubt if you’ll see the Solarium this quiet again 😂

Hi All Here in Miami getting ready to board soon! Manchester cleared their runways so flight to London was fine. London to Miami flight was good too. Stayed at Eurostar Langford hotel in downtown Miami last night and definitely recommend. Their restaurant is Spanish and enjoyed some tapas and a margarita mule last night. Just enjoying breakfast and will sort out an Uber to take me to the port. Catch you all later xx Pat

Hello everyone I’m here again after my TA review from the Jewel. I will be boarding Explorer on Saturday but have a bit of a journey to get there from the UK! So today I start from my home in Harrogate, Yorkshire getting the train from Leeds to Manchester airport (where they are currently moving snow from the runways!) to fly to London Heathrow this evening. I will be staying at the Radisson hotel near Terminal 5 and then flying to Miami tomorrow afternoon. I won’t bore you with more until I get to Miami but will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Safe and happy travels to the rest of my shipmates. Cheers Pat

Mine cost less than $20 per day and only$50 more than Voom only so a no brainer to buy it. But I am solo so definitely worth it to me but not sure I would buy if a family,

Thanks for your review, enjoyed following. I will be boarding next Saturday for the ABC islands. Can’t wait🥳

Mine will be given back if they are cans! They are no use to take off the ship to take sips from on a tour. Waste of time!

The Crown & Anchor loyalty events so if you are a member you get an invite

Sailed on the Jewel T/A in November. Food was great in the MDR, ok in the WJ, and disappointing in Chops (but it may have just been a one off). I can still always find something I like and enjoy and I both cook at home and go to high end restaurants in UK and Europe so I know good food. No complaints from me. Looking forward to my cruise on the Explorer next week and know I will come home a few lbs heavier! 😂

Vancouver for me. Stay at the Pan Pacific which is on Canada Place and the lift takes you to the ship. Never had a problem boarding and loved Vancouver. If you can stay a few days stay on Vancouver Island too. I had a terrific time on whale watching and bear watching tours, saw far more than in Alaska. Fabulous! Enjoy your cruise.

Think they look great. I’m sure I won’t starve. The only thing I would take exception to is the fillet of fish - what fish? I need to know what fish it is before I order. Only thing I can complain about, otherwise looks good to me.