entrepreneur83

Alright, who instigated the drive-by this tonight? (we’re on SD II)

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We will be boarding the Jewel of the Seas on Sunday. We just got an email that due to a "gastrointestinal illness" boarding would be delayed so they could clean the ship. I was just wondering if anyone was onboard now and could tell us how bad it is? Or, just any real world info would be appreciated. Thanks!

We disembarked Jewel on Sunday (1/22) and walked off with someone that said he had been up all night with what sounded like gastrointestinal illness symptoms. I actually had to carry some of his hand luggage off the ship for him (didn't know him) as he was very weak. His wife accused him of eating too much.

We didn't hear anything else about noro on our cruise so something must have happened this week.

It wasn't anything more then $25 for the taxi and 15 minutes maximum for the taxi ride. Just be sure you bring an email with confirmation from the resort. Security gate personnel actually called the front desk before they let us pass thru. We arranged for our cab driver to come and get us at 330 and we had enough time he drove us past the Sandals. it looked very nice but I definitely thought we made the better choice going to Blue Waters. The resort also supplied the beach towels and had a nice change room/shower facilities so don't worry about bringing the cruise ship ones.

Excellent, thanks so much for the info! We are definitely going to do Blue Waters over Sandals. I emailed the reservations office to reserve day passes so hopefully they'll get back soon.

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I would plan to eat at Chops (the steakhouse, $35pp upcharge) and request one of the round booths. Sometimes there are 20% off special offers in your Cruise Planner. Make sure to let them know it's a special occasion!

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You may want to check out Blue Waters resort which is about 10 minutes from the port. I went there in December and got a day pass $65 or $125 inc drinks/food. I had emailed the hotel ahead of time so Security would allow access. Beautiful resort with 3 pools to use as well as a few beaches. Prince Harry recently stayed there as well![

Wow thanks for posting this! We will be in Antigua in 2 weeks on Jewel and we were planning on trying to do a day pass at Sandals but Blue Waters looks much nicer. Seems like others are having a hard time communicating/reserving Sandals anyway so I've emailed Blue Waters to reserve.

Do you remember how much the taxi far was between port and Blue Waters?

Question for those of you that have done private tours with COSOL. How much is appropriate to tip the guide? 15%? 20%?

This is the first time we've done a private tour and it will just be my wife and I. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Very excited to see your photos of post-drydock Jewel! We sailed on Jewel last January (before dry dock) and will be on her again next month.

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Doesn't the freestyle sod machine have an ice dispenser?

ProTip: Ice on the Coke Freestyle will dispense regardless of whether or not you have the beverage package cup (that has a RFID chip in it).

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Country ?

We are in the US. Sorry, should have included that.

Could anyone offer a referral for a TA that is experienced with SD? My wife and I are SD "first timers" and will be looking to book a Caribbean cruise in Jan 2018. We have always booked direct with cruise lines and do not have a relationship with a TA (outside of Amex). Any suggestions would be appreciated!

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Some ships are experimenting with drink "punch" type cards. Vision had one that had 10 drinks for $79. It showed up towards the end of the transatlantic.

 

They are unpredictable and cannot be purchased pre-cruise.

I think they start selling them the day after they stop selling the beverage packages (so usually mid-week). They were $75 for 10 drinks on our Jan 17, 2016 Jewel cruise - and staff encouraged people to share the cards.

Look forward to reading your review! We were on this sailing too after the DQ Expo.

I wonder if Ricardo will have any connection to the Genie (butler) program?

That makes sense, as they told us he was going to "butler school" in London prior to beginning his new training position.

Any idea what the new role will be?

I was told by an officer on Jewel that he would be moving from ship-to-ship training new and existing concierges. My understanding was that he was leaving Jewel next month to be trained himself before beginning his new role.

I meant to ask him myself before leaving but didn't get a chance. This was our first cruise with Ricardo and we really liked him. We're disappointed he won't be on Jewel when we cruise again next year.

Meatloaf does not belong at a carving station. You don't "carve" meatloaf. It belongs in a pan underneath the heat lamps next to the chicken, mashed potatoes, etc.

This topic shall henceforth be known as RCI MEATLOAFGATE.

Not necessarily. Permanent Concierge means that she is no longer filling in for Ricardo. We'll have to see if she stays or transfers to Liberty. Any news on Ricardo?

Ricardo is currently on Jewel until middle of February when he will be transitioning into a different role with RCI.

They also had this on the Jewel last week. 3rd day I think.

We were on Jewel last week to and I walked by the carving station and thought "is that meatloaf"? Just caught my eye as I thought it was strange they were "carving" meatloaf!

Pretty sure you will have to still order room service after midnight. Didn't hear anything about a Cafe Promenade-type place being added.

I agree with the above posters - wait until you are onboard on Sunday and book in-person. Much easier to request window seats, etc. that way. We did the 5 night dining package for $100 and made all of our reservations at one time. Just a heads-up that formal nights were Monday and Friday. You'll have better luck if you go to Chops or Portafino in-person to book vs calling from your stateroom.

Just off Jewel and they began offering the 10 for $75 punch cards about mid-week, just as soon as they stopped offering the unlimited drink packages. I think that was Wednesday. They were encouraging people to purchase a card together and share it.

Try accessing the WJ Cole machines by coming down the aft outside stairs from outside the Seaview Café on deck 12. This takes you to the outside WJ dining area. The machines are just inside the WJ door.

We really loved our recent JW cruises and often had dinner in the WJ, later in the evening, 8:30 or so, after the children are mostly gone.

Enjoy!

Rick and Deirdra

That is awesome information, thank you! I previously snuck through the forward WJ patio door but was quickly chased down by a WJ crew member who told me the machines were "closed" until dinner. I flagged down somebody else who was in charge and she let me fill up my cups. :)

I just turn off the wifi on my device and have no problem logging in with another. It's not like the old wifi where there was a status page with a timer and log off button.

Don't purchase the package beforehand as there is a 10% off coupon when you get to your cabin (we are C&A Gold if that makes a difference).

We are packed and ready for dinner. This has been a wonderful cruise. Thanks for following along.

We boarded Jewel on Sunday, Jan. 17th and will keep this LIVE thread going if anyone has questions through this Southern Caribbean itinerary.

We found Jewel to be a little worn ahead of dry dock but that was to be expected. Nothing terrible, just a lot of faded paint and wood in public areas. Carpet in the hallways and staterooms is in excellent condition, as is the furniture in our staterooms. We are in a GS and noted it looks brand new.

Crew is great as always and had a new master (Ina Laurenzen) come aboard this week. John is still the CD. They seem to be training several new servers in the WJ but the service has been excellent so far.

We have the beverage package and were surprised to find the Coke Freestyle machines (only 2) are located inside the WJ. I thought I had read there was one somewhere on the pool deck but if there is, we haven't found it yet. Makes it tough to get a Freestyle beverage when WJ is closed.

Was the Solarium roof open? Really enjoy there when it is open!

R&D

Day 2 docked in St. Thomas and I can confirm the solarium roof is OPEN!

I'm normally a late arriver to boarding...let others begin the fun and I'll join you just before time for Muster. Anybody have a feel for the peak boarding time for Jewel? I'd like to be there after the lines shrink. Thanks.

We arrived at 12:30 and it was about 5 minutes until Seapass card was in hand. Security line was a bottleneck and there weren't very many porters. It was a slightly less organised experience than FLL or Port Canaveral but was quicker overall to ship. I would NOT get there before noon as you would likely be dealing with some lines.