MrUnderdog

the Casino bar had a HUGE screen showing sports, lots of passengers watching NBA during Panama

Good to know! Thanks!

Thanks for the great review and videos. The Haven Lounge is so much bigger than past versions! I like it! And, the Horizon Lounge looks incredible. Great idea. Can't wait to chill (often) at the bar in the Haven. I was also very interested in the Local Bar & Grill, which is obviously the new version of O'Sheehan's. Always enjoy going to that area to watch sports with a crowd (the World Cup will be on during our trip; and if we're lucky, the end of the NBA Finals... but, that last one is iffy). Can't decide what I think of them getting rid of the pool tables. But, seems a little roomier this way. At least they still have the games in the back area for the boy to go play if he wants (besides having to go to the Arcade). But, a big bummer that those don't include Basketball or Skeeball games. Those were always super popular over there. How was the Local Bar service, if you tried it out? I'm sure I'll be bouncing between there and the Haven Bar.

Which were your favorite bars around the ship to just chill at and the best to catch some music?

Thanks again! Best review I've ever seen (including the YouTube videos).

Casey

Does anyone happen to know who the Concierge in the Haven has been for July (2014)?

Thanks!

If you happen to be checking in here, would you take a look at your cabin TV and see what current movies are showing on the movie channel. I don't plan on being in the cabin too much, but will still chill with the boy (7) from time to time. It's nice to know what "newer" Movies they are showing so I don't buy them from iTunes before going on a trip and seeing that I wasted my money. That money could be used on a souvenir shirt or something!!! :D Anyway, not majorly important, just curious.

Thanks, Casey! My daughter is finally home and recovering nicely. We're so lucky this didn't happen 6 weeks earlier when we were on our cruise! :eek: Although it would have been a good test to see how our travel insurance worked.

 

1 - No bar or lounge area in the Courtyard area of the Haven on the Jewel (or Pearl). There is a buffet breakfast set-up every morning (coffee, tea, juice, ice water, assorted fresh fruits, Danish rolls and muffins) and afternoon snacks of cookies and other goodies. There are a few tables where you can have the courtyard butler serve you meals.

 

2 - Since we had lunch just before our Tracy Arm Fjord excursion, I didn't pay too much attention to what foods they had available for purchase. They did pass around a very small snack of smoked salmon & Ritz cracker to tempt you to buy some of their smoked salmon.

 

3 - I thought there were a lot of children on our cruise and was very surprised that there were as many children as there were especially since around here our schools were still in session until mid-June (or later). Since the Jewel is big on Nickelodeon there was always something going on related to that.

 

4 - All the ports are good for walking around but after a couple of hours, it may get pretty boring for your 7 year old. In Ketchikan you might think about the "Duck Tour" or the "Lumberjack Show". Both of those are pretty reasonable and don't last a long time and the kids seems to really enjoy them. In Skagway you can always go mining for gold or drive up into the Yukon to see the sled dog puppies. Some of the kids like the train up to White Pass but it's pretty long and it seemed like the kids in our car got pretty bored with the scenery.

 

Hope this helps you a little.

Thanks, Sandy (and "amarvel"). I was hoping with the changes (like adding O'Sheehan's, which made my day!) that they may have added a private area upstairs as well. Oh well. One of my favorite places to casually hang out during relax time is O'Sheehan's. The food there is always a favorite.

An aside: I had an emergency appendectomy on Christmas Eve... well, Christmas morning, technically. Pain on Christmas Eve, hospital (I have never had surgery before this, knock on wood), and they were awesome enough to do the surgery that night at Midnight. Then, I willed my way out of there by 6:00 a.m. so I could get home before my son (then 6) woke up to Christmas morning without me. I got home just before he woke up. It was awesome. Just an "appendectomy story" since it came up. I've been fine since then, so I'm sure she will be fine. Still, it hurts for a few weeks.

Thanks again! Great write-up!

Sandy,

Hoping for the best for your daughter!

A couple of questions, with no hurry for answers (don't leave until the 26th):

- It's been a while since we traveled on the Jewel/Gem, having done the Epic (couple of times... love that ship!!!) and Breakaway. I'm probably kind of spoiled by the larger Haven areas now, so am wondering if there is a small bar/lounge area on the Jewel in the Haven. I don't see one on the floor plan, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's not there with the changes. It's nice at times to have a little chill out spot away from everything.

- On the Tracy Arm/Glacier Excursion, which we are also taking, are there snacks and/or drinks (kid and adult)? Was wondering if we should eat before. I'm not big on getting filled up before jumping on a smallish boat for a long trip. I assume with the length of the excursion there are food and drinks, but just checking.

- On your trip, were there many kids onboard? We have a 7 year old, is why I'm asking. The last time we took an Alaskan cruise (on Royal), there was no cool little man going with us, so I didn't really notice. I know it's not like a Caribbean cruise in that regard, but wondering what to expect for him.

- We don't have excursions (yet, at least) in Ketchikan or Skagway. Are either good for general walking around, shopping, and eating without excursions? I seem to remember thinking Skagway was cool, but again, it's been a while.

Thanks!

Casey

That's good to know. I'm sure they've improved it. When it first came out (on the Epic years ago), it was pretty horrible. It barely worked at all. For the next cruise (Epic again), still horrible. So, we pretty much gave up on it. It's been several years now, so I'm guessing they have the bugs all worked out. I had avoided it, but may give it a try again. Thanks.

Great info! I always enjoy the random late night moves (I never go to sleep!), and this is a very good lineup. Some good ones for everyone. I haven't seen most of those... busy schedule. Hope they are the same on the Breakaway, which I assume they will be.

Thanks!