Jzx1103

I would agree with boulders ,united and air New Zealand fly to Texas from Auckland.

Sydney has a great public transport that goes to the airport.

What’s your budget on hotels.

We typically book hotels in the $150 to $200 a night range.

I wouldn't fly to Sydney to get to Auckland. That's an extra 4 hours in the air. American Airlines seems to have very good prices around your dates for a multi-city itinerary into AKL and out of SYD.

Will look into this, thanks!

While on our current cruise today we've received a Casino offer for our play during this cruise and on that list of eligible cruises was a Dec 1, 2018 Ten day cruise from Auckland NZ to Sydney Australia aboard the RCL Radiance of the Seas. This was actually quite shocking to us since these offers typically are 3 to 5 night Western Carribean sailings. This itinerary was on our bucket list, so I used my wifi calling and booked it asap with Casino Royale. However, now I'm a bit overwhelmed to have to plan such a trip in just under 3 months. I looked into flights and looks like the cheapest option is to fly roundtrip from Houston TX to Sydney Australia, and add a 1 way flight from Sydney to Auckland. Im looking to fly from Houston to Sydney on Nov 28th arriving on the 30th, and the fly to Auckland on the 31st. Also my wife's an US citizen while I hold a Chinese passport. Not sure how long the visa process is (I heard no visas required for US citizens). Any precruise hotel recommendations would be great in both Sydney and Auckland (and hows air b&b situation in both countries, or Uber for getting around). Also is it easy to get to airport in Sydney after debarkation? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Was going through cruise critic this morning and saw this. I figured it was you guys before even seeing the posts. (This is Jimmy btw)

On our NE/Canada sailings, the ship did change to local time.

Thanks! So just to clarify, the 7am to 3pm in Saint Johns NB is actually local time in St Johns and not eastern time (which would be 8am to 4pm in St Johns)

We're going to Canada/New England next Fri on the Adventure and was wondering if the 7am to 3pm in St Johns and 9am to 6pm in Halifax stated on the itinerary will be ship time or local time? Or if Royal will match the ship and local time once we get to Canada. Thanks!

17 more days to go for our upcoming New England/Canada cruise on AOTS. Can't wait!!!

So I just called Casino Royale, first off they apparently made a mistake on my email and I'm actually prime tier (and not choice like it was stated in my email). The rep said they screwed up on a bunch of emails that went out were the email stated choice tier but in their system its actually prime tier. Second thing the rep told me was that the annual free cruise that comes with it is separate from those free cruise offers that Casino Royale emails out with a list of cruises. And that the annual free cruise from the tier program can be any itinerary 8 days or shorter as long as it's not a special holiday sailing.

I received an offer for a free cruise a few weeks ago (paying for air, taxes and fees only).. I booked the Jewel for December 29th. Today I receive and email stating I had made "prime." I was excited to there is a annual "inside cabin" free cruise for Primes. I am wondering if the cruise I booked a few weeks ago counts as the "prime free cruise"? Either way I am grateful.

I got the email yesterday from Casino Royale stating I only made choice tier which surprised me because Casino Royale has sent me free cruise offers 3 times since last December (different offer codes), which I booked two of them. Jewel from San Juan and Adventure from Cape Liberty. I think those free offers with a list to pick from via email are separate from the annual free cruise they're talking about. I think whenever a sailing is selling slower than expected they give a few rooms to Casino Royale to offer it to members at random. (Just my guess)

Was the Skyride to Paradise Point open yet? What did you think of the shows? I've heard nothing good, but I'm still hopeful. Thoughts on the food?

According to Paradise Points official Facebook page, they opened the Skyride on Feb 15th. That's just a few days after OP visited according to the ships itinerary.

Do you plan on boarding the Jewel after 5:30 PM?

Actually, we were planning on boarding the Jewel at 11am, but then leave the ship after our room opens at 1pm to explore Old San Juan, returning around 530 or 6pm

We're going this Sunday, do you happen to know how the Muster drill will work if you missed the 530pm one?

Yea sorry, double checked and it did state all aboard is at 730pm not 7pm. Hmmm I wonder how the makeup Muster work? I guess they just inform anyone not at the 5:30pm to meet at a designated place later that evening. Or they make you clean the dishes as punishment :p

There is a later muster drill on Adventure, but Jewel has only had one.

Hmmm that doesn't make sense since my Cruise Documents clearly states all aboard is 7pm. So what about the people that gets in after 530pm? I'm also asking cause my wife and I are planning on getting on at 11am, have lunch. Then unload all our stuff in the stateroom at 1pm and then leave the ship and explore Old San Juan for the afternoon. We may be back by 530pm anyways but thought we had until 7pm.

So I keep seeing the muster drills are at 530pm. Is there still a later muster drill???

Thanks for the info!!!

Hi, I've seen alot of posts regarding when's the earliest you can board Jewel on embarkation day, but can someone tell me when is the latest you can board??? Thanks! We have a rental car and will probably explore until approximately 3:30pm on embarkation day and then return the car at the airport and take a taxi to Pan American Pier. will that work??? I know ship leaves at 8:30pm

I could be wrong, but I think this is where the deck 11 cabins are located. The thermal area in the Vitality Spa no longer exists on Jewel. Can anyone confirm?

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=51751956&highlight=underneath+on+deck+11#post51751956

Does Jewel of the Seas have a free to use Sauna and Steam Room?

Well we had a bunch of people whining that RCL didn't have Fox News before they finally added it. So OPs probably not joking :D:D:D

My wife and I are looking for something to do the evening before our cruise. We booked an Air B&B at the heart of Old San Juan and will probably arrive at our Air B&B approx 530pm I'm Feb 24th. We will then probably have dinner and looking for some evening activities since we can stay up late not sleep in a little the following morning. Anyone have any good recommendation for restaurants in OSJ? As well as activities afterwards? The activities don' have to be in OSJ, can be anywhere reasonable and safe that can be reached by taxi or uber. Thanks!

We will be visiting St Thomas via Cruise Ship on Feb 26th. I was told the Jewel of the Seas dock at Crown Bay. We're thinking about renting a car and explore on our own. is there a car rental place in the area? Also do you have to book the rental car ahead of time or are there plenty of vehicles for you to just walk in and book the day of?

Thanks, is there a car rental place in the area? Also do you have to book the rental car ahead of time or are there plenty of vehicles for you to walk in and book the day of?

Appreciate the info, thinking about renting a car and do self exploring for the day.

Following!!! We will be on the Jewel on Feb 25th. Can' wait!!!

For anyone whose been on Jewel of the Seas recently and plays slots in the Casino, how updated are their slot machines. Is it still filled with older slots or do they have plenty of new flashy ones as well. Wife likes to play the newer ones more. We were recently on the Allure and they had plenty of newer slots. But I understand that's both a newer and much bigger ship. So I'm not sure about the Jewel. The two slots we loved the most on the Allure was Heidi's Beir Haus (The newer version with that song) and Crazy money Deluxe. I'm really hoping they have those. It would suck if all they had were the older ones as we have the free drinks in Casinos on our next sailing and are planning on spending quite a bit of time (and probably money) :D playing slots each evening.