Jewel of the Seas

[ManitobanNew2Cruising]

I'm not cruising until January, but am already reading the forums and getting excited about our first cruise. I don't see alot of posts talking about the Jewel of the Seas... why is that? Is it a nice ship? Is there any "must do" or "avoid" things that I should know about? We are taking the 10 day Caribbean/Panama cruise... our room is 2016, a friend said that I should try to get a higher floor because it takes a long time waiting for elevators on the lower floors. Your thoughts?

[LBumb]

dont be afraid of using the stairs especially on the way down. great way to burn off all those calories taken in at the meals.

[melbur]

Jewel is a great ship - Radiance Class so lots of glass and places to view the ocean. You've picked a great itinerary too. For some reason it seems when ships spend time in Europe we don't hear as much about them as the ones that operate out of North America. She's recently returned so I'm sure you'll see some reviews.

Enjoy your cruise:)

[cb at sea]

We always pick the deck according to where we'll be spending most of our time, so that the elevators aren't an issue. But, there's nothing wrong with deck 2..but you will need those elevators more than most...going up 9 or 10 flights of stairs is just a pain! Going down...not so much!

Do try the Seaview Cafe...it's included in your fare and the food is a step above the buffet offering!

We love the outdoor seating at both Seaview and the Windjammer....I don't know why more ships don't have outdoor seating....

There's really no "must do" or "avoid" things for everyone! It really will depend on your likes and dislikes!

Do try the traditional seating with tablemates....it can really enhance the dinner experience! It's alot of fun to have other, like-minded folks to talk to...and if you're lucky, they will all have different types of cabins....we've always done an informal "cabin crawl" with our tablemates...allows you to check out all the different cabin catagories!

I know some are leary of eating with "strangers", but once you've introduced yourselves, you won't be strangers any longer. It really adds to the overall cruise experience!

 

You'll have alot of sea days on a 10 nighter....and the pool can get pretty crowded...don't attempt to sit right beside the pool...noisy and jam-packed...go up a deck or two where you can spread the chairs out a bit...it's quieter, and more roomy! It's no big deal to walk down a flight of steps to take a dip!

[RoofingPrincess]

She's my favorite ship! Recently returned from her 14-night westbound transatlantic crossing. She spends her summers in the Baltics, crosses over in September, and does some Canada/New England cruises before heading down to the Caribbean at the end of October to spend her winters there.

I *love* all the glass in the public areas -- when I'm cruising, I want to see the sea!

One fun feature of the Radiance class ships (Radiance, Serenade, Jewel, Brilliance) is the self-leveling pool tables, if you play; on Jewel, they're in the area between the Schooner Bar and the Safari Club.

Another awesome Radiance class feature is the Thermal Suite. It's an extra charge (you can get a day pass or one for the whole cruise), but I think it's worth it. It's a special area within the Spa where there are sauna and steam rooms (co-ed, and a little less hot than the ones in the single-sex changing areas), an aromatherapy room, and these awesome heated tile loungers. And the outside wall of the Suite is all windows!

Also, with the elevators, if you're in the midship elevators that are on the sea side (not the atrium side) and you go all the way up to the Viking Crown lounge, be sure to be facing toward the sea... there are some cute flamingo sculptures up at the top!

And if Shashi is still at the Champagne Bar, tell him Wrona & Cindy say hi! :D

[15toretirement]

I love the Jewel and my husband and I will be embarking for our second cruise on this ship this coming Saturday. My favorite spot is the adult pool area. It's very tropical and relaxing and with the glass roof it can be used in all weather. It's also great that it's right outside the spa. Chops is fantastic and we always go there once during the week. We also love hanging out in the Schooner Bar and playing the team trivia type games they have.

[golfer1966]

I'm not cruising until January, but am already reading the forums and getting excited about our first cruise. I don't see alot of posts talking about the Jewel of the Seas... why is that? Is it a nice ship? Is there any "must do" or "avoid" things that I should know about? We are taking the 10 day Caribbean/Panama cruise... our room is 2016, a friend said that I should try to get a higher floor because it takes a long time waiting for elevators on the lower floors. Your thoughts?

 

We love the Jewel ( radiance class ) Id say to try the Seaview Cafe'. We usually hit that after we got back on board after a day of excursions or whatever for a bite since we always have late seating at dinner. Its nice to sit there and eat while pulling our of port too. As far as your cabin, I personally would try and get a balcony since you will probably have a bunch of sea days. I like to sit out there and watch the world go bye. I know it may be more money, but hey, you only live once and you may want to be on it when you go through the Canal. ;)

[jd10367]

I'm not cruising until January, but am already reading the forums and getting excited about our first cruise. I don't see alot of posts talking about the Jewel of the Seas... why is that? Is it a nice ship? Is there any "must do" or "avoid" things that I should know about? We are taking the 10 day Caribbean/Panama cruise... our room is 2016, a friend said that I should try to get a higher floor because it takes a long time waiting for elevators on the lower floors. Your thoughts?

 

We just got off the Jewel. We had cabin 4554, starboard side just forward of the Centrum. It was very convenient, as much stuff is in the Centrum (not to mention the dining room and buffet are both at the back end of the ship). If you're on the forward end of the ship, you'll have only the uglier enclosed elevators to use and you'll have to walk a lot to do most things, but they'll be a lot emptier and easier to get.

 

Tidbits to know:

 

- There's a small eatery (Seaview Cafe) on Deck 12, above the buffet, just past the waterslide. It's only open in between lunch and dinner and then again after dinner, and the food's limited and not going to blow your socks off, but it's a very quiet spot because no one goes there.

 

- In that same area, on the port side of the ship, you'll find the golf simulator as well as clubs and balls for use on the putt-putt course.

 

- There's a coffee/water/lemonade station on the port side in front of the buffet which is open 24/7, I believe.

 

- The ice-cream machines are in the buffet and thus not accessible all the time. The one on the port side made strawbery/vanilla and the one on the starboard side made chocolate/vanilla.

 

- Only the panorama elevators on the port-side wall of the Centrum go up to 12 and 13. But it's often easier just to take any elevator to 11 and walk up.

 

- The casino is midship Deck 6. Just in front of it is a sports bar, and then the forward elevators and the theater's balcony. But on the port side, in between the casino and sports bar, is the doorway to the small movie theater. It's easy to miss.

 

- Up at the buffet, there are tables outside on the back end of the ship, and some are protected by glass or the inside of the ship so you can eat out there if the buffet's too crowded inside. (There's also an eating area on the starboard side which is the mirror-image of the area with the coffee/water, but on the starboard side you can only access it from inside the buffet.)

 

- On Deck 6 in the Centrum, heading towards the back of the ship you'll find the Schooner Bar (where trivia will be held). Beyond that is the lounge where they hold some of the game shows and daytime magic and whatnot. Just as you enter that area you'll find a couple of pool tables and some couches; in front of the couches are two enclosed TVs, where you'll often find sports being shown. So if the sports bar is too crowded, noisy, or smoky, try there.

 

- In the Centrum on Deck 4, across from Guest Services/Shore Excursions, you'll find a small area for Internet. But there are also a few terminals on Deck 5 in the martini bar, and again on Deck 7. You'll also find some couches to use on those upper decks (where the Internet is, where the library is, another area which I think is for C&A or something but was always empty); those are good spots to sit with your laptop.

 

- The covered walkway around the ship is on Deck 5. Forward, if it's open, you can climb the stairs to Deck 6 and go out to the helipad and the point of the ship, if you want to do your "Titanic" impression and spread your arms.

 

It's a pretty easy ship to learn. Back end, you have dining room (4), My Time dining (5), Schooner/lounge (6), buffet (11), Seaview Cafe and sports deck (12), Viking Crown Lounge and mini-golf (13). Midship you have the shops (5), and casino and movie theater and sportsbar (6) and the main pool (11). Forward you have the main theater (5) and the theater balcony (6), and the solarium pool and spa (11).

[negc]

I'm not cruising until January, but am already reading the forums and getting excited about our first cruise. I don't see alot of posts talking about the Jewel of the Seas... why is that? Is it a nice ship? Is there any "must do" or "avoid" things that I should know about? We are taking the 10 day Caribbean/Panama cruise... our room is 2016, a friend said that I should try to get a higher floor because it takes a long time waiting for elevators on the lower floors. Your thoughts?

If you want to read more about our favorite ship, Jewel of the Seas, go to the Meet & Mingle boards and read the many threads for upcoming cruises on Jewel of the Seas. You may even find one for your cruise. If so, join the thread and get to know the people you will be cruising with. Check out the threads for this year's repositioning cruise out of Boston and next year's westbound TA thread, both of which are extremely active and boasts messages from a very large number of repeat cruisers who truly enjoy this ship.

If it is affordable, I would recommend moving to a higher deck which will get you closer to the public areas, the pool , the Solarium and the Windjammer. For a Caribbean cruise a balcony cabin would be ideal but an oceanview is also good and all of the glass throughout the ship will make it easy to see the scenery regardless of where you are on the ship. Elevators can be slow and crowded when shows get out or at dinner time, but being on the lowest passenger deck can mean that when the elevators do arrive you will be boarding a mostly empty one for your trip to a higher deck. The stairwells provide a good way to burn off those calories you gain from the meals onboard.

Plenty of things to do onboard the Jewel: Set aside at least one night to dine in Chops or Portofino. If you play pool, try out the self-leveling pool tables. If you have not sailed with RCI before, be sure to go to the Quest when it appears on your daily Cruise Compass. Check out the Seaview Cafe hours for a good snack. If the weather is very hot or in the unlikely event that you have rain, make time for the Solarium pool and hot tub, and having breakfast and lunch alfresco in the aft section of the Windjammer is very pleasant. We have recently begun booking My Time Dining and find it works very well for us and friends who will be cruising with us. If you are movie buffs, the cinema just forward of the Sports Bar shows films every day and evening.

Most of all, relax and let the staff help you to enjoy your time onboard.:)

[emilygrace]

Be sure to take the glass elevators up to deck 12 or 13 (can't remember which one is correct) and look behind the elevators to see the flamingos. One is like Carmen Miranda and there are 2 more I think. Just wish I could remember which deck they're on. But you will have to take the elevators on the outer side because these are the only ones that go to 12 and 13.

 

Also check out the Crown and Anchor lounge on deck 12. It has a huge glass circle in the center and you can look all the way down to deck 4, if you have the stomach for it!

[eal]

Good thing about Deck 2 is that it's the debarkation deck for the ports. Nice and easy to get on and off the ship.

[Sea Happy]

To Manitoban New 2 Cruising- My husband and I just did that cruise, I think it's the same- Aruba, Cartagena, Panama, Costa Rico and Grand Caymans. I was our first cruise with RCCL's. We fell in love with the ship so much that we booked the 14 night transatlantic September 2011 from Harwich to Boston. When people would ask us what our favorite port was on the Caribbean cruise we would say, the ship. It was fun seeing places we had never seem but you have to remember that, other than the Grand Caymans, these are all third world countries. We found out that you can independently search for tours, rather than just booking on the ship, and save a lot of money. We did do one that we loved, zip lining in Costa Rico. We were in a balcony room on the 8th floor, we never took the elevator, we took the stairs, much faster and you get some exercise. If you drink at all, the main bar near the dance floor has the greatest bar tenders. Gregg was our favorite. I'm sure you will love the trip, especially The Jewel of the Seas. Welcome to cruising! Sea Happy

[wrp96]

Be sure to take the glass elevators up to deck 12 or 13 (can't remember which one is correct) and look behind the elevators to see the flamingos. One is like Carmen Miranda and there are 2 more I think. Just wish I could remember which deck they're on.

 

It's deck 13, Carol!:D

[Scotty G]

To Manitoban New 2 Cruising- My husband and I just did that cruise, I think it's the same- Aruba, Cartagena, Panama, Costa Rico and Grand Caymans.....................................the main bar near the dance floor has the greatest bar tenders. Gregg was our favorite. I'm sure you will love the trip, especially The Jewel of the Seas. Welcome to cruising! Sea Happy

The 10 night Southern Caribbean goes to Labadee not Aruba. We did the 11 night last January and are doing the 10 night this coming January. I too like Greg at the Safari bar. Hope he will be there next year.

[C U Onboard]

I don't see alot of posts talking about the Jewel of the Seas...

 

Read the reviews of previous sailings here

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=307

[Modena]

I'm not cruising until January, but am already reading the forums and getting excited about our first cruise. I don't see alot of posts talking about the Jewel of the Seas... why is that? Is it a nice ship? Is there any "must do" or "avoid" things that I should know about? We are taking the 10 day Caribbean/Panama cruise... our room is 2016, a friend said that I should try to get a higher floor because it takes a long time waiting for elevators on the lower floors. Your thoughts?

 

The Jewel is a lovely ship. We sailed on her last year (Scandinavia and Russia) and had a wonderful time. Particular liked the fact that the Windjammer and Seaview Cafe had outside seating and there was a covered solarium. The staff on board were really friendly and you saw the Captain (it was James McDonald at the time) around the ship and he seemed very approachable. We did My Time Dining and the best waiters we had were Edwin and Jay - they were so lovely and friendly and very efficient - I don't know whether they are still with the Jewel though. We felt that the Jewel had a 'homely' feel about it and we were very sad to leave (in fact, I shed a tear or two!)

 

I hope you have a lovely time.