Jewel of the Sea review - just back from 5 nights

[6Health7]

Hi all,

I wanted to thank everyone who has posted for all the great tips! They helped me plan a great vaca.

I just returned from a 5 night RC Jewel of the Sea cruise from Tampa.

Here is my report:

 

Check-in:

Easy. We were in very quickly and headed right up to the WJ. Packed my Rum Runners without any prob (sorry to all the people who don't approve - but we were on a limited budget). Packed a duffle bag with water and it didn't make it the first night but it was delivered the next morning. Guest services said they were checking to make sure it was just water. He said they had "no problem with just water".

 

Room:

We were in 7164 with a huge balconey. Rooms are tight but LOTS of little storage areas. We had a pullman that was awesome. Both kids fought over who got to sleep in it. Pull out sofa - was more like a pull out chair. Very small - certainly couldn't fit 2 kids on it and quite uncomfortable. I slept on it one night when my son fell asleep with dad. Showers were awesome - lots of hot water! Took my fan for white noise. Prob with this room - lots of booming at night from above bars.

 

Dining:

OK - food is fine - but not best quality. Plentiful for sure.

MD staff amazing!! Treated our kids amazing with lots of extras! Try the hot chocolate. Favourite food was first night. Lobster was like from a grocery store (not that I expected much more with the # they were pumping out).

WJ was fine. Again - LOADS of food. Omelettes were terrific.

Room service was fun. We had the spinach dip almost everyday on the balconey while we got ready for supper - just ask for lots of extra chips!

Seaview cafe is worth the trip. We had the grouper caesar - just remember to ask for extra grouper. You only get once small piece.

Midnight buffet was a TOTAL disappointment!!! Definitely not worth the wait. Get room service.

Taco buffet during sea days was ok.

 

Entertainment:

ok - Some of the staff were great - some were horrible!

A lot of the events/programs were poorly organized.

e.g. Karaoke. You show up at the time and they pull out the binders so you can choose a song - which are ALL very old. Kids were very disapponted that there was only 1-2 songs they even knew. Why not just leave the choices out so people can be prepared?? Event staff were rushed and a bit standoffish.

Bingo - huge line up. When you get to the front of the line - you need to choose what package you want. Why not have the packages that are available so you can choose while you wait instead of holding up the line when you get to the front?

Kids club - "so-so" If your child is not outgoing - forget it!! The staff are not engaging at all. The only time our shy kids participated was when we went up and helped them get involved. Staff never were inviting and there were very little opportunities to help the kids get to know each other. One staffer told us that they were not allowed to approach the kids - the kids had to approach them. Our kids were really excited about the 'science program' but it often didn't happen because there weren't enough kids - despite a ship full! There were no set times for the kids activities either - just vague morning/afternoon/evening activities that would run 'only if there was enough interest'. Often we would go - and there wouldn't be enough kids so they would cancel.

Teen club - BOO! Our 14 year olds were SOOOO excited for this club. Our first day they were let down. It is very small without much to do. Again - staff not engaging AT ALL. Most activities didn't take place because there "wasn't enough interest". Our kids were intimidated to go into the club because it was mainly 17 year-olds just hanging out. They were not inviting at all. No mocktails. No disco.

Shows were hit and miss - some were amazing - some were average.

WE all enjoyed the cheesy newlywed game, trivia contest and the pool side activities like the belly flop and sexiest man competition.

70's night was a blast - but PACKED! it was in the centrum so very little space.

Pool party was fun. Kids enjoyed dancing to modern songs.

 

Pools - PACKED! if you don't get there early on a sea day - forget it. Pools were packed. HOT TUBS WERE FULL of kids! After supper they were always closed and then open again around 10 - FULL of 20 year old guys.

 

Rock climbing was ok. It wasn't open the first 2 days because it was windy so our last sea day there were huge lines. WE waited and the kids had a fun time.

 

Mini-put - again very busy. You really felt rushed because there was always someone waiting behind you- especially on sea days.

 

Casino - fun! won $100 on Wheel of Fortune slot -so I was happy. The hostess at the casino was pretty bad. Not very entertaining.

 

Movie theatre was packed every evening - you had to go early if you wanted to get a seat together. People were sitting on the stairs. The movies while we were there were: Thor, Green Lantern, Pirates of the Caribbean #4 - hmm forgot the rest! sorry. The kids enjoyed the movies though.

 

Port days:

Cozumel - we went to Paradise Beach Club. It was too windy - so they didn't have the floaties out until after noon. Something to check for sure! Pool is awesome though and we had a super day. Kids enjoyed getting temporary tatoos. Cost started at $20 each but we found a lady "Rosy" at the next club that did the tatoos for $5 each for our group of 6. 5 beer/$16

Costa Maya - went to Tropicante. It is definitely 'authentic' but that is exactly what we loved!! Great food. 5 beer/$10

We snorkeled with the company associated with Tropicante. It was $180 for 9 of us. 2 men came with us and one actually got in the water and helped all the kids. He dove down and pointed out all the neat fish and coral. He brought up shells and starfish for us to look at (had to throw back though!)

Felt very safe all the time.

 

Guest relations were a bit cranky.

 

Disembarking was scarey. There were over 700 people on the cruise from outside the U.S. so customs came onboard to process us all. It was a huge line-up at 6:45 a.m. We went early and got through quickly but some people took over an hour and didn't have time for breakfast the last morning.

They herded all of us down to the theatre to get off. Lots of crowds - waiting - standing. Once things got moving - it was smooth though.

 

OVERALL: B

 

Really don't care to ever cruise again. With all the extra $$ costs here and there - I think an all-inclusive will be for me.

 

This is MY opinion :)

[dappledumpling]

Thanks for your review

Cruising definitely has become more nickel and diming but I assume that helps keep the price down.. We are used to it and budget according

 

Glad you had a goodtime

[vickiw0318]

You wrote a balanced review. Cruising isn't for everyone. My DH and DD don't enjoy it near as much as I do. Hope you find the perfect type of vacation for your family.

[ryano]

Thanks for the review :) I done the same itinerary out of Tampa on the Radiance last year and LOVED IT!

 

enjoy your all inclusives :) cruising certainly isnt for everyone but at least you gave it a try.

[maxxedout2]

OP. Thanks for the review.

 

I like that itinerary and will

book Jewel.

 

:cool:

[will773]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Sorry you won't try it again! All inclusive resorts are nice too! :D

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

Thanks for the review, we love the Jewel, I would recommend you take you kids out of school during the fall or spring, when less kids are on board they have a much better time. When our kids were young thats what we did and they are as addicted to cruising as we are lol. Traveling with fewer kids on board they get more attention from the staff and it is also way cheaper then as well.

 

Happy sailing

 

Brian J

[sr4mjc]

There's a hostess in the casino? Huh, I never noticed.

 

I'll be on the Jewel in Nov, thanks!

[luvdisney2010]

We were on that same cruise. We had a completely different experience with Adventure Ocean. My DS (newly turned 8) spent more time there than on any cruise we have ever done, and that was by his choice. He said that it was the best experience he has ever had. DS is not super outgoing initially, but he actually participated in the talent show. We were shocked. We felt like the staffers were very good. His favorite was Crazy Carlos. I can only speak about those working with the 6-8 and 9-11 groups, which often overlapped, but we were quite pleased.

[Michellev]

We were on the same cruise and I also had a better experience with Adventure Ocean. My kids (8,7,5) loved it and never wanted to leave. We ended up leaving them on the ship in Costa Maya because they said they'd rather stay in the kids' club than see the port. :D Sorry it wasn't as fun for your children.

[cantw8togo]

We too were on this cruise as well. While the cruise was enjoyable, we were underwhelmed by some features of the trip and have done enough cruises (this was our 6th on 5 different cruise lines) to know that the experience can be quite different on a different or larger ship even within RCI's offerings.

 

My biggest beef about this cruise was the limited hours that the rock climbing wall and the kids pool seemed to open and the smoking on the balcony. (I know, I know... sigh,) We were repeatedly chased off our balcony and into our cabin by our smoking neighbour. What erks me is that while loud music isn't allowed because it reduces our enjoyment of our balcony, smoking that not only reduces my enjoyment but endangers my health is allowed.

 

I was also really bothered by the way immigration is handled at Tampa. Having to get ourselves and the kids up at 6:00 in the morning to be ready in time and then stand in line for 50 minutes (before we finally made our way to the lounge where we sat and waited for 30 more minutes) made everyone more tired and cranky for the rest of the day. We originally thought that we might spend the rest of the day at Legoland, but we knew at that point that we would be too tired to enjoy it.

 

We got in line shortly after 6:45 am and the line was already stretched from The Schooner Bar all the way past the elevators. We didn't finish with immigration until 8:20 and by the time we got to the Windjammer for breakfast, they had run out of certain foods and it closed as we finished eating. In hindsight, we should have gone for breakfast first and joined the line up after. Disembarkation felt crowded, you couldn't hear what number was being called and at that point I was in such a foul mood, I couldn't wait to get off. I know that immigration is not handled by RCI, but the way it is handled in Tampa reflects badly on them none the less. I will not be sailling out of Tampa anytime soon on any cruiseline.

 

As well, my SIL who was travelling with us had trouble with her seapass four times and even after they gave her a $5 arcade credit, not even that showed up on her card. Guest relations were nice enough, just inept.

 

The food was for the most part a hit, but there were a couple of misses.

 

As for the entertainment, we saw two shows and while the singers and dancers are talented in their own right, the production values let them down. The costumes were distractingly bad and I felt embarassed for some of the performers. As a costumer myself, I know it could be so much better. Quest was fun but not as adult and risque as I had expected, in part because there were some younger teens in the audience. Perhaps they should offer a family version.

 

It is a beautiful ship to relax on and watch the sea go by, and while it was an enjoyable cruise it wasn't a great cruise.

[gelo7]

Thanks for taking the time to review.

[PudgiPoo]

We went on this cruise in Dec. I must say I was disappointed. It was our first Radiance class and may be our last. Using the Centrum for evening loud entertainment is bad for me. I know most people like the loud music, but I don't. However, I was unable to get away from it. We had a great hump cabin, wrong. It was very noisy at night. I was glad it was only 5 days. All the entertainment on the ship seemed very loud. My past experience with the Centrum is on the Vision class and most of the time it is a nice quiet place to relax. If I cruise on a Radiance class again I will select my cabin location very carefully making sure it is away from any entertainment. Our wait staff in the MDR was fantastic, but our room steward was terrible. The staff as a whole was great, the ship is beautiful, the food was great, but the entertainment was so loud I could not enjoy it. :(

[LBumb]

thanks for reviews

[cantw8togo]

We went on this cruise in Dec. I must say I was disappointed. It was our first Radiance class and may be our last. Using the Centrum for evening loud entertainment is bad for me. I know most people like the loud music, but I don't. However, I was unable to get away from it. We had a great hump cabin, wrong. It was very noisy at night. I was glad it was only 5 days. All the entertainment on the ship seemed very loud. My past experience with the Centrum is on the Vision class and most of the time it is a nice quiet place to relax. If I cruise on a Radiance class again I will select my cabin location very carefully making sure it is away from any entertainment. :(

 

I too was a bit concerned about the noise as we were in the first standard cabin next to the hump cabins on deck 9 (cabin 9574.) Although we could hear people if they were right outside the door, you couldn't hear anything from the centrum unless the door was open. On the night of the 70's party, my family came into the cabin just as they were playing "YMCA" and all I could hear was "Yyyy M..." and the cruise director yelling "I can't hear you!;" the door swung shut and it was as if the music was just shut off. Perhaps the noise is more of an issue on the lower floors.

[PudgiPoo]

I was on deck 7 center hump so I think that is the difference. We could sure hear the entire song. I guess if we wanted to we could have joined in.;)

[Snackdaddy]

Thanks for your review. We will be on the five nighter in a few weeks.

[B_Mc]

We were on your same trip!

 

The movies you missed were Something Borrowed and Super 8. We went to an afternoon show (1pm) and it was busy, but not packed with people on the stairs!

 

Our kids had the opposite experience with the kids club - maybe has to do with the age group/type of kid? The 3 year old LOVED it and couldn't wait to go back, the 17 year old also enjoyed it, made a small group of friends and eventually splintered off from the organized activities to just "hang".

 

I totally agree about customs during disembarkation - and I posted a thread about it! Total nightmare and extremely poorly handled by the RCI staff IMO.

 

I also agree about room service - fun to enjoy on the balcony and great food. Did you notice the wait times seemed to be very unpredictable??? Sometimes is was 20 mins, sometimes almost an hour!

 

My other beef was with the weather, but I can't hold that again RCI, can I?!?!

[izzydunyet]

Thanks for the info.. we are going on that cruise on Monday 1/16/12.....

[mktmzm]

May I ask how you packed the rum runners?

[dietbepsi]

Hello. I am going on this ship, leaving next Thursday. This is my first time cruising, so I'm trying to do a little research. We are also leaving out of Tampa, and going to Cozumel. Just a 4 night cruise. My husband is paranoid he is going to get seasick and be miserable the entire time! ha ha. Was it very rough? I don't see how it could be as it is in the Gulf, but you never know. Also, I really want to know how much the average drink is on the boat? Nobody seems to answer this question :) Also, I really did want to pack a 'few' clear liquids....ie..vodka, gin, in a couple water bottles. I know, probably not pc. But anyhow, I don't have a million dollars to spend. Do they inspect water bottles packed in luggage on the way in? your help with this matter is very appreciated, as you have just been on the boat!

[superduper123]

Hello. I am going on this ship, leaving next Thursday. This is my first time cruising, so I'm trying to do a little research. We are also leaving out of Tampa, and going to Cozumel. Just a 4 night cruise. My husband is paranoid he is going to get seasick and be miserable the entire time! ha ha. Was it very rough? I don't see how it could be as it is in the Gulf, but you never know. Also, I really want to know how much the average drink is on the boat? Nobody seems to answer this question :) Also, I really did want to pack a 'few' clear liquids....ie..vodka, gin, in a couple water bottles. I know, probably not pc. But anyhow, I don't have a million dollars to spend. Do they inspect water bottles packed in luggage on the way in? your help with this matter is very appreciated, as you have just been on the boat!

I just got back from this cruise. I had pina colodas by the pool. 8 dollars and change. I had wine at dinner, about the same price.

I had no problem with the seas, but my daughter felt a little sick- we purchased bonine at the gift shop and then she was fine. Don't know about packing alcohol, as I did not do that so not sure if you can get away with it.

[mommabean]

Hello. I am going on this ship, leaving next Thursday. This is my first time cruising, so I'm trying to do a little research. We are also leaving out of Tampa, and going to Cozumel. Just a 4 night cruise. My husband is paranoid he is going to get seasick and be miserable the entire time! ha ha. Was it very rough? I don't see how it could be as it is in the Gulf, but you never know. Also, I really want to know how much the average drink is on the boat? Nobody seems to answer this question :) Also, I really did want to pack a 'few' clear liquids....ie..vodka, gin, in a couple water bottles. I know, probably not pc. But anyhow, I don't have a million dollars to spend. Do they inspect water bottles packed in luggage on the way in? your help with this matter is very appreciated, as you have just been on the boat!

 

It can be rough in the gulf if a cold front passes through. You can get generic bonine for free at the guest relations desk - meclizine.

 

Yes they will check water bottles in your luggage or in your carry on. If you luggage is x-rayed and they see water bottles, it will be taken aside and you will spend some time in line waiting to retrieve your luggage on your first day, probably around sail away/dinner time. At that point they will have you open your bag and hand them the water and they will inspect it. They will know if it's vodka and will take it all.

 

The easiest way to take a little on with you is to buy the $1 (or more) singles and put them in your toiletries. It's not much but how much does anyone really need for a 4 night cruise? Don't answer. :p

 

Gina

[cantw8togo]

May I ask how you packed the rum runners?

 

There have been many threads about this topic. You can also try doing a search on the RCI board for extensive discussions on how to pack them.

[6Health7]

Yes - it was rough our first day. Rock climbing wall was closed because it was too wavy. I would plan for something just in case!

Yes - they will look in water bottles - sometimes. I think it is a random thing - because some of our group had their bottles confiscated and some didn't.

All of us used Rum runners and they got through. Not too $$

$12/package of 3

We also took the 'empty' ones off in Mexico and refilled on shore. They made it back through the check'in - no prob! cheap booze too.