Almost "LIVE" Jewel Feb 18; Late but Great! (the ship, not the review!)

[Familygoboston]

After the Walk for Wishes we meet Mom at the cabin and head to the Sea View Cafe for lunch. It's a little busier today, but we have no problem finding an inside table, and order ALL our favorites. (Does this happen to you too? We start eating like short timers at the end of our cruise..."this is our last chowder...our last ice cream...our last sour dough roll"; you would think we were headed to the gallows instead of the port of Tampa!)

 

The pool looked entirely too mobbed to try right after lunch, so instead Em decides this is the time to try that rock climbing wall. It's open at 2PM, so we play a few holes of Mini Golf, till we see the staff member arrive at the desk.

 

 

Once the climbing staff arrive we leave our mini golf game at hole 4 (I got a hole in one on hole 2, so I am not to happy about this!) and while I sign waivers, Em gears up. Two septuagenarians in front of her climb up and down the wall in a matter of seconds (I want to be those people!). Another young boy gives it a go, then Emily's turn is up.

 

Em has done lots of horizontal climbing, both on the wall at her school and bouldering on our beach in Maine. It's not the same as going up, but you still have to plan your foot holds and hand holds and plot your next move. She has never climbed this high, but she's also never had a harness either! I'm stunned that she is up that wall inside of a minute! She rings the bell, poses for a photo and I am so proud of her!

 

As an aside let me tell you how her mother faired doing this on Navigator. I also think of myself in fairly good condition, and I geared up and attempted the wall. I got half way up and was not tired and was using my legs to push along to the next hand hold, but when I got half way, I had a panic attack. I literally started shaking and couldn't hold onto the hand holds. I just couldn't get it out of my head that I was 13 decks high in the middle of the ocean. (of course I was harnessed, but did I think of this...no!) So I had to bail, and I did not cover myself in glory because right after me, an octogenarian scrambled up the wall in seconds flat.

 

So I guess I was surprised Em did so well, because if anyone in our family gets anxious about things, it's Em...but there she was scrambling up that wall...you go, girl! (she is definately not a chip off the old block after all!)

 

 

 

(have you noticed this is the only photo with a "real" smile?)

 

 

After the victory on the wall, it was time to cool off. The pools were still jammed, but things began to thin out a bit after 3PM. We found a single odd lounge chair to plop our stuff onto and headed to the pool and hot tubs. The girls enjoyed frozen virgin strawberry daiquiris on the pool deck and we just enjoyed our "last" pool time. (before heading off to the gallows...er... I mean the port of Tampa). Once we were sufficiently waterlogged we headed back to the cabins to relax on the balcony and get some packing started.

[Familygoboston]

I really like to pack in the late afternoon on the last day, so I can enjoy my last night without worrying about having to go back early and pack up my stuff. That just feels too anticlimactic to me! I'd rather be packed (mostly) and do the embarrassing dash into the hall with your pjs on to put the evenings clothing into the suitcase, if you are lucky enough for it to be still in the hall.

 

This time I decided to just go with the tee shirt and pack the bottoms in the big bag to save space in my back pack. When it came time to put my evening clothes into the big bag, I thought, "I am at the very end of this hallway, and cannot by seen by anyone unless the occupants of only 3 cabins open their doors and one of them is my kin, so I'll be safe to dash out in just my tee to stuff this stuff in my still waiting bag" Well of course you know where this is going!

 

The crew man assigned to moving luggage for our deck comes around the corner just as I am bending over to stuff my clothes in my bag. I didn't know enough of his language to apologize for giving him an unfortunate eyeful of awful! I have a bad habit of wandering around these ships bottomless and I never seem to learn my lesson! (And no, Ocean Boy...I do not have a picture!! )

 

But back way before all that embarrassing flashing, we had an evening to enjoy! We went to dinner and took some farewell photos with Joseph and Teoddy

 

 

and some more bad photos, this time of the MDR

 

(the dining room)

 

 

After dinner we made our way to the Coral theater to enjoy the Farewell Show. I do enjoy the cruise in review video, and I knew we were safe because I was pretty sure we were never captured on video ourselves during this cruise!

 

I was surprised that the camera people never made it to the teen or kids clubs though? You would think that would sell a bunch of those things! We never buy them, so it's fun to see what they've put together during the show. If you plan to buy one of these jump in front of the camera and act like a drunken fool every time you see one; you'll have your own personal vacation video!!

 

We took the time before the show to work on our comment cards before the show.

 

(working on our comment cards)

 

[Ocean Boy]

Ok, I have a question though I guess it is possible that I could have missed the answer somewhere in the previous posts. How would you compare the entertainment on Jewel after having sailed on Oasis? We have seen some shows in the past that I thought were just plain bad. I'm leaving on Navigator tomorrow and I am a bit concerned that the shows will seem somewhat uninspired after what we experienced on Oasis.

[Familygoboston]

The show itself was nothing to get excited about if you've seen one before, the usual fare for farewell shows, but the Jewel Orchestra played the most amazing version of Benny Goodman's SIng SIng Sing, as a warm up and it brought the house down...the drummer was incredible and I found myself wanting to hear more big band jazz from this crew! Wow!

 

The show also featured Las Pamapas Gauchos, whom I'd seen perform before and whose comic take on traditional Argentinean dance I knew the girls would appreciate!

 

After the show, Mom headed to the casino to make her last penny deposit and the girls and I went to the Safari lounge for Quest. I told both girls that attending Quest would be a "we will see" proposition. It's usually billed as PG 13 and both the girls are well over that. There is little we haven't discussed at home, and they know that they can ask any question and get a straight answer. I see the world our teens are exposed to and my own philosophy was not to try to shelter them, but let them see the world and discuss the consequences of what they've seen and how a similar choice might impact them. So far it's worked; I've got level headed girls who make good choices and have made me proud with their behavior...whether that's by luck or strategy...who is to say?

 

Over the years I've been to some wild Quests and to some very tame ones. It usually correlates directly with the amount of general drunkenness that is experienced on the ship. So I told the girls I was reserving judgment about the suitability of Quest till I could gauge the crowd.

 

This cruise was a great crowd! People were having fun and participating, but I didn't see one incident of out of control partying going on. But it was also a fun crowd; on our Oasis cruise the Diamonds in December promotion so overly skewed the cruise demographics that the Quest couldn't even get team captains to volunteer. It was kind of a snore! This cruise had a fun, but responsible crowd, and I felt the Quest would reflect that.

 

And it did, this one was tame compared to some cruises, definitely PG 13 and still very lively and fun. And Em was happy she got to have the whole "cruise" experience!

 

(Quest)

 

 

 

 

(does this child look happy to be leaving?)

 

 

One of the things about being a first time cruiser (like my girls since they have faulty memories and forgot all about Disney and Alaska!) is that last night is so sad! A cruise vacation can be a little like summer camp...so much fun and activity and you know you have to say good bye. I knew they were sad and I was very glad we have a couple of fun trips planned in the near future to look forward too. (see DH, THIS is why I always have at least 3 planned at any one time!) It also helped that our vacation was not over, we planned to disembark and have 3 more days in Fort Myers Beach with friends and family.

 

Day 5 Compass https://citrix.sharefile.com/d-sb74bc71b41e4b6e9

 

Teen Compass https://citrix.sharefile.com/d-s293bbb6bd364d369

 

Tomorrow, I'll be back with a wrap up (I really hate reviewing the last day (we ate, we left...what else is there left to say?)

[JGORD7]

The show itself was nothing to get excited about if you've seen one before, the usual fare for farewell shows, but the Jewel Orchestra played the most amazing version of Benny Goodman's SIng SIng Sing, as a warm up and it brought the house down...the drummer was incredible and I found myself wanting to hear more big band jazz from this crew! Wow!

 

The show also featured Las Pamapas Gauchos, whom I'd seen perform before and whose comic take on traditional Argentinean dance I knew the girls would appreciate!

 

After the show, Mom headed to the casino to make her last penny deposit and the girls and I went to the Safari lounge for Quest. I told both girls that attending Quest would be a "we will see" proposition. It's usually billed as PG 13 and both the girls are well over that. There is little we haven't discussed at home, and they know that they can ask any question and get a straight answer. I see the world our teens are exposed to and my own philosophy was not to try to shelter them, but let them see the world and discuss the consequences of what they've seen and how a similar choice might impact them. So far it's worked; I've got level headed girls who make good choices and have made me proud with their behavior...whether that's by luck or strategy...who is to say?

 

Over the years I've been to some wild Quests and to some very tame ones. It usually correlates directly with the amount of general drunkenness that is experienced on the ship. So I told the girls I was reserving judgment about the suitability of Quest till I could gauge the crowd.

 

This cruise was a great crowd! People were having fun and participating, but I didn't see one incident of out of control partying going on. But it was also a fun crowd; on our Oasis cruise the Diamonds in December promotion so overly skewed the cruise demographics that the Quest couldn't even get team captains to volunteer. It was kind of a snore! This cruise had a fun, but responsible crowd, and I felt the Quest would reflect that.

 

And it did, this one was tame compared to some cruises, definitely PG 13 and still very lively and fun. And Em was happy she got to have the whole "cruise" experience!

 

(Quest)

 

 

 

 

(does this child look happy to be leaving?)

 

 

One of the things about being a first time cruiser (like my girls since they have faulty memories and forgot all about Disney and Alaska!) is that last night is so sad! A cruise vacation can be a little like summer camp...so much fun and activity and you know you have to say good bye. I knew they were sad and I was very glad we have a couple of fun trips planned in the near future to look forward too. (see DH, THIS is why I always have at least 3 planned at any one time!) It also helped that our vacation was not over, we planned to disembark and have 3 more days in Fort Myers Beach with friends and family.

 

Day 5 Compass https://citrix.sharefile.com/d-sb74bc71b41e4b6e9

 

Teen Compass https://citrix.sharefile.com/d-s293bbb6bd364d369

 

Tomorrow, I'll be back with a wrap up (I really hate reviewing the last day (we ate, we left...what else is there left to say?)

 

 

Love you review! You obviously had a super time & it felt like i was right there with you! Can't wait to be enjoying our first cruise in about 35 days!! Thanks again!

[Familygoboston]

Ok, I have a question though I guess it is possible that I could have missed the answer somewhere in the previous posts. How would you compare the entertainment on Jewel after having sailed on Oasis? We have seen some shows in the past that I thought were just plain bad. I'm leaving on Navigator tomorrow and I am a bit concerned that the shows will seem somewhat uninspired after what we experienced on Oasis.

 

To be perfectly honest, (and when am I not??) I felt the entertainment on Jewel was energetic and colorful, but it doesn't hold a candle to the entertainment on Oasis. (and I'm assuming Allure)

 

This could be my own jaded attitude, but I found the Jewel entertainment to be similar (and in the case of las Pamaps Gauchos, exactly the same!) on all ships; a couple of colorful high energy, low plot, high production shows, a headliner, a comedian and some kind of "comic" juggling or gauchos type act.

 

Also, the CD on Oasis treats the show more like one you'd pay for on shore; there is not a lot of superfluous warm up and discussion of what else is going on around the ship afterwards. It's treated more like you've "paid" for it.

 

I don't want to sound negative, because the talent and production is excellent, but it's like the menus in the MDR; once you've cruised a few times you've been there and done that. If I had been with my husband, we probably would have only gone to see one or two shows, and we probably wouldn't have regretted missing them.

 

On Oasis, I felt the shows were not to be missed. First, the variety of the kinds of show was so diverse, then the talent and production and energy was the same high level you expect on RCL, and lastly, several of the shows had more plot (in the case of the musicals, for instance)

 

I did enjoy the Jewel shows, especially since it was all new to my girls. (their DCL trip was Disney entertainment and our Alaska cruise we didn't see shows, just fell into bed after a full day of excursions) But I definately wouldn't have considered them not to be missed. One of the reasons I booked Allure with the whole family is because my girls love shows and I felt the premium paid for that ship is well worth it based on those shows. After all, they cannot hang out in the clubs and are quickly outgrowing the teen club, so the Allure entertainment was the draw.

 

I have cruised NOS recently and seen the shows...I think the ice show is cute, (It was called Ice Games- but not the same Ice Games as Allure) though not as wonderful as the OA ice show. The Production Shows were pretty standard fare, I actually thought the Jewel production shows were better. And of course, the headliner really depends on what you like!

 

I'm sure you will enjoy NOS, even if the shows don't live up...we really enjoyed that ship!

[Familygoboston]

Love you review! You obviously had a super time & it felt like i was right there with you! Can't wait to be enjoying our first cruise in about 35 days!! Thanks again!

 

Thanks! I love to "cruise along" with reviews myself! Enjoy your first cruise, I always try to remember that stuff that seems old hat to me is new and exciting to someone else, whch is why I had so much fun with my girls:D

 

Have a great cruise!!

[QTMichele]

 

 

 

Thanks Michele- Im following your Allure right now too! Loved the wedding photos, but I have to ask, do we ever get to meet the groom? Are there no pictures of the dear man? I hope this isn't like a Kim Kardashian thing, all done for the publicity;):p

 

I think leaving the kiddos for a 5 nighter on Jewel is an excellent inspired idea!! Because the ship is so relaxing!

 

It's all about the publicity! LOL You will find a few pictures of the groom if you go back and check. ;)

 

I think leaving the kiddos for a 5 nighter is a great idea too, but will they agree? Oh, yeah, I'm the parent here, and what I say goes! LOL

[Familygoboston]

It's all about the publicity! LOL You will find a few pictures of the groom if you go back and check. ;)

 

I think leaving the kiddos for a 5 nighter is a great idea too, but will they agree? Oh, yeah, I'm the parent here, and what I say goes! LOL

 

I'll have to look again!

Yes, you are the parent! I wish I could tell you they stop fussing, but they don't. Many days mine say to me " Why are you in my room?? Go away." and then when we book a cruise, I hear how we are abandoning them:rolleyes: So it appears to be a no win situation...but we go once a year anyway... it's one of the best things we do for us, one day the kids will be gone and it will be just us, so we need to practice;)!

[QTMichele]

...one day the kids will be gone and it will be just us, so we need to practice;)!

 

hilarious!

[Ocean Boy]

Thanks. What you wrote is pretty much exactly what I was suspecting when I booked so I can't really complain. If I wanted the Aqua Theater type entertainment then I should have just booked one of the big guns. But I needed a change in itinerary and a new island so I guess that is the trade off.

[suehal]

Pre cruise Thursday Feb 16th

Our pre cruise adventure involved picking my kids up from high school (they are quite used to this as we do it a lot when we travel, so they have a whole game plan of what to leave in the car and what to bring!) and driving straight to our regional airport where we took a charter airline to the regional airport in Punta Gorda. A friend has taken this airline to visit family in Fort Myers for several years, and she described it to me as much cheaper, but no frills. After my last several flights on commercial airlines, I'm still waiting for frills, so I just went for cheap. Honestly, even with a schedule delay we experienced (about 30 minutes late) the whole experience was more pleasant than my usual sojourn through Atlanta on Delta. (I prefer to keep my limbs intact rather than pay an arm and a leg for Southwest or Jetblue direct flights during the school vacation week)

We had a direct flight and paid hundreds of dollars less than commercial. I understand that if the flight is delayed or cancelled you have no other options, but frankly, that's true of the "frills" airlines these days too. They may have flights scheduled, but they too are full, and there is little chance of getting on one if your original flight gets cancelled or delayed. We always travel with carry on baggage, so our flight was easy and quick.

 

Pre Cruise Friday Feb 17th

We stayed at the lovely "Mom and Pops Bed and Breakfast (and lunch and dinner too)" in Fort Myers Beach. I could have got this for $0 on Priceline, but just called direct and they cheerfully matched the price. We only had a day to spend with Dad before we had to drive to Tampa. I biked to the local beach for a workout before the girls woke up, took them to the pool in the afternoon and then we all went out to a church spaghetti supper on Friday night with our extended family (aunts and uncles and people who we love like aunts and uncles) Where else can you get excitement like this, except at Mom and Pops! Pops (gosh, we never call him that, and he'd be horrified!) kindly gassed up the van for mom and checked our windshield wipers and fluids before we made the 2 hour drive north. We were packed, carbo loaded and ready for our cruise.

 

Love your review, My family were on board the Navigator Feb 18-26. We are also from Boston. Could you please explain your air travel from Boston.....We flew Jet Blue, and while I love them, it cost us a small fortune to fly direct into Ft. Lauderdale.

[Familygoboston]

Love your review, My family were on board the Navigator Feb 18-26. We are also from Boston. Could you please explain your air travel from Boston.....We flew Jet Blue, and while I love them, it cost us a small fortune to fly direct into Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Hi Sue...yeah, it's just crazy for the vacation week, isnt it!

 

We flew Direct Air from Worcester to Punta Gorda (which is between Tampa and Ft Myers), but they also go from Worcester to Palm Beach (which is not so far from Lauderdale and Miami if that is your final destination) and Sanford (which is the regional Orlando airport, if thats where you want to go). In the past the price difference between commercial and the charter was sometimes not enough to cover the car rental or transport to the metro area, but now the price difference was well over $400 a person, so it's worth it.

You can check them out online, they have limited schedules and you need to consider booking when they release the schedules. They charge extra for everything including choosing seats, but honestly, it's so much cheaper

Good luck!!

[suehal]

Thank you! Do you have a website that you use? I'm very intrigued by this. Don't worry, I won't tell too many people:eek:

[Familygoboston]

Thank you! Do you have a website that you use? I'm very intrigued by this. Don't worry, I won't tell too many people:eek:

 

Don't know if airlines are off limits to mention on this board too??? But if you go to- visit direct air dot com you will find their site...good luck!

[suehal]

You're the best.....:)

[Familygoboston]

Thanks. What you wrote is pretty much exactly what I was suspecting when I booked so I can't really complain. If I wanted the Aqua Theater type entertainment then I should have just booked one of the big guns. But I needed a change in itinerary and a new island so I guess that is the trade off.

 

Is it the 8 day? I think I really liked that itinerary, but couldn't make it work with my sched. Where to? Will you do a review for us, puleeeeeeease!

[Ocean Boy]

Is it the 8 day? I think I really liked that itinerary, but couldn't make it work with my sched. Where to? Will you do a review for us, puleeeeeeease!

 

Yes, 8 nighter. The last 8 nighter we did was on Independence. We are going to St. Maarten which I never get tired of. I just really love that island. St Kitts, which is the new stop for us. San Juan which I also really like but it is rather a short stop for a port that I feels is diserving of being a full day. And we are also going to Labadee which I used to really dislike as I am not a big fan of private stops where you are sort of held captive. But since they have done quite a bit of extensive work there I actually enjoyed our last visit much more than the previous visit. There are two sea days at the beginning and one at the end.

 

And with that, this is probably my last post on Cruise Critic until I get back! Have a good week.

[QTMichele]

Yes, 8 nighter. The last 8 nighter we did was on Independence. We are going to St. Maarten which I never get tired of.

 

And with that, this is probably my last post on Cruise Critic until I get back! Have a good week.

 

Oh, and 8 nighter! I would love an 8 night or longer cruise - 7 just isn't enough!

 

I'm glad there's another St. Maarten fan. My DH and I honeymooned there; we fell in love with the island. What do you do while in port?

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

[CruiseEm]

Day 5!

NOOO! Its the last day of the cruise (in review). Today's a sea day so I stay in until I am literally dragged out of bed. (I had a cold).

 

In the morning we went to the Walk for Wishes. This is a wonderful cause. After the mile I headed out to take pictures of the ship. They will be coming soon when my DF and me can process them. For lunch I headed down to the Seaview Cafe one last time. ( and of course ice cream :D).

 

After lunch I head down to the pool. It is really crowded. 2 of the production show singers sing for about an hour and it was a nice respite from the calypso/ pop usually playing.

 

After the pool have to cross a few more things of my must do list. Mini golf is first. The course is pretty small and we only do a couple of holes before heading over to the rock climbing to get in line. (Add it to the Allure list).

Rock Climbing

Time to try the rock wall. They give you special grip shoes (this is of course technical lingo ;)). A few 80 year olds scramble up the wall while I am getting my equipment. I have new heroes. A couple of other kids attempt the wall and then its my turn. They have the chalk stuff (more lingo ;)) which helps with your grip. I manage up the wall without embarrassing myself and my family acts like it’s a miracle. (Am I really that pathetic looking? Then again I'm still not sure how I did that.)

 

Then its time for our very last dinner :(.

 

Last night :(

Dinner was nice. Then we walked around the ship before heading to the farewell show. The band played a standard with an amazing drum solo, then the entertainers came out. They were good and what they lacked in skill, they made up in humor. I wish I could have heard more of the band though. I play in a couple of jazz bands and love it! In one I am the only girl and in the other I am the only one without grey hair!

 

After the show DS, DM and I head to quest. As a first timer I was shocked. I won't spoil it but it was pretty funny. Then lots time to pack our last clothes up. Tomorrow we leave :(

[Familygoboston]

Debarkation Day Thu, Feb 23 and a wrap up

 

It's an early morning for the captain and his staff; because fog is predicted again, Cpt. Stig has decided to move a bit quicker and plans to dock between 2-4 AM to be ahead of the fog in the port of Tampa. From our aft cabin we definitely hear docking around 2:30 or 3 AM. I fall back asleep quickly and with out a plane to catch, I don't have the usual worries that would keep me awake till the wake up call. (and isn't it always the way it goes, that you fall asleep, finally, exactly 15 minutes BEFORE the wake up call!)

 

With a 9:30 AM meeting time in the Coral theater, we can sleep in till a reasonable 7:30 and have breakfast at 8:00. Because we are driving from port, I have the unusual experience of needing to only take my small back pack off the ship (usually if we valet I have my carry on to the airplane bags with me, which are bigger) and I feel a little more fleet of foot in the morning.

 

We enjoy a few last minutes on our balcony.

 

 

 

I see this waiting for the Feb 23rd 4 day cruise!

 

 

Did we eat that much ???? ( and this is just the fruit, I don't want to see the amount of butter going back onboard! Oh, wait, here are the butter trucks now...

 

 

After stuffing our jammies into our carryons, we decide to go to the MDR. Normally I choose the Windjammer, just because it feels like there is more room there to stash my larger carryon, but with our bags being more the size of a ladies purse today, we can fit in the more crowded dining room. We have a nice big breakfast, knowing we will be on the road until after lunch time.

 

After breakfast we head to the Coral theater a few minutes before 9 AM, and meet another passenger standing outside the theater who tells us they've just released everyone from the theater to debark, so we literally walk off the ship. And except for a minor sanfu of the family in front of us not having their kids sea passes, we sail right off the ship.

 

(for those of you interested; here is a short (Ha!) version of what happened with the missing sea passes. Kids had sea passes in pockets of beach robes, mom packed beach robes, next morning, no sea passes, dad goes to GS and explains, they get a note and the security guy at the "bong" machine {what is that thing called anyway?} has them on a list. Security guy looks at dads photo ID and GS note, "bongs" mom and dad, then manually looks up kids pictures on the "bong machine", bongs them with out the card {I did not know they could DO that!} checks off the kids and they are all good to go- and that my friends is what happens if you pack your sea pass in the luggage going down to the terminal, eat it for breakfast on the last day, or toss it over board in your glee to be home {or in some misguided belief that your bill will go with it} Though I'm sure the process takes much longer if in fact you didn't notice that you don't have your sea pass until you are ready to "bong". I'm sure there is another procedure of shame for that situation. Does all this make your head hurt? I suggest a hit of the "bong machine" for that.;))

 

A very easy process to pick up our bags, neatly stored by debarkation number, waved through customs (no officers there at all)and we are on the curb. It feels so abrupt after our lengthy embarkation process; the way breaking up feels versus courting!

 

We roll our bags across the street to the parking garage and we are off. If you think that you will have trouble managing your bags from parking garage to parking garage before and after the cruise, plan to do the valet parking option. It was not far at all a few hundred feet at best, but I've seen some of those bags (and some of we passengers) and you'll know if you need valet or not.

 

So without much fanfare our cruise on Jewel of the Seas is over. Some of my thoughts:

 

For me personally, having just sailed Oasis, which was so spectacularly designed and had so many innovations for managing passengers onboard, I had expected to suffer some times of feeling disappointed but I did not!!

 

First, as soon as we started walking around, I realized this ship is as lovely as everyone says. It is beautifully designed and comfortable and there truly is a view of the ocean from just about everywhere.

 

Second, I thought the service was outstanding. Instead of going through the fake motions of looking up your name so they could use it all the time as if the crew is there for you and only you (we all know better!), this crew was attentive and accommodating without be obsequious. Fewer people called me by name, but more people were empowered to do what I needed and knew what I wanted without having to ask! I attribute this to the smaller passenger load...there are advantages to smaller ships. (though Jewel could hardly be called small! I've made the point here on CC before that when people sniff that they only want to take the "intimate" RCL ships, I need to remind them that when I first sailed on Monarch in the early 90's she was the biggest girl on the ocean and was advertised as such!)

 

Third, I have to say my first experience sailing on the aft balcony was incredible and definitely helped make the experience of sailing on Jewel extra special. Having a large enough space to relax when the pool deck was jammed was a huge plus.

 

There were a few things that I didn't find great (crowds at the pool and in the Centrum shops),and I think I shared them throughout my review, but overall they were nit picks or things you'd experience on any cruise ship. Jewel was a gem, as everyone says and it was the perfect short cruise to enjoy with my daughters and mom; we made some wonderful memories...and I made Diamond!

[lakelorain]

Really enjoyed your detailed review. We were on the same cruise in January and it is way too short.

The Jewel is our favorite ship. Although I like the Promenades on the other ships, I love being able to see the water from almost everywhere on the ship.

For that reason, I don't mind the few times you run into crowded areas.

Thanks for sharing.

[QTMichele]

I love you comment about not being disappointed on the Jewel in spite of recently sailing Oasis. This is a small concern of mine that grows after each cruise I take on the 'bigger' ships. We are currently looking for a sailing to the Southern Caribbean and/or a Radiance Class ship to celebrate my 40th birthday next year. Your review has made me that much more excited to continue my quest to find another perfect cruise! :) Thanks for the great review, the funny comments, the wonderful pictures, and sharing your beautiful family with us.

[Familygoboston]

Really enjoyed your detailed review. We were on the same cruise in January and it is way too short.

The Jewel is our favorite ship. Although I like the Promenades on the other ships, I love being able to see the water from almost everywhere on the ship.

For that reason, I don't mind the few times you run into crowded areas.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Thank you for reading! I agree about too short! DH and I did a 4 night once; this only works if you don't have to fly to port or have a land vacation added to your crusie( lots of families on our cruise went to Disney, Universal or to see relatives in FL as part of this trip) The 5 night felt worth it for a short break when we have to fly, and this one was ok because we had 3 more days in Ft Myers with family and friends afterwards. But in Dec we took a week for our getaway cruise and decided we want ( and can get away from teens much easier too) 7 days or longer from now on! Especially with the price of airfare. Or 2 shorter b2b would be ok too.:D

 

I love you comment about not being disappointed on the Jewel in spite of recently sailing Oasis. This is a small concern of mine that grows after each cruise I take on the 'bigger' ships. We are currently looking for a sailing to the Southern Caribbean and/or a Radiance Class ship to celebrate my 40th birthday next year. Your review has made me that much more excited to continue my quest to find another perfect cruise! :) Thanks for the great review, the funny comments, the wonderful pictures, and sharing your beautiful family with us.

Thanks Michelle! I guess it's just like our kids; we love them all despite some being bigger than the others;)

[PH]

Thanks for all the information. We will be doing a B2B Ta then on the Baltic in May. We have aft 1102. I have not had one before and found your pro's and con's interesting. PH