Review: Jewel 10/21 | Garden Villa | Chefs Table | Bridge Tour | 100+ Pictures

[brian99]

Day 8 – Debarkation

At 8:15 Cris escorted us to Chin Chin where we Ruth was waiting with other suite guests for priority debarkation, after about 20 minutes we were told our luggage was ready so we left the ship. As soon as we got off, it was clear we weren’t being pampered by NCL anymore. The person at the end of the gangway told us our luggage wasn’t ready and we had to get back on the ship. We waited there for a couple minutes while she made a call and found out our luggage was ready so we continued. All the luggage was sorted by deck with the priority luggage in a separate area. Getting my 70 lb suitcase from the middle of the pile wasn’t easy but I got it and headed to customs. The line was long; it took 80-90 minutes to get through. Next time I will be sure to have a porter take our luggage through customs because they had their own line and it would have only taken 15 minutes to get through. I'm not sure what charge or if they only work for tips but whatever the price, it's worth it to save an hour in line.

 

Final thoughts:

The weather could have been a lot better and a couple of our meals were not good but overall it was a great cruise. Although this was our first cruise so I don’t have anything to compare it to and I’m sure being in a villa contributed to the great service and pampering we received. There will probably be a bunch of negative reviews about this cruise based mainly on the weather and missed ports but I think NCL did everything they could. The way I look at it is since we missed GSC and Nassau I can book this same cruise again and it will be completely different next time.

[brian99]

Approaching the Verrazano:

 

 

 

Back in NYC:

 

 

 

 

 

This ship was docked next to us:

 

View from the car as we drive away: :(

[Hopes4]

I loved your review, especially all those wonderful photos! Thank you for taking the time to post it.

[pcreek]

Thanks, Brian! Awesome review w/photos! It has gotten me really excited for our trip soon!! (We're staying right next door to a GV, 14006 - so it was really helpful to me!):D

[Veronica Beaverhausen]

We just returned from the Jewel today. We were in a Haven suite. I agree with you that Cris is the best! Your photos are lovely. Thank you.

[neverthought]

Brian,

Wonderful review and fantastic pictures, Thank you so much for sharing.:) With this being your first cruise, and in the GV...you and your DW are forever spoiled!!! ;) How great to be able to cruise in the GV your first time. A GV is on our "Bucket List"!! Thanks again!

Neverthought

[lindacat]

I am leaving on the Jewel on 11/25 and remember the Jazz brunch. I wanted to take my mother. Do you know if it was offered on the Jewel?

[CRUISIN' TOGETHER]

Thanks for your review and pictures! Jewel was our very first cruise in 2007!! It was nice to see the pics of her...especially the GV!! That will spoil ya :p

[brian99]

I am leaving on the Jewel on 11/25 and remember the Jazz brunch. I wanted to take my mother. Do you know if it was offered on the Jewel?

 

There was a Jazz Brunch in Le Bistro at 11am on the last sea day (Saturday).

[david_sobe]

Bravo!

Fantastic review

The colorful pictures were amazing

The suite was spectacular

 

THANKS FOR SHARING

[ddakrt]

Brian, thanks for taking the time to do this review and upload so many pictures! Really, really enjoyed reading through it.

 

My first cruise was also on the Jewel, I'll always love this beautiful ship. :D

[Georgiagolfer]

Thank you so much for this review. As we have 1 year until we cruise on Pearl, can't wait to sail on NCL for 1st time.

[Snowrose]

Brian, your pictures are just incredible. Thanks for the review!

[Pee-ah]

Thank you so much for this review. As we have 1 year until we cruise on Pearl, can't wait to sail on NCL for 1st time.

 

You and me both! Though we are going to on the Jewel

[phillyken]

To all the Crew and "shipmates" on this Cruise :This was not Karen's nor my first cruise with NCL, but absolutely the most adventurous. We felt safe at all times while Mother Nature produced some strong winds and heavy seas.

Norfolk turned out to be a great port of call; and I will never forget standing by for the passing of the highly decorated Carrier Ship. Brian thank you for those awesome pictures. The Chef's tasting and behind the Scenes tour were definitely a highlight. I met wonderful people from all walks of life from all over the World and shall never forget. Thanks be to GOD.

P.S. Where do we go next? And in the meantime if you ever find yourself in Philadelphia, Pa give me a call. I will show you things that are not even on the map. And of course you will run up the Art Museum steps to see Rocky.

Until we meet again..Be Victorious!!!

Phillyken:):cool::D

[gambee]

I was referred to you review by luv2cruise53, he said that you had some of the best pictures of NY while sailing away. And being the picture obsessive person that I am, I had to look at your pictures. Let me tell you I was not disappointed, you have some of the best pictures I have seen in CC, thank you very much for sharing.

 

Giving you that praise you deserve now I move into another topic, that Villa is stunning. I would so love to one day be able to travel in one of them. I love that you have a private tub, I would be inside it the entire trip.

 

Quick question, do you by any chance a video of the pool while the water was rough?

 

 

Thanks for sharing for amazing pictures with us. I am glad Kev had a link to your review in his review.

[johnsak123]

I really enjoyed your review and pictures. You really started at the top as a first crusie so if you dont sail at the same level you might be disapointed

May I be so bold and to ask what you tipped the concierge,butler and room steward. I am always confused as to what to give and how much. I dont usually use there services that much during the cruise but I know they provide things that I dont even ask for

Thanks

[stormcastle]

loved the review and great pictures!

I think you mentioned you had an upgrade to the GV--what cabin had you originally booked? I never knew NCL would offer a GV to two people--gives me hope for the future.

We are on the Gem next week--in owners suite for first time. We generally go in a penthouse but got a great deal last year on the owners suite.

again--thanks for the review.

[brian99]

I was referred to you review by luv2cruise53, he said that you had some of the best pictures of NY while sailing away. And being the picture obsessive person that I am, I had to look at your pictures. Let me tell you I was not disappointed, you have some of the best pictures I have seen in CC, thank you very much for sharing.

 

Giving you that praise you deserve now I move into another topic, that Villa is stunning. I would so love to one day be able to travel in one of them. I love that you have a private tub, I would be inside it the entire trip.

 

Quick question, do you by any chance a video of the pool while the water was rough?

 

 

Thanks for sharing for amazing pictures with us. I am glad Kev had a link to your review in his review.

 

Thanks Gambee.

 

I'm a fan of your extremely detailed review of the RCI Allure of the seas. I'm considering the Allure/Oasis for our next cruise, although I will probably try the NCL breakaway first since it leaves from NY.

 

I just uploaded a few videos. I've been meaning to post the tour of our suite for a while now but your request persuaded me to actually do it.

 

Here is a view of the pool from our suite during rough seas. It doesn't look too rough since we were up high, if I had a video from the pool level it would have been better. The pools were closed about an hour after I took this.

 

 

 

Here's the room tour my wife took:

 

Here's the one I took:

[brian99]

I really enjoyed your review and pictures. You really started at the top as a first crusie so if you dont sail at the same level you might be disapointed

May I be so bold and to ask what you tipped the concierge,butler and room steward. I am always confused as to what to give and how much. I dont usually use there services that much during the cruise but I know they provide things that I dont even ask for

Thanks

 

I doubt I'll ever sail in a room like the garden villa again. The biggest pluses are the hot tub and overlooking the pool area. I loved having a private balcony/sundeck yet still being able to hear the entertainment going on in the pool area and smelling the daily barbeque, plus we spent many hours in the hot tub. Unfortunately even the biggest suites on new ships have either of the features. I don't think it's worth thousands more dollars just to have a larger room. I'm looking at a penthouse suite on Breakaway for my next cruise.

 

I don't remember the exact numbers but we tipped about $600 total. Our butler got the most since he brought us breakfast every day and lunch most days, I also gave him a list of things I wanted stocked in our bar like milk, limes, pepsi and diet pepsi. We used the concierge for dinner reservations 4-5 times and priority debarkation twice. Our room steward was great so we gave her a tip even though she is included in the DSC.

 

There's dozens of threads on tipping but it's really a personal preference. I would recommend a minimum of $50-100 for the butler and concierge then go up from there if you use them a lot.

[brian99]

loved the review and great pictures!

I think you mentioned you had an upgrade to the GV--what cabin had you originally booked? I never knew NCL would offer a GV to two people--gives me hope for the future.

We are on the Gem next week--in owners suite for first time. We generally go in a penthouse but got a great deal last year on the owners suite.

again--thanks for the review.

 

I originally booked a Deluxe Owners Suite (S2) on the Pearl. A few weeks after booking the Pearl was chartered but instead of canceling the cruise, NCL said the Jewel would do the itinerary. Since the Jewel doesn't have a DOS they upgraded us to the Garden Villa (S1). I've heard under normal circumstances, NCL won't upgrade people to a GV.

[gambee]

Thanks Gambee.

 

I'm a fan of your extremely detailed review of the RCI Allure of the seas. I'm considering the Allure/Oasis for our next cruise, although I will probably try the NCL breakaway first since it leaves from NY.

 

I just uploaded a few videos. I've been meaning to post the tour of our suite for a while now but your request persuaded me to actually do it.

 

Here is a view of the pool from our suite during rough seas. It doesn't look too rough since we were up high, if I had a video from the pool level it would have been better. The pools were closed about an hour after I took this.

 

 

 

Here's the room tour my wife took:

 

Here's the one I took:

 

 

Those videos are great, the pool one was exactly was I was looking for. Your wife's video is great I love the narration that goes with it. Thank you very much for uploading them.

[Rahway742]

LOVED YOUR REVIEW!!!!! Makes me super excited for my cruise in march (62 days left :))))

[camz]

Brian99 - Thank you for your very detailed review. Your photos were awesome! :)

[spacepotatoes]

Thanks for the great review and amazing photos! This review, combined with the cold winter weather REALLY makes me wish I had a cruise booked for the near future :)

 

I don't know how you'll top a first cruise in a GV but I do hope you'll post another review, whatever your next cruise may be!