Anyone recently back from the Jewel?

[Junebug27]

Hi all, A few weeks ago a thread was going about suite life on the Jewel. Specifically that it was a little lackluster, people found the concierge less then accommodating and Cagney's room service delivery, a staple suite perk, was not being offered. Does anyone have any updates to this or recent experiences?

[big green]

Hi all, A few weeks ago a thread was going about suite life on the Jewel. Specifically that it was a little lackluster, people found the concierge less then accommodating and Cagney's room service delivery, a staple suite perk, was not being offered. Does anyone have any updates to this or recent experiences?

 

Vp Riley answered this question about suite in room dining service from Cadney's today online in his cruise critic session---he stated in room dining service is provided to suite/penthouse guest--I can tell you I am booked on the Jewel for a 16 day cruise and if this happens I will be seeing the Hotel Director immediately.

 

Big Green

[Junebug27]

Thank you so much! Yes I also plan on going to the HD if there is any issue with this. Hopefully it is resolved and that won't be necessary!

[jame_g]

We just got back from the Jewel. It was only a two night, which we've done before, so we knew what to expect. But I have to say that the Jewel was a disappointment compared to the other NCL ships we've been on. NCL is our preferred line, so this was let down.

 

Our steward was fine, no complaints.

The room was ready before we got on board.

Walk-off disembarkation was great, although we never received any disembarkation information. Seemed like it wasn't consistently distributed to all cabins.

Buffet had limited selection, and the lettuce was brown. And it looked like they kept putting the same lettuce out at other meals even though people weren't taking it. The Sky has a smaller buffet and it was a lot better.

In our opinion there was a poor selection of slots in the casino. We don't like the animated computer screen slots (versus ones that physically spin), and there were a lot more of the computer screen slots in this casino.

The spa pass was a huge disappointment compared to the Star, Dawn, Gem, and Pearl. If all you want is the sauna/steam room or heated loungers and want to take a chance one will be available, go for it. But the common area and thermal pools were small and it wasn't worth it.

We won't be sailing the Jewel again. Glad we were only on for 2 nights.

 

The boarding in NYC was complete chaos. Jewel and Gem going through the same security lines, really horrible lines. No signs telling people where to go. When you asked you repeatedly got the wrong information and encountered people who refused to help. Kept getting told to go in incorrect lines only to be told by the people manning that line that you shouldn't be there, then yelled at by the original people to go back to the same line. No where for people to go the lines got so bad. So the crowds of new people just forced their way in front of people who'd already been standing in an unmoving line for over an hour. The staff refused to acknowledge the line wasn't moving when there were people moving at a steady pace on the other side of the barrier. It was so bad that I am going to cancel my Breakaway cruise because I won't go through that experience again. So NCL will have to really motivate me to get me to sail out of NYC again after this experience. But I plan to switch to a shorter sailing on the Getaway out of Miami a year later instead.

[dongordon]

Here is my review of the Jewel I posted when I returned from the 12 - day Caribbean Cruise (1/6 - 1/18).

 

I was not in a suite... but an aft-facing balcony.

 

Don

 

 

"Just returned yesterday from a fantastic cruise on the 12 - day Southern Carribbean Jewel Cruise:

Here is a short review:

 

Restaurants: The food and service in the MDR was very good as well as the Specialty restaurants. I dined in all the speciaty restaurants except the Asian. The Moderno was a surpise treat!! Made reservations the same day for all the specialty restaurants and they were never full except for Tappanyaki. NCL should offer some specials to boost the attendance....I think they are hurting due to the poor economy.

Only disappointments were that NCL does not feature cold soups that I have enjoyed on other cruise lines. They did in the past, but I was told that they discontinued it.

Le Bistro did not have one of my favorites a "Cheesy" French Onion Soup. It only featured a "cheese flavored" large crouton!

 

Entertainment: I really enjoyed three shows:

Jersey Boys

Cirque Bijou

The Last Night's Show "Variety Showtime"

 

"Twin Flame" and "Next Stage" were in the various lounges and not to be missed. Both music acts were so talented and fantastic and really involve their audiences....one of the best I have seen on cruises. After you see and hear them, you will want to see their performances each day and highlight it in the "Freestyle Daily. We actually planned our dinners around their schedule.

 

The crew on the Jewel were among the friendliest and happiest I have seen on my various cruises.

 

The ports....the best except for Puerto Rico.....you arrive too late to really do anything and I really did not enjoy followig my wife and daughter around to the different shops!

I really love the southern Carribbean ports. I also enjoy the sea days and the pools are heated so you can enjoy them as well when at sea going and coming. The weather on sea days can always be questionable, but we enjoyed the sun on most sea days although at times, it was a bit windy on the upper decks.

 

I love the NCL and the casual cruise and freestyle experience."