Jewel Review March 10, 2013

[aprylstar]

I am fairly certain they are for both. Tsars & Azuras had slightly different static menus, but the daily menus were the same. We only dined in Tsars, but we did check out the Azura menu twice & (Kung Pao Day & Louisiana Filet & Shrimp day) and menus were the same at both.

 

Great review!

 

What restaurant are menus day 1-7 from?

[aprylstar]

I will have to look back through the dailies, but anytime we were by the pool they had 3 man band - vocals instruments & dj. I am guessing that is DJ Fransisco. They played/sang a lot of current dance music (spring break cruise) and fun island music (similar to Caribbean band).

 

On the Dailies, I notice on the sea days it says DJ Fransisco a lot. Didn't they have a Raggae band playing during the day ??? :confused:

[aprylstar]

Will do! I'll be done by Saturday. I do have a few more pics of the ship to include - theater, spinnakers, fyzz etc. I'll get them up ASAP!

 

Keep those Dailies coming !!! Also any pix of the ship too :D

[gelo7]

Really enjoying your pictorial review.

[lisakoivu]

Thanks! Having a hard time not booking another cruise right away! Lol.

 

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OMG, me too! Did you buy an FCC? We bought two!

[aprylstar]

No, but I wish we had!!!!!!!!! 4 years is a long time to spend them. We are definitely planning a Super Bowl 2015 Cruise, but I'm not sure NCL will work for us. My husband definitely does not want anything smaller than the Jewel & my parents want to sail from somewhere hot, so that eliminates NY. The Pearl is doing long itineraries & I can't yank DS out of school that long, the Epic is visiting ports we've already been too & the Getaway is an astonishing $3100 for the 3 of us PLUS tips, travel expenses, drink $$ and spending $$$. We were actually planning on booking the Dream out of Port Canaveral for that cruise, but with recent events, we are reconsidering. I'm himming and hawing about the Sun from Tampa or the Dawn from New Orleans that week, but the Sun is smaller & New Orleans is just a PITA to get to for us! lol

 

So in addition to your Breakaway Cruise next year, you have to figure out where to spend your FCC's!!! JEALOUS! lol Happy planning :)

 

OMG, me too! Did you buy an FCC? We bought two!

[aprylstar]

Thanks :)

 

Really enjoying your pictorial review.

[aprylstar]

Day 6 - First of 2 Sea Days & we FINALLY made it to the dining room for breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah!

 

I had an omelet, because if you haven't figured out already I am not a fan of lines and that is the one breakfast item you had to wait for in the buffet. It was DELICIOSO. My son requested his favourite server Janis & she helped kick off another great day on the Jewel.

 

After breakfast, we walked to the front of Deck 11 to check out the Bridge viewing room. This was really cool! You could see the officers/captains navigating the ship & the room was filled with awards & maps of all the places the ship had been.

 

 

 

Today was Bingo day. Same as Deal or No Deal. Fun - yes - worth my $39 for the baby package - NOPE. We did 3 games & someone won around $150 - $300 each time. What I did find out later in the week, is that if you are like us & are only going to play Bingo once, wait until the last see day. It is $10000 jackpot (if you get a full card within X amount of turns) & they give you extra raffle tickets for the free cruise draw that happens after the last Bingo Session. In my opinon, the $60 spent on Bingo and Deal or No Deal would of been better spent at the Casino, but to each their own I guess! Here is a photo of us in the Spinnaker Lounge just before Bingo. As well, there is a photo of my son in Fyzz Lounge waiting for a game show or Karaoke to start later in the day.

 

 

 

DH & DS went to Close up Magic with JP. They were having some sort of technical difficulties on Stage, so they ended up doing an improv session/class. DS was chosen to go up on stage & he had the BEST time! Here is a photo of the two fo them sitting in the Theater. The photo does the theater no justice, it is massive & beautiful.

 

 

Afterwards we went to the Blue Lagoon for lunch and had Wings (naked, no breading & tossed in hot sauce) w/ french fries and wonton soup - weird combo, but all super yummy!

 

For those of you considering buying a pop card for your kids, I say go for it. A Cup of pop is $2.10 on the ship. For $4/day your kids get a refillable souvenir cup (w/ lid that closes) and unlimited bubbles. Also, on Carnival, they would only serve my son with his pop card. On NCL, I could go to any bar with my sons card & they'd give me his drink.

 

After Blue Lagoon, my son went to the kids club. He hadn't been in 3 days & I think he missed his friends. My husband dragged me to the slot pull, insisting I enter b.c I had been lucky all week, so I did & I won! lol What luck! No prize yet, but as long as I stayed in the top 6 for winner scores I had an entry into the $500 jackpot round the next day. To enter it was $15 with my CAS card. My arm was sore FOREVER afterwards, so I grabbed my son & we headed to the hot tubs to relax why the hubby went shopping at the Galleria. In my family my DH is the one with the shopping problem! lol To cap off the afternoon, the boys played a quick game of ping pong - they're fave game on the ship just ahead of the driving range.

 

[aprylstar]

Back to the room for some down time & to get ready for my favourite evening on the ship! New Orleans Shrimp & Strip Steak Mignon in the dining room, Cirque Bijou in the Theater, Chocolate Buffet for Dessert & some more gambling - I won again OH YEAH! lol - and the White hot party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We took our time getting ready for dinner & snapped a few photos before hand. Most of the trip I was walking around with beach hair & comfy clothes so it was nice to get all dolled up! I had found an awesome lace dress for the party just before the trip, so I was ready for an awesome evening out!

 

 

Dinner was delicious as usual! The Cirque show was fantastic. I don't think words can express how great it was. You'll have to board the Jewel and see for yourself. The couple from Duo Elagia along with 8 or 10 other cast members put on an awesome show! Afterwards many of the staff from the ship took part in a song & dance as part of a staff appreciation. It was one of the first times we could snap photos in the Theatre. Great marketing there. If you didn't already feel like you were part of the NCL family, you will after leaving the show!

 

 

The chocolate Buffet was great. My husband says Carnivals was more impressive, but I thought both were pretty awesome!

 

 

My son went back to the Kids Club after dessert. He was sad that he skipped it for Days 3 - 5 b.c he was having so much fun there on this day! We went to the Casino for an hour or so & then headed up to the white hot party. When we arrived, Next Stage was playing to kick off the evening. Then the NCL Dancers came out & put on a little show. After that is was all out club jumping dancing fun! Bubbles, lights, glow sticks & music! Tons of spring breakers, but tons much older as well. It was a great night for everyone! We only stayed for an hour or so as we had to get my son from the kids club. By then I was pretty tipsy, so we did a 1 am Blue Lagoon run! My son loved that & nothing is better than frenchy fries at that hour! lol The place was packed. I guess it's the place to be after hours!!! lol

 

Here is a random pick of my DS in the dining room. You can't see much, but it's the only one I have. It is from breakfast earlier in the day.

 

[aprylstar]

 

 

 

[KevinsCruising]

I will have to look back through the dailies, but anytime we were by the pool they had 3 man band - vocals instruments & dj. I am guessing that is DJ Fransisco. They played/sang a lot of current dance music (spring break cruise) and fun island music (similar to Caribbean band).

 

Excellent !!

[aprylstar]

We did :-) we ate at teppanyaki. It'll be in tomorrows review!

 

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[aprylstar]

I would love to book the Epic. Its on my bucket list for sure!

 

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[foil7102]

Just wanted to say thank you, the DW and I are booked on the Jewel in March 2014, and your posts have been very informative. I did have a question, do you remember what any of the "regional specialties" were? Just curious. Thank you again!

[cabincop]

just waned to say thanks what a great review thru your eyes and what a great looking and sweet family

[aprylstar]

I did ask two nights and it was Caribbean themed both nights. Beans fish rice soup etc. both sounded good but whatever was on the menu that day sounded yummier. Glad you are enjoying the review. I am enjoying writing it! Thanks!

 

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[aprylstar]

Thanks! I've had so much help planning two trips now through cruise critic. I thought it was time to pay it forward :-)

 

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[sayla27]

April

 

I can't thank you enough. We leave on Sunday and your review has been unbelievably helpful. My husband wants to get the 12 pack of Coronas as well but I'm not much of a beer drinker. It looks like it could be worth it.

 

We are actually booked at Teppanyaki as well for my daughter's 7th birthday. Can't wait to read your thoughts.

 

By any chance did you do any of the martini or beer tastings? Also, did you use the spa at all? I'm planning to get the weekly spa pass for a little quiet time.

 

I noticed that your husband is wearing a UA sweatshirt on Friday. Was it that chilly or could you still do shorts and Tshirts?

 

Thanks

Joanne

[medicalma'am]

Wow, great review. I am looking forward to the Jewel in December. Your son's personality just shines through!

[aprylstar]

Hello Joanne :) Your daughter is going to have so much fun! Is this her first cruise? Our first cruise was last year. My son picked the trip b.c the year prior we had gone to Vegas without him (every one needs a little mom and dad time!). Prior to that we had been to Disney for his 8th birthday. Within 2 days of being on the Freedom he declared cruising better than Disney! lol

I've created a monster already! lol hahaha

 

I didn't do either tastings although I had intended to. They were always from 4 - 6 & with our routine of dinner @ 6 followed by the early show, it just didn't jive. They close the kids club from 5 - 7, so my son was always with us at that time. We often passed the tastings & they were always packed & everyone was always having fun!

 

No to the spa passes. As much as I am a relaxer, my son & hubby are go go go & lucky (or not lucky! lol) for me, they must include me in everything. The ship did have a library & game room (side by side) where there were always people relaxing & everytime I was in the Spinnaker during the day, there were ladies with lounge chairs lined up along the windows enjoying the view and ready.

 

You'll notice my husband had 3 shirst on that day. Started with a T, then a long sleeve T then a hoodie. Likely he slopped food on himself at breakfast! lol (he'll kill me for saying that). It was definitely warm Friday even though it was unseasonable cool all over the USA. I can see it being much warmer on your trip! The pic of my son & I was taken on the balcony around 5 on Friday & I was comfortable outdoors in that dress. I did have a light sweater on over my T during the day, but that was because we were up early & there was a little bite to the wind then.

 

Your daughter will love Teppanyaki. The performer/chef will make her the star of the show and the food is too die for :)

 

April

 

I can't thank you enough. We leave on Sunday and your review has been unbelievably helpful. My husband wants to get the 12 pack of Coronas as well but I'm not much of a beer drinker. It looks like it could be worth it.

 

We are actually booked at Teppanyaki as well for my daughter's 7th birthday. Can't wait to read your thoughts.

 

By any chance did you do any of the martini or beer tastings? Also, did you use the spa at all? I'm planning to get the weekly spa pass for a little quiet time.

 

I noticed that your husband is wearing a UA sweatshirt on Friday. Was it that chilly or could you still do shorts and Tshirts?

 

Thanks

Joanne

Edited March 23, 2013 by aprylstar

[aprylstar]

After our late night extravaganza last night we slept in AGAIN! This must have been a great vacation, b.c normally when on family vacations, the three of us are in bed early & up early. By now we had gotten smart. Rather than head up to the busy Garden Cafe, we wend up to the Great Outdoors. Being deck 11 aftt (room 11106) we were a short walk & 1 flight away. They have a small buffet every morning, coffee etc. Minimal people & always a place to sit. If not, we can bring breakfast back to our cabin. We did find a seat every morning without waiting even if it was perfect timing of someone leaving as we were looking. Also, we were eating in the buffet late - 930 ish. I had been up there at 830 one morning to fill my travel mugs with coffee & juice & there were half as many people (and that was a sea day).

 

Reading through my review & looking at today, I realized I got my days mixed up! lol Close up Magic with JP did happen. There was no technical difficulties (that was yesterday). He inspired my son to buy his $15 magic book (he's a good sales man) & and $8 deck of cards from the gift shop and taught my son how to make a bra & chicken out of a dinner napkin! lol My son loved JP & has spent hours practicing. He now has 5 or 6 card tricks down pat from the book, making me feel better about him spending the $25.

 

 

 

Today was how to improve your memory with JP. At this point, my son wanted to attend anything with the name JP on it. I shipped the boys out & spend the time packing up our cabin. This was the day there was technical difficulties & they did improv instead.

 

After improv DS wanted to order room service one last time & practice his card tricks. We let him have some "me" time while we headed up to the dining room. What I love about being on the ship is there are phones every where. DS is just at the age where I don't mind leaving him by himself for an hour or so, but I can still call the room & check up on him. I'm a lucky ducky & have a super awesome kid. He follows all the rules & asks before he does anything he thinks he should ask to do, so I am comfortable giving him a little freedom at this age. He had the burger (NCL burgers are AWESOME) & DH & I went to the dining room for Shrimp Caesar Salad & Philly Cheesesteak. If you order the salad ask for extra shrimp, bacon & parm - otherwise delicious. Philly Cheesesteak comes with processed cheese on top, so the second time around hubby ordered it - hold the processed cheese & add provolone please!

 

Slime Time Live was at 1:30 & this was HILARIOUS. They had 2 families chosen to participate but were very heavy on audience participation. I would say around 30 - 40 extras were chosen from all over the theater to come up & everyone had to participate - audience & stage - in wacky antics with the nick crew. I can't say enough about what a great job NCL & their Nick crew does for entertainment!

 

 

 

 

My son headed to kids club after the show & DH & I to the Casino. We found out I had remained in the top 6 & was eligible to play in the Jackpot round!!!!!!!!!! I came in 6th. No prize for me..... $500 for first w/ champagne & tshirt, 2nd and 3rd champagne - 4th to 6th nadda. I felt like 4th to 6th should at least get the $15 back they put in or a small prize considering 100+ people played the tourney throughout the week, but I had fun regardless!

 

We headed to the Galleria to do some shopping. We got small gifts for Parents, Siblings, Neices (small family - for my son he has 2 Grandmas, 1 Grandpa, 1 Aunt, 1 Uncle, 1 cousin! my extended family, however, is ginormous & all very close, so we stuck to immediate family only for gifts). The shops have a lot of great deals & a lot of great products. Especially on watches, bags, jewellery & liquor. We picked up a bottle of Smirnoff & bottle of Bacardi (both 1L) for 13 & 14 dollars! They package it up & ask you to come back between 6 am & 9 am on disembarkation day to get it.

 

Teppanyaki was next. This was my son's choice & he was super pumped to go. The chef was great, the food was awesome & DS absolutely loved it! The only negative is that all three tables are together in one room & it gets very noisy. There is a hibachi restaurant in Erie PA & each table of 8 gets a private room. In addition to that, the chefs there juggle knives, make fire & giant towers of onions etc. If I had never been there before I would have been blown away by NCL hibachi. Regardless, the food was just as delicious on NCL & I'm happy we went. It was worth the $25 for sure. I had scallops & shrimp, DS had chicken & steak (they gave him filet) & DH had Shrimp & Filet. I tried the green tea cake & ice cream for dessert (cake was dry, but ice cream was great) & my son had the fruit with Fresh Mango & Coconut dipping sauces.

 

 

[aprylstar]

 

 

We were stuffed after dinner & DH actually had to lie down for a bit! lol I relaxed on the balcony while the boys played some video games. We decided to skip the farewell show having been to 5 back to back theater shows. DS headed to the kids club & we made our nightly visit to the Casino. My hubby had lost $40 throughout the day at the Casino and of course I sit down at the dragon machine, through in a $20 & win almost $100! I got a single orb bonus round & each orb that appeared in thee 7 spins was worth $5! We tried our luck at roulette again and for the first night I lost (only $20 - I'm tight with my dough! lol). We walked away up a few dollars and picked our the boy up from kids club. Time for bed (sad face) The end of the trip! It was an awesome week. Better than expected!

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

You're right that cake does indeed look very dry, I have never had a good green tea cake they are always too dry or too rich. I do love green tea ice cream, we are still debating between Cagneys vs tekkamaki. I guess when the reservations open up we will make a move and book one or the other.

 

It looks like you folks had a great time, reading your review has me pumped for our X cruise leaving tomorrow :D

[lisakoivu]

No, but I wish we had!!!!!!!!! 4 years is a long time to spend them. We are definitely planning a Super Bowl 2015 Cruise, but I'm not sure NCL

 

No, we'll spend them both next year on the Breakaway, because we need two cabins (no suites next time, two insides is all the budget will bear!)

[bongaree]

Thank you so much for the wonderful review. We are on the Jewel doing b2b2b in September going to Alaska, Pacific Coastal and Panama to New Orleans.

 

Your review has answered so many questions we had.

 

Cheers from Aus.

 

Janet