tdc2673 Posted November 25, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 25, 2013 We are on the Jewel this week. Just left NOLA around 5. Were an hour late leaving not sure why. We are a family of 4. DH, myself, DS 13, and DD 9. We are in PH suite 10000. Our butler is Mama T. John the concierge, got off in NOLA, our concierge is Elvina. Embarcation was a breeze. We stayed night before at NO Marriott downtown. Was 250.00 but included parking for the week. We took a taxi to the port this morning around 10:30. Got to port around 10:50. Was pretty busy with 2 ships in port (Carnival Sunshine). We waited for about 15 min. Then was escorted to.the lounge. There were snacks, coffee, juice, and water. We were given our keys. Waited about 10 minutes, then escorted to Cagney's. Service was good and all of our food was good. Cabins were not ready until 1:30. We got kids soda cards and signed up for teen club and Splash while we waited. Suite was great and everything I had requested from pre-concierge was done. Red Stripes iced down, fridge cleaned out, and feather pillows and duvet removed. Sailaway was cold but beautiful as we waved bye bye to NO and the Sunshine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruth70 Posted November 25, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Can't wait to hear the rest! We go in March Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chmielel Posted November 25, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I am looking forward to reading the rest of your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMH15 Posted November 25, 2013 #4 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Oooh I love reviews in "real time". Feels like we are going along for the ride. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted November 25, 2013 #5 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Enjoy your trip:D. Hope you have time to write some reviews while travling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russianmom Posted November 25, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I can't wait to read the rest! Please post pictures if you can, we are in that suite in 83 days! :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted November 25, 2013 #7 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Looking forward to the rest of your review, we will be on the Jewel next week so leave her in good shape for us :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deladypilot Posted November 25, 2013 #8 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Sounds like things started off wonderful. Cant wait to read how the rest of the cruise goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 25, 2013 #9 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Enjoy the cruise. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medicalma'am Posted November 25, 2013 #10 Share Posted November 25, 2013 WooHoo! I'm 'along' for the ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcwingwalker Posted November 25, 2013 #11 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving. Things were late yesterday in NOLA. The Carnival Sunshine did not leave until 7:30 pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruth70 Posted November 25, 2013 #12 Share Posted November 25, 2013 We are sitting in Jacksonville/ our fascination is 4 hours late docking and we are really late leaving- Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougandMatt Posted November 25, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I just got off the ship yesterday in NOLA (burr it was cold) but our trip was great. I just wanted to pass on one tip that a few may find useful. The "Kids Café" is open most of the time and has Macaroni and Cheese that is really good. Also has Orange Juice 24 hours a day. I think only people with kids really new about this little "Jewel". Anyone can go to it and it is right at the front door near "Washy/Washy Boy". You will understand this later when you board. The other "Jewel" we found were the Chocolate Brownie Sundays served until 5 PM in the "Blue Lagoon". A lot of people don't know much about Blue Lagoon but our cabin was on Deck 8 next to it. (Upstairs from the Atrium). I can try to answer any other questions people have. Keep in mind we went budget with kids (inside cabin/no NCL Shore excursions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck2810 Posted November 26, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Can't wait to hear the rest! We go in March Me too! Keep it coming... Today's the first sea day - how was it:cool:? Edited November 26, 2013 by Chuck2810 editorial prerogative Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck2810 Posted November 26, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 26, 2013 ... Just left NOLA around 5. Were an hour late leaving not sure why. ... Only thing better than leaving late? Arriving late!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokerpro5 Posted November 26, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Hi. Thanks for these tips. I will be on the Jewel on 12/22 with my family. Here are a few questions: 1) Did you try the pizza? Was it worth waiting for (and the $5 delivery charge), or should we skip it? 2) How did your kids (especially the 9 year old) enjoy the programs on board for them? We will have a 10-year-old and a 3-year-old, and I am concerned the 10-year-old might be bored if the activities aren't good. Any suggestions? 3) Any "must see" shore excursions? I still haven't settled on what we should do yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coocooforshoes Posted November 26, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Hi. Thanks for these tips. I will be on the Jewel on 12/22 with my family. Here are a few questions: 1) Did you try the pizza? Was it worth waiting for (and the $5 delivery charge), or should we skip it? 2) How did your kids (especially the 9 year old) enjoy the programs on board for them? We will have a 10-year-old and a 3-year-old, and I am concerned the 10-year-old might be bored if the activities aren't good. Any suggestions? 3) Any "must see" shore excursions? I still haven't settled on what we should do yet. Hi Pokerpro, Have you joined our roll call ? You are more than welcome to join us. I toowould like to know about the pizza. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougandMatt Posted November 27, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 27, 2013 1) So my 8 year old pretty much ate Pizza for every meal. I too had it a few times and it was really good as long as you got one of the fresh ones but they seemed to be making them all the time and fresh ones coming out. Most of the Pizza in the Kids Café were old so just go for the fresh ones at the buffet. Never ordered the $5 pizzas as my kids were in bed anytime that they stopped the Pizzas at the Buffet. My son ordered a Pizza at Tsar's Palace Dining Room which was just as good. My 6 year old pretty much ordered "pasta" with a butter sauce at the Pasta Buffet. Just ask for butter sauce and they will make it. 2) Another Tip if you want cookies they put them out in back of the Garden Café only from 10:00-11:00 PM so stock up or else just order them room service for free anytime. 3) The Kids Club "Splash Academy" was GREAT! Very friendly staff especially the British Girl that sits at the front and "Jaws". My 6 and 8 were in the same "class". On Carnival last year they didn't want to participate much but this year I could hardly keep them away. Every night they had themes with the room even decorated and staff in costumes. One night was Spy Night, one night was Pirate Night, another Survivor Night, etc. We only had 200 kids on board so it wasn't packed. Thanksgiving week they say they have 700+ kids. 4) We didn't do any NCL Excursions but I WOULD definitely do an NCL one if you are in Jamaica. Just not a safe place much at all and especially don't take the kids!!! We were offered drugs and sex up and down the streets. I was prepared for it and just kept walking but we didn't stay long and got back on board. NCL really needs to cut this port. Of course I understand they may make more money as people NEED to use them to be safe. 5) Loved our Cayman Islands Excursion with Acquarius. Mario had Pizza, Fruit Punch and spent the entire day on his boat snorkeling, starfish beach, and the Stingrays. The best part is that we left our camera on the Jewel because he takes all the pictures and posts them to the web when we got home. I will say our 4 hour trip with him turned into 7 hours as other Ships were late in port and we had to wait for them. But we went to his boat and just hung out. We barely made it back to our last tender. I would do it again though. $50 per person including the kids. We stuck with shopping in Cozumel and felt very safe with kids on the (main streets). I hope this helps!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planmaam Posted November 27, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 27, 2013 So glad you are posting this, I'm going to be doing the same itinerary soon. Will you be able to post Dailies once you return? Would love to have some fore-knowledge. thanks, and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokerpro5 Posted November 27, 2013 #20 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Hi Pokerpro,Have you joined our roll call ? You are more than welcome to join us. I toowould like to know about the pizza. :) Yes, I joined the roll call and will be at the Meet and Greet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMHAM1 Posted November 28, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Please post pics of the room. We have suite 10000 and 10500 leaving NOLA on Dec 15th. Tell the butler to take her Geritol because she might need it with our kids! We will try to be low maintenance. I would also like to know the temps in the ports to see if it is ok to pack just Summer things. Also include the water temp and if it is nice and warm to swim. We booked an AI in Jamaica and it sounds like that was the right choice Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherok Posted November 28, 2013 #22 Share Posted November 28, 2013 We were on this cruise also. For Jamaica we used a private agency named Liberty Tours Jamaica. Ask for Ricardo. There was 6 in our party and he was our guide. He had a very nice air conditioned van. We chose to go to Blue Hole for swimming and diving off the falls. It was beautiful. Afterwards he took us sightseeing and then to Scotchies for lunch serving jerk chicken and rice and peas. Total price for everything was $70 each. Felt extremely safe with him all day and he will let you chose where you want to go and customize your day. Got back to ship over an hour before required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mitsugirly Posted November 28, 2013 #23 Share Posted November 28, 2013 I just got off the ship yesterday in NOLA (burr it was cold) but our trip was great. I just wanted to pass on one tip that a few may find useful. The "Kids Café" is open most of the time and has Macaroni and Cheese that is really good. Also has Orange Juice 24 hours a day. I think only people with kids really new about this little "Jewel". Anyone can go to it and it is right at the front door near "Washy/Washy Boy". You will understand this later when you board. The other "Jewel" we found were the Chocolate Brownie Sundays served until 5 PM in the "Blue Lagoon". A lot of people don't know much about Blue Lagoon but our cabin was on Deck 8 next to it. (Upstairs from the Atrium). I can try to answer any other questions people have. Keep in mind we went budget with kids (inside cabin/no NCL Shore excursions). Good to hear the kids buffet was open most of the cruise. Our little one loves to eat there. We are also on deck 8, so it's awesome to know the Blue Lagoon is right around the corner. Did you and the kids attend any of the Nickelodeon events? If so, how did it go? Most of all, did you go to the Nick breakfast and what were your thoughts? I see a lot of my roll call peeps are on here. hehe Can you tell we are counting down the days until our Jewel cruise? 17 days, 10 hours, 11 min and 20 seconds to be exact. :D Thanks for your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realtorlady42 Posted November 29, 2013 #24 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Good to hear the kids buffet was open most of the cruise. Our little one loves to eat there. We are also on deck 8, so it's awesome to know the Blue Lagoon is right around the corner. Did you and the kids attend any of the Nickelodeon events? If so, how did it go? Most of all, did you go to the Nick breakfast and what were your thoughts? I see a lot of my roll call peeps are on here. hehe Can you tell we are counting down the days until our Jewel cruise? 17 days, 10 hours, 11 min and 20 seconds to be exact. :D Thanks for your review. We are on Deck 8 as well. Aft Balcony. But not until January :( I think it is a perfect location...very close to Blue Lagoon, just a flight of stairs to Tsars and a perfect view. What excursions are you doing this time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mitsugirly Posted November 30, 2013 #25 Share Posted November 30, 2013 We are on Deck 8 as well. Aft Balcony. But not until January :(I think it is a perfect location...very close to Blue Lagoon, just a flight of stairs to Tsars and a perfect view. What excursions are you doing this time? I was originally on deck 9, so deck 8 should be a decent spot as well. :) I'm happy with the choice I made to upgrade and it's going to be a nice cruise. This time around we are doing the Stingray sandbar and Rum Point beach. In Jamaica we are going to Hilton Rose Hall. I'm undecided in Cozumel still and need to pick something quickly. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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