Jewel of a Journey - With Lots of Photos, Including Food Porn

[lovelife]

ABOUT US

 

DH and I are a mature couple on our 30th cruise - 22 with RCCL. This was to be our first cruise since earning Diamond Plus status and we were advised by the RCCL representative when making this reservation to be sure and attend the welcome back party as we would receive our Diamond Plus pins and be recognized there. We had also received the congrats card from Mr. Goldstein stating our pins would be presented to us on our next cruise. We were also asked what kind of table we wanted and our preferred location. I said as long as it is a table for two it will be fine. She said no problem.

 

 

PRE-CRUISE

 

We flew into San Juan the day before departure and spent the night at Condado Plaza Hilton. We had stayed here previously and found it fine for a one-night stay (especially using Hilton points).

 

Hotel Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTURE DAY

 

View from Hotel Room Balcony - Looks Really Close

 

 

 

We took a taxi for the short trek to the port. I believe it was around $25 >/<. Upon arrival at 10:30 we had to stand in line with our luggage. After 15 minutes a guy came around and asked us if we were Diamond or above. As we were, he took our luggage and directed us to another line. There we stood in line 25 more minutes before the doors opened for check in. So, after an hour we were on the ship at 11:30.

 

ON BOARD

 

We first headed to the dining room to ensure we had our table for two. Well, that was the biggest table for two I have ever seen. It had ten chairs around it! The maitre d heard me grumbling on my way out and asked if he could help. I explained the issue and he offered to try and fix it. Later that afternoon we received a card in our cabin with our new table-for-two table number. All fixed - but why ask our preference if you won't honor it?

 

 

 

NOURISHMENT

 

Next we headed for the Windjammer. Yikes, how could it be -- no honey stung chicken? Waaaaaaah. But believe me there was plenty to choose from.

[lovelife]

EXPLORING THE SHIP

 

We did a little exploring while waiting for our cabin to become available. I booked the Jewel because I wanted to experience the Radiance class once more before the things I like about it get changed.

 

Schooner Bar

 

 

 

Shops of Centrum

 

 

Elevator View

 

 

Ship Artwork

 

 

[lovelife]

Sky Bar

 

 

Lovely Solalrium

 

 

 

Towels for the Taking

 

 

While on the subject: The pool towel situation is just as some of you predicted. Chair hogs have no fear of losing their towels and lots of guests simply leave their towels all over the place without turning them in. On day three when we asked for towels, they were completely out.

 

Fitness Center

 

 

[maggieq]

Loving that you are doing this review now. You got acknowledged very well by rccl for getting to d+. We had to track down the loyalty ambassador and never got a mention. Really no biggie but a little disappointing. I hate having to ask for anything when we shouldn't have to.

 

Looking forward to the rest...

[ClevelandRocks!]

Hi there again! I'm in. Enjoying your review (and of course the pictures!) so far. Keep up the good work. Janet

[lovelife]

Loving that you are doing this review now. You got acknowledged very well by rccl for getting to d+. We had to track down the loyalty ambassador and never got a mention. Really no biggie but a little disappointing. I hate having to ask for anything when we shouldn't have to.

 

Looking forward to the rest...

 

Well, I just said we were promised recognition.........will get to that part later.

 

 

Hi there again! I'm in. Enjoying your review (and of course the pictures!) so far. Keep up the good work. Janet

 

Thanks.

[lovelife]

CABIN

 

D2 cabin 9550 was quite nice. Yes, I could have done without the stains on the sofa, but it was perfectly fine with plenty of storage and no attacking shower curtain - yay. This size cabin is just right for the two of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a fruit tray and a snack basket along with two Sprites (my choice of drink) in the cabin along with my souvenir cup (Royal Replenish comments later). There was no bottle of water for us this time

 

 

[cause121]

Great Pictures! Thanks for doing this review, can't wait for the rest!

[lovelife]

Later in the week we received a tray of sweets and an hors d'oeuvre tray. With all the food available on the ship we just couldn't eat all of this.

 

 

Oops....I ate one of the pieces before the photo.

 

 

 

We had three towel animals throughout this week from our wonderful cabin attendant Lief.

 

 

Mr. Monkey

 

 

 

 

Found this guy watching TV one night.

 

 

And Mama and Baby Swans

 

[lovelife]

Great Pictures! Thanks for doing this review, can't wait for the rest!

 

Thanks and you are welcome. Will try and write more tomorrow.

[BLAMBKY]

We Leave tomorrow to head to San Juan for our "Jewel" of a vacation! :D Nice little reading to help me drift off and have sweet dreams!

[Dragonkeper]

Nice Pictures! Looking forward to more. I am sailing on the Jewel in August.

[sippican]

Thanks for posting your review.

Love Radiance class! We are just counting the days.

[Dragonkeper]

We Leave tomorrow to head to San Juan for our "Jewel" of a vacation! :D Nice little reading to help me drift off and have sweet dreams!

 

 

Have fun on your cruise. I think you and I have the same itinerary so if you could bring back the Compasses it would be greatly appreciated. :)

[lovelife]

Nice Pictures! Looking forward to more. I am sailing on the Jewel in August.

 

Thanks. Jewel is lovely. And hey, I lived in VA Beach for 16 years before retiring to my home last year!

[lovelife]

Thanks for posting your review.

Love Radiance class! We are just counting the days.

 

My pleasure. More tonight.

[Dragonkeper]

Thanks. Jewel is lovely. And hey, I lived in VA Beach for 16 years before retiring to my home last year!

 

I've been in Va Bch since I retired out of the Military in 1995.

[BLAMBKY]

Have fun on your cruise. I think you and I have the same itinerary so if you could bring back the Compasses it would be greatly appreciated. :)

 

Will do! Side note- my kids learned the importance of flying in early. We had a weather delay (first flight of the day) and we will get to SJ 6 hours later. BUT I was able to say, no worries. :cool:

[drarill]

Great review!! thanks for sharing your pictures with us!:)

[karen1821]

Subscribing. Love your pics. I was wondering if you could tell me if they have a table for two by a window in the dining room? I would like to request one before I sail. Enjoy your cruise. Thanks in advance.

[jlas000]

We were on the Jewel back in August. Love the pictures, really takes me back.

Only 3 weeks until we will be on FOS.

[rednancy1]

The Jewel was our first cruise ship back in 2005. Thank you for the great review. :)

[tdmullins]

The Jewel was my first Royal Caribbean cruise. Also I was shocked that there wasn't any honey stung chicken on the Freedom last month when I cruised her. I thought it might be a Freedom thing, but it doesnt sound like it since I know I had it the Jewel last year.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Looking forward to more of your review. I sneaked a peek at your pictures on flickr by clicking on one of your photo's and there's a ton of pics in there. Were there more than one ship in these pics?

[lovelife]

Thanks all. Will try and finish today.