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

[lovelife]

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.

 

I did not notice any two tops by the windows in the lower dining room but they could have been there. However, on the top floor where they had MTD I noticed a long line of them by the window about 18 inches apart so it was more like a long banquet table.

[lovelife]

MORE AROUND THE SHIP

 

Kiddo Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bup1224]

Subscribing - we love The Jewel!

[lovelife]

Seems I missed an age group in the kiddo area photos. More shots of the lovely lady.

 

Kiddo Pool

 

 

Sports Court

 

 

Centrum

 

 

Mini Golf

 

 

 

Pool Deck

 

[karen1821]

I did not notice any two tops by the windows in the lower dining room but they could have been there. However, on the top floor where they had MTD I noticed a long line of them by the window about 18 inches apart so it was more like a long banquet table.

 

Thanks so much for checking out the two tops. Now I have to decide if I want the table anywhere or larger table by a window.

[lovelife]

Hollywood Odyssey

 

 

 

 

 

Standing Guard

 

 

 

Golf Simulator

 

 

 

 

FINALLY ALLOWED IN THE CONCIERGE LOUNGE

 

We were so excited to finally experience the Concierge Lounge so we headed there to check it out. Oh my goodness, I remember laughing out loud at how tiny it was. I could not believe my eyes as it was not much larger than a junior suite. It had 17 seats -- yes, 17 IF YOU USED THE TWO EXTRA STRAIGHTBACK CHAIRS!! Each of the few evenings we visited there was no place to sit. The bartender told us we could sit in the chairs outside in the hallway. Don't know who the concierge was as he never spoke to us at all. He did chat up a few of the guests but never even looked at us. I approached him once and asked if they ever moved the evening cocktails to a larger venue so they could accommodate everyone and he halfway looked up and said, "there aren't that many on this ship and you can sit outside." DH went in a few times for an evening snack but had to bring it out in the hallway to eat. It was not a pleasant experience. Hopefully we will enjoy the CL on our upcoming Allure cruise.

 

[lovelife]

ROYAL REPLENISH

 

I am not a big drinker of alcohol so out of curiosity bought the Royal Replenish package at $20 per day. DH did not get it. The package included premium coffee, premium tea, bottled water: sparkling (375ml) or still (500ml), fresh squeezed orange juice, non-alcoholic cocktails and fountain soda with a Coca Cola® souvenir cup. It was pretty cool being able to get these drinks whenever I wanted without worry of per drink cost. Some bartenders actually rang up my sodas (with $0) and some did not bother to take my card. No bartender would give me a bottle of water at the same time I got a soda or mocktail nor would the baristas at Lattetudes.

 

 

Lattetudes

 

 

 

The fresh squeezed orange juice was so much better than the watered down variety served in the Windjammer. I love my lattes and got one each morning and evening. I did not like carrying around that big cup so I only took it to the Windjammer to use the soda machines where I mixed my favorite ginger ale and raspberry.

 

 

Soda Machines are only in the Windjammer

 

 

 

 

I also got my fill of the virgin frozen cocktails with mojito being my chosen one.

 

 

 

I got glasses of soda and small bottles of water at any of the bars (except the Champagne Bar). I asked at four different bars and in the dining room for San Pellegrino water and was told they could not give me that. Our dining room waiter also asked the head bartender and his answer was no. I was only allowed Perrier sparkling water.

 

 

The table over the top of the glass is the Captain's table. Our table was on the back wall.

 

 

 

Although fun to try, I don't know if I will get this package again as I found myself trying too hard to get my money's worth and guzzling too many calories. But I might!!

 

 

Just noticed a photo of the hors d'oeuvre we received in our cabin. Although appreciated, way too many goodies were delivered and most went uneaten.

 

[lovelife]

DINING

 

MDR:

 

Dining room food was very good. Our wait staff was quite overworked with another two-top, a table of 8, and a table of 12 in addition to us. We usually had to wait until the large tables were attended to before getting service and most evenings the head waiter jumped in and helped. We ate here four nights until the waiter began begging for excellent ratings and even asked me what number on a scale of one to ten I was going to give him. That was a huge turnoff and we never returned. Wish they would stop doing that.

 

My favorite MDR meal is the first night. I always get horseradish crusted salmon and carrot cake. Yum and yum.

 

 

 

Other MDR food:

 

Delicious Watermelon-Raspberry Soup

 

 

 

DH's Steak

 

 

 

Chocolate Truffle (not a big fan)

 

 

 

Apple Tart

 

[lovelife]

More MDR Food:

 

Ravioli (love)

 

 

 

Mango? Soup

 

 

 

Another DH Steak

 

 

 

My Chicken Marsala - DH eats a lot of beef; I eat chicken and fish

 

 

 

Another cold soup - I love them all

 

 

 

Sea Bass Maybe - I just know it was delicious

 

[lovelife]

More MDR Food

 

Shrimp Cocktail - Available in the MDR each night

 

 

 

Lasagna? DH's meal - no beef for me

 

 

 

Caesar Salad - Available every night in MDR

 

 

 

Solarium Snack Bar

 

We only tried the pizza here and as usual it was so-so.

 

Good grief, what a bad photo!

 

[lovelife]

Seaview Cafe

 

Too bad they are removing these from the Radiance class ships. We had lunch here one day and it was scrumptious. These days you seat yourself and they take your order at your table. Last time I was in one you had to place your order at the entrance and then be seated. Nice improvement.

 

 

 

Outdoor Seating

 

 

 

 

 

DH's hamburger - he loved it

 

 

 

My tuna melt was oh so good

 

[jenf22]

My first post on Cruise Critic!

 

I've been on 3 DCL cruises and we're going on JOS this October for the first time. It'll be myself, my husband, our 7-year old son, and my parents. We're staying in the 2-bedroom suite. I have a quick question on the concierge lounge... can you get snacks and drinks to go? I don't think our son can go in and my father and husband are excited about the free drink situation. And I might like one now and then, but I really don't want to drink it in that little room or in the hall.

 

I'm loving all the pictures! Thanks so much for doing this!

[lovelife]

Portofino

 

On the first day we visited Chops to get reservations and the only opening they had left was 8ish p.m. on the second formal/lobster night. We found that difficult to believe but that is what we were told. We purposely walked by there and looked in several evenings just to see and it was never full. After being unable to get reservations for Chops, we made them at Portofino for the second evening. We had a fabulous meal at Portofino as always.

 

 

 

 

DH's Steak

 

 

 

My Shrimp Risotto - Melted in my mouth

 

 

 

More Around the Ship - A break from food porn

 

 

C&A Lounge

 

 

 

View from the Lounge Window in the Floor

 

[lovelife]

My first post on Cruise Critic!

 

I've been on 3 DCL cruises and we're going on JOS this October for the first time. It'll be myself, my husband, our 7-year old son, and my parents. We're staying in the 2-bedroom suite. I have a quick question on the concierge lounge... can you get snacks and drinks to go? I don't think our son can go in and my father and husband are excited about the free drink situation. And I might like one now and then, but I really don't want to drink it in that little room or in the hall.

 

I'm loving all the pictures! Thanks so much for doing this!

 

Congrats on your first post. You will find a wealth of info on these boards.

 

If there is no seating when you arrive, you can take your drinks and snacks out in the hall and they don't know (or care) if you stay out there or not so the answer is yes if there is no seating. Not sure if there happens to be available seating; we never experienced that. Hope you enjoy your cruise; she is lovely.

[cruizers]

Thanks so much for posting! We will be at the Condado, too, and appreciate the pics. Your pictures are wonderful!

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Thank you for the wonderful review so far! I am enjoying it very much. We board in less than a month and will be on for our very first B2B! Can't wait!:D

[lovelife]

I'll try to finish up dining so I can move on to another topic.

 

Windjammer

 

Food here was plentiful and there was always a nice variety. This was the quickest I have ever gotten omelets on a ship and they were delish. We always managed to find a seat here although it took some doing at times during breakfast and lunch.

 

After alienation from the main dining room, we enjoyed two dinners in the Windjammer.

 

There was a station where you could get steak, chicken, and fish to order. I had an amazing grilled chicken breast here.

 

 

 

 

Yummy Chicken Stir Fry

 

 

 

Evening Windjammer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lovelife]

Thanks so much for posting! We will be at the Condado, too, and appreciate the pics. Your pictures are wonderful!

 

Thanks. Hope you enjoy!

 

 

Thank you for the wonderful review so far! I am enjoying it very much. We board in less than a month and will be on for our very first B2B! Can't wait!:D

 

You are welcome. Have great cruises - she's a beauty.

[lovelife]

More Evening Windjammer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorful Chips

 

 

 

 

End of cruise breakfast. After a while you can only eat so much.

 

 

 

So endeth the food porn (I think).

[lovelife]

ENTERTAINMENT

 

It was nice sitting in the reserved section of the theatre for the first time. Lots of folks tried to sneak in but were promptly shooed out by a crew member. The first production show was okay but the lead female vocalist had such an irritating voice we did not return for the second.

 

 

 

We did not like the headliner group Wildfire and walked out after a short period. The first comedian was not good. Comedian Tom McTigue in the farewell show was excellent.

 

 

The poolside band Extra was very good.

 

 

 

Loved these guys -- they could sing and play anything. I believe the name is Music Venture.

 

 

 

Cruise director Dennis Charles was okay. He seemed personable and happy.

 

We enjoyed the usual events like Majority Rules, Love & Marriage, etc.

 

 

And of course the 70s Party.

 

 

 

[lovelife]

WELCOME TO DIAMOND PLUS; aka DON'T BOTHER US - YOU ARE NOT IMPORTANT

 

On day two we attended the welcome back party excited to be receiving our Diamond Plus pins. After listening to the captain speak mostly about how great Oasis is, with only two higher ups being recognized, the evening ended. After the event I asked Loyalty Ambassador Inga about our pins and she said they do not present those at the Welcome Back party. She asked our cabin number and said they would be delivered to our cabin. The last day rolled around and still no pins so I went to the Loyalty Desk and very politely asked Ana about them. She seemed annoyed that I would inquire and looked at her computer and snidely remarked, "you are not on the list." I showed her our welcome card from Mr. Goldstein stating we would be presented our pins on our next cruise (this one). She became quite belligerent and yelled, "you are not on the list." She then pulled two pins from her drawer and shoved them at me. What a welcome to Diamond Plus.............I just stood there in shock with my mouth open. :eek:

[Sunny AZ Girl]

WELCOME TO DIAMOND PLUS; aka DON'T BOTHER US - YOU ARE NOT IMPORTANT

 

On day two we attended the welcome back party excited to be receiving our Diamond Plus pins. After listening to the captain speak mostly about how great Oasis is, with only two higher ups being recognized, the evening ended. After the event I asked Loyalty Ambassador Inga about our pins and she said they do not present those at the Welcome Back party. She asked our cabin number and said they would be delivered to our cabin. The last day rolled around and still no pins so I went to the Loyalty Desk and very politely asked Ana about them. She seemed annoyed that I would inquire and looked at her computer and snidely remarked, "you are not on the list." I showed her our welcome card from Mr. Goldstein stating we would be presented our pins on our next cruise (this one). She became quite belligerent and yelled, "you are not on the list." She then pulled two pins from her drawer and shoved them at me. What a welcome to Diamond Plus.............I just stood there in shock with my mouth open. :eek:

 

I am appalled! I hope you informed RCI about this treatment. Our cruise next month will be our first cruise as Diamonds. We have not received Diamond pins. I didn't know we got them? I wonder how we'll be received?:rolleyes:

[karen1821]

OMG!!! I wonder if that is how I will be treated on my cruise next month when I am supposed to get mine. If so, they will hear a few things I will have to say about that. So sorry that happened to you.

[lovelife]

I am appalled! I hope you informed RCI about this treatment. Our cruise next month will be our first cruise as Diamonds. We have not received Diamond pins. I didn't know we got them? I wonder how we'll be received?:rolleyes:

 

OMG!!! I wonder if that is how I will be treated on my cruise next month when I am supposed to get mine. If so, they will hear a few things I will have to say about that. So sorry that happened to you.

 

I did send an e-mail to Mr. Goldstein about this treatment upon my return. I asked him to use this incident as a training tool, in particular for their Loyalty staff. Of course he doesn't read these but someone did call a few days later and apologize.

 

I do hope you guys are treated with the respect deserved.

[Realtor at Sea]

You will love the CL on the Allure. You can get breakfast and lunch there and beer and wine with your lunch. Depending on the cruise it can get busy fast so we arrive promptly at 5:00. Clears out a bit a 6:00 when cruisers leave for early seating.