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

[lovelife]

The Top Tier Event was held late afternoon on the helipad and was well attended. Drinks and snacks were freely dispensed. We didn't stick around long.

 

 

I like going out on the helipad, especially when I have it to myself.

 

 

 

 

New Pool Towel Policy

 

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.

 

[lovelife]

PORTS OF CALL

 

First port was St. Thomas. We have been there many times and decided to take the tram to Paradise Point as we had not done that in a number of years. There are a couple shops and a lot of construction up there so essentially nothing but the view and hardly worth the $42 price tag.

 

 

 

See the lovely Jewel?

 

 

 

So we came back down.

 

 

 

After browsing some Havensight shops we headed back to the ship to enjoy it without the crowds.

[maggieq]

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 ntMr. Goldstein stating we would be presented our pins on our next cruise (this one) o. 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:

 

 

Wow! We had to go and ask for our pins. However, didn't receive that kind of rudeness. What should be a good feeling is quickly taken away. I would complain.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Do we get pins as Diamonds? Also, was there a nightly Diamond event? If so, where was it held?

[lovelife]

More St. Thomas

 

There is a new Turkish store near the ship with some interesting stuff.

 

 

 

St. Croix

 

This was a new port for us. It was interesting but not on my "must return to" list.

 

 

 

Lovely Jewel in St. Croix

 

 

 

Fredricksted Waterfront

 

 

 

Exploring Fredricksted

 

 

 

Fredricksted Alley

 

[lovelife]

More St. Croix

 

 

Another of Jewel

 

 

 

 

 

Next Port was Antigua - Was there once years ago and did an entire island tour.

 

 

 

 

 

Jewel & Thomson Dream in Antigua

 

 

 

Peeking at the Thomson Dream - Makes you appreciate your ship

 

[lovelife]

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.

 

Good to know! Thanks.

[lovelife]

Martinique - Another new port for us. It was the last day of Mardi Gras and we saw some very interesting sights. I found this port intriguing and wouldn't mind returning to explore further.

 

We first went to this building - I believe it was a cultural center - where we enjoyed a local celebration of dance. I really enjoyed the music and dancing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lovelife]

More Martinique

 

 

The guy on the left came out of the store and said something to me in French. I think he was telling me I could not take photos -- too late.

 

 

 

Everyone got in the spirit

 

 

 

Mardi Gras Market

 

 

 

Fort, Park, & Little Beach

 

 

 

Darling Little Girl on Carousel

 

[lovelife]

More Martinique

 

Closer view of beach and fort.

 

 

 

Martinique Architecture

 

 

 

Final Port was St. Lucia and it was my second time here. I had done an all day tour on this island in the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shops

 

 

 

We took a ferry to town

 

 

[lovelife]

More St. Lucia

 

Carnival Valor, Seabourn Spirit, and Jewel

 

 

 

 

 

Former (I hope) Roach Coach

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on board - Lunch al fresco at the Windjammer. Love this feature on Radiance Class.

 

[lovelife]

More St. Lucia

 

Leaving

 

 

 

Cool Diamond Plus Perk - Bridge Tour - Really enjoyed this

 

 

 

 

 

 

May not finish today. Have to prepare dinner and watch games. Go Florida!

[squadron]

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:

 

I'm not referring to receiving pins but I've been "blown off" with impatient looks over my shoulder while I'm asking questions to obviously "better prospects". Think she decided that a solo "older" women wouldn't be booking as much of the people behind me. Made me wonder if they are on commission.

[newcruiser1573]

Thanks for your review. We will be on the Jewel in August. We were wondering if there was much to do at the st. Lucia port or can you tell us what you did in town.

[maggieq]

Great review. Can you tell me what nights were formal? Thanks!

[MIcruiser99]

More Martinique

 

We took a ferry to town

 

 

We will be on the Jewel next year, and are trying to figure out what to do in Martinique. Did you need Euros? for shopping or ferry?

 

I have noticed the same problems in the dining room that you had. We usually sit at a table for 2, and are always waiting as the waiter spends more time on the larger tables. Our last cruise in January was one of the worst, so we decided to try My Time and see if that is any better.

 

I have never got any pins so I called Crown and Anchor and they told me that you get the pins when you are on a cruise. Since this was our last cruise as Platinum, I asked for our pins, and they handed them to me. Next cruise, we will be Emerald, and I had planned on asking for our new pins! Hope that we don't get the same attitude that you did!

[kellyco]

Other ships have been putting 3 drink vouchers on Diamond members cards for the nightly Diamond event to be used in other bars on the ship. Do you know if the Jewel is doing this as well?

[lovelife]

Wow! We had to go and ask for our pins. However, didn't receive that kind of rudeness. What should be a good feeling is quickly taken away. I would complain.

 

Yes, I did e-mail Mr. Goldstein when I returned home. Comments on this are in a later post.

 

Do we get pins as Diamonds? Also, was there a nightly Diamond event? If so, where was it held?

 

Yes, you should get pins after you turned Diamond. I don't remember how we got ours. I'm sure there must have been a Diamond event on Jewel but I don't know where. Usually up in the Hollywood Odyssey area.

[lovelife]

Thanks for your review. We will be on the Jewel in August. We were wondering if there was much to do at the st. Lucia port or can you tell us what you did in town.

 

St. Lucia is lush and beautiful. Look on the Caribbean port boards where you will find lots of info on what to do and see. We walked around downtown as we had not seen it previously. Next time I will sail over to the Pitons.

 

Great review. Can you tell me what nights were formal? Thanks!

 

Formal nights were second and sixth which is normal on a seven-night cruise.

[lakelorain]

We were on a b2b on the Jewel in February. Diamond Event was in Viking Crown Lounge. Exact location changed based on number of Diamonds on board. Very few high ranking C&A members on both cruises compared with other cruise we've taken.

Agree, RC needs to come up with a better way of delivering C&A pins. We had to request Emerald and Platinum but received 2 sets of Diamond. Also glass block delivery is poorly handled. They are just left on your bed. No note or anything else is with the block.

[lovelife]

We will be on the Jewel next year, and are trying to figure out what to do in Martinique. Did you need Euros? for shopping or ferry?

 

We did not need Euros but I did get some in change to bring grandson.

 

 

I have noticed the same problems in the dining room that you had. We usually sit at a table for 2, and are always waiting as the waiter spends more time on the larger tables. Our last cruise in January was one of the worst, so we decided to try My Time and see if that is any better.

 

Good luck. I don't recall having that issue the few times we did MTD.

 

 

Other ships have been putting 3 drink vouchers on Diamond members cards for the nightly Diamond event to be used in other bars on the ship. Do you know if the Jewel is doing this as well?

 

Sorry, I don't know the answer. They did not put them on our cards though (Diamond Plus).

[lovelife]

We were on a b2b on the Jewel in February. Also glass block delivery is poorly handled. They are just left on your bed. No note or anything else is with the block.

 

Oh boy, there's another story. I had to call twice way beyond attaining 140 nights as we didn't receive ours in our cabin. They eventually mailed it to us. I'm beginning to think I'm not appreciated. ;)

[lovelife]

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.

 

Thanks for the tips. It has to be better than Jewel's!

[lovelife]

MORE FROM AROUND THE SHIP

 

 

Pool Deck from Inside

 

 

 

Solarium at Night

 

 

 

 

Jewel of the Seas Orchestra

 

 

 

 

Aft from our 9550 balcony

 

 

Forward from balcony

 

 

Holy cow, I just realized they look pretty much the same -- sorry to bore you.

[lovelife]

MORE FROM AROUND THE SHIP

 

Pool Deck at Night

 

 

 

Locked up Liquor (sounds like a song title)

 

 

 

Scary Dirty Deck Loungers

 

 

 

Welcome Back on Board Refreshment - Crew Member Playing Peekaboo with Me

 

 

 

DH's Hangout