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

[MDSue]

What a wonderful review and your photographs are amazing. My sister and I will be on the Jewel leaving on the 12th of April. I was planning on doing a live review also, but it's going to be hard to beat your review!

 

I recognized the picture of the port from the Conrad Condado right away. That is where we usually stay and I have a similar picture from our balcony. This year we are staying at a hotel in the heart of Old San Juan (at my sister's request). I'm partial to the Conrad, myself!

 

I have a question about St. Lucia and Martinique as I'm struggling with whether to book an excursion or not. Did you notice whether it was easy to book an excursion or hire a guide in the port area? I like doing private tours over ship tours, if possible. I've been to St. Lucia twice, but took a previously booked tour each time. I never noticed whether there were tour booths in the port.

 

I've never been to Martinique, and have found little information on getting around in port.

 

Thanks!

 

Susan

Edited April 6, 2014 by MDSue

[lovelife]

MORE AROUND THE SHIP

 

 

Lovely Centrum at Night

 

 

 

Self-leveling Pool Tables - Won't Find These On Any Other Class

 

 

 

The Game Reserves

 

 

 

Safari Club - Where Welcome Back Party Was Held + Majority Rules, etc.

 

 

 

Orchestra in Centrum

 

[lovelife]

What a wonderful review and your photographs are amazing. My sister and I will be on the Jewel leaving on the 12th of April. I was planning on doing a live review also, but it's going to be hard to beat your review!

 

I recognized the picture of the port from the Conrad Condado right away. That is where we usually stay and I have a similar picture from our balcony. This year we are staying at a hotel in the heart of Old San Juan (at my sister's request). I'm partial to the Conrad, myself!

 

I have a question about St. Lucia and Martinique as I'm struggling with whether to book an excursion or not. Did you notice whether it was easy to book an excursion or hire a guide in the port area? I like doing private tours over ship tours, if possible. I've been to St. Lucia twice, but took a previously booked tour each time. I never noticed whether there were tour booths in the port.

 

I've never been to Martinique, and have found little information on getting around in port.

 

Thanks!

 

Susan

 

Thanks for your comments. I will look for your review.

 

We had plenty of people approach us about private tours on those two islands. Check on the Caribbean port boards where there is lots of info from folks who have done private tours.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

[lovelife]

DEPARTURE

 

 

Back in San Juan

 

 

 

Departure was efficient and quick. I believe we had number three or four. We were at the airport by 9 a.m. but couldn't check our bags until four hours before our 2:50 p.m. flight to Baltimore.

 

 

GENERAL

 

Jewel is as gorgeous as her sisters in this class and most all crew members were very polite and friendly.

 

There weren't very many children on board this week and certainly none that were unruly or disruptive.

 

We did enjoy the Solarium hot tubs a few times when we came back from ports early. It was always really difficult to find a lounger in there.

 

It was a lovely cruise with a great itinerary, and except for the disrespectful and humiliating "unwelcome" to Diamond Plus, we really enjoyed it. I highly recommend Jewel of the Seas.

[karen1821]

Loved following your review. Pics were awesome! Thanks

[lakelorain]

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. ;)

 

I thought the same thing. A little "Thank you for sailing RC" note would be nice. Why waste the money on the blocks if you don't get any mileage out of them. Our room steward didn't even know what they were.

[greatlakesgirl]

Very nice review! The Jewel looks like a lovely ship, indeed! Glad you had such a nice cruise. :)

[lovelife]

Loved following your review. Pics were awesome! Thanks

 

My pleasure!

[lovelife]

Very nice review! The Jewel looks like a lovely ship, indeed! Glad you had such a nice cruise. :)

 

Thanks for following. We loved Lady Jewel.

[Robinola]

I can not stand Martinique. Rude people, horrible island. Now I know why most cruises skip it.

[OTownNick]

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:

 

We got ours in the mail, along with the luggage tags. You'll probably get another set of pins in the mail lol

[OTownNick]

I can not stand Martinique. Rude people, horrible island. Now I know why most cruises skip it.

 

Wow. That's the exact impression I had before going there. However, to be safe we did a tour through the ship and it was awesome! We loved the beauty of the rain forest and I wasn't expecting much from a rum distillery tour but it was so beautiful there. Plus,lots of free samples, they spoke English, AND gladly accepted USD. The rum was good AND cheap too. I really was interested in seeing St Pierre and I though it was really cool. We would go back here!

[OTownNick]

I thought the same thing. A little "Thank you for sailing RC" note would be nice. Why waste the money on the blocks if you don't get any mileage out of them. Our room steward didn't even know what they were.

 

We're due for our next crystal block, but I'm not holding my breath lol. On the next cruise if I don't get it, I will call and ask about it :)

[lovelife]

We got ours in the mail, along with the luggage tags. You'll probably get another set of pins in the mail lol

 

We got the luggage tags with the welcome to Diamond Plus card from Mr. Goldstein a few months ago in the mail. Consistency is not their strong point.