Just Back - Jewel first Sailing Out of Drydock

[Fishbait17]

Just woke up after arriving home at 2:30am, so am still a little groggy. Wanted to get this out there for anyone who might have questions.. We were in GV #14500 on the Jewel sailing May 17, the first sailing after her drydock in SFO. Lots of new carpets and paint. Quite a bit of kitchen confusion with the relocation of Moderno to the old Star Bar/ Cagney's extension that caused some issues in both Moderno and Cagney's. The Raspberry Creme Brûlée was awful for once. There were problems in Cagney's getting orders out because I think some of it is coming from annex kitchens now. Nothing really serious, and I'm sure they will work it out in the future. Tiny, tiny shrimp in Cagney's on day one, but provisions must have been sorted as they got larger throughout the week. Concierge Virginia was extraordinary, but is leaving for vacation on May 31 - she will be on the Gem from mid-July until mid-October, hope to see her again there! The casino was AWFUL most of the time, especially at the beginning, but warmed up toward the end.. The casino is closed for the last 24 hours or so of this itinerary, so plan accordingly (I missed out on VIP by 2000 points because I was ill prepared). We didn't make it to the Meet and Greet, so didn't meet the crew. Had very rough seas on Thursday (sea day) and while we weren't bothered by it (great sea legs) a couple of our cruise mates and crew were and some of the venues were almost empty. Certainly wasn't my worst day at sea, but was pretty bad for an Alaska sailing. Weather was not great, but it's Alaska and was expected.

 

I'm here to answer questions if I can and will post more pics if I ever get them from my family!

 

Robin

[Cubechick]

Robin, you mentioned that they were adding at least one DOS to the Jewel. Is there construction going on and if so, did this interfere with your sundeck?

 

BTW, I've been dying for you to come back so I could ask questions!

Edited May 28, 2014 by Cubechick

[Fishbait17]

Robin, you mentioned that they were adding at least one DOS to the Jewel. Is there construction going on and if so, did this interfere with your sundeck?

 

BTW, I've been dying for you to come back so I could ask questions!

 

There was no actual construction going on while we were on board. The lounge was closed the while time, had gotten new carpet during drydock but nothing else. Virginia told us that they were deciding what to do with the space and DOS a probability. Not a lot of detail as they were still deciding, but I'm guessing it will be a single suite, with two balconies like the one on the Jade. That would take a little bit of the upper forward sun deck, but not much (we sailed in the Jade GV and it didn't take much space away). In order to add two suites like the Gem and the Pearl, I think they would have to build more interior space and it would be more difficult, but I suppose it's a possibility.

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

Forgot to add that O'Sheehan's was a big hit. They had nightly specials (prime rib, barbecue ribs, fried chicken, etc) and the availability signs almost always showed o'Sheehans as full. Never went for dinner ourselves, nor did we walk by it at that time. We ate snacks there a couple times, they were typical of both Blue lagoon and O'Sheehans - wings were so-so, pot pies ok, dip was ok too.

 

Robin

Edited May 28, 2014 by Fishbait17

[KirkNC]

Welcome home, thanks for the update!

[Cubechick]

There was no actual construction going on while we were on board. The lounge was closed the while time, had gotten new carpet during drydock but nothing else. Virginia told us that they were deciding what to do with the space and DOS a probability. Not a lot of detail as they were still deciding, but I'm guessing it will be a single suite, with two balconies like the one on the Jade. That would take a little bit of the upper forward sun deck, but not much (we sailed in the Jade GV and it didn't take much space away). In order to add two suites like the Gem and the Pearl, I think they would have to build more interior space and it would be more difficult, but I suppose it's a possibility.

 

Robin

 

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like the next few GV guests shouldn't be impacted.

 

Glad to read in your next post how busy O'Sheehans was at dinner. We don't usually plan on going for dinner, but you never know!

 

I am sure they will work out the service bugs at Cagney's and Moderno. These things always take a little time. Sounds like you didn't find the impact too bad though!

 

Did you take in any entertainment on board?

 

My turn in 10 days. Simply can't wait!!!

[Redheel Girl]

Were the Suites B\L served in Moderno? Someone posted that the food was a little cold because it was hard for the Servers to see that it was ready. What was the interior of Moderno like?

[CruisinMaterial]

Just off the Breakaway cruise and they had a prime rib night the first night in the buffet and O'Sheehan's and a seafood (lobster) night another night in the buffet. I wonder if this is to divert foot traffic away from the MDRs and cut down on the lines? :cool:

[triptolemus]

Had very rough seas on Thursday (sea day) and while we weren't bothered by it (great sea legs) a couple of our cruise mates and crew were and some of the venues were almost empty.

 

Here's that weather you were talking about... I posted a quick thread about it:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2046022

[Fishbait17]

Here's that weather you were talking about... I posted a quick thread about it:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2046022

 

Thanks for that snapshot, very cool to see what we were hitting! Seas were fairly small, so not much pitch, but a LOT of roll from extreme winds (hope I have my terms right from my old sailing days).

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

Just off the Breakaway cruise and they had a prime rib night the first night in the buffet and O'Sheehan's and a seafood (lobster) night another night in the buffet. I wonder if this is to divert foot traffic away from the MDRs and cut down on the lines? :cool:

 

I'm sure you are correct. In addition to a daily special at O'Sheehans, there was a nightly theme in the buffet.. AFAIK, lobsters were never served all week in free dining (we asked Virginia a few times). Don't know if this was simply a provisioning issue.

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

Were the Suites B\L served in Moderno? Someone posted that the food was a little cold because it was hard for the Servers to see that it was ready. What was the interior of Moderno like?

 

Yes they were served in Moderno. We only had a couple lunches in there, had breakfasts delivered to GV. Food seemed hot enough to me, but sometimes was a bit delayed. More of the issues were in Cagney's at dinner, waited for our entrees for quite a long time, and then only got some of our party if six served, had to send a couple things back, etc...food was good and of course, too much of it! Like I said, the Raspberry Creme Brûlée was awful, bright pink, no shell, weird...

 

The interior of Moderno looks exactly like the old Star Bar and Cagney's annex without the wall between. Salad bar seems to be the same one they had downstairs, just moved, not as large as the BA salad bar. There is a picture posted on the thread about the Jewel drydock, I will try to post a link later.

 

Robin

[Fishbait17]

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like the next few GV guests shouldn't be impacted.

 

Glad to read in your next post how busy O'Sheehans was at dinner. We don't usually plan on going for dinner, but you never know!

 

I am sure they will work out the service bugs at Cagney's and Moderno. These things always take a little time. Sounds like you didn't find the impact too bad though!

 

Did you take in any entertainment on board?

 

My turn in 10 days. Simply can't wait!!!

 

Only entertainment we did onboard was casino, trivia, and the Quest. Was a very very low key cruise, people were in bed early.

 

Robin

[jaja]

Welcome back Robin....:D

[Fishbait17]

Thanks for the welcome backs! :)

 

Hey Jaja, even though the casino was AWFUL most of the time, I didn't spend my whole casino budget, so I consider that a winner!! :D

 

Robin

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Welcome back Robin!!!

[Cubechick]

Last question...maybe. ;)

 

Do you happen know if the new MDR menus have been rolled out.

[sinnamjs]

I know its a long shot but did you happen to bring home the dailies?

[Redheel Girl]

Robin..Thank you for the answer about B\L in Moderno. It seems odd that NCL didn't do more to Moderno to give it more punch! Cant wait to read more.

[jaja]

Thanks for the welcome backs! :)

 

Hey Jaja, even though the casino was AWFUL most of the time, I didn't spend my whole casino budget, so I consider that a winner!! :D

 

Robin

 

LOL...I agree:D

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for your report. Sorry your weather was not all that good, we went in early May and had an awesome trip with sun the whole way. Just luck out.

[GrabMyWrist]

Sorry you had bad weather. We sailed last year on the 18th of May and it was fabulous. Gotta love Alaskan weather!

[LAWTONCRUISE]

Sorry you had bad weather. We sailed last year on the 18th of May and it was fabulous. Gotta love Alaskan weather!

 

Like Forrest would say. Alaska weather is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. We love Alaska, absolutely beautiful regardless of the weather.

[Fishbait17]

Last question...maybe. ;)

 

Do you happen know if the new MDR menus have been rolled out.

 

Never went to any of the MDRs, and haven't been to one in years, so I couldn't really tell you.. I did peek at the menu a couple times when waiting for the elevator, one side had the "available every night"s and other side changed daily - showed a "special" but didnt say what it was - "ask your server".

 

I know its a long shot but did you happen to bring home the dailies?

 

I have some of them I think, or parts of them.. When I finish unpacking I can take a look, anything in particular you want to know?

 

Weather didn't bother us too much, but really cut down on scenery (driving over to Carcross the views were pretty much blocked entirely, shame). That last Thursday weather was a bit of a drag as we couldn't use the hot tub or outside area in the suite for 24 hours lol..

 

We got fairly close to Sawyer Glacier, just didn't make the last bend. Saw no wildlife at all (sans a few birds) in Tracy Arm -edited to add Oh yeah, did see a few harbor seals on way out of Tracy Arm. Saw tons of humpbacks migrating on first sea day, a very few later in trip, one Orca fluke (but saw tons of them in San Juan Islands after cruise). Lots of bald eagles, one black bear on drive to Carcross, one moose on same drive (which is very rare!).

 

Robin

Edited May 29, 2014 by Fishbait17

[Cubechick]

Never went to any of the MDRs, and haven't been to one in years, so I couldn't really tell you.. I did peek at the menu a couple times when waiting for the elevator, one side had the "available every night"s and other side changed daily - showed a "special" but didnt say what it was - "ask your server".

 

 

 

I have some of them I think, or parts of them.. When I finish unpacking I can take a look, anything in particular you want to know?

 

Weather didn't bother us too much, but really cut down on scenery (driving over to Carcross the views were pretty much blocked entirely, shame). That last Thursday weather was a bit of a drag as we couldn't use the hot tub or outside area in the suite for 24 hours lol..

 

We got fairly close to Sawyer Glacier, just didn't make the last bend. Saw no wildlife at all (sans a few birds) in Tracy Arm -edited to add Oh yeah, did see a few harbor seals on way out of Tracy Arm. Saw tons of humpbacks migrating on first sea day, a very few later in trip, one Orca fluke (but saw tons of them in San Juan Islands after cruise). Lots of bald eagles, one black bear on drive to Carcross, one moose on same drive (which is very rare!).

 

Robin

 

Thanks anyway. I haven't been to the MDR in forever either, but might give it a whirl if the menus are new...they've been getting great reviews.