Royal Birthday Picture Review on Jewel 5/17/14

[Kcjarvis]

We asked the taxi driver to pick us up at 2:45pm, so we could get back to the ship early since the meet and mingle was at 5pm.

 

 

 

We were also hosting a sail away party after the meet and mingle in our suite. We got back, showered, straightened up and got a quick nap.

 

AND THEN THE PHONE RANG!!!!!!!!!

 

It was Diego who told us we would be getting a 20% off future cruise letter due to the door problems and the leak. We were in shock!!!!!! We were not even thinking about those issues anymore and as a RCCL loyalist didn’t even think about compensation.

 

The meet and mingle was ok. They only provided cookies and lemonade, but at the after party we had Champagne!!!!!!

 

 

 

Happ Birthday Paulette!!!!!!!!

 

[Kcjarvis]

We woke up sailing into St Lucia. Jewel did a 180 and backed into port.

 

 

 

Passing Virgie Airport a little low on the glideslope (red over red)

 

 

I couldnt believe after the St Kitts IOS deaths the port crew didn't have on any safety gear!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

Quick breakfast, then off the ship to grab a $25 taxi to Reduit Beach (pronounced red-wee) at Rodney Bay

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

The drunk beach attendant asked me to hold his drink while he got us 2 chairs and an umbrella. ($15)

 

 

 

This was the only port where the vendors were a little annoying, however they were polite and non aggressive.

The floating fruit market has the best fruit!!!!

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

For lunch we went to Spinnakers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had jerk ribs which were great

 

[Kcjarvis]

And then the rain came!!!!!!

 

 

 

We called our taxi driver to come pick us up 30 mins earlier than planned. It was still a great beach day. When we got back to the ship they were off loading something????

The Fire Dept was monitoring the transfer.

 

 

At sail away, we pulled away from the dock and stopped.

About 5 mins later, the ship's launch circled the ship. I'm not really sure why.

 

 

 

After another 10 mins were on our way.

 

[maxs mom]

Hey Ken!!

 

Great to see another review from you! And the Royal Suite!! Good for you!

 

Love the Jewel....we'll be on her in Nov/Dec this year for a B2B. Like to see all the beaches ...you know that's what we love!! Thanks for posting the pictures.....I know how tedious that is.

[baylorballs]

very helpful picture tour! we are talking the Jewel out of San juan in 2 weeks. Our first cruise ever ,so thx for the preview!

[Kcjarvis]

Our last and best beach day. We woke up docking in Bridgetown.

 

 

In port with us - The Topaz and The Freewinds

 

 

 

For some reason we didn't dock at our normal berth

 

 

So we had to take a shuttle bus to the terminal

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

We grabbed a $4 cab to The Boatyard

 

 

This is an amazing spot!!!! $15 gets you a chair, umbrella, wifi, free drink and a ride back to the ship. The best is one of the best in the caribbean. (Tied with St John USVI)

 

 

 

 

 

This jet ski guy gave the same speech over and over,

"I'm the senior man, I have 30 years in the business, I'm the guy who pays the insurance..."

 

Edited June 2, 2014 by Kcjarvis
typo

[Kcjarvis]

Boatyard is a great place. The rope diving was alot of fun to watch.

 

 

The party atmosphere had a wide demographic so it didn't feel like spring break

or girls gone wild...

 

 

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

The food was great also.

 

 

Fish cakes

 

 

Flying fish fingers

 

 

More fish cakes and garlic bread

 

 

Sadly it was time to head back to the ship

 

 

Shuttle to the port, then shuttle to the ship

 

[Kcjarvis]

By the time we showered and changed we missed the C&A Top Tier party on the Helipad.

 

 

 

 

Goodbye Barbados...

[Kcjarvis]

This was our only sea day. For breakfast we went to the D+ and above area in the Tides dining room, and then headed to the Bridge tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ever wonder how they keep all of the port of call flags in order?

 

[Kcjarvis]

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

Then we explored the ship

 

Concierge Lounge

 

 

 

Yacht Club

 

 

Best elevator buttons for centrum and water view elevators

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

 

 

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

 

 

 

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

 

 

 

 

Then back to the room to enjoy the balcony

 

 

[Kcjarvis]

Sadly woke up backing into port.

 

 

 

Departures started before 7am, we had planned to do Self Departure (deck 2), but at 7:15am they were already calling #4, so we walked right off at deck 5. Customs took 3 mins, taxi 15 mins, USDA check :30 secs and check in 5 mins which means we could have been at our gate by 8am.

 

Stop telling people to take flights out of SJU after 2pm!!!!!

 

Since our flight was 1:45pm (Thanks Choice Air) we jumped into a cab and headed to Old San Juan

 

 

 

Then back to Metropol for lunch

 

 

Then an uneventful flight home

 

[tigger-ttfn]

Thanks for the review. If you are the only ship in port that morning you can make an earlier flight. sometimes 2 ship depart passangers on the same day and the airport can be a nightmare.

[librarylady19]

Fantastic review and photos. We will be on the Jewel next year for one of the popular Pacific coast cruises, in a deck 7 center aft cabin . I understand there is no Diamond lounge on this ship - do they have an evening event for Diamond members?

Edited June 3, 2014 by librarylady19

[gkbiiii]

You know The Freewinds is the Church of Scientology, Flag Vessel.

 

Question were you invited to the Captain's Table, for being in the Royal Suite?

[Kcjarvis]

 

This was our first time on a Radiance Class ship and we understand why it is a cruise critic favorite.

 

Capt – Capt Gustavo was fantastic. He was very nice to us on Freedom when he was Staff Capt. We are very happy for his promotion.

 

Concierge – Diego was spectacular. He is one of the top concierges in the fleet – Our Top 3 - Willie / Mario / Diego (not in any order) Bartender Kevin was fantastic.

 

Diamond event – The nightly Diamond event was held in the Hollywood Odyssey. Felipe did an amazing job keeping everyone’s glasses filled and filled and filled. He did let a few non diamond members in, but no one made a fuss. It’s tough with only one bartender and no concierge. We spent most evenings hanging out there due to the CL being standing room only.

 

Food – Subjective – Overall very good (minus Chops) Chops had old menu. Windjammer chef stations were amazing. The made to order burgers at dinner were better than Johnny Rockets.

 

Our suite attendant – Jo was ok – Nothing special, nothing awful. Always greeted us by name and always had a smile on her face.

 

Bar service – With so many ports and a great DL and CL staff, I think we only bought 2 drinks the entire week. I didn’t even have a guavarita.

 

Room Service – Excellent – I had the best steak sandwich I have every had at sea. Honey strung chicken was very fresh. When we ordered the champagne for the M&M after party they made sure to send 25 champagne flutes - Nice touch

 

Internet Service – No ship wide internet but good signal and bandwidth in the Centrum. Skype video, and imessage worked, Facetime didn’t.

 

CD - Carly Boileau was very visible and friendly. Activities manager Elvis was excellent.

 

C&A benefits – Jewel has electronic coupons but no 3 drinks in the evening.

 

Entertainment – Singers and Dancers were not as bad as other reviews have indicated minus singing Nessum Dorma in english . John Joseph & Johnny B were amazing. Comedian Louis Johnson was very funny. Levent was awful. We missed Joey Van and The Quest.

 

Misc – No problems bringing on water or a power strip

 

Shout outs – Skiiergirl and Mr Ski, Chef Jen, J & the Moms, Buggs Bernie & Katherine and Heather & Kelly and all of our after party friends.

 

Rating – I can’t use my normal rating system due to being totally biased by the Royal Suite. This cruise gets a 100% Plus….

 

The week was fantastic!!!!!

 

Another amazing RCCL vacation, we remain Loyal to Royal!!!!!

 

This is Ken Jarvis and I approve this review.

[Kcjarvis]

Hey Ken and a bid BD greeting to Paulette.

 

Wonderful cabin, looks like you guys are having a ball

 

I sure will, hope all is well down there.