Live from the NCL Jewel May 1-15, 2023 (caution: may contain grumpiness and sarcasm.)

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, Arrow34 said:

See ya at Maltings, we will be on the northbound leg to Seward.

Yes! We can “cheers” with a whiskey!

[YVRteacher]

On 4/10/2023 at 8:27 PM, www3traveler said:

Maybe you should consider writing a book about your cruise adventures with your Dad or even a book about his life and family.

I just saw this comment! Thank you!  He has great stories to tell.  If we are ever on a cruise together, ask him about how getting fined when he was hit by a car while riding his bike back in England led to his becoming an insurance guru.  There is a quill pen and an old judge involved.

[libtrek]

14 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

@ceilidh1

“Dad storage” is now my favourite phrase!!!!

OMG, I’m stealing it too except it’s DH storage. Even though they get cranky and more than a little fuzzy at times, we love ‘em. I love your reviews, they are real. I think we can be “soul sisters” since I’m a retired librarian. ML

[YVRteacher]

4 hours ago, Rusty Shacklefjord said:

 
Does the Jewel have a bag check or do you keep everything with you until the rooms are open? Please note that I am another person who was influenced to book the Jewel due to your reviews and your photos of crepes at Christmastime. 
 

I’d also love to hear your strategies for vegetarians. I think you mentioned this in another thread. 

Hi! The last time I was on the Jewel was December 2022 and at that time cabins were still being serviced twice a day and NCL had not yet cut back on the number of cabin attendants, meaning cabins were ready early. We always stay in a two bedroom penthouse so we get escorted to the cabin and even though cabins weren’t ready at 10:00am, we were able to drop off our carry on suitcases.  On my recent cruise on the Bliss cabins were not ready until after 4:00pm and there was a luggage storage room next to Q.

 

I will post the guide to eating vegetarian on NCL later today!

[bluesea777]

Norwegian Jade will do Vancouver-Whitter and back during her summer 2025 Alaska season!

 

 

Jewel & Jade are exact sisters. Pearl & Gem are also exact sisters but slightly different to Jewel & Jade.

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

Thank you!  I love all the Jewel-class ships.

[YVRteacher]

7 hours ago, Rusty Shacklefjord said:

 
Does the Jewel have a bag check or do you keep everything with you until the rooms are open? Please note that I am another person who was influenced to book the Jewel due to your reviews and your photos of crepes at Christmastime. 
 

I’d also love to hear your strategies for vegetarians. I think you mentioned this in another thread. 

Hi! I just posted the guide to vegetarian eating on NCL.

[jcollin]

YVRteacher, are there any shows that should be booked before boarding?  Also do you know how much the spa pass costs?  I saw somewhere, probably old, that it was $199 for two.  Thanks

[YVRteacher]

The thermal spa pass is $199 Canadian for one week per person (not for two!) on the Jewel. This is $150 US per week per person.

 

There are no shows on the Jewel that are available for advance reservations.  

Edited April 18, 2023 by YVRteacher

[YVRteacher]

[YVRteacher]

That was fast! The wooden puzzles I ordered arrived today. Thankfully they put “Fragile” stickers on all six sides of the box.  We wouldn’t want those puzzles to be in, oh I don’t know…

 

…pieces!

 

[jcollin]

13 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

 

[jcollin]

Thanks, I don't see that in my explore and plan section.  Maybe it pops up later.  

[Augustsunshine]

Good morning! Maybe I missed it in your narrative. What are you going to go with the puzzle pieces? Is there a particular place you see yourself or or your dad using them? Will you bring them along and donate them at the end of the cruise? I have some well written travel books. I have sometimes wished I had brought a couple along to donate to a ship library. Sometimes the offerings seem a bit sparse 🤔

[carohs]

Good Morning! Already off to a great start; can't wait to read about your adventures on the Jewel!

[YVRteacher]

9 hours ago, Augustsunshine said:

Good morning! Maybe I missed it in your narrative. What are you going to go with the puzzle pieces? Is there a particular place you see yourself or or your dad using them? Will you bring them along and donate them at the end of the cruise? I have some well written travel books. I have sometimes wished I had brought a couple along to donate to a ship library. Sometimes the offerings seem a bit sparse 🤔

Hi! I wrote about the puzzles in this thread in post #34.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

We take Liberty wooden puzzles on cruises, too!  In fact, the Black Bear is making an appearance on our side-to-side MSC/NCL cruise the first week of May!

[Augustsunshine]

Found the puzzles online. All I can say is wow

[YVRteacher]

In my job I spend a lot of time learning about and implementing universal design for learning, inclusions and adaptations. 
To support my dad, here is our cruise planner.  It’s like the large print version of a spreadsheet.

[www3traveler]

I hope you and Dad have a wonderful cruise despite your disappointment.

[sansroof]

Your planner is amazing! I want to do the same for my house but I don’t think I have your organization skills. So happy to follow along on your live WITH your dad! I have read prior threads after the fact and found them delightful. 

[bluesea777]

Birthdays not on the planner!!! 😲

 

[nhtravels]

Alaska is our next bucket list!  So I am excited to follow along on your cruise with your dad!  I wanted to be a librarian who traveled the world when I was growing up.  I ended up in HR, who has only made it to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Mexico (so far), so you are inspiring to me!

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

Birthdays not on the planner!!! 😲

 

Lol! My dad’s birthday is the day with a sticky note that reads “surprise!” and I kept mine off for now just because I feel like I share so much here on Cruise Critic that maybe I should keep something private? Heck, if you’ve read my past reviews you know I take my bra to bed in severe storms in case the ship goes down…

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, www3traveler said:

I hope you and Dad have a wonderful cruise despite your disappointment.

We do love the Jewel and are both really looking forward to the cruise. I will absolutely miss Steven and I also truly wish him well.  

 

I sent my dad an email today telling him that I called NCL to ask for a price adjustment since the price dropped so much and we are getting Future Cruise Credit of over $2000 then I told him that Steven would no longer be on the Jewel.

 

Here is his reply:

 

“Thanks for looking after the cancellation of the Pride of America sailing and for getting the future cruise credit of $2,068
for the May sailing on the Jewel (only 11 days away!)

I started out on my daily walk today when there was no sign of rain here but I didn't get very far before the skies opened up and I got really wet (didn't take an umbrella - didn't think I needed one!)

Yes - it is too bad that Steven Jacobsen has left the Jewel - he was one of the best officers on the ship and we will definitely miss him!”