NCL Jewel-review

[mdallas]

Just off the NCL Jewel Western Med. Cruise. Here are my notes on the ship;

Food

 

We ate at three of the extra-charge specialty restaurants (Cagneys, Teppanyaki, and Le Bistro), and at the Tsars Palace and the Azura, and got many a pick up meal in the Garden Café. Generally the food on the ship was good but not excellent, and I didn’t notice much change in quality in the extra-cost venues. But service was tremendous, and the chocolate fondue for desert was sumptuous.

We ordered coffee and tea from room service most mornings, then had a more substantial breakfast in the Garden Café, but the one morning we had breakfast at the Tsar’s Palace (Friday) the food was much better—we regretted we hadn’t done that earlier in the trip.

Entertainment

 

In general the shows ranged from great (Second City) to enjoyable (The Evolution of Manipulation and Magician Charles Bach to just fair (Band on the Run). I was surprised, given that it was a “family show”, at the overt sexuality of the dancing. I’m not a prude, but gosh….I didn’t enjoy the Cirque Bijou, which I had expected to. I did enjoy the casino, and even took some free lessons on the tables—but didn’t play. Too rich for my blood. They had plenty of 25¢ video poker machines—that’s all I wanted!

One note about "The Evolution of Manipulation” by juggler Edge. I participated as an audience volunteer! My performance was comic if not stellar. I was to catch this yo-yo thingee with a net, and….well, I’ve never been good at catching. Even when he brought out the really big net…but I enjoyed that show, as I did the magician/comic the next night. But the best show was the Second City—they did some vignettes of on-board life which were hilarious, and their improv was great. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Positive

 

The best thing the Jewel has going for it is its staff. They were almost invariably smiling and friendly. You couldn’t take a step anywhere without a crewmember wishing you a pleasant day. Really excellent service. I only ran across one unfriendly person.

Downsides

 

1.) The constant hustle trying to get you to buy something (drinks, spa services, fotos, drinks, jewelry, artwork, drinks, gifts from the Galeria). It was constant and unpleasant. (My DH had an unpleasant experience with services he was talked into buying from a physical trainer in the gym—but that’s his story to tell).

2.) There were just so many people—2,300. I think if I cruise in the future, it will be on a smaller ship. There’s just no way to disguise that many people—it felt crowded.

Overall it was a good experience. Transfers from Airport to hotel, hotel to ship, and ship to airport were handled well.

[bulgargirl]

I was really thinking about doing a cruise in Europe next year. How did you like your ports? Where did you go?

 

I'd really like to see what's available around Croatia, but I probably can't afford it. :rolleyes:

[newlywedcruisers]

. (My DH had an unpleasant experience with services he was talked into buying from a physical trainer in the gym—but that’s his story to tell).

 

Will your DH be recounting his story, I am quite interested to hear it (I spend alot of time at the gym and was thinking about a trainer on my cruise to annoy me about not eating too much).

[heelfan94]

Will your DH be recounting his story, I am quite interested to hear it (I spend alot of time at the gym and was thinking about a trainer on my cruise to annoy me about not eating too much).

Please tell me you're kidding. I'd pay them by the week to stay away from me. ;) :p :)

[funkdude1003]

Question on Jewel:

 

 

Do the kids have enough to do? I have a 9, 14, and 16 year old and I want them to have plenty to do. Are the kids included in many things? I ask this because a few years ago my family and I went on the Norwegian Sea and the Sea pretended that the kids weren't there. This was the worst cruise my family took. Everything was for people 18 and up. The Norwegian Sea is not in the Norwegian fleet anymore so if you haven't heard of it it's ok lol.

 

Thank you for your time.

[mandiecandie5]

Mdallas-

 

On your cruise did you use the spa or thermal suite (pay) area at all? Any highlights of the ports? Is there a charge for room service?

 

Thanks for reporting back! :)