Just got off the Jewel this morning.

Great. Thank you. Needles to say, I am so excited to spend two weeks in this suite.

 

 

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Wow! Two weeks! How many of you will there be in the suite?

Sorry it has taken me a couple days to get back on the Boards.

So the first night we went to Tsar. The second night we went to Teppanyaki. I had the shrimp and scallops combo. I thought the food was terrific. It was much better than the teppanyaki places we have here at home. The fried rice was so good. Everything was fresh and hot and yummy. Our teens loved it too as did my MIL. I had the fruit sashimi (sliced fruits) for dessert and it was nice and refreshing. They had Sapporo beer so it was a great Japanese dinner. I had read that it is loud. And it is. Lots of banging cooking utensils, etc. But it was fun and our chef was great. If we ever go on NCL again, we wouldn't miss the Teppanyaki.

There were SO many people trying to get reservations. It was booked solid the entire week. There were people eating in there at 10 PM! I cannot stress enough how important it is to book your specialty restaurants in advance if you really want to eat there.

Teppanyaki photo

The VIP cocktail party in the Haven was nice. Passed appetizers and cocktails. A card/invitation was in our suite. Bruno (the concierge) lead us to the Haven. The Haven is super small. I honestly don't think I would ever want to stay in there. Felt a bit claustrophobic to me. The pool is so tiny. I can't imagine a bunch of kids in there. I hear the larger ships have bigger Havens.

The Haven is pretty and would be great for two families or so but sharing it with a bunch of people doesn't seem very "Haven" like LOL :D

It was nice to meet the Cruise Director and Captain and my MIL was very excited to take a photo with him.

Precruise:

 

After lunch, we went to our suite and our room steward was there. He eagerly introduced himself and was super friendly. His name was Roberto. He would greet us everyday by name and was always happy and outgoing.

Our room steward, in our suite, the week before you was OUTSTANDING as well. Raymundo, consistently went out of his way to make sure our room was clean and always did something extra special for my two young kids.

What time was the captain's reception in the Haven?

What time was the captain's reception in the Haven?

I believe it was 5:45-6:30, if I remember correctly. We had forgotten about it and were on our way to Cagney's for dinner, when Bruno grabbed the kids and took them up to the Haven to meet the Captain.

I believe it was 5:45-6:30, if I remember correctly. We had forgotten about it and were on our way to Cagney's for dinner, when Bruno grabbed the kids and took them up to the Haven to meet the Captain.

Bruno really does deserve EVERY CENT of his tips. I couldn't have been happier with his service, demeanor, etc. I can't even imagine anyone stiffing him.

Speaking of tips... We will be in an aft suite on the Jewel in March, but how & where do you tip all these people? Will there be envelopes? Must it be done in person? Seems like it would be an awkward interaction, at least for shy types like myself. These are the weird things I worry about.

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Speaking of tips... We will be in an aft suite on the Jewel in March, but how & where do you tip all these people? Will there be envelopes? Must it be done in person? Seems like it would be an awkward interaction, at least for shy types like myself. These are the weird things I worry about.

 

 

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Bring some thank you cards with you, write out a nice note, put the cash inside, put the card in the envelope, and give it to the crew you are tipping. Trust me, thanking someone and handing them that envelope is not awkward at all. We try to take care of this the day before disembarkation, as that final day is a zoo.

Bruno really does deserve EVERY CENT of his tips. I couldn't have been happier with his service, demeanor, etc. I can't even imagine anyone stiffing him.

We were a last minute upsell into the penthouse suite so Bruno didn't end up doing much for us throughout the week. We still tipped him because of his service and demeanor and always calling our kids by name and making them feel special.

My husband and I had that same room when we went to Alaska in September. We loved toberto he was very nice to us.

Wish we had Bruno we had Karen and I didn't like her. She was rude to us. It's weird because my parents are on it in may and had him and I went in September and had Karen and now he is back again.

Wow! Two weeks! How many of you will there be in the suite?

Just two of us. It was the only suite category available. My mom and girls have one as well.

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Wish we had Bruno we had Karen and I didn't like her. She was rude to us. It's weird because my parents are on it in may and had him and I went in September and had Karen and now he is back again.

Oh that is a bummer. I didn't meet Karen (it sounds like that is a good thing). I really didn't even think I would use a Concierge. I was more excited about the Butler but the Concierge did way more for us.

Bruno seemed to be everywhere. Escorted us onto the ship the first day. Got me onto my daughter's parasailing trip as an observer when it was previously sold out. Got me logged onto the wifi to use my 250 free min. Escorted us to priority debarkation in Cabo. Pulled us out of the main line when returning back to ship to get us on tender quickly. Took us up to the Haven for the Captain's party. Treated my 87 year old MIL as if she were actually in our suite too. Always helping her to her seat, etc. Would answer the phone anytime day or night when I had a question (what time does Moderno serve breakfast on last day, etc.). I tipped him the last night when he escorted us to our seats for the show. He was so careful with my MIL. I was thrilled and happy to tip him. Not uncomfortable at all. And he acted so humble and grateful.

Another hint!!

Down load the App "iConcierge" BEFORE you board the ship. Have everyone in your family download it on their smart phones so you can text all well for free. It does cost $9.99 for the week per phone but it was so helpful for us! I don't know how we would have found each other without it.

My parents loved him too! He did a lot of them. Karen was rude to us one morning and asked us if our question was even important. I will gladly say I didn't tip her at all.

Just two of us. It was the only suite category available. My mom and girls have one as well.

 

 

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That is great! I guess your other bathroom will never get used? It really is a fabulous room and masterbath.

That is great! I guess your other bathroom will never get used? It really is a fabulous room and masterbath.

Even with four people in our suite, our second bathroom was only used twice, the entire week. Those two times were when we had been at the beach and were covered in sand. We used the second bathroom to get all the sand off of us and the kids, then used the master bath to get clean/ready, etc.

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We were so excited to arrive in Cabo! We love it there and this cruise spend two days there! My MIL booked us all on the semi-submarine trip. It took us out to the arch. My MIL was disappointed with the underwater windows being a bit dirty :D I was so excited to go back to my favorite lobster place. Maro's Shrimp House. We hadn't been back to Cabo in 4 years but Maro's was just as good as ever! My teens and I walked there from the tender dock. My husband and his mom took a pedicab. It was .6 miles. Three of us got the lobster and shrimp platter, one daughter got all lobster and one daughter got the Mexican platter (chile rellano, enchilada, taco). Food is so good and they have big margaritas.

Then we took a cab over to The Office to show my MIL. She hadn't been back to Cabo since 1975 so she was shocked by how built up the beach is now. We had a drink there and then we walked down the beach two doors (this was hard for my MIL :( )

We went to my favorite dessert place, Hacienda Cocina y Cantina. They have the most incredible made to order Churro's served with caramel and chocolate dips. Their leche cake is fantastic as well. We had dessert and mexican coffees and watched the sunset. Spectacular!! Then we took a cab back to the marina and took the Tender back to the ship.

Maro's Lobster and Hacienda Cocina y Cantina's Churro's

View from Hacienda Cocina y Cantina

Even with four people in our suite, our second bathroom was only used twice, the entire week. Those two times were when we had been at the beach and were covered in sand. We used the second bathroom to get all the sand off of us and the kids, then used the master bath to get clean/ready, etc.

 

 

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Both of our teens got ready in the 2nd bath and used that toilet but one of them loved to shower in the master shower :D She liked the jets and view of the ocean!

Both of our teens got ready in the 2nd bath and used that toilet but one of them loved to shower in the master shower :D She liked the jets and view of the ocean!

Yes! The shower view was AMAZING! I feel like I showered four times a day just for the view. [emoji23]

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That is great! I guess your other bathroom will never get used? It really is a fabulous room and masterbath.

I figured that my husband can have that bathroom and I'd have the master [emoji23][emoji23]. Our teens are staying in another 2bd suite with my mom so they can always use our 2nd if everyone is trying to get ready at the same time. Like i said this was the least expensive suite available when we booked and now some smaller suites opened up but they are more expensive than ours was. I guess our suitcases have their own bedroom.

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