TampaBayGirl Posted February 23, 2012 #1 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I sailed the Jewel of the Seas on January 16, 2012. The ship is beautiful and (I feel) the perfect size. We are 30-40-ish, DINKs, Florida beach living, laid back cruise lovers. We loved the Solarium area and spent a majority of our time there. The passengers consisted of mainly retired couples and very few young children. This was a favorable mix for us! There was one Pinnacle Club couple from CA on board who have spent over 3 years at sea with RCI. Impressive for sure. Boarding in Tampa was painless. We were dropped off at port, through security, checked-in, embarkation photo taken, VIP boarded, and in the Windjammer in a record 25 minutes. Perfect. The view of Tampa from the Windjammer The view of Tampa from the Windjammer Scoping out the Solarium Area after our Windjammer buffet embarkation lunch Scoping out the Solarium Area after our Windjammer buffet embarkation lunch Scoping out the Solarium Area after our Windjammer buffet embarkation lunch Scoping out the Solarium Area after our Windjammer buffet embarkation lunch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 23, 2012 Author #2 Share Posted February 23, 2012 For those who would like to see the posted rules regarding deck chairs, here it is: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarefreeCruising Posted February 23, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Great pictures! Looking forward to the rest of your recap. We sail on the Jewel on Monday and this is getting me even more excited! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 23, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Sail Away from Tampa Sail Away from Tampa Sail Away from Tampa Sail Away from Tampa Sail Away from Tampa Sail Away from Tampa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 23, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Great pictures! Looking forward to the rest of your recap. We sail on the Jewel on Monday and this is getting me even more excited! :D Thanks - you will LOVE it! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 23, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Sail Away Party Main Pool Deck The first sunset of our cruise. More Solarium (because it's my favorite!) More Solarium (because it's my favorite!) More Solarium (because it's my favorite!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 23, 2012 Author #7 Share Posted February 23, 2012 We loved the duet who played in the main dining room. We sat at a table for two right at the foot of the stairs on the first floor of the dining room. Again, it was perfect. Dining Room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarefreeCruising Posted February 23, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Thanks - you will LOVE it! :) Yay! Any tips of things not to miss? We've been on the Navigator twice and are so excited to try a new class of ships. I'd love ideas of things we should make sure to enjoy on this ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted February 23, 2012 #9 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Great pics! We had the pleasure of boarding while you were disembarking on the 21st. Also had a fantabulous cruise, and can't wait to do it again next February. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juicyglam87 Posted February 23, 2012 #10 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Great pictures! Do u have any of the stateroom? Just curious what they look like on the jewel :-) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnx7 Posted February 24, 2012 #11 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Great pictures! Keep them coming :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #12 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Yay! Any tips of things not to miss? We've been on the Navigator twice and are so excited to try a new class of ships. I'd love ideas of things we should make sure to enjoy on this ship. As usual, the love and marriage show is very cute. But, if you miss it live in the theater - you can always catch the replay on a loop on RCTV station in your stateroom. We've been to Cozumel more times than we can count. But I always enjoy a visit to Sally Hurwitch. She's a massage therapist on the island who practices Ashiatsu massage. It's a divine, incredible experience. http://www.barefootincozumel.com/ Keep an eye out for the Black Forest Cake. It was a small line item on the daily cruise compass. It was served on a sea day in the Windjammer. YUM! Behold the glory of the black forest cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #13 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Great pics! We had the pleasure of boarding while you were disembarking on the 21st.Also had a fantabulous cruise, and can't wait to do it again next February. :) *high five* Awesome! We loved the Jewel so much, we booked again next January :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #14 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Great pictures! Do u have any of the stateroom? Just curious what they look like on the jewel :-) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Bummer - I didn't do the traditional "take photos of the stateroom" before entering. But I do have some that I will post of the stateroom in disarray. (I'll explain later ;) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #15 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Great pictures! Keep them coming :D Thanks! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #16 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I really enjoy testing my luck in the casino on all my cruises. (Not to mention the Hard Rock Tampa, Derby Lane and others ;)) But I am usually not too lucky. I truly enjoy gaming on the slots. I love the sounds and the button pushing. On the Jewel - on my third pull ...... I HIT MONEY! I won $900 and received a cash payout from the attendant. I was shocked and nearly began to cry. :eek: The machine that I won on. My jackpot sequence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #17 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Here's an irrelevant tid-bit. We did not receive towel animals every night. We received two throughout the duration of the cruise. Here are the ones we received: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #18 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Sunrise in Cozumel Sunrise in Cozumel Sunrise in Cozumel Sunrise in Cozumel Sunrise in Cozumel Sunrise in Cozumel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PH8 Posted February 24, 2012 #19 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Great pics......I'll be on the JW in April(2nd time)......will keep an eye out for that cake:eek::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #20 Share Posted February 24, 2012 We dined every morning in the MDR. I consider it a luxury and we both enjoy it very much. We enjoy the random seating, meeting different people, the different wait staff, and the hearty nourishment first thing in the morning. Something interesting that happened aboard the Jewel that has never happened in my previous cruises (I'm a Diamond on RCI and Platinum on Carnival). We were asked to stay on local time - to literally move our clocks back one hour before the Cozumel day. It was shocking because it's typically asked of all passengers to stay on "ship time", i.e. Eastern Standard Time. Hence, I have several sunrise photos since we moved our clocks back before we went to bed. On the Cozumel port day, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the MDR. Then retired the to atrium to people watch and relax. We don't rush off the ship to Cozumel. We live on a beach in Florida, and we do not participate in water sports. We have done the ATV tour excursion on the island once in the past - but, suffice to say - I ended up at Cozumel Medical Center (part hospital, part vet clinic *meow*, part cantina - LITERALLY) with 16 stitches in my ankle where the metal foot rest ended up slicing deeply into my flesh. The scar is still with me as a reminder. Four other cruisers were injured on that excursion. One hit a tree head on, others rolled their vehicle. You get the idea. I was sure glad that I booked the excursion directly with RCI as they (the tour operator) was obligated to incur all medical charges. Also, we were able to secure transporation to the ship and was allowed medical clearance to re-board. I was non-weight bearing for the rest of that cruise. But I developed a new appreciation for those who are differently abled on a ship. Maneuvering a wheelchair around a cruise ship is challenging - not to mention the shower stall. I DIGRESS .... ANYWHOOOOO .... we usually enjoy the ship and the serenity it offers while others scurry about enjoying their excursions. We do eventually meander out and go see Sally Hurwitch, massage therapist. She has a darling studio casita right off the main shopping downtown district in Cozumel. She is divine and is sometimes the reason why we cruise. http://www.barefootincozumel.com/ Here are some of the peaceful scenes aboard the Jewel on Cozumel port day. The main atrium - looking up into the "Northern Lights" public art work. Waterfalls flank the interior elevators. Stairs and Guest Relations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #21 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Cozumel Port Day Cozumel Port Day Cozumel Port Day Cozumel Port Day Cozumel Port Day The water in Cozumel is so turquoise. And the ship is so graciously sized. ♥ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #22 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Fruit Art in the Windjammer Fruit Art in the Windjammer Fruit Art in the Windjammer Fruit Art in the Windjammer Fruit Art in the Windjammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesleyswimcoach Posted February 24, 2012 #23 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I am confused! So did you stay on ship time? I would love that! Mostly in Costa Maya. I think 7-4 is way better than 6-3! We dined every morning in the MDR. I consider it a luxury and we both enjoy it very much. We enjoy the random seating, meeting different people, the different wait staff, and the hearty nourishment first thing in the morning. Something interesting that happened aboard the Jewel that has never happened in my previous cruises (I'm a Diamond on RCI and Platinum on Carnival). We were asked to stay on local time - to literally move our clocks back one hour before the Cozumel day. It was shocking because it's typically asked of all passengers to stay on "ship time", i.e. Eastern Standard Time. Hence, I have several sunrise photos since we moved our clocks back before we went to bed. On the Cozumel port day, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the MDR. Then retired the to atrium to people watch and relax. We don't rush off the ship to Cozumel. We live on a beach in Florida, and we do not participate in water sports. We have done the ATV tour excursion on the island once in the past - but, suffice to say - I ended up at Cozumel Medical Center (part hospital, part vet clinic *meow*, part cantina - LITERALLY) with 16 stitches in my ankle where the metal foot rest ended up slicing deeply into my flesh. The scar is still with me as a reminder. Four other cruisers were injured on that excursion. One hit a tree head on, others rolled their vehicle. You get the idea. I was sure glad that I booked the excursion directly with RCI as they (the tour operator) was obligated to incur all medical charges. Also, we were able to secure transporation to the ship and was allowed medical clearance to re-board. I was non-weight bearing for the rest of that cruise. But I developed a new appreciation for those who are differently abled on a ship. Maneuvering a wheelchair around a cruise ship is challenging - not to mention the shower stall. I DIGRESS .... ANYWHOOOOO .... we usually enjoy the ship and the serenity it offers while others scurry about enjoying their excursions. We do eventually meander out and go see Sally Hurwitch, massage therapist. She has a darling studio casita right off the main shopping downtown district in Cozumel. She is divine and is sometimes the reason why we cruise. http://www.barefootincozumel.com/ Here are some of the peaceful scenes aboard the Jewel on Cozumel port day. The main atrium - looking up into the "Northern Lights" public art work. Waterfalls flank the interior elevators. Stairs and Guest Relations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #24 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I am confused! So did you stay on ship time? I would love that! Mostly in Costa Maya. I think 7-4 is way better than 6-3! This cruise, everyone was asked to change their clocks to local time, falling back one hour. It was SO unusual. On all my past cruises, we were asked on stay in ship time. The cruise director's staff did a good job of getting the word out about changing clocks back one hour while in Cozumel and Costa Maya. It was all over the cruise compasses and on the RCTV channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBayGirl Posted February 24, 2012 Author #25 Share Posted February 24, 2012 When the ship was first in port in Costa Maya, there were three armed Mexican military guards on site with M16s and german shephards watching the passengers disembark. It was something. We watched passengers leave the ship through a window and walk trepidly by the armed guards. I am not quite sure why they were stationed right outside, but they didn't stay there all day. It wasn't the only disturbing site to see on shore in Costa Maya that day. We didn't have any planned excursions. We just got off the ship to walk around the port area and come back for lunch. Posted on the grounf along the pier. The NCL Star was in port with us that day. A view of the Jewel of the Seas from the end of the pier. Welcome to Costa Maya. Public swimming pool at the Costa Maya port. Public swimming pool at the Costa Maya port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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