DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 #1 Share Posted May 21, 2013 (edited) Intro: This was the Jewel's last cruise from Tampa, a one way trip to San Juan, P.R. We'd never done a repositioning cruise before. So the brief drive to Tampa with a short flight home was pretty appealing. We were originally booked in an interior cabin, but got a very cheap upgrade to a balcony room due to a big price drop. We ended up with room 7164, port side aft. My wife's parents were kind enough to drop us off at the terminal, so parking fees weren't an issue. Embarkation: The Port of Tampa is one of the best when it comes to crowd handling, especially the terminal that the Jewel pulls up to (#3 I believe). We were out of the car, through security, checked in and walking onto the ship within twenty minutes. The only snag was with an overzealous security officer who seemed to think that I was going to commandeer the ship with a cigar cutter. I tried to tell her that I've carried it onto every other cruise without issue, but she would hear nothing of it. Thankfully another officer quietly told her that he thought cigar cutters were okay, and she relented. Our cabin: Thanks to Lord Timothy spotting a big price drop while we were on Monarch's final cruise, we got a nearly-free upgrade from an interior to an (extended) balcony cabin on deck seven. The room was pretty standard, with a small sofa, closet, vanity and an extended balcony. As I've noted in other reviews, I was very happy to see that our shower had the sliding doors instead of the attack-shower-curtain. The only drawback to this room was a ledge in front of the balcony that blocks the view directly down to the water. Edited May 21, 2013 by DarthGrady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #2 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Our balcony The view from the balcony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaDeb Posted May 21, 2013 #3 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks for posting the pics. I am on the Jewel in October and can't wait!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scomar Posted May 21, 2013 #4 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks for the pics. We will be on JOS in December, our first RCCL cruise. From the picture of the restroom, it appears as there are no little corner shelfs on the mirror (as I have seen on other ships) to put toiletries on to. Is there other area to store items? Thanks, Scomar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcruiser1573 Posted May 21, 2013 #5 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks for the pics. We will be on JOS in December, our first RCCL cruise. From the picture of the restroom, it appears as there are no little corner shelfs on the mirror (as I have seen on other ships) to put toiletries on to. Is there other area to store items? Thanks, Scomar The mirrors open up to the shelves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windjamming Posted May 21, 2013 #6 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I'm so excited to see your review! We were on this cruise too. Can't wait to compare notes. I have a review thread going on, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted May 21, 2013 (edited) The ship: The Jewel is still in great shape for being nearly a decade old. Her crew keeps her well maintained and spotless. The Radiance Class ships are some of the brightest and best designed cruise ships ever built. Around the ship The Centrum and lobby Guest services and shore excursions desk Edited May 21, 2013 by DarthGrady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterette Posted May 21, 2013 #8 Share Posted May 21, 2013 That certainly a different looking balcony. Have not seen that before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scomar Posted May 21, 2013 #9 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The mirrors open up to the shelves. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks for the pics. We will be on JOS in December, our first RCCL cruise. From the picture of the restroom, it appears as there are no little corner shelfs on the mirror (as I have seen on other ships) to put toiletries on to. Is there other area to store items? Thanks, Scomar The mirrors open up to the shelves. Yes, on that class the mirrors in the corners are actually hinged doors hiding shelves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Cafe Lattetudes, on the Centrum Shopping area Art gallery Photo gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunny AZ Girl Posted May 21, 2013 #12 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I am looking forward to the rest of your review. We will be on the JOTS in one year!:) Good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The Champagne Bar, also on the Centrum. Probably the best example of how nearly every area on this class has an amazing view of the sea. That connection to the sea makes the Radiance Class nearly the exact opposite to the Oasis Class ships, where one could almost forget about being at sea. Casino Royale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The Schooner Bar Chops Steakhouse (cover charge) Portofinos, an Italian restaurant (cover charge) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #15 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The Safari Club, used for karaoke, gatherings and parties Self leveling pool tables Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencercoop Posted May 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Can't wait for the rest!! Your reviews are always so great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The Pit Stop, a sports bar The Coral Theater Passenger stairwell Most stairwell landings feature huge works of art that give the ship it's modern, classy feel Mid-ship elevator lobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted May 21, 2013 Author #18 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I am looking forward to the rest of your review. We will be on the JOTS in one year!:) Good start. Can't wait for the rest!! Your reviews are always so great! Thanks! That's about all I have time for tonight, I'll be back on tomorrow with more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted May 21, 2013 #19 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Looking forward to reading the rest. We're leaving on the Jewel on Saturday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windjamming Posted May 21, 2013 #20 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Great pictures!! How did you take pictures with no one in them?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted May 21, 2013 #21 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Really great start, looking forward to the rest of your review. Your pictures show the beauty of the Radiance class ship. Thanks Bill Sent from my Kindle Fire HD using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzin-K Posted May 21, 2013 #22 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Subscribing! I love the Radiance class and will be on the Jewel (again) next January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jay Posted May 21, 2013 #23 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks, So Much For Posting!!!!! I Can't Wait, To Sail The Jewel For MY Very First Time, Next October (2014) MY Birthday Cruise!!!!!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmkristianson Posted May 21, 2013 #24 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thank you for the photos.....Helps pass the time until November! You always post such great photos! Big fan of the Jewel! Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowball Posted May 21, 2013 #25 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Looking forward to reading the rest. We're leaving on the Jewel on Saturday! I am cruising on the Jewel in late October, and am so sad that Dennis won't be the CD for that cruise. If you talk to him, tell him that the women who made him participate as a player during Quest on the Mariner (kinda sorta against his will :p) said hi!!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now