Snowrose

We sailed out of NYC in January 2007 to the Caribbean. By the next day it was warm enough to use pools that were protected from the wind. It does of course depend on the weather for your specific sailing date.

On the way back to NYC we did broadside a snowstorm (Nor'easter) and had some choppy waters, although compared to out-running Hurricane Sandy a few years later the snowstorm was nothing. ;)

We were on the infamous NCL Jewel that was called out by name last year by The Weather Channel for leaving port in NYC and skirting between Hurricane Sandy and the coastline. The first evening was so-so, a lot of rolling but it wouldn't have been bad at all if they'd closed the blinds in the main dining room. As long as you didn't look at the horizon going from the bottom of the windows to the top of the windows, it was okay.

We had 20-30+ foot seas that night and the Captain told us the next day that we'd had 120 mph winds that night. At one point - around 2AM - I did get worried. We'd already had our closet opening and the chairs on our balcony moving all around, but when we hit a swell that almost sent DH and I rolling out of our bed, that was a bit scary.

Strangely enough, we left the rough waters just about half an hour later and from then on the waves were a comparatively smooth 15 ft or less.

Amazingly, damage was relatively light. A few broken things in the shops, and we heard some liquor bottles broke in storage, one cracked window in the shops, and a railing above the pool deck that snapped at one weld and had to be taken down and re-welded. No injuries, to my knowledge.

We got by on 1/2 pill doses of Dramamine on days 1 and 2, and had a great rest of the trip. :)

Loved your review! Thanks so much for all the time and trouble you took. It was fantastic!

Some of the ships have cigar bars, but not the Jewel. You can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids' pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas).

In a panic, I did some internet research. Apparently Atlantis was in an uncertain state with being handed over from January through May of this year. In May Brookfield finally took over and made a commitment to keep some 8,000 employees and put $50 million a year into the property.

I also looked at some recent reviews on Trip Advisor, by recent I mean within the last few weeks. Better than 90% of them say that Atlantis is beautiful, amazing and breath-taking.

I don't know, maybe they cleaned up their act since this thread was started. I hope so. At least now I feel a little bit better.

I hope it'll be okay. :(

I'm just short of devastated, reading this thread. I watched on the internet as Atlantis was being built and have always dreamed of going there. I want to walk the Digs, see all the animals and the Atlantian sights. Yes, I know they're not real but seeing the place meant something to me. Now I don't know what to think. We've already paid for the combined Aquaventure and Dolphin excursion.

I don't mean to be melodramatic but for me it was a life dream to see this place, and now it feels like that dream is dying. :(

ps...I see your signature says Harry Potter, so I assume you are going to the Islands of Adventure...click on the gem review in my signature for photos of our excursion there. DD had a blast. Enjoy your cruise!

 

~Michele

That was a great review, Michele! Thanks for pointing it out, you've given me a number of ideas for things to do. :D

How cute! Your DD14 looks a *lot* like my stepdaughter, who is 12, except that your DD has medium brown hair and my SD has dark brown hair - but otherwise they could almost be twins.

Oh, and we'll be asking for a foam topper for SD's couch, too - thanks to your review.

I've noticed the Java Cafe on pictures of the Jewel, and I understand that you have to pay extra for the premium coffees from there. But my question is, do you have to pay extra for the pastries that are offered at the cafe?

Thanks!

Personally, my stepdaughter loves salads, fettucine alfredo, Indian curry, and sushi, as well as many other foods. As a matter of fact we went out for a sushi dinner just last night. Then again, she's 12 - but she acted just as adult as any of the adults in the restaurant.

That said, we usually eat in the main dining rooms while on a cruise, but I really do want to take her to Teppanyaki for the 'show'.

Well, so much for that poster from a few months ago that was trying to tell everyone that the crew slept 8 to a cabin. :rolleyes:

Truthfully, that cabin is bigger than the 2 bunker I had on the Manitou - as a guest.

Teri