kornuttle

I love all of your pictures of the Jewel and Alaska...so beautiful! I've been following since, well I don't know when :p but it is truly a treat to see! We are going to be sailing on the Jewel leaving on SUNDAY!!!! :D The "secret viewing spot" looks perfect! I saw you entered the spot by going through The Haven retreat area, I know you were in a suite so is that why you were allowed to go up there or is it something that would be offered to anyone if staff/director/whomever allowed? Thank you for all of your hard work and photos...it is very much appreciated! I'm sorry for anyone that complained about how long it's taking, every picture and detail is worth the wait!

You should follow, if you aren't already, Laffnvegas's live from the Jewel report. She won't be posting dailies until she returns home, but her report is still informative, and worth reading.

 

Have fun next week!

 

Thank you and we will have fun, no doubt about it! Thank you for the advice but I'm all over Laffnvegas' report! Haha love it! If I'm not able to find the dailies before our cruise I won't be crushed it would just be nice to get an idea!

Hi CC! I've been reading many posts in regards to the Jewel, as I sailing on her in 5 days! The countdown has begun and my excitement is almost tangible! This will be my first time sailing on NCL and my first visit to the Mexican Riviera (weird for a California cruiser). All the posts I have seen from those that recently cruised on the Jewel mentioned dailies but I haven't seen one yet since the change of itinerary. If anyone has the dailies it would be oh-so appreciated! Also, if anyone wants to add a tid-bit of info on either the Jewel or NCL in general that would be welcomed by this newbie! :D

I found the below information on NCL's forum site... enjoy! The Seahawks should be one of the featured games on an Alaskan cruise.

 

"Yes, NFL games are available in your stateroom TV and the bars around the ship. There is a large screen in the atrium that they use for presentations. They use the same screen to play movies and NFL football games. You will find the game schedules in the onboard newsletter."

I am told that even with the unlimited drink package, you still need to sign for every drink. Does anyone know if they list everything you drank on your final bill even though it is included. My wife and are traveling with my mother in law who doesn't drink too much. We would like to indulge a bit on vacation but don't want her to know how much.

 

Bills can be made confidential if you ask the front desk, I don't know how the charges show up on the sail and sign card but your bill and your MIL should not share the same account and if you don't want anyone else to see your bill then that is your right. Maybe someone on here can answer specifically if every drink purchased shows up on your sail and sign but your best bet is to give a quick call to NCL. The only other issue I see with this would be the fact that your MIL can just see the drinks you're having in person...she doesn't have to see the bill to know that you have had drinks on the duration of your cruise. Either way, all the best of luck, MIL's can be tough! ;)

Ensenada will be just as much of a party as Rosarito, maybe even more because of all the cruise ships and spring breakers like you are realizing the short cruises are a great way to let loose for a few days. As all others have mentioned Hussong's for 2 for 1 margaritas is a good way to start and Tacos Lindos is a must!! Papa's and beer is on the main street and it will be wild with the young cruise crowd! Another fun option since you will be in Ensenada all day is taking the bus tour to La Bufadora...the shuttle you take right when you get off the ship will give you a little flyer for all the cruisers to take the bus tour $15 p/p takes you round trip to the blowhole, shopping and viewing for a few hours and a complimentary margarita upon arrival. The bus ride is fun too...they stop the bus at a little off the street beer stop and all the people on the bus grab 6-12 packs of their favorite Mexican beer for cheap and get back on the bus drinking the whole drive...maybe even a few break out into song? :D When at the blowhole, a lot of people seem to think it's a little lackluster but I think it's great. The cliffs are gorgeous with water crashing against them (even if the blowhole isn't particularly showy that day) and the little market has great items for souvenirs or gifts. I have a hard time not visiting the blowhole just because of the shopping because I always grab a super nice looking knock off handbang...last year I got a very cute Marc Jacobs bag and my best friend got the cutest Tori Burch clutch. There are quite a few places to get a HUGE michelada or margarita or other drink options while you're shopping along. Banana something's is where you get your free margarita and has a cute bar. Anyway, I think it's great and after driving back the bus will take you right to the center of town where Papa's and Beer is and you can join right in with the party and still have plenty of time in your day! Anyway, I'm only 27 so I know how it is wanting to have a let loose, Mexican adventure while still being safe and you'll find Ensenada is a perfect mixture of party and safe because it is filled with mostly all cruisers, and the locals love the business the cruisers bring! Sorry for the novel, but I hope it helps! :rolleyes: Have a blast!

Do you remember or have any idea of the costs that I can expect if we go the taxi route? Taxi round trip and how much the winery tour would cost separate from the bus tour? Thanks!

Okay, lots of information here and I want to make sure I have it all correct! I am very familiar with the bus tours that go to the wineries and also to La Bufadora for around $15 and if you choose to go on the winery tour that usually includes the tasting and maybe even a bottle of wine from La Cetto?? I would also like to hit La Bufadora. Maybe some don't like it much but I love the water crashing against the cliffs and shopping the market for goods...like to get a knock off handbag (nice quality) and some silver/turquoise jewelery. If we go with a taxi instead of the bus tours will we miss out on the wine package or be charged separately for the tastings? Has anyone done both tours in a day or had a taxi drive them to each place while in port? If we can only do one tour we will go with the winery tour this time for sure, however if this is the case does anyone know where I can find my little novelty treasures downtown? Sorry about all the questions but I'm going to have 4 other women with me, so a little prep goes a long way! Thanks!!

Sorry to burst your bubble but WE'RE going on the first cruise out of Long Beach on the Imagination- Jan 26.

:D:p:)

 

Nooo!!!! Haha...didn't catch that one! Well congrats on the west coast inaugural! You'll have to tell me how it was, and sorry I didn't check your signature if you had been on the Inspiration, would love a little comparison pre-boarding! :D

Hi all! I am going on the Imagination for it's first cruise being on the west coast! It's a very quick 2 day. I'm very used to the 3 and 4 day cruises and Ensenada, but I am very curious what I can expect from a 2 day! I'm definitely hoping I still get my lobster! Hehe. :D I would love to know if any of you have experience with the menu's being different on a 2 day and anything else I can expect. It is going to be strange not having a sea day! Maybe I should have booked a B2B...? :rolleyes: Haha. Happy cruisin'!

[COLOR=blue]Oh that's great...seems like there are still a lot of options that are included! When I saw that they charged for Johnny Rockets it freaked me out, made me think all of the cool places shown in your pictures had a surcharge! But $4 really is reasonable for a specialty restaurant...still think its really weird that they charge for it on this ship when they didn't on another! :confused: Oh well...the ship is amazing either way! So, seeing the big difference in ships (particularly the [COLOR=green]GREEN[/COLOR] on the Victory haha:p) which cruise as a whole did you enjoy more?? A lot of people on here have said they prefer the food on Carnival over RCCL, what's your opinion? Thank yooou and you are so sweet for posting these reviews and answering everyone's questions! Hope were aren't cutting into your personal life too much! hehe ;)[/COLOR]

Hiii!! I just finished reading both of your reviews! Loved all the details and all of the beautiful pictures! Obviously this is completely off topic to this particular review but seeing as how this review is more up to date I wanted to ask about the allure!! haha.:rolleyes: I am in awe of this ship (especially after seeing all the photos!) I was wondering how the dining works on this ship?? There are so many little restaurants/pubs, etc. are any of these included in the cruise price?? I also noticed you had posted a picture of the Johnny Rockets and said it was pretty cheap...I was pretty surprised because when I had gone on Voyager of the Seas (back in '02 I think:confused:) the Johnny Rockets on the ship was included as one of the regular dining options, no surcharge. Has this changed on all the ships? I guess I'm just wondering what is included and what isn't...the ship is amazing but paying for all of the good dining options kind of defeats one of the great purposes of going on a cruise for me! Please enlighten me in the new RCCL ways!?? Haha! :)