Jewel - Alaska - RS - Mini Review and Pics

JEWEL ROYAL SUITE (1556) ALASKA JUNE 2015 Mini-Review

Lots of Pics of Cabin.

This is predominately a cabin review, with some extra stuff thrown in the mix!

A little delayed as I was taking a vacation from cc, DW and DD boarded the Ryndam this morning for a Norwegien Fjords cruise, I decided to skip that one.

JEWEL June 2015 ALASKA (RS1556)

Deck 10 centre of ship (Starboard)

Friday 26th June

Friday 3rd July

ITINERARY:

6/26 Seattle

6/27 Cruising

6/28 Inside Passage

6/28 Juneau

6/29 Skagway

6/30 Tracy Arm Fjord (Actually did Endicott instead)

7/1 Cruising

7/2 Victoria (British Columbia)

7/3 Seattle

HOTEL:

The Maxwell hotel (Pineapple)

300 Roy Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA

Tel: 206-286-0629

(17 miles from Tacoma SEA airport)

This is our 2nd ALASKA cruise, and our 3rd time cruising on Jewel, yes one of our favorites.

For this cruise there are 6 of us ranging from 13 to 66 in youth

DW,s 38th with RC (40)

DD,s 21st with RC (13)

My 17th with RC (43)

We did it the other way round and introduced the older folk to cruising.

Mum & Dads: 3rd Cruise with RC we got them hooked, Majesty & Navigator

Aunts: Virgin Cruise, on any cruise line, am pretty sure she will cruise again

The parents & Aunt were booked in a D1 (1062) Portside

DW DD and myself in the RS as you do.

CABIN LOCATION:

Deck 10

Room# 1556

Starboard

Mid-Ship

ROOM FACTS:

Stateroom Size = 1156sq ft

Balcony Size 328sq ft (No hot tub on balcony), but no Biggy.

Separate bedroom with king-size bed, private balcony, whirlpool bathtub, living room with queen-size sofa bed, baby grand piano, full MDR menu for room service.

LUGGAGE TAGS

Cruise docs became available on the 49 day mark, logged in and ordered same day,

received in mailbox 6 days later.

BATHROOM AMENITIES:

Enough to last us the week and another! In both bathrooms

Main walk-in shower had 3 shower heads, 2nd walk-in shower had 2 shower heads.

MINI-BAR AMENITIES:

Did not use as all we needed was provided external of the mini-bar, for Free!

WELCOME ABOARD GIFTS:

The usual gifts, we did get a continuous flow of Moet through the cruise as well, and

As much wine as we could consume.

IN ROOM DINING MENU:

Full MDR menu available, had the cheese plate and a few desserts throughout the cruise.

Really quick service and no issues with the MDR food at all.

Regular menu also available, ordered one day, food arrived stone cold, we were told that

they could not find our room and attempted to deliver our order to deck 4, then they tried

1554, by the time it got to us, it got sent back and we re-ordered.

Room service did not know where the RS was!

BREAKFAST MENU:

Everything as standard, additional full MDR menu available, which we took advantage of

One morning, had to have our eggs Benedict.

In the Fjord we had breakfast for all 6 of us delivered so we could enjoy the views

Together as a family.

Some of the offerings

BALCONY FURNITURE:

All wicker furniture, 2 Chaise Loungers, covered with large yellow RC towels

3 tables, 5 chairs

Right on the hump with overhang, so a little wind, but privacy was perfect.

Cannot see either suite beside unless you lean over right on either end.

Great views up to Captains perch.

Easy to spot with the 4 full length floor to ceiling windows

ROOM AMENITIES:

PS3, 2 flat screen TV's, ample power outlets, electric blinds and drapes, 4 temp control

Units to vary temperature within suite. Coffee maker, kettle, sink.

Memory control lighting for all suite, or individual rooms.

All glassware and utensils.

Dining table, full MDR dining menu

Piano

Flowers

Wine chiller stand, always fully stocked with fresh ice daily.

Drapes and curtains, all except 1 are fully switch operated, 2 master operating panels

4 thermostats throughout the suite, we were able to freeze the room down, just how we

like it.

2 sofas, one made up each evening as a double for DD.

Hot tub lighted Jaccuzi master bathroom, 3 head separate shower with steam option.

2nd bathroom with walk in glass shower, no storage in this bathroom.

FRIDGE/COOLER:

Located in wet bar area,we had no need to use as we always had ice in bucket

And wine stand chiller.

SAFE:

Located behind the master bed, taller than normal, iPads have to be stacked upright

We were able to squeeze in 3 IPad mini's plus phones and other personal items.

CLOSETS:

The RS closet is a walk through Jack n Jill, behind the master bed, ample space for

Everything, safe also located here. This adds as nice sound proofing from the cabin

next door.

VANITY AREA:

Hair dryer and multiple power outlets. (nice area for charging all the electronics)

POWER OUTLETS:

So many, at least 6 in wet bar area, 4 at Vanity desk, multiple in all bathrooms.

INTERNET:

Their is a router in the RS above bed, but not active, no Wifi in room, and no Free internet

for Suite Guests.

We did however get 4 days free internet using a promo onboard, last 4 days for $80.00

We both had $79.95 (2 days free being D+) so for accounting sake, we were charged $0.05

each for the usage.

Internet speed MEH!!

TV & OUTLETS:

Plenty, but DD just used the PS3, shame PS3 was in Master bedroom, makes more sense

to have in lounge where it could be utilized better than playing whilst in bed.

You could check folio account on TV.

WINE MENU:

In room menu available, nice to have for pre-ordering before dinner if you wanted to.

We had no use for.

INVITATIONS RECEIVED:🔱

Welcome back (Safari Club)✔️

Galley Tour✖️

Captains Table✖️(Declined)

Top Tier event (Helipad)✔️

Suite Luncheon: (Portofino's)✔️

Bridge Tour✖️

Having completed the tours before on Jewel, we decided to free up the space for

someone else to experience.

C&A GIFTS:

4 bottles of water, Corona, Heineken, Moët, more Moet, mix bag of treats, wine,

More wine, daughter got her Tote bag.

Free drinks all cruise, so no Idea on drink prices or packages

BINOCULARS:

In room on arrival, did the trick for what we needed. Well used all week.

IN ROOM ENTERTAINMENT:

PS3, and Piano, docking station for IPhone, daughter had arranged what games she

wanted with Diego about 2 weeks before we set sail.

Diego was also able to get my DD sheet music from the Music Director, which made her

Day!!

PILLOW MENU:

Very comfortable and soft.

Choices:

Conformance, Goose, Body, Isotonic (Heaven in a bundle of fluff)

FYI, the bed and sofa bed were extremely comfortable.

Even though a "Suite Perk" we had to ask for the menu, it was not advertised in the room.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Concierge Lounge: Deck 10 (Starboard) accessed through elevator lobby for us.

Concierge: Diego Tripaldi (A very good friend and excellent concierge)

We have a common love for a certain sport⚽️

Diamond Lounge: No Dedicated Diamond Lounge on JOTS

We could of used the Hollywood Odyssey for DL cocktail hours if we had chosen to.

Hollywood Odyssey (Deck 13)

Hours: 5:00pm - 8:00pm

DRINK VOUCHERS: all 3 pre-loaded on both of our Seapass Cards

Used at all bars on the ship with no issues whatsoever.

MDR:

We had a 6 top Table# (412) we knew from our last sailing on Jewel to try and get the same

Waiter we had previously, Ajit Desai, excellent service, and was great to see him again and

Again received outstanding service. Curry family style on 3 nights, always good.

Dean our assistant waiter from Croatia also did an excellent job, kept us entertained.

We originally had MTD for 6:30, we arranged ahead of time a 6-top with a window view,

RC did not dissapoint, we had a 6-top right by the window and switched to traditional

Dining which was at 5:30pm each evening.

SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS:

Chops was $35.00pp on this sailing, we do not entertain chops.

Portofino's

$25.00pp we did first night and both used our BOGO and some OBC so for the 6 of us

Worked out to be an inexpensive excellent meal

Plenty of wine flowing and all drinks vouchers and free cocktails were taken full advantage

of.

Mickey our server, lots of fun and made it a great evening

Only 2 other tables in the restaurant on this opening night.

Nice to have visited Portofino's once again before it becomes Giovanni's

Murder mystery was day 4.

Was open for lunch on sea days

CREW:

Captain: Dustin Castelsky (Canada) Captain Canada

Cruise Director: John Blair

Hotel Director: Tony Curtis (England)

Concierge: Diego Tripaldi (Uruguay)

Loyalty Ambassador: Maria Liamshyna (Ukraine)

Guest Service Manager: Rosa

Diamond Lounge host: ? (Did not use Vortex or Odyssey lounges all cruise).

Activities Manager: Katrina Blair

Waiter: Ajit Desai (India)

Assistant Waiter: Dean Petrovic (Croatia)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Ajit Desai (MDR Waiter) also our waiter on previous Jewel, excellent service.

Diego Tripaldi (Concierge), just the best IOHO.

Maria Liamshyna (LA) full of life and treated us very well. DD loved her!

Valcot Medica (Bar server MDR) entertained us all

Joseph (Concierge Bar Server)

WOW cards & BOARDING:

We actually were able to get 4 when checking in. Plenty of WOW envelopes available

from guest services onboard as well.

Separate Suite and Pinnacle check in at Pier 91 terminal

Check in took 5-10 mins, very efficient speedy experience.

From dropping off bags to hearing the 1st !BING! 20 minutes tops.

Private elevator, then direct escort to Suite, made life so much easier and with

All hand luggage stowed in the RS, food time was made that much more bearable.

Received checked luggage around 4pm.

WELCOME BACK PARTY:

Day 3

Location: Safari Lounge

Time: 7:15pm

Maria hosted very well, due to an 8:30 all aboard, not as busy as previous cruises.

DD was spoilt by Maria, a new friend for the future

TOP TIER EVENT:

Day 5

Location: Helipad

Time: 10:30am

Hot Chocolate, Mimosa's and RCMP in attendance with many of the senior officers,

Had a great chat with Tony Curtis, nice chap.

MEET & MINGLE:

Non event, less than 25 signed up, very little activity on our roll-call.

nothing else had been arranged.

SUITE LUNCHEON:

Day 2

Location: Portofino's

Time: 11:15

Nice to have a drink and nibbles with all the officers, plenty to snack on and drink

Shane the mixologist made a great Marmalade Gin, went down very nicely!

good to see Heidi, Tony and Rosa. Andre from Cape Town spent a nice time chatting

with us, found out some interesting facts.

CAPTAINS TABLE:

Had invite, but was informed new policy after someone complained about a child

attending before, age limit now 21. We declined as we were not going to go without

our daughter, no Biggy! (Got the T-Shirt, a few actually, so has daughter)

Guess one moaner ruined for all the others.

EXCURSIONS:

Juneau - Whales Glacier & Rainforest (12:30pm-17:30pm) JU63 ($199pp)

Skagway - White Pass Railway (08:20am-12:40pm) SK01 ($125pp)

BC -Victoria - Hop on Hop off (10:00am-11:00am) VI30 ($39pp)

We wanted an easy excursion experience this cruise, so really didn't do anything too

exhilarating.

C&A members on this cruise: 893

Pinnacle (0)

Diamond + (28)

Diamond (78)

Platinum (100)

Emerald (112)

Gold (575)

DRINKS of the Day ($7.75 each)

Day 1: Strawberry Cooler;

Day 2: Ocean Melon;

Day 3: Deep Blue Margarita

Day 4: Gold Rush Sparkler

Day 5: Blue Island

Day 6: Icy Mint Lemonade

Day 7: Pomegranate Sunrise

Wifi HOTSPOTS:

Centrum Decks 4,5,7,9

Solarium / Pool Deck 11

Windjammer Deck 11

Schooner Bar Deck 6

Conference Rooms Deck 5

Lobby of RS could still get a weak signal

We got 4 day package on day 4, used our D+ coupons cost us FREE.

Dead spots in Skagway and some of Tracy Arm Fjord

CASINO:

Drink coupons received everyday from Jose, no limit or cost restriction as far as we were

concerned.

5000 + points total for this cruise, will see what rebate that equates to for our March cruise

Also awarded Free Cruise Certificate (FCC) must book within 30 days of receipt, we may

be able to take advantage of one or two of the dates.

we cashed in our points and got $55 each, T-Shirts and key chains etc.

Slot tourney had 9 rounds, just shy of free cruise offering, so prizes were cash for 1st

2nd & 3rd, house took a good 50% whack of play money.

Blackjack tourney had a very poor turn out.

There was a poker tourney on last night, I think they managed to fill a table.

ZeusIII machine was very good to us playing max bet! We only heard 1 announcement

of a jackpot win, which was $1600.00, also a $4000 win was kept quiet. Ssshh!

Jewel was being fitted out with the new electronic tracking system on a couple of the

tables, hopefully better for the guests to be tracked more accurately.

Jose had no information on New Program or the New Tier structure other than what

is already known on CC.

That's all folks!

I just recently completed a Jewel review so didn't want to just repeat as before😱

Any questions fire away😄

Previous Jewel review in signature with all the docs and compasses. Happy to answer

Any questions you may have.

Will sail the Jewel again when the opportunity arises, great staff, great ship

Maybe after her dry dock we will sail on her again, or before, who knows!

Food is subjective, so only comment I will make is that the portions in the MDR IMO,

all seemed to be a lot bigger than we have previously experienced.

Yes there was Shrimp and Escargot for those who think it has been banished, just need

to ask for it.

Lobster, fisherman's plate 2nd formal night.

Will add more photos to the end

Happy Days!

Thank You Graham! Great review with lots of good information! Much appreciated:D DH & I will be sailing on Jewel in October on a Pacific Coastal. We have never sailed on this RCCL class of ship so far & are really looking forward to this cruise. Our TA said this is her favorite class of RC ship.

Your photos were great & I am going to show them to DH in hopes that I can talk him into a future Alaska cruise. Your suite was awesome...I can only wish, maybe someday :rolleyes: LOL

Again, Thank You!

Judy

Thanks for your Mini review. My favorite is this class of ship. We are sailing on the Jewel in September.. Can't wait.

Great review, but then I would expect no less from the staff and crew

of the Jewel. Diego is a true gem and he knows how to make his guests

happy. I thought it was nice for you to decline some of the ship tours you

were offered to free up space for others. The Jewel feels like home for

us.

Just curious, didn't you have breakfast in Chops in the morning? That

is one of the perks that I really enjoy. They have a great team in there

as well.

Great review, but then I would expect no less from the staff and crew

of the Jewel. Diego is a true gem and he knows how to make his guests

happy. I thought it was nice for you to decline some of the ship tours you

were offered to free up space for others. The Jewel feels like home for

us.

Just curious, didn't you have breakfast in Chops in the morning? That

is one of the perks that I really enjoy. They have a great team in there

as well.

We decided for this cruise to mainly have breakfast via MDR breakfast menu in the room.

We did go to D+ dining room Section of MDR for chocolate breakfast on day 6

Never thought to visit chops.

And concur, Diego is one of the True Gems of the Jewel, as are many others I have recognized ^^^

The staff on Jewel seem to get it👍

Happy Days.

Great pics. We were on Jewel the week after you. We loved Loyalty Ambassador Maria too. Saw her in the left on one of your pics. Very few Diamond/Diamond + on our cruise so we had the opportunity to chat with her at length. Never as many as a dozen in the nightly Diamond event held in The Vortex. On a few occasions it was just my wife and I and maybe one other couple.

Thanks for posting...

OTHER INFORMATION:

 

Concierge Lounge: Deck 10 (Starboard) accessed through elevator lobby for us.

Concierge: Diego Tripaldi (A very good friend and excellent concierge)

We have a common love for a certain sport⚽️

 

Diamond Lounge: No Dedicated Diamond Lounge on JOTS

We could of used the Hollywood Odyssey for DL cocktail hours if we had chosen to.

Hollywood Odyssey (Deck 13)

Hours: 5:00pm - 8:00pm

 

DRINK VOUCHERS: all 3 pre-loaded on both of our Seapass Cards

Used at all bars on the ship with no issues whatsoever.

 

MDR:

We had a 6 top Table# (412) we knew from our last sailing on Jewel to try and get the same

Waiter we had previously, Ajit Desai, excellent service, and was great to see him again and

Again received outstanding service. Curry family style on 3 nights, always good.

Dean our assistant waiter from Croatia also did an excellent job, kept us entertained.

We originally had MTD for 6:30, we arranged ahead of time a 6-top with a window view,

RC did not dissapoint, we had a 6-top right by the window and switched to traditional

Dining which was at 5:30pm each evening.

 

 

SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS:

 

Chops was $35.00pp on this sailing, we do not entertain chops.

 

Portofino's

$25.00pp we did first night and both used our BOGO and some OBC so for the 6 of us

Worked out to be an inexpensive excellent meal

Plenty of wine flowing and all drinks vouchers and free cocktails were taken full advantage

of.

Mickey our server, lots of fun and made it a great evening

Only 2 other tables in the restaurant on this opening night.

Nice to have visited Portofino's once again before it becomes Giovanni's

Murder mystery was day 4.

Was open for lunch on sea days

 

CREW:

Captain: Dustin Castelsky (Canada) Captain Canada

Cruise Director: John Blair

Hotel Director: Tony Curtis (England)

Concierge: Diego Tripaldi (Uruguay)

Loyalty Ambassador: Maria Liamshyna (Ukraine)

Guest Service Manager: Rosa

Diamond Lounge host: ? (Did not use Vortex or Odyssey lounges all cruise).

Activities Manager: Katrina Blair

Waiter: Ajit Desai (India)

Assistant Waiter: Dean Petrovic (Croatia)

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Ajit Desai (MDR Waiter) also our waiter on previous Jewel, excellent service.

Diego Tripaldi (Concierge), just the best IOHO.

Maria Liamshyna (LA) full of life and treated us very well. DD loved her!

Valcot Medica (Bar server MDR) entertained us all

Joseph (Concierge Bar Server)

 

WOW cards & BOARDING:

We actually were able to get 4 when checking in. Plenty of WOW envelopes available

from guest services onboard as well.

Separate Suite and Pinnacle check in at Pier 91 terminal

Check in took 5-10 mins, very efficient speedy experience.

From dropping off bags to hearing the 1st !BING! 20 minutes tops.

Private elevator, then direct escort to Suite, made life so much easier and with

All hand luggage stowed in the RS, food time was made that much more bearable.

Received checked luggage around 4pm.

 

WELCOME BACK PARTY:

Day 3

Location: Safari Lounge

Time: 7:15pm

Maria hosted very well, due to an 8:30 all aboard, not as busy as previous cruises.

DD was spoilt by Maria, a new friend for the future

 

TOP TIER EVENT:

Day 5

Location: Helipad

Time: 10:30am

Hot Chocolate, Mimosa's and RCMP in attendance with many of the senior officers,

Had a great chat with Tony Curtis, nice chap.

 

MEET & MINGLE:

Non event, less than 25 signed up, very little activity on our roll-call.

nothing else had been arranged.

 

SUITE LUNCHEON:

Day 2

Location: Portofino's

Time: 11:15

Nice to have a drink and nibbles with all the officers, plenty to snack on and drink

Shane the mixologist made a great Marmalade Gin, went down very nicely!

good to see Heidi, Tony and Rosa. Andre from Cape Town spent a nice time chatting

with us, found out some interesting facts.

 

CAPTAINS TABLE:

Had invite, but was informed new policy after someone complained about a child

attending before, age limit now 21. We declined as we were not going to go without

our daughter, no Biggy! (Got the T-Shirt, a few actually, so has daughter)

Guess one moaner ruined for all the others.

 

EXCURSIONS:

Juneau - Whales Glacier & Rainforest (12:30pm-17:30pm) JU63 ($199pp)

Skagway - White Pass Railway (08:20am-12:40pm) SK01 ($125pp)

BC -Victoria - Hop on Hop off (10:00am-11:00am) VI30 ($39pp)

 

We wanted an easy excursion experience this cruise, so really didn't do anything too

exhilarating.

 

C&A members on this cruise: 893

Pinnacle (0)

Diamond + (28)

Diamond (78)

Platinum (100)

Emerald (112)

Gold (575)

 

DRINKS of the Day ($7.75 each)

Day 1: Strawberry Cooler;

Day 2: Ocean Melon;

Day 3: Deep Blue Margarita

Day 4: Gold Rush Sparkler

Day 5: Blue Island

Day 6: Icy Mint Lemonade

Day 7: Pomegranate Sunrise

 

Wifi HOTSPOTS:

Centrum Decks 4,5,7,9

Solarium / Pool Deck 11

Windjammer Deck 11

Schooner Bar Deck 6

Conference Rooms Deck 5

Lobby of RS could still get a weak signal

We got 4 day package on day 4, used our D+ coupons cost us FREE.

Dead spots in Skagway and some of Tracy Arm Fjord

 

CASINO:

Drink coupons received everyday from Jose, no limit or cost restriction as far as we were

concerned.

5000 + points total for this cruise, will see what rebate that equates to for our March cruise

Also awarded Free Cruise Certificate (FCC) must book within 30 days of receipt, we may

be able to take advantage of one or two of the dates.

we cashed in our points and got $55 each, T-Shirts and key chains etc.

 

Slot tourney had 9 rounds, just shy of free cruise offering, so prizes were cash for 1st

2nd & 3rd, house took a good 50% whack of play money.

Blackjack tourney had a very poor turn out.

There was a poker tourney on last night, I think they managed to fill a table.

 

ZeusIII machine was very good to us playing max bet! We only heard 1 announcement

of a jackpot win, which was $1600.00, also a $4000 win was kept quiet. Ssshh!

 

Jewel was being fitted out with the new electronic tracking system on a couple of the

tables, hopefully better for the guests to be tracked more accurately.

Jose had no information on New Program or the New Tier structure other than what

is already known on CC.

 

That's all folks!

 

I just recently completed a Jewel review so didn't want to just repeat as before😱

Any questions fire away😄

 

Previous Jewel review in signature with all the docs and compasses. Happy to answer

Any questions you may have.

 

Will sail the Jewel again when the opportunity arises, great staff, great ship

Maybe after her dry dock we will sail on her again, or before, who knows!

 

Food is subjective, so only comment I will make is that the portions in the MDR IMO,

all seemed to be a lot bigger than we have previously experienced.

Yes there was Shrimp and Escargot for those who think it has been banished, just need

to ask for it.

Lobster, fisherman's plate 2nd formal night.

 

Will add more photos to the end

 

Happy Days!

Can you tell me what the temperature is like in the public areas (casino, dining room)? Is it warm or cool? I don't like overpacking.

Graham, great review. Well laid out and thorough. Know I know why I haven't seen you on our roll call as of late.

Andrew

Graham, great review. Well laid out and thorough. Know I know why I haven't seen you on our roll call as of late.

 

Andrew

Thanks Andrew,

We like to detox now and then, I am sure we will get back on it, once 2016 comes around the bug will surely return. Roll on spring break!

Hope all is well with you and yours.

Happy Days!

What did you think of CD John Blair?