The Jewel's Repositioning Cruise: A Pictorial Review!

[referee]

We too were on the same cruise. I still can't get that damn salsa music out of my head

[sadie8]

I can't wait to see the rest of your wonderful photos. The Jewel looks great and I'm so glad to see shower doors in the bathroom!

[LBumb]

great pics

[PH8]

Great pics.....really missed cruising with all of you.....but at least,felt as if I were with you those first two days..:p:p

[DarthGrady]

Great pictures!! How did you take pictures with no one in them??

 

I like to wait until most others are off the ship on a port day. It's easier than dodging folks, and you don't get as many weird looks from people who see you taking pictures of odd things.

[DarthGrady]

Great pics.....really missed cruising with all of you.....but at least,felt as if I were with you those first two days..:p:p

 

You guys were missed! You missed an EYEFUL at Key West, but that might not be such a bad thing. :D:D

[PH8]

You guys were missed! You missed an EYEFUL at Key West, but that might not be such a bad thing. :D:D

so I heard!:eek:

[emmac25]

I have an unusual question. How long does it take to get from one end of the ship to another. Everyone keeps telling me these ships are "huge" and there is a lot of walking involved. I had foot surgery and don't do too well walking too far. I know there is going to be a lot of walking involved (in general) and am adequately stocking up on my meds, but curious just how "huge" this ship is :confused:

[DarthGrady]

I have an unusual question. How long does it take to get from one end of the ship to another. Everyone keeps telling me these ships are "huge" and there is a lot of walking involved. I had foot surgery and don't do too well walking too far. I know there is going to be a lot of walking involved (in general) and am adequately stocking up on my meds, but curious just how "huge" this ship is :confused:

 

Officially she's 962 feet long by about 120 feet wide. There is a lot of walking, but there are 8 elevators to help with traversing decks. The walking doesn't seem to be as much of an issue on this class since everything sort of branches off the Centrum.

[UNV-IT!!!]

Thanks so much. I'm so excited. I board on the 1st. You made me giddy. Lol:p

[DarthGrady]

I think I covered most of the lower deck interiors last night, so now we'll move upstairs:

 

The Windjammer buffet, we never ate there this cruise. Who needs it when the Sea View is still there?

 

 

 

[luvsun22]

Your pictures are fantastic! I just love the Jewel and I can't wait to hear about the repositioning cruise!

[DarthGrady]

The Crown and Anchor study

 

The Fuel teen disco

 

 

Arcade

 

A smaller art gallery adjacent to the Windjammer

[DarthGrady]

The Hollywood Odyssey, the ships cigar bar from 9-midnight

 

 

 

The Viking Crown Lounge, at night it serves as the ship's dance club

 

[DarthGrady]

The fitness center. Several of the treadmills were broken during this cruise. An odd lapse in maintenance that one doesn't usually encounter on RCI.

 

 

 

As it should be on every ship......yes I'm talking about you, Enchantment!

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Now for the open decks:

 

The exterior promenade

 

The heli-pad deck

 

The main pool

 

 

The childrens pool area

 

[DarthGrady]

Exterior seating for the Sea View Cafe

 

The mini golf course, unlike Carnival, they leave the clubs and balls out all the time so you can play at your leisure.

 

 

 

Rock wall

[DarthGrady]

I think that pretty well covers the ship. I'll be back on later this evening all we'll start in on the actual cruise.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

Keith

[Mamacane71]

Thanks!!! We will be boarding her on June 8th. SO excited to see recent pictures!

[DarthGrady]

Day 1: Tampa

The first activity of the day was to stop by the Sky Bar for an unofficial Cruise Critic meeting. It was nice to finally meet all folks from the roll call in person.

After the boat drill we made our way up to the Viking Crown Lounge for sail away. We had a great time, and eventually made our way outside to watch the ship sail under the Sunshine Skyway.

We received a letter earlier in the day explaining that the nightly Diamond event would be held in multiple locations, instead of the usual single lounge (usually either the Hollywood Odyssey or the Viking Crown Lounge). We could go to the lobby bar, casino bar or the Schooner Bar for drinks from 5pm until 8pm.

Later in the evening we stopped by the Sea View Cafe for food. It's such a nice place to eat; I'm really disappointed that they're getting rid of them in favor of pay-extra venues. The rest of the evening was spent occupying various bars and lounges around the ship. Karaoke in the Safari Club and a "Farewell Tampa" party in the Centrum were the highlights. We then headed back up to the Viking Crown Lounge, which doubles as the disco at night. This night was extra special, since I finally got to see the revolving bar in motion.

Leaving Tampa

Passing under the Sunshine Skyway: Sorry they're hazy, I was having some fogging issues. Running out into the muggy Tampa Bay air from the cold VCL will apparently do that. I'm fairly new to the world of DSLRs, so if anyone has any advice on avoiding this problem I'd love to hear some.

[DarthGrady]

Farewell to Tampa party in the Centrum

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Day 2: Key West

We had our first visit to the Jewel's fitness center as the ship was making its way to the pier in Key West. After disembarking the ship, we began making our way down Duval Street. Along the way we stopped into The Bull and Whistle pub for a few drinks, we even climbed up to the "clothing optional" patio on the roof. Our time up there was brief, feeling a little out of place since we weren't sharing in the nudity. Maybe next time.

Seeking lunch, we continued down Duval Street looking for a pizzeria that L.T. frequents. Unfortunately it had closed down. Still craving pizza, we located another little place nearby called Mr. Z's. (Duval St and Southard). We all shared a Philly cheese steak pie that was pretty good.

The rest of the afternoon was spent moving from bar, to pub, to bar. We briefly debated hitting a strip club, but it didn't pan out. Our second to last stop was at the Two Friends pub on Front Street. They had a nice patio section, but the afternoon was getting warmer so we stayed inside. Of course I devoured my obligatory piece of key lime pie as we made our way back to the pier. We were among the last onboard, and immediately went to the promenade deck to watch for any entertaining pier runners. Unfortunately there were none, and the ship left as scheduled.

We had a few pre-dinner drinks in the Diamond event and then went to the main dining room for the first formal dinner. This was a bad decision. The wait staff was friendly enough, but the service speed was unusually slow. The taste and quality of the meal wasn't quite up to par either. I was glad that we switched to "my time dining", since we feel less obliged to go to the dining room each night to see our wait staff. We intended to go out to the bars and clubs after dinner, but a full day of sun and booze had taken their toll. Bed time came early this night.

From the balcony that morning at Key West

A tasty Mr. Z's cheesesteak pizza, complete with cheese wiz sauce. Healthy!

Edited May 21, 2013 by DarthGrady

[scomar]

I like to wait until most others are off the ship on a port day. It's easier than dodging folks, and you don't get as many weird looks from people who see you taking pictures of odd things.

You did take some great shots. I was wondering how you got the pics without people in them as well. Speaking of odd looks from people. Here is a great odd look moment for someones photo album. When some one ask me to take a picture of them I take their camera get them all posed, I say ready and then turn Like I am going to take off with their camera, then I turn right back around and snap their picture. There are some great looks on peoples face. Just don't to someone much bigger than you cuz you never know how some might react:D Sorry didn't meant to hi-jack your thread DarthGrady!

[DarthGrady]

Random KW shots