The Jewel's Repositioning Cruise: A Pictorial Review!

[DarthGrady]

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!

 

Thanks! :)

Edited May 21, 2013 by DarthGrady

[DarthGrady]

Day 3: At Sea

 

The first stop on our lone sea day was the official Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle. Royal did a nice job with it, supplying pastries, coffee, and some door prizes. I enjoyed meeting everyone; well attended Meet and Mingles are usually one of the highlights of a cruise.

 

This cruise was the first time in quite awhile that the cooks got the Eggs Benedict right. I'm pretty particular about my favorite breakfast meal, and for some reason they tend to put to much lemon in the hollandaise sauce. Not on this cruise, as they were very nearly perfect. A trip to the gym followed breakfast.

 

Early in the afternoon we stopped into the dining room for the awesome salad bar they put out on sea days. The rest of the afternoon was spent poolside. First watching the belly flop contest, and then hanging out at the pool bar.

 

In the evening we attended the past guest party, it was very crowded. Apparently over half the guests on board were Crown and Anchor members. Due to high attendance rate, it was fairly hard to get a drink. After the Diamond event we had a late dinner at the Sea View Cafe. The night was capped off with a (completely unauthorized) trip out to the heli-pad deck for some stargazing.

 

The view from the balcony that morning

 

At our CC M&M

 

 

The belly flop contest

 

 

[PH8]

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.

 

 

 

 

Don't forget that wave back home(in front of Sloppy Joe's) to those left behind:)

[DarthGrady]

Don't forget that wave back home(in front of Sloppy Joe's) to those left behind:)

 

I didn't want to rub too much salt into the wound......;):D

[PH8]

I didn't want to rub too much salt into the wound......;):D

You're a good friend:)

[DarthGrady]

More sea day pics:

The pool deck in full swing

 

There was an odd rainbow halo around the sun this day. I tried to get a decent shot by using the smallest aperature and extremely fast shutter. The red lines on the outside weren't there, that's probably the sensor's way of screaming for mercy after being pointed directly into the sun.

 

A puppy out for a walk

 

Some dancing on the pool deck

[DarthGrady]

Day 4: Labadee, Haiti

 

I woke to find one of my favorite ships, Freedom of the Seas, parked next door. Luckily we were on the island side of the pier, so she wasn't blocking our view of the scenery. We again hit the gym after breakfast, followed by some relaxation in the room before going ashore.

 

We only spent a few hours in Labadee, just long enough for lunch and a little hammock time. I watched the Freedom leave from the balcony before heading to the Diamond event. We ate dinner at the Sea View Café again since the dining room's offering wasn't very appealing. It was an early night due to an excursion planned for the next morning.

The view from the balcony that morning

A crowded little pier in Labadee

The Freedom's heli-pad was ready for a landing. We found out later that the helicopter opted to land on the pier instead. A passenger had been injured on a jet-ski excursion and had to be flown out

Edited May 22, 2013 by DarthGrady

[DarthGrady]

More Labadee

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

The Freedom leaves Labadee

 

 

[windjamming]

A puppy out for a walk

 

We spoke with the guide dog's owner several times during the cruise. While his owners are Diamond Plus, he is a Pinnacle, with his own SeaPass! They calculated the number of days he has been at sea, converted it to dog years, and figured out that he was Pinnacle!

 

Wonderful review, really helping me bring back a lovely week! Thanks for sharing!

[Cricket2010]

Great photos and review. Hubby and I were on the Freedom of the Seas and docked at Labadee with you!

[Cruzin-K]

More Labadee

 

 

 

 

Wow! Beautiful pic. (I still wish I'd shadowed you around on the Monarch to get the best photos :p )

[DarthGrady]

We spoke with the guide dog's owner several times during the cruise. While his owners are Diamond Plus, he is a Pinnacle, with his own SeaPass! They calculated the number of days he has been at sea, converted it to dog years, and figured out that he was Pinnacle!

 

Wonderful review, really helping me bring back a lovely week! Thanks for sharing!

 

Thats funny! :D

 

I saw another service dog on board, it looked to be a teacup yorkie. He was being carried each time I saw him.

[DarthGrady]

Wow! Beautiful pic. (I still wish I'd shadowed you around on the Monarch to get the best photos :p )

 

Thanks Karen!

[PH8]

Thats funny! :D

 

I saw another service dog on board, it looked to be a teacup yorkie. He was being carried each time I saw him.

hate to judge,but I wonder just how many are really service dogs.....probably more like a companion dog..BUt I don't want to sidetrack this great review

Edited May 22, 2013 by PH8

[DarthGrady]

Great photos and review. Hubby and I were on the Freedom of the Seas and docked at Labadee with you!

 

Thanks!

 

He wasn't the guy on the balcony wearing only a Speedo was he? :D:D;)

[DarthGrady]

hate to judge,but I wonder just how many are really service dogs.....probably more like a companion dog..BUt I don't want to sidetrack this great review

 

All I know is that Beth had to be physically restrained from running up to pet the little yorkie. She was going through withdrawls from not seeing our furball for almost a week. :D

[DarthGrady]

Day 5: Samana, Dominican Republic

We had to get an early start this day since we needed to be among the first off the ship. Breakfast in the Diamond area was very good and the service was fast. We then headed ashore for our excursion to El Limon falls which we booked through Terry's Tours. We were joined by several members from our Cruise Critic roll call.

It started raining pretty heavily almost as soon as we boarded the tram. Luckily it was mostly over by the time we got to our first stop. The first area we came to was a small shopping area next to the highway. They had a cigar maker rolling fresh stogies, and a presentation area where they have local rums, cocoa and fruits to sample.

The main attraction of the tour is the El Limon waterfall. The path to it has some steep and rocky hills, so the use of horses and donkeys is provided. There is still a small hike down to the base of the falls, but it takes only a few minutes. The waterfall itself is beautiful, although the area at the bottom gets fairly congested when multiple tour groups are present. My only big complaint about the excursion was how the animals were used to carry people over such rough terrain. The horses and donkeys seemed too thin, and had to really struggle up some of the ridges. If we ever return to the falls, I would opt to bring a pair of shoes/boots that I wouldn't mind getting muddy and hike up there. If the locals can do it in flip-flops, I can do it in hiking boots.

Upon returning to the start point we had a lunch of local foods that was very good. After eating we started back toward the ship. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were provided for us during the ride to and from the falls. Once back aboard the ship, we had an early dinner at the Sea View Cafe before hitting the gym.

First stop during the evening was the Diamond Event, followed by the Top Tier Crown and Anchor party. We had a few more drinks in the casino bar and then watched the "City of Dreams" show in the main theater. The lead singers were very good. After the show we celebrated the birthday of one of our fellow cruisers at midnight in the Champagne Bar. We then finished out the night at the Vortex disco.

View from the balcony that morning: Possible trouble with the tender

On the tender heading to the DR

Those clouds don't bode well

[DarthGrady]

In Samana

 

 

 

Our first stop

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

A little sales pitch and presentation

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

A delicious combination of bananas, fresh ground cocoa and honey

 

[gowensricks]

Thank you so much for posting. I will be on the Jewel in a couple of weeks, and your review has made me even more excited!:)

[DarthGrady]

Ready for our ride up to the waterfall

 

Our ride up the mountain

 

 

 

 

Over the edge, long way down.......

[DarthGrady]

The El Limon waterfall

 

 

 

Back to the parking area

 

Our local lunch.....

 

....and some local coffee

[DarthGrady]

Beer of the day

 

On the ride back to the ship

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

That gets up through the first three ports, so I think I'll stop here for the night. I'll be back on tomorrow with more.