The Jewel's Repositioning Cruise: A Pictorial Review!

[DarthGrady]

Day 6: Tortola, BVI

We didn't have anything planned in Tortola, so the day started later than usual. We did eventually go ashore after breakfast and a trip to the gym. There isn't a whole lot to do around the pier area in Tortola. We wound up just having a few drinks at a cafe with some folks that we'd met onboard. After a little shopping we went back to the ship.

Another early dinner at the Sea View Cafe was followed by the nightly Diamond event and watching sail away. We stopped into the casino before watching the 70s Dance Party in the Centrum. After the party was over it was time for The Quest. They did a pretty good job with The Quest on this cruise, without much watering-down for the sake of decorum. I've noticed too many cruise directors trying to make it less racy, and I was glad to find that (cruise director) Carly wasn't. It would be another late night in the Vortex, ending somewhere around 3 am.

The view from the balcony in Tortola

Everyone got repositioning cruise certificates delivered to their rooms

Beer of the Day

My wife was enthralled by the wandering chickens at Tortola. It was suggested that she take one back onboard to be a "comfort chicken".

Good luck figuring this one out

[DarthGrady]

She was really interested in the chickens

 

 

I was really digging those Schaefer beer cans. I need to find a place that sells them around here. They're even more trashy-retro-chic than Miller High Life!

 

Returning to the ship

 

 

[DarthGrady]

70s Dance Party

 

 

 

 

[snowbird1]

Day 6: Tortola, BVI

We didn't have anything planned in Tortola, so the day started later than usual. We did eventually go ashore after breakfast and a trip to the gym. There isn't a whole lot to do around the pier area in Tortola. We wound up just having a few drinks at a cafe with some folks that we'd met onboard. After a little shopping we went back to the ship.

Another early dinner at the Sea View Cafe was followed by the nightly Diamond event and watching sail away. We stopped into the casino before watching the 70s Dance Party in the Centrum. After the party was over it was time for The Quest. They did a pretty good job with The Quest on this cruise, without much watering-down for the sake of decorum. I've noticed too many cruise directors trying to make it less racy, and I was glad to find that (cruise director) Carly wasn't. It would be another late night in the Vortex, ending somewhere around 3 am.

The view from the balcony in Tortola

Everyone got repositioning cruise certificates delivered to their rooms

Beer of the Day

My wife was enthralled by the wandering chickens at Tortola. It was suggested that she take one back onboard to be a "comfort chicken".

Good luck figuring this one out

 

My sister and I got off the ship first thing and caught the first Ferry to Virgin Gorda on our own. I went last Feb so I knew the drill. This time we snorkeled there an it outstanding. Once back to Tortola we went to Pusser's for a bite to eat and a drink.

 

Thanks for all the great pictures. Funny I don't remember seeing you with a Camera.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[DarthGrady]

A couple of late night shots

 

[DarthGrady]

My sister and I got off the ship first thing and caught the first Ferry to Virgin Gorda on our own. I went last Feb so I knew the drill. This time we snorkeled there an it outstanding. Once back to Tortola we went to Pusser's for a bite to eat and a drink.

 

Thanks for all the great pictures. Funny I don't remember seeing you with a Camera.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

I think we'll be doing an excursion there next time, the baths do sound nice.

 

This day I was using our little camera, just a point-and-shoot. I usually just keep it in my pocket.

[gfd_2]

Thanks for sharing the pics and the review! We'll be on the Jewel in Feb. '14 - looking forward to it.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Wahoo! The long awaited Grady review! I so wish I was able to get on this cruise too. This ship is so beautiful and am glad to see your awesome pictures. Your pictures make up many of the ones I wasn't able to get so well.

 

Thanks again for bringing us along with you on one of your cruise adventures.

[DarthGrady]

Thanks for sharing the pics and the review! We'll be on the Jewel in Feb. '14 - looking forward to it.

 

Wahoo! The long awaited Grady review! I so wish I was able to get on this cruise too. This ship is so beautiful and am glad to see your awesome pictures. Your pictures make up many of the ones I wasn't able to get so well.

 

Thanks again for bringing us along with you on one of your cruise adventures.

 

Glad you're enjoying it! I'll be back on tomorrow evening with St. Maarten. :)

[cathykb]

Wow! Fantastic pictures - bring back great memories of past cruises, and hopes/dreams/wishes for future cruises

 

Thanks

 

Cathy

[foolishmortals]

Thank you for posting this review! I've enjoyed reading it and looking at all your pictures! Can't wait to sail on board the Jewel this Summer!

[Mamacane71]

June 8th, June 8th, June 8th!!!!! :) It can't get here soon enough and your pictures are making the wait some what bearable!!!!

[suep]

Thanks for the awesome pics. Gives me a chance to dream and help the time pass until we're on her Feb. 1 '14.....

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

Great review and pics, thanks. Enjoying!

[DarthGrady]

Day 7: St. Maarten, NA

Staying up late the night before seemed like less of a good idea at around 7 am as we were waking up to head out for a shore excursion. We booked through Bernard's Tours, independently of the cruise line. This can save you money. But you do run the risk of the ship not waiting for you if you're late, so schedule carefully.

We met John, our tour guide, at the information desk just off the pier. He had a nice air conditioned van; but more importantly he had a cooler full of beer and rum. After a few photo stops, our first big attraction was Orient Beach. He first showed us that one side is clothing optional before dropping us off further down the beach. The beach is very nice, with several bars and restaurants along it.

The second main stop was Marigot, the capital city of the French side of the island. This was a brief stop, so we didn't have a lot of time to see the city. We did walk through the marina area and stopped at a French bakery. The eclairs were delicious.

After Marigot we traveled to Maho Beach, which is famous for its close proximity to the runway of St. Maarten's airport. The beach itself is fairly narrow and not particularly impressive. The main draw is watching the landing jets pass only a few feet overhead. The brave/stupid can stand behind the departing planes and get a face full of dirt from the jet wash or possibly get blown out into the water. Fun!

After leaving Maho we began venturing back to Philipsburg, but stopped en route so that a certain someone could get a very specific chicken sandwich from KFC. We did a little shopping in Philipsburg before returning to the ship for well earned naps. All in all it was a nice "sampler" tour of the island. We saw many new places since we'd never bothered to leave Philipsburg before. I'd like to go back to Orient Beach, I might even get up the nerve to earn my beads someday.

Later, we went to the Diamond event one last time and made sure to tip the awesome bar staff. We also had one last dinner at the Sea View Cafe. Since Royal Caribbean is unwisely removing the Sea View Cafes from the Radiance Class ships it may well have been THE LAST time we'll eat there. I made sure to put into my comment card how much that disappoints me.

We begrudgingly packed our bags and set them outside before turning in for the night. This cruise was over much too quickly; but it was great to travel with a friend from previous cruises and to meet several new ones at the same time. The itinerary was fast paced with only one day at sea but going to new ports is always a plus. Jewel is still a great ship with a friendly crew, and I'm sorry that she won't be coming back to Tampa.

The view from the balcony on our last full day

Crossing into the French side of the island

[DarthGrady]

 

 

 

[snowbird1]

Thanks for sharing all the great pictures, it definitely was a great cruise. Like you I will miss the Seaview, ate there twice this cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad

[DarthGrady]

Orient Beach

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, no pictures from the nude side of the beach. :cool: We were even warned by a concerned citizen (who noticed me wrapping my Nikon up in a towel) that once upon a time they would just throw your film into the ocean if they caught you with a camera on the nude side. Now with the advent of digital, they just might throw the whole camera in.

[DarthGrady]

Seen while driving to Marigot

 

 

Marigot

 

 

 

Edited May 24, 2013 by DarthGrady

[DarthGrady]

Maho Beach

 

 

 

 

The Sunset Grill

 

A handy Arrivals/Departures board

[DarthGrady]

Of course the main attraction at Maho is the jets taking off and landing. We arrived to find a 747 about to take off.

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Another jet comes in for a landing

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

 

 

 

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Some of the local flora

 

 

 

The local KFC