Jewel- Thanksgiving Cruise Review, pics, docs, lots of info11/22

[PompeySailor]

 

 

MEDICAL CENTER: (Deck 2)

Had to go down and get some motion sickness tablets for DD, leg to Barbados and out of Barbados in the Atlantic, and there was more motion than she has experienced in the past.

Facility was closed just after 11:00PM, but no worries, big box of motion sickness tablets freely available on table outside office. Also dispenser machine with various medications at 50c each per packet. Very cheap and available to all 24/7

Doctors Hours: 8:00AM - 11:00AM / 4:00PM - 7:00PM

 

ADVENTURE OCEAN: (Deck 12)

DD usually enjoys the program, this was her 1st cruise moving on up into the teens program

DD was not comfortable mixing with 15-17 year olds and mostly boys, fair enough

So we did other activities to keep her occupied.

 

Royal Babies & Tots (Kids under 3)

Aquanauts (3-5)

Explorers (6-8)

Voyagers (9-11)

Teens (12-14)

Teens (15-17)

 

Compasses for all age groups I will post in a separate AO thread.

Hours:

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Port Days hours differ to regular hours

After hours Cost per hr $7.00 (10:00PM-2:00AM)

Rating: N/A

1:00AM Curfew for all guests 17 years and younger

 

 

KIDS BENEFITS

25% off Coffee Drink

$3 off Pets @ Sea package

10% off Y-Spa treatment

10% off Internet package

Pay $10 for $15 Arcade credit

Pay $25 for $50 Arcade credit

BOGO Movie Rental

These are current as at 11/29/14, as we know may and can change.

 

ARCADES: (Deck 12)

The usual machines for the kids, always have a few games of air hockey with DD, plenty in there to keep them active.

DD had a D+ loaded coupon on seapass, buy $25 credits get $25 free, IMO this is one of the perks that has the most real $ added value. DD used all up by Day 5.

DD won 3 prizes on the "Keymaster machine" so very happy

Rating: [9/10]

[PompeySailor]

GOLF SIMULATORS: (Deck 12)

Although I do play golf, well hack it around the coarse, simulators don't do it for me

Cost: Could not get any info

Hours: Was never open when I passed to see if open, never open when DD checked, nothing in compass to indicate opening times. Assume this was closed for this cruise.

Rating: N/A

 

ROCK CLIMBING & GOLF: (Deck 13)

Was empty and I think we witnessed 1 climber during the cruise, but hey this was a very heavy port intensive cruise.

No-one probably had the energy to climb it, am sure it was used, just not when we were in that area of the ship.

No round of putt-putt for us this cruise but the facility was as usual always being used.

Rock Wall Hours: 3:30PM - 6:45PM

Rating: rock wall N/A

Rating: golf [8/10]

 

 

SPORTS DECK: (Deck 12)

LIST ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS

Open all day except 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Mainly used for football (soccer) & Basketball

 

SMOKING: (Deck 5,6,11,12 &13)

Casino Deck 6 Starboard side

Pool Deck 11 Starboard side

Deck 5 gangway Starboard side

Deck 13 outside VCL Starboard side

Deck 13 outside Vortex Portside, front and back

Skybar Deck 12

Cigar bar Deck 12

All e-cig users were with the regular smokers only saw 1 person using 1.

I am a smoker so frequented all of these areas, met some great people as always.

Colin & Sue, Debbie & Jack was a pleasure meeting you all.

Did not witness or smell smoke on Balcony.

And yes I follow RC policy and ONLY smoke where I am ALLOWED to.

Jewel has a lot more areas for smoking than most ships

 

 

DRINKS PACKAGES:

We did not require to purchase any drinks packages, with the 3 pre-loaded vouchers per Seapass card and the CL & DL cocktail hours, combined with the complimentary drinks we get in the casino, no need to spend any $$$ for any beverage. A few perks that do save us a lot of money

Wife knocks back the Piña Coladas on a regular basis, I am quite content with a nice glass of Cabernet or Merlot or beer or Bailey's

And at DL (Hollywood Odyssey) and CL we make sure we get our fix of Baileys on ice.

MDR we have wine from Centrum Bar and DD's drinks are comped throughout the cruise, so plenty of free "Virgin" Mango Papaya Crushes for her. Also had wine from Allister, wine from Diego and Champagne from in-laws. So I think plenty of alcohol was consumed, happy days!

Rating: N/A

[PompeySailor]

DISEMBARKATION:

Ship docked in San Juan at: 6:30AM

Off ship at: 8:40, assisted by Diego with wheelchair

Customs: 9:30, a small wait to go through

Taxi stand to airport 9:40

Agricultural check: USDA no issues and through in seconds

Checked in with AA and through GOES GLOBAL ENTRY by 10:00AM

IN DEPARTURE LOUNGE AREA 10:05AM

Comments: Pretty smooth process throughout

Rating: [9/10]

 

Pan American Pier to Airport

( 6.3 miles approx 16 minutes)

Cost $22+ $1 per luggage item and tip) worked out with Tip to $32.00

Arrival at airport:

Flight departure time:12:15PM

Home (Dallas)

Luggage on carousel

In car and short 5 minute drive home

Keurig on, and coffee brewing :)

Back to reality :(

 

IOHO, ship was in pretty good shape, food was excellent and staff were really friendly.

Great cruise, great people, great ship!! Radiance class staff the Best!!! IMO

Not crowded and all in all, money well spent.

4 more cruises booked and we will be back on the Jewel in June 2015 in the Royal Suite for an Alaskan Cruise, after a nice little break on Enchantment.

 

Overall ships condition: [8/10]

Overall staff: [10/10]

Overall activities: [8/10]

Overall food quality: [9/10]

Overall cruise experience: [9.5/10]

Would we do exact itinerary and ship again? Would not hesitate to do it all again

And we will be on Jewel again in 2015.

 

UPDATES:

 

NEWS: Captain confirmed Majesty leaving the fleet in 2015 to go to Pullmantor

 

RUMOURS: none of any significance.

 

NEGATIVES: cold coffee, and that's about it. No show stoppers.

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION (WOW):

Giovanni Ronghi (Hotel Director)

Diego Tripaldi (Concierge)

Ajit Desai (MDR waiter)

Allister Parris (Stateroom Attendant)

Claudette Villanueva (Bar Service Casino)

Roel Paguio (Bar Service MDR)

Marines Arevalo (Bar Service Casino)

 

HIGHLIGHTS: DD's 1st Captains Table at the ripe old age of 13, and having a really great meal with Giovanni and Rosa. Great characters and a really enjoyable evening with a great group of cruisers with a few coincidental similarities that proves the world is a very small place.

 

NEXT DRY DOCK: June 2016

 

Captain: Thore Thorolvsen (Norway)

Hotel Director: Giovanni Ronghi (Italy)

Cruise Director: Mike Hunnerup (Australia)

Concierge: Diego Tripaldi (Uraguay)

Loyalty & Cruise Sales Manager: Ana Luis Hall (Nicaragua)

Guest Services Manager: Rosa Victoria Torres (Peru)

Food & Beverage Manager: Gunther Engels Balbi (Chile)

Maitre de: Jose Venegas

Chief Engineer: Vasilios Davaris (Greece)

Casino Manager: No idea, they never introduced themselves

Casino Host: Publio Chavez

 

I do have copies of the Compass for every day, and also every day for the Voyager 9-11 and Teens 12-14 programs.

 

When time permits will get these all loaded up to CC.

All other docs, internet, menus, prices etc will follow too, with lots of photos of this amazing ship.

 

Any questions regarding the Jewel or Itinerary that I may of missed, ask away!

As I am sure I would of forgotten something.

 

Happy Days!!!

Graham

[masonpips]

Great review. Thanks! We are looking at similar itinerary on AOS next Thanksgiving !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PompeySailor]

Some more random pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JoeGo]

We will be taking our first cruise, on Jewel, Seattle-Alaska-return, depart 6/5/2015. Any special info for first-timers?

Edited November 30, 2014 by JoeGo

[PompeySailor]

We will be taking our first cruise, on Jewel, Seattle-Alaska-return, depart 6/5/2015. Any special info for first-timers?

 

Would give Seaview Cafe a try, outside seating of windjammer, as these are exclusive to Jewel and Radiance Class ships.

Portofino's one evening for a meal.

Plenty of bars and things to do on Jewel

And have a great cruise.

Enjoy Alaska

[WhiteSoxFan]

Thanks, looking forward to seeing the Compasses

[RUDIMAY1]

Are you reviewing your excursions? We are visiting some of these island in Jan. on the Jewel and would like some info including Martinique. From the pictures it looks like you had lots of clouds and rain. True?

[PompeySailor]

Are you reviewing your excursions? We are visiting some of these island in Jan. on the Jewel and would like some info including Martinique. From the pictures it looks like you had lots of clouds and rain. True?

 

Yes we had rain in every port, but not for too long, some cloudy days, but when the sun did come out, the days were great. A little bit of rain each day is typical Caribbean weather.

We were still in the +80's for all 5 ports of call.

On our beach days we were in the water anyways so the little rain didn't bother us.

 

MARTINIQUE we just walked ashore and looked around down the narrow streets for some gifts and souvenirs.

Would probably do an excursion if we visit again.

The port at MARTINIQUE is very new, and some construction was going on, so hopefully in time, will be a very nicely constructed port.

[karen1821]

Love, Love, Love your review!!! I will be on Jewel Sept 2015. I have an aft balcony. So excited! Reading your review makes me wish September was tomorrow. Thanks so much!

[PompeySailor]

Love, Love, Love your review!!! I will be on Jewel Sept 2015. I have an aft balcony. So excited! Reading your review makes me wish September was tomorrow. Thanks so much!

 

 

Thanks Karen, the Jewel sure is a Gem!!

 

Much more to follow to wet the appetite.

Enjoy your Cruise

Happy Days!

 

Graham

[PompeySailor]

Trunk Bay St John

Seeing as we had already been to St Thomas a few times, decided on the 45minute ferry over to St Johns from Havensight

Was a little choppy at times but waters calmed as we got nearer the port.

Pleasant journey with great narration from the guide all the way over.

They sold bottled water onboard for $2.00

Upstairs and downstairs seating on the boat.

Prices and duration already listed in review booked through RC

 

DD had all her own gear, and what I needed was provided on arrival.

Short 5min talk on what to do and not to do, and then into the water.

 

There is a dive trial, white buoy, red buoy & blue buoy, with signs on the seabed with information on the habitat and coral.

 

DD and I both really enjoyed this excursion and would highly recommend it to all

Definitely worth the money. Just seeing the excitement and joy on DD's face as she snapped away with the UW camera and made videos was priceless

A few pics showing the crystal clear water and beautiful sandy beach.

True paradise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PompeySailor]

Thanks, looking forward to seeing the Compasses

 

Hopefully will have a mass upload of all paperwork tomorrow.

Scanner will be busy:D

[drarill]

Excellent review and beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.:)

[Ourusualbeach]

Welcome back.:)

 

Great review, seeing the photos brought back a lot of good memories from our cruise on her a year and a half ago. Is it less than 500 days to the Allure yet?

[RoyalFan2011]

Loved your review. We willbe on her in March.

[PompeySailor]

Tiki Bar Beach BARBADOS

Booked excursion through RC, short 10 minute bus ride to beach, wristbands swapped for tickets.

We all received drinks voucher for Tiki Bar, so had the local Beer and OJ for DD

Price included transport, drink and two chaise lounges with umbrella.

There were plenty of chairs and umbrellas, but beach was not packed, only 20 or so on the excursion.

Not as good as Trunk Bay, however sandy beach and crystal clear waters.

At waist height once in water started to get a little rocky.

You could DIY it to this beach if you wanted, head of right from port terminal, through Bridgetown and after a short ride arrive at Tiki Bar.

We all enjoyed, lazing drinking swimming and sunning, DD snorkeled a little but it was a little choppy so not ideal for Snorkelling.

Would recommend if you want a short beach trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PompeySailor]

Welcome back.:)

 

Great review, seeing the photos brought back a lot of good memories from our cruise on her a year and a half ago. Is it less than 500 days to the Allure yet?

 

Thanks Ken, those 500 will fly by, we hope.

More pics and docs to follow

 

All the best

Graham

[PompeySailor]

Other documents

 

 

 

 

[PompeySailor]

Loved your review. We willbe on her in March.

 

Thank you, enjoy your March Cruise

We look forward to sailing on her again after you in June

[PompeySailor]

Photo packages

[PompeySailor]

Slots - Poker - Planner

 

 

 

 

 

[PompeySailor]

Teens Club 12-14 + 15-17 COMPASS

The ports of call do not match our itinerary, but the schedule is the same, AO staff were aware that all documentation available was from another sailing / itinerary.

We were informed to just look at the activities as they were equal.

 

 

 

 

[PompeySailor]

Royal Babies & Tots