Jewel of the Seas Review 12-11-16.. or.. ''A Cruise is what you make of it 2016''

[TAPNKEGS]

Thank you so much for posting ur photos and thoughts of one of my favorite ships in RCI's fleet! Haven't been aboard her since 2008 and am loving seeing her after the facelift, even though it meant the death of the Seaview Cafe:mad:

 

Lots of wonderful memories, waiting for more ...

 

Ellen

 

Totally agree Ellen :) The Jewel is really what comes to mind when I think of a cruise ship. Of course the opinion is subjective and there are other nice looking ships with a good layout, but there is something about the Jewel that just has a lot right (not perfect as I will elaborate on later ) I forgot, was the seaview cafe removed for Izumi in drydock?

 

I ask because there was a small cafe in the solarium but I think the seaview was in the rear of the ship.

 

solarium cafe

 

 

 

[TAPNKEGS]

TAPNKEGS (like your user name)...thanks for taking us along on your Cruise. The Jewel is our favorite ship and we are doing a B2B Cruise on her April 2017. BTW I hope you don't mind but I pirated one your pictures of the Jewel to use as my desktop background.

 

Of course you can, I'm honored to contribute to your desktop

[Clarea]

... I forgot, was the seaview cafe removed for Izumi in drydock?

Yes, Seaview is now gone from all Radiance class ships. Izumi is in it's place on all but Radiance, which has Samba grill back there.

[son3cruisers]

Wonderful review so far! Thank you fir taking the time to post.

[cot427]

Totally agree Ellen :) The Jewel is really what comes to mind when I think of a cruise ship. Of course the opinion is subjective and there are other nice looking ships with a good layout, but there is something about the Jewel that just has a lot right (not perfect as I will elaborate on later ) I forgot, was the seaview cafe removed for Izumi in drydock?

 

I ask because there was a small cafe in the solarium but I think the seaview was in the rear of the ship.

 

 

 

Glad to see they have a small cafe in the solarium. A lot of us were hoping/expecting it would get the Park Cafe like Radiance did after the drydock, but alas.

[Clarea]

Glad to see they have a small cafe in the solarium. A lot of us were hoping/expecting it would get the Park Cafe like Radiance did after the drydock, but alas.

I agree. I think I will miss the quiet place to have breakfast the most.

[bambam2972]

Thanks for the review! Can't wait to see more.

[BillOh]

TAPNKEGS (like your user name)...thanks for taking us along on your Cruise. The Jewel is our favorite ship and we are doing a B2B Cruise on her April 2017. BTW I hope you don't mind but I pirated one your pictures of the Jewel to use as my desktop background.

 

I'll watch for your review just in time for me to board.

[Biker19]

but first you have to board the ship and see the atrium...

 

The tree looks nicer there than squeezed into the MDR as they did on Serenade. But then, where was the Centrum band?

[davekathy]

I'll watch for your review just in time for me to board.

 

Looks like I'll have over a year to post a review for you. We Cruise on the Jewel April 2017 and you April 2018. BTW I like your personalized license plate.

[TAPNKEGS]

Ah yes, for those that were worried about the green lit staircase in the atrium being removed during the last drydock....worry not. I am glad they didn't remove it

 

 

One thing Royal did was push the beverage package... A LOT. If you bought the one that came with the unlimited soda, they gave you a special cup with a chip that would be identified by the soda machine ( the one where you can mix and match flavors of sodas ). Do not bother trying to use anything other then the cup you have to buy for it will not work. I saw people use this constantly so lots of people thought $150 for a week of soda is reasonable. You could stretch that value by keeping a large glass or one of those tall sports liquid containers and fill it for your other people in the family and then refill it for yourself because the machine doesn't keep track of how often you use it.

 

Finding the machines was a pain for people. there are 2 machines side by side located at the rear of the indoor portion of the windjammer buffet on the right (starboard) side of the ship just before you exit to the outer eating area.

 

 

As a warning, I noticed quite a few upset people with these cups unable to fill them between the hours of 5:30 and 6:30pm because for some odd reason when the windjammer is prepping for dinner from lunch, they actually close and lock the doors so you can't enter the area... and since the machines are located just inside the doors from the outside, that meant no soda refills for that hour....just letting you know

 

The other item people found hard to locate was the soft serve ice cream machines. On the opposite side from the soda machines just behind one of the dessert buffet stations just before the door to the outside eating area, the soft serve machines are tucked behind some sliding doors. Unlike Carnival, there is only soft serve ice cream, no frozen yogurt.

 

just behind this station

 

 

here you go

 

 

FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND

 

Jewel is very easy to navigate due to the plentiful signage and touchscreens near multiple locations and elevators that guide you to your destination and also tells you whats happening on each deck at what time...think of a more interactive version of the daily summaries they give you each night.

 

 

At every deck elevator area ( atrium ones only, the forward back did not have these ) there is a placard that provides a map as well.

 

 

more...

[TAPNKEGS]

One thing a lot of people did not notice is that on the pedistal for the map placard, there were elevator buttons along with one that only was for going to decks 12&13...just so you know

 

 

elevator atrium area at night

 

 

and in the day

 

 

The inside of each elevator has a lit up description by floor sign that was quite welcome for remembering whats where

 

 

As another side note, I was very impressed with the artwork in the ship. It was very tasteful and I will be posting pictures from areas around the ship with random art.

 

 

[davekathy]

TAPENKEGS...thanks for the recent update. You are adding to our excitement for getting back on the Jewel in April.

Edited December 31, 2016 by davekathy

[TAPNKEGS]

The Safari Club: deck 6 aft

 

Loved this location... big, open and sorely underutilized. There were hardly any activites here the whole cruise. As you enter this area just past the Schooner Bar you will see a big lounge type area. The first thing you will see on the left are the 2 gyro stabilized pool tables. It was really neat seeing these things float around as the ship moved to stay level..

 

 

the pool tables are not free by the way. There is a charge to use them but I could not say how much (forgot sorry)

 

on the right side when you entered are 2 sitting areas with TVs

 

 

 

 

Just past this area, you will enter the club proper greeted by this guy...

 

 

This whole area just screams style and is perfectly themed with great seating areas and little 1vs1 game tables. there is also a full bar here.

 

 

more...

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[TAPNKEGS]

 

 

 

 

Before we knew it, dinner was done and everyone gathered at the various INDOOR spots required for muster drill which was about 20 minutes. After that, the music played..

 

 

the lines were pulled in...

 

 

and the next thing you know, we are making our way out of San Juan harbor. more to come..

[TAPNKEGS]

sorry for the blurry pic here but just wanted to show that San Juan was worth watching for sail away, all lit up.

 

 

we passed the Fascination on our way out..

 

 

 

Not long after, our pilot boat came roaring by, picked up its person and peeled off leaving us to a beautiful full moon ...

 

 

yes there will be lots of atrium pictures...just so darn cool

 

 

 

 

Good Night everyone. Next stop: St. Croix

 

[reallyhooked]

Enjoying your review. We were on Jewel 10 years ago ( Canada/New England).

Love the Southern Caribbean.

[scottygirl]

Looks like a tastefully decorated ship. Enjoying your review.

 

 

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[Magellan321]

Awesome review and pics! Getting excited for my trip...thanks!

[EMED2010]

Enjoying your review. We sail on January 8 so I'm hoping you will have port reviews posted soon. Please[emoji4]. Quick question- What time was your muster drill?

 

 

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[Big Jay]

Great Review!

 

Keep The Pictures Coming!:D

[KKMurphy2]

The Safari Club: deck 6 aft

 

Loved this location... big, open and sorely underutilized. There were hardly any activites here the whole cruise. As you enter this area just past the Schooner Bar you will see a big lounge type area. The first thing you will see on the left are the 2 gyro stabilized pool tables. It was really neat seeing these things float around as the ship moved to stay level..

 

 

the pool tables are not free by the way. There is a charge to use them but I could not say how much (forgot sorry)

 

on the right side when you entered are 2 sitting areas with TVs

 

 

 

 

Just past this area, you will enter the club proper greeted by this guy...

 

 

This whole area just screams style and is perfectly themed with great seating areas and little 1vs1 game tables. there is also a full bar here.

 

 

more...

 

We were on the same cruise and played pool 3 times. We did not pay either time and the equipment was right there and available. Not in the best of shape, but present.

[TAPNKEGS]

Enjoying your review. We sail on January 8 so I'm hoping you will have port reviews posted soon. Please[emoji4]. Quick question- What time was your muster drill?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

testing my memory to the limit here lol. I want to say 7:15ish pm methinks

[TAPNKEGS]

We were on the same cruise and played pool 3 times. We did not pay either time and the equipment was right there and available. Not in the best of shape, but present.

 

I stand corrected. I just assumed a charge by just looking at it ha, serves me right :) thanks for the clarification