Questions for recent Jewel passengers

[Birdnutty]

I'm hoping someone can answer these questions for us:

 

1) In Barcelona, is there a Latitudes lounge?

 

2) How early were you allowed onto the ship?

 

3) How thorough were they in checking for contraband booze?

 

4) How formal were the passengers dressed (as a majority) for formal night?

 

5) What time was muster?

 

We're supposed to go real soon, and it would be handy to know some answers to these. Thanks in advance.

[vikielynne]

I'm hoping someone can answer these questions for us:

 

1) In Barcelona, is there a Latitudes lounge? No but was we were only in the port for like a minute we were able to board right after we checked in.

 

2) How early were you allowed onto the ship? 11:30 ish

 

3) How thorough were they in checking for contraband booze? Couldn't have been too good as I took onboard 2 boxes of Sangria & a box of rose in my carry on bag :-)

 

4) How formal were the passengers dressed (as a majority) for formal night? In my opinion not nearly as formal as I've seen in the Caribbean but still dressed very nice. It's just not worth it to haul a gown across the ocean.

5) What time was muster? I think at 4:15 - I had so much stuff to bring back I didn't take the dailys.

 

We're supposed to go real soon, and it would be handy to know some answers to these. Thanks in advance.

 

Have a great time!!!

[garycarla]

4:15 was mentioned as muster above. What time did the ship sail. We are scheduled to leave at 7pm and wonder when they might do the muster with that departure time. Need to plan dinner, get together, etc.

[garycarla]

4:15 was mentioned as muster above. What time did the ship sail. We are scheduled to leave at 7pm and wonder when they might do the muster with that departure time. Need to plan dinner, get together, etc.

[Manxcruiser]

I'm hoping someone can answer these questions for us:

 

1) In Barcelona, is there a Latitudes lounge? No a Latitudes member YET!

 

2) How early were you allowed onto the ship? When we left on Sunday at 9 ppl were arriving then.

 

3) How thorough were they in checking for contraband booze? Didn't take any booze not a big drinker

 

4) How formal were the passengers dressed (as a majority) for formal night? Saw ppl in Tuxes and floaty evening gowns...NOT worth it in my opionion, saw alot of woman in floaty kaftan tops with sparkly bits..

 

5) What time was muster? it was at 4:30 but they started announcing and reminding you at 4:15

 

We're supposed to go real soon, and it would be handy to know some answers to these. Thanks in advance.

 

Once you get onboard you have to go to Tango's to make reservations for all the specialty restaurants but it shuts down for life boat drill and then when it reopens it is getting ready for their first diners. So I didn't get to make any special reservations till the next morning. If you leave it to later in the week there is no chance.

If you like Asian food Chin Chin's was the best meal we had of the whole week.

[Birdnutty]

When you boarded, did they take your passport away, or did you carry it with you?

[GeorgiaPeach]

When you boarded, did they take your passport away, or did you carry it with you?

 

 

We kept our passports and the muster drill was before we sailed. Have a great cruise!

[Dorothy]

We were on Jewel 2 weeks ago and this was my experience:

 

1. We were not Latitudes members yet, as this was our first cruise with NCL. However, we were in a Penthouse Suite and immediate after check in they put us in a separate room with table, chairs and refreshments. Then after meeting the concierage, Ruth, we were escorted onboard to our cabins. Is that a Latitudes Lounge?

 

2. We checked in around 11:30am.

 

3. We saw a table with a man and sign asking for alcohol to be claimed there. Had we had wine, etc. with us, we never would have been checked because our escort bypassed everything. Not sure if they, frisked the baggage or just went on the honour system. In port, I had a bottle of Limoncello, that our guide gave us. I put it in my purse and kept my fingers crossed I wouldn't get caught with it. I started to walk onto the ship and made a mistake by not going thru the X-Ray machine line and as I step back to correct myself, a security man waved me on. So, I was able to get onboard without being caught with the liqour.

 

4. Formal night for us was too formal. I understand that others had a more mixed crowd, but unfortunately for us, we felt underdressed. Mainly, it was because we were invited to the Captains Party. I think that was for Penthouse Suite guests and up (Not sure since this was our first time) and we were the ONLY people in the room not wearing formal attire. We had one drink and slunk out the backdoor. However, I think that for the rest of the trip we would have been okay with sundresses, skirts for ladies and dockers and button up shirts for men.

 

5. I believe the muster drill was at 5:30pm.

[Dorothy]

The daily newletter instructed us to carry our passports with us while out in port. They said to take your original, not a copy.

[Birdnutty]

All your info has been quite valuable to me. Thank you!

 

Did they say what to do if your passport was pickpocketed? That's the one thing above all else that scares me. I'm startign to get paranoid, I think, from all the stories I've heard.

[Tagoladad]

What night is Formal Night on the 7 day Western Med Jewel?

Is it "Formal Night" even in the specialty restaurants?

We're not "lobster fans" so I guess to avoid all the crowds on formal night, we'll eat in one of the specialty restaurants that night. So we'd love to know which night is formal night, so we can make the proper reservations and we'd like to know the dress code (even in the specailty restaurants) so we can pack accordingly. Thanks to everyone for the help. We leave for Barcelona in 8 days and WE CAN'T WAIT.

[kruzkupple]

Birdnutty,

 

A couple of years ago, before our Baltic cruise, we purchased a cloth doodad (for the life of me I can't think of what it's called) for carrying valuables on the person. It has several pockets, some zippered, and a cord for hanging it around your neck. You put in your passports and other valuable items like cash, hang it around your neck and tuck it in under your clothing. Let some pickpocket just try to get at your passport! I think I bought it at WalMart, but I'm pretty sure you can find one at any shop specializing in luggage or travel accessories. :)

 

Jack

[GeorgiaPeach]

What night is Formal Night on the 7 day Western Med Jewel?

Is it "Formal Night" even in the specialty restaurants?

We're not "lobster fans" so I guess to avoid all the crowds on formal night, we'll eat in one of the specialty restaurants that night. So we'd love to know which night is formal night, so we can make the proper reservations and we'd like to know the dress code (even in the specailty restaurants) so we can pack accordingly. Thanks to everyone for the help. We leave for Barcelona in 8 days and WE CAN'T WAIT.

 

 

We were on the Jewel a few weeks ago. The formal night is Monday night and out of six in our party only one person ordered lobster. There was plenty on the menu if you wanted something else in the main dining rooms. In fact, this was one of our better dining experiences of the week. We ate in Azura's, btw. We saw lots of suits and sports coats for the guys and mostly cocktail type dresses for the ladies if they choose to dress up. We even saw one kilt:)

[jabrown40]

I was on the Jewel with Dorothy. Our muster was 5:30. We didn't have to worry about a Latitudes lounge - we got in the Latitudes line to register - it was very quick, and then we went straight to our room. I think it was about noon or so. I didn't take any dresses, just pants and jackets. (I get chilled easily, especially in air conditioning, and out on the deck). We took a bottle of vodka and rum onboard in our locked luggage, and had no problems. We also carried on a case of diet Coke we purchased in Barcelona Before we even went to our room, we stopped at Tangos and made reservations for all of the dinners. Monday night was the lobster night in the dining room.

[MidtheNight]

All your info has been quite valuable to me. Thank you!

 

Did they say what to do if your passport was pickpocketed? That's the one thing above all else that scares me. I'm startign to get paranoid, I think, from all the stories I've heard.

 

Don't get pickpocketed then if you are so scared. Pickpockets prey on people who are unaware of their surroundings and in Europe typically work in a team in highly congested areas. And yes, the gypsies are still in Europe and are still trying to free you of your money...not all but we did see one set that appeared to be working one crowd. Get yourself a secure travel pouch (they have a neck style where the cord is wire covered in cloth so it can't be cut) or a travel purse that has slash proof handles/front and side panels. The brand name that I know of and have boughten in the past is called PacSafe....I love mine and will never travel without them. If you do happen to be pickpocketed though you will need to present yourself at the nearest American embassy (having another photo id like a drivers license makes the process go easier) and request a new one.

[LAXCRUISER]

I Understand That The Jewel Mediterranean Cruise Leaves At 7pm From Barcelona. However, It Seems That Many Cruisers Get To The Ship At Around 1 Pm. We Were Thinking To Board At 1pm, Stow Our Things, Etc. And Then Go Back Out To Explore Barcelona Some More Until We Have To Be Back On Board - 5pm Or So? Do They Allow You To Get On And Off Cruise On First Day? Also, Will We Have Time To Do Much Exploring Under The Circumstances? Anyone Else With Similar Experiences Or Plans?

[Birdnutty]

I Understand That The Jewel Mediterranean Cruise Leaves At 7pm From Barcelona. However, It Seems That Many Cruisers Get To The Ship At Around 1 Pm. We Were Thinking To Board At 1pm, Stow Our Things, Etc. And Then Go Back Out To Explore Barcelona Some More Until We Have To Be Back On Board - 5pm Or So? Do They Allow You To Get On And Off Cruise On First Day? Also, Will We Have Time To Do Much Exploring Under The Circumstances? Anyone Else With Similar Experiences Or Plans?

 

When are you going, and is NCL responsible for your air arrangements? They were for ours. We landed in Barcelona at 8 AM last week, and were delightfully surprised to find that NCL had arranged a free bustour of Barcelona for us. Took us right from the airport in beautiful, new, airconditioned busses with a tour guide for 3 hours, touching on many of Barcelona's highlights. Several times we got off the bus and were given time to walk around, do a little shopping, take pictures, etc. We got to the pier around 11:45 AM, strolled right up to the ticket counter (no lines) and were in our staterooms in less than half an hour. Keep in mind that the distance from the pier to the city sights is a LONG way, through strictly industrial area, not pleasing or even safe to walk through. Don't attempt it except by taxi. We had originally planned on doing just what you were asking about, but had just enough time on the tour to get a flavor of the city so we no longer felt impelled to see more. We were also glad we didn't because we were MUCH more tired than we thought we'd be (jetlag and lack of sleeping opportunity on the plane) and the pier was so far away!

 

In answer to your questions: Yes, it leaves at 7 PM. Muster was at 5:30. Yes, you can get off again if you wish, but leave PLENTY of time to return. Plan on being exhausted. It might be a better plan to stay overnight in Barcelona for the night after your cruise if you want to do some of Barcelona. Keep in mind, this is just my oipinion.

[Melissa in MN]

Birdnutty,

in regards to your passport, go to REI or another sporting goods/camping store like that and get a "neck pouch" for your passport. This is a pouch that can fit your passport, credit card, and some cash that goes around your neck and under your clothes. There is NO way anyone can steal it. The one I have is very soft and thin, I don't even know it's there. It's long enough to tuck into pants but also has a cinch to tighten and make it shorter if you want.

You should also leave any nice jewelry in your room safe. When my husband and I cruise, I take off my diamond wedding ring and wear a thin silver band on shore excursions instead. I also bring a $15.00 Target watch so if it breaks it's no big deal.

Have a wonderful time! :)

[redlef]

We boarded at 11AM.

 

There was a table in the terminal where they asked you to drop off your Alcohol. We had none so it wasn't an issue for us.

 

In Rome, the Freestyle daily said to "carry your original passport" which we did. I believe Freestyle said to "carry your ship ID and a photo ID" at all the other ports.

 

I picked up a "moneybelt" at Walmart for under $10. It's a cotton pouch about 4" x 10" with a waist belt that I wore around my waist, under my pants. I put our ID, a credit card and some extra Euros in a plastic bag (to keep them dry from sweat) in the moneybelt.

 

I kept cash and my ships card in either my shirt pocket or a front pants pocket.

 

Enjoy your trip - it's a wonderful vacation.

 

Dave

[RD64]

There is a very good Jewel review at http://www.cybercruises.com. Enjoy