My husband and I had a wonderful time on the cruise and loved the Jewel. The ship is just gorgeous, cabin size just right and we loved the good sized balcony. A major plus was the introduction of no smoking in rooms and balconies since January, 2014. That always annoyed us on other ships as we couldn't leave the balcony door open during the night or sit out without being bothered by smoke. This is a big consideration for our cruises in the future. I know the ship will go to dry dock for renovations, but personally, I found the ship to be beautiful, with very little obvious wear and tear.
The food was excellent, ship very clean, staff very friendly, production entertainment in the theatre thoroughly delightful. We would definitely consider the Jewel again and do like the mid-size ship with lots of decks to wander around on and it was easier to get to know people. Also, the gym was first rate with an ample supply of cardio equipment and weights and classes in spinning, etc.
The food in the elegant Tides dining room was absolutely delicious and varied. There was always something for everyone's taste. The menu changed daily and there was also a favorites menu of special dishes, which were offered daily. We dined at the same time each evening and had the most attentive service from our waiters. Desserts were amazing. Portion sizes were just right and dishes were artistically presented.
Wonderful cabin with a nice sized balcony