Norwegian Jewel Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,358 reviews

Skip NCL and the Jewel

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Jewel
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bigtalon
6-10 Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

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Additional details

Sail Date: Mar 2015
Cabin: Courtyard Villa with Balcony
Traveled with children

We booked the Haven 2 bedroom well in advance. I was told by reservations if a better deal came along, they would honor the promotion. That did not happen. In Jan they started marketing the three bonuses. So I called to get them added and was denied. So I am paying for one of the most expensive cabins and those paying 1/2 the price or less get free restaurant upgrades, drink packages and more ship board credit than I received by paying for a two bedroom, haven cabin. I finally spoke to a resolution specialist who provided nothing. This is my second cruise in suite/high dollar cabins in 12 months with NCL and NCL could care less that I was lied to by reservations about getting future promos. I would have waited to book, but was assured by the reservationist I would not be penalized by booking early. I guess I would add, the conflict resolution specialist had the resolution that in order to get the packages that almost everyone on the ship had, I could pay a 50% cancellation fee and rebook (less than the value of the package). If you drink at all, please note that a vodka with grapefruit juice with auto gratuity will cost you $24 for two of them. Over the top charges in the bar. The butler showed up with sweets every afternoon, but was almost non existent the cruise. The concierge was fairly hidden away too. The first morning at sea, no sleeping in for us. The deck above us was a sun deck at the top of the ship. From 6 am until 6:30 or so, there was a crew lounge chair throwing contest. Drag, drop, drag, drop, repeat. We complained to the butler when we saw him a few hours later and his response was it wasn't him. So off we went to find someone to hear us that chair throwing for set up wasn't going to work for us. We were assured it was addressed. That night at 5:30 pm the chair throwing began again as they were re-stacked. About 5 phone calls later finally found someone that understood this was excessive noise. The room steward Alex was the only one of the crew that was service oriented. The excursions were pretty bad except in Trujillo. Great place to snorkel. Good beach as a part of the tour. Let's just say, this was my last NCL trip (my third trip with them total with two in the past 12 months) Next Spring Break Princess, RCL, Celebrity or another cruise line will be getting my big dollars because I love the suites/upgraded amenities.

Cabin Review

Courtyard Villa with Balcony

Cabin H4

Room was nice. Probably the only good part of the cruise, but not nice enough to overcome lack of service by the included butler and concierge that were very invisible. They didn't even tell us the champagne that was in the refrigerator was included in the price and the butler never mentioned it or put it on ice. Deck chair throwing contest above us woke us up at 6 am for first day at sea. Drag and drop, drag and drop...repeat. Later we complained, but that evening the restacking drag and drop began at 5:30. So much for anyone addressing the issue. I wanted this room so we wouldn't have lots of loud noise above, but the crew took care of that for us. Take your money elsewhere if you wish to have service.

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