This was my 1st & last cruise with RCI. I'm a seasoned cruiser. This was my 3rd cruise this year. I've favored Princess, Celebrity, NCL and Cunard. First of all, the ship itself is beautiful. It's intimate and easy to move around from deck to deck. The staff was friendly and aimed to please. I give them high grades for the Spa & Exercise facilities. They were top notch. But, anyone booking on this Brilliance class of ships should be aware that suite and balcony cabins on the aft starboard side Deck Six are in for a rude awakening. These cabins are directly over the lounges. There is no sound insulation. Our cabin floor vibrated from the music. It was impossible to get any sleep until 2am most nights. Then, the clean-up lounge crew would be playing loud music until 4-5am. I called guest relations on numerous occasions. They did nothing...Do NOT book these cabins!!! Food: After, just getting off QM2,( the food on QM2 was hands down the BEST at Sea ) the food on Jewel was little better than cafeteria offerings.

The menu in the main dining room is very limited. The menus were odd. It often mixed regional cuisine on the same menu. Two nights in a row, pork of some type was the 'Chef's Special'. On the Pork Chop special night our waiter told us 'Not to order it because it was overcooked and tough'! The alternative steak was too tough to chew. The food was so bad we resorted to eating in the Windjammer cafe, where food was better than the main dining room. My wife is a much better chef than this crew. Their food was un-inspired, tasteless and they need to go back to school to learn to properly make sauces. Breakfast proved to be the best meal on the ship. Also, on numerous occasions, self serve coffee was un-available. This happened over and over again from 6am -9am. The waiters were slow to clear tables on deck. This is the 1st ship I've sailed where you couldn't get any food other than pizza past 9:30pm. We had early 6pm seating and would go to the evening show. By 10:30-11pm we were looking for a snack. Out of luck! Entertainment: This was the 1st 12 day cruise I've been on where there were just two full dance productions shows. The best show was a husband & wife from Cirque. They were one of the best acts I've ever seen at sea.The on-board band was very good They did have hit & misses other singers and entertainers. But, it was very average. I must give the Cruise Director, Bobby big credit. He was professional and really made an effort to inter-act with the passengers.

The cabins were clean and the ship is well maintained. However, due to the above mentioned issues, I will Not be returning to RCI!