I am a frequent cruiser but this was my first NCL cruise, and may be my last. I booked 90+ days early to take advantage of the "Unlimited Beverage Package-UBP" (supposed deadline) that was the major selling feature of this Mexican Riviera adventure.

It turns out that the UBP was offered for free right up to the week before departure and my balcony room was offered with this package for LESS than Half the price we paid for this cruise. Ouch! That is a tough way to start a cruise by being taken to the cleaners for over $1,200. And of course, the cancellation policy would have cost more that the savings realized from re-booking at the lower rate.

Anyhow we set out for a wonderful week, but soon realized we were on a party boat that gave new meaning to the term "going ugly early-and often". The Jewel is tired and rode hard and it shows with many deferred maintenance items clearly visible to the passengers like: unheated adult pool (kids pool was a balmy 84), broken hand rails, rusty paint spots and worn carpeting. Read more