Well back to work after getting back from my 7 day cruise on the NCL Jewel. Prior to taking cruise I searched the Internet for reviews of the ship and see what people had to say. Now that I have experienced Free Style cruising I figured I write a review and let you know my experiences on the Jewel and the ports we visited. Arrived to Miami International Airport 1-24-2010 around 10:15AM after picking up suit cases (which I have to tell you of the bat DO NOT over pack as I did. I took clothes that I never used. You can get away with 1 bathing suit, 2 - 3 T-Shirts, a few underwear which u can wash if and will dry over night, 1 dress Pants and 2 Men's Polo. Everything else can stay home in your closet) back to the trip, we hopped in a cab (total $24 dollars its a flat fee from MIA to Port of Miami + 2.00 tip, we were 4 in the cab plus luggage) Got to Port of Miami in around 15 min. dropped of luggage with tags supplied by travel agent and NCL Jewel porters quickly loaded all luggage onto their racks along with other passengers luggage. We walked into welcome center where we showed our Confirmation info and Passport, walked thought security and next filled out a Pre- Health form. Got on one of the many lines and were quickly received by one the the NCL reps. gave him all our information and credit card, he came back with our room cards and a number. This number is given to you so that when the boarding process starts they will call groups by numbers. We took elevator up on flight to the waiting area and within 15 min. they began to call group numbers starting with #1, we were 12. Within 15 min our number was called and we walked pass through security and were on board where our key card was swiped and greeted by several members of the crew and off to the lunch Buffet. After eating (the variety of food was amazing)we went out on deck and waited for 4PM (this is te time the ship departs from port) Once ship sailed away from port the music began as the live musicians began to play tropical music and off we went sea bound By 4:30PM our rooms were ready and by 4:45PM our bags were outside our cabins. Rooms are your typical cruise ship rooms not much space but never the less for the time you spend in them its quite a lot of room. We unpacked and got familiar with what was in the room, reviewed pamphlets left and began to plan our next move to the Deck 12 - that's where the Garden Cafe Buffet is for Breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Also Pool area. After hanging by pool area got ready for dinner and then a show. Day 2 Out at sea all day - lots of food, beer and entertainment.

Day 3 Got to Roatan, Honduras (allot of poverty)- decided to take the Dolphin encounter and Tabyana Beach tour (keep in mind tour prices area bit high and not much variety and some of the ports) Day was rainy and cloudy but enjoyed my time in cold water with dolphin (20 min) then off to Tabyana Beach (transportation was included in tour price) When we got there lunch was being served also included in price but we didn't stay long since it started to rain right after lunch. Went back to boat were we hung out by pool and then had dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse (you will be charged a Service fee of $25 but it is well worth it. You can repeat any of the items on the menu and for a additional $10 you can add lobster tail, Alaskan king crab legs to your full meal) I highly recommend Cagney's ask for '"Rulaca" she was our waitress the 3 nights we ate at Cagney's also her assistant Suzzane treated us like royalty.

Day 4 Went Scuba Diving in Belize (had a blast guys from Hugh Parkey's Belize Adventure were great especially Eli), while my wife and father-in-law did a Cave tubing and Rain Forest trek, we met up later in the day on the boat by pool side. This night we ate sushi (again a Service fee of $15, but you can eat all the sushi u want) After dinner its showtime Read more