We both go to bed early, rise before the sun comes up, enjoy smoking and gambling and through the years have gravitated to sleeping most of the time in separate beds! We had big concerns that we would not enjoy this vacation much due to being cramped in a small room and that it might be too noisy at night while we were trying to sleep at 8PM! Also we are private people who don't really enjoy crowds. Our worries were fruitless and this vacation turned out to be the best we have ever had! Luckily the weather was also perfect for us. We are now planning to cruise again and would not take a chance with any other cruise line. The NCL Jewel must have been built with us in mind! From the moment we entered the NYC NCL terminal until we disembarked a week later we were in heaven. Every one on the ship's staff was polite, friendly and eager to help you if you needed something. Even the NYC terminal staff were fantastic and, without even asking, let us be one of the first boarding the ship!

OUR ROOM - We upgraded to a balcony stateroom to gain space and to be able to sit outside when up so early. The room design was perfect with plenty of storage shelves, a digital lock safe, a good coffee maker and blow dryer, fridge, big closet with 2 bathrobes and 2 beach towels, plenty of mirrors, a pull out couch and soft pillow top double bed. The TV had enough channels to always find a good show or movie. The bathroom was designed beautifully and the shower great. The shower even had a clothes line up above for wet clothes. NCL provided liquid hand soap, shower gel and shampoo. The balcony was worth the extra money. It was large with chairs and table and private on both sides. We saw a few dolphins, many sailfish, other ships at sea and beautiful sun rises and sunsets. Even a few whales were spotted and announced for all to see by our captain. I knew to pack a battery alarm clock and hair conditioner. We slept like babies and never heard a door slam or noise from nearby rooms. Our wonderful room steward would have fixed up our room twice a day if we only remembered to turn sign outside door to 'Welcome' but we usually forgot. 'Do Not Disturb' sign really worked! We never felt cramped and truly enjoyed our time in our room and on balcony. Also our room was on right hand side of ship if facing the front. This side allows you to be able to see pulling in to all ports. Something we enjoy.

OUR ACTIVITIES - We spent lots of time in the casino. It is open most of the time when out at sea. It closes while at Port Canaveral but remains open in Bahamas. The casino staff and our host were the best. I play Video Poker and there were plenty of machines. I won $1000 a few times mostly in the morning hours when it wasn't busy. I played enough that the casino host gave me cash credit which reduced what we owed on our final cruise bill. She also had chocolates sent up to room one night and comped us both for Cagney's Steakhouse. The casino was very busy some evenings but then again we played early in day and didn't have the crowds. We spent each day at the pool. It is not very big but only got crowded on days ship fully at sea. We always found loungers. There is even a big outdoor shower to use to cool off if you have to sit up on a higher deck and are away from pool area. We purchased cigarettes in Duty Free Store. Cigarettes in NY cost about $10.00 per pack. A carton of Marlboros and my Newport Lights on ship each cost $34.00 a carton. Best deal on ship! They sell a case of 5 cartons where you got 1 carton free at a cost of about $134.00. It was rumored that one man bought $1300 worth of cigs, was given a store discount and paid only a $1000. He got off the ship and paid the $4.00 per carton customs tax. Great investment!! We left with a few cartons. Can smoke in room, balcony, casino, pool and open deck areas. Wind lighter helpful here. Read more