We decided to try NCL out of NY since we live so close to the Port. I had mixed emotions and had not heard great things about NCL but did my homework on Cruise Critics. We originally booked an AD and as the months went by we continually upgraded until we got to the A3 Courtyard Villa and my 27 year old daughter decided to join us. I did not think anyone could outdo the suite life of HAL but The Jewel went beyond my expectations. Our VIP embarkation was great, we were escorted on to the ship and straight to our room by Erlindo one of the Courtyard Butlers. We had some issues with our room the first few days but Adrian and Assistant Hotel Manager Andrea addressed our issues and resolved them as soon as they possibly could.

I have to admit that I never entered a dining room on the Jewel and I was never in the main pool area. We felt as if we had chartered a cruise ship spending all our time in the courtyard. The only downside to the courtyard was one very large family of about 10 with infants and young children who felt that they were entitled to bad behavior. Changing diapers on the beautiful lounges (with no protection on the chairs and allowing diapers in the pool) was unacceptable but quickly addressed the minute we spoke with our wonderful Concierge Adrian.

Our Butler Jurehmar and assistant Zandra were amazing. We would sail NCL again in a heartbeat with the suite perks. We had a wonderful Meet and Greet (my first time arranging one) and we really felt as if we knew everyone before we even got on the ship.We did a Bridge Tour and had a Cocktail Party in the Courtyard with the Captain. We did have some form of as virus going around the ship which was handled as well as they could but it did cause an interruption in services around the ship since alot of the crew was ill. We did not feel the impact as much in the Courtyard area as much as the rest of the ship. Read more