Let me start off by saying the Jewel of the Seas was probably the nicest large ship we've ever sailed on. It is not too big and not too small. It has almost all of the amenities you would find on the largest cruise ships and yet it is easy to navigate your way around the ship. Everything on the ship is tastefully done. Not the gaudiness found on many cruise ships.

Harwich UK port is really in the middle of nowhere. It is a commercial shipping port. It is 100 miles from London. Getting there is not difficult by rail from the Liverpool Street station in London (12 pounds sterling each). Embarkation is a breeze. The train deposits you about 500 yards from the ship. You will have to move your bags yourself. We were probably on the ship within 20 minutes of getting off the train.

The ship was very clean and modern. Service was excellent throughout with one exception. The coffee bar. The staff there never made us feel welcome. We were even told we could only get one sweet (cookie, muffin, cake) at a time. Not what one expects to hear on a cruise ship. Read more