We have sailed on Carnival several times but prefer NCL and have recently reached silver latitude status. This cruise was a great price, and our kids could stay with the grandparents and only miss 2 days of school. We sailed the Pearl to Alaska in July 2011 and this ship is very nearly identical, minus the rock wall and a few other differences.

We live in Northern DE so we can easily drive 2+ hours to New York City, leave our car in the secure garage at that port, and hop right on the boat. Embarkation was easy and quick- on the boat in no time. We were required to pay a $30 corkage fee on the 1.5 liter bottle of wine we brought along. Well worth the price compared to prices for alcohol on board.

It is my understanding that the Jewel holds about 2300 passengers. We heard that 1050 of them were 18 and under during this holiday sailing!! As long as they aren't mine, I don't care. The Kids Club did seem like a madhouse at check-in and check-out times and the kid hot tubs were always full of kids and tweens. They all looked like they were having the time of their lives! I only noticed the kids at one time, when 2 small children were brought to the future sailing meeting and ran all around the Spinnaker lounge hooting and hollering while David tried to give his presentation. Read more