Where does a person start? From embarkation to debarkation every minute spent on the Norwegian Jewel exceeded our expectations. I have spent more time on my local supermarket checkout lines than I did (in total) for activities on this cruise. The amazing hospitality and knowledge displayed by staff and crew is truly a rarity. Entertainment is top notch including the "Jewel" on board troupes to each of the specialty entertainers. The magnificent, enormous theatre does not have a poor seat in the house and is truly in itself a sight to behold. The many, many bar and lounges also had fantastic entertainers. One performer, Bernie Martini, should be a super star!
The balcony stateroom was immaculately clean at all times and totally equipped with everything a top hotel provides, and the beds were more comfortable!! We dined in 3 of the specialty restaurants for dinner but since the main dining room food was very good (more of a selection needed), I don't know if we would do it again.
We could have done without the Port Canaveral stop and would have preferred an overnight stay in the Bahamas. The day at the private island, Great Stirrup Cay was beautiful and there was more than enough to keep one busy. It appeared to us that the kids and teens were having the time of their lives so this is for sure a family oriented ship as well.
Our one complaint was the smoking in the casino. We are frequent visitors to the AC casinos near home and looked forward to the casino experience on board. The casino itself is very nice however as the only indoor area that allowed smoking it was impossible to get a breath of fresh air while inside and the acrid smoke really ruined the fun of gambling for us. I wonder why a separate enclosed smoking area somewhere on the ship is not offered instead. We would take another cruise on this ship in a heartbeat, but we will avoid the smokey casino.
