Norwegian Jewel Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,355 reviews

Prefer Disney cruise over NCL Jewel

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Jewel
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happynewyorker
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Feb 2012
Cabin: Owner's Suite with Large Balcony
Traveled with children

Our adventure started on Saturday, February 18, 2012. They say you can board at 11am, but the problem is that you still have people coming off the ship at that time. We (myself and Daughter 8 years old) met my parents (they paid for the trip). You go to pier 88 on top and as you walk inside they have people taking your suite cases. Then you go through a maze of lines. Since we were were in the priority check in, we went on a short line, but the line for others went faster than ours. Very disorganized and confusing. Once information provide, pictures, credit card and passport information, we got to wait at The Priority Lounge. A room with seats, beverages of coffee, tea, juices and water and fruits and danishes. We waited and then we went on the ship and told to head to Cagney's steak house for lunch. Well, they were very disorganized and it's an extra charge of $25 a person. for children if they do the standard menu it's free it not it's another charge. During the cruise ship you have to hand sanitize your hands all the time. After a crazy disorganized lunch, we were seated needed more time and then forgot about. matre d' spoke with 2 waiters and still nothing, until finally one came by. After lunch we heard the announcement that the rooms were not ready. By the time we walked we entered the room, met with our Ship's Steward His name was Romero and he was amazing. He took the time to assist in every way, and remembered our names. our room was on level 10, we had a suite which was nicer than my home. We had a butler and before the trip we were excited about the butler. (never had one) and disappointed when we he arrived. He filled our beverages and gave us fruit and sandwiches in the afternoon right before we were to eat dinner. Our room had a pull out couch, which was great and hard. All foam. The living room had a TV set (flat) 2 entrances to balcony on side of ship. A comfy chair and another to lie on. A table to eat at, cabinets had wine and glasses, all the menus for the restaurants. Refrigerator and coffee machine, a bathroom with toilet and sink. The next room had a computer, desk, nice size bed, TV set in wall, another balcony in the front of the ship. Bathroom had dual sink, shower in one area, toilet in another, bathtub and flat screen TV, two windows to see out and the other to see side deck. In the evening if the lights were on in the bedroom Romero came and closed the curtain. The light bothered the captain's view of the ocean. One night the door wasn't closed correctly, turns out on the back of the door, is a latch that keeps the door open. For those that stay in these room. Announcements were made but never in the rooms always in the hallway. They had a schedule of each day's itinerary. They had a leaving port party at the Spinnaker Lounge on Deck 13th. They had Spongebob come out. Thing to know if you've never cruised NCL. The right side of the ramp is where you form a line to have your picture take with Spongebob. Lucky for us, my step father was taking pictures so he got to the very beginning of the line. There was a long line. They suggested Azura's for dinner. When we arrived it was packed for 4 people, had room for 2 people. When asked about the wait, the matre d'/hosts, had a find out the wait, it was 20/30 minutes. We went to Tsar's palace. Which is in the back of the cruise ship. Chin Chin, Mongolian Hot Pot and Jazz Brunch is $15 a person. Sushi A La Carte you pay for the pieces. Teppanyaki, hibachi make sure you make reservations when you enter cruise ship. They were full only 10pm meals were available. Le Bistro (French) $20 extra, Mama's Italian and Tango ($10 extra). I'm not a restaurant expert but the food was okay. Not much to brag about. I didn't mind the Garden Cafe which was self service, buffet style, which was fine for me. They had 2 ice cream machines that were in the Garden Cafe one when you first come in on your right, past the coffee machines and one in the back where they had another Buffet style restaurant. The front machine serves dual chocolate and vanilla ice cream, then vanilla and chocolate. That machine had the pink ice cream was in the back. ice cream cones and sprinkles and chopped cookies. Kids clubs - they had an assortment and they went by your child's age. It was to compare to Disney it was really different. But, they did do a lot with the children. They started at 9:00am and ended at 10:30pm, after that you had to pay additional costs for the kids club. They reminded you that they are not a baby sitting service and if your child has to be changed they will contact you to change your child. 2 days at sea after leaving New York City, and the view of the city was amazing. We arrived at Port Canaveral at 12:00pm and left and 9:30pm. We went to Coco Beach and walked around a bit, not much happening. Tuesday we headed towards Great Stirrup Cay. We did snorkeling and had a nice time. Get off the ship early to save your seats. Then on Wednesday we were at Nassau, Bahamas. Waited on a long line for the excursions. Last bus left Atlantis @ 5pm and came every 1/2 hour after 1pm. The water was choppy and you had to walk a lot. Hot Dogs were $6.50, so bring lots of credit cards, most areas take credit cards and no cash. We did the swimming with Sea Lions, which were a bit scary for me being so big. But, it was a nice experience. We'd go back to Atlantis, Bahamas just to experience what we missed out in during the day. All in all it was a nice time. But, I still LOVE the Disney Cruise better.

Cabin Review

Owner's Suite with Large Balcony

Cabin H3

We were in Suite 10004 and WOW. Great balconies (2 side and one in front). Sometimes it was noisy, but it's a cruise ship. Closets, bathroom, tub, shower, were a great size. Bed in the front was awful, you felt all the rocking. The sofa bed, since more solid you didn't feel the rocking as much. WHich I liked since I was sleeping on the sofa bed.

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