We did this same itinerary on the Jewel last year, and booked for Jade right after we got home. However, having learned from our experience, this time we booked a 2 bedroom family suite in the Haven. (on the Jewel, nobody slept because my kids dont sleep well in general). This was the BEST MOVE EVER. We drove down the night before and stayed at the Best Western Seabrook. Prior to checking in, we went to Johnson Space Center (NASA) for the afternoon. The hotel was fine, clean, and we knew the drill, since we parked and cruised from there last year as well. We arrived at the port at about 9:30 am and were first in the security line. Once they opened the line, we went directly to suite check in and had some refreshments. The Concierge (Omar) and his assistant were there to assist us in choosing shore exursions (already had booked private ones, but my parents took advantage of this - they were in an aft penthouse), gave us our cards and led us onboard to the Star Bar as soon as embarkation began. The cruise began with lunch at Cagneys, and that was just the beginning. The 2 bedroom suite was FANTASTIC, the Haven had quite a few well other children in it - and aside from a little splashing (they always stopped after parents reminded them not to), all were very well behaved. Splash Academy has done nothing but improve, IMO, since Nickelodeon stopped. My son (7), actually liked it this year! Dining was Ok in the specialties, but in our experience this year, was slow and not as tasty as the meals in the MDR. I thought that was a bit odd, but oh well. We also did the Chefs Table, which was a bit of a variation on the fleetwide published menu (fine with me!) and it was delicious. I do wish they would take veal off the menu, though. Entertainment - we went to Cripton, Elements and Tenors of Rock, all of which were very good. 1 tip, though, DO NOT sit it suite seating in the left balcony if you watch the Cripton show. you see more than you're meant to. Ports: Priority debarkation and tendering was a WONDERFUL suite perk. Cozumel - we went to Melia this year. Cozumel is Cozumel. Beach, sand, pools, booze, and a visit to Mega. Belize City - when we originally booked, it was Harvest Caye, and we REALLY wanted to go there. Belize City again? Meh. My parents took the kids on the old belize river/altun ha ship tour, I had a spa day, and DH sat in the room/Haven and read his book all day. Roatan - we went to Little French Key. It was fun, but I think it was a little TOO crowded for my taste. Maybe if it wasnt spring break. The gym: I bought 3 personal training sessions while on board, as I was JUST released from PT for ACL surgery, and I couldnt afford to fall behind. The gym was large, plenty of equipment, and the trainer (Richard Dinning) was great. Sea days - my kids mostly swam in the Have and DH and I read/talked with other Haven guests. On a Spring break cruise, there are like 1000 kids and it seemed like ALL of them were in the main pool all day on sea days. My daughter is only 4 and doesnt swim, so the Haven let Mommy be able to monitor from afar while she swam with her brother/friends, and not have to be in the pool every second (she had a puddle jumper on, and OBVIOUSLY, I was still keeping a hawk eye on her, but it was much less stressful for me). Disembarkation was a total breeze. we did not do self-assist, but did use priority disembarkation and were still let through customs before pretty much anybody else so we could start our drive home. Read Less

I just returned from a 7-night cruise on the Norwegian Jewel with three ports of call: Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan. I traveled with my wife and her parents, siblings, and their spouses, staying in a block of rooms on the fifth deck. Once I got oriented, I could get from one part of the ship to any other in less than five minutes. The food was excellent and the service in the full-service restaurants was fantastic, although occasionally a little slow. The entertainment, which consisted of several types of live music, dancing, and acrobatics, as well as comedy and magic, was very good, but not always appropriate for children. The large theater generally filled up for each of the two evening shows. I did have to negotiate wet decks during my early morning runs, although there were plenty of treadmills available in the exercise room as an alternative. The weight equipment was in excellent shape. There were also several types of fitness classes available, some of which required an additional fee. The combination basketball/tennis/soccer venue was only open during certain times, but it wasn't that heavily used. The deck chairs on the 12th and 13th decks would fill up by late morning on each sea day. Read Less

We actually flew in the previous night to Houston, late; all went very smoothly getting on the ship the next morning, light drizzle... Our cabin facilities were outstanding, and the surprise gift was there with beautiful tropical flowers from my husband with our surprise breakfast the next morning when we were underway with a full wait staff to our cabin on the balcony! Food delivered was fresh, hot, and delicious as well as the service! Throughout our voyage facilities on the ship were like no other we'd been on. Clean, respectful service, and once in a great while a waiter would ask us if we wanted a coctail on deck, but not pestered every 5 minutes!!! We are a gay couple of 12 years now, and felt respected, and no discrimination whatsoever, myself I am 56 now, and Rich is 57, and we love cruises, have never really had a bad experience, also there were a group of Bears aboard we befriended, and hung out with on occasion...; except.....When we were scheduled for Belize POC, we teathered for awhile; but the weather was to bad to stay, so we were redirected to Costa Mya(exuse spelling) but it was a nice little short 5 hr stop before we headed to Cozumel, with a day at sea, we still had a wonderful time in Costa Mya, rented a funky little car and drove all over the area, went swimming in a small village with the locals, and had some of the best grilled fish tacos I think I ever had! All other POC's were great, and ship's crew and captain took our safety first in concern about the weather. We would recomend Princess Cruises to everyone looking for an outstanding cruise experience. Our next cruise is coming up Dec 18th 2016 Carribean once again... Read Less

This was our 3rd cruise, 2nd with Princess. We had read some reviews of the Caribbean Princess, some of which were a little negative, so we didn't have the highest of expectations. It exceeded our expectations though! If we could design our own cruise ships, it would have a combination of the 2 cruise lines we've sailed on: Princess and Royal Caribbean. We've had enough experience now to make comparisons. First off, we love the "Movies Under the Stars" that the Princess has offers. There's nothing like hanging out on the lounge chairs under the stars while watching a movie. I enjoy the International Cafe on Princess where you always have access to small finger foods and some yummy desserts. We also took advantage of eating out on the back deck of the Princess. The Coral Dining Room has doors right out to the back area where you can eat outdoors (Deck 15) right above the back pool area. We enjoyed the fitness center every day, then would go into the locker rooms and spend a little time in the steam room and sauna. It's the best. The entertainment has been good. Always enjoyed the comedians! Singers and dancers do a great job and the poolside live music has always been great. The food on board was great! This was one of the best times, with desserts exceeding out expectations. If you can't decided what appetizer or dessert to get, they'll bring you both. Wished we'd gotten a second round of the lobster & shrimp meal...so divine. As always, the service all around was great. Overall we enjoyed our ports: Cozumel, Roatan Honduras and Belize City. Read Less