I can only say to begin that I didn't think last years repo could be topped but it was. Last October 2004, the JOTS had been at sea only 6 months and was still working out the kinks. The kinks are gone and The Jewel is exactly as named.

Embarkation in Boston was a breeze, arrived by 12 noon and onboard by 12:30p. The Windjammer lounge was in full service mode and from the time we stepped aboard to the time we departed some 13 days later we ate, drank and were Merry.

A vast improvement in the dining room, somewhat of a sore spot for me last year. Pramode and Vin, our servers, brought back the "old days" of cruising with their impeccable service and memory when it came to the eating and drinking habits of my group of twelve.(by the way 10 of the 12 were eating at different tables, but the superior attitude and service of the Maitre d' grouped us all together by the second night.) The Head Waiter (pronounced Leave-you) was highly visible and involved each and every night. When pressed for Shrimp Cocktail and Escargot on other nights, he simply provided with a smile, something you don't see much unless you're dining in specialty and paying for it. Read more