This was our 5th NCL cruise and our friends first.  We flew to Barcelona and spent 2 nights at the Tryp Apollo booked by our agent at a lower rate. The hotel is central and the city has bus tours running every 30 minutes to all the famous sites. We did a harbour tour then ate in a small tapas bar close to the hotel. Embarkation was smooth and our luggage arrived quickly. As a new ship the Jewel is beautiful and has corrected some of the other ships problems. The theatre is a true theatre with clear visibility from every corner. The garden cafe has been expanded with stations for different foods reducing lineups.  We preferred the Tsar Palace and met our friends there often. We tried Cagneys, Mamas Chin Chin the Blue Lagoon and the sushi Bar.  We find all of the meals satisfying but do not expect outstanding. My husband is a great cook so we are spoiled.  I have a mobility problem and was very concerned about the shore excursions. I went to the Internet and booked private tours for Florence and Rome for a little more than the ships rates for 4 of us.  It was so successful I would do it again for every port. In Florence we had Thierry who took us every where we wanted to go including the local restaurant he goes to with his wife. Lunch there was 50 euros for 5 of us and was the best pasta we had eaten.

John of Top Tours in Rome showed us the city then took us to Monte Mario to a beautiful hilltop restaurant. We enjoyed the ports without tours after that. Our friends took ship tours for every port and saw more than I did but I was satisfied. The weather was a surprise. Being a Canadian I think Nov. Cold .Not in the Mediterranean. It was sunny and warm except one day in Gibraltar where it poured.  Crossing the Atlantic we were swimming and enjoying smooth seas and sunny days. On the ship we found lots to entertain us. One member a golfer attended every golf clinic and felt the teacher Mike Vanye was excellent.  Of the 5 cruises I've been on the cruise director Mike from Cambridge was the best. His down to earth humour and sincerity shone through his interactions with the guests and his team.  The Karaoke contest of the staff was hilarious and the crew show not to be missed especially Fountains. You had to be there. David Naster is always a hit. I find the Jean Ann Ryan shows repetitious but energetic. High praise for the Cirque Bijou. It was great.  I played Blackjack for a week on $20 and ended up with $70.  The dealers were friendly and helpful. Being a large ship there is a lot of walking. I learned to pace myself and plan so that I was not going back and forth. Our cabin steward Boris was a kind efficient employee who took good care of us.

This ship has ice cream makers in the garden cafe which were a big hit with this crowd. They started with the cones then moved on to bigger and bigger containers cups glasses and soup bowls. We did the express walk off and arrived at the airport with lots of time to do the endless lines for security. This was a great trip and I highly recommend the NCL Jewel. One of the friends had cruised on other lines but said she was sold on the freestyle dining. My best wishes to anyone looking forward to a cruise. Have fun. Sandy