Norwegian Jewel Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,357 reviews

Alaska at last!

Review for Alaska Cruise on Norwegian Jewel
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shorebirdno9
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: May 2015

This was my 17th cruise, 6th with Norwegian, 5th solo cruise adventure, and first ever to Alaska. Why did I wait so long to experience this beautiful part of the world!

I flew in from the East Coast the day before, and stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel. Had just enough time to do the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Around noon on Saturday, I walked from my hotel to Pier 66. It was not a bad walk at all, with the exception of hauling my two relatively small suitcases on wheels through a crowded piece of Pike Place Market on the way to the elevator to get to the waterfront sidewalk. Once at the pier, it was the usual chaotic embarkation scene. After checking in the larger of the two bags, it was time to snake through the long lines, but they moved along fairly well. Finally I was enjoying the welcome aboard buffet lunch at what would become my favorite place on the ship, the Great Outdoors, deck 12, aft - the outdoor section of the Garden Cafe. I sat overlooking the Seattle waterfront and the majestic Mt. Rainier looming in the distance. A little later there was a sail away barbeque poolside, also on deck 12. Before that got underway, I had time to relax a bit in a hot tub and then the adult pool, both of which I had to myself.

There are both advantages and challenges to traveling alone, and one of the challenges is meal time. Because of this I preferred most of my meals to be in the Garden Cafe buffet. I don't expect "gourmet" cuisine from any cruise ship buffet, but there is always enough of a variety to find something to your liking. Some stations remained the same throughout the week, for example a pasta station and a grill station, the later having the burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and fries. Carving stations would feature a meat being offered that evening in the two main dining rooms, and some nights would have a particular theme. I was satisfied with all meals here, especially breakfast. At breakfast there are four made-to-order omelet stations, one of these being in the Great Outdoors section. There are eggs any way you want them, home fries, bacon, sausage, pastries, fruit, cereal, and a pancake, french toast, and waffle station with delicious toppings, my favorite being the blueberry compote. There were other offerings I'm forgetting, but you can't leave hungry. Some complain about the lack of seating, but for the quietest place to sit for breakfast or lunch they offer additional seating in the LaCucina restaurant. At breakfast this room has juices and coffee right there so that you don't have to walk back into the Garden Cafe for refills. Seating can also usually be found in the back toward the Great Outdoors and in that section as well, which has the added bonus of great aft views. My other restaurant choices were O'Sheehan's, where I had a delicious salmon dinner one night, and Azura, where I had a nice prime rib. Service was excellent in these places. I did not try any of the added fee restaurants.

Cabin Review

Port Reviews

Seattle

Flew in the day before the cruise. Took the Seattle Light Rail from Sea-Tac to Westlake Station near my hotel. Went to the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.

Ketchikan

Walked all around Ketchikan including Creek Street and beyond. Shopped and saw the sights.

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