Travelled with two senior citizens and two teenagers on the Jewel to Alaska. Embarkation was painless despite lots of people in the somewhat crowded terminal. Once aboard we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Tsar's Palace - actually, this was the least impressive meal of the cruise - before checking into our outside oceanview cabin. It was spacious by cruise ship standards, with ample storage space and a generous bathroom. The big picture window help to take the regret out of not booking a balcony, but for the same price we got two connecting outside staterooms so our teenage boys had some privacy while still allowing the parents to keep an eye on their comings and goings.
The best part of the cruise experience was the Freestyle dining. There was a noticeable difference in quality between the standard dining rooms Azura and Tsar's Palace and the specialty restaurants, especially Cagney's. The food in Cagney's was some of the best we've ever experienced anywhere, and worth a return visit. Moderno, Le Bistro, and La Cucina were also outstanding. Less impressive is Teppanyaki, where it is more about the entertainment than the food. It was fun to watch the twirling knives and nuggets of chicken tossed into your mouth by a flying spatula, but the resulting stir fry left a bit to be desired - a bit too much soy sauce for our tastes. Garden cafe buffet experience was one of the best, with great food and a smiling, singing staff that took care of your hygiene. "Washi Washi" was by far the most popular guy on the ship!
The entertainment was superb, with outstanding song-and dance ensembles, comedians/magicians, solo artists, and a superb acrobatic troupe called Cirque Bijou. Cruise director Philly Joel and his staff worked hard to keep everyone smiling, capped by a cheesy but memorable final farewell where the captain and hotel staff wave goodbye to you singing "We are Norwegian now."
Spacious for a standard outside cabin. Generous storage with a full closet, 6 drawers, and multiple shelves for storing your stuff. A spacious bathroom with a separate full-sized shower is also a real treat. Beds are comfortable, and linens are soft and high quality.
Pier 66 was a little crowded during registration and check-in, but lines moved quickly and staff were helpful in guiding you to the right location.