Jewel of the Seas Review
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Additional details
Right from the very start, RC staff really went out of their way to ensure guests had a fantastic time! Staff was very friendly. Embarkation process was so very quick (unlike Carnival). Luggage was in our cabin by 5:00 pm and I was able to be dressed for 6:00 pm dining room time. Tides dining room staff was excellent. A waiter leaned over and specifically asked every person if we liked our meal, every single meal, every single day. Buffet was great as well. Rotated foods and still keep some favorites. Ice cream machine, one day had homemade donuts, huge send off cake. Always able to find a place to sit, even on days at sea.
Activities directors were loads of fun, danced and joined in activities with guests. Did try and provide lots of activities for days at sea. Jewel is on the smaller side and we experienced waves up to 8 feet and winds from 45 to 50 mph. ( I was so motion sick, with a patch, I could not even keep down water). One day the captain did announce he was using the ship's stabilizers to minimize the rocking. Even the crew commented that they could really feel the ship rocking one night. Several nights I had to leave the theater before the show ended as the rocking made me motion sick. Nighly entertainment was pretty good. Did not have a big show every night. Several nights, activities director had contests in the centrium and it was really fun. Family friendly comedians were appropriate for the whole family.
Only went one on shore excursion through RC. Was pretty organized. Disembarkation was ok. No matter what, everyone has to wait in line for customs and such.
Cabin Review
Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
Very clean. Cabin steward very nice. Only got towel animals several nights. Plenty of storage in cabin. Bathroom lacking storage ( had one shelf under sink). Shower was extremely tiny and round. Took several days to get used to that.
Port Reviews
St. Kitts (Port Zante)
End part of our tour. Friar's Bay, Carambola Beach Club and restaurant. Can email ahead to reserve beach chairs and umbrella at $10.00 each. Very clean, bathrooms clean, friendly staff. Ordered food and ate on beach. Beach nice, limited snorkeling.
St. Kitts (Port Zante)
Definitely have someone drive you!!! Steep, extremely narrow roads. Tour driver continuously honked horn to warn drivers we were coming up the road. Super tight stone entry way to fort. I was convinced driver could not fit tour van through, but he did!!! Lots of steps to get up. Spectacular views. Bathrooms, drinks for purchase, worth a stop.
St. Kitts (Port Zante)
Part of our tour. Romney Manor. Beautiful grounds and very well maintained. Woman demonstrating art of Batik ( using wax to make items). Was neat little demonstration and pretty large shop to purchase neat items. Is definitely worth a tour stop.
Aruba
$11.00 entrance fee for adults and kids are free. Really neat park, feels like you are in Arizona. Both cave areas really neat. One cave area had a park ranger give us lots of info. Saw bats in caves. Pet goats roaming around. Had little stream you dip your feet into and fish nibble the dead skin off of your feet, tickles. Spectacular views. I would recommend seeing caves as part of tour. Very few to no street signs in Aruba. We were driving around, hoping we were going the correct way. On way back from park, stray pit bull charged our rental car. We kept driving and got out of there!!
Aruba
Palm beach. Very,very crowded. All beaches in Aruba are public, even those at expensive hotels. NO signs telling you where you can enter beach. We finally parked in a lot and asked locals how to enter. So many people and motorized sports, scared all the fish away and terrible for snorkeling. Tons of chairs for rent, vendors, tons of motorized sports, food, hair braiding. I was told if needed a bathroom, could go in any hotel. If you want a peaceful afternoon with great snorkeling, this IS NOT the place!!!!,