This is our 2nd time on the Jewel! We enjoyed it so much in 2015 for Alaska. We booked the same suite for the Panama Canal!
Priority embarkation went smoothly and very fast! We stayed in 10004 Haven Owners Suite with Large Balcony H3. The cabin was stocked with the items I requested from the Concierge Desk prior to boarding. The room was very spacious and comfortable. I loved that we had 2 balconies! The butler Putu Abadi was very accommodating and attentive. My favorite person on-board was our stateroom steward Renelito Trinidad (Rene)! He was very hospitable, funny, and observant. One day Rene noticed I was limping on my ankle and asked if I was okay and if I wanted an ice pack! He'd make me the coolest towel animals multiple times a day because he knew I like them. I already miss him making me laugh everyday! The concierge Bruno Dentone was always helpful in getting our shore excursions or making last minute dinner reservations even if they were booked up. We had the 14 day ultimate dining package. We ate at all the specialty dining restaurants. Our favorite of course was Cagney's steakhouse! We ate there three times. We also enjoyed Teppanyaki twice. The third time at Teppanyaki was very bad! I guess it really does depend on the chef! O'sheehan's pub (free) was also one of our favorites! They had the best chicken pot pie ever! Breakfast and Lunch in Moderno was only for suite guest and was great but the menu never changed and on a 14 day cruise it got old fast! The breakfast at Garden Cafe (the buffet) was really good! Lunch and Dinner not so much! Glad we bought the 14 day UDP. The comedian David Naster and LeCirque Bijou was great! The other shows were okay! There was always something to do on-board! So if you're bored it's your fault!
Day 4 1st port was Cartagena, Colombia. The port itself was like a mini free excursion! I saw over 30 beautiful macaws, some of which you can hold for free. 2 different kinds of monkeys, a few beautiful toucans, a red squirrel, and many different kinds of beautiful birds! I explored by myself at this port. I rented a car with driver at the taxi stand for the day at $60. He drove me around the city to the main tourist stops like the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, Las Bovedas, and the Walled City, He waited for me at each stop while I explored or shopped! The vendors at every stop were aggressive but you just have to say no thanks and move on! There was 3 cruise ships in port so traffic was horrendous!
We stayed in 10004 Haven Owners Suite with Large Balcony H3. The cabin was stocked with the items I requested from the Concierge Desk prior to boarding. The room was very spacious and comfortable. I loved that we had 2 balconies! The butler Putu Abadi was very accommodating and attentive. My favorite person on-board was our stateroom steward Renelito Trinidad (Rene)! He was very hospitable, funny, and observant. One day Rene noticed I was limping on my ankle and asked if I was okay and if I wanted an ice pack! He'd make me the coolest towel animals multiple times a day because he knew I like them. I already miss him making me laugh everyday! The concierge Bruno Dentone was always helpful in getting our shore excursions or making last minute dinner reservations even if they were booked up.
The night prior to sailing we stayed at the Grand Beach Hotel on the beach. The hotel was beautiful and the food was excellent!
The port itself was like a mini free excursion! I saw over 30 beautiful macaws, some of which you can hold for free. 2 different kinds of monkeys, a few beautiful toucans, a red squirrel, and many different kinds of beautiful birds! I explored by myself at this port. I rented a car with driver at the taxi stand for the day at $60. He drove me around the city to the main tourist stops like the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, Las Bovedas, and the Walled City, He waited for me at each stop while I explored or shopped! The vendors at every stop were aggressive but you just have to say no thanks and move on! There was 3 cruise ships in port so traffic was horrendous!
We did the Coffee Plantation through NCL. The plantation is situated in the middle of 3 different volcanoes, and was beautiful. We walked through the fields and learned all the stages of coffee, then sat down for a tasting! My partner said it was the best coffee he's had! We were able to see 2 active volcanoes on the long bus ride there and back. I think the price was a little high at $79