Hello, my husband and I traveled on the Norweigan Jewel in June of this year. We are both 52 and have cruised many times on nine different cruise lines. We were joined by our bachelor friend who is 53. We were a little concerned about NCL because on a previous cruise, early on in the Freestyle Dining concept, we weren't all that happy with the dining service, there was a lack of accountability. But, the price and ports were right so we took a chance.We are so very happy that we did, what a Marvelous Vacation!!! We started with two days pre in Cranbrook, a village about half way between London and Dover. The George Hotel was great, the service, the food and the room were top notch. Enjoyed a day in Canterbury and toured Dover Castle (including the Secret Wartime Tunnels - fascinating!) before boarding the ship, which was fast, and hassle free.To summarize, we are completely sold on NCL, we did not have one problem, 95% of the staff were outstanding, the ship was incredibly well maintained, entertainment was varied and great, and the cabin was tip top with a comfy bed and very well laid out bathroom, the food could use a some improvement (a little bland at times). The ship is only 4 years old but I have been on other ships of the same age and they showed every bit of the wear and tear of years of constant use. The Jewel looked brand new and the staff worked round the clock to maintain its beauty (not in an obnoxious, in your face way). Our balcony cabin, a BB 9574, was very well laid out with plenty of storage, a larger then usual balcony, and the best bathroom configuration we've seen. I did bring my own conditioner as suggested.We ate at all the specialty restaurants except the Teppanaki because it was too loud for the group of 7 of us dining that night that wanted to talk with each other. By far we thought Le Bistro the best. We only ate in the included dining rooms once and it was just OK. The only thing that we think NCL needs to work on is the food. As stated above, a lot of it was bland. In every venue it was a hit or miss with the menu - some dishes good to very good while others were take a bite and leave it. Not usually ones for the shows, we did attend some this cruise and they were all very good and entertaining, especially Le Cirque Bijou, Fountains and the Liar's Club. Specialty music was everywhere, varied and good.The staff was probably the best overall that we have ever experienced on a cruise line!  What respect they showed the passengers - in all my cruises I have never seen the Captain AND all the department heads go to a Meet & Greet and spend over 45 with us and answer our questions. You didn't just see them then either. They were all over the ship every day; they were there when we got off the ship and when we came back from our days in port, completely accessible. I have never seen that on another line, including Regent or Radisson. Special mention must go to Julian - the best and friendliest in the business, Tony the food and beverage head - right on top of everything - Rich - patience and assistance extraordinaire and finally Cherrylynn in Chin Chin's - incredible service and attention! This kind of management, leading by example, was evident throughout the Jewel, trickling down to all levels of service.Our first port was Copenhagen and we were one of the first off. Took a taxi to Nyhavn and jumped on a canal cruise boat. We were 3 of only 7 on the cruise - by the time we came back the next ship was packed. Next we walked over to Christiansborg Palace and toured the underground ruins. On to Tivoli where we had a Danish lunch, then took a ride on the HOHO bus, visited the ICE BAR (we were the only 3) and then HOHO back to the ship.Germany - off early again, pre-arranged rental car at Hertz and on to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp - very moving! Then drove into the city and took pictures at the Berlin Wall then on to Checkpoint Charlie and the museum. Parked the car by the Brandenburg Gate and hopped on a city bus to Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche. Lastly, a tasty German beer at a sidewalk cafe by Brandenburg Gate before driving back to port.Next stop Tallinn - off the ship early and took a taxi to the top of the Old Town. Visited Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Dome Church then on to Kiek in de Kok and took a tour of the secret tunnels - very interesting. Had a delightful lunch in the town square and then toured the Dominican Monastery. Great little town to just walk around and explore - did a little shopping and stopped for a tasty dessert before walking back to the ship.Ah, the highlight, St. Petersburg. After all the concern regarding disembarkation in Russia, most, including us, thought that NCL did an incredible job. I timed it and it only took 20 minutes to get through immigration. You also had some pretty high up staff outside handing out water and hot chocolate, keeping an eye on the line and talking with the passengers. Much patience was shown to the few but obnoxious who chose to complain anyway - "It's windy out here" - really? Perhaps the wind did not get the memo from NCL to not be blowing that day.We had pre-arranged a two-day tour through Anastasia with another family of four. We cannot say enough about Anastasia, our guide Helen and our driver (never could pronounce his name so we gave him an American name - Sam). During the entire experience with them, they were flexible, accommodating, prompt and friendly.The first day we toured the Hermitage, the Church on the Spilled Blood, shopped a bit, rode the metro (subway), visited a grocery market and had lunch at a traditional Russian restaurant. In the late afternoon we were treated to a private canal cruise (just the seven of us!) complete with champagne and chocolate then some of us went to the Folklore show and some back to the ship.Our second day was just as fantastic. We were driven to Catherine's Palace and we walked right in - past hundreds of people waiting - I don't know how Helen did it, we were just glad she did! Then on to Peterhof where we had lunch and toured the gardens before our ride back on the hydrofoil. "Sam" picked us up and we went on to St. Isaac's Cathedral and finally a stop at a riverside cafe for a Russian beer and then back to the ship. An incredibly perfect experience! Next stop - Helsinki. Off early (see the pattern), bought an all day ticket for the tram and rode it to Market Square - great food and maybe the best shopping of the cruise. Then rode to see The Church In The Rock (Temppeliaukio) and back to the Square to board our Sunlines boat trip. Once off the boat took tram to Rautatientori Square next to Central Railroad Station to board the Pub Tram a special tram that serves beer while you sightsee - the three of us had the who tram to ourselves! After a walk in Esplanade Park, back to the ship via tram.Last stop - Stockholm. Off early, taxi to the Vasa Museum before the crowds and tours. Had purchased the Stockholm Card before we left home so we then used public transportation for free - actually everything we did was free admission with the SC. Took the Historical Canal Tour then walked right over to Gamla Stan (Old Town) and arrived at the Royal Palace just in time to see the Changing of the Guards and then toured parts of the Palace. A wonderful traditional Swedish lunch in one of the squares and a tasty ice cream cone that we enjoyed while walking back to the ship.Back in Dover, we took the train to Charing Cross station and walked the short distance to our hotel - The Trafalgar. Great hotel, wonderful staff, comfy rooms and good food.We took the tube to Victoria station, had a really good pub lunch right next door to the Victoria Palace Theater where we saw the musical Billy Elliot - a MUST see! After the show we crossed the street and toured Westminster Cathedral and took the elevator up to the top for a most magnificent 360-degree view of London. Dinner on a moored boat on the Thames then called it a night and the best vacation!One thing that was driven home to me on this trip is how important attitude is - not just while traveling of course, but every day of your life. After reading some of the negative reviews and/or comments from this sailing I honestly wonder if maybe we were on two different cruises. I truly believe that the night and day difference between the two experiences is attitude AND respect. If you are waiting for things to go wrong, they will. If you are looking for people to fail, they will. If you greet people and life with a smile and an open mind, people and life will respond in kind. It boggles my mind how anyone could have been on this cruise and gone to those fascinating ports and not had a marvelous time. What a waste.I hope you have enjoyed my LONG review and I hope it proves helpful to those yet to travel. I would be happy to answer any questions. Happy Sailing - Sally