Thanks to everyone that wrote a review of the Norwegian Jewel because we read them all along with all the other Norwegian reviews before deciding to take this cruise. This was our first cruise since covid.

We had an absolutely fantastic time—it was an exciting, fast paced, well managed action-packed cruise that went to some exciting ports celebrating my birthday. Aruba, Bonaire, and Caraco were the port highlights and I snorkeled and toured in each one. Cartagena was fun and interesting, but Costa Rica—rainforest—not so much. There were only 2 sea days on this cruise. Prior to the cruise we spent 3 days in Panama City and did a ton of fun things including Monkey Island and 2 Canal transit stations to explore the canal from the ground first. Panama city is fun! Cartegena has A LOT of beggars but also the best port with a free monkey and parrot zoo when you return to the port—I loved that. Aruba I could easily return to for a 5-day vacation.

The full Panama Canal Transit on the Jewel was probably one the most interesting and fun all day events ever—highly recommend it if you have never been through the full canal. (Do not do partial transit cruises.) Service was very good, most employees fine to deal with, and Norwegian to save money has eliminated turn down service—so your room is made up only once a day—we ordered extra towels every night that came right away. The room steward gave us a lecture one day because we called in the evening before dinner and asked for more towels and for the bathroom water to be mopped a bit—he counseled us that they only make up the room once a day and that is it is the new Norwegian rule! Read more