I was underwhelmed by the entire NCL Jewel experience. We booked this trip during COVID, when NCL had no customers. We decided to purchase a suite and paid a large premium versus our other friends who purchased inexpensive inside cabins. Just before the cruise, our friends were allowed to bid on upgrading to a suite and for only $500 (per couple), they received a suite. This was $1,500 less ...
We chose this cruise for several reasons. We wanted to go in June, and we wanted to be on a smaller size ship. We sailed on the Jewel about 9 years ago out of New York. It has been refurbished and looks very nice. Prior to the start of the cruise, we did the five day land tour. If one can afford it, then I highly recommend it. We did the rail tour and rode several trains and went to various ...
This was our 6th Alaska cruise, 3rd on NCL. We flew to Anchorage on Saturday for the Monday cruise. You do need to plan $100+ to get yourself to the port. We did a taxi from Seward with another couple to save $. The train/bus options are either morning or early afternoon. We booked guaranteed less than a month before the cruise. Got a good price and all 5 options. Room assignment given within a ...
Wanted the itinerary so I chose this cruise and I have been cruising primarily on NCL. On the Jewel the staff makes you feel like family.
The entertainment this cruise ( end of Sept) to Alaska was excellent. Stateroom was great and the Jewel was recently renovated. Recognized the Hotel Director Steven as I have cruised on the Jewel a few times previously.
The food was good, some menu items ...
The cruise was the second part of my Alaska adventure . Something I have always wanted to experience. The ports and excursions were amazing , the scenery breathtaking and we saw bears ! We had a mini suite with a balcony and that was a real treat to be able sit out there and see whales ,seals and the beautiful mountain ranges. Our room steward Shakia (spelled wrong) was charming and very ...
This was a bucket list item in that I wanted to visit Alaska (the only state I hadn't been to) and to experience the coast of Alaska. We did the land portion of our trip first and the cruise on the way back so it would be restful and that it was. The only disappointment was that the route is such that you only see minimal amount of the coastline and a lot of water. An up close view of Hubbard ...
My wife and I cruised on the Jewel from Anchorage to Vancouver. We have now cruised 27 times, mostly on Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian (six times). I occasionally post cruise reviews here, but only when the experience is pretty good or pretty bad. Our recent Alaska cruise on the Jewel qualifies in both categories. So here goes, starting with the good..
Fairly good cruise fare pricing ...
Beautiful ship, well appointed. All bars had awesome staff, especially Magnums and O’Shanahons . Specialty restaurants that we picked had wonderful food.
We didn’t buy and shore excursions, (too $$$$) but, did do the port shopping experience.
Disappointed in daytime entertainment options when we returned to ship.
Appreciated the hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship.
Best ...
The good: drinks, bar service, cabin service, food service (but not universally food quality) embarkation, disembarkation. Five for free.
The mediocre: food everywhere except Cagney's and La Cucina (and the one lunch we had in the main dining room). Especially the oily yellow lab that passes for low-rent velveeta, which is as close to cheese as you get in an omelette or on a burger. Also, ...
Ship: The NCL Jewel did not disappoint. From start to finish this boat looked great. Never once did I see any aging on this ship at all. It was recently refurbished within the last year and is obviously maintained very well.
Cabin: Our cabin number was 8088. Overall it was a good cabin but did get a little noisy at night. This was not because of any bars/ restaurants on the ship. It seemed to ...