Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review -- December 1, 2024

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review -- December 1, 2024

 

Just the Facts:
Ship: Norwegian Jewel  - Launched in 2005 - 93,500 GT - Azipod propulsion - 2376 Pax
Captain: tba.  Cruise Director:  Alexis
Ports: Tampa - Amber Cove, DR - Tortola, British Virgin Is. - Catalina Island, DR - Willemstad, Curacao -
Oranjestad, Aruba - Georgetown, Grand Cayman

 

This is my second cruise on the Norwegian Jewel, my 10th Norwegian cruise, and my 218th cruise overall. I am cruising solo. The longer itinerary will be different, and there will be a new port for me.

Day One - Sunday, December 1, 2024  -  Embarkation

I woke up early at home and finished my packing.  At about 9:40 am, I arranged an Uber ride, and we were off within 15 minutes.  Three cruise ships are in downtown Tampa today, so I bailed a few blocks before the pier area. I was early, and he would not get tied up in traffic.  I walked to the entry just before my designated 11:00 am time and waived straight through.  NCL has a sound system, and I was checked in with my sail card in hand in ten minutes—just a short wait in the priority before they began boarding.  I was on the ship by 11:15 am.  Amazingly smooth.  I went to the Garden Buffet on Deck 12 and was among the first there, and I was surprised they opened early.  I enjoyed roast beef with a nice horseradish sauce, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, and I sampled some Asian food as well.  The Creme Cake for dessert was excellent (photo).  NCL does not allow early access to cabins, even to drop off bags, so it is inconvenient since I roll on my primary bag.  My Muster Station was E and located in the Le Bistro, so I spent the next two hours in the Cocktail Lounge nearby.  My new friend Rodney prepared two nice Captain Morgan Frozen Mango Strawberry Daiquiris for me. Excellent. I do have the drink package on this cruise.  I also had time to start on this blog review.  They began to call cabins by deck, and I then made my way towards the midship elevators to go down to Deck 4.  I have an interior cabin on the lowest passenger deck, but I liked it as soon as I entered.  It is very roomy, especially for a solo guest. The usual cruise cabin and bathroom layout, but a fancy make-up mirror with the on/off control in the mirror… will be great for my daily contact lens routine.  I hung my shirts and prepped my cabin for the next even days. A fair selection of TV stations with an excellent Map Channel and a Bridge Forward Camera that I usually leave on the screen during the day.  Streaming-Internet speed is fantastic but should as the price is dear ($300+). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Baker Mayfield have a late afternoon kickoff.  The game is blacked out on cruise ships, but I watched live highlights on NFL Red Zone ($14 month).  At half-time, I went to the Garden Cafe for a casual dinner.  The Beef Brisket with Horseradish was great. I tried a slice of pizza. It was good.  I had a small plate of Seedless Watermelon & Pineapple chunks…also good.  We passed under the Skyway Bridge before I  finished dinner.  I filled my mug with ice and got two cans of Diet Coke from the bar for the cabin.  I enjoyed the football game and the overtime win.  At about 8:00 pm, a small plate of Chocolate Covered Strawberries was delivered.  It was a great post-game surprise.  They want to get all the Platinum benefits straight away for you.  I already received a bottle of water vouchers for two dinners and a free bag of laundry.  Nice.  I love the Map Channel; they also play jazz music and ship announcements.  I retired as I needed the rest.  It was a great first day on the NCL Jewel.

Day Two - Monday, December 2nd, 2024  -  Day at Sea

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  I awoke early and went to the Tsar’s Palace Dining Room (MDR) for breakfast just after it opened at 7:30 am. I had a lovely two-top window table and excellent service.  I had a Fruit Bowl with large cut pieces of assorted fruit, a Danish plate (3), Tomato Juice, Eggs Benedict (2), Bacon, Sausage link, Potatoes, and proper Hot Milk.  It was delicious.  As I left, I passed a Table with Spa displays and made a query about a haircut.  They could take me at 8:30, so I returned to the cabin to put on my contacts and went straight away. Jacque from Mauritius was my Hair Stylist.  It was an excellent cut and included a Shampoo ($59 + gratuities), and I was glad I did it.  I don’t get to Cozumel to see my Barber as much sailing from Florida.  It is warmer than yesterday, so the guests enjoy the outer decks, although the seas are rolling today.  I did a walkabout and relaxed the rest of the morning. I went to the Garden Cafe for a Salad and Pizza at about noon.  It was a nice lunch. I also got some Coca-Cola for the cabin.  I watched some streaming on the Wifi and had a relaxing afternoon watching some television.  At about 7:00 pm, I went to the Mojito Bar on Deck 13, inside the Moderno Restaurant. I enjoyed severe Mojitos made from rum; they were different and good. I had an 8:45 dining time, but they seated me at about 7:45 at a lovely table with a window view.  Moderno is a Brazilian-themed Churrascaria-style premium restaurant.  I always look forward to the Salad Bar as it has Hearts of Palm.  My salad was terrific.  The various meats were fine, but I’m spoiled in the steak department as I think my steaks are the best.  The Pork Belly, Pork Tenderloin, and Pineapple were perfect.  I had a Mango Rice Pudding for dessert.  As I walked the upper deck forward to the Spinnaker Lounge, it was breezy.  I took some more Diet Cokes back to the cabin, then retired for the evening.  I updated the blog and watched some TV before sleep.  It was a relaxing day on the Norwegian Jewel.

Day Three - Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024  -  Day at Sea

Rolling seas overnight and I slept very well.  We set our time one hour forward, so it was about 11:30 am when I woke this morning… a good thing I was already planning to ship breakfast due to my late meal last night.  At about 1:00 pm, I went to the Tsar’s Palace Dining Room for a proper lunch; I had Table 3 with an ocean view window.  The menu had many options; I ordered the Vietnamese Pho, Niçoise Salad, and Chicken Parmigiana with extra Marinara Sauce.  All were delicious, and I was delighted with my decision to eat at the MDR.  I also made reservations at the Dining Reservation Desk for two more premium restaurants later in the cruise.  After lunch, I went to Shakers Cocktail Bar for my mango meltdown daiquiris and Captain Morgan Rum.  Then, I left with my Mug full of ice and two cans of Diet Coke for use later.  Lots of afternoon activities, but I had cabin time in the afternoon updating this review and using the expensive streaming service I paid for…I enjoy the movies too. At about 7:40 pm, I went to O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill on Deck 8.  I had a great table overlooking the entertainment below on Deck 7.  It was the Ship Duo singing Classics.  They have Pub-type foods as well as hamburgers and Hot Dogs.  I ordered a cocktail and the Chicken Wings made to order with spices and dips.  Also a fair Fish & Chips.  They were all good, but the Carrot Cake dessert was fantastic.  I watched the complete musical set and then did a walkabout of the ship.  The first production show was tonight, but it wasn’t too busy in the venues…I don’t think we have a late crowd on the longer sailing. (i.e.-older).  I had a Coca-Cola and watched some news in the cabin before retiring.  It was a relaxing day on the Norwegian Jewel.

Day Four - Wednesday, December 4th, 2024  -  Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

There were smoother seas overnight, and I slept well, although I woke for an hour in the middle of the night for WiFi, which has been a habit for 25 years.  We were docked early, but a crew safety drill woke me at about 10:00 am.  I went up to The Great Outdoors on Deck 12 aft for breakfast; I had a fresh to order Egg Omelette, Bacon, Melon, Danish, and Milk.  A weather front was coming through, and it began raining, so I ate indoors.  It was correct to stay on board if the weather was questionable.  I like this port, but I’ve been here numerous times lately, and we have a 2:30 BoB (back on board).  I did some work online the rest of the morning.