Norwegian Jewel
Sail date: November 01, 2009
Good but could improve - West Caribbean
The ship itself and the crew were superb - no complaints. Having only cruised once a number of years ago I was surprised at the additional fees and charges added on by NCL. When booking you are informed that there is a daily charge ($12 per day per person) for gratuities. However, when buying a drink at the bar there is a further automatically charged gratuity of 15 to 17% and also room for a tip!
The ports were very poor and at each one you really needed to take an excursion to find something interesting to do as vert little at the ports or towns nearby.
Roatan - very little there save for a couple of nice beaches.
Belize City - again port and locality had little of interest but Mayan ruins are a really good day out.
Costa Maya - Nothing at the port save for, literally, a couple of shops. A tacky little over-priced town is about 2 miles away.
Stirrup Cay - Nothing on the private island save for a beach. No shops or restaurants.