Great ride and great visits....

My sisters and I wanted to spend some quality time together and decided a repositioning cruise would suit our needs...six days together from our own 'home port' of San Diego was a perfect event.  I had not done a Royal Caribbean cruise before and am happy to report that it was a pleasant experience overall and part of our pleasure was that the head of guest services heard our plea for space before we sailed and, as there was a sudden cancellation, we were accommodated well above our expectations: veranda room on deck 5 to a Jr. Suite on deck 10.  Needless to say, Guest Services outdid themselves on our behalf during a hectic and overwhelming boarding process.  We were in our new cabin before muster drill!!!  We took our meals in either the dining room (my time...) or the Windjammer Café aboard the Jewel of the Seas.  The food was tasty, appropriate temperature, and abundant choices prevailed in both dining rooms. Our service there was also excellent and attentive.

Cabin as originally assigned, deck 5 (#7550), while intended by us to serve three as it had a 'couch/sleeper' was upon arrival,  woefully small and totally inadequate for even two average size individuals.  It would have been hopeless for three for six days.  Serious failure on the part of the cruise line in configuring adequate space is a drawback I would point out to anyone considering this ship.  Our 'upgrade' literally save our cruise from disaster.  Also, even the Jr. Suite had only two outlets for use and none in the bathroom.  This seems a little stingy given our proclivities today to be constantly plugged in to something.  A bathroom outlet is not a luxury....it is a necessity today.

  We honestly didn't partake in any much of the onboard 'fun and games' which cruising has become to symbolize.  We did take in two of the shows -- they didn't suit my taste as they were a little too razzle dazzle Vegas style with overly amplified music, strobe lighting and blindingly vivid colored costumes.  The evening music in the atrium area as pleasant and enjoyable to listen to and was audible from any deck area in the immediate vicinity.  Shopping was plentiful with constant sales and promotions.  Shore excursion offerings were varied and generally reasonably price, though we one did one.  It was excellent and a good value.

Overall, it was a pleasant experience given that it carried its full complement of passengers....large ships do not appeal to me, but except for the embarkation and the debarkation I never felt overwhelmed by the numbers.  I am simply a traveler who prefers a smaller more personalized experience if traveling with a group.  I'm also willing to pay the cost of those voyages when necessary.  I choose by itinerary primarily not onboard party offerings.  I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to not that Royal Caribbean does not cater to children and their needs.  This is a plus...there were plenty of children, young and parent dependent but they were with families who provided the needed care and entertainment.

I have traveled on Carnival (nevermore!!!), Holland America, Renaissance and Seabourn cruise lines in the past. I am a senior retired professional woman who does travel extensively independently and with spouse. 

*** EDITED 5/27/14 BY COMMUNITY MANAGER ***