Mixed Experience

Jewel of the Seas Cruise Review to Coastal - West Coast

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Jewel of the Seas

6 Night Pacific Coastal Northbound (San Diego To Vancouver)

Sail date: May 16, 2015

Ship: Jewel of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9654

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

This cruise was chosen primarily because of its west coast itinerary. All was fine until San Francisco when one of the turbines developed problems causing us to leave more than 7 hours late. This led to a virtual elimination of the visit to Victoria Island, a tour cancellation and a missed visit with our friends who live there. While the captain did his absolute best we feel the real cause for the delay is likely RCI's deferment of an expensive overhaul which was probably recommended months ago. As usual it's all about money. 

The dining in the specialty restaurants was needed because the dining room fare was completely unsatisfactory. It is our belief that dining rooms on ships will disappear over the years, giving way to the "food courts" and specialty options.

Cabin was fine but the old round showers just don't fit my husbands 6'4", 220lb frame. Don't think we'll go for that again. We chose Cabin 9654 because of the extra sized balcony which did not disappoint. Cabin steward, Cromhill (sp?) was excellent and most accommodating. Super bartenders everywhere we went.

Since we're expats retired in Mexico we also have a great deal of trouble with RCI's website which insists we speak Spanish or makes it nearly impossible to maneuver around, and lastly, totally impossible to respond to their final e-mail asking about our "experience". 

We did hear that this ship is due for a makeover next year which it dearly needs but our guess is the bathrooms won't be changed so be aware. After this, our 36th cruise, I suspect RCI won't be in the running in the future.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Poor dining room experience, great food in both specialty restaurants

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Needs upgrades

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Great extra size balcony, neat and clean. Bathroom round showers way too small. Would have given up a couple feet in cabin to extend bathroom.

Ports of call

San Diego, California

3 out of 5

Catalina Island, California

5 out of 5
Did a private zip line tour with non-cruise company, ECO Tours

San Francisco, California

3 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

1 out of 5
Only four hours visit, shortened by engine problem in San Francisco

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

1 out of 5
Extraordinary long disembarkation experience, two hours standing in line for immigration, customs , and taxi
Was this review helpful? 53

5 Comments

GTVCRUISER    9 years ago

I was on this cruise , I enjoyed the Jewel of the Seas

JusMe    9 years ago

I have been on one of her sister ships the Radiance of the Sea's.  It was the worst ship shower I have had.  The ship comedian even joked "the show is so small and round that all you need to do is lather up the shower curtain and twirl and your all soaped up".   Even the Monarch of the Seas that had the smallest cabins at sea (inside cabin 119 sq ft) had larger showers.  I didlike ship bath room on the NCL Star that had sliding doors for the water closest and shower,  made it easier with 3 in a cabin to share the bath room.

glomarrone    9 years ago

Sorry to read that you didn't have a better experience.  Hope that your next cruise is better.

noname111    9 years ago

Claudia5 - Thank you for your review!  Lots of great information, especially "It is our belief that dining rooms on ships will disappear over the years, giving way to the "food courts" and specialty options"  I had not given the food court idea much consideration, I guess I see the Windjammer as a food court.  I agree w/ the specialty restaurant thought.  It's a revenue stream which I am sure will be exploited to the max. 

CrusinTim    9 years ago

Good review Claudia!! We sailed the Jewel back in May of 2013 from Tampa and felt the same way you posted about the showers. Now I'm not a big man by ANY means (5'5" and not overweight) and was afraid to drop the soap in the shower out of concern of getting a concussion from the wall when bending over to pick it up. I realize that shower stalls are small but the Jewel showers are the smallest we have had in the 12 cruises we have been on. I guess the showers were actually designed for oompa-loompas!!!

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