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Jewel of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 4

Overall rating:

3.5 out of 5
Jewel of the Seas

7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 08, 2018

Ship: Jewel of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9628

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I took my two teenagers on this cruise; it was their first and my first in a long time. I deliberately chose a smaller ship and I liked this cruise as a way for them to “sample” various Caribbean islands. From that perspective, the cruise was ideal. If I were a honeymooner, or trying to have a romantic couples vacation, I’d have been disappointed. The ship is flat out ugly. Dining is only ok. Service is ok, but you have to seek it out. There are WAY too many chairs on the pool deck, leaving one to feel crammed in. Most of all, I’d prefer higher fares to being nickled and dimed over every blessed thing. Not sure I’d do it again...but my kids were happy, so I’m happy.

Embarkation

4 out of 5
We got to the ship at around 5pm. Other than being rushed to the muster drill, it was fine.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Chops Grille

4 out of 5

Classic fine cruise dining. We had a very nice meal.

Tides Dining Room

2 out of 5

Did not enjoy this at all. We went for formal night. First, we sat at a big table with two other families, which was weird. Service was too formal for the menu and the food was not at all good.

Café Latte-Tudes

4 out of 5

Wish I’d tried this sooner than disembarkation day! Best coffee I had all week.

Windjammer Café

4 out of 5

This is the way to go, except for a special occasion. Lots of options, a different theme every night, plenty of seating and your teenaged boy can eat everything in sight.

Giovanni's Table

3 out of 5

Mediocre Italian.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Casino Royale

1 out of 5

Disgusting. One of a few smoking areas on the ship. Smoke permeates all of deck 5. I tried to play slots a little, but I had to leave. My throat was burning and my eyes were tearing. Awful.

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

There’s a lot of sales pressure.

Ports of call

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5

Basseterre, St. Kitts

3 out of 5

St. John's, Antigua

5 out of 5

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5

Bridgetown, Barbados

2 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
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3 Comments

Gtidan    6 years ago

My word processor has a mind of its own...lol.

Gtidan    6 years ago

We just returned home from the jewel off the seas. Are you sure you were on the same ship? We never ran into any bad service. Ever one we meet was helpful and smiling. Tides dining room food was, except for one steak, excellent for MDR food. Our waiter was helpful, fast and funny (Deck 5, Wilmer and Ackmar, table 224) Shows were so so, but comic was funny. What was horrible wee the parents of two kids who let them take longer the Centrum every frickin night so people had to dodge them to dance. They could care less. Was that you? This was are 15th cruise and we lived it. Looking for something to bitch about? Grundy me, you'll always find it. Go with the flow. Leave the ugly American attitude at home and meet some great people. We 👍

Emo507    6 years ago

Good to know, thanks.

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