Was a great first cruising experience! For those concerned about COVID, they checked everyone's vaccination status when we boarded, as well as our recent COVID test results. Then, when you passed that they put a green bracelet on you that you wore the entire cruise. The bracelet had an added benefit of if you didn't do one of their shore excursions but booked one on your own, you could tell who was from your ship because they had the same colored bracelet on. We also wore masks inside (not my favorite thing ... but oh well), unless we attended a vaccinated only event. Not quite sure why they did it this way, since all adults were vaccinated, only the kids weren't?
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Was a bit tricky finding which docking spot the ship was at (not a lot of signs), plus confusing because parked under G v.s. J for Jewel of the Seas
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Didn't visit any specialty dining. The main dining and Windjammer, though, were delicious! Was especially impressed with how good the fruit and veggies tasted - not like the produce I buy at home, but like the produce I sometimes grow in my garden.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The fitness center had some free morning classes (a fun surprise). Also found some out of the way places on a balcony to read during the at sea days (vs the busy pool deck).
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The evening shows were entertaining, wasn't super into the trivia they did during the day on at sea days though.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Service and staff were AMAZING! Plus, loved how whenever you walked by someone they'd greet you.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin size and comfort were great! When I first sat on the mattress I was worried it might be a bit hard, but then once I slept on it loved it. Used a trick I'd read about in a blog to make my room not seem as much like an interior cabin ... turned the tv on to the camera at the front of the ship when I went to bed. Then, as the sun came up over the ocean it also brightened my room and helped me wake up. Only down side to this was when we returned to Miami there were a lot of lights in the port ... early in the morning :-/. Also, there was a bit of some kind of engine or something noise that got louder when laying down in the bed. However, my room steward gave me earplugs, and that solved the issue. They offered to move me to a different room ... but after unpacking I didn't want to do that unless necessary.
Ship tip
Definitely a fun experience, hoping to sail again someday.
It took us about an hour of waiting in line to get through customs once we were off the ship. However, I did like how Royal Caribbean had everyone scheduled for when to leave the ship so you weren't in line quite as long.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
