Won't cruise RCCL again

Item: Jewel of the Seas
Rating: 2.8
Author: pmmacavo

Jewel of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

pmmacavo

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 35

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 18, 2021

Ship: Jewel of the Seas

Cabin number: 8032

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

We went with 18 family members and chose this cruise because it worked for everyone. Seven were first time cruisers and thought it was great, the rest of us felt we could have chose better. Once we added the beverage package, internet, and the gratuities for this cruise we felt we would have had a better experience on Celebrity or Princess where they are included in the price. Felt like there were too many people on the ship for the amount of staff, not enough social distancing. Two came back and tested positive for covid the day we arrived home. Three more are being tested because they have mild symptoms. Everyone was vaccinated and boosted and we washed and wore our masks everywhere. We probably won't choose RCCL again. Our family was happy to be together and made our own fun. Just said we couldn't finish our Christmas together because of the two positive family members.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

very quick and efficienst

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Main dining room was okay, felt very rushed at times. Took away the soup a couple times before finished to bring the next course. Breakfast was very mediocre in the dining room and arrived luke warm. Ran out of fresh squeezed orange juice. Dinner menu was okay, it was hard to order a glass of wine at dinner, didn't seem like enough servers. We ate at Chops and it was not the best specialty restaurant we have eaten at on a cruise. Celebrity, Princess, and Carnival steak houses were better. Food was good but just not what we expected for the money. The bar package was very expensive but drinks were easy to get and bartenders very nice. Fairly good choice of wines included. Worth it because of being able to get water, coffee, and the fresh OJ on he first day. They said they ran out of pina colata mix but magically found it later in the day at some of the bars.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Enjoyed the solarium pool, the kids with us enjoyed a lot of the other activities.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

It was okay, not the best we have ever seen. Didn't go to some of the bars with music because they seemed to crowded and since it was a bar people were unmasked.

Children's Programs

The two kids we had in our party of 18 didn't have time to participate.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

The room steward was excellent, although he never followed through on our request for ice. Didn't ask him again because he had so many rooms to take care of, just got glasses of it from the bar. All other staff was very friendly and helpful but seemed overworked. Had a problem with a gift certificate we bought for our son. He apparently never received it. He thought the credit on his account was the gift certificate and it was the credit from the travel agency. Customer service desk said they couldn't help. Now we have to figure our how to get our $100.00 back that he could not use. They were not interested in helping. Several people booked a catamaran cruise and a smaller boat showed up. Two people were not able to go on snorkel trip because the boat didn't look safe for as many people they put on it. The ones that went only went to two reefs right by the ship. They got a small refund but the two that didn't go paid for it and got nothing.That was very disappointing.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

For an older ship it was in very good shape. It seemed very clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The cabin seemed spotless, bed was comfortable, plenty of storage. Furniture seemed a little worn but clean.