The itinerary did not disappoint and was exactly what we expected. The staff's service was outstanding but our ship could use some TLC in cabin furnishings. Select excursions carefully. We were very satisfied with the overall experience.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation was the smoothest we have ever had. Royal Caribbean's scheduling system was flawless and within ten minutes of arrival at the cruise terminal, we were on board the Jewel.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
We tried to eat most of our meals in the main dining room, but found that the selections were rather limited for a cruise of this length. The Every night had salmon, spaghetti and strip steak, with themed items mixed in, which often did not come up to par. The service was outstanding very friendly. The Windjammer's selection was much wider and the themed items were better.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
There were ample activities available and we participated as observers. Due to the nature of the itinerary, outdoor activities were limited. Sailing in the North Sea is not conducive to outdoor fun.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The individual entertainers were very good, but I found that the stage shows were not quite ready for prime time. The orchestra was top line. In the Centrum, the steel drum artists were very good, the violinist and guitar player were fine, but needed to liven up their repetoire, but the Wave Runners (?) seemed to equate volume with quality.
Children's Programs
We are 77 years old and did not travel with grandchildren.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service provided by the staff was outstanding, Yasa our room steward, Ronald and Naseem our waiter, Dev the assistant Maitre'd, Emile in guest services, and Yuli and Leni in the public areas all provided a high level of service.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship has a classic layout and seemed a bit "tired" when compared to newer ships. The public facilities were all in good shape but dated.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
The general condition of the cabin was good, but needed to be refurnished due to the upholstery on the sofa and chair being rather worn. The bed was fantastic and we slept well. Our balcony was gigantic, which was the primary reason that we chose this cabin, and furnished with two loungers, two chairs and two tables. Our room was located next to the elevator lobby and Centrum, but we were not bothered by the music or noise from other passengers.
Ship tip
We chose Jewel of the Seas for its itinerary and were not disappointed. The bars and restaurants were fine, but generally noisy at times. Our overall experience was fine and exactly what we expected.
A great ,well organized, cruise terminal is a real advantage for this port. We did visit other sites in the Netherlands and visited family members, but did not take any excursions.
The ship was berthed in an industrial port area and passengers needed to use a shuttle bus or excursion to visit the city. The city has an interesting history and was a mix of modern and 19th century buildings which were all well-maintained. We took a walking tour of the city and visited the Mack Brewery and had a great time. Our guide really knew her business.
The northernmost town in Europe was wreathed in fog and rain when we visited, just as we expected. It is a working port. The countryside is rather desolate with little vegetation, etc. Our tour was very disappointing and uncoordinated, leaving the guide holding the bag for a lack of organization on the part of the tour operator.
The town was interesting, but we were disappointed in the tours again. Our aquarium experience consisted of being driven to the facility and being dropped at the curb and then told that the bus would return in an hour and 15 minutes. No background info, cultural orientation, etc. The town is very picturesque and our guide was informative, although we were dropped off at a church for a ten minute visit. Not well organized.
Well, we had a professional tour guide who knew here business, finally. She gave us a running commentary on the history, culture and overall background of the area which was informative and professional. The monastery tour was very good, as was the orientation to the city center.
Kristiansand had a lot to offer and we took the War Relics tour. Again, rather disappointing. Our guide was friendly and knew his way around town, but the specialized guide for "The Archives" Gestapo HQ did not show up due to illness. Our bus guide and a receptionist from the museum showed us around but could not provide a solid background as to just why Norway was occupied by the Germans. Same at the old gun emplacement's museum. We had a general introduction and were then left to our own devices to wander the grounds. It is frustrating to pay for a professional level guide on these programs and not receive a fully knowledgeable person. The guide was friendly, had overall knowledge of the area, but did not have a depth of knowledge of the specific sites that we visited.
Outstanding and well organized. We used the line's luggage assistance and transportation to the airport, although we were not leaving that day. I highly recommend this option.
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