Amazing Norwegian Experience!

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

jvbushnell

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 71

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 07, 2014

Ship: Norwegian Jewel

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 5539

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 10 years ago

Review summary

Our cruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel to Alaska was a fabulous experience! Everything went according to the itinerary in a smooth and organized manner. I'm quite a structured person so I like to have scheduled dinner and show times with assigned seating, etc., however, I was impressed with Norwegian's freestyle cruising concept - overall it worked well for our family of 32 people. The ship was wonderful and very well maintained, but the staff made the experience. This was our 6th cruise and we've cruised on many of the competing cruise lines, but I think Norwegian's staff was the most genuinely polite and caring staff I've experienced. I'm aware that is the expectation for all cruise companies, apparently Norwegian must treat and value their staff above their other competitors as these employees were very genuine. The only issues our family had are: 1) a lack of seating in the show room if it is the time others also desire (no assigned time) and, 2) the seating in the Garden Cafe (buffet) was limited and was only on one side of the ship rather than have available seating accross the entire deck. One other item that was amazing to me was that the ship's construction has a water ballast system that made the ship amazingly smooth, even on the open sea. When I got off the boat I have not had any continuing motion - like I've had with all other cruises I've been on.

Although the destinations were beautiful and the experience can't be contained in photos or recitation I can't say enough great things about the wonderful Norwegian Jewel staff. I completed six "hero" cards prior to disembarking from the ship, but there were so many of the staff who were outstanding - but I did not get their names, I would love to mention all of them.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Our family thinks the food aboard the Jewel was the best we've ever had on a cruise ship.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

We were involved the entire cruise in onboard activities, they were fun and inviting.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The shows and other entertainment aboard the Jewel was wonderful!

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

My grandchildren and nieces and nephews had a great experience.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

As mentioned in my description I can't praise the staff enough, they were great! David Walker, Shankar, Nachelle, and Lyster - just to name a few - were outstanding! I would love to be able to name more of the great staff, but I didn't get enough of their names!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The ship was very well maintained in every detail

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

The cabin was great and the cabin steward was wonderful. I normally don't like inside cabins as I prefer to have a view and to see what's going on outside, but with our family of 32 people aboard the ship we only spent time sleeping in the cabin so it was great. With the long daylight hours in Alaska the inside cabin was actually very nice.

Ship tip

I always prefer the Tsar's Palace dining room for every meal. It's typically not crowded, the ambiance is great and the food is fabulous! I did visit the Garden Cafe (buffet) on deck 12 a couple of times and it was very crowded at every visit - use the Tsar's Palace!

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