Do you get what you pay for?
Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review to Mexico
7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)
Sail date: March 13, 2016
Ship: Norwegian Jewel
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 9056
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
Entertainment was very good. Cruises are geared for people that drink. But having an all you can drink package may not be the best. I saw many people use this pass to get drinks for their friends. I would prefer charging everyone an extra $30 to $40 bucks per person and have fountain soft drinks all day. I don't drink coffee, but it is included in the price. It is too inconvenient to have to go to the bartender to get a soft drink. Should have one or two American ESPN stations. Not everyone likes soccer. Buffet was average. On many days it looked like leftovers from the previous day. Sandwich bar only served potato chips one out of the 7 days. This was my 5th cruise. Probably my last unless the soft drink situation changes. Based on that criteria, it was my last. This is not going to change.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
San Pedro (Los Angeles), California
6 Comments
tzntay0208 8 years ago
tzntay0208 8 years ago
BDRebel 8 years ago
If you drink a lot of soda, get the soda card.
If you drink a lot of alcohol, get the alcohol card.
The lines do not gear themselves to the alcohol consumers, but they do cater to them as passengers. As far as the Drink of the Day, ask the bartender for a non-alcoholic version -- they can be pretty good.
Alcohol and soda, as well as "special" water or other drinks should remain separately charged from the base fare, as not everyone indulges in these luxuries.
(Sorry CruisinCM - I had not expanded your comment before repeating it. I guess great minds think alike:)
noname111 8 years ago
A couple comments...
I don't disagree with the sentiment that cruises are geared toward individuals who drink but will qualify that with the word "alcohol". We do not drink alcohol for medical reasons. It gets a bit tiring to see a new alcoholic drink of the day, but not see a non-alcohol option offered... with the exception of the Crown Princess, ships we cruised have not done this.
- We enjoy a good cuppa joe. Unfortunately, most of the popular cruise lines use reconstituted concentrated coffee, not fresh brewed. To a coffee snob, it's no better than having to drink freeze-dried Sanka. So, we purchase the coffee club/card and we enjoy lattes or cappuccinos on demand. We do not expect every other passenger to subsidize our desire for freshly brewed coffee-based beverages by paying higher prices for their cruises.
- Same logic applies to soft drinks/soda. Neither of us drink cola or other soft drinks. I have no desire to pay more for my base cruise fare just so someone else can get hyped up on sugar water.
The concierge approach is the the best way to spread out common costs (e.g., gratuities) where appropriate and leave the optional selections up to the passenger to decide for him/her self.
JusMe 8 years ago
Buy an unlimited soda package and your issue is solved. Do not increase the price $ 30.00 per person for soda, not all of us drink soda.
CrusinTim 8 years ago
"Cruises are geared for people that drink". Um, no there not! I have been on 12 cruises and the alcohol charges on my final folio were the least of my charges. The people you saw getting drinks for their friends, if they were caught, would have had the package removed with no refund. As for the soft drinks, the cruise line pays the beverage companies for it, so if you want it, you pay for it or you can drink all the free water, iced tea and lemonade you like! Too inconvenient to go to the bar to get a drink...really? I'll let that go! If booking your next cruise depends on the " soft drink situation" changing, guess your right, this was your last cruise! By the way, outside of your mention of the good entertainment, how was the food, your cabin, the ports, the fact you didn't have to cook, clean, make your bed or go to work? Seems like you spent too much time micro-managing the cruise as opposed to enjoying your cruise.