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First Cruise...Outstanding!!! by
Dave W from Cape Cod MA Sailing date: Oct 2010Pros: Everything about the Jewel of the Seas Cons: None This was my first cruise and I was sailing solo. However, for several months before the cruise, I became involved in a fantastic blog of fellow Jewel cruisers who not only walked me through the whole daunting process of the first cruise planning, but actually graciously invited me into their ship-board group which added immensely to my enjoyment.
The entertainment onboard the Jewel was absolutely unbelievable. Everything from full musical productions to Vegas-quality standup comics. The quality of the entertainers was first-rate. Additionally, there were other fantastic entertainers all day throughout the ship. The nightly trio in the central portion of the ship every night just blew me away.
The service by everyone from the Captain to my cabin steward was beyond my expectations....5A all the way. They were not only always helpful, they were very knowledgeable and if they weren't sure, they found out for you.
The Compass (the ship's daily news) with all of the next day's activities was also great. It really laid out the next days onboard goings-on very well; even down to what the special drink of the day was going to be.
Speaking of drinks, they too were a pleasant surprise. Even though I don't drink much, I was concerned that since they had a captured audience, the drinks would be expensive and weak. No on both counts. The bartender (our favorite was the Champagne Bar) was outstanding both in the way he made the drinks, but in the manner in which he greeted us every night (he remembered all of our names after the first night). The prices were about what you'd pay in a regular club on shore. I think that the only negative that I had with the drinks is the mandatory 15% gratuity that they put on every drink. We all tipped our bartender above and beyond the gratuity because of his excellent service, but, at least with our group, he would have gotten the 15% ++ anyway.
The food was good, not outstanding, but it's understandable that with preparing for that many people, quality will suffer a bit. The wait staff, on the other hand, was truly fantastic; efficient, personable, professional and extremely entertaining and about as friendly as you'd find anywhere.
All in all, this first trip was OUTSTANDING and I have already signed up for the same trip on the same ship for next year. Ship QualityThis being my 1st cruise, thus not having any other ship to compare, I found the Jewel of the Seas absolutely fantastic in every way!! However, the fellow cruisers in my group did have many cruises under their collective belts and noted that the Jewel is probably one of the best if not THE best ship on which they've sailed. Dining/FoodThe food was good and plentiful and the variety was outstanding. The My Time Dining was the best. As noted above, the wait staff was beyond great! Stateroom QualityAgain, this being my first cruise and sailing solo, I opted for and inside cabin to keep the cost down. The cabin was great; clean, well appointed, comfortable bed, semi-spacious (enough for a solo) bathroom and plenty of closet space. The cabin steward was outstanding. Ship Staff QualityFor this category, there should be 10 smily faces. For the most part, they were all outstanding. I think that the only group that needs to have a little sensitivity seminar is the security staff. Given their responsibilities, they can't be as "up" as the rest of the staff, but they need to take the edge off just a wee bit. Entertainment & ActivitiesAs noted above, absolutely fantastic!  11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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  First time with Royal Caribbean. by
Virginia B from The Villages,Florida Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: Wonderful experience traveling though the locks of the Panama Canal Cons: Unfortunately they may stop going through due to the expense to the ships. Mid size ship that was very nice.
Not enough elevators, constantly waiting.
Also no laundry facilities for guests to use Ship QualityShip is 5 years old and starting to show some wear on the furniture. Dining/FoodExcellent food and great service. Stateroom QualitySmall room and the bed was short. Ship Staff QualityVery nice, but the cleaning wasn't as good as it should have been. Entertainment & ActivitiesOut of the 10 day trip, only 4 days had real shows, the rest were "one man bands".
But they did bring the "Platters" on for a performance, which was excellent. 
Collapse List of Ports
Cristobal, PanamaGreat place to buy your souvenirs.
Cartagena, ColombiaAlot to see there, had a nice tour in the city and to the Fort.
Labadee (Cruiseline Private Island)Awesome, especially Dragon Breath and the Zip-Line.
Montego Bay, JamaicaDon't like Jamaica and this is only my opinion.
Puerto Limon, Costa RicaI tour through the river was very nice.
12 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Our BEST cruise so far by
A Traveler from Tampa, Fl Sailing date: Apr 2012Pros: great room, staff, service, food, layout of the ship, shows Cons: none This was our 5th cruise and our 1st on Royal Caribbean. Also our 1st 5 night cruise. We were a little skeptical at 1st on doing 5 nights but glad we did. The Jewel of the Seas is a perfect ship with just the right things to do. I cannot list them all but it simply was the best in every category. The adult pool/hot tub area was great. There were even pool tables and they are self leveling....crazy good. Also, spend a little more and get a balcony!!!The shows were great with several special guests. You won't be disappointed Ship Quality
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Children's Programs
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Very relaxing, great ports of call. by
Dennis from Redding, CA Sailing date: Nov 2006Pros: So many balcony rooms!
Entertainment & Activities
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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not to wonderfull cruise by
Norberto S. from Debary,Fl Sailing date: Nov 2008Pros: the people who serves on the dining area and restaurant Cons: some of the places we went,it show not the best or beatifull of those contries some of nthe places we went(C.Rica) the roads where so bad the driver have to go zig-zaging to prevent an accident,there was so many pot-holes on the road. Ship Quality
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Collapse List of Ports
Cristobal, Panama
Cartagena, Colombia
Labadee (Cruiseline Private Island)
George Town, Grand CaymanDon't Miss: the submarine tour, a waste Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Our First Cruise Ever!!!! by
A Traveler from Tennessee Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: The food was outstanding, our cabin was great and the attendant was wonderful Cons: Not enought in the General Store i.e. ladies hose, etc. Since this was our first cruise we don't have anything to compare it to, so we thought it was the best. Ship Quality
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Ship Staff QualityLoved our waitress and assistant waitress Entertainment & Activities
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Bar Harbor, Maine
Portland, MaineOur tour of Kennebucport was great
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Saint John, New Brunswick
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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high class by
David A from Michigan Sailing date: Mar 2011Pros: gym, food, service, friendliness, entertainment, excursions were all great, clean rooms, a top notch cruise Cons: cost of excursions, drinks and internet service a bit unreasonable, not much of a party and very little singles interaction: mostly for well settled or mature couples Very clean, great service, great food, nice gym and athletic activities, good entertainment, very friendly, I would definitely go on this ship again; pricy internet, excursions and drinks made it just shy of perfect. Not quite the party boat so not much for singles....this cruise catered more to mature adults but is a very classy ship! Well worth it! Ship QualityThis is a great ship Dining/Food
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Entertainment & Activitiesmore for mature adults and couples and not much for partiers or singles
Collapse List of Ports
Cartagena, Colombianot enough time (1/2 day on this cruise) to really get to know this city and traffic makes it difficult to get around quickly, but Colombia is culturally rich and very friendly to Americans.
Labadee (Cruiseline Private Island)Lots of activities but all are controlled by Royal Caribbean; not a problem since all are professionally done and safe; a bit pricy but it was one of the more entertaining stops
Don't Miss: zip line George Town, Grand CaymanOne of the best beaches in the world and top quality but expensive
Don't Miss: 7 Mile Beach, scuba, snorkelling Colon, PanamaThe canal is an awesome sight and the ship locks are worth seeing in action
Don't Miss: canal and locks Puerto Limon, Costa Ricavery friendly and lots of different options for nature at its best
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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A Big Letdown. by
Ani from West Bloomfield, MI Sailing date: Nov 2006Pros: The latte/capuccino self-serve machines. We were looking forward to the cruise. The food was a total let-down. The setup of the ship was very frustrating -- narrow hallways, very strange paths. The housekeeping staff granted us with a whopping 2 bath towels per day... Not such great pampering! The spa actually CHARGED you to enter their locker room, if you weren't getting a service done. It seems like they really are going through some cost-cutting. Also, the drinks were much more expensive than we can remember from other cruise lines. Pina colada costed $8. Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: Fitness center was not impressive at all.
Entertainment: The Cirque show was great. 6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Another Great Experience With RCCL by
Attila T Hevesy from Odessa, Fl. Sailing date: Dec 2011Pros: The Ship itself Cons: Ports of call My second trip aboard this ship and it was First Class all the way around!!
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Stateroom QualityTV could be bigger Ship Staff QualityExcellent all around - our dining room waiter and assistant waiter were superb!!! Entertainment & ActivitiesA little to much singing all around but it was very well done. Would be great to add some other acts (juggling, magician, more comedy) 6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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LOVE cruising with Royal by
Bree M from Orlando, FL Sailing date: Dec 2011Pros: Quality and class Great food great service. Enjoyed this ship. Royal goes out of their way to make it a great experience!! Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityWe got the interior stateroom, it was a lot bigger than the ones we were used too! Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & ActivitiesFun activities and shows! 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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