Jewel of the Seas Review
Our First B2B Experience - Amazing Vacation!
Rating by category
Additional details
We saved for 2 years so we could cruise 2 weeks on Jewel: the first week with our adult kids and the second week just the two of us for our anniversary.
We had stopped for a day in Puerto Rico while cruising on Quantum several years ago and LOVED Old San Juan. We booked Jewel because of price and the number of great ports (itinerary). We were excited to fly into San Juan, stay overnight at Sheraton Old San Juan (great choice) and tour the forts in Old San Juan before boarding Jewel.
Embarkation and debarkation was shockingly fast. I mean FAST. We were onboard in about 15 minutes. We didn't even have to leave the ship in between cruises. Customs met us in the theatre to check our passports and check us out of week one and into week two. And we were seriously off the ship (we chose express departure at 7am and took our own bags off) and into a cab in 6-10 minutes.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
We hand-picked our stateroom 9256 and looked forward to hanging out on the super spacious corner aft balcony for TWO WEEKS! It did not disappoint. If I were being picky, I would say that one time someone from the Windjammer threw food and it landed on our balcony. But that's just someone being a jerk. That's not controllable by the crew. The bed was rock hard; but, knowing what we know, we simply asked the room steward to bring a pillow top and add it to our mattress. Voila! Perfection!! We slept like babies! This stateroom is the BEST on board.
Port Reviews
San Juan
Walk around Old San Juan. Tour the forts. Beautiful architecture and amazing history!
St. Croix
This is a port where you can walk off the ship and right onto a beautiful beach. No need for a taxi. Rent a chair and umbrella and enjoy the beauty. All the shops were still boarded up when we were there. Sad.
St. Maarten
Took the water taxi downtown. $7 gets you to a beautiful beach and LOTS of shopping
Martinique
We don't feel safe in this port and people are not friendly.
Barbados
Beautiful place. You must take a taxi or excursion here. There are a few shops at the port but the port area is not a place to stroll.
Grenada
This was my favorite port. Looks like a fairy tale village. People are friendly. We walked through the historic tunnel. Climbed to the top of the hill to see the ruins of an old church and steeple, took pictures of the ship from up there and took these ancient carved steps back to the port. Fun and free.