Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas is known for her wide-open public areas and expansive glass interiors that provide sweeping ocean vistas from almost anywhere on the ship. She offers her guests 13 decks of activity, entertainment and accommodation options. Some of Jewel of the Seas novel features include a 10-storey glass centrum, glass elevators facing the sea, a rock-climbing wall, and self-levelling pool tables.
Whether you’re chasing beach vibes, Broadway-style shows, palate-pleasing dining, or fun activities the whole family can get behind, Jewel of the Seas provides it all! I was lucky enough to get on-board this incredible ship for the day to gain some insight into life on-board as well as some helpful hints and tips!
Pre-departure overview
The boarding process was quick and efficient when boarding Jewel of the Seas. I didn’t need to book an embarkation slot, however it was advised as part of the trip that embarkation would run from 10am to 10:30am. Due to it being a day visit I was not required to take out Covid-19 travel insurance or have to fill out a passenger locator form, however I did have to complete a supervised lateral flow test no less than 24 hours prior to embarkation and present proof of my vaccination status.
Mandatory masks have been lifted as a rule, although crew members did still wear these. There were plenty of hand sanitisation points throughout the ship and a feeling throughout of plenty of space.
Initial overview
The ship had a lovely décor and plenty of windows throughout allowing for panoramic views of destinations and plenty of natural light. The main atrium looked almost like an Italian piazza with plenty of viewing points to see the hustle and bustle. The ship was refurbished in 2017 using a lot of marble and off-white shades that play into the feeling of natural light being well-utilised throughout the ship. The service was efficient and friendly, staff were always happy to help and ensured your glass was never empty!
Entertainment and Activities
The ship boasts plenty of entertainment options, with the theatre having regular shows for all the family, comedy shows for adults in the evening, solarium for an adult-only space on-board as well as pools and video game arcades to keep the young and young at heart entertained.
Dining and Drinks
There are 7 dining venues on-board, with the main dining hall having a sense of grandeur, it’s easy to imagine large inter-generational families seated at a large table enjoying a delicious meal together. I ate in the Windjammer main dining buffet, where there was plenty of choice, from sandwiches to pizzas and even a risotto bar! The main dining room and Windjammer are included in the cruise fare, then there are speciality restaurants such as Chops Grille for steaks, Giovanni’s Table for Italian food, Izumi for sushi and Japanese cuisine, Café Latte-tudes for coffee, pastries and small bites and Chef’s Table for a classic dining experience.
In terms of pricing on-board a bottle of beer is priced at around $8 and cocktails start from around $15, with the current deluxe beverage package of £40pppd I would recommend taking this if you enjoy a tipple whilst on holiday!
Top Tip! – One of the things I love about cruising is the food, when I plan a holiday I usually look up some local restaurants I want to try or certain local dishes. I would advise taking a speciality dining package on Royal Caribbean as the food is truly phenomenal!
Overall Review
Jewel of the Seas is in my opinion a great option for those looking to try a cruise for the first time. It is a smaller ship for Royal Caribbean but still packs plenty to do! With a 3:1 guest to crew ratio you’ll always feel well looked after.
The entertainment options available on-board are great for first-time cruisers as they really have tried to cater for all sorts of interests, with comedy shows that are largely for adults, Broadway or West End theatre shows, a night club on-board, plenty of spaces to relax and take in the view, a gym and running track on-board it felt like a very gentle way of easing from traditional city break type of land holidays to getting a flavour of cruising. As the ship is smaller than some of the mega ships we’ve seen from Royal Caribbean recently, it is able to reach some smaller ports and the ship does offer quite port-rich itineraries to ensure you’re able to immerse yourself in each destination.
For sea days within itineraries, there are plenty of places to relax on-board.
I believe this ship is great value for money. With options for beverage and speciality dining packages on-board it’s worth adding these on to your cruise to ensure you don’t have to spend a penny whilst on-board. The Windjammer buffet restaurant provides a huge variety of food, so if you have picky-eaters or dietary requirements there is something for everyone!
If you fancy experiencing life on-board Jewel of the Seas for your next cruise getaway view the itineraries here, or call our cruise concierge team for further information on 0808 278 3940!
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