Dan Curtis

We also just returned from a cruise on the Jewel, awesome wait staff, but I believe the quality has dropped, first night I had one of my favorite meals, prime rib, litterly could not hardly cut it, my wife's as well, I tried eating it, just finally ask for a peace of chicken, there was seven in our group, one couple on the third night went to windjammer to get a hamburger, main dining was just a little over half full that night, I personally don't care for Mexican food, don't care for new menus at all, but won't stop us from cruising. But gave high rating to wait crew.

Just did this last week, highly can recommend Skippy transportation, they text with an eta, was a little early on way to and from port, there was 5 of us, they sent a newer black van, very clean, driver Juliet was amazing, will use again.

Just got off the Jewel, still have omelet and fresh cooked eggs in windjammer.

We just returned from Nassuau, did a tour we enjoyed, the beach break, food and city tour, very informative and nice beach with lunch, its just so crowded with 4 ships in.

This time, we arrived 3 days before cruise, we wanted to spend a few days on Coco beach, normally 1 day before, never same day.

Getting close, happy cruising.

First off, I don't blame Royal or any cruise line making money, but threw the years even before covid, they started cutting little things, used to get a couple of chocolates on the bed, ball caps, etc. I still think cruising is less expensive than a normal vacation because off food, entertainment included.  We have never ate at special dining, we enjoy main dining room, we met people from other states, countries, now have friends from California, who we now visit each other, KY to California, the 4 drink a day for diamond is fine with us, we use royal credit points for on board credit and use toward excursions, we do an excursion at ever port, mostly to get off ship and see other parts of the world, it is always up to the individual as to how to spend their own money, we fill blessed to be able to cruiuse, I'm sure you will have an outstanding cruise.

3 hours ago, Matt said:

Welcome to the message boards.

Sorry to hear what you ran into, but if you reconsider, the primary issue you ran into stems from the first sentence you wrote 

Booking a cruise with the cruise line directly is actually a mistake because of miscommunication and lack of service.  

Instead, you'd want to use a good travel agent.

I guess I have been lucky or had good agents, we have did 20 cruises, 21 in the books and called Royal directly every cruise with very minor issues, we even do a three way call  at times to book the same time as our out of state friends. Hope I didn't jinx my self with our next booking. I know most on here use an agent. 

MDR never been our favorite either, for some reason we tend to go there on departure morning, it takes forever to get a simple coffee refill, but to each their own, we just don't care for it for breakfast.

23 hours ago, Neesa said:

I often wonder why guest services is packed on boarding day. Maybe people placing cash on Sea pass cards? Getting extra keys? Asking for possible upgrades (newbie guests) Removing gratuity? Inquiring minds want to know! Lol! Just beautiful, it's raining here. Have a fantastic journey. Symphony always escapes me....maybe one day!

Great question, I did that one time on arrival day,one and only time I had sea pass card on a lanyard, super windy day on top deck, look down, no sea pass card, I went down and stood in line for at least 45 minutes, other than that, I have no clue.

We will be getting off as your getting on the ship, will try and save some food, drinks and fun for you. 

Looks like 10, will be 11 in February, 2 are no longer in service, our first and second cruise was on Majesty. 

I would say, it depends on your interest, we have been over to the blue lagoon and did segways, we are stopping there in February, they finally added more tours, we are doing a 4 HR private beach with food and drinks included. It seems so many people have been to the island before, the ship remains crowded.

I'm guessing to early, we have a cruise in February, looked at excursions a couple weeks ago, they was only showing six, I called, they said look back in mid December, I'm not sure why they are waiting so long. 

L Canario Lagoon, highly recommend, we have stayed three times before and after cruise, these folks are so nice, they charge us less every time to show appreciation for returning, if your early, they will lock up your bags, give you towels for a short beech walk, this is on a lagoon and you can see the ships from a distance, the reviews are awesome. Nothing fancy, its next to a comfort inn and probably 40 to 50 cheaper, we walked to resturants, beech, shopping, safe area. Has small breakfast as well.

We have did the Bamboo rafting tour twice, its very calm and relaxing, the guide does all the work and the river is calm, very pretty, you do have locals wading in the river in a couple of spots selling things, its about a 45 minute drive from port.

Must be on top deck for sail away

Get frozen drink

Casino 

Dinning room, being waited on 

Laying in the sun

We wore our Diamond pins one time, we had just received them, wore them on formal night, as of now, I have no clue where they are at. 

Jewel of the Seas, February of 23....yeeees.

Lost luggage is not to bad anymore, I work at Cincinnati airport, bags are scanned now, they know how many bags are on the plane, tight connection are the biggest concern , we also use the porters , skip the lines inside and go straight to security. To us its hard to do carry in for a cruise.

Here is a simple, cheap thing to try, works for my wife, an elderly Asian lady told my wife, don't laugh until you try it everyone, a band aid over the belly button. Works great for my wife.

We have did horse back riding twice, they bring you back to a small rodeo, a decent ride by bus to the horse farm.

We was on a cruise a few years ago, everyone back home was worried, it was the smoothest cruise we had, we kind of trailed it, did a reserve stop on two islands, they was concerned we might have to stay at see one day as it was headed to our port, we was even allowed to make a phone call on the Royal phones from stateroom, as it turned out, it missed Florida , thank goodness. Royal is usually on top of things come hurricane season.

First cruise in a while, last three canceled by Royal. We are already excited.

We have used Royal on all excursions except one time, you pay a little more, but they guarantee you getting back on board, if a bus was to break down or something happens and you use Royal, they will know about it and wait, if on a private tour, and something happens, you might miss the ship, for us, ill pay a little xtra for that peace of mind.