Norwegian Jewel

Along with my daughter, I boarded the Norwegian Jewel on December 7 for a nine-day cruise in the Caribbean. Ports of call included Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola; Antigua; Barbados and St. Lucia. Following the mandatory Coast Guard Emergency Boat Drill, we sailed out Friday evening with everyone gathered on deck to toast the beautiful evening. Although there was a pool-side BBQ for the sail-away party, we chose Chin-Chin Asian Restaurant for dinner (from the ships' impressive list of 10 restaurants). The food was fabulous and we sampled a few of the Sakis from the impressive list. Following dinner, we found seats in the Stardust Theater to meet our cruise director, followed by a hilarious action comedy show by 'Edge.'

Next morning my daughter hit the fitness center while I attended a "Seminar at Sea" designed to introduce travel agents to Norwegian Cruise Lines and update us on NCL's offerings for 2008 and beyond. I joined her pool-side for the afternoon where we were entertained by the live music of Caribbean Wave. Before dinner, we visited the Bora Bora Spa for a dip in the whirlpool, time in the steam room and unwinding on the heated stone lounges in the Relaxation Room. Dinner this evening was a private affair for the travel agents attending the Seminar, in the Tsar's Main Restaurant. I wasn't impressed with the food at Tsar's but they do have a fantastic wine list! Entertainment this evening in the Stardust Theater was "Band on the Run," a tribute and flashback to the music and dance of the 70's by the super-talented Jean Ann Ryan Company and live music by the Norwegian Jewel Show Band.

More about NCL-established in 1966, it was one of the first 'vacation cruise' companies. Today they operate eight ships sailing to more than 160 ports. NCL was the first to introduce "Free-style Cruising." For anyone familiar with traditional cruise lines, dinner is usually scheduled for an early or late seating with a table assignment. With Free-style Cruising, you can eat at a different restaurant every night, with who you want, at the time you choose. There is also a wider range of entertainment options, not just the main theater. And the activities schedule is lighter, more diverse then you find on many other cruises.

Tomorrow we arrive in Samana, Dominican Republic at 10:00a.m. I'll tell you more about Samana in another post!
Good travels,
kd