I should preface this report by mentioning that this site inspection was not a true picture of the ship when she is cruising, rather a snap shot in time.  As seems to be the case so often these days, the inaugural introduction was just an overnight cruise to nowhere.  I have therefore refrained from commenting on the service, food and beverage items as under the circumstances with a full ship of like minded people all wanting to look and try everything in a few short hours, it is impossible to gauge the ship in her cruising mode. For a better idea of NCL's standard in these areas check out our reports on the sisterships.

The 2,240-passenger Norwegian Jewel is a sister ship to the Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star which entered service in August 2005. (see our report on the ships).  The 92,000-ton Norwegian Jewel is NCL's fourth purpose-built ship for Freestyle Cruising and  features 10 restaurants as well as a collection of unique public rooms. 

Free Style dining aboard the Norwegian Jewel features 10 restaurants, the alternatives restaurants such as Cagney's Steak House, Blue Lagoon and NCL's signature restaurant, Le Bistro carry a small surcharge and can be reserved in advance.  An interesting feature is the addition of screen monitor around the ship which keep you appraised of how the restaurants are filling up and the approximate wait times for each. In addition, to the alternate restaurants the Norwegian Jewel also features two main dining rooms the Tsar's Palace and the Azura, a casual Italian eatery called Mamma's Italian Kitchen; Tango's a Latin restaurant featuring tapas located above the open area of the Atrium and offers spacious views of the ship and the ocean. Chin Chin an Asian complex which featuring Thai, Japanese and Chinese food as well as a sushi bar and a Teppanyaki room is located on Deck Seven which is basically the entertainment deck

The ship has one major change from her sisterships, with a new concept for NCL, a "Bar Central", which connects three venues, Shakers Martini and Cocktail Bar; Magnum's Champagne and Wine Bar and Maltings Beer and Whiskey Pub all located in the same area adjacent to the Bistro.

In addition to Bar Central, Norwegian Jewel drinking options include the Sky High Bar, an outdoor beer garden and "Fyzz" Cabaret Lounge which features three private Karaoke rooms. The Spinnaker Lounge is located on 13 allowing extensive views of the ocean, it can accommodate up to 360 people for functions and has a dance floor and stage. The Corona Cigar Club is on Deck Six, a small art deco room offering hand rolled premium cigars and aged cognacs and spirits. The Star Bar  on Deck 13 is an upscale piano lounge capable of handling 56 passengers also on this deck is located the Sky High Bar, decorated as a ballooning basket with sandbags, ropes and rattan front, it accommodates 97. One of the busiest spot on the ship throughout the day is undoubtedly the Java Cafe, this pleasant coffee/pastry shop is centrally located in the atrium where one can follow the coming and goings of the other passengers.

The Jewel Club Casino is a vast area of slots and gaming tables catering to every type of gaming. There is also a VIP Card room.  Another impressive area is the show lounge - the Stardust Theatre - which encompasses three decks 5,6 and 7, it is European opera-house styled and can accommodate 1,042.

The Norwegian Jewel has 1,188 cabins, 76 more than her sister ships. Ten penthouse suites share a private courtyard with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, small gym and private sundeck. All staterooms have a refrigerator and tea and coffee maker and many are interconnected to create larger quarters for families.  The accommodation consists of pleasantly decorated and comfortable, well sized, mainly balcony staterooms as well as some insides and standard staterooms.  However, as with her sisterships, she also has two Garden Villas plus a brand new style of accommodations in the form of 10 courtyard villas with private courtyards and sundeck on deck 14. The Owner's suite guests and both courtyard and garden villa guests will have a concierge lounge available to them. Dedicated butlers will offer continental breakfast, refreshments all day and canapés and drinks before dinner.

For complete specification, room sizes etc. click here. (to be connected later)

 

Specification:

93,502 tons
2,376 passengers
Length: 965 feet
Beam: 106 feet
Cruising Speed 25 knots
Bahamas registry
Entered Service: August 2005

 

Prepared by – James Castle – October 2005. This revue is entirely subjective and reflects solely the opinion of the author and not necessarily those of WWTCA.

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