Royal Caribbean - Jewel of the Seas

  1. June 6 to June 16, 2025 (3 cruises - 10 nights total)
  2. August 22 to September 7, 2024 (16 nights; Iceland and Greenland)

Radiance Class / 2700 Passengers / Maiden Voyage: 2004 / Revitalized in 2021 / Ports:  Ft. Lauderdale, Nassau, Coco Cay

August 22 - September 7, 2024

  • In Process 4/17/26

Cabin Plusses and Minuses - location, location, location

  • #1512 - Oceanview Balcoy
  • A
  • The Windjammer is on the 11th deck, at the back, no stairs or elevators from 2 of the 3 cabins
  • The Solarium was very close (2 of 3 times), with morning coffee available less than a 2 minute walk from our door

Crowded?  Kid-friendly?

  • With

Entertainment - 4/17/26 note - REVISE

  • Every ship has something for everyone.  As an older and smaller Radiance Class ship, fewer entertainment options were “must-see.”
  • There was a talented comedy juggler who was not as family-friendly as advertised, although some of those jokes must have gone over the heads of the pre-teen set.
  • A comedian was very funny, and we checked him out on a second and third time - his sets were repeated on all three legs.  We did not attend his adults-only option, as we often have an earlier bedtime.
  • Crazy Quest is presented on the penultimate night of most RC cruises.  We skipped the 3 opportunities on the Jewel (but stayed up late for the event on the Adventure, later in June 2025 - funny per usual, but hard to match the rip-roaring laughter elicited the first time we saw one - a decade ago).
  • Music - several very pleasant solo and duo artists, playing piano, violin, and guitar.  Surprisingly, very good available seating in the music venues.
  • Miscellaneous - game shows, Silent parties, Name that Tune, Belly Flop competitions, Karaoke, dance classes, onboard movies (a small cinema, and poolside), and more.  (I saw a relatively recent Captain America movie, in the cinema, which looks like it seats about 50.)

Dining (also, see Tips)

  • We enjoyed the Main Dining Room (MDR) for most dinners, scheduling the 5:00 seating (in advance).  The food was high quality, sufficiently varied for a 3-4 night cruise, and usually (90%) the correct temperature.
  • For 3 consecutive cruises, the selections were repetitive.
  • We enjoyed ordering the cheese dessert plate - as an appetizer.  After a couple days, the waiters began delivering this choice before even taking our order.
  • Drink orders are a little slow in the MDR.  Patience is in order…or, bring your own.  The price is the same, or free if you have casino drink privileges.
  • We enjoyed one specialty dining option - Chops.  We’ve had excellent service and tasty meals here - a few times.  
    • Pro-Tip:  Lunches at specialty restaurants are only available at select restaurants, but you can save big by opting for lunch vs. dinner.  Reserve in advance of your cruise to obtain 20-30% reduced prices; we’ve been paying $20-$23 each (+18% gratuity included), although I have not determined why the prices vary by ship.
  • On day one of each cruise leg, we avoided the rush/crush of Windjammer patrons by either a) enjoying pizza in the Solarium, or b) taking advantage of the special MDR luncheon - limited to Back-to-Back cruisers.
  • With dinner as our main meal, we varied breakfast and lunch times to mostly avoid the busiest rush.
    • It’s not hard to run into the WJ, grab a bowl of oatmeal and return to your cabin for a quiet meal.
  • Check your Ship App for up-to-date venue hours; breakfast or lunch times vary between port and sea days.

Ports (revise, using Serenade as template) note 4/17/26

  • On this trip.
  • Coco Cay - inte.

Will We Do It Again?