This cruise was a last minute holiday decision and we are so happy that we did it. The itinerary was excellent, the ship - which has recently been refitted - was exceptional and we could not fault the staff. Feedback from other passengers was that the Balcony cabins were smaller than on other ships but we found that there was more than enough room for a king sized bed, lounge and to walk around comfortably.
The weather (which is obviously out of everyone's control) could not have been better. The efficiency of embarking and disembarking made use of every moment ashore. As for the entertainment, I have not seen such a diverse set of acts performed to such a high standard. Truly international.
We did not travel with children but those that did seemed to enjoy themselves. The Jewel does not contain the large waterpark that other, larger Norwegian ships carry so there were not an extremely large number of families.
Modern, clean and well appointed. The balcony was clear and unobstructed and there was plenty of room.
Many interesting things to do in Sydney. Don't miss the Rocks markets when in port, just a short stroll up the hill from the Port.
If you don't take an excursion, you need to visit the Whaling museum and learn about Old Tom.
A visit to the tourist centre is a must and try the beautifully fresh Tasmanian Scallops at one of the fish and chip shops in town.
A quick and cheap trip into the CBD is a must. Stroll down the alleys and enjoy Melbourne's exceptional coffee and food. The Hopetoun Tea Rooms is one to treat yourself with and if you're in port on a Sunday, head out to the St Kilda Markets. From there it's an easy 3.5km stroll back to the ship.
Helpful local folk will guide you as to the best options for a shorter stay. Look down the side streets for the best coffee.
An amazing gem in New Zealand. Recommend getting off the ship, walking the streets and maybe taking a short tour up to the pub on the hill and trying some of the local cheese on the way back. Blue Cod is the fish to try to taste if that's your thing.
The Funicular, animal sanctuaries and botanical gardens are must see.
Sleepy, beautiful Art Deco town.
Make sure you pack your walking shoes and tackle Mt Manganui.
Didn't have much time here so only saw the town centre which was underwhelming. I'm sure that there was much more to see in this beautiful harbour than the time we had in port.