Jewel of the Seas Review

Wasted back to back cruise for a great itinerary (on paper)

Review for the Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Jewel of the Seas
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Gulf01
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Nov 2019
Cabin: Ocean View Balcony

After 16 cruises with Royal Caribbean in three and a half years (Diamond Members), I can say without a doubt that this is probably our last RCL cruise. Unfortunately, I can also honestly say they probably don't care and won't notice. Our first cruise on the Jewel was marginal at best for the ship but great for the ports so when we saw this cruise to the Holy Land, we booked it. While on the Harmony a month before we left for Europe, we found a great deal in the "Next Cruise" office for a back to back on Jewel so we grabbed it. BIG MISTAKE!! The cruise director and her activities director are screeching, pompous people that care nothing about the guests but only their own "spot light". Since most activities are packed around a small Centrum so you can't walk through the ship without hearing those phonies screaming. The customer service desk was given a nick name of Dr. NO by another guest and I could see why. Our second balcony was tiny, the drapes were ripped, the little two seat love seat they wedge in there was torn and dirty, the closet door was broken and nailed twice and nailed a third time after we spoke with our Loyalty manager who was great. We asked for extra sheets and covered up the dirty love seat. It was an adjoining bedroom and they hammered a love seat in it so they could rent is as a cabin. The bartenders were great, the food staff was great, our cabin attendants were great but you could really tell the house keeping and hotel manager never walked through the cabins. Upper level management at RCL think only of $$$. The loyalty only flows from the guests to the company and not the other way. As I mentioned, we will probably not sail RCL again and they really don't care.

Cabin Review

Ocean View Balcony

first cabin of back to back, nice size but dirty, second cabin an embarrassment. They should be ashamed of what they did to us.

Port Reviews

Rome (Civitavecchia)

We took a cab to town and walked Rome for a third time. Beautiful, great people, great time. Civitavecchia was wonderful and if you want a surprise hotel before embarkation try the "Seven Bells" . Hard to find and office is on 2nd floor but great. Also in Rome try the Best Western Hotel Universo" (not at the airport but buy the rail road termini. Immaculate, friendly and wonderful.(this from a germ freak, picky hotel guest. Take my advice and just booked this place.

Athens (Piraeus)

Been there before and elected to walk eat and shop and eat and walk and eat and shop and eat more.

Naples

Third time in Naples...actually last stop of first leg of back to back and first stop of second leg. Great walking, shopping and eating. People are great and the city was clean

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