On Board the Norwegian Jewel

Our fiftieth anniversary cruise last year was so good (see a report on that cruise at the beginning of this blog, March 2015)) we thought we should do another cruise so we embarked on the Norwegian Jewel yesterday, 1/17/16, for a seven-day cruise in Mexican waters. Our first stop will be Cabo San Lucas tomorrow followed by stops at Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta and then back to Los Angeles next Sunday.

All aboard at Los Angles World Cruise Center

This ship is almost twice the size of the MS Veendam on which we sailed last year. Twice the size means twice the number of passengers, two dining rooms, eight other complimentary dining venues including two that are open 24 hours, six specialty restaurants with an additional charge, thirteen bars in addition to being able to order wine and drinks in the dining rooms and activities from morning until night. Today’s bulletin lists 98 activities beginning with the ones at 0700 with the last one beginning at midnight.

Then there are the pools and hot tubs, waterslide, gyms, library, internet café, golf cages, basketball courts, deck shuffleboard, cigar room, karaoke rooms, etc., etc. Plenty to keep you busy if you’re so inclined, or you can just kick back in a deck chair and relax.

This morning I walked for an hour around the Promenade Deck where there were not many walkers at 0715. At 1200 I attended a Digital Camera Workshop, at 1300 a cocktail party for returning Norwegian Cruisers and then watched the sun set around 1730.

Promenade Deck just after daybreak

In between these activities we had to fit in a little something to eat. Iko and I went to breakfast in one of the main dining rooms where I had a favorite breakfast, lox and cream cheese served with a toasted bagel, capers and onions. As expected the Norwegian chefs did a good job with two large thin slices of cold smoked salmon. After the cocktail party we stopped in the buffet for a salad and snack then tonight we’re going to the other main dining room for dinner. A highlight of the dining room experience is their tea service with a large preheated teapot and good quality tea.

The beginning of a beautiful sunset

Sun fading into the western ocean