|
A new Jewel comes to MiamiNCL delivers its newest gemBy Phyllis Steinberg
Guests, mostly travel agents, enjoyed exploring the 93,502 vessel which will begin her winter season of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. The Norwegian Jewel is the company’s forth purpose-ship built for Freestyle Cruising and is a sister to the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn. Like her sisters, she features 10 restaurants, dynamic public rooms, kids activities, and plenty of entertainment.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the ship were
the 10 restaurants, offering a variety of dining choices that few ships can
match. The NCL favorites were there;
Tsars Palace, the main restaurant, was inspired by the grandeur of the palaces of St. Petersburg and the Russian Tsars. It has white and gold ceilings, green marbled pillars and 24-karat gold-coated chandeliers and of course, Faberge Eggs. For those that like Italian food, there is Mama’s Italian Kitchen. It had an interesting menu, but I opted to dine at Azura, the second main restaurant that takes on the ambience of a modern boutique hotel with blues and purples and orange accents. The restaurant had lobster tail and I wanted to check out how it was prepared and served. The serving size was small, but the waiter graciously offered to bring me another tail, which I refused because I had been eating ever since I boarded the ship. There is food service 24 hours a day with several choices at the Garden Café, including made to order-omelets, waffles, fruit, soups and ethnic specialties.
It is easy to get away from it all on the NCL Jewel, but if you must do a little work, there is and internet café and a library for some quiet time. For more information on the NCL Jewel, call 800-327-7030 or log on to www.ncl.com by Norwegian Cruise Line and Phyllis Steinberg. |
|
TM
NCL
Corporation introduced its newest gem, Norwegian Jewel, to invited guests on a
one-night sailing in Miami shortly after the departure of Hurricane Wilma.
New
on this ship are 10 courtyard villas with a private courtyard and sundeck on
deck 14. We enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the private courtyard which
has its own secret entrance. There’s no mixing here with the 2,376 passengers.
Garden and courtyard villa guests have a concierge lounge available to them and
we were told that butlers serve continental breakfast, refreshments all day and
canapés and drinks before dinner. There’s even a big double bed with only the
open sky above in the middle of the courtyard and exercise equipment in a room
to the side for garden and villa guests only.
The
ship also a series of bars, including a martini bar, champagne and wine bar, and
a bear and whisky pub, all connected but each with its own distinct personality.
Drinkers can enjoy their favorite libation in style on this vessel.
Cagney’s
Steak House, Blue Lagoon, with its tasty selections from the sea and Le Bistro,
a gourmet French restaurant. New was Chin Chin, an Asian restaurant inspired by
the cuisine of the Far East with Tibetan flags fluttering along the railing next
to the traditionally carved entrance. There’s also a sushi bar and a Teppanyaki
area offering seating for 32.
Other
ship amenities include: shows in the Stardust Theater, a lavish pool area, a
Jewel Club Casino, Carona Cigar Club, karaoke parties, separate Kid’s Club as
well as a teen’s club. I also enjoyed the Java Café, a coffee bar in the atrium
where frozen coffees, espresso, cappucino, tea, pastries and cookies are served.