Jewel of the Seas

Jewel of the Seas is the newest Radiance-class ship, launched in 2004, and nowadays focuses exclusively on Caribbean itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. So yes, this is a ship for those who love to explore gorgeous beaches, get a nice tan, and visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. Pretty basic and easy to understand, right?

That might not sound too impressive to some, after all, we’re talking about one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular itineraries, but Jewel of the Seas is also a great option for someone who enjoys a big ship, but not one as huge or packed with attractions as the newest Icon and Oasis classes. It also has a slightly more adult-oriented vibe, so if you’re looking to save some money, see fewer kids onboard, and still visit Nassau and Bimini, then this is a pretty good option.

What we like about Jewel of the Seas

It’s common nowadays for cruise lines to send their big boys and girls to the Caribbean on short or week-long trips, where families can enjoy bumper cars, huge waterslides, go-kart racing tracks, and more on ultra-modern ships. That’s true for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and other cruise lines. Some guests, however, prefer a more traditional cruise experience, one that is all about relaxing and having a good time, while keeping costs manageable on a ship that isn’t overflowing with thousands of families.

That’s where Jewel of the Seas comes in. This ship offers a more traditional experience to some of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, from the private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay to St. Lucia, Nassau, Cozumel, and other gorgeous spots across the Americas. It’s a great choice for adults and romantic couples looking for a ship that’s not only more affordable than the massive Star of the Seas we see today, but also less overwhelming, with plenty of cozy places to just sit down with a book and relax. Want to trade an Ice Rink for a library & card room? If you answered yes, then there’s a good chance you will love it here.

The staff onboard Jewel of the Seas is amazing, maybe thanks to those sunny Caribbean days. From waiters at Windjammer to the crew who take care of your stateroom, everyone is ready to help with a smile. They also do an excellent job keeping everything spotless, making the ship feel as if it was launched just a couple of years ago. There’s even a story on Reddit about a guest who was on his second Jewel of the Seas cruise, and a bartender remembered his name from the previous sailing just a month earlier. Now that’s staff dedication… and an impressive memory.

This is simply a great place to relax. From a cozy library to adult-friendly shows and beautiful views, it even offers outdoor seating at Windjammer - a surprisingly great and often overlooked perk. The ship has a mature, nautical feel and doesn’t try to be anything more than that. The Wi-Fi also works wonderfully now. As far as Radiance-class ships go, this is definitely one of the best.

What we don’t like about Jewel of the Seas

There’s not much to dislike about Jewel of the Seas. Honestly, the drawbacks of this ship are more about the Radiance class itself than Jewel in particular. For example, it’s an older vessel and over twenty years old. Even though the crew does a great job keeping it clean and modern, you won’t find as many amenities as on the newest ships. There are just two swimming pools onboard, and activities for children are very limited. If you’re traveling with kids and want to save money, the Voyager-class ships are a better option.

I also wish this ship had more restaurants and dining options. At the moment, it offers four fairly standard specialty venues: Izumi, Chef’s Table, Chops Grille, and Giovanni’s Table. For the newest (and last) Radiance-class ship, it would’ve been nice to see a new concept or at least an updated, more modern venue. There also aren’t many spots for a quick complimentary bite, since the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, and one or two snack bars are your only real choices.

Conclusion

Jewel of the Seas is a great ship for adults and couples looking for a quick Caribbean cruise. It could use more dining venues, but the excellent staff does its best to make it feel like home. This is one of the best traditional cruise experiences Royal Caribbean has to offer, and a great way to save money if you don’t need the latest ultra-modern resort at sea.