Jewel Of The Seas

The 2004-built Jewel of the Seas cruise ship is the 4th/last Radiance-class Royal Caribbean liner, with sisterships Brilliance OTS, Serenade OTS and Radiance OTS.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, trademarked travel brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL, shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCCL's largest fleet as both numbers of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

With GT tonnage 90090 tons (making it the largest of the medium-sized cruise liners), the 2500-passenger ship Jewel OTS has just enough space for some of the storied Royal Caribbean innovations, such as wonderful alternative dining venues, superb solarium pool, a rock-climbing wall and expansive Adventure Ocean children amenities. The ship feels practically petite in comparison to her newer, bigger Oasis- and Voyager-class fleet mates. However, Jewel is big enough to offer a variety of dining options and entertainment, yet small enough to offer more immersive itineraries than bigger Royal Caribbean vessels. Like all Radiance-class cruise ships, Jewel of the Seas features glass throughout its interior, thus granting passengers plenty of ocean views.

During refurbishment 2016, were added new restaurants - Izumi (Asian), Giovanni’s Table (Italian), new bar, poolside outdoor theater, shipwide Wi-Fi coverage with VOOM Internet, new digital signage boards, cabin renovations (smart HDTVs in all cabins).

Cruise itinerary program

Jewel of the Seas itinerary program is based on roundtrips from homeport San Juan Puerto Rico and year-round, 7-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages. In the summer, Jewel OTS operates Alaskan itineraries out of Seattle WA, with Panama Canal transits on repositioning cruises between Florida and California-Alaska.

On March 1, 2018, RCI announced that starting January 2019, the ship will be homeported in Miami Florida. All pre-scheduled (January through April 2019) departures from Puerto Rico were canceled. The ship's Miami-based program included 5-night Western Caribbean, and 9-10-night Southern Caribbean itineraries.

For summer 2021, in Europe Jewel OTS had a program based on homeporting in Copenhagen Denmark and Stockholm Sweden with 7-night Baltic-Scandinavia-Russia itineraries. In late-March 2021, Royal Caribbean rescheduled the ship for 7-night "Greece and Greek Islands" itineraries (in the Aegean Sea/Eastern Mediterranean) leaving roundtrip from Limassol Cyprus (homeport/first-time for RCI). The itinerary visits Piraeus-Athens and the islands Piraeus-Athens, and the islands Crete (Heraklion), Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Bookings opened on April 7, the first departure was planned for July 10.

Decks and Cabins

Jewel Of The Seas staterooms (1072 total, in 32 grades) include 61 Suites, 529 Balcony, 241 Oceanviews, 241 Inside (3 single). Most cabins are sized 165-190 ft2 (15-18 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 45 ft2 (4 m2). The smallest is Studio Interior (110 ft2 / 10 m2). The largest is Royal Suite (1000 ft2 / 93 m2 plus 105 ft2 / 10 m2 terrace). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 19.

The boat has 13 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The main dining venue, especially at dinner, is where nearly half the cruise liner is ordering and eating simultaneously. The service is first-class in all zones. The Tides Dining Room is ship's 2-level main restaurant, decorated with a moonlight and tide romantic theme. Food is nicely presented and well prepared. The elegant room features tables on two levels and wonderful views of the vessel's wake. The menu offers several choices of salads, starters, soups, main courses, cheese, and desserts. The Windjammer Cafe is Jewel's main buffet venue. It is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and informal dinner. Numerous stations serve up pasta, burgers, salads, and sweets. Portofino and Chops Grille are ship's alternative restaurants. Chops is a steakhouse venue with an open kitchen. Enjoyable as Chops is, the real highlight of Jewel's onboard dining is Portofino with favorites including tiger shrimp risotto and spaghetti with lobster sauce. Both Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table levy a per-person service fee.

Follows the complete list of Jewel of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• Tides Restaurant (1112-seat aft Dining Room has a small private dining room (Shoreside).
• Windjammer Cafe Lido buffet restaurant (680-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7-11:30 am, Lunch 11.30-3:30 pm, and Dinner 6.30-9 pm)
• Chops Grille (86-seat specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
• Portofino (95-seat Italian restaurant) during refurbishment 2016 was replaced by Giovanni’s Table (Italian specialty restaurant).
• Seaview Cafe (104-seat complimentary fast food and coffee bar) during refurbishment 2016 was replaced by Izumi (Asian specialty restaurant).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The midship-located Centrum Atrim serves as a central spot for most activities. During the evenings, its Lobby Bar is the hottest spot on Jewel for after-dinner dancing. The lavish, 3-deck Coral Theater hosts the production shows and games. The ship has a real modern feel and does a fine job in incorporating some of the best facilities that have become Royal Caribbean trademarks. Onboard cruisers will find classics like Schooner Bar and Windjammer Cafe, as well as a climbing wall up to the smokestack, tiny golf, and a waterslide. Other additions include the pretty Seaview Cafe, and the rather avant-garde Vortex disco.

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Jewel of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Coral Theatre (features grand production shows with dance, acrobatics, comedy, and games)
• Vortex Disco and Nightclub (126-seat, with a revolving bar)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery
• The Centrum (social hub, offers aerial acrobatics entertainment); Serengeti Club (40-seat card room); Safari Club Lounge (320-seat; hosts art auctions, karaoke, religious services); Zanzibar Lounge (52-seat); Next Cruise Lounge; Concierge Club (196-seat suite and past guests only); Yacht Club Lounge; Viking Crown Lounge and Bar
• Lobby Bar (47-seat atrium bar); Champagne Bar (52-seat wine bar); Game Reserves Bar (15-seat); Cafe Latte-tudes Bar (46-seat specialty coffee bar, Starbucks Coffee); The Pit Stop Bar (102-seat sports bar); Schooner Bar (134-seat piano bar); The Congo Bar; Sky Bar
• Vintages (wine bar)
• Centrum Boutiques (duty-free; clothes, perfumes, accessories, jewelry, logo souvenirs, General Store/alcohol, and cigarettes)
• Casino Royale (258-seat)
• Royal Caribbean Online center (Internet computers room; 24-hour)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 3 jacuzzis; 2 pools
• Solarium lounge (includes Cafe Bar, pool bar and adults only pool area)
• Cinema (57-seat)
• Video Games Arcade; Fuel Teen Disco club; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
• Adventure Beach; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball court); Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall; Fairways of Jewel Golf Course.

During the ship's 2016 refurbishment were added digital signage boards (numerous touch-screens throughout the ship), also the Wi-Fi coverage was upgraded (to shipwide) and the fast-speed VOOM Internet is now available.

Jewel is Royal Caribbean's last Radiance-class liner, with sisterships Brilliance, Radiance, Serenade. Radiance-class vessels are built in accordance with Panamax standards allowing them to transit through Panama Canal.

Vessel's construction was completed in 2004 at Meyer Werft Shipyard (Papenburg, Germany). The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on May 8, 2004. Ship's godmother was Kathy Mellor - winner of the "2004 National Teacher of the Year" prize. Kathy lives in Rhode Island (USA) and teaches English as a second language. The prize was given to her by President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush.

Like on all RCI ships, Jewel's Atrium is called "Centrum". The 9-deck high Atrium features floor-ceiling windows and vast interior spaces, allowing Jewel OTS to offer fantastic sea views. Ship's shopping area includes gorgeous jewelry store and also designer-branded boutiques.

Jewel OTS refurbishment 2016 review

The list of deckplan changes after ship's 2016 drydock refurbishment (March 21 - April 6) included:

• New passenger accommodations were added – one 2-Bedroom Family Suite (category TS) plus a total of 24 oceanview and balcony cabins (on decks 2, 4, 9, 10, 11).
• On deck 6, the Portofino restaurant was replaced by Giovanni’s Table (Italian specialty restaurant).
• On deck 12, the Seaview Cafe (104 seats, complimentary fast-food diner, and coffee bar with waiter service) was replaced by Izumi (Asian specialty restaurant).
• On deck 6, Vintages (wine bar) replaced the Champagne Bar.
• On deck 4, the Seaside private dining room (starboard, 102 seats) was replaced by inside cabins.
• On deck 8, Explorer’s Court (small relaxation area) was replaced with 1 inside cabin.
• On deck 12, the RCI’s Nursery (Royal Babies & Tots) was added.
• Royal Caribbean’s digital signage boards were installed (numerous touch-screens throughout the ship). The Wi-Fi coverage was upgraded to ship-wide. The fast-speed VOOM Internet is now available.
• Cabin renovations included new flat TVs in all passenger rooms.
• On Lido deck 11, a poolside outdoor theater (Jumbotron movie screen) was installed.
• On deck 13, the Hollywood Odyssey (70 seats Cigar Club & Lounge) was replaced by Concierge Club.
• Chops Grille, the Spa and retail shopping areas were redesigned and refreshed.

Jewel OTS refurbishment project’s total cost was ~USD 30 million. The vessel is among the last RCI liners to benefit from the company’s expensive fleet revitalization program for implementing Oasis-class features (facilities and amenities) fleetwide.