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Page 2 of 10 |
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Page 2 of 10 |
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The sun is
shining gloriously as a taxi drops us off at the Port of Miami
at precisely 11.55 AM. Porters take care of our luggage, a security
guard checks passports and tickets, we are x-rayed and
without so much as a 2-minute wait we are checked in by a guy
wearing a bright yellow tie which
says: "Forgot your tie? Good, you won't need it!". Welcome to
Freestyle Cruising! |
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Sapphire
Pools |
Pina
Colada in souvenir glass |
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Exactly 15
minutes after dropping off our luggage outside the terminal, we are
munching away on a turkey burger in the Great Outdoors
Restaurant. It can't go any faster than this! |
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The Great
Outdoors Restaurant |
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As we order our first Pina Colada
we experience an example of NCL up selling tactics. Our drinks are served in
extra-large, extra-tacky "souvenir glasses". At a surcharge,
of course! All too soon an
announcement is made that the staterooms are ready. And not much
later we find our luggage waiting in the corridor. Bravo!
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Miami
skyline |
Sapphire Pools |
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After lunch
we discover our floating resort. NCL's signature style calls
for a ship that is playful, colorful and has a sense of humor.
Norwegian Jewel was built with this concept in mind and
turns out to be a ship that is perfect for anyone
that feels
young at heart. |
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BBQ Time! |
BBQ
at departure from Miami |
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At exactly
5.00 PM, directly after the boat drill, a long blast
on the ship's horn means that our 9-day Southern Caribbean
cruise has officially started. As chefs fire up the open-air BBQ
on Pool Deck, Norwegian Jewel
slowly reverses out of the Port
of Miami.
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Reversing
out of port |
We
are being followed... |
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It's a tight
fit as our 965 ft long ship swings around close to the
breakwaters, watched by many out on the open decks. |
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Miami Beach |
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Once clear of
the breakwaters, Norwegian Jewel quickly picks up speed and
Lucy and I linger on our balcony before it is time to dress
for dinner. But with no strict dress codes enforced, every night
is "casual" night on Norwegian Jewel. What
a delight! |
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Once you've
made a warm-weather cruise with the added comfort of a private balcony, there is
really no way back. So
when booking this cruise, we decided to again splurge on
a balcony cabin. |
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Cabin 9580 -
Oceanview stateroom with balcony, grade BB |
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Done in an
eclectic bright color scheme, stateroom 9580 is located amidships on deck 9. NCL's standard balcony staterooms are a little smaller than
those on competing cruise lines. But what they lack in space
they
make up in innovation and amenities. |
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Room with a
view |
Bathroom with shower |
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With a tea &
coffee maker, a wonderful bathroom (with large shower and
semi-separate toilet), comfortable beds and ample wardrobe
space, we feel at home right away. |
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Our balcony |
View
over Miami from balcony |
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Best of all
is of course our balcony, more than worth the extra $. It has two
comfortable chairs, a small side table and a glass railing.
And is perfect for weather checks in the morning, afternoon wine
tasting and late-night stargazing! |
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Lucy and I
happen to like Asian food - we can't help it. So one of the
first things we do after lunch is report to the restaurant
reservations desk in Tango's and book a table for two
at 7.00 PM at Chin Chin's, Norwegian Jewel's Asian fusion
restaurant. |
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Dinner at
Chin Chin's |
Thai
spring rolls |
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As the sun
sets over the distant Florida coast, we report to Chin Chin's
and are seated at a table overlooking the Promenade Deck. For
a flat fee of US$ 10 per person you can dine royally here on Chicken Yakitori, Sweet & Sour Shrimps, Beef Teriyaki
and the likes. |
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Chin Chin's
Asian Restaurant with Sushi Bar |
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It turns out
the food is great and service is very friendly and attentive.
We like! We like! With
its adjacent Sushi and Sake Bars, a full menu of Mongolian
Hotpots and the ever-popular Teppanyaki Rooms, Chin Chin's
turns out be an excellent choice and we vouch to return for a second
helping later in the cruise. |
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Chin
Chin's Asian Restaurant |
Teppanyaki Room |
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