Royal Caribbean International's newest ship, Jewel of the Seas, set sail for the Caribbean on November 6, beginning a season of eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades, Florida.
Jewel of the Seas debuted in May 2004, taking guests on 12-night Scandinavia/Russia and 12-night British Isles/Norwegian Fjord cruises from Harwich to explore many of the most beautiful and historic areas of Europe before repositioning to Boston for five fall Canada/New England itineraries that offered cruisers a chance to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage.
With nearly three acres of exterior glass, Jewel of the Seas delivers the sun, sea and coastal scenery into dining rooms and lounges throughout the ship. Jewel sparkles with ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows in most public areas, as well as the highest percentage of balcony staterooms in Royal Caribbean's fleet. Guests will discover she also shines bright when it comes to entertainment, dining, activities and art. Following are some of Jewel's most noteworthy gems:
Entertainment
Jewel of the Seas' Coral Theater is home to three new productions from Royal Caribbean, including an authentic tango show, "Tango Buenos Aires," starring Argentinean dancers and musicians, and two musical reviews. "City of Dreams" features the music of top artists including Billy Joel, Elton John and Celine Dion, while "From West End to Broadway" presents a variety of musical numbers from Cole Porter to Les Miserables.
Additional entertainment includes the Casino Royale, the nautical-themed Schooner Bar featuring sing-along piano tunes and the Vortex disco with revolving bar and pulse-pounding dance music. The Hollywood Odyssey lounge offers an intimate evening with solo artists and jazz performances, while the Safari Club focuses on fun with theme parties and karaoke nights.
Dining
Jewel of the Seas offer six dining venues, including a lovely two-story main dining room, Tides. The Windjammer Cafe offers casual, buffet dining with a large selection of international fare, while the Solarium Cafe serves up pizza and snacks. Tucked away at the top of the ship, the Seaview Cafe is a quiet retreat featuring favorites including fish and chips and popcorn shrimp. For an intimate evening, or simply to share an outstanding meal with new friends, Jewel of the Seas has two reservations-only, specialty restaurants -- the northern Italian-inspired Portofino restaurant and the Chops Grille steakhouse.
Activities
Jewel's Sports Court includes Royal Caribbean's signature rock-climbing wall, a half-court basketball court, a nine-hole miniature golf course, a golf simulator, a jogging track and a kids pool with slide.
Fitness buffs won't miss a workout with the ShipShape Fitness Center. The gym complex includes an aerobics studio, cardiovascular and weight-training equipment and a dedicated free-weights area. After working up a sweat, guests can treat themselves to a massage in the Jewel Day Spa, or get a pass to the Thermal Suite, which features heated tile loungers, an aromatherapy steam room, a sauna and two tropical fog showers.
Art
The eclectic, $5.3 million dollar art collection on Jewel of the Seas is tied together around the themes of landscape and light. Paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and mosaics throughout the ship set the mood for each area.
The mystery and romance of the moon and the ocean tides are explored in Tides dining room with a unique mural, "Full Moon Swing," using Byzantine glass mosaic, brass and copper. The nine-story Centrum features a modern art interpretation of the Northern Lights: a stainless steel, wire and glass sculpture with an integrated lighting system.
The wild beauty of Africa is depicted in the Safari Club through paintings, glass sculpted animal heads, fabrics and collages. The exotic landscape and culture of Thailand is captured in the Solarium, which features lush tropical foliage and Thai art, such as an authentic 18th century temple bell and a traditional Thai gate.
2004-2005 Itineraries
From Fort Lauderdale, Jewel will sail alternating eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean itineraries throughout the winter and spring, visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; St. John, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Nassau, Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman. She will also sail two special seven-night Caribbean holiday sailings from Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
Jewel will return to Harwich, England, on May 15, 2005, to sail 12-night Scandinavia/Russia itineraries and two special 12-night British Isles/Norwegian Fjords cruises. In Fall 2005, Jewel will return to Boston to offer five, unprecedented 10-night Bermuda/Caribbean itineraries visiting Tortola, B.V.I.; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; King's Wharf, Bermuda and Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee in Hispanola.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 19 ships now in service and two more under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call 800-327-6700.
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