Norwegian Jewel Cruises Discount And Cruise Review

First Glimpse
Norwegian Cruise Line's first ship in the post-Norwegian Dawn generation will be called Norwegian Jewel. The 93,000-ton, 2,400-passenger vessel will debut in August 2005.

The ship will offer many features already established by siblings Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star, such as garden villas, ten different restaurants, an elaborate Mandara-operated spa and a fitness center. Also intriguing is that this ship, like the other two, will be able to cruise at a maximum speed of 25 knots -- which gives NCL a lot of itinerary flexibility.

But Norwegian Jewel will also contain some fresh new features. Highlights include:

A new type of cabin -- courtyard villas -- will be added; these will have a private courtyard and sundeck.

New dining options range from Tango's, which will offer Latin/tapas-style cuisine to Mama's Italian Kitchen, a village-style trattoria.

Bar Central, an entirely new concept, will be a destination in its own right. The area will feature a martini bar, champagne bar, and a beer and whisky pub; all will connect but each will have its own ambience.

Norwegian Jewel will launch on August 10 with a limited series of European voyages before crossing the Atlantic. The ship will spend the fall based in New York sailing Canada/New England itineraries. In winter, Norwegian Jewel will offer seven-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.