Norwegian Jewel to Africa

One of five ships built to showcase the company's new 'Freestyle Dining' ethos, Norwegian Jewel is a 92,000 ton resort style ship, capable of carrying around 2,500 passengers. With a  whole range of open seating restaurants (some of them at an extra charge) and an entire raft of bars offering every type of live music imaginable, the ship offers a finely balanced, well tuned cruise experience around the busy ports of the summertime Mediterranean.

Children, from toddlers through to teens, are well catered for at various, age appropriate clubs, leaving the adults free to enjoy the pools, hot tubs and restaurants that are sprinkled throughout this bright, boisterous ship.

Cabins run the gamut, from small insides (some of which can accommodate- at a squeeze- up to four people), through to ocean view, balcony rooms, and some quite expansive top of the range suites. In short, there's literally something for everyone's taste and budget.

That remark also applies to the food. While the main dining rooms and upper deck buffet are more than fine enough in their own right, it's definitely worth splurging on some of the extra tariff ones, too. This applies especially to the French accented Le Bistro, where the Chateaubriand in particular is usually outstanding.

Norwegian Jewel offers the same stellar entertainment as her fleet mates, from late night, adults' only comedy from the Second City group, to subtle, sultry jazz in the upper deck Spinnaker's Lounge. There's a large, constantly humming casino and a big, late night disco, as well as a couple of quiet bars for those just wanting to relax over a late nightcap.

In the warm weather of the Mediterranean, it was also surprising how many stayed outside until the small hours. On some nights, Norwegian Jewel supplied an outdoor acoustic guitarist to entertain the crowd, and very popular it proved to be, too.

Norwegian Jewel is a well run, infinitely comfortable, colourful ship that will wine, dine and entertain all ages groups in considerable style. Actually, hard to beat.