What It's Like Onboard Norwegian Jewel - International Traveller

Here’s the lowdown on Norwegian Jewel, the lead vessel of NCL’s Jewel-class cruise ships.

Norwegian Jewel has been in service since 2005. But despite being an older-class ship, a recent refurbishment has kept Jewel feeling contemporary and stylish. The ship has a capacity for 2376 passengers, with ample space for them to roam across 12 passenger-accessible decks, 13 lounges and bars and three swimming pools. I embarked on Jewel’s first visit to Asia for three years. Here, we break down all you need to know about eating, staying and playing onboard.

Accommodation

I shared the balcony stateroom with my partner (which sleeps up to four with a pull-out bed). For the duration of the nine-day cruise, the room never felt too small, providing a comfortable oasis to unwind in after a day of exploring the ports. In keeping with NCL’s Scandinavian origins, the rooms are well-appointed with cool, neutral tones and accented with the ship’s signature cobalt blue. The cabins make the most of the compact space with thoughtful design details, like the space-saving sliding shower door and ample storage in the wardrobe and drawers.

Norwegian Jewel NCL The Haven — Sail in comfort when you stay in The Haven.

There are plenty more room options for those looking for a more luxurious stay. The Club Balcony Mini-Suite offers a bit more space to kick back in, and the Haven Penthouse Suite graduates to separate living rooms and bedrooms. Families and groups can stay in The Haven two- or three-bedroom villa, which sleeps six and eight people respectively.

the balcony stateroom at Norwegian Jewel — Wake up to beautiful views from a balcony stateroom.

Helpful to know: There are USB ports for charging, but the plugs are for American outlets.

Food and drink

There are 16 dining options onboard, divided into free and specialty dining. Specialty dining is available for an additional cost, or as part of a dining package before sailing. Overall, the onboard dining is one of Jewel’s strengths, with an extensive range of cuisine and impressive quality. Here’s the rundown of the restaurants you’ll find onboard.

You can also review sample menus online.

Free Dining Inclusions

Azura Main Dining Room

Azura becomes the heart of the vessel come dinner time. The expansive dining room is dressed in deep, moody blues and modern, pared-back décor. The three-course menu changes each night, making the most of seasonal produce restocked at each port. Azura’s menu offers a few courses from specialty restaurants (sometimes at a fee), meaning guests can access an eclectic range of quality dishes, even on the basic dining plans. I had an unforgettable baked ziti – which surpassed the onboard Italian specialty restaurant in flavour. The service here is formal but friendly. Make sure to book a table in advance!

The Garden Cafe

The buffet at the Garden Cafe is bustling from breakfast to dinner. It’s a fantastic casual dining option come dinnertime, where you’ll be able to find an impressive range of cuisines. There’s an Asian-style wok noodle bar, a pasta station and an expansive salad bar, perfect for those making an effort to eat healthy.

O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill

Striking the balance between formal and casual dining is O’Sheehans Neighbourhood Bar and Grill. Head here for classic pub fare like hotdogs, burgers, fish and chips and the like, with a range of international beer on tap. The grill is reminiscent of an Irish Pub, with comfy booths and karaoke tunes. Perfect if you’re looking for a laidback meal or to get social.

Chin Chin

Chin Chin’s Asian-inspired menu features Japanese, Thai and Chinese cuisine with classics like dumplings, spring rolls, and fried noodles. With a colourful, fun interior, a relaxed vibe and a sake bar, Chin Chin is a great spot to spend an evening dining onboard.

Tsar’s Palace

Tsar’s has a more upscale ‘banquet’ feel. It’s open for breakfast and serves contemporary classics come dinner.

Specialty restaurants

Guests can dine at a specialty restaurant for a fee, or with a dining plan purchased before sailing. With an onboard dining credit, you can generally select at least three courses, with your choice of starter, soup or salad, main and dessert. It’s strongly recommended to make a reservation for dinner seating.

Le Bistro

This is easily one of the ship’s most sought-after dining options, and for good reason. This French-inspired restaurant adds a touch of sophistication with an intimate and moodily lit interior. The menu features sumptuous dishes with rich flavours, such as pan-seared bay scallops and escargot. This restaurant is perfect for a romantic date night, and Magnum’s Champagne Bar just outside is the perfect spot to set the tone with a precursory drink.

Cagney’s Steakhouse

Cagney’s Steakhouse ranked as my personal favourite. Evocative of an upscale American steakhouse, you’ll want to bring your appetite with you. The high-quality and expertly cooked steaks are accompanied by an excellent array of starters, soups and sides.

La Cucina

This Italian restaurant is a crowd favourite. Head here for authentic Italian dishes, from belly-warming risottos to classic pizzas and flavoursome pasta. The interior is cosy yet elegant, dressed in stone to evoke the surroundings of a Tuscan villa. Expect hearty plates of pasta, pizzas and fresh salads that will transport you into the Mediterranean hills while at sea.

Moderno Churrascaria

Although you may be tempted to fill up on the fantastic array of salads and sides at the salad bar, you’ll want to leave room for the 12 different types of meat that are constantly on rotation at this upscale Brazilian barbeque. Servers come round to your table to top up your plate until you can’t eat anymore. Highlights included the exclusive fruity Caipirinha cocktails and the sugar and cinnamon-coated pineapple that makes the rounds for dessert.

Teppanyaki

The onboard Teppanyaki combines fun and flavour. The key ingredient is the talented chefs, who delight diners as they slice, dice and juggle the food in front of you before serving up. It’s a great option if you’re looking to eat clean and healthy, as the meal is primarily grilled meat and veggies. The chef is very entertaining, and it’s a great way to mingle with other cruise passengers.

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Entertainment, facilities and activities

There are planned activities onboard throughout the days and evenings. A printed schedule is delivered to your room each evening, outlining all of the options for the following day. The schedule is jam-packed, with everything from art auctions and drink tastings to shuffleboard and casino tournaments. There are plenty of opportunities to mingle with other passengers, whether you want to do a fitness class by the pool or listen to live music, which is always playing somewhere onboard.

The stardust theatre sits at the heart of the ship, where passengers can gather to witness casual comedy sets or high-production shows. The 2023/24 season’s Le Cirque Bijou was a particular standout, a Cirque du Soleil-style aerial and acrobatic performance that mesmerised and delighted the audience.

the Le Cirque Bijou — Catch Le Cirque Bijou exclusively onboard *Norwegian Jewel*.

Spa

Mandara Spa located at the ship’s forward is the crown jewel of Norwegian Jewel. With some of the best vistas in the whole ship, you can watch the ocean as you sweat it out in a sauna or soak in a hot tub. The steam room infused with eucalyptus is especially restorative, The spa is separated into men’s and women’s areas, with a common area in the middle. A range of massages are on offer, as well as beauty treatments, acupuncture and even botox. There is also a hair salon next door.

Mandara Spa's adult-only Thermal Suite onboard Norwegian Jewel — Get pampered in Mandara Spa’s adult-only Thermal Suite.

Pool

There are two outdoor pools, multiple hot tubs and plenty of sun lounges. There’s a kids’ pool for little ones and a private deck for adults who want to top up their tan.

Other facilities

There is a well-equipped gym where you can admire the ocean while you get your sweat on, a library, card room, casino, photo studio and onboard shopping.

Shore excursions

A list of shore excursions is delivered to your room the evening before arriving in port. You can book excursions either through the NCL app or at the dedicated shore excursion desk. Being Norwegian Jewel’s first return to Asia in three years, there were a few teething issues with shore excursions, as well as the organisation of transport for passengers wishing to explore independently. However, a few highlights included the rural life tour of Nha Trang, Vietnam and the visit to Mari Mari Cultural Village in Kota Kinabalu. There was a good range of choices for shore excursions to every style of traveller, whether you a lazy beach day, adventure into caves or get off the beaten track and experience a slice of rural life.

an aerial view of Norwegian Jewel ship — Hop aboard *Norwegian Jewel*, the lead vessel of NCL’s Jewel-class cruise ships.

After youth-led protests in 2025, this year Nepal elected a 35-year-old former rapper as Prime Minister. In a country where tourism is its biggest industry, what’s next for travellers?

In 1986, Nepal changed its clock. It had used India Standard Time since 1920 so, to differentiate, it wound its clock 15 minutes ahead of, not behind, its big-brother neighbour. Boss move. “Nepal is strongly opposed to the idea that our identity is connected to India,” says Community Homestay Network (CHN) guide Bikal Khanal.

Tharu dance is traditionally set to hand drums. (Credit: Kate Lewis)

Today, Nepal is the only independent country with a 45-minute deviation to universal time; an oddity that’s become a symbol of national pride. The quirk is nearly as endearing as Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport where carved varnished wood and shiny red bricks rule. One sign points to a ‘Travelator’ and another to a ‘Grievance Handling Desk’ while visas are noisily stamped at customs for US dollars, cash only. When am I?

Spot the endemic Nepal gray langur. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

The 15 or 45 minute anomaly sees me tap out completely on timezone calculations. Why bend my brain calculating if it’s quarter to or quarter past elsewhere when I’m in the honking here and now of Kathmandu where the air is high-altitude crisp, the prayer flags flutter and the street dogs howl?

How tourism is changing in Nepal

Bardiya National Park is rich with wildlife. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

India is not the only association many Nepalis would like to shake. With eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest and Annapurna, Nepal has long attracted mountaineers and trekkers, and expedition numbers are continuing to rise.

Tourism is one of the country’s biggest sources of foreign currency, so this growth is not negative, per se. But according to Ang Tshering Lama, who co-founded Phaplu Mountain Bike Club, being reduced to a mere trekking destination is limiting.

“Trekking is just one layer of our identity,” says Ang. “When it becomes the dominant narrative, it limits how we’re seen and how we see ourselves.” Nepal’s recent success, however, in diverting trekkers to less-trafficked areas such as Manaslu mofuntain, where visitor numbers rose by 117 per cent last year, offers hope that tourism can diversify even more radically.

Local men in Bhada village. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

The founder of CHN, Shiva Dhakal, wants that change. “The whole idea of the Community Homestay Network is to promote experiences outside of trekking,” he says. “Community tourism changes lives and helps kids stay home instead of coming to the city or migrating to the Middle East.”

Ang grew up seeing people leave, “not because they wanted to but because there weren’t enough opportunities to stay”, he states. Yet from remote villages to living traditions; food, art, music and emerging subcultures, “there’s so much that’s not being seen.”

CHN is opening some of those doors. It doesn’t own, or fund, any homes. Rather, it promotes homestays to travellers on a single, slick platform, while fostering entrepreneurship in places where women, marginalised castes, Indigenous people and the youth stand to benefit the most.

A new generation demanding more

Dalla Town Hall, where volunteers discuss anti-poaching tactics. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

The future prospects of next-gen Nepalis can no longer be ignored. On a Kathmandu tour with 33-year-old guide Monica K.C, we pass buildings torched in the September 2025 ‘Gen Z protests’, including the Supreme Court and Parliament House. Seventy-two people died. “They were anti-corruption protests,” says Monica. “Politicians’ children are living a lavish life but the airports are crowded with youngsters leaving to find work.”

We stop in ‘little Tibet’ at the wondrous sixth-century Boudha Stupa. “The wheel of life is Buddhism in a nutshell,” says Monica. “Things such as hate, ignorance and anger keep you rotating around the wheel, so you must follow the principles of Buddhism to detach. If you can’t, there’s no nirvana for you.”

Boudha Stupa's prayer wheels — Boudha Stupa’s prayer wheels are used to recite Buddhist prayers. (Credit: Kate Lewis)

In a sun-drenched twist to the usual temple visit, we ascend the stupa’s sloping plinth and roam its whitewashed dome. Tendrils of diaphanous prayer flags stream from a steeple-like structure where the Buddha’s unblinking eyes stare out. No nirvana for you…

bouda stupa prayer flags — Tibetan-style prayer flags embellish the whitewashed dome of Bouda Stupa, a Buddhist temple. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

The dome is delightfully free of guard rails or chiding from security. There is, however, a stern ‘No TikTok’ sign, perhaps in response to the youth’s newly flexed power. The booted-out Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, was replaced in a resounding election victory in March by 35-year-old Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) – a former rapper and mayor of Kathmandu. The RSP’s manifesto indicates tourism is a priority, and that Nepal’s cultural identity in areas such as gastronomy will be strengthened.

Boudha Stupa vendors — Vibrant souvenir shops and cafes around Boudha Stupa. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

A more confronting stop awaits at Pashupatinath Temple. Today is Bala Chaturdashi, a Hindu festival where thousands of devotees gather to honour their dead ancestors. Vendors hauling foam mattresses do a lucrative trade as people set up for a night of vigil. This includes burning the bodies of recently deceased relatives on bamboo pyres in the Bagmati River, which flows into the sacred Ganges.

A woman at annual Hindu festival Bala Chaturdashi, in Kathmandu. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

Wrapped in a shroud, the bodies are positioned with their heads facing north to the Himalayas where Lord Shiva resides. They’re covered with flowers and straw and set alight by male family members.

Hours later, the ashes are swept into the river where devotees will take a holy dip the next day. As much as Monica assures us it’s not voyeuristic to watch, I struggle to do so. “Here you see the reality of life because everyone ends up there,” she says, gesturing to the river.

Life unfiltered in the Terai region

tharu woman — Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

The reality of life needs processing time, which the western Terai region delivers in spades. The Terai is largely separated from India by the Karnali River and Bardiya National Park, where elephants, rhinos and the elusive Bengal tiger roam.

Once a nomadic tribe, the Indigenous Tharu people are now the largest ethnic group here. “They didn’t know their daily life was interesting for international travellers but they’re starting to understand now,” says CHN founder Shiva.

Take a Jeep safari through Bardiya National Park. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

We fly Buddha Air to Dhangadhi airport and drive five hours to stay in Tharu homes. The journey to Bhada village is a blur of roadside fruit stalls, traffic-stopping sacred cows and fields sown with wheat, rice, mustard, spinach, cauliflower and potatoes. Nepal’s agriculture feeds only Nepal.

Marigolds are an important part of Hindu rituals. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

“The only thing we export is young people,” says our guide Bikal. As the light dims and we plunge evermore rural, mysterious mounds of compacted hay – some house-sized – loom like the creatures from Where The Wild Things Are. Even our trusty driver gets flummoxed by a dirt road that abruptly ends and we find ourselves hurtling across a paddock.

On arrival, some are ferried to mud-walled cottages greened by gourd creepers, with thatched roofs and rustic-chic mosquito nets. Myself and two others are ushered to the home of corner store owner, mechanic and mushroom farmer Man Kumar Chilaruwa and his wife Rajkumari.

community homestay entrance — A warm welcome at a community homestay. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

They escort us to a bunker-esque back building with steel doors and a folding security gate, behind which is gleaming linoleum, dolphin-printed tiles and a shower cavity that must be gingerly stepped through to reach the toilet.

The ceiling lights emit a rainbow of colours (the bathroom light gets stuck in, frankly, a quite frightening red). We’re nevertheless touched that our hosts invested in all this bling when the average salary is around $275 a month.

In the coming days, we participate in Tharu traditions such as making moonshine, dancing, weaving straw handicrafts and gold-panning. We’re fed well with staples of rice, mustard greens, lentil pancakes, daal, curried chicken and tomato chutney served on antibacterial saal leaves.

food at community homestay — Dig in. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

Sonara community homestay president Indradevi Tharu tells us river snails are often served, and the boiled and pickled flesh of rats hunted in the rice fields. “Perhaps next time?” we say and all have a laugh.

The power of community homestays

community homestay owners in Nepal — Barda community homestay owners Parbati Chaudhary and Ram Krishni Devi Chaudhary. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

Immersing Western visitors in foreign cultural practices is not new. But with the Tharu, I never get that uneasy sensation that I’m being performed for. Despite being the only tourists, there’s no ‘othering’; just warm, composed and ultra-dignified welcomes. Like we’ve always been here.

“I love to have travellers in my village so I can see the world,” says local woman Parbati Chaudhary. “Why would I travel the world when the world comes to me?”

The graceful acceptance the Tharu offer, as well as the slow pace, works miracles on my frazzled nervous system. One day I even take a nap on a vacant homestay bed.

Sonara community room — An authentic stay in the Sonara community. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

Roosters strut and goats bray as we sit on the ground in al fresco kitchens, rolling rice flour into cylinders steamed to make dhikri (dumplings). When water is needed, we fetch it using a hand-operated pump as a family of ducks strolls by, side-eying us like curious neighbours.

Animal lovers will delight in Tharu villages. Kind and resourceful inventions are everywhere, such as snacking stations where two posts lean together, with leafy boughs dangling on rope for baby goats to forage from.

CHN’s CEO, Aayusha Prasain, nods knowingly when one in our group says she cried when she left her host, Shayam Chaudhary, in Bhada. Shayam’s 17-year-old son, Prashant, had translated, which deepened the connection.

“Community tourism turns travel into a relationship, not a transaction,” says Aayusha. “It places decision-making power in the hands of local communities, especially women and youth.” Since 2018, CHN has hosted more than 4000 travellers from 52 countries in 408 households, and estimates women’s participation has increased by 381 per cent.

In the Bardiya community, where vexing human-animal conflict has been a balancing act for decades due to elephants raiding crops, long-time homestay operator Salik Ram Chaudhary says young people keep the older ones on their toes.

“We can’t keep homestays stagnant,” he says. “We have to upgrade our service and redefine our product or young people won’t see it as an attractive business. If we can keep evolving with this travelling trend we’re confident the youths will stay and continue it.”

Back in Kathmandu, Monica explains that after the deaths of young protestors in September, a determination had spread to not let their sacrifice be in vain. “We want to keep holding the government accountable,” she says. “We don’t know what situation we’re facing, but we’re ready to face it.”

Interested in Nepal but prefer to experience it in total comfort? Read our guide to luxury travel in Nepal.

What it’s like onboard NCL’s Norwegian Jewel