Cruise ShipsPast and PresentRoyal Caribbean GroupRoyal Caribbean International (RCI)

GTS Jewel of the Seas – Past and Present

IMO Number: 9228356

GTS Jewel of the Seas

© Marcel & Ruud Coster

© Marcel & Ruud Coster (Ijmuiden, Netherlands 06/08/22)

Steel twin Azipod “Radiance class” motor vessel built in 2004 by Meyer Werft GmbH, Papenburg Germany (Yard No 658) as a Passenger (Cruise) Ship for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL), Miami, Florida, United States of America

Technical Data

  • Original Cost: $350 million
  • Length: 293.20 m (overall) 266.23 m (between perpendiculars)
  • Breadth: 39.20 m
  • Depth: 10.70 m
  • Draught: 8.50 m (Summer)
  • Tonnage: 90090 gross/53825 net/11936t deadweight
  • Engines/Generators: 1 x MAN-B&W 18VP185 main diesel generator set 4,000 kW – Paxman MAN B&W, 1 x Wärtsilä 38B 16V main diesel generator set 8,000 kW- Wärtsilä Italia Spa, 2 x Main generator gas turbine (Gas Turbine) LM 2500 – General-Electric each 25,000 W, 1 x Main generator steam turbine (Steam turbine) 56B – Fincantieri – 7,800 kW
  • Power: 59000 kW/78600 bHP
  • Propulsion: Diesel electric, 2 x Azimuthing pods – power each 19.500 kW – ABB Oy, Marine & Turbocharging
  • Bow Thrusters: 3x Rolls Royce 3000CP-KI each 2,010 kW
  • Speed: 24.0 knots (Cruise) 25.0 (Max)
  • Passenger Decks: 12
  • Capacity: 2100 (2500 max)
  • Crew: 885
  • Call Sign: C6FW9
  • MMSI Number: 311583000
  • IMO Number: 9228356
  • Official Number: 9000084
  • Port of Registry: Nassau/Bahamas 🇧🇸
  • Sister Ships: Brilliance of the Seas (656), Radiance of the Seas (655), Serenade of the Seas (657)


Current AIS Location


Please note that this specific vessels AIS position data may be over an hour old and that the vessels position will only be displayed when it is within range of the VesselFinder AIS system. The AIS transponder/ship position data featured on this page is intended for information purposes only and it is in no way related to the 'Safety of Navigation at Sea'. All the AIS ship position data featured within this article is provided by VesselFinder and we are therefore not responsible for its content or its accuracy.


History

September 26th 2001: Keel laid.

March 13th 2004: Floated out of the covered building Dock.

April 4th 2004: Delivered to Jewel of the Seas Inc. Manager; Royal Caribbean Cruises

April 22nd 2004: Completed.

 

© Aleksi Lindström (Helsinki, 09/04/2008)

May 7th 2004: Official naming ceremony in Southampton by the ship’s godmother Kathy Mellor. Kathy Mellor was voted “National Teacher of the Year” for 2004.

May 8th 2004: Maiden voyage from Southampton to Scandinavia.

 

© Aleksi Lindström (Helsinki, 17/07/2009)

© Wil Weijsters

© Wil Weijters (Barbados 23/01/2008)

December 3rd 2015: Royal Caribbean announced that Jewel of the Seas would receive a major multi-million dollar refurbishment before a mediterranean deployment cruising from Rome (Civitavecchia) in April 2016. The refurbishment would take place at the at Grand Bahama Shipyard, Freeport, Bahamas.

JEWEL OF THE SEAS RECEIVES A $30 MILLION MAKEOVER

TO BE UNVEILED IN APRIL 2016

Glass-Encased Ship to Showcase the Glory and Adventure of Summers in the Mediterranean

MIAMI, Dec. 3, 2015 – Royal Caribbean International today announced that Jewel of the Seas will sail out for the summer 2016 Mediterranean season boasting a new shine and ready to explore the ‘old world.’ The 90,090 gross-registered-ton ship, featuring nearly three acres of exterior glass will receive a complete makeover from bow-to-stern, unveiling a fresh and thoroughly contemporary style. Sparkling with ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the ship, Jewel’s superior combination of shipboard experience, convenience and value will make it a natural option for family summer travel in Europe, particularly for discovery-driven travelers looking to explore the most coveted isles and cities in and around the Mediterranean. From May through October, Jewel of the Seas will be the only ship in its category sailing round-trip from the marquee city of Rome, Italy on an array of Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.

With new staterooms, new restaurants, technology upgrades and exciting entertainment, Jewel will be the most contemporary ship to sail from Rome this summer.  Additions include a two-bedroom family suite and 24 new outside and balcony accommodations that showcase the picturesque coastlines of the Eastern Mediterranean.  Giovanni’s Table, Vintages and Izumi, some of Royal Caribbean’s most popular dining venues, will join the diverse menu of dining options. Chops Grille, the spa and retail areas also will be refreshed with a new modern design and in addition a new poolside movie screen will invite guests to nights of animated and classic cinema under the stars. Most exciting for selfie-snapping, hyper-connected travelers is the addition of VOOM, the fastest internet at sea throughout the ship.

Flying round-trip from U.S. gateways to Rome will provide travelers the most competitive airfare options, and the seven-, eight- and nine-night itineraries showcase the best destinations of Italy, Greece and Turkey. She will visit popular ports of call such as Athens and Mykonos in Greece and Ephesus, Turkey as well as a bucket-list favorite Santorini, Greece.

Jewel of the Seas, which is part of Royal Caribbean’s intimately-sized Radiance class of ships, will deliver the ultimate collection of Mediterranean experiences from historical European cities to idyllic island towns – all woven together by the rich life, art and tradition of this cultural cradle – and of course, the active adventures and innovations for which Royal Caribbean is known.

“When the rejuvenated Jewel of the Seas arrives to Rome in April 2016, she will boast a perfect blend of design, amenities, services and technology that modern world travelers expect, while immersing them in some of the most sought-after-cities in the Mediterranean,” said Michael Bayley, president & CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “These adventures will appeal to both our loyal, seasoned guests and young, experience-seekers that we are speaking to with our new ‘Come Seek’ campaign.” 

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

April 3rd – April 24th 2016: Refit at Grand Bahama Shipyard, Freeport, Bahamas. 

August 21st 2020: Arrived at Dover from Gibraltar.

 

Dover, 22/08/2020 © Nigel Scutt (Dover Strait Shipping)

August 23rd 2020: Departed Dover showing destination as Poole. Jewel of the Seas was at anchor in Poole Bay off the Dorset coast in the UK sitting out the Covid-19 pandemic. As with the other cruise ships in the area the ship made occasional visits to The Port of Southampton to collect supplies and fuel.

Arrival in Southampton to load stores and supplies (16/04/21) © Andrew McAlpine Cruise Ship Profiles

May 2021: To the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain for overhaul before resuming service.

May 19th 2022: Called at Dover.

© Craig Nelson  © Craig Nelson

© Craig Nelson

© Craig Nelson (Dover, 19/05/2022)

© Marcel & Ruud Coster

© Marcel & Ruud Coster (Ijmuiden, Netherlands 06/08/22)

June 19th 2022: Called at Dover.

 

© Paul Jolliffe courtesy of Dover Strait Shipping

 

  

Dover, 22/08/2020 © Nigel Scutt (Dover Strait Shipping)

August 29th 2022: Called at Dover.

Dover, 22/08/2020 © Mike Jackson courtesy of Dover Strait Shipping

May 3rd 2023: Called at Dover.

May 28th 2023: Called at Belfast.

© Trevor Kidd © Trevor Kidd

© Trevor Kidd (Belfast, 28/05/2023)

June 4th 2023: Due at Dover.

© Robert Foy © Robert Foy © Robert Foy

🆕 © Robert Foy (Liverpool, 13/08/2023)

August 15th 2023: Due at Dover.


All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Nigel Scutt and Paul Jolliffe (Dover Strait Shipping), Mike Jackson, Trevor Kidd, Andrew McAlpine Cruise Ship Profiles, Aleksi Lindström, Craig Nelson, and Wil Weijsters for their assistance in producing this feature.

Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)

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