NCL Gem 4/15/2012 preliminary review- Chef's Table review coming soon!

[Clay Clayton]

Look forward to hearing your review of the Chef's Table. Hope we will be two of the lucky 12 in September!

TracyE, glad you enjoyed it...and presumably your cruise. Any movement on the job front?

[JenAir]

Originally Posted by 2Cruise4Ever

Code red means that there has been an outbreak of the noro virus on board. No self service of any kind...

Yes, it was code red. It was code red the week before as well, which was when NY schools were on April Break. Last week, Massachusetts (and perhaps CT) schools were on April Break. I'm a teacher in MA, and there have been lots of bugs going around (including norovirus). I suspect that the extra-high concentration of kids did not help with the sanitation. Just as winter is prime season for the flu because everyone is cooped up inside and touching everything, cruise ships are always prime for spreading germs like norovirus because so many people are crammed in such a small space together.

I heard that something like 300 people were quarantined during the NY vacation week cruise. I have to say, while I do know of a few people who got sick, I think NCL did a fantastic job in containing it during my cruise. I heard that all the wait staff were working 15 hour days to staff the buffets! They needed the extra manpower to have enough people to serve guests from the buffet and drink stations so that guests were not touching food or food serving utensils. They had to add the extra staff after some guests complained about having to wait to long for things like glasses of water. Normally, we would fill our own cups with ice and water. To contain the spread of the GI bug, NCL had servers filling glasses for people.

There was also (what became) the phenomenon of "washy washy." I don't remember this being such a thing on the Epic last summer, but every time you walk into a restaurant or through a buffet, one of the servers (some of whom would say "washy washy!") would squirt hand sanitizer gel on your hands as you entered. The comedian and the second city even added this to their routines and improv skits!

I think many of the teachers on board are considering instituting a "washy-washy" policy on all the kids who enter their classrooms! I know I am!

[classy1509]

Originally Posted by JenAir

Yes, it was code red. It was code red the week before as well, which was when NY schools were on April Break. Last week, Massachusetts (and perhaps CT) schools were on April Break. I'm a teacher in MA, and there have been lots of bugs going around (including norovirus). I suspect that the extra-high concentration of kids did not help with the sanitation. Just as winter is prime season for the flu because everyone is cooped up inside and touching everything, cruise ships are always prime for spreading germs like norovirus because so many people are crammed in such a small space together.

I heard that something like 300 people were quarantined during the NY vacation week cruise. I have to say, while I do know of a few people who got sick, I think NCL did a fantastic job in containing it during my cruise. I heard that all the wait staff were working 15 hour days to staff the buffets! They needed the extra manpower to have enough people to serve guests from the buffet and drink stations so that guests were not touching food or food serving utensils. They had to add the extra staff after some guests complained about having to wait to long for things like glasses of water. Normally, we would fill our own cups with ice and water. To contain the spread of the GI bug, NCL had servers filling glasses for people.

There was also (what became) the phenomenon of "washy washy." I don't remember this being such a thing on the Epic last summer, but every time you walk into a restaurant or through a buffet, one of the servers (some of whom would say "washy washy!") would squirt hand sanitizer gel on your hands as you entered. The comedian and the second city even added this to their routines and improv skits!

I think many of the teachers on board are considering instituting a "washy-washy" policy on all the kids who enter their classrooms! I know I am!

I agree with you JenAir. My family and I were on the same cruise as you and we a felt like the Gem staff was doing everything humanly possible to keep people from getting sick. We appreciate all their extra efforts and did not mind waiting for the staff to serve us even in the buffet. Kudos to NCL for going the extra mile to keep people well.

[JenAir]

I'm working on making the picture sizes from the dinner smaller so I can post them- but until them, here is the menu!

[JenAir]

Amuse Bouche 'Molecular Gastronome'
Spherical Mango, Vodka & Jalapeno Ravioli



Tomato, Basil, Curry & Lavender Lavosh



Ahi Tuna Tartare
Orange Wasabi Glaze / Sesame Crisp




Asparagus Cream
Cauliflower Flan/ Crispy Beetroot & Saffron Angel Hair


Short Crust Tartlet
Goat Cheese / Sun Dried Tomato Chutney / Basil Oil / Kalamata Olive Tapenade


Granite
Grapefruit and Moscato
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...08858246_n.jpg


Pan Seared Sea Bass
Plaintain Crusted / Mango, Papaya & Avocado Salsa / Lobster Veloute

[JenAir]

'Milk-Fed' Veal Chop
Anna Potatoes / Sauteed Spinach / Truffle Veal Jus



Cheese
St. Andre Triple Creme & Stilton / Honey Comb / Port Wine Infused Figs / Bagel Chips / Pickled Watermelon


Dome
Yogurt Mousse / Lychee Raspberry Creme / Hazel Sablee / Lime Vanilla Reduction


Chocolate Log
'Spiced' Dark Rum Infused Banana
Cocoa Mousse

[lgfromdg]

Re: CODE RED - I was on this sailing. There were actually around 30 cases of the virus the week before our sailing; not sure how many new cases popped up this week, but know there were some. While the precautions were a bit inconvenient, they were necessary and very much appreciated. I would venture to guess that the precautions will still be in place for this week's entire sailing.