First time gay couple wanting to cruise with NCL?

[joey87]

Hi guys wanting to book a Cruise with NCL on the Gem 7nights from NYC to the Bahamas we have never been on a cruise before me and my partner r in r mid 20 s, looking for any advise id be really greatful p.s is the FOD evenings a mix of ages? thanks again!

[KansasCityGuys]

My partner and I love NCL. You and your partner will have a great time. From our experience, Friends of Dorothy is normally a mixed range of ages. We have been to FOD before where hardly anyone showed up and then another time while on the Pearl 17 couples and a few solos were at FOD. We totally overtook one of the bars; it was great. The cocktail waitress just love us. On the last night of the cruise, NCL some times will put on a strip show with some of the male crew members (nothing to get to excited about). This show was held in the same bar as FOD. The cocktail waitress had reserved us all front row seats. Most of the female passengers were a little upset.

The Freestyle Daily will list the time and location for the Friends of Dorothy.

Scott

[joey87]

Hi Scott, Thanks a million for your advice, really looking forward to the cruise about to book it, although i am under the imprerssion July will be more dominated by families which i dont know is a good or bad thing lol?! the 3 or 4 night NCL cruises from Miami are a mix of younger people would that be better in ur opinion? the FOD meetings seem like a laugh, great to know there is diversity on cruiseliners Also like the idea of freestyle cruising much more relaxed! do you know if u can sit as just as a couple (table for 2) in the main dining areas or do you have to share a huge table with strangers?! Any extra advice would be great, thanks again Joey

[Clay Clayton]

Joey
Can't give you any advice about the short cruises out of Miami since we haven't done one, but not an issue to get a tale for two. On NCL you dine when and where and with whom you want. It is just like a restaurant, you tell the hostess whether you want a table for two or 14 . Enjoy your cruise!

[joey87]

Hi Clay! Thanks alot man, great to know stuff in general be4 the cruise. I see from ur profile u have recently been on the Gem, do u mind me asking what kind of room u had? wondering is it worth to get a mini suite or just a standard balcony room they seem quite similar? any other tips? thanks a million again regards Joey

[HGVGuy]

I enjoyed the FOD meetings we had on the Sun. A wide range of ages. It was a nice way to relax and enjoy people's company before my party headed to dinner.

I also love NCL's freestyle cruising. I don't have to plan my day according to when I was supposed to eat.

[joey87]

Hi HGV guy! Great to hear im in my mid 20s my partner late 20s glad to hear a mix of ages, do u mind me asking ur age? any other tips? cheers Joey

[KansasCityGuys]

Hi Joey,

We have done the 4 day Bahama Cruise out of Miami. For never taking a cruise before; a 3 or 4 day cruise is a good option to find out whether you will like the cruising environment. If we were to take another short cruise, we would not take it during Spring Break, Summer, Holiday week-end, etc. Only at a time when school is in session. We prefer the longer cruises as there are normally fewer kids on them.

Our first few cruises were inside stateroom and they were fine, especially if you are on a limited budget. Our last cruise, and now we are spoiled. Also, my partner smokes, so having the balcony is a plus for him.

I don't know what you budget is like but in my opinion an inside stateroom is better than no cruise at all!

Scott

[HGVGuy]

We are in our early 30s. My partner suggested we take a short cruise to make sure it was something I'd like... But I knew i would love it... So we went for the week long.

I would suggest you book whatever is in your budget (room wise), but then look at prices every day until your final payment. You can keep taking advantage of better deals until your final payment. I started out with an inside room for $500ish, and ended up with a porthole (unobstructed) for about $425. It's true you don't spend an amazing amount of time in your room, but it's nice to be able to at least wake up in the morning and look out the window. A balcony would be awesome to me. I would absolutely sit out there with my Kindle and relax.

[joey87]

hey Scott, thanks for the reply yep totally see the reason a 3/4 day miami trip would be good idea for the first time, unfortunately airfares to miami even to fort lauderdale are so expensive and seen a deal where flying into JFK is more aordable, a Miami cruise isnt out of the question for the moment but un likely...sounds like a good idea about cruising at non holiday times, like chilled out surrounding bit apprehensive the 7 night bahams frm NYC will be full of screaming kids now lol?! as for rooms have saved a bit of money for a nice room not sure on the mini suite or balcony room the difference between the room price is £150 per person for the week $235 dollars per person any advise would be great! thanks again Scott.

[joey87]

@HGV Guy, Thanks mate that is great to hear yeah im the same Kindle and a Beer lol by the balcony sounds good to me have a decent budget flying to the US from England. Think i have enough for a mini suite although i dont see a huge difference in the pics on line, but there is a diff in price per person a week £150 in dollarts $235 not sure if its worth it! are u able to go straight to ur room when u board or do u have to wait a until a specific time? thanks a million dude

[HGVGuy]

They are busy cleaning the rooms, so you usually have to wait for your room. I took that time to explore the ship. They announce when the rooms are ready. Ours were ready we'll before we set sail. I think we'd had two drinks by the time they made the announcement.So not too bad.

[KansasCityGuys]

Hi Joey, OK, I did not realize you are from the UK. The 7 day Bahamas out of New York would probably be a good option for you. It does not make much sense to fly all that distance for a short vacation. Are you planning on spending some time in New York?

On our last cruise this past November, we met the most wonderful couple, I think they live in Liverpool. Another one of our friends who we met, he is from New York, and he and his husband are currently on their honeymoon on a British Isle Cruise.

That is one great thing about cruising, you will make friends and will probably stay in touch with some of them. We are going to New York in July, ourselves to visit some of the friends we had met on our last cruise.

Scott

[KansasCityGuys]

Usually, the rooms are ready around 2pm. As HGVguy said, they will make an announcement when the rooms are ready. They will also have a lounge where you can put some of your carryons until your room is ready. We don't have much carryons with so we just prefer to keep them with us.

[Clay Clayton]

Joey
Haven't been on Gem yet, going in September but I can tell you that the main difference between a balcony and a mini suite is a little extra space in the room and a bath tub rather than a shower. Mike and I don't think the extra cost is worth it. If you haven't already read the forum set up for 1st time cruisers, you should. Lots of good info there.

[Stormhawk]

Hi Joey! I've been in both a Balcony and a Mini-Suite on the Gem when it was sailing the Med. For a couple I'd definitely recommend the Balcony over the Mini-Suite for value. The space is very comfortable for two and amazingly well arranged for maximum comfort. You can use the extra for different perks from Spa passes to extra nights in the upcharge resturants (and of course for Beverage tastings), all of which offer more than the extra few sq feet. Not having sailed to tropical routes I can't comment on exercusions that might offer you other ways to burn up those extra Pounds.

The Gem is a beautiful ship with a ton to do, but the balcony on either of the room categories you're considering is the same size so you'll lounge the same either way over that morning coffee or evening aperitif as the waves ease by.

Hope you both have a wonderful trip!

[MiamiSpartan]

We also love NCL..!
In fact, we leave on the 4 nighter on the Sky in 10 days...Always end up meeting lots of other gays on board, and also end up meeting lots of fun straights on board as well....

[Apple5]

We really like NCL and think it’s a good line on which to begin cruising as everything is very relaxed and easy. On our 3 NCL cruises we’ve always gone for a balcony. Though not large, the cabins are plenty big enough for 2 people and the bonus with NCL, unlike some other lines, is that a standard balcony usually has a small sofa in the room as well.

We’ve never had a problem getting a table for 2 either in the MDR or specialty restaurants, and have always had friendly and attentive service from all the staff in both restaurants and bars.

Enjoy!

[RickinNYC]

Originally Posted by joey87

Hi guys wanting to book a Cruise with NCL on the Gem 7nights from NYC to the Bahamas we have never been on a cruise before me and my partner r in r mid 20 s, looking for any advise id be really greatful p.s is the FOD evenings a mix of ages? thanks again!

My partner and I live in NYC and have taken that same ship/itinerary (as well as the Jewel). The ship is great, with lots to do.

You are correct that there will be quite a few families on board, but frankly, I've found that to be the case on just about any cruise of NYC. We've even taken the Gem over Spring Break, one of the single busiest family vacations times of year in the US. Be that as it may, we never felt out of sorts and really enjoyed the time on board. So much so that we do intend to make this an annual trip.

As for the FOD (dang I really hate that name!), we had two different experiences. When we were on the Gem, we met a couple of very nice guys, one of whom I went to college with. Kinda trippy to be in the middle of the ocean and reconnecting with an old friend I hadn't seen in almost 25 years! Our other experience was much different when on board the Jewel. We expected very few if any folks, but when we arrived, we met about 8 couples of varying ages and backgrounds. Very nice, friendly and welcoming.

Enjoy the cruise (and your trip to NYC)!

[Turtles06]

Hi Joey,

My partner and I (we are a female couple, much older than you ) are also NCL fans. We've sailed both the Gem and the Jewel out of NY (the Florida/Bahamas run on the Jewel, Bermuda on the Gem). We really enjoy freestyle dining -- we like eating when and where we want to eat. Never had a problem getting a table for two.

Balcony cabins are fine. I'd caution you about the mini-suites, as they are on Deck 11 and thus most of them are under the public areas on Deck 12, including the pool area and buffet, and so you might hear noise (e.g., scraping lounge chairs, cleaning at odd hours) from above. If you do go for a mini-suite, I'd look carefully at the deck plans to see what's above you. My personal preference is to book a cabin that has cabins above and below it (one reason I like Deck 10 on NCL's Jewel-class ships.)

One note of caution: don't expect great food on NCL. (We just returned from a TA on Celebrity and were amazed at how much better the food was.)

Have fun!