Help ! Gem - various questions

[apelleti]

I've done one cruise on the RCCL Freedom of the sea last year. We are now considering the GEM, out of NY in February. Would cruise with son of 12. Has anyone stayed in the Suite AB category with a child ? Stateroom 11030 is available. Is it worth it ? Is leaving out of NY a good thing ? How long does it take to be able to go outside and use the pools ? How does it compare to Royal carrabean ?? Thanks for your help !!

[spirit rev]

Originally Posted by apelleti

I've done one cruise on the RCCL Freedom of the sea last year. We are now considering the GEM, out of NY in February. Would cruise with son of 12. Has anyone stayed in the Suite AB category with a child ? Stateroom 11030 is available. Is it worth it ? Is leaving out of NY a good thing ? How long does it take to be able to go outside and use the pools ? How does it compare to Royal carrabean ?? Thanks for your help !!

We enjoy sailing out of NYC in the winter. IT takes a day, maybe a little longer to really be able to sit by the pool and enjoy - unless it is unusually mild. If you're from the Northeast/New England it will be sooner than if you are from further south as warm can be relative. I've seen folks in the hot tubs as we sail out of NYC.

I don't know about an AB with a child but DH and I love the NCL suites. I'd think having a seperate room for a child would be great for a lot of reasons. And, you still will have community living space.

Enjoy your cruise.

[DMH15]

I think you will love the AB and all of the suite perks on NCL. Cruising out of NYC is beautiful. Passing the Statue of Liberty and V Bridge is memorable.

Enjoy!

[hamrag]

Originally Posted by apelleti

I've done one cruise on the RCCL Freedom of the sea last year. We are now considering the GEM, out of NY in February. Would cruise with son of 12. Has anyone stayed in the Suite AB category with a child ? Stateroom 11030 is available. Is it worth it ? Is leaving out of NY a good thing ? How long does it take to be able to go outside and use the pools ? How does it compare to Royal carrabean ?? Thanks for your help !!

We sailed out of NYC 2nd Feb 2008, and found we were able to walk on deck comfortably with short sleeves by the first afternoon at sea and on the second day at sea the outer deck areas were full of people enjoying the warm sunshine. On the way back mid-Feb on the final day at sea there was a force 8 storm....so really it depends!

Royal Carribean in our opinion is slightly better overall than NCL, mainly because of better food menus in the MDR. Some people like freestyle dining, although we are neutral about that. We also find that on NCL there is little to do in the later evening, as everything begins to close from about 11.30pm.

The thing that usually takes us back to NCL is the fact that prices are normally lower, which over-rides the slightly overall inferior product compared to RCCL.

[Bluewake]

Went on the NCL Gem last February out of NYC. We liked the ship a lot. It's a moderate size ship so it doesn't have the bells and whistles some of the megaliners have such as skating rinks and promenades but we thought it had cozy quality. Our son especially enjoyed the bowling alley and my wife and I liked hanging out in the bar with the guitarist/singer. However, we'd never cruised in winter before and were a bit surprised at how crowded the public spaces were the first couple of days and the last couple of days. Since it was cold outside, all those folks who would have been by the pool or on the deck with a book were looking for spaces inside. I once actually found myself waiting in line for a seat in the library! Adding to our situation was the fact that we'd tried an inside cabin for the first time, our thinking being that since it was winter, we wouldn't use a balcony so why pay for it? Well, we were wrong. Having a larger room would have been nice since the room got a bit tight with all three of us in there at times. But, once we were off the Florida coast, people started using the pool and deck chairs and the crowds inside thinned out. If you are a "deck person", you may find yourself looking for alternative things to do during the trip down and back so plan accordingly...but all in all, we had a great time on the Gem and trust that you will as well. After all, it's a cruise!

[trish1c]

I have left NY in January when it was 60 degrees outside & had smooth sailing all the way down. We were outside in clothes not bathing suits the next day although there were a few brave souls. By day 2 it's all tropical.

Coming back we've had huge waves, rain & bitter cold. I spent the last full day of our 11 day cruise in bed b/c it was so rough.

Not having to fly is great.

The ship is filled with bright colors. Your 12 year old will enjoy the rock wall & the bowling.

It's comparable to RCI imho.

[wahine56]

We stayed in an AB on the Gem last year. You will love the cabin, it is the same layout as the A3's in the courtyard. You have the second bedroom and bath which will be fine for 1 child, plus the living/dining room. I love the bathroom and all the suite perks. Go for it, you can't go wrong.

Pat

[garycarla]

The AB suite is wonderfull. Separate bedroom and bath for jr. Awesome bath for Mom and Dad and separate bedroom.

Eating in Cagneys for breakfast and lunch is wonderful as well.

[coka]

Originally Posted by apelleti

I've done one cruise on the RCCL Freedom of the sea last year. We are now considering the GEM, out of NY in February. Would cruise with son of 12. Has anyone stayed in the Suite AB category with a child ? Stateroom 11030 is available. Is it worth it ? Is leaving out of NY a good thing ? How long does it take to be able to go outside and use the pools ? How does it compare to Royal carrabean ?? Thanks for your help !!

I have seen pictures of an AB and have read many cruisecritic reviews loving the AB most especially with children. They have reported the second bedroom/bathroom for their child/children was worth it.

I left out of NYC four times (Oct. 1x, Dec. 2x and April 1x). Each time was more than a good thing. An experience to remember no matter the weather...even though one Dec. time was cold.

The diehards were in the hot tubs at sailaway but the general masses waited until the next day. Again, it depends on the weather (and how far north you live)!

I have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises (Sovereign and Mariner). Although years ago, the Gem will have a different experience than RCCL. A major difference with the Gem is you will not find a huge atrium or mall walk area (like the Mariner). On the Gem you will find a bowling alley but you will not find an ice rink. On the Gem you will find a giant Wii screen in the atrium but you will not find a movie theater. You will find a rock wall on the Gem as you do on RCCL.

Since you are thinking about an AB suite, I think you will find there is no comparison...I think NCL got voted best suite experience on cruisecritic...and others have reported in reviews the suites/experience on NCL are the very best.

Both have kids programs...I have seen varied reports...those who sail other cruise lines liked NCL's better and there are those who found it worse.

Good luck with your decision! The Gem is a fantastic ship with a very professional crew. If you decide to go, I hope you come back and tell us about your experience.

coka

[s&a]

Haven't sailed on NCL yet but we were on the QM2 from New York last December and sat alone in the hot tub as we were going under the Verazzano Narrows Bridge at night. It was pretty awesome.

[barbl123]

We have sailed RC 2x and NCL last October to Europe - I LOVED NCL- (Gem) especially the Freestyle dining -to me there is nothing like getting placed w/ the same couple(s) at the same time for a week. If you are lucky you will have something in common (and it is only dinner) - But it can make for a long week of dinners should you not "click!" I can't say enough about the Gem and staff - don't know about the room selection -but I would imagine it will be fine - have a ball!