Just back from the Gem -- some miscellaneous comments

Did you experience any rough seas while sailing down the East Coast? Or on the way back up to New York? I am considering changing to this cruise next June and wonder about weather issues.

We had wonderful weather and mostly calm seas, but that means absolutely nothing in terms of what someone might experience next week, let alone next year. When you are on the ocean, anything can happen. :)

Thank you for your informative review! Sounds like you had a good time.

I have a question -- you mentioned that your prior experience with self walk-off in NYC was "disastrous". Can you explain? My friend and I are sailing on the Gem for the first time in September to Canada/New England. We have a flight out of LaGuardia at 12:45 p.m. Why was self-walk off so bad for you on your previous cruise?

Thanks for any info!

Thank you for your informative review! Sounds like you had a good time.

 

I have a question -- you mentioned that your prior experience with self walk-off in NYC was "disastrous". Can you explain? My friend and I are sailing on the Gem for the first time in September to Canada/New England. We have a flight out of LaGuardia at 12:45 p.m. Why was self-walk off so bad for you on your previous cruise?

 

Thanks for any info!

For starters, it was a disorganized mess on board the ship. People crammed with all of their luggage into public lounges. When disembarkation started, the self-walk off turned into giving all of your luggage a walking tour of what was pretty much the entirety of Deck 7, literally being directed in lines that snaked in and out of the inside of the ship and all around the outside deck, dragging all your luggage. And because so many people were using self-walk off, the Immigration folks stopped the disembarkation periodically because the terminal had become too crowded. (Observing on this most recent cruise, the periodic halts were the case as well.) It felt like it took close to an hour to get off the ship, and all around it was simply an awful way to end a vacation.

I think one of the problems in NY is how many people use the self-walk off. On this most recent cruise, the buffet was surprisingly empty once self-walk off had started; I really think a lot of folks tried to get off the ship at the same time. Obviously, no way to know what things will be like for your sailing.

I hope you have a great cruise!

For starters, it was a disorganized mess on board the ship. People crammed with all of their luggage into public lounges. When disembarkation started, the self-walk off turned into giving all of your luggage a walking tour of what was pretty much the entirety of Deck 7, literally being directed in lines that snaked in and out of the inside of the ship and all around the outside deck, dragging all your luggage. And because so many people were using self-walk off, the Immigration folks stopped the disembarkation periodically because the terminal had become too crowded. (Observing on this most recent cruise, the periodic halts were the case as well.) It felt like it took close to an hour to get off the ship, and all around it was simply an awful way to end a vacation.

 

I think one of the problems in NY is how many people use the self-walk off. On this most recent cruise, the buffet was surprisingly empty once self-walk off had started; I really think a lot of folks tried to get off the ship at the same time. Obviously, no way to know what things will be like for your sailing.

 

I hope you have a great cruise!

Okay -- thanks. Not sure what we will do. I am having nightmares about the 12:45 p.m. flight out of LaGuardia. I should have chosen the 4:30 p.m. flight instead. I am having buyer's remorse about that. Hopefully, we will get off the ship and into a taxi in time to make it.

Okay -- thanks. Not sure what we will do. I am having nightmares about the 12:45 p.m. flight out of LaGuardia. I should have chosen the 4:30 p.m. flight instead. I am having buyer's remorse about that. Hopefully, we will get off the ship and into a taxi in time to make it.

Assuming no issues with the ship's arrival into NY, it's hard to imagine your not making that flight, but you might have to do self-walk off (and maybe it will be fine that day! :) ). I do have one suggestion: go over to the East Coast Departures Board, start a new thread, state the day of the week the Gem gets back in (which you haven't mentioned), and ask those folks for their advice. They are very helpful on that board in terms of this sort of thing.

Assuming no issues with the ship's arrival into NY, it's hard to imagine your not making that flight, but you might have to do self-walk off (and maybe it will be fine that day! :) ). I do have one suggestion: go over to the East Coast Departures Board, start a new thread, state the day of the week the Gem gets back in (which you haven't mentioned), and ask those folks for their advice. They are very helpful on that board in terms of this sort of thing.

Yes, I am planning to ask about it on the East Coast Departures Board. Honestly, I am a little afraid to ask over there. Worried that I am going to get bad news - LOL. We return to NY on a Saturday.

Thanks.

Yes, I am planning to ask about it on the East Coast Departures Board. Honestly, I am a little afraid to ask over there. Worried that I am going to get bad news - LOL. We return to NY on a Saturday.

 

Thanks.

The fact that it's a Saturday will help. I was just over on that board, and saw this thread about getting to LGA, which reminded me that you might have a later-scheduled arrival on the Gem than we did:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2209831

I just received a post-cruise email survey from NCL. One of the questions asked if I've ever heard of Cruise Critic. :p

That's cool! :)

Glad you had a great time. Thanks for your review.

The fact that it's a Saturday will help. I was just over on that board, and saw this thread about getting to LGA, which reminded me that you might have a later-scheduled arrival on the Gem than we did:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2209831

Oh yes, I've seen that thread. We are supposed to be docked by 8:00 a.m. We should have enough time, but, of course, anything can happen.

Thanks!

Is the rock wall finished yet?

Oh yes, I've seen that thread. We are supposed to be docked by 8:00 a.m. We should have enough time, but, of course, anything can happen.

 

Thanks!

Here's what you do:

Buy travel insurance if you haven't done so yet as it covers delays but is a smart move even if you have the 4:39 flight

Then make sure the guest services onboard knows you have an early flight so you get off as soon as the ship is cleared. It is not at all unheard of to get off this way

Then you just make sure you are fed dressed packed and ready to go by 7:30 am. Let the other pax have the buffet to themselves as you will be among a smaller group getting off early

Finally if it gets overwhelming you nicely go to the front of the line and show them your plane ticket

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Is the rock wall finished yet?

Still closed. I read on another thread that this is because of work on the scrubbers, not the wall. In any case, it was closed.

Here's what you do:

Buy travel insurance if you haven't done so yet as it covers delays but is a smart move even if you have the 4:39 flight

Then make sure the guest services onboard knows you have an early flight so you get off as soon as the ship is cleared. It is not at all unheard of to get off this way

Then you just make sure you are fed dressed packed and ready to go by 7:30 am. Let the other pax have the buffet to themselves as you will be among a smaller group getting off early

Finally if it gets overwhelming you nicely go to the front of the line and show them your plane ticket

Good advice! Thank you. What I must do is stop worrying about it because that could ruin the experience for no reason. I have already purchased travel insurance. I have also told myself that the worst that can haopen is that we miss the flight. We will get home eventually. The world won't end. I lost my husband to cancer seven years ago, so I always try to put things in perspective. This is nothing, really. It will all work out.

Good advice! Thank you. What I must do is stop worrying about it because that could ruin the experience for no reason. I have already purchased travel insurance. I have also told myself that the worst that can haopen is that we miss the flight. We will get home eventually. The world won't end. I lost my husband to cancer seven years ago, so I always try to put things in perspective. This is nothing, really. It will all work out.

I am very sorry about your loss.

Good perspective to stop worrying about this and just enjoy your trip. Particularly since it's a Saturday, the chances are that you will be fine. Do the self-walk off AND get a porter when you get down into the luggage area. They get to take you through a special immigration line with little or no waiting. Well worth the tip you pay them!

Have a great trip!

I was there with you and have to agree. I wanted to go to the Q&A, but had some decent weather at the pool, so didn't get there. I usually enjoy that. I was disappointed with most of the shows. I enjoyed the comic and that was about it. There's usually some kind of acrobatic show or cirque and there wasn't any of that. I like magicians, but none of that either.

I'm booked on the Gem again next April and hope the shows get better. Spent too much time in the casino since the shows bored me.

I don't think I ever went passed deck 13. I'll have to check out 14 next time.

I still had a great cruise and hated going back to work today.

Ohhh you must have missed the show MAGIKA??

I really enjoyed it!

Just curious how strict they were with enforcing the "no taking food back to your cabin from the buffet" policy.

No problem what so ever taking food back on this sailing.

I am very sorry about your loss.

 

Good perspective to stop worrying about this and just enjoy your trip. Particularly since it's a Saturday, the chances are that you will be fine. Do the self-walk off AND get a porter when you get down into the luggage area. They get to take you through a special immigration line with little or no waiting. Well worth the tip you pay them!

 

Have a great trip!

Thank you.

I am going to try to just let it go and not worry about it. What will be, will be.

Do they have the assortment of ice cream on the buffet?

Do they have the assortment of ice cream on the buffet?

Yes, a number of flavors, as well as sprinkles and some syrups. :)

Just off the 05/16 Gem and signed up for the NCL excursion to KSC.

I agree that this is an excellent experience to understand and appreciate our space program. However, it's worth knowing a few facts. I had read elsewhere that their was poor allowance for food on this tour and I agree. The tour leaders advise you to take the bus tour first and save the Imax theater until last (they have a special after-closing showing for you).

1) The first must-see item is the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. This includes a simulated launch theater experience, a lunar landing theater experience, and a full Saturn V on display. More significantly, it also has a fast food spot with pizza and large selection of sandwiches.

2) Once back at the Visitor Center, the Atlantis building has the real space shuttle on display along with a number of interactive activities.

The problem is that when our bus returned us to the Visitor Center all but one of the food outlets was closed. The remaining food place had a limited menu of wings, fries, drinks, etc. So we had 2 hours to kill before our special Imax show, that would be fine except that all the other exhibit buildings were closed (so you might as well plan on the Atlantis building).

Since the excursion departs before noon and gets you back to the boat around 8pm you'll want either a big breakfast or plan on a late dinner. The problem is not that food choices are limited as much as that you don't have enough information to use your time wisely and that's frustrating.

I just received a post-cruise email survey from NCL. One of the questions asked if I've ever heard of Cruise Critic. [emoji14]

I was also asked that question on the Carnival survey when I got home from Carnival Pride cruise end of March.

i did have one question,,was the new room service fee applied? because on the website it states breakaway and getaway has the new room service menu and fee.

This has been a pretty positive thread did you really have to bring that up?

Who want's a "continental" breakfast?? I want eggs, sausage, french toast, etc....go to the dining room!!!!

We like coffee delivered so we'd get a few pastries. We call it our 'pre breakfast' breakfast! ;)

We like coffee delivered so we'd get a few pastries. We call it our 'pre breakfast' breakfast! ;)

My BIL and SIL did the same thing! :)

My spouse and I have just returned from the Gem's one-week sailing out of New York to Port Canaveral and the Bahamas. This was our 6th cruise on NCL (among other cruises), our second on the Gem, and the second time doing this itinerary. There's so much info out there about the Gem and her sister ships that I don't think a full review is needed, but I wanted to put up a few comments in case they are helpful to anyone sailing soon.

 

The bottom line is that we had a wonderful cruise, one that exceeded our expectations based on past experience (particularly as to the food). So anything I say below that is negative just means that nothing is perfect, and it certainly did not spoil our excellent vacation. Here are my comments in no particular order:

 

Food: We thought that the food in the MDR and the buffet was quite good, which was a very pleasant surprise for us, as we'd found the food in those venues to be mediocre when we first were on the Gem back in 2011. Breakfast in the buffet in particular was excellent for what it was (and I am always happy when I can get someone to make me an omelette to order :)). We also had a terrific dinner in Le Bistro. (My new favorite dessert: order the chocolate fondue, ask the server to bring vanilla ice cream with it, and pour the chocolate on it. It will harden into a yummy Brown Bonnet.) Our only truly negative dining experience was dinner at Orchid Garden. I wrote about that separately at the following thread, so I won't repeat it here.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2207263&highlight=orchid+garden

 

Favorite places to hang out: We discovered the "Quiet Zone" on our first Gem cruise (Deck 14, all the way forward), and it's still a favorite place for us. You can't beat those round two-person pods on a cool day; just wrap yourself up, read, or watch the sea. When we weren't interested in being in the sun, the Great Outdoors was another favorite spot. For some reason, we didn't spend that much time in the Spinnaker Lounge this trip, but it's a great place and I hope NCL never does to the Gem what it did to the Star. Also, we love the Promenade Deck, and it's such a shame that newer builds don't have one.

 

Entertainment : NCL is usually pretty good or better on this score, not so much on this trip. We went to two production shows, and while the cast was energetic, the shows were lame at best. (And memo to the producers of "World Beat": "Whatever Lola Wants" is not music from Spain or Mexico, it's from the Broadway show "Damn Yankees.")

 

We also went to guest artist Jeri Sager's show. She was billed as a Broadway singer and actress who was going to sing Broadway show tunes, and we were very much looking forward to that. Sadly, although Ms. Sager has a very good voice, she spent far too much time talking and not singing. She also made the show more about herself than anything else. For example, the second song she sang was her own altered version of "Liza With a Z" (she never mentioned that, and I suspect many folks in the audience did not know the real song), which she set up by claiming people often call her Teri, and she sang "It's Jeri with a J, not Teri with a T," the whole Liza song altered for her. Sorry, Ms. Sager, you aren't famous, you aren't a legend, and that song does not work for you. By the time she launched into what felt like a 20-minute monologue about Grizabella (a role she played in "Cats"), people were walking out. C'mon, stop talking and sing "Memory." I think she maybe sang five songs in the entire show. Again, she has a good voice. I just wish she had put it to better use, she really could have done a great show.

 

Staff and crew Friendly and attentive. I particularly enjoyed the Q and A with the Captain, the Chief Engineer, the Hotel Director, and the Executive Chef. Our cabin attendant wasn't the best we've ever had, but he tried hard and he got the job done.

 

Embarkation and Disembarkation: Both were quick and easy. This was our first cruise as Gold Latitudes members, and we were given boarding group 1 upon arriving at the pier around 9:30am. We've also learned from prior cruises not to do the self-walk off at the end in New York, which we've found to be disastrous. We waited till about 9:30am to disembark and availed ourselves of a porter, which I'd learned from Cruise Critic gets you into a separate line for immigration; it did and we breezed through. We were literally off the ship and in our car in about ten minutes (and never had to lift a suitcase except to put it in the trunk).

 

The ports: In Port Canaveral, we visited the Kennedy Space Center, which was a truly amazing experience and I highly recommend it. At Great Stirrup Cay (our first time there), we rented a small cabana. This was a great decision -- shelter from the sun and the little bit of rain we had. And in Nassau (our third time there and not one of our favorite ports), we actually enjoyed ourselves doing our own walking tour of the downtown historic area and having lunch at a fabulous place called Bahamian Cookin', which serves true Bahamian food. Don't miss the conch fritters, macaroni ad cheese, and the fruit punch. A memorable lunch for us.

 

The weather: Okay, NCL had nothing to do with this, but we had great weather, and I hope you do too!

 

Please feel free to ask any questions, which I'll do my best to answer.

Thanks for your objective comments. I was glad to hear you say you enjoyed the food in the MDR because we were on the Pearl a couple of months ago and like you, thought the food had improved. I do realize food is subjective. We also agree with you on the entertainment. We were a little disappointed with the Pearl entertainment, not bad but the shows did leave a lot to be desired. We enjoyed the entertainment around the ship, at night more.