scaaty

Just another avid follower. I'm happy to hear that you are on the mend and that the GIST was benign! Be sure to listen to the medical advise and don't try to rush your recovery. This is one time that slow and steady definitely wins the race! looking forward to you next world cruse blog. 💖

I avoid the jewelry stores that are 'recommended' by the ship and explore on my own. My favorite where I have gotten a number of really nice pieces is Zhaveri jewelers on Front Street in St. Maarten. I let my husband do the haggling as he is really good at it. That seems to be expected at most of the jewelry stores I've been to in the Caribbean.

Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. Will be in the Haven on the Escape in October 🙂

@cruiseny4life Did you happen to notice how crowded the pier parking was?Am debating whether to drive or cab it. Leaving on the Gem on Monday

5 hours ago, ellewoods said:

Leo is the Concierge, he will be staying on. He was just brought on during dry dock. 

Thanks

On 12/27/2022 at 5:15 PM, ellewoods said:

 

 

Before bed yesterday we received information from the Concierge to meet him at 8:00 to be escorted off the ship.

@ellewoods who is the concierge? Will he be on for the next cruise or heading home for vacation?

I think this thread shows how folks on the same cruise can have very differing opinions. That's why I take most reviews with a grain of salt. To me a cruise is what you make of it. Sure 'ship' happens, but you're on vacation, not cooking or cleaning. I like to just go with the flow.

46 minutes ago, ellewoods said:

We forgot to order coffee last night and wished the coffee was out earlier in the courtyard. However, Teddy had it set up promptly at 6:30 and we got to chat a little bit while he set up. He is definitely an asset to the Gem and I can already tell he will be a noted “vacation hero”.

 

Just Love Teddy! We had him as a butler in the past, and on one cruise where I surprised my nieces with a suite, they absolutely loved him! He probably won't remember us since it was so long ago, but tell him Dianne, Kara and Kristi say hi!

On 12/14/2022 at 2:10 PM, Antimony said:

Silly question, but do the tub/showers in Club Balcony suites have a non-slip surface or a bath mat in them? I've taken a nasty fall in a slippery shower before and I really don't want that to happen on my vacation, especially since I'm travelling solo.

They have non slip surfaces, but if concerned, just put a wet towel down for extra security. I've done that on days when the ship is rocking.

2 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

About half way through your 1st cruise, you will receive a letter from Guest Services explaining the process for a back to back.  The letter will give you a meeting place and then you will be led of the ship for a few moments and led back on before the embarkation process begins.  You will be issued a new room key, your account will be closed and a new one established,  It is really pretty easy.  Enjoy

 

 

Thanks!

33 minutes ago, complawyer said:

anything specifc you want to know, your's is a pretty open-ended vague question. we've been on a few b2b's so i'd be more than happy to try and give you some insight 

I guess everything, do we need to get off the ship? Can we just stay in our Cabin? Are there any special arrangements for back to back, do we use the same room key, do they close our account and open a new one, etc.? Plus anything else anyone can think of that I haven't mentioned.

Getting ready for my first ever back to back cruise. Any helpful hints are appreciated. will be going on the Gem out of NYC.

13 hours ago, cruiseat50 said:

How do you do this and is there a charge for this?

There is no charge. Just go to the NCL web site under casino, here's the link with all of the info

https://www.ncl.com/credit

I apply in advance for a casino credit (marker). This way I know my budget for the cruise. Sadly, I've yet to not have to write a check at the end of the cruise!

On 2/10/2022 at 10:31 AM, Kclovesken said:

I was just coming here to say the same thing and ask a question. Is the streaming plan really worth it? I only want to use it to be able to use WhatsApp to check on the kids back home. Also do you use it while your phone is on airplane mode? So confuzzled lol any guidance would be much appreciated. Doing a Mex Riviera Cruise. 

Hi, I had the regular wifi package on the Gem and was able to use WhatsApp with no problem. Even had a surprise call from my cousin in Denmark and it came in loud and clear (we were sailing to Bermuda)

Definitely the aft balcony. I just love that cabin 🙂

Just want to add to the Thank yous for taking us on your cruise with you. I love your posts and will now miss not having them to read. Welcome home!

18 hours ago, luvbeaches5 said:

The Gem certainly does have a Haven. We have stayed in the Haven on the Gem numerous times.

Yes there is a Haven on the Gem, I've even stayed in it. Sorry for the misleading statement, I did mean no Haven access for the aft penthouse.

Sorry, I'm terrible with names, but there was good entertainment throughout the ship. I'm not sure if Teacake was on your November cruise, but if you see her listed in the theater, go see her, she's fantastic!

We love, love, love the Gem and her staff and crew, and as usual they did not disappoint us. We are suite travelers (aft penthouse, no Haven on Gem). Having been on the Gem many times for us it was old home week with greetings from all of the staff and crew we have come to know and love. This is one of the things that keep us coming back.

We have done this itinerary many times and usually only get off in Great Stirrup Cay. Since DH has not seen the new Atlantis exhibit, we did go there on a ship sponsored tour. Being a child of the space age, I really love the Kennedy Space Center, and even though I've see the Atlantis exhi8bit before, I still got chills and he just loved it.

Teacake performed this cruise, and all I can say is if you see her in the line up,don't miss this show. She has an awesome voice and does Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin songs. Even my old stogie, Italian DH, who doesn't understand all of what is said or sung, loves her voice and enjoys the show.

Sadly I was sick (bad cold) for the rest of the cruise, so I spent time sleeping in the cabin and keeping germ spread to a minimum. This is where having a  butler really is great. She brought me hot chicken soup and plenty of tea with honey and lemon!

Our only disappointments with this cruise have to do with new corporate changes. The first being with photos.Now when they take a picture in a restaurant they come back with prints to buy then and there, they are not available later. We found this very disappointing as we like to review and decide at the end of the cruise. his resulted in buying much fewer pictures then usual. Yes, even as frequent cruisers, we still buy pictures!

The second is much more subjective as anything to do with dining is. They have removed the potato soup from the Cagney's menu, as well as zucchini and spinach as sides. Also, as suite guests, the removed the salads from the lunch menu. We missed all of these.

In La Cucina, folks may be happy to hear that they brought back the pizza. Not of interest to us. Sadly though the removed the carpaccio, beef lazagna, and lamb chops.

Food is subjective and not all will agree with our disappointment and I understand that.

Did this ruin our cruise, no, but felt the need to mention since NCL does read the reviews.

Any questions, just ask and I will try to answer.

They are on sale and therefore you can buy as many as you want.

 

They are apparently not included in the UBP, by the way.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's correct, they get added to the bill. I forgot about that, but I did spoil my niece one night since it's her favorite and the rest of us weren't interested to get a bottle. :)

In Le Bistro, they offer a 3 oz tasting glass of Veuve Clicquot on the menu.

 

Are you allowed to keep ordering these, or do you only get to try one?

No limit. ;)

We are considering the Gem for our next cruise, have only cruised Breakaway class before with 1 Haven stay.

Obviously the Gem is smaller, that we know. But tell me your likes and/or dislikes about the Gem. Not sure Haven is an option financially right now so Haven aside we are trying to decide if we will like the Gem. We are early 40’s and have 2 girls, ages 9 and 12.

Thanks to all of you ncl experts out there!

We love, love, love the Gem. If Haven is out you might check on the two bedroom suites on 11. Still get the suite perks (butler, priority boarding, breakfast and lunch in Cagney's or Moderno. etc.) Just not the Haven itself. We usually get the aft balcony on 10, but would not work for 4. We actually prefer that over the Haven. We did a two bedroom suite on 11 with 4 adults and had no issues.

Love the staff, since smaller ship able to interact with them more and they get to know you better. I don't have kids, but have see many happy ones with the kids club, etc. They won't have the extra slides as on the bigger ships, but still plenty of family activities. As others have mentioned, Spinnaker lounge and Great outdoors are great places to chill and relax.

I've done suites and Haven on the Jewel class ships and while I miss the big bathroom of the Haven suites, I still prefer the aft suites. I know I would miss the VIP check in and disimbarkation the most. Even before suite life I avoided the buffet and went to the restaurant for breakfast and the occasional lunch. I'll keep doing the aft suites on Jewel class until they price me out of them.

Gem Staff - Just off the Gem Feb 7 - 17 cruise

Hotel Director - Nelson Martins

F&B Director - Vikramraj Parthasarthy

Cruise Director - Alvin Oliva

Executive Housekeeper - Cesar Hapa

Executive Chef - Bijesh Chandran

Restaurant Manager - Loredana Moldovan

Beverage Manager - Alphanso Robinson

Guest Service Manager - Alfie Barrete

Group Service Coordinator - Mary Ann Fernandez

Concierge - Elvina