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shark5

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Posts posted by shark5

    NCL - Gem (I concierge question)

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Not for the MDRs, just the other restaurants like Cagneys.

    We were given a pager at Magenta one night, and waited 20 mins for a table, but normally walked straight in - there was only two of us

     

     

     

     

    Whew, thanks..I thought that would defeat the whole "freestyle" idea.

     

    sharkman

    extra tipping

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I usually give the bartenders and the steward that brings my morning coffee and Danish, an additional cash tip. On my last cruise (many years ago), I gave out 2 dollar bills. Now I'm considering gold presidential dollars..

     

    any comments?

     

    sharkman

    Casino

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    NCL casinos have a silly but fun machine that takes quarters (or tokens) - usually located by the cage. When you drop in the coins, the machine slides the coins closer and closer to the edge - there are bills and chips mixed in with the coins - looks like they're about to fall into the shoot for you to claim but they take hours to move!!! It is possible to win, though!!!

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

     

    On Carnival, they have the same thing.. Too bad they shut it down during rough seas..

     

    sharkman

    Parking options for Manhattan terminal

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Sounds awesome....just need to a bit more details. What hotel? Did they offer the transport to and from the port or did you find your own? If you found your own...what was it? Did you park at the hotel for those 2 weeks? Not sure if the $224 includes the parking and transport?t. We are booked for a 2 week cruise too and really need to find something like this. Thanks in advance.

     

     

    and the name of the hotel would be helpful

     

    thanks

    sharkman

    Parking at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I read the thread on parking at the cruise terminal but am still confused.

     

    If I drive my car to the terminal how do I get to the embarking document check in and what do I do with my luggage?

     

    Someone posted that park in the parking garage and take an elevator down to the check in desk. Is that correct? and do I drag my luggage or is there someone to take the bags from me?

     

    thanks

    sharkman

    Gem questions

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Is there a list of what table games they have?

    CRAPS

    BLACK JACK

    LET IT RIDE

    ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD EM

    THREE CARD POKER

     

    THEY ALSO HAVE POKER, 2-5 NLH 10% RAKE

     

    They also have:

    Baccarat

    Pai Gow

    Roulette

     

     

     

     

    If you gamble a decent amount and do not want to bring a bunch of cash, set up a line of credit. This will save you 3% in advance fees and $5.50 in atm fees if you go these routes.

     

     

    thanks for the info

    sharkman

    Tips and secrets for the gem

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Get a balcony room if you can afford it, they are the best :) so hard to go back to a window room now. We bought take out styrofoam boxes from the dollar store, husband would go to the buffet get cheese and drinks and we'd have a small sail away party.

     

    Spinnaker lounge is great if you don't have a balcony room, get a drink and head up there when sailing away from the islands.

     

    The great outdoors is my favorite spot, it's basically and outdoor buffet at the back of the regular buffet on the end of the ship :) Also good for sail away.

     

    The buffet in general was really great last year :( put on so much weight lol

     

    The gym has a steam room if you don't get the thermal suite pass.

     

    The thermal suite on the Gem I think I might prefer better because there are separate steam and sauna rooms for men and women in the locker rooms, thus giving you a chance at more quiet / privacy. We're going on the breakaway in 12 days and the thermal suite is co-ed. Whyyyy??? So I'm expecting it to be less relaxing due to more people. But I usually go late at night or early morning, maybe it will be okay?

     

    The buffet at the pool is great too.

     

    If you have kids the kiddie pool area is actually enclosed in glass and the water is heated so your kids can hang out in there if it's super windy or still cold, depending on the time of year. We would bring food in there and have lunch with our son on the little picnic table!

     

    The live bands are great. Pool side or in the atrium or in the spinnaker lounge. One night was a big band era, glen miller style, they were great live.

     

    We did the martini tasting one day and it was a lot of fun. Small cover charge.

     

    I would not get a facial or spa services again, it turns into a product pitch at the end and you have to say, no thank you I do not want to buy anything. I hate that lol

     

    O'Sheehan's my husband really enjoys. It's usually not too crowded.

     

    Oh and I think room service for breakfast in the morning is still free! Just put the sign on your door early as possible for the next day. It's continental breakfast only, but still exciting to wake up to!

     

    Enjoy your trip! We're going to be missing the Gem / Jewel so hard in the next couple of days. The things that made the Gem unique aren't present on the Breakaway, oh well :)

     

     

    Thanks so much for the insights..

     

    sharkman

    Gem questions

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    How about the casino

     

    Do the slots take cash? - YES

    Do the table games take cash? - YES

     

    Do they take travellers checks? - MAYBE

    Do they take personal checks? - NO

    Do they take credit and/or debit cards? - YES

     

    Is there a list of what table games they have?

    CRAPS

    BLACK JACK

    LET IT RIDE

    ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD EM

    THREE CARD POKER

     

    THEY ALSO HAVE POKER, 2-5 NLH 10% RAKE

     

    Thanks for the info

     

    sharkman

    Gem questions

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    How about the casino

     

    Do the slots take cash?

    Do the table games take cash?

     

    Do they take travellers checks?

    Do they take personal checks?

    Do they take credit and/or debit cards?

     

    Is there a list of what table games they have?

     

     

     

    thanks

    sharkman

     

    any answers to the above questions? thanks

    sharkman

    Gem questions

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by shark5

    How about the casino

     

    Do the slots take cash?

    Do the table games take cash?

     

    Do they take travellers checks?

    Do they take personal checks?

    Do they take credit and/or debit cards?

     

    Is there a list of what table games they have?

     

     

     

    thanks

    sharkman

    Gem questions

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    There are liquor stores at ALL ports :)

     

    You can actually bring ANY kind of liquor on board from any port, and they will hold it for you until the last night of the cruise.

     

    Any kind of liquor (wine or the hard stuff) you get in port or in the gift shop on board will be held until the end of the cruise for you.

     

    ahh.. so the only time I can bring wine onboard to consume is when I first board...

     

    thanks

    sharkman

    Gem questions

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by shark5

    You're correct :)

     

    Here's the info from NCL.com regarding bringing alcohol on board:

     

     

    Can I bringing alcohol on board?

     

    All guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships.

    Please note that with the exception of Wine and Champagne, all guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol on board our ships. If you purchase any alcohol at one of our ports-of-call or in our onboard shops, we will safely store your purchase(s) and either on the final night of the cruise or the morning of debarkation it will be available for pick up in a designated area.

     

    Wine & Champagne Policy

    Guests may bring bottles of wine and champagne on board. When bottles are brought on board and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room area or in their stateroom, a corkage fee will be charged according to bottle sizes noted below.

    750 ml Bottle: $15.00

    1,500 ml Magnum: $30.00

     

    Wine or champagne sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. or from another retail source, are subject to the same fees. Box wines are not allowed on board.

     

    https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/liquor-beverages

     

    Thanks.. So that sounds like if I buy wine at any of the ports we stop at, I can bring them on board but not hard booze. I seem to recall that at some of the ports, there are liquor stores..

     

    sharkman

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