dongordon

What happened to the "Countdown Clocks?"

Everyone on my roll call no longer has one.

Has anyone heard if  CC fixing the problem?

Don

29 minutes ago, Vyhanek said:

I've been on both the Escape and Gem and I much prefer the Gem.   A bigger ship doesn't mean better.    

 

On the Away ships, NCL learned how much more profit they can make by squeezing a lot more people on the ships.   You notice this everywhere.   Especially on the ships decks but even in the theater, lounges, etc.  There's just always a lot more people everywhere on the Away ships.   

 

The decor is the same.   The Gem doesn't look older or feel older.   Its well decorated, just noticeably more room for everyone.   When a piano player is in the Atrium, you probably could even get a seat on the Gem, on the Away ships you're standing 3 or 4 people deep to listen to the entertainment.     I love the Spinikar Lounge on the Gem, its tastefully decorated and during the day makes a great place for the view or to take a book and read, and at night there's always something going on and the thing is, you can always go in and get a seat.    On the Escape, I never felt like there was anything like that.   No where to take your book and go sit.    There is no extra space like that on the Escape.   Any extra space is made into a cabin, more people, more revenue, less public space.    

 

The food is the same.   The restaurants are the same with the exception of Food Republic on the Escape which is A la carte.    I love that restaurant but it isn't a part of any dining program, lots of people never get there for that reason.   But as far as Cagney's, Le Bistro, La Cucina, sushi bar, Teppenaki, main dining room, it's all the same.

 

As far as comparing cabin size, you could find that out pretty easily.   

 

The Gem doesn't have the water slides or the ropes course but once you've done that a time or two, most people don't need to do that again.    I did like the outdoor dining from the Specialty restaurants on the Escape but it was so hard to get an outdoor table reservation unless you're booked in the Haven anyways.   

 

The bigger ships, the Away ships, mean bigger and more people, a lot more people comparitively.   You'll notice the difference if you get a chance to get back to a smaller ship.    

9 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

The Gem also has the Great Outdoors with outdoor seating and a variety of food options that they change up throughout the day. No reservations for shows, you can show up right before they start and get a seat. I prefer it over the Breakaway.

Both of you nailed it in your comparison.  The Spinnaker Lounge and the Great Outdoors are the best!!

After doing my annual 14 day winter cruise out of NYC for the last several years on the Breakaway, Escape and 2020 -  Bliss, in the Winter of 2021 I'm doing the NYC 14 day cruise on the GEM....one of my favorite cruise ships. 

Don  

I have enjoyed 14 day cruises out of NYC on the Mega ships for the last several years in January and February to escape the cold winters in the Northeast.

The Breakaway, Escape and this winter the Bliss have left from NYC for the Caribbean and the ships seemed to sail full.

I wonder why the Getaway is the only mega ship in NYC in 2021 and it is doing the "boring" Florida / Bahamas 7 day cruises?

The GEM is doing the longer cruises in 2021 and although I love the GEM and will cruise on the GEM's 14 day cruise in 2021, I wonder why

NCL decided to change in 2021 since the NY / NJ market seemed to be very successful for NCL in the past. 

What would be the best time to purchase a Balcony Cabin....way before the sailing date or close to the sailing date.

Don't like inside cabins and love having a balcony.  I am concerned that a balcony cabin might not be available if booking close to the cruise date.

Would I get better pricing purchasing over a year in advance or closer to the sailing date (a month before).

I realize that I could always get my deposit back before the full amount is due but if I really wanted a certain cruise, what is the better option?

41 minutes ago, jskinsd said:

Why is this a topic.  If you do not care......... you do not care.  And if you do care........Just Ask and you will receive and quit complaining on CC.  Just another reason to blame a cruise line for a bad experience.   Now lets end is thread.   This is silly.

Agree 100%!

I always take care of my cabin steward before and at the end of the cruise.

I have never had an issue getting an ice bucket and never will!

But I do like the ice machine idea....makes sense if they can find space for it.

Thanks for the information.

I suppose they removed the large screen to provide a better view from the aft.

The Bliss has had the giant screen on Spice H20 removed as compared to the other ships in that class and has a stage.

Does that mean that there will be more live entertainment there at night instead of the DJ?

Does anyone know when the GEM goes into dry dock for her next major renovation?

I believe NCL does this every 5 years with most of their ships and 2020 would probably be the year if it were scheduled.

Don

1 hour ago, Fincherson said:

I'm booking a cruiser on either the Bliss or the Encore and thinking about doing the Haven. Can anybody tell me what the perks are of booking in the Haven? I was also curious if there was a drawback to booking a Haven Spa Suite? I thought I had heard before that there were drawbacks to it but I can't find anything on it.

 

Thank you in advance!

I have cruised in the Haven on the Breakaway (twice), Escape and this January I will be in the Haven on the Bliss.

I always take the Haven Aft Facing Suite....a long walk to the Haven in the front of the ship, but the huge balcony is worth it.  Besides, I need the exercise for all the food and drink on a cruise.  My Fitbit usually shows 5-6 miles a day....more on port days!!

The biggest negative of being in the Haven is that it is very difficult to go back to a regular cabin!!

Don

14 hours ago, Arzeena said:

I am looking at that cruise too. Tough I will jump if NCL brings a newer biggie to NY....does not seem so yet, but who knows! I love the Gem but the Escape and Bliss have spoilt me with that "new ship" feeling.

Hi Arzeena….

It looks like the only "new mega ship" coming to NYC in the 2021 winter will be the Getaway which will be doing the Bahama / Florida 7 day cruise in February.

We have been spoiled the last few years with the Aft-Facing Haven (end cabin) Suites on the 14 day NYC itinerary on the Breakaway, Escape and this upcoming January on the Bliss.  We love that particular cabin but even if a mega ship were to come to NYC,  we will stick with the GEM.  The Haven prices have skyrocketed.  We have booked that particular cabin and although there is no Haven restaurant or sundeck, it will provide us with the other Haven perks for almost half the price.

And we love the GEM which is one of our favorite NCL ships and the itinerary is basically the same with the Dominican Republic added.  I love these ports.

It has been a long time since I cruised with you...hoping to see you again on the GEM!  

Don

On ‎4‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 8:22 PM, amygutman said:

Elvina and David are awesome - had them both on our Thanksgiving Gem cruise. 

Actually...everything about the Gem is great - we are spoiled in the Haven, but honestly, we book the ship because of the size, and the fact that the staff are just wonderful. We are going on our 4th Gem cruise next Thanksgiving (our 3rd holiday cruise on this boat), and cannot wait. We were disappointed that it was leaving NY, but it gives us an opportunity to try the Dawn this coming June. As much as we love the bells and whistles of the mega-ships, they can be so "busy" that it takes some of the joy out of cruising. The Gem is perfectly sized for us - Amy

Amy....

I agree with you about the GEM...terrific ship and crew!

The Haven is hard to give up, but in January 2021, I am booked on the GEM for a 14 day cruise out of NYC!!.

Don

16 hours ago, markf said:

Concierge was  a lady, forgot her  name--agai not too memorable.

 

I agree  the service  in all the restaurants  were wy  to  slow, and food seldom delivered  hot.

Buffet in buffet was very  repetitive as  far as  choice 

Was the Concierge Elvina?

She and David are my two favorite NCL Concierges.

Don

4 hours ago, markf said:

I was on the  cruise  prior  to yours--

Curious  as to your  thoughts--Cruise  was Ok  but not  what it used to be.

especially in food  choice and quality.

Also  I found  to  Cruise  director to be a non event--past  cruises  in NCL we always  had  memorable talented  CD

Who was the Concierge?

Any word on any upcoming refurbishment...does the "good old GEM " in need?

One of my favorite NCL ships.

Thanks.

Don

2 hours ago, janice2348 said:

I was told no credit for not booking airfare.  But then I booked it anyway when I found out how cheap it was 😀

I was told the same.

Don

1 hour ago, Stealthdog said:

I always get additional OBC with my TA, and normally they also cover the pre-paid gratuities.  Sometimes I'll get a bottle of wine or chocolate covered strawberries.  And the cost is the same - if I booked through the cruise online (or call) it is the same price that I pay my TA.

 

Side note - I don't buy travel insurance through a cruise line either, I get it from the TA.  It normally covers more and gives more flexibility. 

Same with me....my TA is an online TA that specializes in cruises....great OBC and/or gratuities.

I used to use my TA's insurance, but now I shop online and there is one search that provides travel insurance and within their website, they do cruises.  Best insurance prices with all the insurance that is special for a cruise  (medivac, change in itinerary, medical, etc.).

On ‎3‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 5:47 PM, df5250 said:

Wow, 44 and 82 days!!  I am at least 10 years away from retirement, but now I have some new goals to think about in my retirement planning!! The Gem is my favorite ship.  I am very happy she's coming to Boston, my home port!!  This coming cruise will be my 4th on the Gem and my longest at 14 days.  I have never gotten bored on the Gem, always find something to see and do in my previous 10 or 11 day cruises.  Am looking forward to the 14 day itinerary and hanging out at the great outdoors as often as I can!!

The GEM is also my favorite NCL ship.

Booked the GEM 14 day out of NYC in January 2021...looking forward to that cruise after cruising on the Breakaway and Escape for the last several years and the Bliss this upcoming January.  

Don

Buffet: Casual (Favorite: Breakfast at the Great Outdoors)

O'Sheehans: Casual

La Cucina: Premium Casual (Favorite: Chicken Parm. - no longer offered)

Le Bistro: Premium Casual (Favorites: Onion Soup, Mushroom Soup, Escargot, Chocolate Fondue

Tappanyaki: Premium Casual (Favorites: Warm Sake Fried Rice and most entrées) Soup and Salad - poor!

Cagney's: Premium Casual (Favorite: Lettuce Wedge and Ribeye)

I enjoy all the food venues on NCL....I do have my favorite dishes.

I agree….fun thread.

Don

On ‎2‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 4:31 PM, djpk2003 said:

We have never gone on such a lengthy cruise and I was hoping for some feedback. Anyone done this cruise in particular? I'm mostly curious about sea days - since there are 3 there and 3 back - would love to know activities schedule, etc. If anyone has the dailies, they'd be a lifesaver! Also was wondering if they do the cheap laundry twice or only once? I know on our 11 day they just did it once half way through. Trying to think about packing quantities, etc. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

On ‎2‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 4:31 PM, djpk2003 said:

We have never gone on such a lengthy cruise and I was hoping for some feedback. Anyone done this cruise in particular? I'm mostly curious about sea days - since there are 3 there and 3 back - would love to know activities schedule, etc. If anyone has the dailies, they'd be a lifesaver! Also was wondering if they do the cheap laundry twice or only once? I know on our 11 day they just did it once half way through. Trying to think about packing quantities, etc. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

For me, there is nothing like a 14 day cruise.  Unlike Laszlo (who is a great guy and we have chatted many times on roll calls) I am big fan of sea days and always find things to do onboard the ship. 

In fact, being from Long Island, cruising out of NYC is a pleasure since I leave my home and an hour and a half later, I am onboard, having lunch and getting ready to enjoy a super vacation.  We have done at least five 14 day cruises and I have booked the GEM 14 day cruise (one of my favorite NCL ships) for the winter of 2021.

IMHO, once you take a 14 day cruise it is hard to go back to even 10, 11 or certainly not 7 day cruises.

We have done the 14 day cruise 4X and are on the 14 day Bliss cruise next January.

The weather in the winter can be a" crap shoot," but usually I have found that there can be some winters where there are may be a few sea days that are not conducive for outdoor activities, but we have found that there are plenty of things to do or relax onboard the ship...can't remember specific activities but similar to the 10 and 11 day cruises. The "cheap laundry" is usually once per cruise, perhaps midway or day 8.  Since I am an NCL Platinum Plus Latitudes, I get free laundry once anytime during the cruise and have not payed much attention to when it is on the cruise. That being said, I always overpack and do all my undergarments, shorts and t-shirts onboard, but my wife does not trust their laundry.

Don  

2 hours ago, micm said:

Actually that the officers on the ship have no influence and can't do anything is wrong. It might be that NCL nowadays just doesn't care anymore but for example on MSC the beverage manager was able to contact the shoreside to relay the complains of the guests and got part of the menu reincluded in an old package.

So confronting highly paid people on board with concerns about policies implement by their employer, who they represent at those meetings is completely in line and when you deal with a good customer oriented company would even be beneficial for everyone.

 

I see a similar thing going on at the Hotel and Captains Q&A were critical questions about sanitation, environmental efforts and similar get just PR blabla and evasive answers. 

This makes a lot of sense….listening and possibly correcting issues that bother cruisers.

Especially at the CC Meet & Greet where these people are usually the most vocal.

Don

As a loyal NCL Platinum Plus Cruiser, one thing I found so great in the Meet & Greet was the interaction and Q & A between the Officers and the CC Roll Call cruisers.

Perhaps I am mistaken, but for the last several years, this seems to be lacking.

I can't remember the last time at a Meet & Greet that we had any interchange with the officers.  It seems they introduce themselves, give their speeches and quickly depart.

Has anyone else noticed this?

IMHO this was a wonderful part of the Roll Call's Meet and Greet and sold me as a loyal NCL cruiser and I felt that NCL really wanted to hear our pluses and minuses of our cruise experiences to improve our cruise experience.   That being said, I never heard much criticism of NCL at these Q and A's so I can't understand why they do not do this anymore?   

Don   

14 hours ago, hominid said:

Perhaps get a greeting card with photos of your state and put the cash inside. We usually leave our tips in a card with a message of gratitude. If they want to toss the card, doesn't hurt my feelings. But I know sometimes reading how you helped is meaningful for some people (in addition to the comment cards we fill out)

 

I do the same for all of the crew who were special.

I bring the "Thank You" cards with me and along with the cash write something special that they did and how  much it added to our enjoyment of the cruise.

Don 

11 minutes ago, NYcruzzer said:

Looks like there is about a 6 week gap where there is only the Gem..Mid Feb. 2020 the Getaway returns to NYC and Mid Feb. 2021 the Bliss returns. Checking the schedule it doesn't look like there are any other ships available to fill in that gap. The one thing you can count on is higher fares for the Gem during that time frame..

I'm sure that NCL will figure something out.....can't imagine them leaving so much $$ out there in the NY / NJ market.

I wasn't going to take any chances and already booked my aft facing cabin on the GEM 14 day cruise in January.

Don

So far, NCL has only scheduled one ship (GEM) out of NYC for the winter of 2021.

Wondering when they will decide to bring in another ship that winter since the NY / New Jersey market is so strong for that time of year.

If not, the GEM will certainly be filled then.

Don

When was the last time the GEM was refurbished.

What specifically was changed / upgraded?

Is it scheduled for any future changes?

Don

1 hour ago, SharkieQueen said:

Yes, you can smoke cigars on the Haven sundeck - there is an area at the front with ashtrays and I saw many people smoking cigars there. The only problem is there is very little shade. My husband prefers to smoke his at Spice H2O where he can hide from the sun!

Thanks....

Sounds like a plan and it is just above my aft cabin.

Don