BritChickBN1

I've had Ncl order a case of redbridge and have it on the ship for my cruises. Just call your PCC/ travel agent or Ncl directly and they will assist you. Then the day you board you will get a call from the food & beverage director asking which bars you would like to be stocked with Redbridge. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

And there is nothing like an ice cold gluten free beer on a sea day in the Caribbean. Enjoy!

Eta: please don't drink Heineken or Amstel light. They are NOT gluten free. But I'm sure you already knew that.

Glad you had a great trip. I look forward to seeing the dailies if possible.

THey make the gf pizza onboard, it's not great IMO. They used to use a pre-made crust that was excellent but they changed it last year.

The hamburgers are good, they will give you a bun too if you request in advance or are willing to wait. It might be udi's.

As SissasMomE said, the bread is pretty good. I never got any rolls but did get the sliced bread. The blueberry muffins at breakfast were so good. The pasta is excellent.

I'm pretty sure everything but the pizza crust is pre-packaged.

Don't miss the flourless chocolate cake....amazing!

I know that I'm most likely in the minority, but I would love to see the return of some smaller ships. Sometimes I really miss the older ships that were between 40,000 and 70,000 tons, as much as I love the larger ships of today as well. But it would be nice to have variety. Unfortunately, these seem to only exist today on luxury lines we cannot afford, or aren't great for our kids. I loved the cruise we took in 2002 on the Norwegian Sea, for example, and that was a smaller ship.

 

I don't think the mass market lines will ever return to smaller ships though.

I hate to agree. Our first ever cruise was on the 600 passenger Original Pacific Princess. We fell in LOVE!!! We're tried the Breakaway and found so much to love about it but find we are more comfortable on a smaller ship like the Gem. We don;t feel lost in the shuffle of massive crowds I guess and like the more personalized service of crew members actually knowing your name etc. It works for us. The good thing is there are options for all of us. :)

We've cruised the Gem in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. She went into service in 2007. Never saw mini golf on the Gem.

Ok, I thought I was missing something for a second. LOL:p

Every hour on the Gem is a happy hour! :D

No!!!!! Pepsi for the win!!!!!

THANK YOU!

Switching to chrome worked. I knew you guys were geniuses. :D

Anyone else finding it impossible to login to NCL.com today? I've even changed my password 3 times and still it won't let me in.

LET ME IN NCL!!!!!!!! :mad:

I love your photos, it's taking me back to our trip on the Breakaway. I have to ask what time were you taking the photos since everywhere looks deserted! You must have gotten up very early.

I also agree about the new MDR lunch menus. I am hard pressed to find something I like. I miss the old menus.

Looking forward to the rest of the review.

Oh well you're in for it now! Suite life :D:D

I'm loving your wonderful review!

Looking forward to your review.

Yes I would. At least you could go on the balcony after the kids fall asleep if you want some couple time.

We haven't been on the sky in a decade probably but it's not a super small ship. They'll be plenty to do, see, eat etc. And NCL maintains their ships so nicely you know it will be great.

GSC is just like a beach day. They have several bars and a few places to shop. There are cabanas to rent but do it early if you want one. Check out the board in Ports of call section for lots of info and pics. I'm sure someone will post pics here. I'll look for mine. You can also snorkel and rent a variety of floats.

On the first night, the desserts in Le Bistro look like this. They are more casual on the other nights.

 

OMG, I just laughed so loud in my cubicle. :o

Don't feel bad OP that autocorrect gets me daily!

I'm loving your review. I'm now craving the raspberry crème brulee from Cagneys. :D

The Jewel seems to have the same entertainers as when we last cruised on her in 2012. Deja Vu and Davis Naster were very good. Looking forward to the rest.

I was wondering the same.

Yes, they can be delivered to your room but would they still be covered under the UDP and have no charge?

If so, that is going to be awesome :D

 

Thanks

Yes, still covered under the UDP. :)

I would also pick the UBP.

It also depends on your circumstances. We picked the UDP over UBP for many reasons. One, we have our kids with us, if we both want a drink at the same time, we have to bring our children with us to go get it. Instead of one watching them and the other getting drinks. Two, if you are in a crowded bar, you can't order a bucket and bring it back to where you are sitting and avoid the crowd. Three, bringing more than one drink with you back to the room as we get ready for the night is not possible under UBP.

geegee1 We did not have that experience on the Gem last year. We were always able to use 1 card for both of us on the package when ordering poolside, in restaurants, in the theatres or the bars. I'm not sure if that's typical or has changed but it was the case for us. We were always together or at least able to see each other while on the pool deck so I don't know if that is also a factor.

We ordered from the courtyard steward last summer on the gem and it was no issue regarding the UBP. His attitude on the other hand was something else....

I'm still mad I didn't speak to Carlos about him.

All 3 are worth the price. I always tread lightly at the salad bar at Moderno because that is a very big meal! The raspberry crème Brule at Cagneys is to die for. And yes the mushroom soup at Le Bistro ( and the fondue) is divine. I go back and forth about which is my favorite restaurant. It's usually the one we went to last.

Star Bar is gone. Replaced by Moderno and Sugar Cane Mojito bar. Carlos is all over. He comes into Cagney's quite often and can been seen by the desk outside of Cagney's also.

I know, I don't know how he has the energy. I was just wondering if he still had a desk somewhere with certain hours. Although we generally just call him if we really need anything. Thanks for the info.

So I'm guessing the Star Bar is gone? Where will we be able to find Carlos? Assuming he is back on the Gem again.

I'll miss the Star Bar. It was a lovely spot for a drink on cool evenings.

Carlos told us in early June that he was on vacation as of June 21st.