Crusinmama Family Review of Gem to Bermuda 10/2-10/9 -The Suite Life with Dailies

[family cruisers]

This will be our 4th NCL cruise and not once have we ever heard WASHY WASHY . Kinda glad too . :)

They did not do this on the Epic. Everyone told me about it and I waited for it on the Spirit. Then...it never came. All the ladies with the hand sanitizer just stood there with a smile and held the bottle up to spray your hands. I never once heard them say the famous "washy washy".

 

I found it very strange, the layout of the Spirit, because you would get off the elevators and if you were just trying to go outside to the deck, you had to walk a few feet into the dining room and out the door (which is where this washy hand lady stood, getting you to wash your hands). Just weird.

 

HOWEVER, the guy (I'm not sure what his rank was but he always had a white outfit on and went around talking and greeting everyone and at night he was dressed in a suit-this was the buffet area). In the mornings he would yell LOUDLY "wakey wakey, eggs and bakey". He was such a nice guy and always put a smile on our face. :)

[crusinmama06]

Awww so the washy washy is not on all ships? They should make it mandatory. :p

 

LAST DAY - DAY 7 DAILIES

 

 

 

 

[crusinmama06]

LAST DAY - Sea Day

 

The weather is a little iffy so as my husband decides to brave the pool deck (the majority of sun worshipers were covered in towels) - I decided to go to the Q&A Session with the Senior Officers in the Atrium. I always love to hear the questions that people come up with.

 

The Captain was funny -- everytime someone called the Gem a "boat" -- he corrected them -- "you can fit a boat on a ship"

 

Some questions were interesting - like about the navigational system used. Some were like {bang head here} -- "Why does it take 2 days to get down to Bermuda and only 1 day to get back?"

 

It is always great to hear what people come up with during these sessions...

 

 

Unfortunately, since this is the school year, my oldest and I had algebra to do (we did it daily, but this was a mega session and it took 3 hours). So we missed the FAMILY PIZZA MAKING in La Cucina.

 

The time just got away from us and she was crushed that we missed it. This was suppose to be one of those MUST DO events. So if you see it, try it. Let me know how it is.

 

Suite Snack - Day 7

 

 

My youngest spent the last afternoon in the Kids Crew preparing for the Pirate Parade. So when I went to pick her up for dinner, my 7 year old GIRL was now CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW - ARRRRGH

 

[crusinmama06]

Beets in Beef Stroganoff

 

Before I continue on to the Pirates, I have to discuss dinner on the last night. The MDR menu, as I have said here and there, was a topic of conversation throughout the cruise. But on the last night...beets in Beef Stroganoff...is that how you Cruise Like a Norwegian ; - )

 

PIRATE PARADE and Pirate PJ Dance Party

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see this on the Gem. The kids have been going to pirate parades on the RCL ships for years. They are almost EXACTLY the same. During the morning/afternoon sessions of the Kids Crew, the kids "get ready" for the Pirate Parade by practicing and getting their best "Captain Jack" make up on.

 

If your child doesn't make the earlier sessions (like my oldest), it's ok, they will catch them up when they arrive after dinner.

 

At 7:00, they start to make their way from the Kids Crew and "Take over the ship". HEAD TO THE STARDUST THEATRE (well, ask the Kids Crew if they are going to be taking over the theatre, because it does depend on the number of kids that night). BEFORE the show, they will come in and do their little Pirate number, and then they will continue on and out of the theatre.

 

Then they head back to the Kids Crew for a "Pirate PJ Party" -- for us, this was a time to grab their dress clothes, put them in their PJs, PACK their dress clothes (remember, its the last night, so we are packing) and then let them stay in their PJs at the party. This is GENIUS on NCL's part. It allowed us to pack - while the kids could party in their PJs!

 

 

 

 

[Krystilia]

The White Hot Party for this cruise was held in Bliss and it started at 11:30 p.m (Night 6) and goes till "whenever"

 

Hi Michelle! Sorry I missed seeing you on the cruise but I did see your kids quite a bit :-).

 

They did have a family WHP in Spinnaker starting at 10:30pm. Then the Adults one in Bliss started at 11:30. I saw Nicole and Rick in the Spinnaker which is where I took my younguns :-). Unfortunately, there weren't any other children so we left after about 20 minutes.

[slidergirl]

It looks and sounds like your family had a wonderful vacation. Thank you for posting the pictures. I hope to get to do a Bermuda cruise one day (when I get a new job)...

 

Looking at the Dailies, I noticed a paragraph that said that Bermudian agriculture regulations prohibit taking fruit and food items from the ship and vise versa. I would imagine that people try to take food with them for the day. How well is this monitored? I wouldn't do it, but I can see some people trying to avoid having to pay for food onshore. Bermuda is a small, closed island. It is vital to protect their environment that this regulation is adhered to by all.

[elbodans]

yay! a chocolate fountain! and thanks person above for posting the photo--i now get how it doesn't slosh all over the place in bad weather. :p

[Chazman]

Great review and pics - we love the GEMSHIP, as my 4 year old calls it. So, unless they're home schooled, you took your kids out of school for this cruise, right? How did you (they) manage this? My kids' school strongly discourages vacations outside of the scheduled vacation weeks off, especially as they get older and curriculum content becomes more challenging. Did their schools push back or were they cool about it? Thanks.

[crusinmama06]

Hi Michelle! Sorry I missed seeing you on the cruise but I did see your kids quite a bit :-).

 

They did have a family WHP in Spinnaker starting at 10:30pm. Then the Adults one in Bliss started at 11:30. I saw Nicole and Rick in the Spinnaker which is where I took my younguns :-). Unfortunately, there weren't any other children so we left after about 20 minutes.

 

Oh wait, YES, we did go to the WHP in the Spinnaker at 10:30 p.m. :eek: We WERE there. I didn't see you. But we were there for only 5 minutes. We saw Nicole and Rick too (Rick wore red, maybe he was the devil to Nicole's angel...lol) We must have just missed you! YOUR cabin was up the hall from ours, I saw your note on the door about the M&G. And I am pretty sure I kept seeing your daughter the whole week. My daughter said that in the kids club there was a "girl who lived on our deck". :D I was going to knock on your door but everytime I wanted to I saw a "Do not disturb" so I didn't want to wake anyone. :)

 

It looks and sounds like your family had a wonderful vacation. Thank you for posting the pictures. I hope to get to do a Bermuda cruise one day (when I get a new job)...

 

Looking at the Dailies, I noticed a paragraph that said that Bermudian agriculture regulations prohibit taking fruit and food items from the ship and vise versa. I would imagine that people try to take food with them for the day. How well is this monitored? I wouldn't do it, but I can see some people trying to avoid having to pay for food onshore. Bermuda is a small, closed island. It is vital to protect their environment that this regulation is adhered to by all.

 

Yes, all cruises have the same rules. No food is allowed to be carried or or stiff fines can be imposed. I once read about a $500 orange or something like that. :eek: I wouldn't risk it. They kept making announcements throughout the day about it.

 

yay! a chocolate fountain! and thanks person above for posting the photo--i now get how it doesn't slosh all over the place in bad weather.

 

Yeah it would be killer in rough seas! lol

 

Great review and pics - we love the GEMSHIP, as my 4 year old calls it. So, unless they're home schooled, you took your kids out of school for this cruise, right? How did you (they) manage this? My kids' school strongly discourages vacations outside of the scheduled vacation weeks off, especially as they get older and curriculum content becomes more challenging. Did their schools push back or were they cool about it? Thanks.

 

We are lucky to live in a school district that has an "Excused Family Vacation" - one per school year. We do it every school year. And they are VERY understanding. My oldest is in the Advanced/Gifted (I know, I know, everyone say that). But she is - and is in the program to be "Dual Enrolled" in college AND high school by the 11th grade. Right now she is in 6th so it IS getting harder and harder. I am not going to lie. We spent the entire week PRE-cruise doing homework every night after school from the end of school till bedtime. THEN, we spent EVERY day during the cruise doing more course work. When she got back, she was actualy AHEAD of her peers. Her one teacher was off the entire week because her daughter went into labor so the class had a substitute. And THAT teacher is in charge of 3 subjects. In Math - her Algebra test that was suppose to be on the Monday we got back was pushed to Wednesday. So she was 3 days ahead of her classmates.

 

In Social Studies this year, the class is studying Canada and Mexico :) - the teacher wants my daughter to talk about her experiences there - like the time we went to the Bay of Fundy.

 

In Science, the section was on "Ocean Waves" - I busted out laughing when I saw it. We did that section on the balcony ;) What better way to study Ocean Waves then by staring RIGHT at them.

 

If she ever starts to get behind, we will start traveling during holidays/summer.

[darrengs]

Great review and pics - we love the GEMSHIP, as my 4 year old calls it. So, unless they're home schooled, you took your kids out of school for this cruise, right? How did you (they) manage this? My kids' school strongly discourages vacations outside of the scheduled vacation weeks off, especially as they get older and curriculum content becomes more challenging. Did their schools push back or were they cool about it? Thanks.

 

I am taking my kids out of school next month for 3 days for our vacation. I haven't done this in 6 years. If they "push back", rest assured I will also be "pushing back" :)

[AllBoys2002]

Beets in Beef Stroganoff

 

Before I continue on to the Pirates, I have to discuss dinner on the last night. The MDR menu, as I have said here and there, was a topic of conversation throughout the cruise. But on the last night...beets in Beef Stroganoff...is that how you Cruise Like a Norwegian ; - )

 

PIRATE PARADE and Pirate PJ Dance Party

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see this on the Gem. The kids have been going to pirate parades on the RCL ships for years. They are almost EXACTLY the same. During the morning/afternoon sessions of the Kids Crew, the kids "get ready" for the Pirate Parade by practicing and getting their best "Captain Jack" make up on.

 

If your child doesn't make the earlier sessions (like my oldest), it's ok, they will catch them up when they arrive after dinner.

 

At 7:00, they start to make their way from the Kids Crew and "Take over the ship". HEAD TO THE STARDUST THEATRE (well, ask the Kids Crew if they are going to be taking over the theatre, because it does depend on the number of kids that night). BEFORE the show, they will come in and do their little Pirate number, and then they will continue on and out of the theatre.

 

Then they head back to the Kids Crew for a "Pirate PJ Party" -- for us, this was a time to grab their dress clothes, put them in their PJs, PACK their dress clothes (remember, its the last night, so we are packing) and then let them stay in their PJs at the party. This is GENIUS on NCL's part. It allowed us to pack - while the kids could party in their PJs!

 

 

 

 

 

Orange shirt is my boy!!!!!

[crusinmama06]

Orange shirt is my boy!!!!!

 

HAHAHAHA! Well, he did a stupendous job!!!! :D He will make a great pirate some day! :D He was so cute!

 

Did he like it?

[outtoseacruise]

Ohhh yeah that sounds like some unusual experiences. I would try Epic. I didn't have delayed boarding, long lines, or cold soup. ;) And I am excited to try Epic. :D

 

 

 

Thanks coka! As always, you are a wealth of information! I will try on our next sailing to see if we can get a junior WHP going separate from the adults. :D And yes, both sides of that buffet were open. It was a great night!

 

 

 

LOL...I have been VERY lucky with those videos on my past few cruises. The last one I was laughing so hard my video was shaking because my friend was screaming so loud, she had the entire Deck laughing. {she's the bad one ;)}

 

Thanks for the info and a great review Michelle, we will probably check out Epic.

[Rover Boy]

Beets in Beef Stroganoff

 

Before I continue on to the Pirates, I have to discuss dinner on the last night. The MDR menu, as I have said here and there, was a topic of conversation throughout the cruise. But on the last night...beets in Beef Stroganoff...is that how you Cruise Like a Norwegian ; - )

 

PIRATE PARADE and Pirate PJ Dance Party

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see this on the Gem. The kids have been going to pirate parades on the RCL ships for years. They are almost EXACTLY the same. During the morning/afternoon sessions of the Kids Crew, the kids "get ready" for the Pirate Parade by practicing and getting their best "Captain Jack" make up on.

 

If your child doesn't make the earlier sessions (like my oldest), it's ok, they will catch them up when they arrive after dinner.

 

At 7:00, they start to make their way from the Kids Crew and "Take over the ship". HEAD TO THE STARDUST THEATRE (well, ask the Kids Crew if they are going to be taking over the theatre, because it does depend on the number of kids that night). BEFORE the show, they will come in and do their little Pirate number, and then they will continue on and out of the theatre.

 

Then they head back to the Kids Crew for a "Pirate PJ Party" -- for us, this was a time to grab their dress clothes, put them in their PJs, PACK their dress clothes (remember, its the last night, so we are packing) and then let them stay in their PJs at the party. This is GENIUS on NCL's part. It allowed us to pack - while the kids could party in their PJs!

 

 

 

 

Hey Michelle,

 

Great Job on this review...heck, this has transcended a normal review and has really become a blog! I will be on the Gem next month so this is all so useful to me.

 

Kudos!

 

As far as the Beef Stroganoff goes...you know the one with the beets. Beets have a long and delicious relationship with Beef Stroganoff. I remember my Mama (yes, she loved to cruise, too) used to make this dish and put a spoonful of Borscht (roasted beet soup, kinda, sorta) on top and then would put a spoon of sour cream on top of that. So good.

 

I am actually getting hungry looking at the pic of the beef that is gently browned and those extra W I D E egg noodles. The only thing that is out of place is the orange pepper. Who invited the orange pepper?

 

Anyhow...beautiful family and a great review...Thank you,

 

Mike

[tinker]

I can't thank you enough for posting this magnificent review. We were part of the roll call and had to cancel due to DH's ongoing health issues and this is like a virtual vacation!!! Also, one of the best reviews I have ever seen and your pictures are just fantastic.

 

Loved the video of the "wave pool". Have to say the music really made me miss having been able to cruise. Also I missed Dolores and Debbie very much as sailed with them twice before and danced a few times with Ken myself. That picture of the two of them is priceless!!!

 

Again, thanks so very much and I look forward to reading more. You have a beautiful family and thanks for taking the time to share all of this.

[crusinmama06]

Thanks for the info and a great review Michelle, we will probably check out Epic.

 

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping in!

 

As far as the Beef Stroganoff goes...you know the one with the beets. Beets have a long and delicious relationship with Beef Stroganoff. I remember my Mama (yes, she loved to cruise, too) used to make this dish and put a spoonful of Borscht (roasted beet soup, kinda, sorta) on top and then would put a spoon of sour cream on top of that. So good.

 

I am actually getting hungry looking at the pic of the beef that is gently browned and those extra W I D E egg noodles. The only thing that is out of place is the orange pepper. Who invited the orange pepper?

 

Anyhow...beautiful family and a great review...Thank you,

 

Mike

 

I KNEW someone would be able to explain the beets! THANK YOU! So it's the orange pepper that's out of place? That's funny!

 

I can't thank you enough for posting this magnificent review. We were part of the roll call and had to cancel due to DH's ongoing health issues and this is like a virtual vacation!!! Also, one of the best reviews I have ever seen and your pictures are just fantastic.

 

Loved the video of the "wave pool". Have to say the music really made me miss having been able to cruise. Also I missed Dolores and Debbie very much as sailed with them twice before and danced a few times with Ken myself. That picture of the two of them is priceless!!!

 

Again, thanks so very much and I look forward to reading more. You have a beautiful family and thanks for taking the time to share all of this.

 

Thanks Tinker! Would have loved to have you with us!!!! Hang in there!

[crusinmama06]

LAST NIGHT LUGGAGE

 

For the suite guests, we receive a letter that says for "Luggage Assistance", place the luggage out in the hallway between 10:00 p.m. and Midnight. Meet the concierge in the Stardust Theatre at 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to be escorted off the ship.

 

THE WORST DAY YET - NCL IS MAKING ME GET OFF THE SHIP (the nerve)

 

I woke up at 4am and tried to squeeze the last few hours out of my Gem vacation. So I headed out to the balcony and waited to see something, anything that would resemble land. At this point, I am pretty depressed. I had waited and waited for months. Counted down and facebooked. And here I was, down to my LAST HOURS.

 

Up ahead I see a bridge...

 

 

 

 

[crusinmama06]

Within an hour, I was seeing this...hellooo New York City....

 

 

 

 

 

[nikimouse]

it got light really quick! that sunrise doesnt wait about lol

[kerrytens]

As much as I hate that last morning of a cruise, the view coming into New York was spectacular! Thanks for posting those pics. So beautiful:D

[JMHAM1]

I am taking my kids out of school next month for 3 days for our vacation. I haven't done this in 6 years. If they "push back", rest assured I will also be "pushing back" :)

 

 

I wish out school district was cool about it but they have that as a big no no. I know some parents who have to go down to the "naughty room" at the school board. Some have even been fined. Often, my work schedule does not permit travel during the summer months. I prefer to cruise in Jan/Feb or Oct/Nov. Maybe one day we will do the week after Christmas with everyone.

 

It's great that you were able to have the discipline to do schoolwork while on vaca. I don't know if I would have been that diligent.

[macfin]

you guys looked like cruise like your norwegian's , the review was one of the best i have ever seen,and makes us wish that next may was around the corner...

 

thanks for taking the time to write and post....:):)

[CT Cruise Lover]

Thanks for all the info. Especially about the kids programs

[AllBoys2002]

HAHAHAHA! Well, he did a stupendous job!!!! :D He will make a great pirate some day! :D He was so cute!

 

Did he like it?

 

Aww thanks so much!!! He loved loved loved the pirate stuff on this trip!!

 

The pirate museum in nassau bahamas is not to be missed for the little pirates. It was very cool and unique all be it a little frightening in reality for littler ones.

 

I completely agree with your reviews of the Man from Mars! That was without a doubt one of the best shows I have ever seen while cruising! His skit during the farewell show was insanely funny too!!! I am glad to see NCL changing up the entertainment from the same old same old....

 

MAN FROM MARS......NOT TO BE MISSED!!!!!!

 

Enjoyed reading your review!!!

[t-and-t]

 

And she just likes bread...

 

 

LOL! I totally understand. I like bread, too. :D On the Jade last November they had these AWESOME rolls. Small, round, warm, wholewheat rolls...they were DELICIOUS!!! My husband laughs at me because occasionally I still mention them! Fingers crossed that they'll make an appearance on the Star in April. ;)

 

~Tanya