NCL Gem -10-Day E. Caribbean- Jan 29-Feb 8,2012 - Review and Pictorial

[computerworks]

Last Two Sea Days

 

When you get to the final countdown, you better get in any relaxation you might have missed before you get home.

We spent one full day for decompression, with a lot of Spa time.

 

The seas were rather calm and it was a very smooth sail

 

 

 

We revisited LeBistro for our dinner at sea...mmm, steak for two.

 

 

[computerworks]

...and from there, it was off to the show for the Crew Finale, always a fun show...not to miss.

Representatives from all areas of the ship join in the finale.

 

 

 

 

Captain Roger was signing off this trip for a welcomed vacation.

 

 

Ingar Kjellin, the Staff Captain, trying to raise the applause meter for himself.

 

[computerworks]

Post show, it was up to the Spinnaker for the White Hot Party

 

 

 

Here's a video clip to sample the action:

 

 

Great night... sadly, not too many more Freestyles to get.

 

[computerworks]

On our last sea day, we had a very special lunch.

 

We had always fondly remembered a lovely young lady who was our room steward on the Gem, for several trips.

We had the same room on Deck 11 and it was in her area each time. One trip, there was a catastrophe during a rough night and everything in our cabin came crashing down to the floor...broken glass everywhere.

We called Aimee and she rushed to our cabin with a vacuum and dustpan to clean the debris from the floor; she still had wet hair, being in the shower when we called her.

This was just one anecdote that made her special in our book.

 

Well, my wife says, "Do you think she is still on the Gem?" I said, what the heck, let's find out... so, we wandered the halls on Deck 10 and 11 during turndown time, after dinner, asking each steward at their trolley if they knew Aimee.

 

Paydirt hit...up front on 11 Port, they said she is right down the hall!

 

You can imagine how loud two women... screaming ...sounds, when my wife and Aimee saw each other. Big hugs and kisses and a long talk in the hall ensued.

 

Fast forward to our last sea day, I called Tess, the head of Housekeeping and asked if Aimee could have some time off for lunch with us.

Happily, she agreed, so we planned a nice lunch together in our cabin.

 

 

What a delight...we talked about her life at home and all that had gone on since we last sailed together.

 

It was very special.

 

Finally, we reluctantly had a last dinner aboard the Gem

 

 

...went to the last show in the Stardust

 

 

For that one, don't leave early, or you will miss "Fountains" ...an NCL classic.

 

 

Not to be a spoiler if you've never seen it, but here it is on video:

 

[Frick_&_Frack]

Your own little "Stairmaster"....wasn't that bad, it got easier.

 

 

LOL - thanks, but DH is on oxygen, so it's definitely out of the question for us! :D (Then again, with that balcony, I doubt I'd ever want to leave the room anyway - so it could just be once "up" to embark and once "down" on the last morning! :eek: :D)

 

Glad you enjoyed! (I've been making sure DH sees the pictures and he also passes along his appreciation for you sharing them!)

[computerworks]

OK, let's wrap up this trip report

 

At last, we get home....darn it.

 

The sad, last picture to post.....waiting for our ride home

 

 

NCL: fair warning...we'll be back.

 

Some credits.

 

Florentina, our Concierge...helpful when we needed a hand.

 

 

Kadek (Special K), our butler...who did it all professionally and seemingly effortlessly.

 

 

Notice his 5-star STYLE award...like an oak-leaf cluster.

 

 

...and special thanks to all the Staff and Crew of the Gem for hosting one heck of a good trip

In summary, it was a magical 10 days, loaded with fun both on and off the ship.

Certainly enough to get us through the rest of the Winter...

...now to start planning the activities for our next cruise...next Winter.

 

May all of you have as much fun as we did on your next voyage....it's up to you to make it magic...with a little help from NCL.

[computerworks]

Postscript...

 

Before we left the ship, we wanted to checkout the Courtyard Penthouse cabins. These are one and two bedroom cabins located around the Haven area.

 

We have booked one of these for our 2013 cruise and wanted to get a preview of the size and layout.

 

 

 

 

[computerworks]

 

 

This is the second bedroom; we will not have this, getting a one-bedroom.

The difference doesn't change the main layout; the extra room is right at the front door...the singles just lop off this room and have the rest the same size.

 

 

 

Starting the countdown till then. :-)

 

Happy sailing.

[Frick_&_Frack]

Thanks for the pictures of the Courtyard Penthouse. We will also have one of the the "single" bedroom ones on our upcoming two Gem cruises.

 

Real pictures make it so much easier to envision. :D

[Got Tequila?]

Our First Sea Day

 

We had our Cruise Critic Meet and Greet in the Bliss Lounge that morning.

 

If you don't check the boards for a roll call on your next cruise, you could miss this great opportunity to say hello to fellow CC members and have a chance to meet the crew and make yourself known.

 

A big thanks to Margaret ( Got Tequila? ) for setting up ours.

 

 

Your welcome Ron, and thank you for making the special name tags for the meet and greet. It's always fun putting faces to the screen names on the roll call. We had a great group with so many people volunteering to organize different activities through out the cruise.:)

 

 

Hopefully we'll meet up on a ship again in the future, would love to have more time to chat with your lovely wife. :)

 

PS....I love all your pictures.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

Your review is just totally awesome and your pictures are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. We just got off the Dawn a few weeks ago and now I want to sail the Gem!

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

BUMPING - for anyone else who wants to see some beautiful pictures and read a terrific review!

[rfcf2trips]

On our last sea day, we had a very special lunch.

 

....We called Aimee and she rushed to our cabin with a vacuum and dustpan to clean the debris from the floor; she still had wet hair, being in the shower when we called her.

 

What a delight...we talked about her life at home and all that had gone on since we last sailed together.

 

+++++++++

Which is Aimee's home country? I'm curious if she is from the Philippines

[computerworks]

Which is Aimee's home country? I'm curious if she is from the Philippines

 

Yes, you're correct.

[dantheman611]

Thanks for the review & pictures!! Brings back great memories from our '08 trip on the gem, and excitement for our Christmas trip this year!!

[doberlady]

super great report. love your pictures!!!

[Nalagh]

Special K is my favorite Butler ever!! Glad to see a picture of him!!:D

[rfkeith10]

What great pictures. We will be on the Gem for the first time in September. We are also in 15500 so it was wonderful to see what we can expect...thanks.

 

Ray

[mew1]

thank you so much, made me even more excited about my upcoming trip

thanks

Mary

[neverthought]

Computerworks,

Another great job ....great pictures and remarks. I must say "Jack & Rose" you both look/seem as if you would be alot of fun. :D Maybe one day we'll meet on a cruise and be able to enjoy your company personally...FYI...we won't be in a Suite...lol. ;) Thanks again!

Neverthought

[tee3240]

OK, let's wrap up this trip report

 

At last, we get home....darn it.

 

The sad, last picture to post.....waiting for our ride home

 

 

NCL: fair warning...we'll be back.

 

Some credits.

 

Florentina, our Concierge...helpful when we needed a hand.

 

 

Kadek (Special K), our butler...who did it all professionally and seemingly effortlessly.

 

 

Notice his 5-star STYLE award...like an oak-leaf cluster.

 

 

...and special thanks to all the Staff and Crew of the Gem for hosting one heck of a good trip

In summary, it was a magical 10 days, loaded with fun both on and off the ship.

Certainly enough to get us through the rest of the Winter...

...now to start planning the activities for our next cruise...next Winter.

 

May all of you have as much fun as we did on your next voyage....it's up to you to make it magic...with a little help from NCL.

 

Great to see pics of "K", he was our butler when we stayed in tha garden villa #14500 last year. He was great! Hope to see him in July...

[oskar95]

WOW, what a great review!! Thanks! I love the great ending with Aimee :)

 

Now, I'm so excited for my trip! I hope it will be as awsome as yours.

[gelo7]

Outstanding review and pictures.

[mitchella51]

Thanks for the photos they are great. We are looking forward to the Panama Cruise on the 21st April 2013.

[judy&steve]

Wow, the ship looks wonderful. Thank you for taking the time and effort to write and illustrate with your wonderful photos such a colorful ship!!

 

We've just booked a haven penthouse suite for December on the Gem. We were told that breakfast in Cagneys is one of the perks. Is it a buffet only or is also a full menu?

 

The last time we sailed NCL, was the Norway, when she was still looking good, back in 1990, for our 10th anniversary.

 

Thanks again for making the Gem seem "real" before we set sail.

 

Steve & Judy