just returned from Gem

[mommyto2girls]

thanks...as long as she and her family is fine...that was my concern....;)

 

Hope to know soon about replacemnt...sailing the Gem in October...

 

You will know next week I am sure since he was being told on this cruise at a meeting.

[NayRN]

You will know next week I am sure since he was being told on this cruise at a meeting.

 

Sure hope "he" can live up to all the great things I've read about Florentina! I'm sailing in August in the Haven and was looking forward to meeting her...:(

[NYcruzzer]

We also were at the Chef's table with Mark and his wife. We thought it was very good. The chef, Kevin Green, was very very nice and attentive. He is the Exec Chef of the ship. He was a tad hard to understand though. Also, had a great galley tour with him the next morning. He recognized us several times throughout the cruise and always said hi and talked a bit so that was fun.

 

Food was very good as was the wine. And they are VERY generous with the pours; all in all a good time well worth the $$$. I wish the time was a bit later; we had to meet at 5:45 for a 6 res. We just don't eat that early on a cruise but I know everyone is different.

 

We had a good group also and that makes a big difference.

 

Thank you for replying. I am hoping to try the Chef's table we we sail on the Breakaway this Summer.

[shaun07]

Sure hope "he" can live up to all the great things I've read about Florentina! I'm sailing in August in the Haven and was looking forward to meeting her...:(

 

I was on the feb 23rd sailing and I agree about cagneys, the service was very slow and unpolished for both lunch and dinner.

 

Could someone name some of the 5 star cruise lines. I would just like to compare them. I think I would miss the large ship entertainment but I feel that after another few more cruises I will have seen all the shows.

[markf]

5 star cruise lines--silverseas--crystal-radisson-

Azamara is a step below 5 star

 

The chefs table was unique although I would comment we spent 3 hours, which was a little too long for me--but it was a well prepared meal and inter action with the executive chef.

 

I also wanted to comment on the use of the butler- we ordered lunch the day we pulled into San juan --he said it would take 30 mins for the food -it arrived in 45 mins--maybe not a big deal but stuff like that makes this not a well oiled machine.

We never used the butler again as by the time he arrived , he was stressing, and seemed exhausted

[mommyto2girls]

5 star cruise lines--silverseas--crystal-radisson-

Azamara is a step below 5 star

 

The chefs table was unique although I would comment we spent 3 hours, which was a little too long for me--but it was a well prepared meal and inter action with the executive chef.

 

I also wanted to comment on the use of the butler- we ordered lunch the day we pulled into San juan --he said it would take 30 mins for the food -it arrived in 45 mins--maybe not a big deal but stuff like that makes this not a well oiled machine.

We never used the butler again as by the time he arrived , he was stressing, and seemed exhausted

 

I have to say we had no issues and our butler was amazing. We had breakfast every morning in the room and dinner one night from Cagneys in the room which was wonderful and served as per the Butlers idea in courses.

[judyf]

Waiting to read all the reviews from this sailing, BUT in th meantime I have a few questions if you don't mind.

 

Was there a Chocolate buffet? Is yes what night and where?

 

Was there movies on board? Is there a theater on the Gem? What were they showing?

 

How many bottles of liquor can you bring back? Looking to stock up for the holidays.

 

Any nice specials in the spa, non port days?

 

Also looking for some shady locations to hang out on on deck? Need to stay out of the sun.

 

Also would love to hear what everyone did in St Maarten, we are thinking of Bernard non beach tour or maybe on our own to Maho, any suggestions? Also what did you do in San Juan?

 

Any other little secrets or tips and anything we should know? Leaving next Friday, so excited!

[mommyto2girls]

Waiting to read all the reviews from this sailing, BUT in th meantime I have a few questions if you don't mind.

 

Was there a Chocolate buffet? Is yes what night and where?

 

Was there movies on board? Is there a theater on the Gem? What were they showing?

 

How many bottles of liquor can you bring back? Looking to stock up for the holidays.

 

Any nice specials in the spa, non port days?

 

Also looking for some shady locations to hang out on on deck? Need to stay out of the sun.

 

Also would love to hear what everyone did in St Maarten, we are thinking of Bernard non beach tour or maybe on our own to Maho, any suggestions? Also what did you do in San Juan?

 

Any other little secrets or tips and anything we should know? Leaving next Friday, so excited!

 

I will answer what I can

1.Chocolate Buffet was next to last sea night (8th night) coming back at the Garden Buffet

2.Movies are shown in the atrium on the big screen

3.we did not bring back alcohol

4.some good special at the spa on port days not so many on non port days

5.plenty of shade on all decks

6.St Maarten I love Bernard's tour we have done it many times, Maho becomes loud and boring

7.San Juan we walk around Old San Juan stop at Barrachinas for an amazing Pina Colada and just enjoy the area.

8.Samana we stayed on board we were there 8 weeks ago and just did not feel the need to go back to Cayo and the island itself is really not worth tendering to in my opinion.

 

The Gem is a wonderful ship you will love it.

[cusegirl315]

Yes, there was the Chocolate Buffet on the night before last.

 

Movies were in the Atrium either early afternoon or late evening. They had The Bourne Legacy, The Avengers, Moonstruck, The Terminal, and Sherlock Holmes.

 

You can bring back 5 liters of alcohol-1 liter plus 3 additional liters if purchased in St. Thomas and one additional liter that must be a product of and purchased in St Thomas. You pick it up the night before if purchased on ship or recommended shops. Otherwise, you pick it up the morning of Disembarkation.

 

I didn't think the specials were great when in port.

 

Shade was poolside

 

We did Bernards Tour and would recommend it. We walked to the forts and shopped in San Juan. Then went to Senor Frogs by the ship. Samana is nice, but heartbreaking. If you like dogs, bring some dog bones. They are so skinny and hungry and some are at the port. Children too try to sell you shells or help you for a $1 or change. I gave one boy a bag of jelly beans and he was so happy. He shared them with all the kids so each had 2 each. I brought lots of ones to buy their wares. Don't buy what you first see as you will find the same at many places at various prices. If you like to see their culture, the Tour with Terry is great

[emcee207]

Re: Samana. Upon leaving the tender and proceeding to the sidewalk we were accosted by people unlike I've never had before and we've been to most of the islands. It was horrible, in your face every 2 seconds. I understand the poverty etc etc but to be harrassed like this was not fun. I would NEVER go back there.:mad:

[nursemommy7578]

we were on the same cruise and completely disagree. we were not in a suite, lol, but with the exception of one steak, the food was fantastic!

 

the buffet is not my favorite place, but thats mostly because I dont care for pushy people who barge in front of me:)

 

we had service issues with the staff of teppanyaki. the hostess was rude and did not acknowledge us. in addition, after the initial offering of water for the meal, we were not offered any beverages! I commented on the poor service, but never recieved a response. oh well. other crew onboard more than made up for that one incident over the remaining days.

 

cant wait to sail again!

[markf]

Everyone has different expectations -and the cruise line of course builds them up--which is why there are differing opinions on the same cruise-

It is interesting, but this is good forum for opinions

[www3traveler]

Everyone has different expectations -and the cruise line of course builds them up--which is why there are differing opinions on the same cruise-

It is interesting, but this is good forum for opinions

markf,

Other than the shows in the theater, what the entertainment like and did anything or anyone stand out?

[judyf]

Thanks for the reply's I have been thinking of Bernard's or on our own. I am going to book Bernard's!

 

Getting excited!

[chelle74]

 

How many bottles of liquor can you bring back? Looking to stock up for the holidays.

 

We haven't been on the Gem, but I can tell you the best liquor prices we found were in St. Maarten. On our last cruise we brought back 13 liters of alcohol. We declared all of it but the customs agent apparently had no interest in calculating our duty, so we didn't have to pay any taxes on it.

[uncleboo]

hi does anyone have menus or daily to psot

 

thanks:)

[markf]

they had at least one show in the main showroom each night--and then in spinnakers lounge or outdoors they had some type of game show-starting at 10 30 PM -

I would say there was no lack of entertairnment from 7 PM to Midnight--after midnight it is the casino or the night club -with the dj.