Review: 11.16.2013 Gem 9-Day Eastern Caribbean Adventure

[puddles99]

Days 8 & 9: A Wild Ride Back to NYC

 

Early during the cruise, Laurabegorrah had told Hotel Director Jenny that we had brought charms for the Gem Mermaid and she said that she'd let the Captain know as the Mermaid technically belongs to him and he should accept the charms on her behalf. A few days later, we received an invitation to a bridge tour on Saturday at 10am. It was absolutely fabulous to meet the Captain, learn how the ship was controlled, be given an early warning of the rough seas that lay ahead, and give the Mermaid her charms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[puddles99]

Here are pictures of the Gem Mermaid mentioned in the last post & the two new charms we gave her.

 

 

 

Laurabegorrah and I also participated in the Murder Mystery Luncheon on Saturday . . . it was fun, but there was limited audience participation (and not for the actors' lack of trying!), which definitely could have made it more interesting. I know folks periodically ask about this event and the menus, so I thought I'd post those as well.

 

 

 

The White Hot Party was held on Saturday evening in Spinnaker's due to the high winds & rain. This venue was entirely too small and the party was extremely crowded. My youngest did have a lot of fun dressing up and dancing, but we retired pretty early as my oldest started feeling the effects of the storm.

 

On Sunday, we laid low. Some of us were feeling a bit queasy, but in general we just wanted to be lazy and savor the last day of vacation. We did attend the cake decorating "show" which was good fun and full of laughs and played one last round of Bingo, however - and thank goodness we did! We won the Snowball Jackpot and took home just over $1,800! WOOT!

 

 

[puddles99]

Have I mentioned how awesome this birthday vacation was? My kids sealed the deal by taking all of the chocolates that we hadn't eaten over the course of the 9-days and leaving me this message on my bed the last night. Yeah, I think I'll keep 'em!

 

 

The storm delayed our return trip to NYC which allowed for some gorgeous pictures as we pulled into the harbor mid-morning. It was nice to be able to "drag our feet" a bit as our vacation came to a close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we were docked . . . it took a bit for the ship to be cleared (I heard a number of different rumors as to why this might be, but don't know the real reason) but we were escorted off, had claimed our bags, and were in the car on our way home by about 12:30pm. It was an exhausting, whirlwind, absolutely fabulous adventure and thank goodness I have a few more countdowns already underway!

[PrincessBubbles]

Thanks, for such a wonderful review. I really enjoyed it. We will be sailing on the Gem this Sat.

[dmrrn73]

Great review!

 

Congrats on the Bingo Jackpot! I was there for that round, cool to hear that it was you!

 

That last day was something else, wasn't it??

 

[puddles99]

Thanks, for such a wonderful review. I really enjoyed it. We will be sailing on the Gem this Sat.

 

Hope you had an easy sail-away and have a wonderful vacation!

 

Great review!

 

Congrats on the Bingo Jackpot! I was there for that round, cool to hear that it was you!

 

That last day was something else, wasn't it??

 

Oh yes, what a ride! You got a great picture of the swells!

Edited January 12, 2014 by puddles99

[coka]

Soooooooo, you bring the mermaid some charms for her tower...you get an invite to the bridge...your kids write I love you in chocolate...and you win an 1800 dollar jackpot...the luck of the mermaid lives on! Obviously, She was pleased with your gifts to her!

 

coka:D

[puddles99]

Soooooooo, you bring the mermaid some charms for her tower...you get an invite to the bridge...your kids write I love you in chocolate...and you win an 1800 dollar jackpot...the luck of the mermaid lives on! Obviously, She was pleased with your gifts to her!

 

coka:D

 

So, so true! Now who knows the trick for getting some extra luck on the other ships in the fleet? :D

[coka]

Legend has it that her luck will be with you all year long!

 

Coka;)

[dznymom]

I really enjoyed your review! It was lovely to meet you and your family and friends at the M&G. It was really fun reliving the cruise although it seems so long ago. We loved the rough seas on the way home and had a wonderful time. We are on the Breakaway soon, but loved the Gem enough to be planning to book her again soon!

[puddles99]

I really enjoyed your review! It was lovely to meet you and your family and friends at the M&G. It was really fun reliving the cruise although it seems so long ago. We loved the rough seas on the way home and had a wonderful time. We are on the Breakaway soon, but loved the Gem enough to be planning to book her again soon!

 

Looks like you're getting on Breakaway the day we get back (we're on the C2N) - fun! Like you, we loved the Gem and hope to sail her again sometime soon. Happy Sailing!

[Sk1 bum]

I'm curious as to what the fellow passengers were like on this cruise the time of year you went. Lot of families, young kids?

[puddles99]

I'm curious as to what the fellow passengers were like on this cruise the time of year you went. Lot of families, young kids?

 

 

It was a pretty good mix of ages & both of my girls made friends at Splash Academy. It certainly wasn't "over run" with kids like I'm sure some sailings may be!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[heresjohnnytonight]

I know I've already made everyone wait WAY too long, so before I post anything else, here are the links to the dailies. My apologies, but somehow I am missing Day 1 (embarkation) and Day 10 (disembarkation).

 

Day 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQdEk2eEtXSkJmR2M/edit?usp=sharing

Day 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQZ3hsbmVQYjdCY2c/edit?usp=sharing

Day 4: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQaEQ4azhlRjlYUms/edit?usp=sharing

Day 5: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQdHFrelFFVmp0SGM/edit?usp=sharing

Day 6: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQSkE3SUNWQUQyeGc/edit?usp=sharing

Day 7: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQQ3JYLTVPLTBhWEE/edit?usp=sharing

Day 8: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQY1IyOWVKZVpUNnM/edit?usp=sharing

Day 9: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQX2pzUW1PSUxGczg/edit?usp=sharing

 

I also have scanned the "Splash Academy" schedules for the 6-9 and 10-12 age groups . . .

6-9 Year-Old Kids Crew: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQcU1LdmlQcF85T28/edit?usp=sharing

10-12 Year-Old Tweens Crew: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UoevSNl-rQOWVWamg2dm5HSlk/edit?usp=sharing

 

OMG I didn't realize there was so much to do,Thank You so much

[meatball_nyc]

Fabulous review! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

It really brightened up my cold snowy day.

Looked like you and your family had a great adventure. Lovely pictures as well.

 

It was very nice to see that the Gem has a Mermaid and that you can bring her gifts. That is very cool.

 

Happy Cruising!!

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[gelo7]

Great review.

[cruiseclues]

puddles99...great photos...wonderful review...great information...Freestyle Daily...Kids Crew...Tweens Crew. :):):):)

[GentleJag]

Some peoples have a copy of the 10 days freestyle daily program on the Norwegian Gem departure from New York !

 

thanks!:)