NCL Gem - 4/4 cruise to nowhere from NYC

[138east]

I have a hold on a cabin for this cruise and I was wondering what kind of crowd it attracts. I've sailed from Bayonne a bunch of times, but I've always wanted to sail from Manhattan past the Statue of Liberty. A cruise to nowhere seems like a great chance to do that as well as a chance to sample NCL without making a big commitment.

 

The roll call is small. Folks seem to be celebrating birthdays or getting away from kids for a special night. That sounds fine to me. I just wonder if there's anything else to be aware of.

[WaldosPepper]

A one or two night cruise to nowhere does not attract the same crowd as a longer cruise, so please don't judge Norwegian based upon that sailing. Typically you will experience a "frenzied" environment as everyone tries to see, do, and eat everything. There will be some families with children, but the majority of the guests will be 20's to 60's, there to have a great time. As you mentioned, many will be celebrating various events.

 

You can expect the casino and all the bars to be packed, and hopping, well into the wee hours.

 

Sailing past the Statue of Liberty is a wonderful experience. If you'd like to really experience the full effect, try to be on the pool deck or surrounding sundecks, so you can hear them play "Proud to be an American" by Lee *********. It's very moving, and a truly special experience.

 

If you decide to go with the booking, I hope you have a fantastic time. I also hope that you'll think about booking a longer sailing on Norwegian, so you can enjoy the experience on a typical sailing. The CTNs are anything but a typical NCL experience.

[meatball_nyc]

138east, I've never done a CTN, but I would love if you would come back after your cruise to let us know how you liked it (or not).

We are thinking of sailing the Gem next year.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

 

Nothing beats a NYC sailaway that's for sure.

Seeing the skyline and Statue of Liberty from the perspective of the ship is breathtaking.

 

 

 

~Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[njhorseman]

Carol, we really like the Gem and sail on her fairly often (Most recently 3/8 -3/17) but the one night CTNs are not at all like other cruises...they tend to be a party night...lot's of drinkin', smokin' and gamblin' with all venues including dining rooms jammed to the gills with partiers looking to make the most of every second.

 

When I parked my car for the 3/8 cruise, which embarked after a 1 night CTN, the parking lot attendant (out of the blue...I didn't say or ask anything) complained to me about how different the crowd the previous day was from the regular cruisers.

 

I know you're a big Royal Caribbean fan and sail on the Explorer a lot, and I fear going on a one night CTN from NY as a first NCL cruise is not going to leave a good taste in your mouth (unless maybe you're rowdier than I think you are ;) ).

 

Paul

Edited March 29, 2014 by njhorseman

[Tralfie]

My first-ever cruise was a CTN back in October. (You can read my review in the review in my signature).

 

It was completely different from a "regular" cruise, but I actually loved it. I'm considering doing the 4/4 one as well.

 

It DOES tend to attract people who are basically out to have a great time and cram as much fun into one night as they possibly can. That means a LOT of drunk people. This really didn't bother me at all, though. I had a great lunch, gambled, saw fun shows, did a little dancing... it was a great chance to see what this ship has to offer. In fact, having sailed on the Breakaway earlier this month, when it came time to book my next cruise, I decided — based on my CTN — that I wanted to do the Gem for a week.

 

Richard/tralfie

[138east]

Barbara, Robin, Paul, Richard - thanks for the responses. It all sounds good to me. For me it's a one day voyage of personal exploration - a chance to check out an entire ship without having to commit to 7+ days on her. I'm going to have a whole checklist of places to find - kind of a scavenger hunt for myself. That should keep me busy. I'm really not into the partying - I expect to be up in the morning to see the bridge and the SOL again predawn. My favorite times on any ship are the odd hours when few people are around.

 

I post a lot on the East Coast Board and I'd like to be able to say I've driven to and parked at the NY cruise terminal and that I've sailed past the Statue.

 

By the way - does NCL charge you $15 for every bottle of wine you carry on? How do they collect that?

[WaldosPepper]

Barbara, Robin, Paul, Richard - thanks for the responses. It all sounds good to me. For me it's a one day voyage of personal exploration - a chance to check out an entire ship without having to commit to 7+ days on her. I'm going to have a whole checklist of places to find - kind of a scavenger hunt for myself. That should keep me busy. I'm really not into the partying - I expect to be up in the morning to see the bridge and the SOL again predawn. My favorite times on any ship are the odd hours when few people are around.

 

I post a lot on the East Coast Board and I'd like to be able to say I've driven to and parked at the NY cruise terminal and that I've sailed past the Statue.

 

By the way - does NCL charge you $15 for every bottle of wine you carry on? How do they collect that?

 

Carol, you post so much helpful information on the East Coast board, and I'm happy to finally have been able to provide you with a helpful answer - in return for all the great guidance you have given me in the past! :D

 

Regarding the wine, yes the corkage fee is $15 per 750ml bottle. They will collect this fee right after you pass through the security checkpoint. They'll place a sticker on the bottle, and the fee will be charged to your onboard account. They'll do a hand-written sales slip, since your keycard will not have been issued yet. The charge will appear on your account shortly after sail away.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time, and that you are intrigued enough, after your scavenger hunt, to book another NCL sailing.

;)

[njhorseman]

Carol...FYI on parking at the pier for the CTN...that is the most likely time for the lots to be full. The parking attendant mentioned that every space on Piers 88, 90 and 92 was taken on the CTN day, so I'd recommend arriving a little early. A much higher percentage of CTN passengers are locals who drive to the pier than is true of the regular cruises (makes sense when you think about it).

 

Enjoy your cruise. Let us know how you like it. If you need any NCL tips/tricks/recommendations, let me know.

[meatball_nyc]

Gem tip that I think is kind of cool, if you don't know it already, is that on Deck 11, all the way forward, is the Bridge Viewing Room.

 

Outside of the room is a statue called Robbie the It-Mermaid that CC member Coka donated to the Gem. Coka would encourage future cruisers to bring little trinkets from their hometown to hang on her. Someone from the northeast recently brought her a snowman.

 

It is said that if you bring the Mermaid a trinket, she will bring you good luck.

 

If I can find a picture of her, I will post it here.

 

Have a nice cruise!

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

Edited March 29, 2014 by meatball_nyc

[138east]

Thanks Barbara and Paul,

 

I'm thinking one bottle of wine will be the way to go. I'm planning to leave around 5:30-6:00 am from northwest of Boston, which should put me in NYC no later than 10 am. Hopefully that will be OK for the parking. For a one day cruise there is no point in arriving late. The idea is to see the ship in the daylight.

 

With the arrival of the Quantum in NY I may have to expand my horizons if I want to cruise from the northeast in the winter. I have a great solo cabin deal on the Q in Jan, but I don't expect to always be able to get that, particularly last minute.

[chris153]

THis sounds like alot of fun. A few questions. What time can you board the ship? How does dinner work? I assume it is first come first serve in the dining room. (freestyle) But are any specialty restaurants open? and last, what time do you have to get off the ship in the morning.

[de2fan]

I was on the March 7 CTN. Here's my review. I think many of your questions are answered here.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2005321

 

 

Sharon

[Orleanscruiser]

Gem tip that I think is kind of cool, if you don't know it already, is that on Deck 11, all the way forward, is the Bridge Viewing Room.

 

Outside of the room is a statue called Robbie the It-Mermaid that CC member Coka donated to the Gem. Coka would encourage future cruisers to bring little trinkets from their hometown to hang on her. Someone from the northeast recently brought her a snowman.

 

It is said that if you bring the Mermaid a trinket, she will bring you good luck.

 

If I can find a picture of her, I will post it here.

 

Have a nice cruise!

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

 

here's the thread for Robbie

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=687880

[meatball_nyc]

Thank you for posting the link orleanscruiser!

Didn't realize it was from '08. Time flies.

 

Good reading for a bleak rain filled Sunday :)

 

Cheers!

 

 

~Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[Orleanscruiser]

Thank you for posting the link orleanscruiser!

Didn't realize it was from '08. Time flies.

 

Good reading for a bleak rain filled Sunday :)

 

Cheers!

 

 

~Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

 

Lucky you

we are getting snow today yeh you know that white stuff that falls from the sky

Edited March 30, 2014 by Orleanscruiser

[meatball_nyc]

Ahh I know the snow far too well. It's been our best friend this winter :(

Thank you for the Gem memories.

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[138east]

So I booked this cruise! So excited. The weather forecast even improved overnight.

 

My question is about alarm clocks. The RCL ships that I am used to sailing on have a feature where you can set an automatic wakeup call to ring the phone. Does something like this exist on the Gem? Or do I have to bite the bullet and figure that feature out on my cell phone? I want to get up to see the sail into NY in the morning.

 

Any must do suggestions for Gem? I'm busy reading about her and studying deck plans.

[meatball_nyc]

Great! Glad to hear you're booked.

See my posts above on deck 11, way forward, the Bridge Observation Room and the Gem It Mermaid.

Not sure about the Gem's phone wake up call. The Breakaway has it.

Have a great time, and just know that these overnighters are not representative of an NCL longer cruise.

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[mizLORInj]

I have done many one and two night CTN on NCL and Carnival. Oh, and one on Disney. They are all a lot of fun. yes a lot of celebrations. I can't say I notice a particular "crowd" on these types of quick cruises. Just people having fun. I enjoy them and wouldn't hesitate to book another.

If you are comparing Gem to Explorer of the Seas, Explorer is larger and has more elegant decor I think.

Have a great time!

[retpoda]

My DH and I had a wonderful time when we went March 7th. We purchased the spa pass, and went there before drill at 4PM. Pass was good till 10PM, but there was too much else to do.We went to main dinning rooms, food and service was good. Even won in casino, and enjoyed the show. Saw the World tower as the sun came up and we where going under the Verazano Bridge.

[mommyto2girls]

The Gem has wake up calls on the phone. All of the specialty restaurants are an option for dinner. The crowd is a ny/nj party crowd of all ages. I love the Gem and this will be my last chance to be on before she goes into dry dock in the fall for some changes.

The SOL and Freedom Tower never get old sailing our of NYC we love it.

[138east]

Hi mommyto2girls!

 

Thanks for the info. Crowd of all ages is what I'm looking for. I'd love to meet you briefly on the cruise - I like your posts on the East Coast board. Please email me at cc138east at gmail if that works for you.

 

I have a guarantee, so I'm waiting for a cabin assignment. Really looking forward to sailing from Manhattan and experiencing NCL.

 

Carol

[mommyto2girls]

Hi mommyto2girls!

 

Thanks for the info. Crowd of all ages is what I'm looking for. I'd love to meet you briefly on the cruise - I like your posts on the East Coast board. Please email me at cc138east at gmail if that works for you.

 

I have a guarantee, so I'm waiting for a cabin assignment. Really looking forward to sailing from Manhattan and experiencing NCL.

 

Carol

 

Will do

 

Andrea

[Casino Comp Chick]

So I booked this cruise! So excited. The weather forecast even improved overnight.

 

My question is about alarm clocks. The RCL ships that I am used to sailing on have a feature where you can set an automatic wakeup call to ring the phone. Does something like this exist on the Gem? Or do I have to bite the bullet and figure that feature out on my cell phone? I want to get up to see the sail into NY in the morning.

 

Any must do suggestions for Gem? I'm busy reading about her and studying deck plans.

 

They don't have a ton of things to do on the 1 nighter, lots of spa stuff and seminars during the day. I know they have a Breakaway ship seminar at 3 and a 1 overpriced full card game of Bingo at 5-5:30) (I have been taking all the 1 nighters since Nov and the dailies really hasn't changed at all). I am hoping the temperature is warm on Friday otherwise the outdoor bars by the pool will be closed. I would suggest hitting the bowling alley for a game or 2 ($5.00 a game including shoes & they have 4 lanes in the Bliss nightclub, back end of the ship).

I really don't like the fact that it leaves at 6 pm now (used to be 4pm) since the casino (and the shops) hasn't been opening until after 8pm so I have been making my dinner ressies for 6-6:30.

If you have any specific questions let me know, my email addy is iimmie@yahoo.com

[woodmews]

I am going on this, my first CTN. Looking forward to a fun night.