Review of 1 night CTN on the Gem 5/2

[Derek King]

Never done one of these so bear with me.

My wife and I are in our 30's and we have been on the Gem 2 other times before on 7 day trips. It was our first time on one of these one nighters.

We were expecting a difference crowd and experience and it sure was.

 

Drove from Long island and parked at the pier, had a little problem since we were the last car in the lot finding a spot but guy helped us out.

Got into terminal around noon and i had booked thru CAS and that got us to front of checking line and also got us boarding card 2 when they were handing out 49 i think so we walked right on. Had lunch in dining room. Service was pretty good for the food but i don't think we were ever offered a drink other than water given. Finished up lunch around 1:30 and were debating to go up top or to bar city to get drinks. But then announcement was made that rooms were ready so we went to drop our bags off. We had inside on deck 10 which was exactly what you would expect. Didn't see room attendent until they were kicking us out the next morning.

We did have a letter and our drink cards from CAS.

 

Then we went up to deck 13 and got a drink and walked around. We were very familiar with the ship but wanted to people watch and even by around 2:30 drinks were flowing big time. We wanted to listen to the Jazz that was going on in champagne bar so we went down and got a seat and tried to get some drinks. drink service was very screwed up there and took forever to get a drink. I mean its a one night cruise don't they realize people will drink? Only one server and maybe 2 bartenders and the area was hardly packed.

 

Then was the muster which was normal except for the few people that could barely stand at that point. After muster we were debating on where to watch sailaway. The pool area was jamming and loud and not our scene so we went to great outdoors. Very quite and nice and able to get a table on the ships edge to enjoy views leaving NYC. Felt like a different ship compared to pool area. But again 1 bartender in great outdoors and no servers at all so bar tender was pretty overwhelmed and took a while to get a drink.

 

After we passed statue we went toward star bar/cagneys since we had dinner at 7:00. Had a drink in star bar and watched some others dance to sailiway party music. Actually saw people wall into each they were so drunk already.

 

Dinner at Cagney's was pretty good, we had been before so knew what to expect. But the waiter did say you can only order one item from each part of the menu. Don't remember that before. Thought you could get multiple items other than the entree. Not a big deal because we had plenty of food. Disappointed in the Shrimp cocktail but other than that was great. And service was quick in bring the courses and the drinks as well.

 

Right after dinner went to the casino and it was pretty packed all night, not surprising on a one night i guess. limits weren't bad at all though. But problems getting drinks again. Usually at the tables they ring the bell and you get a server in 2 secs but not this trip. was in casino for a few hours then went to improv 10pm show. Not terrible but not great either.

 

Then we wanted to goto star bar to hear the pianist. Her name was Taitiana and she was very good i thought. The place was deserted other than us. But in the 45 min we were there i would guess at least 10 different groups of people walked in thinking it was Spinnakers since it was on the same deck for the white hot party and every time she had to stop playing to tell them where to go. We really felt bad for her.

 

We then went back to casino for a few more hours then bed.

Breakfast was late for us around 9:00 and only great outdoors was open and we got an outside table and then got off ship around 10:00 and it was super fast to get off.

 

All and all a good trip, very much what we expected from being on other NCL cruises. For sure a lot of drunk loud people having a great time but easy to avoid them. Will consider again but hopeful to do a 2 night at least

Really only complaint was waiting for drinks a few times, and if that's the only problem it was a great trip!

 

Any questions let me know.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Derek King

[spidybabe]

Good review-thanks

We recently did our first two night and one night CTN. We also were surprised with the problems getting drinks in casino on the Gem on the one night, usually there are problems any night getting drinks in breakaway casino, so no surprise there. Loved the two nighter much more than the one nighter. Never saw so many really really drunk people as on the one nighter. It seemed the one nighter was over as soon as it started..one crazy night, but on the two nighter you have the whole day to relax and enjoy. Two nights felt so very much longer.....wish I was cruising now

 

Safe sailing

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited May 7, 2014 by spidybabe

[meatball_nyc]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like a good time!

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[llam]

Thank you Derek King for the wonderful review. My DH had my 50th Birthday party on the ship for me and 19 of my closest friends and siblings. We had a super terrific time and recommend a one day cruise for parties or large groups but probably not a romantic getaway. WE WERE LOUD.