Just back from amazing cruise on the Gem H3 room 10004

[Bullies3]

Will post a review in a day or so. If you have the means certainly try one of the owners suites in the front of the Gem. Amazing room, butler and of course Carlos the concierge. The two balconies allow great views of the bow and side of the ship. The only negative, and I know this is a touchy issue but I've read reports on this is the past; children in the Haven. Most parents keep a close eye on their children to keep the noise and pool splashing to a minimum. Sadly, a few used the Haven as a day care center, placing a teen in charge of their kids or were just oblivious to their noise, splashing and leaving messes on the tables and around the pool. The swim club we belong to has a half hour adult swim every hour. How about this for the Haven pool??

[ksmcali]

Looking forward to your review! We're in a H3 on the Gem in less than 30 days! Question……did you order your liquor selection and mixers once you boarded the ship or did you call/email ahead?

 

Can't wait to hear all about it!

[cpcanuck]

Welcome back! I will look forward to hearing your review. Interesting comments about the Haven - I've been seeing this on a couple of reviews on various ships.

 

It must be hard when many of the suites are tagged as "family" cabins and yet NCL still continues to promote the Haven as "quiet and peaceful" space. The two don't necessarily go together. I like your idea of blocking certain times of the day for adult only and then allowing kids/families time to also enjoy the space (seeing that they too have paid for this perk).

[soaringfalcon]

Welcome back! I will look forward to hearing your review. Interesting comments about the Haven - I've been seeing this on a couple of reviews on various ships.

 

It must be hard when many of the suites are tagged as "family" cabins and yet NCL still continues to promote the Haven as "quiet and peaceful" space. The two don't necessarily go together. I like your idea of blocking certain times of the day for adult only and then allowing kids/families time to also enjoy the space (seeing that they too have paid for this perk).

 

BUT kids can be quiet! It just takes good parenting. My daughter has severe ADHD but knows to behave in public and be respectful. We trained her from an early age and removed her when necessary. I hate it when other parents give good kids a bad rep.

 

That said, I agree with separate times because there's nothing I hate worse than noisy kids when I'm trying to relax LOL

[soaringfalcon]

Welcome back!!! We're sailing her in August. You wouldn't happen to have the dailies would you?

[Susie51]

Welcome back. Great idea to have adult only time for the pool.

[Bullies3]

There's a liquor menu on the dining room table when you first get to your room. Fill it out and have it ready for the butler when he comes to introduce him or her self. They bring your selections in time for evening cocktails. The fridge is already stocked with various soda and diet soda, also club soda and tonic water, all in cans. There's also a bottle of champagne chilled for ya. We spent a lot of time in our room because we enjoyed it sooooo much. Enjoy!!

 

PS. I took a pic of the bottle menu. Never posted a pic before but I'll try and figure it out. There's a pic floating around this board, I did a search and checked it out before we left for our cruise.

[SissasMomE]

Will post a review in a day or so. If you have the means certainly try one of the owners suites in the front of the Gem. Amazing room, butler and of course Carlos the concierge. The two balconies allow great views of the bow and side of the ship. The only negative, and I know this is a touchy issue but I've read reports on this is the past; children in the Haven. Most parents keep a close eye on their children to keep the noise and pool splashing to a minimum. Sadly, a few used the Haven as a day care center, placing a teen in charge of their kids or were just oblivious to their noise, splashing and leaving messes on the tables and around the pool. The swim club we belong to has a half hour adult swim every hour. How about this for the Haven pool??

 

The yacht club we belong to does the same thing. I think it's a really good idea!

[tymike]

Sooo looking forward to your review (and any pics you might be able to include). We are in the exact suite in July!

 

Did you get to stop at GSC? How was the food? Oh...so many questions!!!:)

 

Welcome home!!

[Bullies3]

Welcome back! I will look forward to hearing your review. Interesting comments about the Haven - I've been seeing this on a couple of reviews on various ships.

 

It must be hard when many of the suites are tagged as "family" cabins and yet NCL still continues to promote the Haven as "quiet and peaceful" space. The two don't necessarily go together. I like your idea of blocking certain times of the day for adult only and then allowing kids/families time to also enjoy the space (seeing that they too have paid for this perk).

 

 

I knew my comment was going to cause a stir both pro and con. I have children (grown now) and a grandchild so I understand taking kids on a cruise. Was never able to afford upper level rooms then though. They had a blast at the regular pool with a lot of other children. Anyway, unfortunately no, the Haven is far from a relaxing place. I couldn't read a book, nor could a few others who retreated to their rooms or balconies as I did to get some piece and quiet. Wasn't really fair since we're the ones who paid for the perks...

[Bullies3]

Sooo looking forward to your review (and any pics you might be able to include). We are in the exact suite in July!

 

Did you get to stop at GSC? How was the food? Oh...so many questions!!!:)

 

Welcome home!!

 

 

We actually stayed on the ship during the stop at GSC. As I mentioned in my post, we enjoyed the room so much we sunned on the front balcony. It was also HEAVENLY in the Haven too!!

[Bullies3]

BUT kids can be quiet! It just takes good parenting. My daughter has severe ADHD but knows to behave in public and be respectful. We trained her from an early age and removed her when necessary. I hate it when other parents give good kids a bad rep.

 

That said, I agree with separate times because there's nothing I hate worse than noisy kids when I'm trying to relax LOL

 

 

Certainly didn't mean to offend anyone Falcon or give good parents a bad rap. Most watched over their children making sure they were respectful of others. As you well know, it's the few that ruin it for everyone...

[soaringfalcon]

Certainly didn't mean to offend anyone Falcon or give good parents a bad rap. Most watched over their children making sure they were respectful of others. As you well know, it's the few that ruin it for everyone...

 

No, no, not offended at all. My post was more of a general frustration. I agree completely with you. Sorry for the confusion...my fault, I'm not clear when I type sometimes.

[tymike]

We actually stayed on the ship during the stop at GSC. As I mentioned in my post, we enjoyed the room so much we sunned on the front balcony. It was also HEAVENLY in the Haven too!!

 

We also stayed in an OS on the Jewel for a 2 night CTN. We loved the room so much we booked it for this summer's Gem cruise as well as a 2015 summer cruise to Alaska on the Pearl. The room couldn't more perfect as far as space, perks etc. We didn't ever try to use the Haven pool on the Jewel on the CTN, but we did walk through and it was empty (it was in February!)

 

I am so looking forward to an entire week in the fabulous room. I think the layout is exactly the same as the Jewel, but the colors etc may be different on the Gem.

[BritChickBN1]

I'm glad you disembarked because that's MY CABIN in 6 days! :p Now to get the current squatters out...:rolleyes:

 

I would love as many details as possible. First time in a suite, haven or otherwise. I am hoping for the best in regards to kids in the haven but I am keeping in the back of my mind that we may be chased back to our cabin due to unruly kids. I hope not. :cool:

 

Glad you had a great time. I can't wait.

[Briji04]

Can't wait to read your review. We have that room for the 21st. :D. I just got an email from NCL with pillow and liquor choices but haven't responded yet. Any suggestions?

 

I've been trying to find pictures and video of that room. There aren't many out there for the Gem.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Briji04

[Bullies3]

I'm glad you disembarked because that's MY CABIN in 6 days! :p Now to get the current squatters out...:rolleyes:

 

I would love as many details as possible. First time in a suite, haven or otherwise. I am hoping for the best in regards to kids in the haven but I am keeping in the back of my mind that we may be chased back to our cabin due to unruly kids. I hope not. :cool:

 

Glad you had a great time. I can't wait.

 

 

LOL Ginger! We took good care of the room! You will love it, once you get done the priority check in for suites you go to the private waiting room where you will meet Carlos the concierge. Around 11:30 he will escort the group onto the ship and direct you to Cagney's for a relaxing lunch away from the large amounts of people at the buffet. You will be amazed when you enter the room... We were still finding things out about all the gadgets in the room on the last day. Shower is the best I've ever had, hand wand, rain head in the ceiling and the sets of 2 jets that will rinse you off in a hurry. Hint: the six jets are movable too! You can use any or all of the features by moving the director knob that controls the shower. Another hint: push the handle of the director knob in to stop the water to lather up then back out to rinse. The wife loved her tubby time every afternoon. There's a TV and remote for the tub too! Beware of the front balcony cushions. If there in the storage box at night, water from the windows of the bridge comes down on them and they will be wet in the morning.

 

Zahid will be your butler. We've been in 4 suite categories on various ships now and he's the best we've ever had. Same for Carlos for concierge. We had him a few years ago on the Pearl for an Alaska cruise. He's set the standard for concierge. Magdid the cabin steward left for vacation after our week so not sure who your steward will be. Man, I could go on and on... you also get a portable phone to carry with you that works anywhere on the ship. We called Zahid for drinks when the Haven valet was on break - how pampered were we!!

 

Any other questions email me at: Bullies3@gmail.com

[Bullies3]

Can't wait to read you review. We have that room for the 21st. :D. I just got an email from NCL with pillow and liquor choices but haven't responded yet.

 

I've been trying to find pictures and video of that room. There aren't many out there for the Gem.

 

 

Look on Youtube. I found a video for 10004 on the Gem prior to our cruise.

 

Funny, I've heard about the email but never got one prior to our cruise. Filled out the liquor choices as soon as we arrived in the room and had the bottles by 5pm. NCL did call and sent a follow up email 4 days prior to our cruise offering the Courtyard Villa for an extra $4,300. No way, I LOVED the location of our room much better, besides, how much room do two people need...

[Bullies3]

Welcome back!!! We're sailing her in August. You wouldn't happen to have the dailies would you?

 

 

Yes, I saved all the dailies. You want to send me a PM and I can fax them to you?

[Briji04]

Thanks for the reply. I will try to be patient and wait for your review before asking lots of questions. You might have the answers in your review. However, DH is wondering about the privacy on the front balcony. If we are sitting out there will we be on display to the whole bridge?

[cpcanuck]

BUT kids can be quiet! It just takes good parenting. My daughter has severe ADHD but knows to behave in public and be respectful. We trained her from an early age and removed her when necessary. I hate it when other parents give good kids a bad rep.

 

That said, I agree with separate times because there's nothing I hate worse than noisy kids when I'm trying to relax LOL

 

LOL! I wholeheartedly agree with you! The sad reality is that not all parenting styles are the same... And because of that, I do think some thought needs to be given to what NCL is hoping to promote with their so-called "Haven" experience. The word "haven" is certainly not the word I would use given some of the experiences described here about how the haven pool/courtyard areas are being used.

[Bullies3]

Thanks for the reply. I will try to be patient and wait for your review before asking lots of questions. You might have the answers in your review. However, DH is wondering about the privacy on the front balcony. If we are sitting out there will we be on display to the whole bridge?

 

 

Going to write a review when done here. If you have any more specific questions my email is in this thread, feel free to email me.

 

Yes, the front balcony is directly under the bridge so I guess you could say you'd be on "display" if someone in the bridge choose to move forward and look down. We did the "behind the scenes tour" on Thursday (sea day) and were taken inside the bridge for almost an hour while the chief engineer gave us a tour and answered as many questions as the group came up with. The navigation console, manned by two officers sits a distance back from the windows of the bridge, that's how I know someone would have to go out of their way to look down at you. Also, when the sun is out they pull down a visor to filter the sun out of the bridge so you couldn't tell if someone was looking. FYI, there is a camera to view the starboard side of the ship just outside the large porthole in the bathroom. I can tell you from the bridge tour they have these cameras monitoring both sides of the ships on separate TV monitors and they don't move. There's a shade you can pull down too if you're uncomfortable.

[BritChickBN1]

LOL Ginger! We took good care of the room! You will love it, once you get done the priority check in for suites you go to the private waiting room where you will meet Carlos the concierge. Around 11:30 he will escort the group onto the ship and direct you to Cagney's for a relaxing lunch away from the large amounts of people at the buffet. You will be amazed when you enter the room... We were still finding things out about all the gadgets in the room on the last day. Shower is the best I've ever had, hand wand, rain head in the ceiling and the sets of 2 jets that will rinse you off in a hurry. Hint: the six jets are movable too! You can use any or all of the features by moving the director knob that controls the shower. Another hint: push the handle of the director knob in to stop the water to lather up then back out to rinse. The wife loved her tubby time every afternoon. There's a TV and remote for the tub too! Beware of the front balcony cushions. If there in the storage box at night, water from the windows of the bridge comes down on them and they will be wet in the morning.

 

Zahid will be your butler. We've been in 4 suite categories on various ships now and he's the best we've ever had. Same for Carlos for concierge. We had him a few years ago on the Pearl for an Alaska cruise. He's set the standard for concierge. Magdid the cabin steward left for vacation after our week so not sure who your steward will be. Man, I could go on and on... you also get a portable phone to carry with you that works anywhere on the ship. We called Zahid for drinks when the Haven valet was on break - how pampered were we!!

 

Any other questions email me at: Bullies3@gmail.com

 

 

Wow thanks!! :) Let me try to think up some questions. Lol

 

 

 

-Ginger

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[soaringfalcon]

Yes, I saved all the dailies. You want to send me a PM and I can fax them to you?

 

That would be great. I can't figure out how to PM someone here and I thought I was web savvy LOL. Can you direct me or I could give you my email address.

[ksmcali]

Yes, I saved all the dailies. You want to send me a PM and I can fax them to you?

 

I don't have a fax, but could you email the dailies? Just curious! I'm always excited to get a sneak peek at what's going on for our upcoming cruise!