4-29-17 Gem 7 days NYC - Florida, GSC, Nassau. Dailies, essential tips, FAQ not semi-live

[mking8288]

Good morning all, internet is slow but work so just a quick update w few minutes airtime left. About 360 nm to sail, should arrive NYC on time or early. Large sea states of 11.5 ft. waves since last night & rain today.

 

Lots more uploads & pix to share, please wait till we get back, shows are great & crew are great, but for 1.

 

 

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[jblackler]

This post has been very informative . We are sailing on may 13th and can't wait

 

 

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[dexddd]

Today the weather seems to be going downhill a bit - this morning seas didn't look too bad but a bit overcast. Mid-afternoon it looks like calm seas still but foggy.

 

Lots of rain headed to NYC.

 

Welcome home Mking.

[lockone]

Your posts got me very excited for our upcoming trip, thanks so much for taking the time!!

[mking8288]

Rise n shine, need the fog lights. Almost home, less than 1 hour to pier 88, already passed the VZB, still doing 16 know. Gotta be out of our cabins by 8 AM. Time for breakfast.

 

Ship is going to be early & on time for the next run.

 

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[mking8288]

Time for uploading a few quick ones.

 

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[mking8288]

Day 7's Dailies

 

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[mking8288]

Shows, we loved it & recommend. Regardless of weather, 12 ft. large waves are nothing to us.

 

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[mking8288]

Pool deck was quite full on sea days, deck 13 still has plenty of loungers so not a big challenge ... just wall to wall, people.

BBQ is very popular.

 

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[biker@sea]

Thank's for the review.:cool:

 

It's been fun. :D

 

.

[meatball_nyc]

Welcome home mking. Thanks for taking us along with you.

Looking forward to the finish. Good thing you were at sea yesterday. We had over 2 inches of rain here. Streets looked like rivers all afternoon.

I need to sail the Gem very soon.

[LiLBxQt]

Thank you so much for your review!! I'm totally ready to board that ship [emoji568] ... T-14 days [emoji51]

 

 

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[mking8288]

Ship cleared at 7:40 to start walking, we use VIP escort and inside customs hall at 8:45, porter line for faster checkout and across 48 St, in Carmel car service 20 minutes later & heading home.

 

Yesterday was all indoors with 12.5' waves.

 

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[mking8288]

Morning tradition, MDR breakfast before our goodbye. The Gem Mermaid.

 

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[luvbeaches5]

Outstanding trip report!! Thank you!

[mking8288]

Food pix again, MDR menu on Day 4

Mushroom Soup, Shrimp burger, Linguine w clams.

 

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[mking8288]

Day 4 - desserts w pictures; plus more treats from the Concierge.

 

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[mking8288]

Blazing Boots in the Stardust, dancers with plenty of energy. Go see it.

A little action inside you know where Mrs. M hanged out. Packed with players, smoke & odors pretty bad.

Day 5, early breakfast at O'Sheehan's. Menu w simple choices, before we do the Platinum BTS tour.

 

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[Vitamin_Sea]

Nice,,,

we are doing this one 6/3

[mking8288]

Oops, those menu & pix from day 5. Day 6 was a great sea day, beautiful weather at the Great outdoors. Waves at 5 ft. & cruising at 16 kt.

 

White space on the deck plan, those are crew only stairs.

 

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[mking8288]

Freshly squeezed juice at the Garden Cafe.

Mini Golf - Driving Range.

Rock climbing wall.

 

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Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Scrolling into Grand Pacific MDR for lunch, same menu choices, no rotation but the Cajan Shrimp Salad & Crab Salad on Potatoe Skin is good. Tuna Sandwich, Lamb, and Fish & Chips, not forgetting Cheesecake.

 

Tips: unlike the buffet, it's always packed - this is our hideaway especially for breakfast & lunch, food comes out hot - as the kitchen is nearby & a short walk for the servers. Portions are just right and you can always order extra appetiziers or entrees (and to share).

More comments when I get time to upload our Behind The Scene Tour w. pictures ... and how things compared to the Breakaway BTS Tour.

Oh dear, it's 12:15 and we are hungry. Aren't you ... after looking at these images.

 

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Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

More lunch choices - Bacon wrapped Meatloaf ... sauce is too salty, IMO.

Grilled Cajan Grouper Sandwich ... good as a lighter meal.

 

Our complimentary Platinum laundry - send out on morning of Day 5 & came back early afternoon on Day 6, ready to be repacked for another trip again. Fill out the itemized slip for inventory & enclosed the coupon (additional coupon for other Platinum members can be obtained at the Latitude Desk in the atrium lobby).

 

Had a minor incident (service issues) in the MDR earlier and brought that to the attention of senior officer, note sent our stateroom w. bottle of wine & plate of chocolate strawberries. NCL do read & follow our posts and comments - and, it's better to address matters while we are still onboard than for them to read about the details here on CC ... and the chance to get it right. Much appreciated & acknowledged - no need to get into the details ...

 

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Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Day 6 (Sea Day) - Dinner Menu for MDR

we cruised all day around 16 kt. and about 275+ nm off the East Coast in the North Atlantic ... seas are calm, a little windy. Forecast for Friday wasn't so good & turning colder.

 

O'Sheehan's serving the Seafood Basket as the special today ... didn't get a chance to eat there or check it out.

 

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Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Continuation of Day 6's MDR menu & pix. Is it really necessary to "upgrade" to the specialty dining options - IMO - not at all, food is good enough & generous in portion size for 7 of us. "Big" eaters seemed to at the buffet since it's AYCE ... where at times, it's difficult to find a table. Secret is go toward the back with the "Outdoors" and/or go to La Cucina for extra seating during the day.

 

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Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288