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

[mking8288]

Among the reasons we will always flavor the Gem & similar-sized ships in the NCL fleet is the minimal need for reservations, especially shows - just go there a little early, viola ... choose your own seats, FCFS basis.

 

Day 6 - the Russain circus performers, acrobatic Duo Elegia - Rinat & Elena as husband & wife teaming up, showtime 7 PM and 9 PM at the Stardust. Go see it.

 

Of course, checkout those big screen info-display screen of happenings around the ship and restaurant availability status ... which can be accessed on the iConcierge App, free of WiFi charges (more details about those later) or stateroom's interactive TV.

[mking8288]

Day 7 (last Sea Day ... that was yesterday, a Friday) and it was raining all day long, sometimes downpours. Went around & checked the Mermaid and Bridge Viewing Room, then to Spinnaker's Lounge for Q&A with ship's officers, then checked the large waves with 12.5 ft. waves, not too windy w only moderate rock & roll for the ship.

 

via Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.1.2 using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

[mking8288]

Day 7 - Buffet is doing Asian Night, rest of my group wanted to check it out and we went to dinner ... before the 7 PM show/farewell finale - "Get Down Tonight" at the Stardust.

 

The buffet food looked presentable, but the roasted suckling pig - IMO - just wasn't prepared, marinated nor cooked to our expectations, being somewhat "experts" at these kind of food ... got a failing grade from us: 5 thumbs down & 2 thumbs up/neutral among 7 of us. Disclaimer - food taste is subjective & high personal ... but, I took one bite barely, enough. Other items were heavy in gravies or sauce, far too salty - far worst than Orchid Garden downstairs (which was also slow & quiet on the last night of this 7 day cruise.)

 

The sushi rolls were edible & acceptable - limited choices, obviously.

 

MDR - Dinner Menu for Day 7 is shown below - serving Prime Rib tonight, should've gone there for a sit-down meal instead ... nobody interested in doing LeBistro, oh well.

 

A quick peek outside Splash Academy (closed at certain hours, as those of you w. children knew) & Entourage ... next to the Garden Cafe. It didn't look busy nor did we see many teens anywhere else ... small # of pre-schoolers, as always.

Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[Bobrunner]

Great job reporting mking8288. Can't wait for the May 20th sail away

[mking8288]

While skimming thru the comments & questions - and, thanks for following our cruise journey - I've taken additional pix & details to hopefully answer most, if not nearly all of the requests ... allow a little time as we adjust to being on land again & "reality" ... obstructed staterooms, calling home, hallways, WiFi & iConcierge, and pictures of various areas that we visited (besides the Spa & Haven area ... others on our Roll Call might be able to help to comment).

 

Except for about 24 hours of "large" sea state, waves of 12.5 ft. and windy conditons, coupled with off & on showers & rain from yesterday morning into late last night - it's been a super smooth ride cruising, with almost calm seas in the Atlantic ... at times, wavelets to 5 ft. waves. Being mid-ship on Deck 8 ... we barely noticed any major motions, nor while sitting in the AFT - Grand Pacific MDR during meals, and, the production shows go on without any cautions.

 

Here's 2 short videos taken while I sat & relaxed in the Spinmaker's Lounge, Deck 13 Fwd - shorter one is a minute long and longer one about 3 minutes, for a feel of riding in "moderate" seas.

It should be easily played back using popular video players - for a little rocking & rolling ... this is fairly common when ships cross the zones, weather fronts along the Carolinas, especially northbound.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7r8vqg2f20yvkup/VIDOS0505_1126.mp4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/60k07oq2lluss8j/VIDOS0505_1101.mp4?dl=0

 

Footnote - if not using a desktop PC, you might need to download & save it first - then play using VLC, MX Player or Windows Media Player, etc.

Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

View of Deck 13's Fwd Staircase

View of the Fitness Center, Deck 12 Fwd from the elevators.

 

Internet Cafe has 3 PC, Asus brand with USB ports ... not sure where the printer is at, inside the Library.

 

Which way is forward, front or bow of the ship, look at the direction of the fish, even on the promenade deck's sliding door (waterfront, Deck 7 with some loungers for use)

 

 

via dual-sims R1HD using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

The new Platinum benefits booklet ... sparkling wine & bottled water (we got extras) and almost daily goodies, given VIP status & with priority escort & disembark status, gold luggage tags/group 4 ... getting spoiled even with our Oceanview stateroom.

 

View into the Casino - light (hot & cold, finger food) snacks nightly at 11 PM for players, behind the bar area ... portside.

 

ShorEx area in atrium lobby - new slimmer sofa chairs, good use of space.

 

via Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.1.2 using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

More pix of the atrium & OSH 24/7 Cafe up the stairs on Deck 8.

Deck 8 - Midship elevators ... nearest to O'Sheehan's

 

via dual-sims R1HD using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

[Gershep]

Welcome home. Looks like you had a good cruise. Can't remember if it is deck 6 or 7 that we disembark from, which one is it? I know Breakaway is 7. Thanks again for taking us along and answering our questions.

[mking8288]

Welcome home. Looks like you had a good cruise. Can't remember if it is deck 6 or 7 ... which one is it? I know Breakaway is 7. Thanks again for taking us along and answering our questions.

You are most welcomed. Yes, we had a great cruise - very good & friendly crew, good MDR food and we made it to GSC (despite 2x brief rain showers) and shower/rain all day yesterday.

 

Disembark & embark on deck 7 at Pier 88. Concierge (Elvina) has letter/details for pax on where to meet & time to get priority disembark/escort at Canaveral, GSC, Nassau & NYC ... not sure if they do that for the big ships like Breakaway.

 

There weren't that many Platinums sailing on the GEM last week, yet there're 2 "Ambassadors" on the ship - one of the Platinum Plus were in our Roll Call ... Had a very good Room Steward who promptly cleaned & refreshed our stateroom while we're out, cleared our plates/dishes, etc. as we didn't put them outside in the hallway (where it wasn't a problem either, at least not on our deck).

 

=====================================================

Oceanviews - Deck 8, obstructed & comments on Inside/sideways

Here are more pix of Deck 8's hallways - white space are crew access stairs & service elevators, hotel lockers & hotel storage/supplies, and service closets, etc. There are a few sideway inside cabins, some with pullmans/upper - it's quiet past late night/midnight ... just keep your curtains closed if you are inside & changing, as maintenance crew do sometimes walk outside past the windows to inspect the lifeboats. Pix of the twin smaller vertical windows to follow next, largely obstructed but plenty of sunlight still get thru, it wasn't blacked out or darkly tinted as rumored.

 

Our BIL/SIL & her sister had an Oceanview w. large picture window, further back - RS helped them setup an inverted U-shape bed, so all 3 seniors sleep in their own single bed, nobody had to climb the ladder into the upper bunk/pullman. Worked out good & they all had space to sit on their own bed ... as their Upgrade Advantage Bid of $125 p/p or $250 for the stateroom offer were not accepted NCL.

Edited May 6, 2017 by mking8288

[mjkacmom]

We will be on the Gem in a few weeks, I've been following this thread, and thought I read that the laundry bag would be returned Friday evening? In the past, I remember it being closer to the middle of the week. I have no need of getting clean clothes back the night before we disembark, I'd rather toss everything in the wash when we get home (stalling having to put it all away). We are a family of 7, and like to pack as lightly as possible.

[mking8288]

We will be on the Gem in a few weeks ... and thought I read that the laundry bag would be returned Friday evening? In the past, I remember it being closer to the middle of the week ... We are a family of 7, and like to pack as lightly as possible.

Not to worry, the $19.99 Laundry Bag Specials was available early enough and you get it back the next day. We send our Platinum ones on the same day (Wed. 5/3) at no charge, and it came back by early afternoon - Thursday or 5/4 ... inserts was placed in all staterooms on Tues 5/2 evening.

 

With summer clothing, we didn't have a lot to wash either and wasn't stuffed full. But, we had done easily over $100 worth in colder sailings - roll tight & stuff it full carefully, used a plastic liner insert this time. We managed all our items with a 22" roller each plus a convertible backpack.

 

Ask the RS early in the week if you can do it sooner, we could've done ours on any given day as it's complimentary - they just can't rush it with same day services w/o charging for it.

 

Hope this is helpful to you & happy sailing.

[www3traveler]

Who is currently the Captain on The Gem?

[mking8288]

Who is currently the Captain on The Gem?

Capt. Kons. Fafalios from Greece.

 

 

via Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.1.2 using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

[mking8288]

Views from Deck 7 looking across the Coffee Bar, apparently popular for some.

 

More food pictures ... MDR

Escargots

Grilled Fish Fillet, Cajan style - I think.

Char Siu (Roast Pork) Rice Noodles in broth @ Orchid Garden

 

** Caution for those on reduced sodium diet - soup broth as prepared normally in the Orchid Garden tend to taste high in salt content.

 

via Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.1.2 using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

[mking8288]

Stateroom info / generic tips & useful tips -

 

Inside, Oceanview & Balcony staterooms have been upgraded with LG brand 22" HDTV with a remote control, that permit access to input sources & other settings - it has NOT been firmware or locked out by the network administration - it has the latest interactive TV display, useful info that exceeded the data shown on the free iConcierge App (mobile). The Daily Planner now will show MDR and Specialty Dining reservations made, time & place. There is an additional guide in the stateroom about using SpeedNet to further "better" internet WiFi access.

 

Data feed for the in-house feeds are via a Cat-5 or Cat-6 cable input. HDMI-1 and HDMI-2 input are accessible in the back panel and seemed to be usable (via a direct HDMI cable) ... I was pleasantly surprised. In addition, it apparently will playback MP3's and MP4's (in common/popular formats) via 2 side-USB 2.0+ input ports.

 

For experimental purposes only, please do NOT try to do this if you aren't familiar and/or comfortable in switching these around - the system does appear to auto-correct, reboot & default to its system-specified configuration and/or timed-out with energy saver features integrated.

 

Pay-for-View TV's are loaded with a selection of about 60, each rental is $9.95 (see sample screen) for purchase.

 

While on time-limited 30 minutes WiFi data plan, ran a few quick test - network signals are on both 2.4 Ghz & 5 Ghz bands, uploads tested to be faster than downloads ... could be cache compressed. Onboard "cellular" tower signals were identified as well - coverage appeared good.

 

The paid iConcierge App is available, for a one-time fee of $9.99 per registered/activated device for the duration of the sailing. No extra charges for inTRAship voice calling or SMS texting - no graphics. Calls from ship to land/mobile #'s is charged at 79 cents a minute using the App's own integrated dialer - does not need/require paid WiFi minutes/MB or use cellular data as this is VoIP. Charges are all billed to one's stateroom account ... good use of your non-refundable OBC, if any & available.

 

Edited May 7, 2017 by mking8288

[mjkacmom]

Not to worry, the $19.99 Laundry Bag Specials was available early enough and you get it back the next day. We send our Platinum ones on the same day (Wed. 5/3) at no charge, and it came back by early afternoon - Thursday or 5/4 ... inserts was placed in all staterooms on Tues 5/2 evening.

 

With summer clothing, we didn't have a lot to wash either and wasn't stuffed full. But, we had done easily over $100 worth in colder sailings - roll tight & stuff it full carefully, used a plastic liner insert this time. We managed all our items with a 22" roller each plus a convertible backpack.

 

Ask the RS early in the week if you can do it sooner, we could've done ours on any given day as it's complimentary - they just can't rush it with same day services w/o charging for it.

 

Hope this is helpful to you & happy sailing.

Thank you! I'm going to bring small plastic garbage bags this time, I think I still have some shirts with yellow NCL laundry tags. I do laundry every single day, going a week would be hard.

[mking8288]

(continued ) Stateroom - generic info & tips, etc. for the GEM (2017)

Once connected to the GEM's WiFi network - you can register via your mobile device; or, use the system-generated codes as shown on the interactive TV display, as below.

 

The Vacation Planner will show what's scheduled/booked and ahead - only via interactive TV.

Voice calling from the stateroom's TV is priced at $4.99 a minute - see below. Check & compare your own cellular carrier's charges, even at roaming rates - as it might be cheaper or comparable/lower than what MTN is billing ... the newest 3-tiered with the social media plan option is NOT yet avaiable on the GEM.

 

In-Room mini-safe

Gem/Jewel/Star/Dawn class & similar ships in the NCL fleet has a "bigger" mini-safe, using a user-set 4 digital combo; and, it will fit full-size iPads. Shown here is my travel-size Sony 11.6" Viao notebook PC, slipped in sideway, with plenty of room - it is deep enough & will probably fit most 14" laptop - bigger 15" or 16" laptop will likely not fit.

 

Edited May 7, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

On this 7 days sailing with mostly summer clothes, we only needed to pack with a 22" roller each - packing cubes (eBags & Eagle Creek) medium, small, slim & half-sized ones worked best for us.

 

Two rollers fitted easily vertically inside the closet (there is a switched light inside (toward the back of the closet ... look for it) ... plenty of hangers.

 

Contents of our packing cubes stayed neat & clean - transferred directly into the drawers - 2 medium ones fit perfectly side-by-side ... only take out what each of us needed (and, it's easy for cross-packing purposes when flying, when a suitcase can sometimes get delayed or lost by the airline while in transit).

 

Almost all 22" carry-on sized soft-side and/or convertible backpack cases will fit into one of the open shelves, so you don't even need to store items under the beds.

 

The mini-refrigerator is bigger than those on the *Away class ships, our RS emptied it at our request on Day 1 ... and we stored bottled water & other items in there.

 

via dual-sims R1HD using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

Edited May 7, 2017 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Final evening - Day 7 of our Gem cruise - "Get Down Tonight" ... it is the productive cast/performer's last show as they have been on the ship for the past 6 months. They are going on vacation & going home today (Saturday) or wherever ... leaving the Gem for the time being, a new group of performers are coming on.

 

Mark, the C.D. came onto the stage at the end of "Get Down Tonight" to thank the casts to the nearly packed theater with standing ovations by the passengers.

 

Then, it was followed by the NCL tradition of crews & senior officers coming on stage ... the new "home away from home" message (still preferred the old ones)

Edited May 7, 2017 by mking8288

[tumblew467]

Thank You for taking the time to do this Mking 8288. We sail nxt weekend and have friends that are 1st timers that are going with us. This has really helped them to see the whole picture of cruising.

[mking8288]

More pix from the farewell finale ... thundering applause from the crowds on our feet ... an amazing crew that truly worked hard.

 

And, of course, these crew members are just as important ... with cheers & laughter from all, as they came on stage, waving their "tools" - Washy Washy !!!

 

via Nexus 5X on Nougat 7.1.2 using Tapatalk, VPN secured.

Edited May 7, 2017 by mking8288
Mi

[mking8288]

Thank You for taking the time to do this Mking 8288. We sail nxt weekend and have friends that are 1st timers that are going with us. This has really helped them to see the whole picture of cruising.

You are most welcomed & hoped that what we've learned and shared can help others get the most out of cruising NCL on the Gem.

 

We don't always have to agree with or like the changes, but we've come across mostly good things this past week ... it went by so quickly, wow & home already after a quick re-packing. It's always difficult to disembark on that final morning, without doing a traditional MDR sit-down breakfast of ours ... can never figure out why folks are eager to get off the ship at 7 AM - what's the hurry, life is too short, enjoy & cherish it.

 

Enjoy your next Gem cruise and I wish you all smooth & safe sailing - plus success in tendering @GSC. Our BIL/SIL would've been so disappointed if we didn't get ashore at the private island - made it. We usually don't get off in Nassau but with 7 of us, decided to take a private taxi-van tour for $30 p/p for 2.5 hours, saved money over ship tours, with 2 shopping stops & even drove by the new casino-resort.

 

Go have fun & make good use of some of the info, especially for friends you are bringing along.

 

===================================================

 

Pictorial review is largely completed & done - got a short post on the Behind The Scene tour, which I will finish tomorrow ... and will wrap up with some closing thoughts, comments & personally "biased" reviews of what I think - since our next booked cruise will be on the BA again (yeah) this late Fall before she leave NYC. In short, DW and I prefer the "smaller" ships - which I will get into a little bit more before the weekend is over, while things are still fresh in this aging mind.

[turning40withMickey]

This is an excellent review!

Thank you for all the details and photographs, very informative and helpful.

 

Glad you had a great cruise, made it to GSC, and ended up with a cashout in the casino!

 

We are looking forward to sailing on the Gem next month.

 

Did you decide on the Nassau tour when you got to Nassau or did you prebook that?

 

Do you have any experience with the shuttles at Port Canaveral? I have rented a van but we may just utilize the shuttle for convenience, I think the cost is about the same for our group of six.

[Purplecin18]

Glad you had a great cruise and thank you for your review and great pictures. We will be on the Gem in August!