My take on the Gem Garden Villa 14500 6/9-6/16

[Quencups]

Hi everyone!! We are a group of seven - myself, hubby, daughter, daughter's bf, my sister, niece and my boss. LOL...I know, I know...but we are a very close group :) We have been planning this garden Villa cruise of a lifetime for well over a year, so when the day finally came, we couldn't contain ourselves any longer....

 

We have sailed the Haven out of NY many times so we were familiar with the process...Haven lounge is at the end of the pier...as soon as we completed check in, we were ready to go right on board. Oh!!...so when we entered the Haven lounge we saw our Butler, Vergel from our last cruise on the Breakaway - DOS...We couldn't believe it!!! Were we lucky enough to get him again?..Well, he was assigned to the other Garden Villa - 14000, so we asked if he could possibly switch..he said he would try. So our Butler, Josephine (Loved her!!) took us to see our room, and then to lunch at Cagneys. It is true what everyone says....nothing can prepare you for walking into the Garden Villa for the first time and realizing this is your home for the week!...it was truly overwhelming. It was everything I expected and MORE...The icing on the cake was when Vergel arrived to tell us that Josephine actually had the other people in 14000 before and would be happy to switch!!!...This was going to be a great cruise..

 

more to come.....

[BostonGal35]

the Garden Villa on Gem is gorgeous. i was lucky enough to see it on a Cabin Crawl. have fun! the butler staff was excellent on that ship.

[Quencups]

We are gamblers, so we really don't make any plans for the first night...everyone does their own thing and we meet up later. I have read on other posts and reviews that Garden Villa patrons are treated like royalty...I think that kinda depends on who you are dealing with...lol...Four of us decided we were starving so we made our way to the Magenta Dining Room. Now, let me preface this by saying we really don't like to rely upon, or bother, our Concierge (Elvina) for every little thing. We don't expect to be seated immediately and we don't mind waiting. We aren't pretentious or demanding - we just like to receive the service and attention we believe we pay for. We have cruised many times in the Haven and have never, ever had a problem being seated when we went to a main dining room. Well, we approached the Hostess at Magenta and asked for a table for four. There were several people eating but there were plenty of tables available. She said she could not accommodate us and told us....Go try the Grand Pacific. lol....wow....So my sister, who is just so adorable lol, told her our room number and she said...well..go try the Grand Pacific....so much for the royal treatment. So off to the Grand Pacific we go and explain what happened. We were treated WONDERFULLY there. Dinner was delicious, service was wonderful and we were beyond happy. After dinner we walked by the Magenta and people were still eating so I have no idea what the problem was. Up to the Garden Villa we go to enjoy the courtyard. As soon as we got there, here comes Elvina....lol..."I already know what happened at Magenta, and I am so sorry" awwwww...It seems the Maitre D' at Grand Pacific called her to let her know what happened....wow...we were impressed, but we really couldn't help feeling sorry for the hostess at Magenta.....

 

be back soon.....

[apietros]

Thank you for this review!! We are in this room next July!!!!

[Quencups]

Thank you for this review!! We are in this room next July!!!!

 

 

OMG you are going to LOVE it!!! I can answer (Hopefully) any questions you have...I have so much to write...lol....

[Quencups]

the Garden Villa on Gem is gorgeous. i was lucky enough to see it on a Cabin Crawl. have fun! the butler staff was excellent on that ship.

 

 

Yes, I have to say the butler staff is superb!!!...We are sailing it again next year out of Boston :)

[apietros]

OMG you are going to LOVE it!!! I can answer (Hopefully) any questions you have...I have so much to write...lol....

 

Thanks so much!!

 

I have one question off the top of my head, that I think I know the answer to, but will ask anyway for peace of mind ... my 2 sons will each be in their own room within the villa. Will my key card work in all 3 rooms within the villa? I want to be able to get into all 3 rooms with my keycard.

 

Thank you!

[welove2cruise2014]

We are gamblers, so we really don't make any plans for the first night...everyone does their own thing and we meet up later. I have read on other posts and reviews that Garden Villa patrons are treated like royalty...I think that kinda depends on who you are dealing with...lol...Four of us decided we were starving so we made our way to the Magenta Dining Room. Now, let me preface this by saying we really don't like to rely upon, or bother, our Concierge (Elvina) for every little thing. We don't expect to be seated immediately and we don't mind waiting. We aren't pretentious or demanding - we just like to receive the service and attention we believe we pay for. We have cruised many times in the Haven and have never, ever had a problem being seated when we went to a main dining room. Well, we approached the Hostess at Magenta and asked for a table for four. There were several people eating but there were plenty of tables available. She said she could not accommodate us and told us....Go try the Grand Pacific. lol....wow....So my sister, who is just so adorable lol, told her our room number and she said...well..go try the Grand Pacific....so much for the royal treatment. So off to the Grand Pacific we go and explain what happened. We were treated WONDERFULLY there. Dinner was delicious, service was wonderful and we were beyond happy. After dinner we walked by the Magenta and people were still eating so I have no idea what the problem was. Up to the Garden Villa we go to enjoy the courtyard. As soon as we got there, here comes Elvina....lol..."I already know what happened at Magenta, and I am so sorry" awwwww...It seems the Maitre D' at Grand Pacific called her to let her know what happened....wow...we were impressed, but we really couldn't help feeling sorry for the hostess at Magenta.....

 

be back soon.....

Following, love reading reviews of Garden Villas!

 

But forgive me, I might have missed something, why did / would you have felt sorry for the hostess at Magenta?

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

[Quencups]

Thanks so much!!

 

I have one question off the top of my head, that I think I know the answer to, but will ask anyway for peace of mind ... my 2 sons will each be in their own room within the villa. Will my key card work in all 3 rooms within the villa? I want to be able to get into all 3 rooms with my keycard.

 

Thank you!

 

Yes...all key cards work for all the bedrooms...

[Quencups]

Following, love reading reviews of Garden Villas!

 

But forgive me, I might have missed something, why did / would you have felt sorry for the hostess at Magenta?

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

 

Because we knew by our Concierge's tone that that the hostess was going to be "dealt with".

[apietros]

Yes...all key cards work for all the bedrooms...

 

Awesome! Thanks again!

[Quencups]

Villa and the Courtyard: What a wonderful space to enjoy as a family....but wait,,,ut oh...only half of the lights were working in the courtyard, and the Bose speakers were not working outside..(it wasn't us, Vergel couldn't get them to work either) ..The wall sconces were out, the light over the table was out...the only working lights were over the hot tub. Now I know it may not seem like a big deal, and you can totally disagree with me, but to me, this is unacceptable in a suite of that caliber and price. Everything should be working. Now my hubby (Mr. Fix it) is looking around more closely at things and he finds many interior bulbs out, including a few in the beautiful chandelier. We told Vergel and he said he would have them come and check the speakers and the lights. They came the next day and fixed the speakers and replaced most of the bulbs. Everything was great!...We even joked that we made it perfect for the next people..lol. It may seem like I am knit-picking, but I just never expected anything less than perfection in the Garden Villa. I don't feel that any lightbulbs should be burned out. Mel was our room steward and Neil was our courtyard attendant. Both were amazing, but Neil was my Vacation Hero - if you are ever lucky enough to have him around you, you will understand why. He is a just a wonderful person. He came every day and set up the courtyard (except when we gave him the day off :) ) The upper deck of the courtyard is amazing. He has towels that cover the loungers and umbrellas and there is a big round lounger with pillows up there. This was my favorite spot.

 

Mel was great as well, but he didn't make any towel animals the first night :( My daughter's bf is a first time cruiser - and you just CANNOT be a first time cruiser and not get a towel animal!...I mentioned it to Vergel and the second night they had two swans made into a heart - and I was very happy :) We got towel animals every nite after that :)

[Quencups]

Dining: We asked Vergel to bring us a pot of coffee and tea every morning at 6:30AM. The staff will come in and out of the villa to the private areas, but will not enter the bedrooms if you are there. He would bring a tray of Danish as well, but we usually had breakfast in Moderno every morning. It was delicious. We always had a full cooler of ice, tons of espresso and any kind of soda you can imagine. Plenty of water bottles as well. Vergel makes a pitcher of fruit water every cruise for my sister and leaves it in the fridge, as well as lemons, limes and cherries.

 

We ate at Teppanyaki which was ridiculously good. We are a United Nations type of family and my husband is Asian and very picky when it comes to his food- he LOVED Teppanyaki and wanted to go back. We ate at Moderno which was also just fantastic!! Food was delicious and the service was impeccable. We cancelled our dinner at La Cucina only because we enjoyed the Grand Pacific so much. We loved the ambiance, the wait staff and our bartender, Julian. He brought us our drinks every night without asking...he was amazing!!! So here's another little, and I mean little complaint - reading the boards on CC, I was under the impression we would be offered a dinner at a restaurant of our choice on the last night of our cruise. We asked Vergel and he told us they don't do this anymore. Shame on NCL - I really do believe they are cutting back on perks. Honestly, for the amount of money people pay for the Villa, I would think they would offer a specialty dinner or at least give everyone over 21 the bev. package. A small complaint, but not a deal breaker.

 

We would occasionally grab a snack at the Garden Café and O'Sheehans. We only had one meal served en suite - it was a great lunch in our courtyard. Vergel even went down to the pool bbq and brought up food from there. We did have late night food - sandwiches, etc - pizza (gross to me) but the kids, and when I say kids I mean 24, 21, 20 - liked it. And of course, every day around 3:00PM Vergel brought us plates of finger sandwiches and chips.

[BostonGal35]

we have never gotten a towel animal on the first night. they are EXHAUSTED as turnover day is a very long and busy day, as every room is fully stripped, cleaned, made up for the next group coming in. they also have to deliver luggage, etc.

 

ive never heard or read on here that GV guests get a free specialty on their last night.

[Gampy1967]

we have never gotten a towel animal on the first night. they are EXHAUSTED as turnover day is a very long and busy day, as every room is fully stripped, cleaned, made up for the next group coming in. they also have to deliver luggage, etc.

 

ive never heard or read on here that GV guests get a free specialty on their last night.

 

If I don't get a towel animal on the first night I am going to complain and if not corrected that evening, I am going to lower my DSC. The towel animal is a critical part of my cruising experience.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[PATRLR]

If I don't get a towel animal on the first night I am going to complain and if not corrected that evening, I am going to lower my DSC. The towel animal is a critical part of my cruising experience.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I'd go straight to the Captain myself.

 

But seriously, it's been a few years/cruises since I've seen a towel animal on the first night.

 

To the OP - very much enjoying your review.

[Quencups]

LOL...geeze guys...I am just giving a review...lighten up....I didn't jump overboard over the towel animal....just telling of my experience...I just don't remember never NOT getting one on the first night.....:rolleyes:

[Quencups]

we have never gotten a towel animal on the first night. they are EXHAUSTED as turnover day is a very long and busy day, as every room is fully stripped, cleaned, made up for the next group coming in. they also have to deliver luggage, etc.

 

ive never heard or read on here that GV guests get a free specialty on their last night.

 

Old GV posts/reviews mentioned that they received a dinner on the last night. And I see what you are saying about the first night towels and it makes a lot of sense.

[NancyL2]

following

[Quencups]

So anyway...….after I stopped crying hysterically over the towel animal...LOL :rolleyes:...we opted to stay on the ship in Florida....loved GSC, and went to Atlantis in Nassau. As far as the shows went... Swing - the Musical wasn't my cup of tea, but I did think the dancing was amazing....We loved Blazin Boots....and most of my group loved the magician - but I didn't...lol...just being honest. We spent a lot of time in the casino and played in the slot invitational tournament (a whole 'nother story and thread :mad:) We spent ALOT of time in our courtyard and had an relaxing wonderful vacation.

 

Oh...We could have been picked up by limo at our home in jersey and driven back home after disembarkation, but pre-concierge never told us that, so make sure you ask up front if u stay in the GV. Elvina said they should have set that up with us, pre-cruise. We drove in and parked for the week like we always do, but being picked up would have been nice.

 

Overall this was an absolutely wonderful cruise....and we can't wait to do it again next year. The Gem is our favorite NCL ship and now the GV is our favorite room!!!

[rdh3377]

My family has your exact cabin booked on 12/8. There will be 7 or 8 of us (still to be decided). This is being done because my mother-in-law decided she would like to try a cruise. I am a typical American mutt :) but my wife and her family (the other cruisers) are Chinese. Like you stated, we do not need to be seated first everywhere or treated like royalty all the time. However, there are certain reasons we chose to book a GV in the Haven.

 

1. The purpose of the trip is to get the family together and have a relaxing time away from the craziness of the main ship.

2. My family are mostly not restaurant lovers and prefer good simple Asian cuisine.

3. We do want the escort to shows, escort on and off the ship etc., especially for my mother and father in-law

 

Our main concerns/questions/desires,

 

1. Good Asian food delivered to the suite for most lunches and dinners. I know Norwegian makes a big deal of course by course meals but as long as there is a separation between the savory and the sweet, we would be fine.

1A. While my family may prefer this, I am a bit of a foodie and will want items delivered from the various specialty restaurants at the same time. I hope this can be done without driving the butler and associated staff either crazy or to exhaustion.

2. A good hearty breakfast in the reserved restaurant to include some non-traditional (American) breakfast items such as fish dishes or noodle soups.

3. Drinks either delivered to the suite (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) along with mixers for the various bottles of alcohol provided.

3A. I would love a mixology lesson or two from a ship's bartender and I am sure my wife will want a conversation with a good sommelier.

 

I think that just about covers it. I will add a new post if I forgot anything. Looking forward to more info. about the GV on the GEM. 165 days to go, not that I am counting. Here's hoping that we will be able to take this trip. Thank you for your thread.

[Quencups]

My family has your exact cabin booked on 12/8. There will be 7 or 8 of us (still to be decided). This is being done because my mother-in-law decided she would like to try a cruise. I am a typical American mutt :) but my wife and her family (the other cruisers) are Chinese. Like you stated, we do not need to be seated first everywhere or treated like royalty all the time. However, there are certain reasons we chose to book a GV in the Haven.

 

1. The purpose of the trip is to get the family together and have a relaxing time away from the craziness of the main ship.

2. My family are mostly not restaurant lovers and prefer good simple Asian cuisine.

3. We do want the escort to shows, escort on and off the ship etc., especially for my mother and father in-law

 

Our main concerns/questions/desires,

 

1. Good Asian food delivered to the suite for most lunches and dinners. I know Norwegian makes a big deal of course by course meals but as long as there is a separation between the savory and the sweet, we would be fine.

1A. While my family may prefer this, I am a bit of a foodie and will want items delivered from the various specialty restaurants at the same time. I hope this can be done without driving the butler and associated staff either crazy or to exhaustion.

2. A good hearty breakfast in the reserved restaurant to include some non-traditional (American) breakfast items such as fish dishes or noodle soups.

3. Drinks either delivered to the suite (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) along with mixers for the various bottles of alcohol provided.

3A. I would love a mixology lesson or two from a ship's bartender and I am sure my wife will want a conversation with a good sommelier.

 

I think that just about covers it. I will add a new post if I forgot anything. Looking forward to more info. about the GV on the GEM. 165 days to go, not that I am counting. Here's hoping that we will be able to take this trip. Thank you for your thread.

 

As far as family time together, the GV is perfect for that....as a matter of fact, you will be tempted to not even leave the room.

 

You must go to Teppanyaki. My husband is Chinese as well and he absolutely loved it!!..I don't know if they will bring that to your room, but I know you can ask for all the menus from all the restaurants and they will bring anything you want to the room...Just remember to tip your butler well :) Orchid Garden is the Chinese restaurant there and we found the food to be good. They serve noodle soups there.

 

Escorts to shows not really needed - there's plenty of room in the Haven section in the Showroom, but you will love the escort on and off the ship...to me, the escort off the ship was worth everything....we were literally at our cars ten minutes after we left.

 

The breakfast served in Moderno is wonderful. You can pretty much get anything you want. Not sure about getting noodle soups, but you can certainly ask.

 

Don't worry, you will have plenty of mixers in the villa. Whatever you need or want, you ask for. If your butler can do it, he/she certainly will....Just remember to take good care of your villa staff - they work very hard.

 

Enjoy the build-up to your cruise - it will be everything u imagine - If I can answer anything else, let me know!!!

 

Oh - make sure you go to the mojito tasting in Moderno - they tell you everything you would ever want to know about mojitos and they make six different mini mojitos for you to taste.

[TriMomma]

I am staying in a Garden Villa on Star this fall. Hope my experience is as wonderful as yours!

[mommyto2girls]

So anyway...….after I stopped crying hysterically over the towel animal...LOL :rolleyes:...we opted to stay on the ship in Florida....loved GSC, and went to Atlantis in Nassau. As far as the shows went... Swing - the Musical wasn't my cup of tea, but I did think the dancing was amazing....We loved Blazin Boots....and most of my group loved the magician - but I didn't...lol...just being honest. We spent a lot of time in the casino and played in the slot invitational tournament (a whole 'nother story and thread :mad:) We spent ALOT of time in our courtyard and had an relaxing wonderful vacation.

 

Oh...We could have been picked up by limo at our home in jersey and driven back home after disembarkation, but pre-concierge never told us that, so make sure you ask up front if u stay in the GV. Elvina said they should have set that up with us, pre-cruise. We drove in and parked for the week like we always do, but being picked up would have been nice.

 

Overall this was an absolutely wonderful cruise....and we can't wait to do it again next year. The Gem is our favorite NCL ship and now the GV is our favorite room!!!

We have done the GV on the Gem a few times out of NY and once out of San Juan. There’s just no turning back lol and it was only 2 of us. We love Elvina, as far as the Limo I have to disagree with the info. You can definitely be driven home to NJ ( within a certain radius) or to any of the 3 airports but they do not pick you up.

Sounds like you had a great time😊

[Quencups]

We have done the GV on the Gem a few times out of NY and once out of San Juan. There’s just no turning back lol and it was only 2 of us. We love Elvina, as far as the Limo I have to disagree with the info. You can definitely be driven home to NJ ( within a certain radius) or to any of the 3 airports but they do not pick you up.

Sounds like you had a great time😊

Ahhhh ty for the info as to the limo. I wish we had been told. Also, Do you recall being offered a specialty dinner on your last night of the cruise when you stayed in the Villa? I agree lol going to very hard to go back lol