GEM...Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite...List of Perks & Amenities?

[debjo]

Greetings to all the Savvy Gem "Suite" Cruisers!

It has been a number of years since we've sailed with NCL...even more since we've sailed with NCL in a "Suite".  I've searched the NCL website and current paper brochure, and cannot seem to find a list of the perks and amenities that come with the SF Category Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite.  I'm trying to decide whether I want to move from my already booked "Aft Facing Mini Suite" to an "Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite".  

 

I know that many things have changed in the cruise industry and with NCL,  so I am wondering if the current "suite" experience will justify the cost in changing from our "mini" to the "suite".  

 

I know there is still a Butler and Concierge attached to the "suite" life...but I'm remembering that there was a specific area in the Theater that was reserved for the "suite" guests and other niceties that came with the "suite" before.  Is there a separate lounge area for the "suite" guests?  This is to be a special occasion cruise for us...so we'd like to bask in the anticipation of this long awaited cruise.

 

Thanks in advance for all your words of wisdom!  

 

 

Edited November 7, 2018 by debjo
typo

[boopsahoy]

34 minutes ago, debjo said:

Greetings to all the Savvy Gem "Suite" Cruisers!

It has been a number of years since we've sailed with NCL...even more since we've sailed with NCL in a "Suite".  I've searched the NCL website and current paper brochure, and cannot seem to find a list of the perks and amenities that come with the SF Category Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite.  I'm trying to decide whether I want to move from my already booked "Aft Facing Mini Suite" to an "Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite".  

 

I know that many things have changed in the cruise industry and with NCL,  so I am wondering if the current "suite" experience will justify the cost in changing from our "mini" to the "suite".  

 

I know there is still a Butler and Concierge attached to the "suite" life...but I'm remembering that there was a specific area in the Theater that was reserved for the "suite" guests and other niceties that came with the "suite" before.  Is there a separate lounge area for the "suite" guests?  This is to be a special occasion cruise for us...so we'd like to bask in the anticipation of this long awaited cruise.

 

Thanks in advance for all your words of wisdom!  

 

 

Butler, Concierge, Suite boarding area and disembarkation, Breakfast and lunch in Moderno and Cagneys.  PH does not get to access Haven and Haven sundeck. I'm pretty sure they get the same theater seating as Haven as well. This is the balcony for cabin 10666 Aft PH on the Gem. Editing to say this was before they banned smoking on the balconies!!!!

Edited November 7, 2018 by boopsahoy

[debjo]

Thanks boopsahoy for the penthouse suite balcony photos from the GEM...I love any cabins with sizeable balcony!  (Got spoiled by them on our very first cruise!).  

We had an awesome experience with the "suite" on our NCL SPIRIT cruises...sure wish that ship was still sailing out of the U.S. east coast!  The penthouse suites on the GEM seem to be lack-luster compared to those on the SPIRIT...but the added space of a suite is always nice.

[boopsahoy]

Haven't been on the Sky in years and when I was I was in a balcony. I showed the balcony becasue its bigger than the Minisuite one. 

[roger001]

Here's the Pearl SF, which should be the same.   Reference reserved theater seating, it's balcony side.  We prefer to just go in and get our own.  Much better locations if you don't wait until the last minute.  

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO1VJQzU7E15ANpzE8JSVgzmoCsmis09pr8YNd_Tx9rZy93GQhRVu7Urzn5E0uyVA?key=Y2xybFFnZzg1RG1ZTHRPb3dBZnZOYkJKYjlFTjRR

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP5mGO4TqQHByrToGx0dRWP2gt27ki4OBg4ELh0Xdj49FI7pfIdvgiL5T1GyIEDBg?key=LUROa1ZaUWZQN3RLcE9fTzI2aUNZRHZYSVNRZk53

[boopsahoy]

39 minutes ago, roger001 said:

Here's the Pearl SF, which should be the same.   Reference reserved theater seating, it's balcony side.  We prefer to just go in and get our own.  Much better locations if you don't wait until the last minute.  

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO1VJQzU7E15ANpzE8JSVgzmoCsmis09pr8YNd_Tx9rZy93GQhRVu7Urzn5E0uyVA?key=Y2xybFFnZzg1RG1ZTHRPb3dBZnZOYkJKYjlFTjRR

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP5mGO4TqQHByrToGx0dRWP2gt27ki4OBg4ELh0Xdj49FI7pfIdvgiL5T1GyIEDBg?key=LUROa1ZaUWZQN3RLcE9fTzI2aUNZRHZYSVNRZk53

We never use the reserved seating either.

[debjo]

Thanks "roger001" for all those pictures from the PEARL...they are awesome and give me a better idea as to what the cabin will "really " be like.  

 

Still, I'd love to find a "official" NCL list of what the "suite" (not Haven) perks & amenities are...as we were really spoiled with our Penthouse Suite on the SPIRIT, but understand since the advent of the "Haven"...the Penthouse Suites & perks are not as posh as they once were.  

Edited November 7, 2018 by debjo

[boopsahoy]

1 hour ago, debjo said:

Thanks "roger001" for all those pictures from the PEARL...they are awesome and give me a better idea as to what the cabin will "really " be like.  

 

Still, I'd love to find a "official" NCL list of what the "suite" (not Haven) perks & amenities are...as we were really spoiled with our Penthouse Suite on the SPIRIT, but understand since the advent of the "Haven"...the Penthouse Suites & perks are not as posh as they once were.  

Suites & Penthouses | Norwegian Cruise Line

[emcelh]

In our experience, reserved theatre seating on the Gem was only for haven suites.  

[bonvoyagie]

Have been in the deck 10 SFs on the Pearl - balcony is great and big enough for two loungers and two chairs plus the table. With respect to a mini suite the SFs are larger - they have a table and chairs as well as a small sofa and a padded chair. They have a bar set up with the Nespresso machine. The closet is bigger as is the bathroom. ALL suites get priority boarding, and tendering - if your cruise has lots of tender ports this is a primo perk. On our last cruise we had to go through C&I in Bar Harbor the day prior to our final port in Boston - it is also a tender port - all of the suite pax got to go through their own special line and then were escorted to the tender area where we were inserted ahead of the large line - also no need for tender tickets. There is also a special officers reception for suite pax.  The concierge can help you with last minute reservations and even working you into "sold out" excursions. I believe that on the Jewel class ships, the reserved seating is for the Haven only - however if they are not taken the concierge can open them to other suite guests - you just need to ask. We kind of look at where the cruise is and how long it is as to whether or not the suite is worth the price - we have a 21 day cruise booked in 2020 and we got an SF on deck 10 of the Gem for it.

 

As far as getting to use the haven sundeck  - that is up to the concierge - when we went to Alaska and Glacier Bay, we were hoping to be able to use it - but no luck. I read where the concierge on the Jewel  invited all of the suite guests to a glacier viewing party on the Haven sundeck for the transit up Tracy Arm to Sawyer Glacier. I am hoping to be invited up for our Panama Canal Transit.

 

I hope this helps

[debjo]

For boopsahoy...Thanks for the link, but I previously saw within the NCL's website and felt it was pretty non-specific...plus it appeared to relate only to these ships:  Pride of America, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Star.  Sadly, there was no mention of the Norwegian Gem on those web pages.  😞

 

For bonvoyagie...Thank you for your "pearls of wisdom" from your experience in the SF Suite on the PEARL.  I hope we are as fortunate to have a Concierge that goes the extra mile and extends some of the now "Haven" only perks to the "Penthouse" Suite passengers.  I'm really feeling that things were much more "sweet" with our experiences in the Penthouse Suite on the SPIRIT several years ago.  Times have changed dramatically in the cruise industry in the past several years.  I know I'll love the space in the SF on the GEM next year, but I think that I'm going to miss some of the "perks" we enjoyed in the past.  NCL is about the only cruise line where we can afford to sail in a "suite" for a special occasion, but I'm beginning to feel that the "suite" perks seem to diminish more and more with each passing year.  Still, a cruise is a cruise...and a cruise in a "suite" is even better!  After all, vacations are times to be enjoyed and memories are created!  🙂

Edited November 8, 2018 by debjo

[debjo]

Silly me...I finally found what I was looking for within NCL's website.  It was there all along.  I just failed to realize that the words under the heading "INDULGE IN EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES"..."Special Services" - "Delicious Extras" - "Thoughtful Touches" were actually 'links' to other pages within their website.  

Since the last time I researched a cruise...both the NCL website and this Cruise Critic website have changed their formats.  Personally, I think it confuses things and makes it harder to find the information one avidly seeks.  

I hope that what I've read on the NCL Suite Amenities pages applies to all of their ships and that our upcoming GEM experience will be all that we look forward to it being.  

[shrew]

I'm pretty sure that your mini-suite doesn't come with any suite benefits. A mini-suite is a slightly upgraded regular stateroom that doesn't include any suite benefits such as a butler.

[jpcdds6]

18 hours ago, emcelh said:

In our experience, reserved theatre seating on the Gem was only for haven suites.  

Nope. All suite guests. We have sailed in SF Jewel class suites 5 times, last time very recently, and have never been denied reserved seating in the theater. The only difference in amenities on Jewel class for penthouse suite guests is no access to the Haven areas,

Edited November 8, 2018 by jpcdds6

[esm54687]

5 hours ago, shrew said:

I'm pretty sure that your mini-suite doesn't come with any suite benefits. A mini-suite is a slightly upgraded regular stateroom that doesn't include any suite benefits such as a butler.

 

A Mini-Suite is basically a Deluxe Balcony with zero suite benefits.   Reading the OP's initial post I think they are aware of that...  which is why they were seeking the "suite benefits" to help decide pursuing an upgrade was worth it

[debjo]

Thanks to everyone for your input and help here.  It's now official...I've secured one of the GEM's SF suites and think it is worth the extra money we'll be spending.  Now we pray that we'll have great weather during our trip...but if not, we'll enjoy the suite and the ship better than we would have in the mini-suite.  

[boopsahoy]

8 minutes ago, debjo said:

Thanks to everyone for your input and help here.  It's now official...I've secured one of the GEM's SF suites and think it is worth the extra money we'll be spending.  Now we pray that we'll have great weather during our trip...but if not, we'll enjoy the suite and the ship better than we would have in the mini-suite.  

Good decision! Enjoy!

[MsMaybelline]

For those who have been Haven guests on The Gem and on larger ships in the Breakaway class, do you feel it is worth staying in The Haven on The Gem? The price is hefty and there's no restaurant (for dinner), no bar (it seems).  Both of these things were quite nice in The Haven on The Breakaway. Also, there's a tiny pool area. Part of the perks was having some of these things. I'm reconsidering after learning some of this. May be a dealbreaker? Opinions would be very helpful.

[boopsahoy]

40 minutes ago, MsMaybelline said:

For those who have been Haven guests on The Gem and on larger ships in the Breakaway class, do you feel it is worth staying in The Haven on The Gem? The price is hefty and there's no restaurant (for dinner), no bar (it seems).  Both of these things were quite nice in The Haven on The Breakaway. Also, there's a tiny pool area. Part of the perks was having some of these things. I'm reconsidering after learning some of this. May be a dealbreaker? Opinions would be very helpful.

Haven isnt necessary-we get a non Haven Penthouse which gives you all perks except actual entry in the Haven Area. We just got back from cruise in 10664 and it was great!

[mommyto2girls]

50 minutes ago, MsMaybelline said:

For those who have been Haven guests on The Gem and on larger ships in the Breakaway class, do you feel it is worth staying in The Haven on The Gem? The price is hefty and there's no restaurant (for dinner), no bar (it seems).  Both of these things were quite nice in The Haven on The Breakaway. Also, there's a tiny pool area. Part of the perks was having some of these things. I'm reconsidering after learning some of this. May be a dealbreaker? Opinions would be very helpful.

We have sailed the Gem haven at least a dozen times and the BA, we prefer the Gem and in my opinion it is worth the money. The smaller Jewel Class ships definitely are more intimate they only cater to 16 Cabins and 2 Garden Villas and rarely does anyone from the GV hang out in the courtyard area ( we never did any of our trips) so you are getting more personal service. You can order drinks from the Courtyard Butler. The lack of a restaurant for dinner is not significant to us. It is our favorite Haven hands down.

Edited November 28, 2018 by mommyto2girls

[graphicguy]

Was in the GEM AFT SUITE this past Spring.  Great cabin (and ship).  You have access to both the concierge and the butler.  Only difference between the Aft Suite and the Haven Suites, you don't have access to the (very tiny) Haven pool area.  

 

My review with pics that may help....

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2540139-ncl-gem-review-428-to-orlando-and-bahamas-pics/

[markf]

we  are booked  in a  2 BR suite on the Gem--haven't been in a suite on Gem in some time.

Is  breakfast and lunch served  in either  Cagneys and Moderno ?

Last time it was just Cagneys with essentialy the same menu each  day , which got a little boring 

[graphicguy]

13 hours ago, markf said:

we  are booked  in a  2 BR suite on the Gem--haven't been in a suite on Gem in some time.

Is  breakfast and lunch served  in either  Cagneys and Moderno ?

Last time it was just Cagneys with essentialy the same menu each  day , which got a little boring 

Breakfast in Moderno.  Yes, the menu was static.  But, I didn't eat breakfast there every day.  I switched it up...at breakfast in Moderno, O'Sheehans (which is a short walk from the Aft Suite), MDR.

 

The good thing about Moderno's, the waitstaff knew what you wanted when you were seated.  I didn't have to ask for coffee or tomato juice.  It just showed up after my first breakfast there.

[MsMaybelline]

On 11/28/2018 at 11:44 AM, graphicguy said:

Was in the GEM AFT SUITE this past Spring.  Great cabin (and ship).  You have access to both the concierge and the butler.  Only difference between the Aft Suite and the Haven Suites, you don't have access to the (very tiny) Haven pool area.  

 

My review with pics that may help....

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2540139-ncl-gem-review-428-to-orlando-and-bahamas-pics/

Do you get to eat in Moderno/Cagney's for breakfast/lunch in the suites or is that just for Haven guests? Thanks

[graphicguy]

I only ate breakfast in Moderno....which was permitted as as an aft suite guest (non-Haven).  Not sure about lunch, as I never tried either Moderno/Cagney, except for my specialty dinners.