Live Review NCL GEM 11/6-11/13 Lots of Pictures Plenty of Random Thoughts Pre Cruise Adventure in Venice

[BennyBrun]

Come along for 7 night one way cruise from Venice to Rome.  It will be a boot camp trip but should still allow some time to explore around the ship.

 

If you got questions I can probably find someone on the ship that knows the answer.

[FionaMG]

Made it; that was quick. Glad I didn't miss the boat! 😂

[CruisinMama2003]

Im here, lets GO! Its been way too long since your last cruise 🤣🤣🤣 

[BennyBrun]

Hahahah way too long …

[BennyBrun]

1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

Made it; that was quick. Glad I didn't miss the boat! 😂

You got plenty of time… I am traveling to Milan first then to Venice via high speed train 

[vacation44]

Looking forward to follow along on another one of your adventures!

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, BennyBrun said:

If you got questions I can probably find someone on the ship that knows the answer.

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise, I hope you have a great one!

 

As I understand it, the Gem is going into dry dock after your cruise. If you have a chance to ask anyone who might know, there’s definitely interest here on CC in learning whether NCL during the dry dock will be removing the tub/shower combo in the staterooms that have them (Club Balcony Suites and some non-Haven Suites) and putting in stall showers (as it has on other Jewel-class ships). Thanks! 
 

We love the Gem, have a wonderful trip!

[LATTELOVE]

So nice,

Count me in please,

You know I will be following.

Looking forward to another amazing 

Virtual cruise.  

 

Wishing you a wonderful cruise!!

 

By the way, we were able to book

an inaugural cruise on

Royal Caribbean's ICON OTS.

Super excited about it,  did not liked the

price, but should be an amazing cruise.

 

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by LATTELOVE

[Nataly1982]

5 hours ago, BennyBrun said:

You got plenty of time… I am traveling to Milan first then to Venice via high speed train 

Hi, how are you getting from Venice to Trieste? 

[Hogladyrider]

I need this right now....surgery on Monday should be home on Wednesday so will play catch up!

 

Looks like an action packed week right up your alley @BennyBrun

[BennyBrun]

19 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise, I hope you have a great one!

 

As I understand it, the Gem is going into dry dock after your cruise. If you have a chance to ask anyone who might know, there’s definitely interest here on CC in learning whether NCL during the dry dock will be removing the tub/shower combo in the staterooms that have them (Club Balcony Suites and some non-Haven Suites) and putting in stall showers (as it has on other Jewel-class ships). Thanks! 
 

We love the Gem, have a wonderful trip!

Who would be a good person to go ask that question?  I doubt guest services would know … need to narrow it down a bit to find the right person to ask that.

[BennyBrun]

15 hours ago, Nataly1982 said:

Hi, how are you getting from Venice to Trieste? 

Via high speed train.

[BennyBrun]

12 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

I need this right now....surgery on Monday should be home on Wednesday so will play catch up!

 

Looks like an action packed week right up your alley @BennyBrun

Speedy recovery!

 

yea this should be interesting!

[BennyBrun]

JFK was packed!  Thank goodness I had access to a lounge!

[BennyBrun]

7 hours later I arrived in Milan … clearing immigration was fast… not like if you fly into ROME … advantage of going to a slightly less popular airport… onto the commuter train to Milan Central to catch the high speed train.

[BennyBrun]

Milan Central Station … absolutely stunning!

[BennyBrun]

The il Mercato at the Milano Central is an attraction itself.. each stall is filled with well know local chef’s creations… I started with sweets

[BennyBrun]

OMG

 

the pasta… the risotto… the desserts…  I can tell you I am not at Olive Garden 😆… it’s so good I don’t even think little Italy in NY can compare!

[BennyBrun]

I went back to the sweets again… this fried donut is filled with 1/4 jar of Nutella… it is soooooo gooooood!

[BennyBrun]

Milano Central Station 

[BennyBrun]

This high speed train is FAST once we are outside the city… 150mph according to Google … plus it comes with a snack service.  I booked business class with a reserve seat and better seating arrangements.  Booked 45 days out and for this portion of train service it is no refundable non changeable since I booked the lowest fare.

[FionaMG]

27 minutes ago, BennyBrun said:

I went back to the sweets again… this fried donut is filled with 1/4 jar of Nutella… it is soooooo gooooood!

 

Yummy 😋 

Need a drooling emoji on here. 😂

[Max and Ruby]

31 minutes ago, BennyBrun said:

I went back to the sweets again… this fried donut is filled with 1/4 jar of Nutella… it is soooooo gooooood!

My account had issues the last few days, but I can log in now and comment! 🙂  I'm gaining weight just looking at these pictures! Nice to see that the train had a place for your luggage as well, but it's not very secure is it?

[FionaMG]

1 minute ago, Max and Ruby said:

Nice to see that the train had a place for your luggage as well, but it's not very secure is it?

It's not and theft does happen. My friend, who lives in France and is a regular user of the Eurostar service, once had her luggage stolen but luckily spotted the thief as he was making his getaway and had the wherewithal to get him stopped. 

I usually suggest taking a bicycle chain if you're travelling with heavy luggage on European trains so that you can secure it to the structure of the luggage holders.

[Max and Ruby]

4 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

It's not and theft does happen. My friend, who lives in France and is a regular user of the Eurostar service, once had her luggage stolen but luckily spotted the thief as he was making his getaway and had the wherewithal to get him stopped. 

I usually suggest taking a bicycle chain if you're travelling with heavy luggage on European trains so that you can secure it to the structure of the luggage holders.

Thank you for the tip!