Live from the Gem - March 10-21, 2023 NY to Bermuda to Caribbean to NY

[www3traveler]

26 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

For @www3traveler

 

Is this helpful? 

Very hard to read the names but Yes, Thank You    Have you met Paquito yet?

[Seas2mountains]

On Day 2, it was still a little cold about 40+ degrees in the morning and windy. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at Moderno. Knowing the thermal spa would be busy on a cold sea day, we went there immediately after breakfast and enjoyed it before it got too crowded.  Next, we made it to trivia on time but lost by one point over the winning team. After trivia, we went to the fitness center to get in a workout.  
 

While it was so cold in the morning, we and several other passengers were a little amused watching a woman go through so much effort to transition from using her personal towels which were blowing away to cruise ship towels with her clips before 9am.. It was too cold and no other chairs were reserved.  The pool deck started coming to life at night as the temperature climbed to 60+ degrees. When we walked through the pool area about Noon, there were people in hot tubs but few people on lounge chairs. 
 

Following the workout, it was time for a delicious lunch with fabulous service in Cagney’s. After lunch we ventured to Spinnaker lounge which was really crowded on a cold sea day. It was tough to get drink service and the line at the bar was super long. We gave up and went to the atrium bar where we discovered ‘66 by Norwegian Gin which is on the P+ plan and is soooo good! 
 

We went back to the room to chill while DH napped and I answered a few small business related emails and then updated CC with photos. The internet got better about 5pm as I was able to add many photo updates. 
 

We had a great dinner in Le Bistro where the decor has been updated and looks fantastic.  After dinner, we went to the VIP reception and had a nice chat with other guests and officers. Next, it was time for the hilarious Newlywed or Not So Newlywed game. We listened to the very talented Sea Shakers who seemed to have a guest saxophone player.
 

We wanted a quick light snack before Garden Cafe closed so we hurried there before 9:30pm.  While we usually would go back to the band, we were a little tired and wanted to chill watching the rest of a movie we started the night before. We got a glass of wine to take back to the room. The butler evening snacks were exactly what we preferred some very yummy cheese and crackers. We pulled out the ziplock bags to save these for later as the light snack at GC was all we needed. 

 

[Seas2mountains]

31 minutes ago, bostoncruisegal said:

 

I am looking at this room type for a future cruise, but with 4 adults.  I had 2 questions:

 

~Does the master bed split into 2 like most staterooms?

~I know it doesn't come with 4 chairs, but can you fit 4 on the balcony?

 

Thanks!

The master bed is one of the few that is one bed. You could use the pull out sofa in the main room or there is a pull out sofa plus a pull down bed in the second bedroom. 
 

You can fit 4 on the balcony but will need to use the chairs from the main room. 

  

[Seas2mountains]

Breakfast Day 2 

 

The amazing almond croissants were there. 

 

the little hash browns are better than the normal size ones. 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by Seas2mountains

[Seas2mountains]

Lunch on day 2

[Seas2mountains]

New decor at Le Bistro. 
 

Dinner at Le Bistro. We were a little rushed to get to the VIP party at 7pm and let our waiter know. 
 

Drinks. Veuve Cliquot 
 

Appetizer. escargot

dinners. Dover sole and Sea Bass

Desserts. Marquis chocolate and Frazier. 

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by Seas2mountains

[goldmom]

A question regarding the suite snacks.  We were just off the Gem.  We noticed on this last trip that we did not get the variety or amount of snacks as in past trips.  Not that we needed all the food, but we used to get a "gift" from an officer and then some other plate of food also.

This last time, we received one "gift" snack each day but nothing else and they seemed to rotate between the same 4 snacks.  Just curious if this is new policy or if we just had a lackluster butler.

Would appreciate it if you'd keep us up to date on the snack situation.  Although there's probably less waste with only bringing one snack.  The only one we ate was the cheese and crackers.

Enjoy your cruise!

[goldmom]

One other question.  Are you getting twice a day service in this class of suites?  Thanks!

[Seas2mountains]

6 minutes ago, goldmom said:

A question regarding the suite snacks.  We were just off the Gem.  We noticed on this last trip that we did not get the variety or amount of snacks as in past trips.  Not that we needed all the food, but we used to get a "gift" from an officer and then some other plate of food also.

This last time, we received one "gift" snack each day but nothing else and they seemed to rotate between the same 4 snacks.  Just curious if this is new policy or if we just had a lackluster butler.

Would appreciate it if you'd keep us up to date on the snack situation.  Although there's probably less waste with only bringing one snack.  The only one we ate was the cheese and crackers.

Enjoy your cruise!

This is our fifth time in a suite/Haven. We are much smarter about our requests to minimize food waste. DH put together a written list of foods under “Yes” we would eat them and “No” please don’t bring them. We are super happy with the snacks our butler is bringing as all fall under the “yes” category. 

[Seas2mountains]

6 minutes ago, goldmom said:

One other question.  Are you getting twice a day service in this class of suites?  Thanks!

Yes it is twice daily but we only need one time per day. 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Love your posts and pictures thank you so much!

[Wvshimmy]

1 hour ago, Seas2mountains said:

New decor at Le Bistro. 
 

Dinner at Le Bistro. We were a little rushed to get to the VIP party at 7pm and let our waiter know. 
 

Drinks. Veuve Cliquot 
 

Appetizer. escargot

dinners. Dover sole and Sea Bass

Desserts. Marquis chocolate and Frazier. 

 

I think they did an amazing job with Bistro and Magnums area refurbs.

Very bright with nice color palettes,  now. 

Crew at Bistro was awesome on recent cruises. 

Actually,  all venues. 

The chocolate marquis is da bomb! 😋🙃

 

[Seas2mountains]

7 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Very hard to read the names but Yes, Thank You    Have you met Paquito yet?

We have not yet. Should we say hello from you? If so, what names should I give? 

[Seas2mountains]

We are currently enjoying a great evening listening and dancing to Sea Shakers with their guest saxophone player. 
 

The demographics of this cruise ship seems to be mostly age 50+ couples and friends or family.  Many are from upper NY State and Canada. The dance floor was packed during their last song!!! 
 

There are lots of pink (sunburned) people on the ship. At 10pm, Spinnaker is packed with this demographic. Will update on day 3 tomorrow. 

[Seas2mountains]

[www3traveler]

36 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

We have not yet. Should we say hello from you? If so, what names should I give? 

Tell him  Mandy says "Hi" also Dhruv if you see him.

[Seas2mountains]

[Seas2mountains]

People who are 50+ can party! I know those who are younger can but they must be in a different venue. The cruise staff is all in here dancing and the place is packed!!! Standing room only.  

[Seas2mountains]

The dance party continues past the end time. There are more under 50 people now, too. We are excited as this is going to be a super fun cruise with great dance music and so many people dancing! 

[Seas2mountains]

[Seas2mountains]

What a fun night! Great people are on this ship. More updates tomorrow. Good night! 😀

[PistolPete13]

Thanks for posting this.  I was on the Getaway that docked in NY last Friday just in front of the Gem.  I was looking at doing this sailing on the Gem but since it was scheduled for Bermuda (initially at least) I didn't want a repeat port and went with the Getaway.

I'm going to enjoy "visiting" the other islands with you again so soon!

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

Awww I actually liked the over-the-top baroque french restaurant gaudiness of the old Le Bistro decor. 

[Seas2mountains]

Days 3 and 4 have been fairly identical. Both started with a fabulous breakfast at Moderno while seeing the beautiful sun out on calm seas. We enjoyed walking on deck 7 for our daily exercise. The Jewel class ships are our favorites for being able to walk all around the deck. It can be awkward trying to walk on the decks of larger ships. It’s warm outside about 79+ degrees today. 
 

After the walk, it was time for daily trivia. Yesterday, we got 16 out of 20 correct but the winner had 19.  Today was more difficult and we got 10 out of 20 correct but the winners got 14 correct. Following  trivial, it was time for the spa to use the thermal pool and hot tub and nextthe heated lounge chairs. As mentioned, I think there are many kind and considerate passengers on this ship as most people have not hogged the heated lounge chairs or reserved them with some exceptions. The chairs by the pool are definitely being reserved/hogged but we don’t tend to hang out by the pool. 
 

After a delicious lunch at Cagney’s with the tasty Haven/Suite menu which is not getting old yet, we have been hanging out in Spinnaker’s Lounge to enjoy Gin and Tonics with ‘66 by Norwegian. 
 

We really had a great time last night dancing to great music by Sea Shakers followed by the DJ. I am still surprised by how packed it was. 
 

it’s time for a nap with some gentle rocking of the ship. The seas are very calm today.  We are back to Cagney’s for dinner tonight. 

 

We did ask for passenger counts. There are about 2500 passengers with 142 children. We have seen a few babies but the number of kids is quite light compared to most Spring break cruises.  
 

 

 

 

[Seas2mountains]

Lunch on Day 3 at Cagney’s. 
Salmon on Caesar Salad. 
Shrimp Scampi

Desserts