just returned from gem jan 16

[markf]

Just returned --any questions please ask-

The way home we had 10 foot waves and 50 knot winds causing an amazing rocking and rolling event--

Curious if other voyages had similar weather and sea conditions

[SailingDeanna]

Wow! Those waves do not sound fun at all. I'm taking a one-nighter out of NY next January. I guess I'm possibly in for a "rockin' time".

 

How hard was it to get a taxi when disembarking? I keep seeing threads about how hard it is. Tell me your experience.:)

[bcruzin]

We are on the 2/23 sailing, how was the food ? Do you know what time they started boarding.

Thanks

[markf]

Our ship docked today at 8 AM --the first people off the ship were those that carried their luggage off at aprox 8 45--We were the first off at approx 9 20AM--

As far as finding a cab they let you off on the lower pier and I think Cabs are on the top level--In general the pier is poorly organized--I cant imagine the scene at 10AM when the bulk of the passengers were getting off--Just have to be patient

 

As far as getting on the ship --we arrived at the dock at approx 11 15AM --we checked in with no on line and we were the first on the ship at 12 30--but I think the ship came in a little later than planned when we got on--

The food was ok-I cant say we had a GREAT meal anywhere--it was certianly good though--staff were all pleasant and eager to please--

The only real complaint I had was in the buffet area , there are no trays, so one has to juggle a plate , and at breakfast a glass of juice and cup of coffee--also it was often hard to find seats in the buffet.

The Dawn and Jewel had buffet stations on 2 sides-the same food on 2 different places, the Gem doesnt have that only 1 area of food--which I think was poorly planned,

but we had a good time

[coffeebean]

Just returned --any questions please ask-

The way home we had 10 foot waves and 50 knot winds causing an amazing rocking and rolling event--

Curious if other voyages had similar weather and sea conditions

 

markf...

 

Welcome back from your cruise on Gem. DH, my sister, BIL and I will be cruising on Gem end of March. I have just two questions...Who is the cruise director and do you know how long he/she will be on the Gem? Secondly, if you dined in Le Bistro...did they offer the Chocolate Fondue?

 

Thanking you.

[spirit rev]

As far as getting on the ship --we arrived at the dock at approx 11 15AM --we checked in with no on line and we were the first on the ship at 12 30--but I think the ship came in a little later than planned when we got on--

We were on the Gem sailing before this. Yes, we docked a little after the stated arrival time of 8 AM. The longer hold up we were told by Claudio as we who were in suites waited together in the Stardust for VIP disembarcation was the government clearing of the ship. He told us that it took significantly longer than normal that morning. No explaination was given.

 

We also had some rocking and rolling on our last full sea day north. When we were leaving the ship you could see the dried salt on the promanade deck rails and other places.

[tunseeker1]

I was on the Gem and I found out that most people don't find the second buffet and it was pretty empty every day.

[cruise4kicks]

I was on the Gem and I found out that most people don't find the second buffet and it was pretty empty every day.

Are you talking about The Great Outdoor on deck 12 aft?

[Synchronaut]

We will be sailing on the Gem in March and are curious about the second buffet. Where is it? Thanks.

[Synchronaut]

We were on the Noordam that left New York and returned the same days as the Gem. We experienced the wind and seas, but the ship seemed to handle it quite well. I think we slept through a good part of it!

[Dolphins]

Just returned --any questions please ask-

The way home we had 10 foot waves and 50 knot winds causing an amazing rocking and rolling event--

Curious if other voyages had similar weather and sea conditions

 

You failed to mention that the first three days were amazingly calm for a January cruise out of New York but on the final sea day, our luck ran out.

 

Highlights of the new Gem:

Liked the two pools and being able to swim laps in the adult pool before breakfast.

Great dance band playing almost nightly in the Spinakker Lounge.

The huge screen to watch the Giants-Packers game in the atrium.

Ariel Jacobe, piano virtuoso at Bar Central every night.

Great dance (Joel & Marie) and Fitness (Ihan & Heather) instructors.

Gracious Maitre 'D Laura (formerly of the Dawn) welcoming at Cagney's.

Super HD Klaus and Capt. Hilden welcoming our active cruisecritic group.

Interesting trivia competitions.

A staff that couldn't do enough for you.

 

A memorable cruise that a few big waves at the end could not spoil.

[Dolphins]

Just returned --any questions please ask-

The way home we had 10 foot waves and 50 knot winds causing an amazing rocking and rolling event--

Curious if other voyages had similar weather and sea conditions

 

You failed to mention that the first three days were amazingly calm for a January cruise out of New York but on the final sea day, our luck ran out.

 

Highlights of the new Gem:

Liked the two pools and being able to swim laps in the adult pool before breakfast.

Great dance band playing almost nightly in the Spinakker Lounge.

The huge screen to watch the Giants-Packers game in the atrium.

Ariel Jacobe, piano virtuoso at Bar Central every night.

Great dance (Joel & Marie) and Fitness (Ihan & Heather) instructors.

Gracious Maitre 'D Laura (formerly of the Dawn) welcoming at Cagney's.

Super HD Klaus and Capt. Hilden welcoming our active cruisecritic group.

Interesting trivia competitions.

A staff that couldn't do enough for you.

 

A memorable cruise that a few big waves at the end could not spoil.

[Dolphins]

Just returned --any questions please ask-

The way home we had 10 foot waves and 50 knot winds causing an amazing rocking and rolling event--

Curious if other voyages had similar weather and sea conditions

 

You failed to mention that the first three days were amazingly calm for a January cruise out of New York but on the final sea day, our luck ran out.

 

Sorry, duplicate post

[Dolphins]

Just returned --any questions please ask-

The way home we had 10 foot waves and 50 knot winds causing an amazing rocking and rolling event--

Curious if other voyages had similar weather and sea conditions

 

Sorry, duplicate post

[markf]

Actually i would be interested in knowing how other cruises were from NY in the winter--yes the cruise going south was perfectly fine--the last day coming north was more adventuesome--but how typical was it??

[nyflush]

Actually i would be interested in knowing how other cruises were from NY in the winter--yes the cruise going south was perfectly fine--the last day coming north was more adventuesome--but how typical was it??

 

It seems to be rough in the Atlantic right now it was a rocky ride for the Gem today as stated in the live from the gem post. I have friends that returned from the Gem cruise before yours and they had a rouigh night coming into NY as well.

 

Anyone know if any of the casino staff from the Dawn was on the Gem?

[dongordon]

Anyone onboard have a mini-suite?

Did they identify the perks....I heard that now all perks including the use of the concierge have been eliminated.

 

Can anyone confirm that?

 

Thanks.

 

Don

[96TL]

Does anyone know whats the major difference between the Gem and Dawn hulls are? Single vs double hull maybe????

 

I was also on this Jan 16 voyage (lots of fun!). We have been through a storm with even larger waves than this one on the Dawn, and she handled it MUCH better than the Gem. The Gem trembled terribly every time it was hit. My stateroom sounded like it was falling apart. So did the stairways and elevators.

 

It really is a beautiful ship though, and we had an awesome time.

 

WARNING: "Cane Beach Chill Out" shore excursion in Tortola is terrible. Stay away!

[Britt23]

I was on the Gem and I found out that most people don't find the second buffet and it was pretty empty every day.

 

Could someone please elaborate on the "second buffet"? I'm not quite sure what that refers to? Is is another buffet in another area?

Thanks!

[northway]

markf,where was your cabin?we will be sailing out on the gem 3/29.we have a balcony on deck 10,mid-ship.did you prefer anyone place for dinner?

[dcruisers]

I would also like to know about the second buffet. How far is it from the first/originial buffet.....which deck is the first vs the second. Actually, I am pleased to read that there is another area for the buffet for seating-especially for breakfast.

[dcruisers]

I would also like to know about the second buffet. How far is it from the first/originial buffet.....which deck is the first vs the second. Actually, I am pleased to read that there is another area for the buffet for seating-especially for breakfast.

[cruise4kicks]

Since the person who originally posted about a so-called "second buffet" hasn't come back to clarify what they meant, despite at least half a dozen people querying about it, we'll be left to speculate what they meant... I'm thinking they were referring to the buffet at The Great Outdoors, deck 12 aft. (This response is based on my two times on the Gem for a total of 20 days.)

[Guest Anorak33]

I found this area to be an ideal place for cigarette smokers to eat and smoke.

It is perhaps not the most suitable place for you if you don't like secondhand smoke coming from the next table while you eat.

[cruise4kicks]

The port side of the Great Outdoors is non-smoking. However, I found that many fewer people found that side of it since it was away from the doorway.