Gem cruise 8/10-8/17

[jfbbarry]

Just got back from the Gem. Here are some basics :

Embarkation - went too smooth!, then you pass through duty free shops- here you can load up on wine and liquor- put in your carryon- so not carry the bags on board. No one asked us if we had any purchases. So we had cocktails on the balcony everynight.

My daughter lost her luggage JFK-CDG-BCN- don know where but Air France was no help at all- that's another letter.

1st day at sea was relaxing- they have "quiet zones" on the upper decks- no cell phones, no kids , no noise- very good.

Malta- off the ship turn right, go up the hill, pay 1 E for roundtrip bus into town. It is not a reasonable walk. we then took another bus to the Dinglie cliffs- waste of time. However the drive through the countryside was interesting. IT WAS HOT and NO AC.

Did some shopping at the stores by the ship. Internet available 15 minutes for 2E ( lots better than the ship ~ 40 cents/minute)

Naples- took the hydrofoil to Capri- expensive for a short day trip- there are no beaches in Capri people lie on the rocks and call it the beach. It is a quaint island that you walk down an alley to the other side of the island. Beware of bathrooms- no toilet paper and a hole in the ground.

Civit/Rome- get our of bed early and get the early train. take the shuttle to the end of the port, take a right and walk along the street parellel with the shore. 10 minutes to train station. Purchase a BIRG ticket for 9E- included the train, metro, bus. (Rome on your Own with the ship is $119)

Arrived at Termini - determine what train you need to return now- it will not end at Civit- ask

Purchased tickets for Colosseum and Forum at the Paletine- 50 yard walk beyond the colesseum and 1 HOUR shorter wait in line. Decided to go see St. Peter's as the Vatican Musem was closed. Took the metro to Octtaviani ? ate lunch then saw the cathedral- remember to cover your shoulders and legs. Men were OK with long shorts but it was HOT.

Stopped to see Trevi fountain on way back to Termini

Florence is another hot train ride - 1 hour 25 minutes. Walked around saw the copy of the David in front of the Uzzi, had gelato, churches were all closed except for liturgy???, took the train to Piza. Taxi to tower~ 8 E, tower was beautiful, stopped and had lunch.

there were no taxi's at the taxi stand- all the other taxi's were "for Hire" went back to where we had lunch and they called a taxi for us. Otherwise the wait would have been 10-60 minutes??

Villede frnche- walked to the first beach- again rocks for beach but a lot smaller than Capri. The water was refreshing but nothing like the Caribbean!

We had made previous arrangements with the Renaissance Hotel to pick us up at 0700 for 10E per person ( ship was charging 25E per person to transport to airport). Made it to the airport and finally located my daughter's luggage. Then home to Boston via JFK.

The ship is great, our cabin stewards- Cherry and Jose were cheerful and accomodating for everything we asked. We had 4 adults in the mini suite and it was tight. The bed was very comfortable and 18 inches from the wall where you had to walk to get to the balcony. The sleep sofa was hard, had additional duvets put down with 2 mattress pads and it was better. full bathroom- who really cares about a tub- would have liked to have more room instead.

Dolphins swim forward!!

[cynbar]

Thanks for the review, we were on the Gem in June and loved it! Brings back memories.........

[Cosmopolitan]

full bathroom- who really cares about a tub- would have liked to have more room instead.

 

Thanks for the enjoyable/informative review:)

 

I agree...who sits in a tub on a cruise ship/in a hotel:eek: