"LIVE" from Norwegian GEM / March 7, 2009

[msmayor]

Great Outdoor Deck 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radio, as always your Live threads are awesome and your pictures fantastic. I had to comment on the one above though and wonder...looking at the gentleman who is standing and seems to be taking a picture...I'm surprised to see such a LOW railing. It appears that it tops out just below his waistline...so he's either a VERY tall man or that railing is lower than one would expect.

 

Can you comment on its height, which may be helpful for anyone planning to be in that area with children?

[cruiselife8]

 

...I will be renting a car, and make my way over to Kennedy Space Center. I will try to make it down to Cocoa Beach later today. I also want to get over to Manatee park (off of Astronaut Blvd), to catch a glimpse of some Manatees. . .

 

.

 

Hi Radio ---

I had a question about your car rental. Did you pre-arrange for the car rental company to drop it off when you came into port? Or did you get a ride over to the car rental company (take a taxi there)? I know that my DH would love to see KSC one day and I think taking a drive there may be best when we get off the ship. Glad the weather is nice and that you're having a great time. Again, thank you for posting!!!

[Frankie C]

Radio,

 

Excellent thread, you are doing such a great job updating your status. I am particularly interested because I will be on the gem with gf in t-minus 5 days. I hope you enjoy your vacation the ship looks beautiful, and it seems the weather is cooperating. Perhaps we will walk by each other next sat! I would love to see some more pictures of the room and/living areas, if you dont mind!

 

Thank for all the infomation and effort it is much appreciated.

[newmexicoNita]

Radio,

 

As usually, you are doing a great job, makes me think I am actually on the ship.

 

thanks again

 

Nita

[kd6183]

Hi Radio ---

I had a question about your car rental. Did you pre-arrange for the car rental company to drop it off when you came into port? Or did you get a ride over to the car rental company (take a taxi there)? I know that my DH would love to see KSC one day and I think taking a drive there may be best when we get off the ship. Glad the weather is nice and that you're having a great time. Again, thank you for posting!!!

 

Hi Cruiselife8, hope you don't mind if I put my 2 cents in lol. We are booked on the Gem on the 3/28 sailing and we have a car rental set up already as well. We are booked through Avis and they have a free shuttle that picks you up at port and runs continuously all day. It takes you over to Cocoa Beach where the rental cars are. We have used it many times there. I would suggest setting it up ahead of time just to make sure you are guaranteed a car though as they are quite a small facility there. Good luck and happy sailing!

 

Kathy

[cruiselife8]

Hi Cruiselife8, hope you don't mind if I put my 2 cents in lol. We are booked on the Gem on the 3/28 sailing and we have a car rental set up already as well. We are booked through Avis and they have a free shuttle that picks you up at port and runs continuously all day. It takes you over to Cocoa Beach where the rental cars are. We have used it many times there. I would suggest setting it up ahead of time just to make sure you are guaranteed a car though as they are quite a small facility there. Good luck and happy sailing!

 

Kathy

 

Thank you Kathy, this is great news. Since they run throughout the day, I take it that they'll bring you back to the pier, once you drop the car back off at Avis, correct? Any input you can share will be appreciated. :)

-Saundra

[kd6183]

Thank you Kathy, this is great news. Since they run throughout the day, I take it that they'll bring you back to the pier, once you drop the car back off at Avis, correct? Any input you can share will be appreciated. :)

-Saundra

 

Hi Saundra,

 

Yes they will bring you back to port as well, however they close at 6:00 pm so the shuttles will stop running probably a half hour before that. Since our ship will be in port late we have pre-arranged to take the car back after 6:00 pm drop the keys in the drop box and a take a taxi back to the pier. I wasn't sure what information I was allowed to post on here so you can certainly find all the information for Avis on line and again they are located in Cocoa Beach. We actually aren't doing the KSC we are traveling with friends and there will be 7 of us so we rented a mini-van and are headed to Disney for the day. As I said just make sure you book your car ahead of time and print out your reservation information!

 

Have a great trip! :)

 

Kathy

[cruiselife8]

Hi Saundra,

 

Yes they will bring you back to port as well, however they close at 6:00 pm so the shuttles will stop running probably a half hour before that. Since our ship will be in port late we have pre-arranged to take the car back after 6:00 pm drop the keys in the drop box and a take a taxi back to the pier. I wasn't sure what information I was allowed to post on here so you can certainly find all the information for Avis on line and again they are located in Cocoa Beach. We actually aren't doing the KSC we are traveling with friends and there will be 7 of us so we rented a mini-van and are headed to Disney for the day. As I said just make sure you book your car ahead of time and print out your reservation information!

 

Have a great trip! :)

 

Kathy

 

Thank you so much, Kathy. This is very helpful, happy sailing!

[Maryfrei]

Thanks Radio, I cannot stop smiling when I look at those pictures:)

[Radio]

Hi Radio ---

I had a question about your car rental. Did you pre-arrange for the car rental company to drop it off when you came into port? Or did you get a ride over to the car rental company (take a taxi there)? >snip<

 

I reserved my rental through Budget(in Cape Canaveral), and they do not require a credit car to pre reserve from the internet.

 

They close a 6 also, but they always pick you up at the terminal, and take people back via shuttle if you are a cruise ship passenger. I always rent here. I was on the Majesty in January, and they ran a late shuttle then to. . . (The shuttle operates until 9PM)

 

They are great there. . I recommend them.

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Kwynot]

Radio - you should really enjoy the Second City show tonight. It was my most favorite show on the trip. They are just amazing with their improv routines, and I understand the "adult" improv they do later in the cruise is amazing!

 

Love your updates. I'm wishing I was going on board the Gem again in the future;)

[3rdtimecruising]

Hello Radio,

 

You are doing a fantastic job keeping us all up to date on the events of your cruise. We are on the 3/28 with many of the other posters you have heard from and we are all so appreciative of your wonderful pictures and post.

 

Looking forward to hearing more.

 

Ann and Bernie

[Radio]

Hello everyone ! Wow. . Today is the day I have been waiting for. Sunny skies, and warm weather. We made it up to 85f today. A beautiful day always make a port of call great. . .

 

I left the ship at about 1230, and called for the shuttle over to Budget. Budget is only about 2 miles from the terminal.

I got my car, and went over to Kennedy Space Center. It is only about 10 miles from the Pier.

I decided to buy an annual membership, which is only $12 more than the entry fee because I know that I will be back here at least once more this year (maybe twice J )

 

NASA had originally planned a launch of Atlas 5 (Carrying a Wideband Global SATCOM Spacecraft) tonight at 930PM, but it has been moved to March 13. . . But I might be able to see the Shuttle Launch on Wednesday night. STS-119 is scheduled for March 11, 2009at 920PM. We will be in Nassau then until midnight.

 

People often ask why I love Port Canaveral so much. There is so much to do in Port Canaveral, but so little time to do it all. . .Most require an NCL Excursion, or Rental Car. Here are a few things that come to mind:

 

Canaveral National Seashore

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Kennedy Space Center

Canaveral National Seashore

Cocoa Beach

The Famous Ron Jons in Cocoa Beach

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Manatee Park in Cape Canaveral

Canaveral Locks

Brevard Co Zoo

Space Coast Stadium

US Astronaut Hall of Fame

Lots of Orlando Attractions

Port Canaveral Casino Cruises

Port Canaveral Day Cruises (Fishing)

 

AGoogle search of any of these items will provide details. . .

 

After I went to KSC, I went over to Manatee Park, and Canaveral

Locks. . .I have been there many times, and it is a great place to see live Manatees. There were none there this time, but a lot of people had the same idea as me. There were a lot of Cruise Passengers there to try to get a photo of one of these huge mammals.

 

I made it back to the ship by around 6, and went right up to the Garden Café for a quick bite.

 

Here are a few pics from today. . . Thanks for all of the very nice comments, and thanks for tuning in !

 

 

Great Stirrup Cay is tomorrow at 10AM !

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norwegian Gem at the Pier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading over to KSC after getting my rental for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entrance to the Port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of Gem from over at Milliken’s Reef Seafood House (Great Lunch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gem docked at Pier 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passengers heading back to the Ship (The Promenade Gangway was not being used)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here are a few pics from Kennedy Space Center.

 

I am heading down to the Stardust Theater to enjoy

Second City Comedy !

 

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

Ticket Entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite stop at KSC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can walk in this full size Shuttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great Rocket Garden that offers listening devices for guests so the can liten to the details of each rocket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturn Rocket used for some Apollo Missions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like Space Stuff ! This is the place to be. . Every Video from Every NASA mission, tons of other NASA souvenirs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[pixiedustdawn]

Thank you for posting about your cruise and taking us along for the ride. We love it.

Just, please don't forget to relax and enjoy yourself!

Dawn

[snorklinbarb]

Hi Radio,

Loving your picture journal once again. Thanks so much for taking time to do this. Having been on the Gem 3x (loved it), I'm reliving every moment.:D

 

I see you've met HD Prem and staff that you mentioned at the M & G. Now that you've been onboard a few days, what do you think of the team? We think Prem is outstanding and certainly one of the most visible pro-active HD's we've ever seen. Plus he's a charming host and very proud of his ship and crew. Curious to see what your opinion is.:)

 

Would love to hear more about your food experiences w/pics. Having never been to the Garden Cafe for dinner (supposedly big upgrades since 2.0 like dim lighting, tablecloths and maitre d'), would love to know what you sampled and how you would rate it.

 

Keep it all coming and have a wonderful cruise!

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . We are getting close to Great Stirrup Cay. We are scheduled to drop anchor by 10AM. The water seems calm, so we will probably go ashore.

 

The forecast for today is 80f, and sunny.

 

The last time I went to GSC (Majesty Jan 2009) I was unable to go ashore due to very windy conditions. The wind was causing Majesty to drag her anchor, so we went to Nassau that night instead of the next morning.

 

The Second City Comedy show was excellent. . . Their Improv skills were very good, and they included a lot of audience participation.

 

I plan on going to La Cucina for dinner tonight, and the NCL white Hot Party is late tonight !

 

Here are a few pics from this morning. More pics later from great Stirrup Cay !

 

Thanks for tuning in. . .

 

Radio

 

 

 

Very calm seas, and very warm. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early morning in the Bahamas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lounge Chairs are set up and ready for passengers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are dozens of these great loungers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These loungers are up on Deck 13 FWD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Current Position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Uncle Nate]

Radio, Your'e Doing A Great Job, By Shairing Your Cruise Experience With US!! I'm Looking Forward To Hearing About The White Party!!

 

Please Make Time For YourSelf To Unwind & Relax!!:D

[mickeysgal]

Good Morning, Radio. You certainly get up early to be able to take those pictures with no one around. Thank you for taking us along on your trip. I can see myself curled up on one of those loungers.

[montycjv]

Hello everyone. . . We are getting close to Great Stirrup Cay. We are scheduled to drop anchor by 10AM. The water seems calm, so we will probably go ashore.

 

The forecast for today is 80f, and sunny.

 

The last time I went to GSC (Majesty Jan 2009) I was unable to go ashore due to very windy conditions. The wind was causing Majesty to drag her anchor, so we went to Nassau that night instead of the next morning.

 

The Second City Comedy show was excellent. . . Their Improv skills were very good, and they included a lot of audience participation.

 

I plan on going to La Cucina for dinner tonight, and the NCL white Hot Party is late tonight !

 

Here are a few pics from this morning. More pics later from great Stirrup Cay !

 

Thanks for tuning in. . .

 

Radio

 

 

 

Very calm seas, and very warm. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early morning in the Bahamas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lounge Chairs are set up and ready for passengers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are dozens of these great loungers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These loungers are up on Deck 13 FWD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Current Position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

We love the picture of the sunrise..beautiful!!:))Those chaise-like loungers have our names on them!!! :DThanks for posting the pix!! We cannot wait to go..The trip sounds great so far!! Thank you again for taking the time to post!!:)

[Frankie C]

 

 

Very calm seas, and very warm. . . .

.

 

Radio,

 

I can't believe how flat the ocean is and how the weather is cooperating. Have a great day. Those pictures look awesome.

[spons]

Radio:

Thank you for your "Live" feed from Gem, I really enjoy it and agree with what everyone is saying the photos are great :)

We will be going on this same cruise in two weeks and it's nice that we are getting a preview from you. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and I will be tuning in to see your post everyday. Thanks.

[pinstripes4887]

How is the new cruise director? Last year on the Gem I had Julie.

[vinman13]

How is the new cruise director? Last year on the Gem I had Julie.

Radio GREAT JOB with your report the pictures are awesome. I am using the sunrise picture as my screen saver. It will help me get through the next 31 days until I sail the Gem. Pinstripes what did you think of Julie? We absolutely loved her on the Spirit a few years back. We were picked for the not so newlywed game and she was great the whole trip she didn't miss an activity. She was everywhere. Radio you will have to let us know how Ray is doing as a cruise director.

[darkenstormy]

Hi Radio -

 

Can you give us an up-to-date list of the surcharges in the specialty restaurants on the Gem? I understand they went up in January, but hard info is difficult to come by.

 

You are doing such a great job with this "live remote broadcast"! Thanks very much for taking the time to post - we feel like we're all along for the ride with you! :D

 

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE! :)