"LIVE" from Norwegian GEM / March 7, 2009

[SuiteCruiser]

Radio,

 

Thank you so very much for this thread. It's been fantastic, especially since there have been so many negative posts lately.

 

We leave Ottawa tomorrow morning at 7:30 to drive to NYC to board the Gem on Saturday.

 

Your timing has been wonderful, I've already booked the car rental at Port Canaveral through Budget as you suggested and I feel at home with the ship already. My two NCL cruises were both on the Dawn, so it was nice to get aquainted with the Gem, she's beautiful!

 

I promise we'll take good care of her!

[Deneene]

Hi Suite Cruiser.

 

My friend and I are going to be on the GEM this Sat. We booked our car rental via AVIS. How much was your rental via Budget. My total was $40 and wanted to know if the rates were similar.

 

Thanks

Deneene

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . Today is our final sea day, and I would like to note the things that stand out on this ship.

 

Service: From the Captain on down, I think that the Norwegian Gem Crew might be offer some of the best service I think I have come across. It seems that passengers on this ship have no choice but to receive an “Eager to Please” attitude from the staff.

I talked with the Cruise Consultant Mgr, Duncan Fouche, and Hotel Director, Prem Kainikkara. . .and they consistently asked me “ What can we do better ?” They love to hear what passengers have to say about GEM.

 

The attitude seems to be “ It is Ok to discuss a concern. . .but suggest a solution, and things might just work out.

 

I really think that Prem is the driving force, of the service on the ship. I suggested that he would be placed as the Hotel Director on the NEW Norwegian Epic when she is finished, and he replied that “My only concern now is the Passenger comfort, and service on Norwegian Gem” I am confident that he will be on EPIC. . .

 

There are things that I would like to see changed, like the Programming in passenger cabins. I think that there should be a better selection of channels. I would also like to see the passenger laundry service brought back (or reduce the cost of the pay laundry services)

 

The Norwegian Gem will be sailing from New York for a few more weeks before she heads over to Europe to begin a summer of Mediterranean Cruises.

 

There has been discussion about the cost involved with the specialty Dining on GEM.

 

I can tell you that I have dined at many of the places listed below. You can cruise for a week, and not spend a dime on Specialty Dining while receiving very good food in many of the “Included with the Cruise” dining areas.

I think that you may be very pleased however, with some of the Specialty dining that is on board. The costs are minimal, and you will walk away very happy !

 

 

Tequila Latin / Tapas -$10.PP

Le Bistro -$15.PP

Orchid Garden - $15.PP

Sushi Bar - $15.PP

Teppanyaki -$25.PP

Cagneys Steakhouse - $20.PP

La Cucina - $10.PP

--------------------

Magenta - Included

Grand Pacific - Included

Blue Lagoon - Included

Garden Café -Included

 

 

 

 

Here are a few pics, that I have taken during the week. . . . More pics later today.

 

Thanks for all of the nice comments, and thanks for tuning in!

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

Early Morning Heading back to New York City

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very Large TV in the Atrium

(2 Levels High)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gem Reception Lobby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stardust Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bliss Bowling (Deck 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here is our current position. . . we are speeding ahead at 23nts.

 

The weather is cloudy, and cool (about 64f)

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

 

 

Here is our positon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[mickeysgal]

The Norwegian Gem will be sailing from New York for a few more weeks before she heads over to Europe to begin a summer of Mediterranean Cruises.

 

Whoo Hoo!! Hurry up Gem. We'll be meeting you in Barcelona in May!! Can't wait.

 

Ok - not sure I'm liking the two story screen showing the news. I vacation to escape and not be reminded about the daily grind.

 

Thanks again Radio for my morning dose of your trip.

[S&Dcruising]

Here is our current position. . . we are speeding ahead at 23nts.

 

The weather is cloudy, and cool (about 64f)

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

 

 

Here is our positon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

Mr Radio,

 

Where do you get these? you have a gps unit with you? or of the ships gps some how? or off a web site...

 

BTW love your review and pictures thank you ever so much. how you make the time to do this for us, and enjoy your cruise is simply amazing!

 

Thanks again,

David

[jaja]

radio--totally agree with you...Prem is a true asset to NCL....he really is fantastic..

[JBug]

sorry to hear your cruise is almost over, but that means that mine is almost about to begin! thank you so much for taking time out of your vacation to please us CC members. when did they start handing out the color tags for your luggage for disembarkation? last year on the spirit they never really announced when they would be available anywhere. we were just walking by the front desk and saw them, most colors were taken by then

[Mon Ami]

Dear Radio: A "Thank You" doesn't seem enough to tell you how great your pictures and information have meant to us! We have never been on the GEM before, but feel much more acquainted with it--before we sail out on the 21st of March. Your consideration for all of us is so appreciated.

[prg2101]

Mr Radio,

 

Where do you get these? you have a gps unit with you? or of the ships gps some how? or off a web site...

 

BTW love your review and pictures thank you ever so much. how you make the time to do this for us, and enjoy your cruise is simply amazing!

 

Thanks again,

David

 

 

David, The view of the GPS that Radio showed in the post is on a

channel that you can find on the TV in your cabin.....It shows how

fast the ship is going and how many nm it has to go and has traveled....;)

[sunlover1060]

Radio, thanks for sharing your cruise with us this week. I have enjoyed following you and it makes me want to do this cruise. It may have to go on our "next cruise" list. Our next cruise is not until 10/31/2010 on the Pearl and I can hardly wait. :D

Thanks again!:)

[Radio]

Mr Radio,

 

Where do you get these? you have a gps unit with you? or of the ships gps some how? or off a web site...

 

BTW love your review and pictures thank you ever so much. how you make the time to do this for us, and enjoy your cruise is simply amazing!

 

Thanks again,

David

 

Actually, I use a Garmin GPSmap 76CSx, and connect it to my Laptop. I have software on my laptop, that will show us where we are exactly.

It is very accurate.

 

NCL has the Nav Channel that is sometime not very accurate. Yesterday, just as we left Freeport. . .The NAV Channel showed we were in Port Canaveral. . . .?:confused:

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Radio]

Hello everyone.

It started to rain pretty hard, and the seas are a little rough, but if it has to happen. . .the last day at sea is fine with me.

 

We are currently 60nm east of NC, we should be at near Cape Hatteras by 6PM. We are 400nm from New York.

 

Tonight we are having Second City Comedy again, as well as Close Up Magic with Bob Trunell. There is also free Cruise Bingo, lots of deals in the Gift Shops.

 

There will be a Officer’s Profile Q&A session today, which should be very good. A Music and Dance Production show will be held tonight. I have heard that “Cororz” is not to be missed. . .

 

Here are some pics from today. . .

 

 

More pics later !

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cagney’s for Breakfast this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stormy skies, and stormy seas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has been the worst the seas have been all week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Cabin. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a very nice Cabin on Deck 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[monteman]

Radio, this is my first "Radio Live From" and it has been fantastic! Thank you so much--your photos are gems in and of themselves.

 

DH and I will be on the Gem for a Bahama run in 22 days and yes, I am counting those days! We have been on her twice before and the love affair continues. Can't wait to get away and get back on that beautiful ship.

 

Your cabin is gorgeous. Is it an AE or AD? It looks like one.

 

Thanks so much again and I will be sure to tune in for any future Radio Shows! :D

[lolakat]

Thanks for the great reporting Radio. I'll be on the Gem in April. I was wondering if you could tell me if there was a special "lobster night" in the main resturants during your cruise. If so what night was it?

I know they had something like that last time I cruised NCL and I missed it b/c of making Cagney reservations for the same night.

 

Thanks in advance

[prg2101]

Is it just me or has other people that have cruised this exact itinerary noticed that on the last sea day, the seas are always rough.:eek: kind of weird I thought.....We had 20ft waves when we left Freeport....

 

John

[cruiselife8]

>snip<

 

 

 

My Cabin. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a very nice Cabin on Deck 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

Radio---

I'm loving the pictures of your cabin, thank you for sharing all you have during the week. Your post has really peaked my interest to sail on the GEM, and it helps that we could drive to that port. I must say, I sense that bittersweet feeling that comes over me when a cruise is about to end (even though I wasn't on the ship this time). That feeling that yes it's *almost* over, but not quite yet. You've done an awesome job on sharing your daily accounts on board with all of us. Get back safely!

 

-saundra

[ROBKAR77]

:) Hi Radio Great Live Post. I have been following along for a few years now. Radio I did the same cruise as you on the Majesty, you in Jan. me in Feb. I'll tell you after reading your live post from the Gem I think that it would be worth the xtra $$ to go on the Gem, almost the same itineraries. What do you think? Radio thanks again for your effort and I hope you kill them in the casino tonight. Bye for now radio i enjoyed tuning all week.

[ex-Freeporter]

Latest weather report and map/chart 2 hrs ago at 1500 hrs GMT -

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=C6VG8

[timeforadaiquiri]

This has just been so amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your cruise with all of us. What a beautiful ship.

[Uncle Nate]

I feel as I Was Sailing With You This Past Week!

I Hate To See Your Great Post Come To An End!:(

 

Safe Travels Back To NYC!!

[jpcdds6]

been following your posts all week. will be sailing on the gem this summer, and i feel like i've sailed on her already. great job!

[3rdtimecruising]

Dear Radio,

 

It has been wonderful being with you all week. We are sailing on the 3/28 cruise and are so looking forward to being with all our CC friends. This was my first time to follow you on your voyage and have to say it was delightful. My husband would eagerly ask if you posted anymore photos and enjoyed all your details each evening. Have a safe sail home and hope the seas are not too rough.

 

Ann and Bernie

[msg12188]

Thanks go much Radio for your LIVE reports. We've been following them all week and we can't wait for our cruise next February....there are currently 14 of us and the crowd is growing!

 

Mary & Red

[kd6183]

Thanks Kathy. . . I am having a great time ! Cruising, and posting. . the best of both worlds. . .

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

Hi Radio,

 

Mike and I would like to thank you so much for taking us along for your journey on the Gem! We will be so sad when it ends for you as we look so forward each day to seeing your pictures and reading your posts. What will we do for the 2 weeks now until we sail the Gem? :eek: It appears you did have the best of both worlds cruising and posting. We hope we get to sail with you again in the future either in person again or on the boards right along with you!!! You truly have made it a wonderful week for us watching you enjoy your cruise. Enjoy your last day at sea and have a safe trip back home! Thanks for the ride,

 

Kathy and Mike

 

PS....Mike says thanks for the information on the Budget rental in PC we will look into that one next time instead of Avis! ;)