pixiedustdawn

Last time I was on the Gem (March) on the first night there was only one show. Has that changed?

Welcome Aboard show on the first night was at 7:30 pm tonight. Only one showing in the Stardust.

I decided to take the two night cruise on the Gem which has not been offered in quite sometime. I not only met up with some wonderful people onboard at the CC meet and greet but got to spend a lot of time with them over the weekend. this sailing offered everything like a week long cruise would.

Some of the people I had met on the roll call decided that a few of us should get together and have dinner at Le Bistro the first night. We were 4 woman and we had such a wonderful time at dinner, we thought they were going to have throw us out because we were talking and laughing so much and eating very slowly. We were really enjoying each other's company that we had lost track of the time and how long we were there. Dinner was delicious. Service was outstanding. We were very thankful they didn't kick us out. :)

I am hoping the Gem offers more of these two night cruises as some can't travel for an entire week. This was just a perfect weekend cruise.

Jenny was the Hotel Director onboard and as usual she was always around. We saw her everywhere with the guests. She seems to always recognize repeat guests and really makes it a point to meet all the first time guests. I don't know how she finds the energy and always seems to remember everyone. I don't think she sleeps and she must also have a secret tunnel to get from one end of the ship to the other or she has a twin. Jenny is definitely doing something right as it shows in her crew. They all seem to sparkle and shine.

Even though the weekend was full of entertainment, we found time to relax. We even went to the Blue Lagoon on the last night before they closed for good to bid the place farewell. We all wore our footie pajamas. We even got to take some professional photos in them too. Again, lots of laughs.

All in all it was a great weekend and my only complaint is there aren't more of these quick 2 night getaways.

My advice... Join your roll call for your particular sailing whether it is for a day or a week long sailing and make friends that you will have a great time with onboard and keep forever. There really are some wonderful people out there. :)

Thanks for a great weekend Norwegian Gem!

Got the exact same deal. Booked it last Sat. Got our cabin assignment today. Leave in 4 days. :)

Have a great time. Great cruise to be on! Take photos of anything new being done onboard!

I can smell the Chicken Pot Pie already!!!!

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I do not like cruising while they are doing construction. We had such a terrible situation on a CCL cruise that we switched lines. I don't think it would have been so bad had we known about it BEFORE we got on board. It got so bad that by the last night I was afraid we would come back to the cabin to find disposable sheets!

 

I'm sure NCL is trying in minimize the inconvenience but I like to have that information before I board.

 

At one point, someone posted a link to ships undergoing renovations and dry dock schedules. I like to avoid the last couple of cruises before a dry dock if possible. Does anyone have that link?

Sorry, I do not have that link.

Curious to know if that cruise you went on was as inexpensive as these two are? I know several people onboard right now traveling solo and only paying single occupancy and paying much less than half of what I did on my 2 night sailing last weekend.

Are there any indications that O'Sheehan's will be open and fully functional for next weeks cruise?

It wasn't in the plans, but you never know. I think they may need a bit more time.

looking forward to restaurant change, but the food at the Blue Lagoon was also very good. Anyone know if many of the cabins are closed on deck 8

i believe any cabins around the renovation area are not being used during this time.

Great time to book the Gem. Low prices, less people and a real relaxing cruise!!

New tables and Chairs up at the Great Outdoors.

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Uh-oh...sounds like the mermaid needs some body work too? We are staying over Friday night about 25 miles north of NYC and should be parking at the pier around 10:00am or so. If there is something I need to know...or ask her creator about...or need to bring a medical kit...a liposuction kit...or laser hair removal for her...email me at quest 4 coka At Aol Dot Com Minus all the spaces.

I can send you my cell phone number for Saturday morning....Please tell MaryFrei I said hello!

coka

Sent it.

Mermaid is aging gracefully. She may need you to look in on her.

A big thank you from the 60 year old with Mardi Gras beads.

 

The balcony is fantastic!

 

Thank you again.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Jenny is the best!!! :)

This is looking into where the Blue Lagoon was.

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on my oct 27 cruise, I was told by one of the top officers (jenny or the chief engineer) that the rock wall will be closed for 6months for the scrubber installation/ship upgrades.

I have also heard the same.

Hi PixieDustDawn!

 

I will be on Gem this Saturday. Do you know if the entire area of Blue Lagoon and Moderno is closed off to passengers walking through? Will passengers on deck 8 aft have to use the stairs up or down to get around? Thanks in advance and thanks for taking time to post the pictures!

 

coka

COKA!!!!!! :)

Yes, the entire area is closed off as they are working.

I will be onboard Saturday and will be looking for you!!! What time are you getting to the ship?

Mary and I were just saying we need to talk to you about the Mermaid.

Dawn

They're not installing the scrubbers because they're concerned about the environment, they're doing it because it's the cheapest way to comply with regulations limiting sulfur dioxide emissions. Without installing the scrubbers the ships would be required to burn expensive low sulfur fuel to meet the new standards rather than the cheap fuel they currently use.

Does it also help the environment at all?

Here is a pic from last night...

Photo of the old bar in between two restaurants, above Atrium.

more to come...

Sorry about he rock climbing wall. But we're more excited that O'Sheehan's will be completed and Moderno moved.:D..Never ate in O'Sheehans so we are looking forward to that.

 

Hope it's really completed by our 12/1 sailing..........:)

Once they are finished with the scrubbers which will be very planet friendly, the rock climb wall should be reopened.

Not sure how long that takes.

I am happy to hear that Norwegian does care about the environment enough to do this.

This is what the old Moderno area looks like.

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you're welcome

 

we were on the gem Oct 27 to Nov 7 , They were working on the emission scrubber on deck 14 are thy finish installing the scrubber?

Pretty sure they are doing working on it. The wall may take a bit of time to get it perfect.

Thanks again for your help!

Dawn

Thanks Mary Ann and Remi, I got it!!!

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Pretty sure the restaurants will be completed by your sail date. The Rock Climbing wall probably won't be. Much more complicated.

Dawn

They are working at a quick pace. I will post more photos in the morning.

Dawn

I think I posted the pictures of the new furniture in Spinnaker a few months ago.

Just in case someone missed it, i will post it again.

Dawn

From the old Moderno side by the bar, looking over to the old Blue Lagoon area.

Photos were taken on November 9th as renovation was just beginning. At this point only the stripping of the two restaurants had begun.

Dawn

I do have more photos and will try and post as I can. Renovation did only begin November 9th after everyone had left from the 2 night cruise this past weekend. The weekend cruise November 7-9th Blue Lagoon was in full swing, although not very crowded.

The renovations on the Gem are taking place as I write this. Just as any hotel, the Gem will have the construction during certain hours as to not disturb many passengers. Cabins will remain vacant around surrounding renovation area also.

The sailings these next couple of weeks will still be able to enjoy the menu that Blue Lagoon offered in the Orchid Garden, during the day and in the Aft part of the buffet during the time Orchid Garden is actually open.

The renovation area is completely enclosed and from what I was able to see yesterday morning they are moving along very nicely.

The passengers are kept up to date on where dining for the Blue Lagoon menu is offered in their Freestyle Daily.

This is very exciting as O'Sheehans is coming along nicely and from what I was able to see will look beautiful.

I tried attaching the photos here, but they seem to post very small. Tips are welcome how to make them actual size.

Dawn