ALS1214

On 1/13/2023 at 11:03 PM, cusematt4 said:

This was noticed and thoroughly noted in our post Getaway review.

 

While the one band on the ship was amazing, entertainment was severely lacking.

 

-Syds/Rock Band eliminated

-2 comedians in 8 days instead of the usual 3-4

-1 fly on act (a sub-par magician) instead of 2-3 with 4/8 nights of no professional entertainment

-1 band and 2 duos - on Royal and I believe other NCL previously - 3 bands, 2-3 duos, 2-3 soloists

 

The lack of professional entertainment will cause us to reconsider NCL and likely choose Royal Caribbean for our next cruise.

 

The staff on the ship were amazing and went above and beyond

I hope they do not eliminate the rock band from Syd Norman's. that was the highlight of my Getaway cruise along with dueling pianos. There is not elaborate set changes that require stage hands so why cut something so popular? 

15 hours ago, Pete's Girl said:

We're not sailing until May 29th, but I just read the BTA steps on their website. Step 2 clearly says to upload proof of vaccination at the time you initially submit your application. But, I've been told to upload proof of vaccination and negative test at the same time...that if I upload the proof of vaccination during the initial application, that it will be rejected and we'll be out the $40. 

 

For those of you who have already been through this process, what did you do?

I turned mine in without the proof and then panicked and called. the person rejected it and sent it back  and told me to fill in what was missing and then  press submit. I will not have to pay again  My husband's came in an email asking me to upload the negative results. I was told to call when I submit and they will approve immediately. I am on the April 17th cruise so I will be calling Friday right at 9am. 

I did a mock booking out of Boston for July under this huge promotion and the price was  about $1500 more expensive.  I have never said out of Boston  with a balcony for over $5000.   That is insane.  the prices have never been $2500 pp for a balcony. Highest I have every seen it iwas $1700pp 

I got the single does J&J in March. I am on the fence about mixing shots but when I asked my Dr. she said she was not a fan of J&J for women because of clotting issues.   I know NCL did not take mixed vaccine and wondering if that would include boosters.   Has anyone  gotten a J&J and another shot like Moderna? Any side effects? I want to cruise as safely as I can.  Going on Getaway in April. 

5 hours ago, ALS1214 said:

There was also a huge fight on  MSC Mariviglia as well. 

On 3/3/2020 at 4:37 AM, cruiser147147 said:

marktwothousand - Saw a news report on TV that one very disgruntled passenger basically lost it and created a melay.  He was upset over all the ports/countries refusing to let the Encore dock due to possible coronavirus infections on board and that passengers were not being kept up to date by Encore.

 

 

 

 

 

That fight was on MSC Maraviglia

Murder on board and no news report?  Doubt it. 

Hello, 

we will be cruising on NCL Gem with my 5 year old Autistic grandson. Has anyone re entry used Splash academy with a child with autism? Akko does NCL allow accommodations for boarding and muster? He has traveled well on plains and Disney, but can become over stimulated. Boston is our home port and we want him to have an enjoyable experience as well as the rest of our family. 
 

On 1/6/2020 at 10:58 AM, Broons77 said:

Good Morning All!

 

Something of a lurker on the boards, however the morning this thread was started I booked the Gem 7 day Boston/Bermuda cruise for August for my stepdaughter's HS graduation present. I'm quite interested to hear more from folks that will spending a good amount of time on her, so thanks to all that are taking the time to post. It's a tremendous resource for those like me!

 

I'm a newbie, this will only be my third cruise and my first with NCL First two were on RCCL - Anthem and Rhapsody - so I'm excited for the compare and contrast between brands and ships and I'd be really interested in hearing anything that folks feel differentiate the lines from each other. I've already figured out that I'm partial to the smaller boats as I'm fairly easy to please. Real life is busy with lots of responsibilities so I'm a totally happy guy as long as someone makes my bed, there's a bar nearby, and there's decent food that's easily accessible and not cooked by me.  So I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy my NCL experience. 😁

 

Thanks again and looking forward to keeping up with this thread!

 

Chrissy are taking my son and his family in August too. I’m hoping entourage will be fun for his 16 year old stepdaughter and 14 year old stepson as they are worried they will be bored. We’ve been on the Gem twice and she’s a great ship, but never with our grandkids ( 2-16]. 

Hello,

How is the Splash Academy on NCL Gem?  Did your kids enjoy the experience or were they bored?

My son is traveling with kids ages 2-16 and I am wondering if they would be bored on the Gem as opposed to the Encore which would be in NYC . With a large family I think cost was a factor and Boston is our home port.  I love the Gem, but never sailed with kiddos. 

Also if anyone has scans of the daillies for the Splash academy that would be awesome so I could show them . 

On 1/17/2020 at 5:24 PM, mking8288 said:

 

Absolutely concur.  We're on the Escape last January when "I" noticed the subtle changes, 2 days before it was announced & the Captain declared it, officially as an outbreak ... exceeding the 2% threshold.  Our balcony cabin was on Deck 13 Fwd, walking by the "medical center" next to/beyond the elevators, multiple times a day and seeing 

 

What Pete wrote this morning is pretty much, validation of the earlier proactive practice(s) - quoting

• "Salt and pepper shakers are being put out in the buffet this morning for the first time all cruise.  The danger of outbreaks must be past or the incubation period will put most of the passengers off the boat so NCL doesn’t care."

Shakers are usually out ... what this implied, there were some suspected cases reported on the previous sailing, below the 2% threshold; and, out of  an abundance of precaution ... vigilant measures were taken.  

 

Once it was officially declared, hand washing before walking into the buffet was enforced as a requirement, before getting sprayed on the hands again by crew members assigned.  It was not voluntary and carried out ... can't say that nobody managed to bypass or sneak thru.  All the "public" access restroom doors were left open with a stopper, etc. 

 

However, none of the MDR or Specialty Restaurants had hand wash sinks nearby - the use of the automated hand sanitizer was urged but difficult to enforce, and there're no washy washy crew on duty ( ... someone will probably comment about the merits of the sanitizer, please don't) 

I’m on the April 12 sailing and thinking of collecting salt and pepper packets and ketchup packets in fast food places to bring with me. I’ll tuck some into a ziplock in my handbag just Incase. 

Thanks! I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

I know that NCL was testing out a faster to the fun/ the key type program. Did it fizzle out? I do not see it offered on the website. 

That would be awesome! 

I have an inside cabin on deck 11. On the deck plans there is an open space. I am wondering if it is a crew  area and I will hear doors slamming all night. It is cabin 11421. Has anyone stayed in this area of the ship?

TIA 

Hoping someone can post the dailies for the NY- Bahamas as I am going on the Easter cruise. So looking forward to it!

I’ll be on The Gem in a few weeks and want to visit the Swizzle Inn. If I get on a ferry to Hamilton, is it a close cab or bus ride away? I’ve been to Bermuda before but never to Swizzle Inn and want to check it out. 

Does NCL have a free ferry to Hamilton as well?

how often do they leave the Docklands?

I’m on the Bliss in February, where do they do sail away party in winter out of NYC? Atrium seems too s,all. 

On 4/26/2019 at 4:38 PM, TheDougOut said:

 

We thought the room was fantastic... and the HUGE virtual balcony was perfect in the common area.  I have a friend sailing in one next week... and his room is just outside the Observation Lounge with the “real thing” only a few footsteps away.

 

The room is great.  We’d totally book it with our kids. 

I was thinking of booking it since it coming to NYC for a bit. I was thrilled to see your pics. I know we will get a great review. 

I have done the Dawn 4 times and I am ready for some new things. I did the Gem last summer and it was fun. I always wanted to see Patti and Jose, but they were always on vacation when I sailed. I was sorta hoping to catch them on the Gem. 

Now that the Gem is sailing out of Boston I noticed that it seems like the entertainment is not the same as last summer out of NYC. It's a shame as that was the best entertainment  I have seen in a while. How are the acts on the Gem so far? We usually like to enjoy cocktails in Magnums and listen to music.  

We are looking at cabins on the Bliss and have children with us. We see ocean views on Deck 5 near the kids clubs and wonder if they are under the Galley since it looked like Taste  and Savor  are above. Any experience in these Cabins? Noise level etc.. 

I’m looking to book the Bliss for February school vacation , but lots of balconies are on the same  floor as the waterfront. Are they noisy at night? 

Wish they would overnight in Canaveral all trips or at least leave  at Midnight to give people a chance to do Disney.