welove2cruise2014

We just used a CruiseNEXT deposit to book a Gem cruise from Boston in October 2020.

It was sort of a last minute decision (as last minute as one can be while booking a cruise a year out, LOL)  and while I told my PCC what cabin category we wanted (Aft Facing Mini Suite with Balcony), I am waiting for the actual cabin assignment.  I'm excited to have this to look forward to!

It's funny, we are paying for 3 in a mini-suite on Gem, just slightly less than what we paid for 3 in a suite on Dawn last year.  Yes, I am fully aware that we don't get any of the suite level perks with the mini.  We'll be sailing with our then-4 year old.

Anyone have any recent comments/feedback on Gem (that have stayed in mini suites in particular), that they would like to share?  This will be our 5th NCL cruise, first one not on the Dawn! 

Our 4 cruises have been on NCL Dawn (not Carnival but I enjoy reading various forums)... out of Boston...to Bermuda... and 3 out of the 4 were in the same cabin!

Disclosure: only made it to Bermuda 3x. This last one a month ago was rerouted to Canada!

Sent from my SM-J737T using Forums mobile app

Best way to beat the price increases? Stay home! If they have enough half-empty ships for a time, the prices will drop.

Me, I am counting down to the next one. Med!!!

Sent from my SM-J737T using Forums mobile app

Before they started including it (for free:rolleyes:) the beverage package was $49 a day plus 15% ( about $56 a day). Now the cabin prices are much higher and the beverage package price is just a total fantasy jacked up to increase the service charge cost. Got to admit they have done a great job with this one making a lot of people think they are getting some kind of deal.

Sent from my SM-J737T using Forums mobile app

Are "Haven" suites on Gem considerably more expensive than regular suites?

Sent from my SM-J737T using Forums mobile app

Not to derail... but quick question for you - on the Dawn Family Suites with balcony, are the balconies covered or uncovered?

We also love SF on Dawn and are looking to Gem for future cruising from Boston.

Sent from my SM-J737T using Forums mobile app

true story....wifw and i went out on our balcony and closed the curtain on the inside...we sat out there enjoying the view when my wife said...boy..the ship is so quiet..where is everybody??? turns out they were all at the lifeboat safety drill that we missed.

still had a great cruise and never felt safer that we were surrounded by 3500 people who now know exactly what to do in case there

 

 

 

You will love the Dawn in a suite. Awesome service. I think the Dawn is a perfect size... personally I am a bit apprehensive about trying a mega ship . Dawn is big enough.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

I see what you're saying. On the flip side of that, the Haven areas are on the larger and largest NCL ships, meaning they have more room in general.

 

I think the traditional "let's sit by the pool" cruise type is going away. Not just NCL, but just look how crowded the pool areas are on all cruise lines. They're all crowded and the issue is exacerbated by the "chair hogs" who try to dominate chairs all day, whether they're in them or not.

 

Frankly, I was just off the Getaway a few weeks ago, and I saw plenty of open chairs at the main pools. Granted, this was around 10 a.m. But, I can remember a time if you weren't out by the main pools staking a claim by 7-ish, you were shut out.

 

The Haven is a lot more than just an exclusive area. The cabins are much nicer. The level of service is much better. The pool/lounge areas are much less crowded. You pay for that privilege. But overall, you get a whole level of "upgrade" that's several levels better than what you get for an inside GTY cabin that cost a few hundred dollars.

 

Again, it's not a caste system. You can pick and choose the level of service, food, accommodations, etc you want. Like everywhere else, you pay more....you get more.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Is everyone in your group traveling in 3s? Not sure if i understand your last comment correctly. If there are 3 people staying in one cabin, they have to be in a cabin designated for 3 people. If only 2 people are staying in a cabin, they will only be allowed to book a cabin designated for 2 people.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

If we have wrinkle issues when unpacking, we request iron and ironing board. Might take 30 minutes to press clothes.

 

I wouldn't ask butler to press clothes, unpack bags or draw my bath water. I enjoy being pampered but some things are a little over the top.

 

Most every thing I wear is permanent press, so usually not a problem.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

What about make up handbags that sort of stuff?

 

That’s what Mrs Gut will be looking at to get through our OBC I expect.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

I agree that this is way more about cost than "class". We are working class, and our last cruise prior to the one we just took was 3 years ago. Since then, we'd been on exactly 2 short vacations with our daughter (3-4 nights). While planning our most recent cruise, we decided to get a suite as we enjoy the space, the "extras", etc. We are not "upper class" at home, nor do we pretend to be on the cruise. It's simply our preference and we are willing to pay that premium to have that experience.

Having said that, we've only ever cruised on the Dawn (no Haven) so I don't have experience with the "ship within a ship" concept that Haven seems to offer. If I cruised on a Haven ship, I could see us choosing a suite that wasn't in the Haven "area".

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Don't give Frank Del Rio any ideas...assuming he's not working on this already.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

yes..i am kidding...it was a play on the stereotype that all haven passengers are rich/ well off....its actually just the opposite im my opinion..we all struggle...we hate paying taxes..writing checks to daycare..mortgage payments..over paying for gasoline and bottled water... all the while trying to give our kids the best..

im just happy to be on a ship once every few years...my mistake i made was i had a 2 bedroom haven room on the breakaway...now its tough to sail in anything less.

(I only know what they are from watching Sex and the City).

Thanks for the laugh.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Are we really in the minority for actually being out of pocket a few hundred $ at the end of the cruise? To us, the $250 back is a good deal since between gratuities, spa pass, photos, maybe a bingo game or 2... it adds up! We aren't extravagant by any means but we want to enjoy ourselves on the cruise.

I don't think it's slimy at all.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

So just a few final thoughts.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. While I thought the entertainment options onboard were certainly "adequate", I do feel as though the Dawn is a bit tired in this regard. I get that it's not a megaship... but looking at show options available on other NCL ships vs Dawn, I wonder if this isn't an opportunity for them to perhaps draw a different demographic to the ship.

Or, perhaps I have no idea what I am talking about and should just leave this all to TPTB at NCL that do this for a living. Lol.

We would book Dawn again if the circumstances presented themselves. Will probably always be a favorite. Also willing to consider other Boston/NY ported NCL ships like Gem or Encore for our next cruise.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Seriously ,why do you need to use a straw for a beverage ? Do you drink water with a straw ? The last time I used a straw for a beverage was when I was in my teens.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Following along.. I was ok with our recent Canada diversion on the Dawn last week, until seeing these beautiful Bermuda pics! Ahhh... next time :)

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

I brought my own disposable plastic ones. I once forgot to take one from my room and thought I'd be smart and ask for a coffee stirrer thing (which is essentially like a tiny straw lol). Joke was on me when the bartender placed a wooden stick in my drink...

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

From NCL site, appears Haven/Suite would have had to be elected at time of reservation:

"Ways To Earn Rewards Points

Earn 1 point for every cruise night.

Earn 1 additional point per night for booking in a Suite* or in The Haven.

Earn 1 additional point per night when booking a*Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer.

*Full fare suites booked when reservation was originally made. Does not include mini-suites."

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

We were on that cruise and saw one guy leave the ship with his laundry to go home and wash it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

I have traveled solo extensively on business and occasionally for pleasure when my wife had other obligations. I cruised sole on a week-long Caribbean itinerary a few years ago after wrapping up a large contract and wouldn't do it again.

 

Cruising by its nature is "herd" travel which appeals to individuals who are more social and perhaps less independent. As a solo male traveler I was regarded with suspicion or repeatedly invited by well-meaning people to "join our group."

 

In the same circumstances I prefer an all-inclusive resort to a cruise ship. Less herd mentality and it's easier to get away from the crowd.

Yep I understand cruising is a different mentality than a land resort. But I still think I would enjoy it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

Have you checked over on the Solo Cruiser forum? I think you will find a lot are quite happy getting some 'me time' - not looking for socializing. Even when I was married, we took trips without the other.

 

It happens that I have an upcoming cruise with a number of other solo travelers on the M & G roll call, but not all are 'solo' in their normal day to day life. Some are extroverts, some are not.

The nice thing is that you can choose to eat alone or offer to share dining space. Some ships work for this better than others it seems. I am not sure whether 'most' solo cruisers like to dine with others, but I feel I can say 'most' solo 'travellers' do not. Off ship, it is a harder struggle to find someone to dine with or hang out with. It has never been a priority for me.

Some struggle with the dining alone once they have been widowed, because it is a totally new experience for them and they feel very self conscious about it. You are ahead of the game if you embrace it. Go for it.

Head over to the Solo Cruiser (not single cruiser) forum and I hope some of the posts there show that you can easily blend in as a wanter of just 'me time'. I suggest to choose a cruise line with no set dining time, however. That would make it easier.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

My husband and I have always enjoyed traveling together (and now as a family with our daughter)... and also enjoy traveling alone! We met and married "later in life" so were both very independent and had each traveled fairly extensively on our own prior to meeting.

It seems that most solo cruisers look to meet and befriend others for dinners etc. I am considering cruising alone and was curious of the experience of anyone who cruises to enjoy the relaxation and solitude - and who also enjoys dining alone and spending time alone.

Anyone in the same boat? Or am I just weird?!

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

I was on this sailing and received a credit of $30 per person for the change in port fees for the altered itinerary.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app