Fairbairn

The room from hell......as all they are in that row.

There is a vacant construction area under these cabins on the 7th floor. They were installing a new hydraulic door under my cabin....the guys start at 6am.

Sledgehammers, hammers, guys shouting.

Very reluctantly they moved me after too many hours standing in line.

Upon leaving, the room steward told me people move out of this run of cabins all the time. He said it was indeed construction, but as well the noise of waves upsets folks.

Just beware.

Cheers, Barbara

.........was the worst organized mess I have seen, ever! Luckily it was warm, the lines for customs had 1000 people, at least, lugging all their bags. The boat came in slowly because of fog but, come on.

I waited exactly where I was to be on the ship, my colour was called for my bags.......I had a cruise shuttle to LaGuardia.

Stood in line for another hour to get to the gangway. down there and then hit the wall of people, angry angry people, standing in line. Only luck and a wad of $5 bills in my hand stopped a porter........he whisked us through.

But then the next surprise:

The charter bus the Cruise Line had hired to take a large number of folks departing Laguardia had apparently left before I (and another couple) got outside. Much screaming and cursing into cell phones.......we waited another hour on the pavement while they summoned another smaller shuttle to take us privately to the airport. Other passengers waited a similar amount of time to get to Newark.

I observed from the gangplank folks sitting on the out deck having what looked like breakfast, far away from the 'madding crowds' If I ever go on NCL again, I think I will just disappear on the ship, sitting here and there, -I'm sure being shooed on once in awhile, but not facing the mob.

An aside: I think any woman who has done a birthday party for small children could teach NCL and the NY Port Authority how to organize disembarking a very great deal better.

Mostly a good cruise, and easy to criticize, I know.

Barbara

Beware of farthest forward cabins on 8th Floor. (ex 8505) That first run has open construction areas below, and the sledge hammers start at 6am. Four days into it I inisted on a move which they verrrrrrryyyyyyy reluctantly gave me. What a hassle.

O'Shanigan looks good, and always fairly quiet, eat anytime, but the food is disgusting. One should really look at their meatloaf and mashed potatoes-okay I admit it's comfort food hell, -but it was otherworldly, and I'm not talking about heaven.

Dining room was always okay. Prime rib nights were too large for anyone sporting a vascular system.

Their specialty restaurants: Cagneys is truly wonderful. The French is very good, if very hard to locate. Tepanani is horrid.....they over cook food with a lot of noise. The Italian one was dreadful...........the driest Oso Buco I have ever tasted, and the waiter wanted to give me a lecture on how was cooked.

He seemed pissy I hadn't touched it except to taste. Didn't do the meat market one.......too many people told me the food was bad.

Definately get an UDP it you drink. Wine at $10 and spirits $9, Beer 8.50 - can bring out the scrooge and ruin your trip if you don't have one.

Being on a cruise single, and paying double......I came away a little jaded. Think next cruise will be one I can approach a little more positively, and sail with a cruise line that offers trips at less than double fares.

Knowing I had paid actually a little more than double, I enquired one day if I could purchase a glass of wine for a woman I was chatting with. (I had paid for 2 passengers with UDP) They were quite insulting about my even asking.

So, it was then "please bring me a glass of wine and an empty glass. Thank you" That request was very slowly fulfilled.

Their set of 6 martini's in the martini bar are a huge bargain. If you like them, chase them down.

3rd last day I developed a horrible sore throat and hoarse voice. Had to see the doctor. $204 for 5 antibiotic tablets, a package of lozenges and generic chest decongestant. Pretty expensive.......no tests, nothing. Listened to my chest and told me I didn't have pneumonia. I knew that.

More later, or if you ask.......

It is the foulest air I have ever encountered on any cruise (23) ever. It reeks, and chokes, people go there for a smoke inside, -while very slowly feeding coins into the machines.

Quit smoking 24 years ago. The casino in the gem is now my go-to reason.

:mad:

I am trying to fly with just one bag. On the Gem Dec. 13...inside cabin so far. (cruising single........so I have to pay double) I do not want to pack my robe. Will I find one in my humble cabin. How can I get one if its not provided. Any tips. Many thanks, Barbara

try a company called supershuttle.......they seem quite

accommocating about going anywhere. They are online. I am

going to use them from the port to Newark airport.

Barbara

I guess if I read every post I could find the famous Carlos, but

isn't this the same as posting a specific travel agent?

I enjoy all the work my agent does, but she is paid, after all. I am embarrassed when I keep changing my mind, but it is her job.

Barbara

Hi, I'm in the wrong place, I know to ask a question. I have never left New York on Norwegian..........I will come right from the airport. I don't know which pier they sail from. My question is...........do they have a convenience store at the pier where I can buy water/snacks/liquor?

I don't want to haul it all from BC.

Sorry to be in the wrong place, -actually, that's the story of my life!

Barbara

Maybe fifty years ago it was okay, but in a crowded restaurant it is dangerous to other passengers, older folks, those in wheelchairs. I've seen people struggling to walk with a full tray, concentrating on not spilling, be flattened by chair legs where they weren't expecting any,

It is a silly, archaic, boarding school move. If it was a good idea, they would do it in the dining room...no?