BiancaV

Yes, a seven night cruise only gives you a three night specialty dining package. It's been that way for quite a while. The fact that you're in an Owners suite doesn't affect the number of dinners you receive with the package.

Thanks for clearing it up for me. That's a bummer. When I went in 2015 we got all 7 nights. Oh well. :)

Speaking of Specialty restaurants I just tried to book them. I have the Specialty dining package and it only let me do 6 out of 7. When I got to the 7th it added $58.88 to my cart. So confused. So I called NCL, they told me I only had a 3 night package. Huh? I'm booked in an Owners Suite on a 7 night cruise. Anyone out there have any clue about this? On my last cruise on the Dawn I had the Specialty dining package and got 7 because that was the length of the cruise. Any help greatly appreciated!

Theres a very heavy curtain. Hubby would nap and I would have music on in the living room-he said he couldn't hear a thing :-)

Ok perfect! That was my concern. My hubby likes to watch tv late night so it was nice having the separate area so I could sleep if need be.😊

The Dawn Class and Jewel Class OS are very similar except decor which they seem to be standardizing after each refurb.

 

Main difference I can think of is that the Dawn Class OS actually have thick glass doors plus curtains separating the bedroom from living room vs. Jewel Class just have a thick curtain.

Oh there's no door on the Gem OS? That's a bummer.

I am really sorry I didn't get when he was going home. Nelson our cabin steward was also GREAT, always so friendly and chatty. Knew our names from day 1, and would always make a point of saying hello.

 

I did say to Randy that we would be booking again and that he said he would love to see us again, so by that he may not be going anywhere soon ;-)

 

Enjoy the suite, its amazing, the size, 2 balconies, the sun deck in the haven was hardly used on our cruise, it was a great retreat and could hear the music from the pool deck. PERFECT :-)

 

Have a great cruise, I know you will with Elvina and Randy :cool:

Sorry just seeing your response! I'll hope for both of them. We had a butler on the Dawn that we didn't care for. It was a bummer because it was our first time in the OS. Regardless the suite was spectacular! I believe it's the same setup as the Dawn. Is it August yet?😊 Thanks for the response!

Just to come in too (a little late I know!) I was also on the 29MAR sailing in an OS Suite (10504) our butler Randy was AMAZING! From seeing us in the lift, not sure how he knew it was us, he found us in the Haven Courtyard and escorted us to our suite, which was amazing and will certainly be booking again. Elvina the concierge was a DARLING, she was amazing and did a great job, always there, simply amazing went above and beyond the whole trip, it was like saying goodbye to family when we left. Randy was great as mentioned too, he gave us sandwiches, chocolate strawberries, and other treats each day. He arranged a cocktail party with drinks and food (at an additional cost) for my birthday. Kept our gummy bears and M&Ms stocked.

We had amazing weather all cruise apart from the last day at sea where it was quite rough, but enjoyed the rocking, put me to sleep.

Food was great in all restaurants and loved Cagney's for lunch and Moderno for brekkie for suites. Service was outstanding for the whole cruise, every staff member we encountered were happy and always remembered you. Not sure how they do this, every where we went they were saying hello using our names and knowing it was my birthday, coming up or afterwards.

I did find it amazing to see SO many people that do NOT say please or thank you, I was astounded and reminded a man that he forgot something, he was most put out when I said, I think you forgot to say thank you........! wow!

 

Anything else anyone wants to know, shout out happy to answer any questions.

 

Time to start planning the next cruise....:-)

We will be in the same OS 10504 in August! Hoping we get Randy as well. He sounds great! Any idea how long he'll be on the Gem?

Sorry disregard. I saw your responses to that question.

Just binge reading and loving it! Thanks so much for taking the time to do that. We'll be going in August. We're interested in Atlantis. Did you just go on your own? Was there any costs once in Atlantis? Thanks again!

And a miserable ride over the George Washington bridge or a tunnel

 

Plus you say you are driving from the cape correct?

 

To get to jersey you have to cross a bridge

 

Btw the cross westchester to the tappan zee around 3 pm will be backed up all the way to Connecticut or if you are lucky only backed up as far as white plains

 

 

Or you can deal with the traffic to get over the George Washington only to have to come back over it the next morning

 

Lol. Stay in Westchester!!!

 

The rye Hilton is in a very nice area

 

 

 

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Ok great! That makes me feel better to know I picked a good spot. Not knowing the area at all I was confusing myself.

Yes, coming from Mass. I booked at the Hilton Westchester Ave in Rye Brook but I'm still looking to figure out the best option. We will be parking at the pier.

Anyone have thoughts on Ridgefield Park Nj to stay? That looks to be 20 minutes from the pier.

Thanks so much for all the great responses. We stayed in the OS on the Dawn which we loved. There is no Haven area so it wasn't an issue so I just wanted some opinions. I too LOVED the two balconies. Ok, I've decided to stay with my original choice of the Owners Suite. 😊👍🏻

Ok so I booked an Owners Suite on the Gem but I just saw a review from someone who stayed in the Owners Suite that they didn't like the location because it was 4 floors away from the Haven Courtyard. They also felt they didn't get treated as well as Courtyard guests. Anyone have experience with either of these suites? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

The rye town Hilton is a good choice then after a drive from the cape

 

 

It's located about a mile from where 95 veers off to 287

 

 

If you do feel like driving for any reason later that night rye is great too. It's small town upper crust America that borders working class Port Chester

 

 

Port Chester is known for loads of great fun ethnic restaurants and the Capitol Theater (lots of great performers)

 

 

Rye is an adorable small town Main Street with cute boutique stores and bistro style restaurants among others

 

Both areas are incredible

 

 

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Sounds great! Looking forward to it.

Just to clarify you are looking at the rye town Hilton on Westchester Ave correct? It may have either a rye Or Harrison address as it is directly on the border btw.

 

That's a good price for the Hilton but just an FYI the Hilton is located only about 2 miles from the areas known as port Chester and rye....which are culinary masterpieces as far as restaurants are concerned. Plus depending on time of year you could go to Rye Playland and walk on the pier and beach. The scene with the fortune teller in the movie Big was filmed there.

 

Rye town Hilton is about 5 miles from white plains on a straight easy to navigate road. It's a great location too but the Hilton requires you to drive if going out and Cambria Ritz and crown plaza in wp are walking areas

 

If you give me an idea of how many hours you will be in the areas I can make some good suggestions

 

Are you checking n at 8 pm or 1 pm? Fwiw earlier the better IMHO. Both wp and rye are spectacular areas to spend time in and luvtheships is spot on with the description of white plains

 

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It is the Hiton in Rye Brook on Westchester Ave. I'm coming from Mass and need to make a stop down the Cape first. I'm hoping to be there by 3:00. Probably not enough time for too much but enough time to settle in and have a nice dinner?

Yes probably. You would park in a very safe municipal lot that might cost $10 or so for overnight. You could walk to dozens of incredible restaurants and a cinema delux 2 great malls and every store you can think of if you stay at Ritz or Cambria $$$$ or crown plaza $$$ by my estimate. If you stay at the others I mentioned above you would have free parking and a very very easy drive into downtown white plains and park $1 per hour in a very safe muni lot if you want to enjoy Wp for the evening

 

White plains is a city of 55,000 residents but swells to 259,000 by day as we have just about any and every corporate office here as well.

 

Lots of millennials settling here and we actually have a very hearty reverse commute into Wp from NYC which is about 45 minutes or less by train.

 

Not really sure of hotel prices but the Cambria suites was going for $150 last Saturday night when it was 95 degrees and lightening out and the power went out in my neighborhood.

 

 

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Thanks so much!! Great advice. The Hilton was offering a room with 20% off food and beverage for $144 which I thought was great. I'll check out Cambria Suites as well. Thanks again!

Hilton is perfect. Plenty of great places to stay along Westchester Ave. Look for the best deal. We have Doral Arrowood . Renaissance. Hilton. Cambria suites and crown plaza and ritz Carleton in white plains and walking distance to great stuff. Marriott on route 119 that has a Ruth's Chris steakhouse

 

Can't go wrong staying in a 5 mile radius of white plains

 

 

 

 

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Great thanks! Would White Plains be a better bet?

Just booked the Gem for next year! Already looking at my days to go!lol So I was looking at the Hilton Westchester. Anyone stayed here? Looks good, price was good and looks to be about 40 minutes from the pier. Figured you can't go wrong with a Hilton.

I just noticed the new NCL offer of free service charges as one of the offers. Does anyone know if this is also for Bulter/Concierge tipping?

Thanks!

We are in Wakefield. Thanks so much! I will definitely check back in with you for those detailed directions. That will be very helpful.

We're not cruising until next summer and coming from North of Boston (about 20 minutes North). These are all great suggestions Thankyou. I'm thinking just getting a little bit closer the night before (even CT) would work. 😊

Yes, I saw the coupon, thanks. My husband was also saying he'd want the car at the terminal anyway for easier departure.

We're just looking to be close to the cruise. We'll be driving from Mass and won't be getting in until late Friday so we won't have time to do any sight seeing. So, yes I think the suggestion of staying outside of the city would be a smart choice and cheaper! :-). If there's any hotels that people recommend that would be great! Thanks so much

Ok great. I'll head over to those boards now.

Thanks!

Hello everyone. Just looking into staying in NYC the night before boarding the Gem. Any suggestions where to stay? I'm looking for a place where I can leave my car for free and possible shuttle? I seem to keep finding taxi service only. Any help is greatly appreciated!

~Ali