plum24

I never got any... do you have to be a certain level to get one?

True! :)

But fact is it's there now, right? And it's not open. Wish I could laugh but you should've seen my kid's face when I just told him it might be closed when we sail. :(

A Twitter campaign might be fun!

Will get their attention (calling and emailing usually doesn't!)

Where did you get that info, Heather?

Dennis, this is the number I called:

1.866.234.7350

I think if they get calls and complaints, it might light a fire under somebody's nether regions ;)

Yes, Marion, of course we will all have a great time on our cruise no matter what. But actually we DO have some control -- we are paying customers, and two big features on the ship should be working, as they are advertised and included in our fare (as so many things aren't!)

Nothing wrong with wanting everything that's been promised to you, no? ;)

I just called and of course nobody at NCL was 'aware' that the slide isn't open. I made it clear that one of the reasons we chose the ship is that my boys are water slide junkies. She made a note in my reservation, and emailed two supervisors and the Gem coordinator.

She was unable to tell me why the slide had not been inspected yet. I'll follow up with them next week and see if there's any news.

And yes, I know there are tons more things to do on the ship, so no need to mention that ;)

YOU tell that to my kid!

How could two major entertainment areas be closed for so long and no one says anything?

I know that my boys will be super-disappointed if both the rock wall and slide are closed for 10 days!

Is there any way to find out when they will *finally be open?? I'm guessing the folks at NCL customer service won't have any info...

Anyone currently aboard the Gem that can tell me if the water slide is open?

I had heard that the first sailing post-dry-dock, it was not yet operational.

Someone please tell me it will be open before Dec 13!!

That's so odd... I used OBC to defray my service charges in March on the Sky and had no problems. Is this something new?

Thanks, hypercafe.

This restaurant is now complimentary on the Gem, right?

Yet it does not show up anywhere in the Plan before you go section.

Do they take reservations, or is it just a show up when you want kind of thing?

Anyone eaten there recently? Has the food improved?

That's what I've been doing... I'm sure it'll work eventually !

Naturally, the site keeps saying Uh-Oh... down again ;(

Thank you! Appreciate the advice :)

Will do this right away...

A DSC question for Canadians:

I see on myncl.com that if I prepay, I'll be charged $15CDN per person, which is cheaper than $13.50 US (we booked in late August, after the charges had gone up). If I use today's exchange rate as a guide, $13.50 US works out to $18 CDN. That works out to a $90 difference on our upcoming Dec 13 cruise..

I'm wondering: if we prepay it, will that be cheaper than paying onboard in US funds that are then converted?

Any other Canadians grappling with the math?

Anyone know if the water slide is operational yet?

What about the water slide? Someone said it was closed.

That's too bad!! My son is DYING to go on it, and we're on the Dec 13 sailing, so they better get that done ;)

Did they also replace the vertical water slide? Or is that still there?

We booked the Embassy Suites in Seacaucus, NJ. Park there for free for 10 days, plus they bring you to Manhattan port. One way only, but we negotiated a rate for them to take us back after the cruise. Way cheaper than parking at the pier, plus more relaxing as we'll spend afternoon there, hang out and leave early on sailing day...

This irritates me big-time.

I'm going to suggest the opposite: some of the best memories we've had as a family have taken place in our super-cozy rooms, where we're all together. We only go there to sleep or change, and for us, it's been perfect. We prefer to spend money on excursions or other adventures, and always book inside cabins. My son is 10, and we've been cruising this way since he was about 4.

We're driving in from Quebec the day before we sail, staying at Embassy Suites in Seacaucus, which offers free parking for 10 days, plus a ride to the port with their cruise and park package. You do have to make return arrangements to the hotel for after the cruise, but wayyyy cheaper than parking at the port.