saretaj

When we sailed Aug 23rd, it was Anoop.  Ravi was our Butler.  Both were great.

We sailed in a penthouse suite on the Gem back in August.  We had 2 suites - my 21 YO daughter and her 24 YO BF in one and me and my 6 year old in the other.  It was my first time not being in a balcony.  The first day I gave $100 (per room) to our room steward (because kids) and $100 (per room) to our butler.  I knew we wouldn't be using the concierge so I waited to tip.  

The room steward was VERY grateful and made our trip wonderful (in terms of towel animals / keeping the room clean and stocked with towels etc); our butler initially declined my money.  I insisted, and he was readily available at all times (though we didn't use his services much).  We found he would be in the hallway in the am and pm asking if we needed anything, and he always had a huge smile for us.

I tipped $200/room to the room steward and $100 per room for the butler upon leaving the ship.  I gave $100 to the concierge as we only utilized his services 1x but he came through.  We didn't ask for nor expect much but the woman who took care of our rooms - Helen - was the sweetest, and most hard working person I have come across.  

It's all a personal preference, but I did find tipping in advance was beneficial for my particular situation.  

22 hours ago, daveb722 said:

Anyone use the Haven on the Gem?  I understand its a smaller scale but it is hard to find out specific details. Here are a few questions I have:

1) Appears no bar located in the Haven, are servers there and do they get the drinks relatively quickly?

2) No restaurant specifically for the Haven, but appear to use Cagney's, is this for all 3 meals and is Cagney only open for Haven guests at Breakfast and Lunch?

3) Cell phones for butlers, do they have them? I read that this class ship they did not.  If not how do you get ahold of them?

4) I saw a user posted about distilled water for their cpap machine, did they fulfill this request as i will need the same?

 

THanks, I just bid on this and won today, so now I'm scrambling on getting info for my 14 day cruise from Boston to Southern Carribean.  and with 6.5 days at sea this seemed so worth it, plus with my recent back surgery, I think it will be more beneficial to keeping it less strained in the Haven area.  Thanks for any info.

 

I sailed the Gem Aug 23rd in a Suite, so we did have some perks that Haven guests get.  Yes, the butler has a portable phone and he was always available.  We did not ask for much, but he seemed to be around in the am & pm (in the hallway).  I had to call him 2x and he answered right away (Ravi was his name and he was GREAT!).  For breakfast, we had the option to dine in Moderno, lunch was at Cagney's.  We never made it to breakfast but the lunch at Cagney's was really good and pretty empty. 

We had 2 Suites - my older daughter (21) and her BF in one and me and my 6 year old in another.  My eldest daughter called the Concierge one time to try to get into a show and he said it wouldn't be full and to just "walk in".  We were totally ok with that - we were not expecting to be escorted in or anything.  But it was certainly different than what your read about in terms of having these particular "perks".  

We loved the Gem and had a great time.  If you go to Spinnaker, Sherwin is the best bartender!

I sailed the Gem Aug 23rd of this year in a Suite on deck 9 (right at the front of the ship)- our drill station was in the Stardust Theater.  There was plenty of seating for everyone!

Go see Sherwin at Spinnakers!  He's the best!

I sailed the Gem this August in a Suite (first time, had all the perks).  I would not pay for this service on this particular cruise.  The only thing that was worth it to us on the list above was the priority embarkation / check in (and of course butler service but that's not on the list).  Disembarkation was not smooth - we stood in the theater for 40+ minutes while most of the rest of the ship got off (something about the luggage, nothing was really conveyed to us).  

Getting tender priority in Bermuda - we were escorted down some secret stairs to get off the ship but there was absolutely NO line to get off the ship from "regular" passengers, so that wouldn't be worth it for us either.

Just my opinion and only for the Gem Boston - Bermuda.

Tank tops for men are not allowed in Moderno.  My daughter's BF was sent away to change.  We did see a young lady with a crop top and short shorts though, so I guess it's only enforced on men.  Casual was ok in Cagney's, Teppanyaki and La Cucina (we dressed "nice" but saw others in shorts, etc)

Not the Dawn, but I sailed the Gem on 8/23 in a penthouse suite - deck 9 - right at the very front of the ship.  It was kind of a last minute vaca, so what I wish I knew beforehand was we could NOT access the balcony at all during sailing days - they lock the door and tie down the furniture.  Makes sense - it's just too windy.  But I did not know this, and the main reason I book a balcony is for the extra room w/my 6 year old.  We also had to close the curtains every nightfall as the Captain was right above us (I did know this prior to sailing, no biggie).  

On the plus side, the balcony was HUGE and we utilized it during port days.  

Sailed the Gem 8/23 - I only have Cagney's - sorry!

I sailed the Gem on Sept 23rd.  I did not see any beer buckets anywhere (and we were all over the ship!).  Interestingly enough, I DID see some people with 6 packs of beer (how do I explain this?  Like the cardboard one you would grab from the liquor store?) in the Bali Hai bar area.  I was intrigued, but had the drink package, and never asked.

I sailed the Gem on Aug 23rd.  I had 2 penthouse suites - myself and my 6 year old in one, and my 21 year old daughter and her 24 year old BF in the other.  We were a couple doors down from one another.  I was afraid of being judged, so I gave our butler a $50 bill for each room the first time we met him (he tried to decline this but I insisted).  I knew we wouldn't be using him much.  I have to say, he was amazing!  It seemed every afternoon / night when we went out he was there in the hallway,  had a big smile, and asked us if we needed anything.  Brought great treats for us (m&m's, gummy bears, chips, the usual people talk about but that my 6 year old LOVED!).  My eldest daughter did ask for O'Sheehan's to be delivered one (LATE) night and he came through.  I gave him $100/per room at the end (tipped the steward MORE as she was absolutely phenomenal).  I researched this a lot before we left as it was our first time in the "suite life".  I was just happy that he was available if needed.  Though he made it known from the beginning of the cruise that he worked the back of the ship as well, we always saw him around and he was very kind.

I recently sailed the Gem with my 6 year old who has her dad's last name (he couldn't come due to work).  We (my daughter and myself) both have passports, but I got a notarized letter from him just to be safe.  No one batted an eye in Bermuda getting on / off the ship.  Not sure about other ports, but it was all good on our end.

Sailed the Gem last week.  I don't drink hard liquor or wine, just beer once and a while.  I was served cans in all public areas (near pools etc), and bottles from the inside bars.  

When we sailed the Dawn Sept 2017 it was all aluminum cans but we saw none of those anywhere!  Also, if I asked for 2 they opened both and handed them to me.  Kind of annoying but we still had fun.

14 hours ago, loudoncruiser said:

Thanks for all the information.   Sounds like something for motion sickness may be needed.  Saretaj, that balcony is amazing.   From what I can tell ours will be very tiny.

Yes it was amazing and HUGE!  What I didn't know before sailing is that we could only access it (the balcony) during port days.  They have some kind of steel barricade with multiple locks that they secure during sailing.  It is obvious, looking back, we wouldn't be able to sit there while the ship was sailing but I wish I knew it beforehand.  Still had a great time!

Just off the Gem last week - we were in a penthouse suite right at the front of the ship (NOT Haven).  You can definitely feel every movement - my 6 year old slept better than at home!  But I woke up multiple times at night.  I / we never got sick but it was a weird feeling, and some days hard to keep your balance in the shower!  Here's a pic from our balcony:

Was on the Gem last week and they had a $19.95 "fill the bag" laundry special 3 days in a row (maybe starting Sunday I think?).  I sailed with my 6 year old so we took advantage of it and they did an amazing job!

We had them every night last week on the Gem.  We were in a Suite, though, and I had my 6 year old with me - who the room steward took a liking to.  

Here is my plate (yes I get my steak med/med well - don't bash me).  Now that I look at it the lobster tail looks a bit weird but it was good!

1 minute ago, fiftyguy said:

I hope you had Ravi get gummy bears and/or m&m’s for your 6 yr old. My grandkids enjoyed lots of kid friendly treats from the butler.

Yes!  He brought both the first night and kept us stocked.  He also brought cookies, sandwiches, lots of yummy treats.  He got a good tip!

Just now, fiftyguy said:

It’s very nice you got answers to my question and others. Thank you.

I’ve sailed with Anoop as the concierge and he is very nice. I do use his services for restaurant reservations and other things outside the cabin. I’ve also had the services of Ravi and would love to have him for our trip. I hope you enjoyed your trip to bermuda. I’m heading out to Canada 9/20.

thank you again for answering my questions.

Of course!  I asked so many questions here I wanted to reciprocate.   I had only used 2 of my 3 SDP and forgot to make a third reservation (last minute cruise).   I called him Tues am and asked for Cagney's Wednesday night - before 8pm as I have a 6 year old in tow.  He called me back a couple hours later and got us in for 7pm.  He even came to visit us during dinner to be sure we were ok!

On 8/22/2019 at 2:34 PM, melis said:

Hi, can you book shows in advance, or only after you board? We were on the GEM last year and loved it!!!!!  I just can't remember the show info. TIA!

Sorry I have no idea!  We only did the smaller shows (at Spinnaker / Bliss).  My daghter wanted to go to the comedy show and asked our concierge to get them in but he said it wasn't sold out and they "could just go right down".  She ended up not going, so I do not know how true this is.  I do know the circus act was very popular and saw a line to get in.

On 8/21/2019 at 10:42 AM, fiftyguy said:

Hi

Since you’re in a suite can you tell me who the concierge is for your trip and whether he/she will be doing the Canada trips in September/October? 

Much appreciated.

Anoop Bhanu was our Concierge (I had very little interaction with him but he seemed very nice).  Ravi was our butler (he was AWESOME).  From what I gathered it sounded like all staff would be staying on for the Canada trips, then doing the 14 night to Caribbean in November, then they get a couple months break.

On 8/21/2019 at 6:47 AM, meglet said:

Since you're staying in a suite OP all the specialty restaurant menus should be somewhere in the room.

This was not the case!  They were displayed in the buffet area though.  I supposed I could have asked but we just walked around and took a look.

On 8/21/2019 at 6:21 AM, amberjohn said:

Have a great cruise.  We went in 2018.  I'm curious if the shows and other

entertainment is different?  If possible, could you list the shows?

Do you mean main shows?  I have the dailies.  Main ones were:

Friday - Sailaway dance party

Sat - Swing

Sun - The Magic of Titou

Mon - Comedian Sam Fedele

Tues- Blazing Boots

Wed - Chernov Brothers (Circus Dance show) (and the Glow Party later in Spinnaker)

Thurs - Get Down Tonight

On 8/16/2019 at 10:13 AM, Named-Tawny said:

 

How does ordering work at La Cucina?  I know at most of the a la carte specialty restaurants with the SDP, you get one entree - but do they count pasta as an entree?  Or are you allowed to eat in proper italian style (antipasti, pasta, main and side, salad, desert?)  Is it difficult to get them to serve the salad after the main?

We ate here last night.  I wasn't too impressed.  But from what I gathered (sorry forgot to take a pic of the menu) - one app, one main, dessert.  There were no sides that I saw.  There were 2 (I believe) salads in the app section.  I ordered the antipasti, filet with blue cheese ravioli and cannoli for dessert.  The filet was amazing.  My daughter got some penne dish and said the sauce was WAY overpowering.  Daughter's BF got a mussel dish and really liked it ,but again, way too much sauce.  Service was fantastic.  I was underwhelmed with the ravioli.