davencl

Yes I've received that email for every cruise I've taken on NCL. So far 8 in the last 7 years.

Assuming a OE small group tour. We took our first small group tour in Rome after our cruise on the GEM a couple of weeks ago. Not a cruise ship tour. It was insanely expensive but well worth it to us. Learned and experienced so much more in the small group. I think some tours are fine in large groups others are best in small groups if your willing to afford it.

Interesting. I had not seen that on the ships tubs. Probably thought this since the hot tubs I've used didn't have that feature on or off ship.

To clarify hot tubs do not have air jets. They inject air into the water jets if enabled.

On the spirit in Jan., Sirena in March, and the Gem 2 weeks ago all the hot tubs were circulating water no air. Yes the water jets are fully functional and provide plenty of hot tub experience.

For us there were a couple. Our room steward, she made towels animals every night. Was very surprised. One bartender in the deck 13 bar, she made the best mai tai's. Not sure why her's were better than others in the same bar.

We were on this cruise too. Your review is well done. My comments, Ancora was as you described. Individually the singers sounded good, together they did not harmonize well. Yes the sound mix was off in most cases. Generally vocals were too low and instrument too loud. The trip to shipwreck cove, you have my sympathies. We lucked out and were on the top deck. The boat was grossly overloaded(to put it mildly). We did this trip for the itinerary and really enjoyed the entirety of the experience. We had booked Venice two days prior so the deletion of that port did not affect us. We hadn't prebooked transport in Trieste so embarkation from downtown was a bonus for us. Generally lack of entertainment was not an issue for us as we spent most all of our days on shore excursions. We liked the GEM overall and would book again if itinerary matched our needs.

For those that like trains the ride from Venice to Trieste is great. I fully enjoyed the journey this august on our trip. You do have to handle your own luggage, not an issue for us. It's one of those train journeys not to be missed. Great views of the countryside. Fast and comfortable. Speeds were around 80 mph.

I use the plastic zip lock bag tag holders from Alaska airlines.

Currently on the GEM. It's on the MDR menu here.

Yes you did great.

Yes when you upgrade at the current price you get the current promotions. I just did an upgrade from club balcony to haven and lost the latriple. It was a good deal because the upgrade was less than the minimum bid... However the current promo is one extra per night so I'll still get 3 points per night(1 normal, 1 extra for haven, 1 extra on the promo). With latriple I was getting 4 points per night so not a big loss. You would also get all the current promotions which are basically that same at least for me. I.E. free at sea, drink package, 3 dining, 300 minutes wifi, $50 shorex credit etc. However after the upgrade all these promo's dropped off when I got the invoice. Called the PCC back and got it all corrected but it took him 20 - 30 minutes to get it done.

Good advice. You can also use a USB cable with no data connection, only power. This is not your standard cable however.

Yes I believe crew stairs and service elevators.

I've been fairly successful at upgrade bids(won 2 out of four times). One key is the rooms have to be available. If fully booked they aren't. You'll be relying on someone cancelling. I've never bid above fair on their scale. On my latest cruise starting monday I did as you, upgraded directly to a 2 bdrm haven, as the cost was less than the minimum upgrade bid. I also have bid to upgrade to the 3bdrm garden villa. Bid the minimum as that's what I'm willing to pay and don't really care if I get upgraded. Also both are booked so my chance of an upgrade is near zero...

I sure hope this is a regular thing. Hope the GEM does this. In the past Haven got a section off to the side. Not front and center.

Yes would have been helpful if clearly stated who should reply.

Yes and I caught covid at Disney World last year. It's not going away and cruise ships play only a part.

Yes you can.

I was in the haven on the Breakaway a few years ago. I remember there being a sauna in that area. Plus there are two treatment rooms.

I'm sailing on the GEM this friday. I was bidding from CBS to haven 2 bdrm. My bid was in the lower end of the fair range. Last week the cost to directly buy an upgrade was cheaper than a poor bid. Just above the minimum so I just bought the upgrade and canceled my bid.

The discount is applied at payment on the payment page if I remember correctly. However I may just be remembering cruise next certs....

Ive found the floor plans to not be accurate. Especially if it's an aft CBS or odd balcony size.

My wife and I both have the 10% discount on all our shore excursions. We are both Platinum.

For us it didn't pencil out. At $686 per person that's $1372 total. $50 excursion credits for 10 excursions would have reduced by $500 but leaving $872. Unlimited WIFI wasn't valued to us or the premium drink package. Your situation is entirely different. Just wanted to give you my take.