Smileonboard

Hi All - 

we will be on the Oasis in August - first time my son will be in the teenage club - he always enjoyed the kids club  - just wondering if anyone has information about the activities - timing - detail about the happenings or a copy of the activities - any information would be greatly appreciated - thanks 

Thanks everyone for the replies - very helpful ! 

Hi All -

We have been bringing my son cruising since he was 5 but our August cruise on Oasis will be the first time he is cruising as a teenager. He always loved the kids club - can anyone give me some information about the teenage hangout - is there any structured activities for the 13 year olds or is it simply hangout and chill and wander around. If anyone has an activity schedule ( if there is one ) they can post I would  really appreciate it - thanks 

5 hours ago, daff67 said:

 

We are currently on the Gem and plan on doing KSC on our own. What option did you use for transportation?

We took a taxi - it was $60 each way - 

I just got off the Gem today and I would say most people had their masks on everywhere. The majority of people took it off when they sat for a meal or drinks. In the theater some took it off but most kept them on the whole time. Everyone wore one at the buffet. I saw a few crew members ask the passengers to put the mask over their nose and to some that didn’t have them on they were asked if they needed a mask - it was all very civil and everyone was just happy to be in a cruise - 

We just got off the Gem and splash academy was closed. My son was disappointed- he actually turns 13 in 3 weeks but he wasn’t allowed to join Entourage but they did let the younger kids go when the club was closed from 2-4 and 7-9 but a parent had to be there with them. 

3 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

There's only one level for parking at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, and it's uncovered.  As for luggage drop off:  pre-covid, you would park and then take your luggage down (by elevator) to the street level to give whatever you were checking to a porter.  In October, our first cruise since the pandemic began, there were porters up at the parking level to take checked bags as you drove in.   I have no idea how long that system will remain in place. 

 

Thanks for  the clarification- this was the first time we parked at the port -I thought it was like a leveled garage - we got one of the first spots so I assumed if we drove we would be at a lower level - my bad 😬 -  we usually take car service so this was new for us - we figured with COVID better to have our own car there - 

2 hours ago, raitch said:

We are onboard currently as well!  The captain said there are 1450 guests and 1100 crew on board.  We are in Haven and thoroughly enjoying the quiet and calm.  Everyone who said that the Gem Haven is a waste of money scared me but man oh man is it peaceful here, I just love it.

 

I agree that almost every passenger is masked up.  It’s pretty easy to avoid those that aren’t.  

 

I was so, so worried and almost canceled 20 times but honestly right now I feel much safer onboard than at home.  Kinda dreading disembarking tomorrow  and jumping back into COVID soup 🥴

 

I was just talking to one of the staff members from Indonesia and he said the crew is very worried they’ll have another shutdown and send them all home again.  

We also thought about cancelling so glad we didn’t as we have felt so safe - NCL is doing a great job and it has been a great cruise - we have stayed in the Haven before but weren’t sure on the smaller ships so we did suite level which gives all the perks besides the pool area luckily the pool has been so comfortable this cruise - nice and calm and no one on top of you even during the sunny days but so glad your enjoying the courtyard good to know if we do another smaller ship - I spoke to a crew member who said they are instructed not to talk to any passengers about COVID- I had mentioned about the entertainment ensemble having a COVID issue as the shows were cancelled and he said we can’t comment in that - 

1 hour ago, Cruising to Retirement said:

Regarding parking at the Pier, how expensive was it, did  you need to Reserve in advance, was it covered parking and close to where you drop off your luggage at-  Thanks and Stay Safe-  Great commentary during your Cruise-  Thanks. 

It was $240 you can not reserve it is first come first serve but since only one ship was there and lower capacity there was lots of open spaces - we parked on top so no cover - you can go lower with coverage - you actually drop your luggage off when you enter the garage then park so convenient- 

We upgraded to premium on the Gem and it has worked really well - a few times it drops but comes right back. Our bigger issue was texting each other on the ship - I only both one premium package so we shared but we had gotten unlimited text for our phones from AT & T and that has been a disaster- 

Yesterday we were at GSC - it was a beautiful 80 degrees - the tender situation was organized and we didn’t have to wait too long - we had an excursion to swim with the pigs - a fun experience - we had some lunch - and enjoyed the beach. Once back to the ship we followed what has become our evening routine . Trivia - show and dinner - the show was fantastic it was the Chemov brothers - they are acrobats - dancers - drummers - clowns - really entertaining- my favorite show this cruise. The regular show was cancelled - I would guess COVID related as we only had one of the 3 ensemble shows -

Today was a sea day - we did some origami , some family circus fun , shopped a bit and enjoyed a whiskey tasting. We spent some time on the balcony reading - it was another beautiful day , saw the incredible sunset and again trivia - show which was a variety show with magician- Rob Rasner the acrobats  and comedian. Flip Schultz- we had dinner in the fancier dining room since we dressed up a bit for New Years - they had a more upscale menu - the food was good . They had separate parties for New Years but embarrassing as this may be we didn’t make any of them - we stopped by and left before the New Year - we are very early risers and are certainly not night owls - Happy New Years !!!!! 
 

12 minutes ago, Tralfie said:

 I'm sailing out of NYC in March. I actually love sailing out of NYC, but haven't done it in a while. I'm curious... where do they do the testing? I'm being dropped off by a car service so I'm wondering if I should be dropped where I usually would (to hand over my luggage) or go to testing first? Are they done in the same general area? Thanks a billion for your thoughts! 

The testing is done in pier 90 - the luggage / ship is at pier 88. It’s a short walk. We dropped off our luggage then walked to get tested and back to 88 for check in - most people did the same - there were a few who had their luggage with them at the testing site but if you have a lot of luggage it would be a bit of a hassle - 

1 hour ago, WYB! said:

Hello,

 

Happy New Year!

 

What is working out in the gym like?

 

Thanks,

 

- WYB

I usually use the gym on cruises but I just had foot surgery so not exercising right now - I passed by a few times and it has been pretty quiet but always a few people working out - 

1 hour ago, natefish95 said:

Thanks for your posts! If you get a chance, could you find out if the thermal suite is open or if the free steam room in the gym locker room is open? 

The thermal spa is open - I was in the locker room and didn’t see any signs that anything was closed so I would assume the steam room was open - 

We had some breakfast at the buffet - the scrambled eggs with spinach , tomato and sausage was good and not overly dry like buffet eggs are usually and of course the bacon is always perfectly cooked - again the baked goods have been terrible at the buffet. We went to the Kennedy space center - we did this on our own and not a ship excursion- it was so crowded - I guess being a holiday week it was extra crowded - certainly was not a limited capacity - it was a great place but hard to do a lot with the crowds - the weather in Florida was beautiful - sunny 80 - after we got back we sat by the pool - had a drink and relaxed. I went to the spa and got a facial and massage and it was fantastic!!!!!! 
Our evening was our normal activities- trivia - show which was a magician and enjoyable and dinner at the orchid garden - again the food was very good. The crew continues to be cheery, and very attentive- 

the mask wearing hasn’t been as bad as I thought - everyone is complying for the most part - a few here and there rebel - anytime you are settled somewhere off they go- some keep them on sitting most fo not. 
There have been some good sales in the atrium each night -

we stopped at the kids glow party and the crew were basically dancing with each other - there is a very low number of kids on the ship which is so strange since it is Christmas week - I am missing the dynamic of the fun parties but then again we have been up and out really early and in bed by 10:30 most evenings 😆

On 12/27/2021 at 4:20 PM, mking8288 said:

Thank you, what a refreshing & positive thread posting on what's life onboard the Gem ... one of our favorite & been on her a few times. 

 

When you get a chance, can you kindly post who are the senior ship officers currently onboard, the CD and what's showing in the Stardust Theater, etc. (no need to rush, wait till you disembark & get home is perfectly fine, thank you in advance)

 

Don't forget to bring the 13 years old to visit the Bridge Viewing Room (Deck 11 Fwd port side), it is usually open - dawn to dusk on sea days, curtains closed or shut for navigation & safety reasons.  Guess where the ship captain's nice sleeping quarters, unmarked is located, hint hint - next door. 

I will check out the Bridge Viewing room - thanks - on one cruise we were able to get a full tour of the bridge and it was a great experience - 

Jasper is the CD - Captain Kim Karrison

General manager Joao Gigante 

shows in the theater first four evenings are Swing - Comedian Flip -- Hypnotist - Magician- 

Last night show Swing was pretty good - some boring numbers but mostly entertaining and great dancing . Dinner in the MDR was good not great but the service was great - the onion soup was good and the grilled veggies Mediterranean was great. All of the crew have been awesome. Dinner tonight was La Cucina and I have to stay it was a pleasant surprise- most of the food was delicious however, the pizza was underdone but they didn’t charge us for my sons meal since that was his entree.  The show was a hypnotist again kinda entertaining but some boring parts -

we woke up early today to have breakfast and make the 9:30 ferry to fort Sumter in Charleston SC - that was a great tour and very interesting- we then went to king street and walked  around and browsed some shops. Came back to ship had lunch at the buffet which was really the only option other then the grill - the Asian food was really good and the oatmeal cookies yummy ! We did some trivia and hit the arcade for a bit and my son won a Nintendo 2D which  I am sure I paid for 3 times over 😬however, he was so excited so I guess it’s worth it - off to bed now - tomorrow Port Carnaval and the Kennedy Space Center - 

Today started off sooooo windy it was hard to be outside but by the afternoon the weather changed a lot and it was beautiful- I spent some time reading on my balcony. There was a meet and greet for cruise critic and it was great meeting other users and the officers. We wandered around the ship and played some chess - arcade - balloon twisting class - we went to the art auction and secured a nice piece of art - had some lunch at O’ Sheehan’s - wings , spinach artichoke dip and chicken salad with a margarita. Everything was really good. We tried to do some trivia which we enjoy but I can’t get over how small the atrium is - I don’t know what Norwegian was thinking making that the center of everything on their ships - there is never a seat I swear it is worse then the pool deck on a sunny day - this ship is only at 60 percent capacity and still it is so difficult to enjoy the activities there . My husband brought my son to Entourage to hang out with some other kids at open house since he can’t be there himself - he enjoyed playing Mario smash brothers with some other boys. Came back to the cabin for a rest and get ready for the evening . 
Had some nice treats waiting for us - M&M’s - gummies - chocolate plate. 
Tonight we will see the early showing of Swing and then dinner at MDR - 

5 hours ago, vadersprincess12 said:

Hi Smileonboard ~ we will be sailing on the day you come back.  What is the passenger capacity onboard?  

 

I'll be following your posts to get a feel for what our cruise will be like.  We chose a 1:30 check-in time because we have to drive 4 hours and didn't want to feel rushed so hopefully the testing at that time will be smooth.

I think it will be quiet at that time - when we were walking out at there was no line - very orderly- 

I was told the capacity is around 60 percent. 
Hope you have a great trip- 

4 hours ago, goldmom said:

Thank you for posting.  We love the Gem and I watched your sail away yesterday on the NYC port cam.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

Do you know who the Concierge is?  Thanks!

We have only been on the larger Norwegian ships so it’s a nice change but I must admit our favorite is the escape - we are going on the joy in the summer so we will see. The crew has been great - the concierge is Suzana Bajramovic - 

Some sail away pictures from our cabin. We are in a aft facing suite. 

This is how I start my cruise every time - sitting outside with a margarita- it’s been over 2 years so was a wonderful feeling to be back. This is the first time we are on the Gem - we have been on the Escape and the Getaway. This is our 10 th cruise. The buffet was really good for lunch and it is still self serve. Great choices - wasn’t crazy for the desserts- they look better then they tasted. Salad bar options were great. My son really enjoyed the pizza and chicken soup .Everyone had their masks on and as soon as settled at the table took them off . 

So far the one big con for us ( which we knew before we sailed ) is no kids club. My son turns 13 in 4 weeks but they will not allow him in the teen club and splash academy is closed. He loves going to the kids club so he is a little disappointed. He went to the arcade and we did Trivia and saw the welcome abroad show where Flip did comedy and it was enjoyable- We ate at Moderno and it was great- the salad bar is awesome and the meats were cooked to medium - medium rare. The banana caramel meringue tart was incredible ! 
 

I boarded the Gem yesterday from NY- I have really found it helpful to read about other’s experiences as I was waiting to cruise. It was certainly a bit of a different experience preparing for this cruise with all the stories looming around . Our experience was good. I am traveling with my hubby and 12 year old son. We drove to the port - parking was easy but expensive. We walked over to pier 90 - we had 9:00 check in  so the testing hadn’t started yet. We had to wait 1/2 hour then it was super quick. We tested and waited about another 1/2 hr for the results. From there got our wristbands and went over to pier 88 - we have a suite so checkin was so easy and we were on board by 11. However, the regular checkin was organized and lines were not terrible. The ship left port around 4:40.if anyone has any questions about boarding or the Gem I would be happy to answer. I will post about our experience throughout the cruise. 

5 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

#1 favorite margarita of all time? Mezcalitos on the East Side of Cozumel... The perfect balance of flavors, even though I know how strong these little things are. #2 would be The Liquor Box, AKA: Welcome to Miami Bar, also on the East Side of Cozumel... They squeeze the fruit straight in front of you...

 

 

 

 

They look awesome - now I have a craving for a grapefruit margarita yum 😋 

Have a great cruise !!!!!