RBrowny

So just to be clear, we don't need to test before we arrive? Do we have to show our vaccine status as well?

I'm assuming the free at sea, covers the premium beverage package? If so, with the beers are they bottles or are they from the draught? 

I have just googled, and this could be the most up to date menu?https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-beverage-package.pdf

3 minutes ago, David1975 said:

Good luck!! I hope you get what you're after, and enjoy your cruise 

Thank you, I hope the same for you!

1 minute ago, David1975 said:

Unfortunately not, i was hoping to get balcony approval but got accepted for Oceanview.

With this being our first cruise, and a relatively new member on here, and not reading up on the process,  i may have just bid on the balcony and hoped for the best. 

Can't complain as we've been assigned an oceanview with a large picture window in what seems like a great area of the ship

Happy days! we've put a bid in for both. Hoping we get a balcony, it will be my partners first cruise, so having that little bonus will be great. I think even a window will do well enough for us!

11 minutes ago, David1975 said:

I was the same as yourself, bid on oceanview and balcony, and my bids were nearly at the lowest rate possible. I sail on Sunday and got my upgrade accepted a week ago

Wow that's brilliant, did you get both accepted? If so, do you get to choose?

Silly question but how likely are upgrade bids likely to be accepted? I've put two bids in, one for balcony and one for sea view window. I didn't select the lowest, but the second lowest bid that's acceptable. Do you think we have a chance? This is for the NCL Gem

On 7/27/2022 at 7:59 PM, rmurray847 said:

This is what my wife and I usually do.  Try them both early on, and see what we like.  We tend to lean towards the "fancier" locale that's AFT because it's just a bit more luxurious feeling.  And on sea days, you should be able to enjoy both lunch and breakfast there as well.  We vastly prefer that option for breakfast compared to buffet. 

I think the AFT one looks perfect for me and my partner, but will try both out to see which is best.

On 7/29/2022 at 12:55 AM, don't-use-real-name said:

For photos images of both dining rooms LINK:

 

Norwegian Gem Deck 6 Deck Plans (cruisedeckplans.com)

 

Click on the little camera icons for the photos

 

The Menu is the same and shared by the same Galley between the two dining rooms.

 

Note while both dining rooms are on deck 6 - 4 elevators (main atrium) service

the Magneta DR and ONLY 1 (aft elevator bank) services the GP DR - - -

Able body folks Please use the stairs and leave that one elevator for HC and

elderly mobility impaired guests (bad design by NCL)

Thank you, I didn't know they had pictures of the both, but you can quite clearly tell the difference. Really appreciate it!

On 7/29/2022 at 12:31 AM, UKstages said:

grand pacific all the way.

 

magenta is OK, with the same menu as others have noted... but it's much smaller and noisier and the overall atmosphere is lacking. also, the ceiling is much lower... grand pacific is much, well, grander (as someone upthread has noted).

I think that's the theme, a lot of people have said the same thing so that makes sense. Thanks for your comments!

Just now, dcipjr said:

 

I believe that Magenta is only open for dinner. Grand Pacific is open for breakfast and lunch.

Oh brilliant, and with the breakfast and lunch, is it a set menu?

Thank you for all your comments, it's very much appreciated. I think what's best for us, is to try them both and see which we prefer. Do they offer breakfast service at these two, I know on previous cruises you can order a breakfast to your table? That wasn't part of the buffet.

Just now, shof515 said:

there is not difference and it is free. the menu is the same

 

yes you can get a table for 2

Perfect, thank you. 

Just a different venue, with the same menu - that makes sense. If you've been, what do you prefer?

I'm still trying to get all my research done before we go, but what is the difference between the two dining rooms? Also, as it's free dining, are you put on a bigger table with other people, or do you get put in the same place if available. Me and my partner are going, so was wondering if we would have a table for 2?

Thanks in advance.

4 hours ago, Sue Do-Over said:

The casino shouldn't be a problem overhead.  Always carpeted, no dancing, no loud music.  Nobody dragging chairs around for games or dinner or events.  Really, not even a lot of foot traffic...  most of us gamblers pick a spot and stay put for hours.

Far worse are under the kitchen/galley, where the slamming fridge doors and non-stop rolling carts IMHO.

Yeah, you are correct. That's put my mind at ease, so thank you.

8 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Thoughts on the margin - - -

The Casinos are generally carpeted 

There is a pedestrian traffic pattern (path through the area forward-aft or v-v)

Foot traffic over your cabin location -

Noisy machines (one arm bandits) are not everywhere - gaming tables not the problem

Casinos are open while at SEA but not while in port - night time sleeping ?

Optimum you would want the casino closed while trying to sleep - problem !

Smoking - Ventilation - air flow might be a problem but smoke goes up in well smoke

you are below the smoke - no problem - - -

 

Upon further review - - -

 

Post #6 by mking8288 pegs 5553 correctly right under the Le Bistro restaurant

a quiet restaurant no carts or galley noise - open for evening dinner hours only.

 

The only problem I see is the l-o-n-g passageway corridor outside your cabin door

with potentially foot traffic and guest noise from that ?

Good central location - elevator and stairway noise free - motion sickness free

 

Cruise well ! 

Thank you for summarising this all for me, and taking into account absolutely everything. You and the other commenters have definitely helped, so I know that this room will be suitable. My partner has never been on a cruise before, so mid ship might be the best spot for this. Thanks again!

9 hours ago, Cruiseandgamble said:

 

No problem at all.  I was originally booked in 5556 (OV) on my January Gem cruise but bid on a balcony and won, otherwise I'd have first-hand knowledge of any noise in that area.

Yeah, I am thinking of bidding on a better room if/when the email comes through to do it. 

21 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Ah, don't worry, mate.  We're all been busy & pre-occupied with global news lately ... this helps.

 

That's port side and put you basically, just about directly below Le Bistro French Restaurant's entrance, probably part of it toward the "white space" or service area, behind the dining area.  It should be somewhat near the host/ess & welcome station or walk path - usually not a problem at all for the evening hours with dining open there.  Odds are good that you won''t really hear any loud music or band playing above on Deck 6, it's a lounge for piano music, with a duet pair singing - nothing late into the evening hours (unless you are the early birds, rise-n-shine and asleep by 10 p.m. mindset)  It's not open for breakfast & I would not expect any noise before 10 a.m. if crew has to move furniture around, i.e. to setup & prepare for private/group functions in the late morning)

 

If you go back to the link, go up to Deck 6 - click the 2 photos by the "t" (Le B ... Res ..."t') - that should be pretty close to where your stateroom below is situated.  If by some strange or unexplained reasons, you get loud & troublesome noise late night, just call the front desk and alert them. 

Don't worry, I can't envisage us going to bed early. Got to make the absolute most of the cruise and money we've spent on it, so absolutely no complaints from me regarding that. I will definitely go to front desk if there's too much noise, but definitely feel a lot more at ease because of the responses. 

Thanks again!

6 minutes ago, Cruiseandgamble said:

I’ll be on the Gem this coming Sunday.  If you let me know the cabin number I’ll walk down a couple of evenings and check out the noise in the hallway.

That would be amazing, but please don’t go out of your way to do that. The cabin is 5553 on deck 5.

12 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

Hmmm, saw your initial post and it isn't easy for me (at least) to give you a guestimate, based on what I knew & to think, whether it might be noisy or not.  Not knowing your (approxiate) ??? cabin # - besides being midship - port or starboard side ???  - aside from being on Deck 5.

 

Here is a link to Deck 5's map - and you can do a side-by-side comparison for Deck 6, open/shrink webpage windows on a desktop monitor's screen, or with a transparent overlay - you should be able to see whether you are below one of the bars, the gaming area (slot machines or gaming tables, cashier cage, etc.) 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/deckbydeck.php?ship=Norwegian-Gem&deck=6

 

We once had an oceanview on Deck 5 midship, starboard side & never heard a thing above us ... right about in the middle of that corridor.  I can also caution you some of that white space (non-public area) on Deck 6 above is the kitchen/gallery and service area - you can expect to hear some noises, depending on the hours of the day - as they open up & prepare, or reset their service carts, etc. (however, not at 12 midnight or 5:30 a.m.)  Kindly give "us" a little more specific info to work with ... 

 

Happy planning for your cruise, you still have mucho time to make changes. 

 

I have tried to do the side by side comparison, and can’t quite work out where abouts we are. It could be underneath the bar for all I know, the room number is 5553.

Apologise for not providing the information originally, it completely slipped my mind.

I’ve still not heard anything, can anyone help please 

Hi,

Booked a cruise for later this year and have just been checking our deck and the deck above and below, I've noticed we are directly underneath the Casino. It's an interior cabin in the mid-ship. Do you think it will be noisy? I am trying to work out if we are directly underneath the casino or directly underneath several bars? Can anyone help please and is it worth trying to move rooms?

Thank you!

9 hours ago, mking8288 said:

@RBrowny - mate, glad that was helpful.  Yes, I am pretty sure MSG was used to enhance flavoring in their cooking (and, they are even in those light soy sauce) but if you are allegic, probably can alert Special Needs ahead and request to see if they can omit or not use it.  They're open mainly for nightly dinner only, but, it won't hurt to check on embarkation day to see if they might be available for lunch - or perhaps on sea days if it is on a longer itinerary.  It was (is) complimentary, except for the some of the sushi & sashimi menu items - no idea if and what changes were made within this past year restarting the fleet.  Portions were petite so two can order several entrees to share, plus the starter ... skip the chicken egg drop & cream corn soup or the hot & sour soup (maybe called something similar) as those were horrible - the noodles soup/broth were okay.  The menu is somewhat identical to the ones found on Shanghai Noodles on the *Away/+ class ships.  

 

For whatever reasons, it was so popular on our New England/Canada cruise that year ... reservations were filling up fast but we managed to eat there on Day 2 when most're headed for Cagney & LeBistro ... and, the sweets/dessert choices were different than the chocolate stuff in the MDR & everywhere else.  Plus, if the hostess can seat you closer or near the entrance, you can listen to the lounge/piano music & singer(s) from the atrium below.  

 

Happy, safe & healthy cruising, enjoy.  

Oh I love MSG, hence why I'm asking haha! Got to love a Chinese that adds MSG to it's food 😉 

9 hours ago, DuckTollerFans said:

Just outside Orchid Garden is the sushi bar.  We didn't eat at O.G., but very much enjoyed the sushi on a couple of nights.  It was quite good - better than some 'land' restaurants we've been to.  We paid a la carte and found the prices on rolls to be reasonable.   We had this as a pre-show "snack" and had dinner after the shows.   The staff was very attentive, too. 

 

I'm looking forward to their sushi again.

I guess if it's included, it's definitely worth visiting at least once to say you've done it sort of thing.

2 hours ago, JGmf said:

Just one guy's opinion, but the Orchard Garden, at least my experience on the Gem this past December, is no better than the Asian food on buffet.  Nothing special at all.

Is the Asian food similar then, not sure what to expect from the buffet.

2 hours ago, Cruising Lynne said:

We ate there on the Gem on our last cruise before shut down. I recommend getting the five spice chocolate cake. It was very good. Based on the name, I was a little nervous, but it was delicious. Pot stickers and crispy calamari were also good. Don't recall what entrees we had so they must have been okay, but not stand outs.

We enjoyed going there as it was a good change from the other complimentary restaurants. Very happy that it did not cost extra unless you get sushi. 

Five spice chocolate cake sounds wrong, but also sounds so right - will definitely try that. Like you say, nice to try something different, so I'm happy either way.

22 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

We sailed the GEM and Dawn just before the Covid-19 shut down cruises in early 2020 - I have the "old" Bamboo menu from the Dawn, which is basically the same as the ones on the Gem's Orchid Garden - it was fine, not as good as years ago, some of the better & fancier choices gone or replaced (due mostly to rising food costs & budget ...)  Didn't post the Gem's Asian menu from later 2019 as it was virtually the same - go straight to page 5, post #118 directly. 

 

The menu will give you some ideas of what to expect, plus photos - there're more photos if you browse thru that entire review, as we dined there twice.   Someone currently on the Gem (and/or the Dawn) can probably post or upload the latest ones ... I haven't kept up with the restart of the mid-sized ships in the fleet to chase after these menu changes myself.  

 

That's amazing, thank you very much. Just had a look, looks perfect and varied - I wonder if they use MSG in the cooking. But that's still a decent menu with a few different choices, is it just for evening meal or can you go for lunch? I think it will be nice to try. 

Thanks again for sharing your experiences. 

3 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

Sorry, deleted

 

Ah no problem, was hoping someone has it 

Hi, 

I'm so engrossed by the main dining room and the speciality restaurants, that I've not given the Orchid Garden a think about. Does anyone have a recent menu for here? I believe it's included, similar to O'Sheenans and was wondering what the menu looks like.

Many thanks!

5 minutes ago, natefish95 said:

Don't stress. You'll see a wide variety of everything. Some nights in the MDR I would wear khaki shorts, nice brown flip flops, and a Polo Ralph Lauren t-shirt. Wear what you feel comfortable in! That's the beauty of freestyle cruising. 

Thank you again! You’ve definitely put me at a lot more ease now! Now I’m all excited, but it’s still another 200 days to go haha!

30 minutes ago, natefish95 said:

Thank you! I think jeans, shoes, and a t shirt would definitely be acceptable now and in the future. You will see people way more casual than that. Pants are also required in Le Bistro and Cagney's but it's not so strict that it would restrict jeans. 

I think we would be choosing the teppanyaki in any case, but probably wearing a polo.
 

the thing is, I don’t wear cheap clothes like cheap shop clothes. It’s more designer but it’s never shirts, I do wear a polo so maybe that’s more suitable.

Obviously I don’t want to be the only person wearing a tshirt if it’s like that, or be rejected. 

Wow, I am impressed. Thank you for sharing this with us all. It seems the food is above what I initially expected, so I am really happy to see this. You have covered absolutely everything, and it's brilliant that you have done so much. I am looking forward to the 24/7 bar, I think that will serve a purpose when hungry in the evenings. 

I was meaning to ask, do you think the dress code might change for evening meal in the MDR? I really only wear jeans, smart shoes and a t-shirt. Will this be acceptable, or not?

Would love to know what the food was like, and if you enjoyed it! Hope you had an amazing time!

10 hours ago, Daytonasailor said:

Not really on our trip. Got off GA last week and my double Bailey's on the rocks was one drink. I'd hand the barman my card and my DW's card for her drink too. They would only take one card for both drinks. I don't know if it has anything to do with the current lesser amount of people on board or not. They were being very nice to us.

Interesting, thank you for sharing. We are going a bit later in the year so it might change, but we can always ask!

13 hours ago, complawyer said:

you can google it and look it up on you tube. marano glass factory. if im not mistaken, its a venetian institution

3 hours ago, Hutcha said:

Take her to the Murano hotel in Tacoma as a consolation prize. There's a glass museum a few blocks away.  

We are actually staying at one of the Murano Hotel's when we go, don't think it's the Tacoma one. Well obviously, as that's in America, but the one in Venice is where we're staying