whenisthemidnightbuffet?

DH and I just returned from the Gem/Bahama sailing on Saturday. We had a great time and met some wonderful fellow cruisers. We have sailed on the Gem several times before this cruise and are looking forward to sailing the Gem again next year. We were told at our M&G that they were rolling out their new menus this week and found that we enjoyed some of the new selections they offered. Our Meet and Greet was a bust. Only 6 showed up, there were more NCL officers in attendance than CC members. We did not encounter any long lines or waits for dining or for bar beverages (we had UBP). The Orchid restaurant was always very busy, we expected this since they removed the fee, but enjoyed a very nice dinner there one evening w/o much of a wait (maybe thanks to the concierge helping us out). The portions are on the small side but we ordered so many different dishes to share and were quite stuffed when we left. Never sailed with Captain Lars before and found him delightful with an awesome sense of humor.

Our weather was not "great" but it was not a bust either. However one evening there was an insane storm and our boat listed I don't know maybe 20 degrees. We were on a lower deck at the time but it was quite obvious. The captain announced that the winds were hurricane strength and that he was going to turn the ship head on into the wind to stop it from causing us to "tilt". Seemed to have worked! Heard from others on the higher decks that things were falling and breaking. We made it to GSC with no problems and enjoyed a somewhat cloudy but lovely day. This is my favorite port on this itin. since I am not a fan of Nassau nor Pt. Canaveral. We stayed on the ship in Pt. Canaveral as did so so many others. The weather did seem a bit threatening when we arrived and heard from others who ventured out to Cocoa Beach that when they arrived there they were turned away because they were closing the beach because of the thunder/lightning. They were a littled pissed after spending money on cab fare to and from. Can't say I blame them but it was clearly not a great beach day when we arrived in port and it was their decision to head on out.

Found the service in the MDR, and all of the specialties that we went to, to be excellent. Bar staff very friendly and attentive. They had many tastings on sea days wine, beer, martini etc. and had a decent turn out from what I could see.

Spent most of our evenings in the casino and did not get to many of the shows. Saw Second City and as much as I enjoy them do wish they would roll out some new material. It was pretty much the same old, same old and observed many audience members walking out on the show. Saw magician and his show was enjoyable. However, he did way more talking than magic tricks but his magic was awesome.

All in all we had a great week and are looking forward to our next voyage. Any questions I'd be happy to respond, if I can.

Thanks for your review and all of the current updates. Sorry the weather didn't cooperate in Bermuda this time. Welcome Home.

I don't spend much time on this section of cc, and don't agree that people should give snarky comments to others, but when I read that initial comment I thought to myself, if cc closed every thread after the initial question was answered there wouldn't be many threads still open.

LOL, that can be true, but yours would have been a much nicer way to have responded. :):)

I am so enjoying your "live" reporting. I have been on the Gem several times with several more upcoming and feel as if I am kind of seeing the ship for the first time. You are doing an amazing job and hope you continue to have an amazing cruise. Thank you. :):):):)

Again? You ask this on every thread related to the recent policy changes, and who knows how many others. Just unsubscribe, Harriet. Unsubscribe. It's under "Thread Tools" at the top.

Seriously, you believe this comment was necessary.

17 NCL cruises sailed and 3 more booked. :):):)

The OP is a very respected member of the Ncl family and I would trust what she says as gospel.

I am in total agreement with you. And thank you Suzaane for the info.:)

They show movies in the Atrium, I think every night (late though after 10 for sure and maybe around 12) and I have also seen some awesome 3D movies in their theater, but you have to look through the dailies for the day and time of showing.

This all just seems absurd. They can't be serious, at least in enforcing this. 99% of the folks won't even know this rule if they are not on CC and are seasoned cruisers who won't read the fine print (or anything for that matter) in the daily. I cannot imagine them being able to enforce this and if they try they really should direct this energy to enforcing the "no saving lounge chairs". I don't often, if ever, eat beyond the restaurants normally (because I tend to eat like a little piggy at all of my meals) but this just makes me want to take food out and about.:D

I, sorry if that looks blurry...it is a screenshot on my iPad. The link is https://www.ncl.com/udp/faq

 

This is the verbiage...

 

For Sailings on or after July 3rd, 2015

The Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) is available via pre-sell or onboard purchase on days 1 and 2 of the voyage only. On 3-day sailings the package is only for sale on day 1. No refunds are available if fewer restaurants are visited. The UDP is nontransferable. Reservations are not required for UDP guests, however, tables reserved onboard will be subject to availability for reservations made 24 hours in advance. We encourage you to log in to My NCL to make dining reservations in advance for specific night(s) of your cruise. An 18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to the package price. A 25% discount applies to all a la carte and entertainment based dining and select Specialty Restaurants (Not included in the Ultimate Dining Package). These venues include: Sushi, Raw Bar, Food Republic, Hot Rock, Tapas Bar, Noodle Bar, Ocean Blue, Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, The Cellars, The District, Murder Mystery, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Illusionarium, Supper Club, Wine Lovers, Pajama Jam, Bayamo and Pincho by Jose Garces. The UDP does not include beverages or corresponding gratuity. No kids pricing available for UDP. Excludes all 1 and 2 day sailings. Includes add-ons in Le Bistro such as Fruit de Mer, Lobster and Cote De Boeuf. Does not apply to special occasion/holiday menus (New Year’s, Christmas, etc.). Latitudes Platinum Guests will receive a $20 discount on the UDP (as they receive 1 complimentary dinner in Le Bistro). $10 per each additional main course will be charged in Le Bistro & Cagney’s. Chef’s Table, Jazz Brunch, Carlo’s Bake Shop items, Ice Cream Bar, Pizza 24/7 and Gelato are not part of the package.

I may be mistaken but I believe in the past when they discussed Add-Ons, as they do about Le Bistro above, Cagneys used to be mentioned with an add-on (but can't remember what that add-on was, lobster perhaps?).

No more CAS boarding UGH that was one of the best perks for us. It should at least be for golden and VIP's...Stupid move by CAS

 

This really is a CAS downgrade!

I don't think he meant no CAS separate boarding, but took it that no VIP CAS boarding, where they are treated pretty much exactly like suite guests at the pier. Never been a CAS VIP so not sure how nicely they are treated. Anyway, that is just my interpretation of what was said, hoping I'm right, lol.

Well, a lot has changed now making being HOT, GOLDEN or VIP even less of a perk.

 

I am GOLDEN, so no more Royal VIP Treatment, so no breakfast of lunch like suite guests on older ships. (You did not get that on EPIC, Breakaway or Getaway).

 

No more VIP check in and getting on the ship before others like suite guests. This one was very nice on previous trips.

 

No more cigars or cigarettes, also was a nice perk before

 

No more 'daily' spa passes for 2. You now get a SPA credit, a different amount based on level. For me if was $150, which got my wife a 1 week pass to thermal suite, but not for me unless I wanted to pay for it. Well that is not much of a perk. So before I could spend time with my wife in the SPA for being GOLDEN, now we were separated if she wanted to go to the SPA, which of course I told her she should enjoy. After 3 days she stopped going so it was a waste for us.

 

We did still get invited to VIP party with other suite guests. Another problem I had was we are still supposed to get VIP disembarkation, last time I was GOLDEN I received a letter explaining the process, this time I had to talk to 3 different people who all pretended like I did not know what I was talking about. Since we were driving home, it was very important to me to get escorted off the ship as one of the first few people so I could get on the road ASAP. We were taking our own luggage, only 4 pieces for the 3 of us, so in the morning we did save at least an hour by getting to partake in the VIP disembarkation.

 

What I did not like is that the main Casino Host and Concierge made it seem like they were doing me a favor to partake in a program that is clearly listed on the NCL Casino at Seas website

 

You still get a casino dinner, but so many people have Ultimate Dining I think they should offer something else as an alternative

Thanks for the update. May I ask, with your casino comped dinner did you receive the comp bottle of wine? Someone posted this week on the boards that the wine is no longer incuded with the cas comped meal

Sailed with my 19 yo son on BA 3/15 (during spring break) and no problem with the casino allowing him to give them his money.:D

Thank you for taking the time to post the drink menus, very helpful.:)

Some of these post are making me think a bit about our last couple of NCL cruises.

 

I remember the days when you would see the stripes everywhere.

 

HD,F&B section managers would be out and about checking things, you could not go a day without seeing them all at least once in a service area.

 

Food places, all three meals no matter where you dined you would see a visit, chating with some of the passengers, bars in the evening, head waiter and bar manager were on walkabout.

 

These last couple much reduced visibility everywhere, on the last trip we saw the Captain more than the hotel seniors.

 

Anyone else get the feeeling that the old visibility model has been watered down?

 

Having said that on Oasis TA last year ALL the seniors went into hiding after the complaints started, some were never seen for the full cruise. the cruise director only did the "duties" never seen anywhere else on the ship.

I too have noticed the decline in their visibility and interaction. I was hoping it just seemed that way because I have been sailing the Breakaway and attibuted it to size of the ship and the size of its passengers capacity that made it less intimate but deep down I felt it was something more!

I see no humor in the profiling of where people are from. Just dont think it should be encouraged IMHO

I was agreeing with a previous poster who thinks OP needs sensitivity training, not encouraging anyone, since I found his comment offensive about NY and NJ but didn't want to be aggressive in getting my point across.

Am I the only person who has a problem with how the OP characterizes people they encountered on their cruise? What is the point of referring to a subset of pax as the NY Floating Retirement Home group, the LGBT group or the loud middle aged bar group, etc? I was enjoying the review until I read these comments. Why refer to Pete as an "old guy"? Sorry but either I need a thicker skin or the OP could do with some sensitivity training. I'm definitely in the older demographic and proud of it.

Don't feel bad, though I was not on this sailing if I were I would be considered one of the "loud mouthed new york/new jersey cruisers who were annoying to say the least". LOL!

That is fantastic, good for you Stephen. Enjoy!:)

monkeybone,

Don't think it matter unless we take it to the next level national tv/paper.

"Like"

Help me Howard

Better Get Baquero

Since it is a New York Ship these are NY News Personalities.

On NCL website under UDP, they had the text saying....

 

Starting with 4/1/14 sailing on BA, GA, and one other ship, you'll get the dinner show for FREE on Embark day.

 

Did NCL removed it since I cannot find the text?

Not sure I remember the exact wording you are quoting, but just this morning received their email about extending the 50% deposit through 4/6 with the Freestyle Choice Spectacular and the link to the Terms and Conditions takes you to the exact wording posted here that on embarkation day there is no charge. It also says nothing about sailing after 7/1. This is what is so infuriating about what the reps are telling her, they are clearly wrong.

I have already been told by all NCL workers I am not entitled for 4 different reasons.

And that goes for Cagneys too so why the heck would I take the UDP?

Why hasn't the supervisor Elizabeth called me back?

This is beyond Unbelievable! The T&C clearly says it can be booked at no cost first day. Are they all idiots that work there. Do they not see their errors or as you say, this has just become a pissing match?

NCL CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE YOU KIDDING, THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER PLEASE.

Because I was lied to three times today by NCL do you think I'm going to stand online at the customer service desk for something that NCL is refusing to fix now.

 

They tried to rip me off whenisthemidnightbuffet? by telling me I don't get that night free only when I told them I am speaking to people on cruise critic did they say they will call me tomorrow and if its sold out then I have to pay.

That is Outrageous. I sure hope whoever calls you tomorrow has some shred of sense. This perk is clearly stated as included in UDP, they use it as a selling point. Really sad to see NCL sinking so low:(

I hear you, kids will probably have an amazing time in the waterpark.

I can imagine how upset you are about Cirque. I still can't believe they are not fixing this for you. Why not just book it and pay for it now, once onboard go to Guest Services and have them credit you with OBC because clearly they are giving it to people for free with the UDP on your sailing. Or just call excursion/dining customer service in a week or so and say, hey they actually charged my card for this, it's supposed to be free. Don't even mention that you were told it couldn't be booked, as Clearly It Can.

Absolutely! I am sailing with two friends and their two daughters (first cruise for them) thats why I picked the dining plan. I would cancel all together but the kids are so excited!

 

And I foolishly have bragged to them about NCL UGH how things have changed in a week!

Change ships! Come and join me and DH on The Gem for June 27th, you are still outside of final payment today and the promo is still running. :):):):)

Oh, BTW... With the THOUSANDS of people on NCL ships only one person posted this... C'mon.

Not saying if this is true or not, however, on the thousands of people on the 3/15/15 sailing I was the only one who posed about the 18% at specialties.