OnTheGoMom921
-
Posts
1,267 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by OnTheGoMom921
-
-
Thank you, we will be on the Encore in May and I'm still looking for as much info as I can glean. Good to know about the slow meal times, as we don't want to miss our show reservations. Sorry about your camera and photos, that sucks! Quick question if you can help. We have an aft balcony (I'm a suite girl, but going with a group who wouldn't be in Haven and would prefer to hang with the group more if we can) however, we did put in a bid for a Spa Mini (M9) and the only cabin locations are on deck 15 and are by the ocean loops (deck 16) the loops dip down below the pool deck and I'm not sure if they cross right in front of the M9 balconies on deck 15. Any insight would help. I already feel like the upgrade would be a downgrade as the aft balconies on 12 are large, and there really isn't much more space in a mini than a balcony. Only reason to even try for that upsell bid would be for the spa passes. Have a great time and hope the weather gets better!
-
While I have never booked a GTY cabin, I have participated in the upgrade bidding process. Sometimes the new cabin they assigned me was listed on my "MyNCL" page online, you know the one where you do the check in process, before I received any email with my successful upgrade bid acceptance. Check there first.
You will always get a balcony or better with a GTY balcony, however, the location is a total crapshoot. Have a wonderful cruise!
-
Enjoy your villa! There are NO drawbacks to dining in your suite. While I've never had a villa, we did enjoy dining in our H6, the aft balconies are huge. Your butler will deliver breakfast, lunch and dinner from all specialty restaurants. On the Star, your breakfast and lunches are at Cagney's (or Moderno for breakfast) and you have the full menu to choose from. Ask your butler to serve outside in your private courtyard...it's a real treat to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner that way. They will set up at dining table as well, complete with linens and all. We actually would request breakfast the evening before, complete with a delivery time. We would get a phone call from the butler about 5 minutes before delivery, that served as our wake up call each morning. You will be so spoiled after your cruise...as a busy mom with four kids, PLEASE ask the butler to do EVERYTHING for you!!! You deserve the break. Have an incredible time!!
-
3
-
-
We were in 11018 on the Gem, 2 bedroom suite. Great room, comes with all the suite amenities except the small haven pool area. You still get everything else. Breakfast was in Moderno and lunch was Cagney's. We also had full served breakfast/lunch (anything from the Moderno/Cagneys menus) delivered to our room via the butler. No need for regular room service or room service menu. Embarkation is done same as haven. In NYC we were in the small Suite lounge and were first upon the ship with the concierge groups. We did receive priority disembarking as well as priority tender. Everything you would have if your room was on the haven deck. Choose the 11012 suite, you won't be sorry you have a quiet area above you. We had no issues with noise at all. Enjoy your cruise!
-
Thanks, I'm sorry if this is redundant..but with imessaging, to use it - didn't you have to still purchase a wifi package? We do have iPhones, so would love to use whatever is most reliable to keep in touch easily and quickly!
I plan on getting the social media plan just for my phone so that we can keep in touch with our pet-sitter back home...but if iMessage works without buying a plan then I certainly want to use it :)
Thank you!
No WiFi package needed to run the IConcierge app on your phones, just the 1x charge per phone of $9.95 But you can only talk to people on the ship. I think it was .80 per minute for outside calls, it didn't work all the time on the Gem, had better service at times, disconnected at others. If you are in a suite, there is a cordless phone that you can take with you anywhere on the ship. Teens can call "room" from any house phone on ship and your cordless will ring.
Even without the cordless phones in regular rooms, your children can call the room number from any house phone and leave a voice message for you as well. The pen and paper works great in your cabin as well...our DD would leave us notes telling us where she was heading and when she'd be back. To get in touch with people back home, used facebook messenger with the wifi and texted. I've also used skype, but from ports, never from the ship. It was the way we got in touch with our dog sitter at home as well.:D
-
Anyone know what restaurants are open for breakfast on the GEM, we used the Brazilian one when on the Sun. less manic than the Garden cafe
"The Brazilian one" is Moderno, and is used only for suite guests for breakfast. However, the MDR (Grand Pacific) is open for breakfast, as well as O'Sheehans as stated above. The Garden Cafe buffet is hectic, however, the overflow can go into LaCucina , which is delightful...and usually empty. You can also take a quick few steps out the back sliding door of Cucina out to the Great Outdoors, which also has a buffet set up and refill your plate or your coffee...and grab a Mimosa or Bloody Mary from the bar out there as well!! Just sayin! ;p:D
-
Very nice tribute to the BA! I watched as she was being built, all the while anticipating every photo posted here and chose the fabulous H6 aft suite with the different floor plan on Deck 11 as our home away from home during its inaugural season here in NYC! It was a fabulous way to cruise to Bermuda. I'm going to miss her!
-
@mking...Hi back at ya! We are a bit "Gem'd out" having done our last 5 cruises in two years on her. We won't be heading out in April...but we are thinking about hopping on board the Escape when she makes her way up here, possibly when our DD gets home from college this summer.
Enjoy your cruise...we really were happy with the Entertainment Crew changes on the Gem. Added to the enjoyment of our entire trip. Hope you all have the chance to cruise with Lorena & Evan as CD & Asst. CD
-
We were on the Gem 3 times this past year, parties definitely depend on the CD. We had Mark twice, and only had White Hot Party.
When Lorena took over on the Gem (we were on the 10 day) the themed parties were:
1st night - Welcome aboard dance party @ spinnaker
2nd night - Norwegian night out party @ Spinnaker
3rd night - 70's Groovalicius Dance party @ Spinnaker
5th night - Latin Fiesta with cruise staff @ Poolside
6th night - Caribbean Dance party @ Poolside
7th night - Rock the Gem - 80's rock night @ Poolside
9th night - White Hot Party @ Spinnaker
10th night - 80's Glow dance party @ Bliss
Each of these took place from 10:30 pm - closing and the CD on board is directly responsible for the activities. We were so happy that the Gem got some new energy from Lorena. Prior to her, the Gem didn't have some of the newer themes that the larger ships have. It was such a bore the previous two times we were on this past year. NCL!! Please take note, your CD's matter to your clientele!!!
-
Was on the Gem in January, new CD Lorena was wonderful. White Hot Party still a thing on the Gem, although Lorena has added additional theme nights. One was 80's Rock night, which might suit your "jeans/black shirt guy" better. The assistant CD, Evan, wore denim, concert tee, vest, and hair band wig with bandana...even got up with the band to sing. Ours was a 10 day cruise and had at least 4 themed party nights, along with the White Hot Party. Enjoy your cruise.
-
The aft suites are SF category, not SE, although the amenities remain the same, the forward suites (SE) have larger balconies. We loved our SF on deck 10. Deck 10 have the deepest balconies and ours had 2 lounge chairs as well as 2 regular chairs and a small end table. The DVD players are gone, as suites now have unlimited movies on demand free of charge, the movie menu is on the on screen guide on the television. Suites also now have Nespresso machines and pods, as opposed to the Lavazza machines that used to be in the suites.
If you can, you may want to change your SF to a different deck, as deck 8 are the smallest balcony depth and are located above Bliss lounge, you may hear some music or vibrations from the bass speakers below your cabin.
Either way, enjoy your cruise!
-
Was on the Gem in Jan, after the improve group was gone. Didn't see any murder mystery lunch, but they did have 10 minute murder mystery with the cruise staff during afternoons in Magnums a few times on our 10 day cruise. These are listed in the Dailies.
-
10 am is absolutely perfect time to arrive at NY Pier. You will spend less time getting thru the TSA check in and it will be easier to find an empty seat to wait until boarding (usually starts around 11:30 am) along with the added bonus of a lower boarding number for arriving early!
Enjoy exploring the ship since you will have most of the day before sail away. The crew tries to steer everyone toward the buffet upon boarding. However, if you prefer a slower pace, the MDR is open and serving a relaxing meal while you wait for your stateroom to be ready. Bring some items in your carry on so you may enjoy the ship until your luggage arrives (ie, bathing suit for hot tub or pool, etc)
Grab a ship map if you are new to the Gem, in atrium on deck 7 when you board. Take some photos in front of the balloon arch, and go explore each deck and familiarize yourself with the layout...be prepared for some strange dead ends and turn arounds on deck 6/7 between Grand Pacific MDR and Magenta dining room. Walk around outside decks on 7, 12 and 13 and head to Bali Hai near pool @ deck 13 or Great Outdoors @ aft on deck 12 for some great cocktails. By the time they announce muster drill, you've already begun your vacation!!!
Enjoy :cool::cool:
-
Been on the Gem 3 times this past 10 months alone! Also did the Gem a few times prior to that. We really enjoy the convenience of leaving from NYC and it is a beautiful sail away! Our last Gem cruise was Jan 3 -13, 2018 and we very much enjoyed all the staff on the ship. The latest CD is Lorena, and she kept us busy with many staff run functions...games shows, dance classes, special themed party nights (previously, Gem only had White Hot Party theme) as well as the Gem's entertainment (dancers/singers) having a different show every night. There were 2 stand up comedians, an aerialist act, a magician and a hypnotist.
Cannot imagine anyone going hungry on a cruise ship, but I saw the complaint a few posts back, I guess it could happen? but unlikely. Morning breakfast is served in the MDR until 10 am (I think it shortens to 9:30 on port days) Buffet until at least then as well. Great outdoors, I believe still had breakfast until 11 and you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner or late night snacks at O'Sheehans, which is open 24 hours. Topsiders, by pool also served meals almost all day, along with later night snacks and there was an outdoor BBQ served weather permitting each day on the pool deck. The Orchid also serves an Asian menu. All of these venues are free.
If you wish to avoid crowded buffet area at breakfast/lunch, get your food and enjoy the overflow area of LaCucina or Great Outdoors during those times.
Sometimes the pool deck can seem very crowded, but if you want a nice lounge spot, without the view of the pool, head to deck 13 forward and enjoy the sundeck there with sweeping views of the ocean. It is rarely as crowded as the pool area. We also enjoy that you can walk around the ship outside on deck 7 as well as deck 12 &13 so you can feel that connection to the sea.
We did enjoy the a la carte restaurants on the ship as well, we had the dining plan. We enjoyed them very much as well.
I'm sure you will find many things about the Gem you will enjoy. And your friend should too! As a new cruiser, make sure she brings some Ginger Tablets, Bonine or other form of sea sickness remedy, as sea sickness will damper anyone's good time! :D
-
Usually 7 pm and 9 pm show times.
-
Discount WAS NOT automatically applied to our Jan 3, 2018 cruise, we only booked it in November 2017. It was on the Gem. Maybe discount is deducted automatically from newer ships, but this was only a few weeks ago and discount had to be requested. Just a heads up for those who qualify for Latitudes discount...check your on board account and request discount if you don't see it!
-
1
-
-
Show times on the Gem are 7 and 9 pm. There was one "Late Night" comedy show with Tim Kaminsky (but in Spinnaker lounge, instead of Stardust Theater)
-
We had two $50 shore credits, they combined the two for a total of $100 per port. And yes, it is per port and per cabin, not per person. We were charged full price for the excursion, then after we completed the excursion, the credit was issued. Here's an extra tip...if you are a latitudes member that receives excursion discounts (we are platinum, discount is 10%) THEY DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVE YOU THE DISCOUNT. You must go to the shore excursion desk and request it. The discount was applied to the full excursion amount, then the $50 (in our case $100) shore credit was applied.
PS, They claim the computer doesn't know to give you your latitudes discount, which is why you must go and request it.
-
1
-
-
On the Gem 1/3 - 1/13/18 and also had the Nespresso machine. DH always loved the Lavazza machines in the suites, but he enjoyed the Nespresso so much, he wants one for home as well. I'm a tea drinker and loved the special teas (Tea Forte) they had in the suites as well! Enjoy!
-
We were on the Gem Jan 3-13 and Lorena (from Chile) was the CD...and she was AWESOME, it was such a change from the previous 2 times we were on the Gem this past year (w/Mark as CD)
Plenty of activities, Lorena has implemented new party theme nights and she is very high energy. She had dance classes during the day, different game show style activities, and she seemed to be very high profile everywhere, from morning until night! Her assistant, Evan, was also really high energy and the entertainment staff were very visible throughout the entire 10 days. The very funny Tim Kaminsky (Hi TEEEEEEEM!) was back on as comedian, and they pulled the yawn inducing improv show. Magician, and Aerialist shows, Blazin Boots, all very entertaining.
Captain Lars from Sweden was an absolute HOOT! Even through that awful bomb cyclone storm, he had us roaring with laughter with his reports from the bridge and his sea-sickness cure-all (make sure you eat a sandwich...with salt on the sandwich);p:D
-
Testing
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
-
Yes, beware that the upgrades can be anywhere on the ship, so you may end up under the pool deck , over the nightclub, very forward or aft, etc. That said, I have successfully bid on upgrades. I do try to be careful with my upgrade selections and I take note of which cabins are still in inventory. If I like the selection I see, I will bid. If I notice there are only a few in locations I'd rather not be...well then I don't bid on the upgrade. If you aren't very picky on your location, then you have nothing to lose! Good Luck!!
-
As Platinum members, We used the Concierge's services on the Gem in Sept. She was able to adjust our reservation times for our specialty dining to meet our needs. Although, we had to play phone tag with her a bit. We also checked in at NYC port on separate Platinum line, were given boarding card #1 and were seated in a separate Platinum waiting area (but not the suite waiting area).
We were also able to disembark using our platinum status, by meeting at the theater (platinum and suite guests) and we had a separate exit to walk off. Although, once on the pier, we had the same long lines to get through customs as everyone else.
-
i was on the 11day before this one (11/21/2017 sailing).
cd = mark "Whitesmoke"
and yes, i also noticed the LACK of activities immediately!
besides the all the stupid sales pitch activities, there was also lots of Nintendo Wii activities. great for kids but not me.
and yes, i was also bored at times. :(
Is Mark "Whitesmoke" the same as Mark from Connecticut who wears a black and white Mustache tuxedo jacket at times? Because he was the lackluster CD on our Sept. sailing. :(
LIVE from the Encore
in Norwegian Cruise Line
Posted
Thank you, Tutu! I appreciate the info! With all the cancellations, I'm thinking I should cancel my upgrade bids and just stick with my aft balcony. It fits 2 lounge chairs and I may want to just hang out there instead of a crowded pool deck!