ilsh75

We're new to NCL but have sailed the last few years on RCL and Carnival. We're considering the holiday cruise 2017 on the Gem and was wondering about the timing of the Muster Drill vs Sail Away.

 

I've sailed out of NYC many times and the sail-away is a sight, not to be missed! My recent experience, however, is that the muster drill begins about the same time as sail away and unfortunately we are forced to miss most of the sights. Further, the larger the ships (with more passengers), the longer the drill :(

 

Can any tell me their experiences on NCL, specifically the GEM out of NYC?

 

Thanks!

 

~Bob~

We just sailed the gem on the 19th. You will have plenty of time to get where you want to be after the drill. The problem is that it was dark when we went under Verizano bridge so not the same view as sailing at summer. Get a camera that takes good pics in the dark.

I found all the talks about water amusing until I I got on to Gem 2 weeks ago without mu usual 6 pax of Poland Spring. I found that while a few sips Of water in main dinning room with food is fine the water I brought from the buffet had a taste of chlorine. I am not a huge water drinker , bad I know, but I do drink water when I go to bad and wake up. The ship water was disgusting for me. So I opened a bottle of the Aquafina from the mini bar, that was just bearable completely tasteless. So both of us me and hubby lived of soda for 10 days. I think I had like my yearly supply :). We were able to bring half of a bottle back from islands. But I whole bottle was confiscated. I don't even care about the price but can't they stock at least one more brand or later us preorder it but not stock it.

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We just did it thru ncl. It also was not listed but was available onboard. It was nice but way not enough time on the beach will do it it by ourself next time.

We sailed twice on both, the BA feels very crowded , hard to get a spot at the pool or any other public spaces. There were wait lines at the free dinning rooms and hard to get a seat at the buffet. There are only few shows that repeated throughout the cruise. The waterfront is great the a is better and there is sport complex and mini golf and bowling and the Haven is great if you want to do that . Overall it's a newer ship and it feels like it. On the other had we just got of gem today and did not encounter any line at the restaurant or the buffet. Where able to get a spot at great outdoors every morning , new show every evening. Got a spot at the pool everyday but the slides on BA better and you can feel that gem is older. I also felt that the staff at BA was more experienced . If I had to choose I would try to get an upgrade to haven on BA otherwise I like gem better.

We just got back from Gem , the first and last days a chilly you will need light jacket to walk outside. I was also wearing long sleeve in the restart that night

I see JADE form NYC doing 11 day south Caribbean October 26-nov 6 2017. That's the only one so far but I assume more will come

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Thank you all! I always pack wipes, OCD about that stuff. We have made our dinner reservations and entertainment reservations already through our PCC who is great! I have to check about the comedy club, don't think I have that.

 

 

 

Is the iConcierge worth paying for and if so how many of us should put it on our phones? (DH and 2 teen boys traveling with us)

 

 

 

We are planning to board asap. We have a incoming 9:30 flight to FLL from NYC. So nothing to do but stop to buy a case of water and get to port.

 

 

 

Cannot wait to try Flamingo Grill. Really hope they do not change it to after our July 3rd cruise!

 

 

 

Keep the suggestions coming!!!

You are not allowed to bring water or soda anymore

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I read there are pop/soda machines after security in the Manhattan terminal, but I didn't notice them myself.

 

 

 

MIL and I are fine with ship water, not sure about FIL and SO, so we'll bring a couple of Brita filter bottles in case they feel like they need them.

Thanks

Don't want to start the water discussion again I know that is not allowed any more but what to hear from someone departing lately from NYC what is happening in terminal. Is it confiscated ? Can I poor the water out and keep the bottles? Is there a place to buy water / coke after we pass security?is there a screen machine on ship later?

Thanks

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I did book on Nov30. It saved me 360$ compared to today .2 people grads and 100$ obc for holiday cruise . It's great to have insights

We stayed in Haven last time and we loved the restaurant. You can also choose to go to Moderno for the 4th night it's a fixed price of 30$. But I would go to the Haven on the first day and see if you like it if not you can buy sdp on board.

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Pulled the trigger as well, a pcc called me and saved another 200$ over what I had on hold . I travel in 19 days :)

Yes, the haven restaraunt on the breakaway is great and we used the courtyard during cold days. The Breakaway is very crowded all the public spaces feel like a mall the day before Christmas.

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Planning to book last minute December cruise , price keeps dropping every few days but don't want to loose the 2 perks for balcony. Any leaks from TAs ?

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Do they sell water at the terminal ? Can't one buy after security screen but before boarding and put in carry on?

Which NCL cruises dock in Bermuda on Sundays? Ones out of NY dock Tues-Thurs.

The Dawn from Boston

We also were disappointed with lebistro, this was our 5th cruise an we did lebistro every time and loved it but the new menu is just boring. The lamb and duck in the Haven was better .

Update- bought my son soda package , was deducted from this obc. Same goes for bottle of wine in the haven restaurant .

What kind is it? Can it make cappuccino?

We are in H5

Thanks

Thank you . So they do let you access the beach ? We are on port 8-5 . Both excursions start at 10.

We have the beach day booked for next week but now thinking of switching to Dolphins encounter . It is listed as 3 hours only while the beach day is 5 hours , we wanted to spend the whole day in blue lagoon can we stay on the island until 4pm ferry or do we need to leave after the encounter is over.

Thanks

Thanks

What is the dress code in haven restaurant? Are shorts ok for my 9 years old sun?

The specialty dining credit can theoretically be applied to your entire specialty dining bill (food & drinks), or so I have read. In other words, it can used to buy anything the restaurant sells, including wine. But who knows, they may have a rule where you have to order some food at least, and not just a "liquid meal"…

 

It would be interesting to know the answer. But to be on the safe side, I would order the extra bottle of wine when you have your actual meal at Le Bistro. (Tell them you want to take it with you, unopened.)

I think I will just go to le bistro on the second day and get extra bottles of wine

Thanks

Wondering if you get double points for suite with upsell