Observations from Gem CTN--1/2/10

[javafriend]

DH and I did the Gem CTN. We were in an AE suite, and had a great time overall.

 

We arrived at the pier at 11:00. About 10 minutes to do paperwork, then we were escorted to the VIP lounge to wait. The Gem had returned late from her previous cruise, so we did not board until 12:45. We booked Le Bistro for dinner while waiting, and had coffee and cookies and people watched. The cost for Le Bistro was $25 per person. I do not know if this was for the one night only or was a permanent change. The concierge is Adrian, who was very nice and available for reservations.

 

Once onboard, we went directly up to the spa. They did not offer the thermal spa pass for the one day. We booked a couple's massage for 2:15. We then went over to Cagney's for lunch, getting seated at 1 p.m. We placed our order after waiting for about 15 minutes. We then did not get appetizers until about 1:50. My DH had found the restaurant manager at 1:30, explaining that we had spa appointment. The manager did his best to hurry the meal for us, but we did not get entrees until 2:00. The issue was our server, not the kitchen, because people seated after us with a different server received all their food before we even received appetizers.We rushed through our delicious lunch, and got out of there in time to run our luggage down to the room. The restaurant manager told us to make sure we came back later for dessert.

 

We got to our room, only to find out that neither of our keys worked. My DH went down to the purser's desk to get new cards and change our spa appointment as we were now late. The only time available was 8:30 p.m., so we passed on the spa appointment. I was disappointed because I really need a massage, and wanted to use the thermal area also. It was just obviously not meant to be.

 

Our suite was beautiful--very clean, no dust or garbage anywhere. There was a flower arrangement, but no bottle of champagne as we would have on a longer cruise. We also did not have champagne when we got onboard, but we may have just missed that--it was not a big deal. Since we missed dessert, we decided to go back to Cagney's for dessert. It was very good. We had a different server, and had great service.

Our butler was Andrew, we never did meet him. I can not remember our cabin steward's name, but he was very nice. We did not have any canapes or turndown snacks, but did not expect them on this short cruise.

 

The ship--we sailed on the Jewel last summer. We loved the Jewel, but liked the Gem even better. There was more fun, funky furniture in lounges on the Gem, and liked the table shuffleboard and pool table up in Spinnakers. Also liked the Bliss lounge and atrium area. The ship was still decorated for the holidays and looked beautiful.

 

Dinner in Le Bistro was delicious. There were a few menu changes from last summer. I do know that they did not offer chocolate mousse for this meal. Service was good. The restaurant was very busy.

 

We went to the shows. The lounges were full, the shows were enjoyable.

 

Breakfast in Cagneys was very good. However, they did not offer the crabcake Benedict. No eggs benedict on the menu at all. Service was much better than we had for lunch. We talked to the restaurant manager who stated that Cagneys had served 330 people the previous night. On a normal night on a longer cruise, they average about 140 people per night.

 

We disembarked at 9:30, and were able to walk right off and got a taxi immediately. It could not have been easier.

 

Overall, we had a great time. Employees were all friendly, service good other than lunch at Cagneys, and we never felt nickeled and dimed. In fact, my DH ordered a drink whilewe were in hot tub. It was about 25 degrees, but very nice in the hot tub. The server went over to our robes to get the sail and sign card so that my DH did not have to get out of hot tub himself to get it. I really feel like that gesture is typical of service on NCL

 

Sorry this got kind of long. If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask.

 

Lisa

[jvsnana]

Sounds like you had fun! Too bad you didn't get to meet Andrew, your Butler. We were in an Owner's suite on the Gem in November and he was wonderful! Did you get to use the Spa area at all? Sorry about your missed massage:( Would you do a 1 nighter again?

[NJ04SS]

Was on this sailing to and enjoyed it as well - wrote a review on Page1 I believe its at now. I enjoyed the shows/live music EXCEPT for the comedian. I have a question, what does it take to become a VIP?

[fattsmann]

Originally, I spoke to one of the spa treatment specialists on the side and they told me that there was no daily access pass. I was suspicious and this was confirmed after speaking to the delightful Australian woman at the desk (she was wearing a red checkered shirt) who told my wife and I that spa access was free for the 1-nighter! We took advantage of that... coming back 2x to use the jacuzzi and thermal stone beds.

 

NJ04SS,

VIP waiting lounge was for suite and villa guests only. Casinos-at-Sea guests (those who received comp'ed rooms or discount rooms from casino play) also had a separate waiting area.

[Planer's Edge]

I have a question, what does it take to become a VIP?

 

Other than booking a Penthouse Suite it is a mystery as to how people are selected to be on the VIP list. Friends and family of crew members are probably high on the list. We have had this honor in the past and I am guessing it is due to past relationships with people of importance aboard the ship.

 

PE

[crisp1]

Any chance you saved the Freestyle Daily- would like to get a copy for friends who are on the 23rd sailing

thanks

[Got Tequila?]

Any chance you saved the Freestyle Daily- would like to get a copy for friends who are on the 23rd sailing

thanks

 

A very nice CC member (VanHouten) posted the freestyle daily on our 1/23 roll call.....

 

http://cid-1842ded92197d288.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/CruiseCritic/Freestyle%20Daily%202010-01-02.pdf

[crisp1]

A very nice CC member (VanHouten) posted the freestyle daily on our 1/23 roll call.....

 

http://cid-1842ded92197d288.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/CruiseCritic/Freestyle%20Daily%202010-01-02.pdf

 

 

Thanks! Wish I was joining you

[amy2313]

DH and I did the Gem CTN. We were in an AE suite, and had a great time overall.

 

We arrived at the pier at 11:00. About 10 minutes to do paperwork, then we were escorted to the VIP lounge to wait. The Gem had returned late from her previous cruise, so we did not board until 12:45. We booked Le Bistro for dinner while waiting, and had coffee and cookies and people watched. The cost for Le Bistro was $25 per person. I do not know if this was for the one night only or was a permanent change. The concierge is Adrian, who was very nice and available for reservations.

 

Once onboard, we went directly up to the spa. They did not offer the thermal spa pass for the one day. We booked a couple's massage for 2:15. We then went over to Cagney's for lunch, getting seated at 1 p.m. We placed our order after waiting for about 15 minutes. We then did not get appetizers until about 1:50. My DH had found the restaurant manager at 1:30, explaining that we had spa appointment. The manager did his best to hurry the meal for us, but we did not get entrees until 2:00. The issue was our server, not the kitchen, because people seated after us with a different server received all their food before we even received appetizers.We rushed through our delicious lunch, and got out of there in time to run our luggage down to the room. The restaurant manager told us to make sure we came back later for dessert.

 

We got to our room, only to find out that neither of our keys worked. My DH went down to the purser's desk to get new cards and change our spa appointment as we were now late. The only time available was 8:30 p.m., so we passed on the spa appointment. I was disappointed because I really need a massage, and wanted to use the thermal area also. It was just obviously not meant to be.

 

Our suite was beautiful--very clean, no dust or garbage anywhere. There was a flower arrangement, but no bottle of champagne as we would have on a longer cruise. We also did not have champagne when we got onboard, but we may have just missed that--it was not a big deal. Since we missed dessert, we decided to go back to Cagney's for dessert. It was very good. We had a different server, and had great service.

Our butler was Andrew, we never did meet him. I can not remember our cabin steward's name, but he was very nice. We did not have any canapes or turndown snacks, but did not expect them on this short cruise.

 

The ship--we sailed on the Jewel last summer. We loved the Jewel, but liked the Gem even better. There was more fun, funky furniture in lounges on the Gem, and liked the table shuffleboard and pool table up in Spinnakers. Also liked the Bliss lounge and atrium area. The ship was still decorated for the holidays and looked beautiful.

 

Dinner in Le Bistro was delicious. There were a few menu changes from last summer. I do know that they did not offer chocolate mousse for this meal. Service was good. The restaurant was very busy.

 

We went to the shows. The lounges were full, the shows were enjoyable.

 

Breakfast in Cagneys was very good. However, they did not offer the crabcake Benedict. No eggs benedict on the menu at all. Service was much better than we had for lunch. We talked to the restaurant manager who stated that Cagneys had served 330 people the previous night. On a normal night on a longer cruise, they average about 140 people per night.

 

We disembarked at 9:30, and were able to walk right off and got a taxi immediately. It could not have been easier.

 

Overall, we had a great time. Employees were all friendly, service good other than lunch at Cagneys, and we never felt nickeled and dimed. In fact, my DH ordered a drink whilewe were in hot tub. It was about 25 degrees, but very nice in the hot tub. The server went over to our robes to get the sail and sign card so that my DH did not have to get out of hot tub himself to get it. I really feel like that gesture is typical of service on NCL

 

Sorry this got kind of long. If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask.

 

Lisa

 

I have a couple quick questions...

 

First, I know you didn't make it to your spa appointments but could you tell me how much the couples massages that you booked were? I am thinking about trying to book these too for our one-nighter on the 23rd.

 

Also, is there a charge for Cagney's for breakfast and lunch too? or is it only for dinner?

[sjnyc323]

Cagneys is open for breakfast and lunch for suite passengers no charge

 

 

 

I have a couple quick questions...

 

First, I know you didn't make it to your spa appointments but could you tell me how much the couples massages that you booked were? I am thinking about trying to book these too for our one-nighter on the 23rd.

 

Also, is there a charge for Cagney's for breakfast and lunch too? or is it only for dinner?

[javafriend]

Cagney's was open for lunch and breakfast for suite passengers and VIP's.

The cost of the couple's massage was right around $260 for a 50 minute massage.

 

I would do this cruise again ( and really thought hard about going the 23rd, but could not justify it since we are going to Las Vegas the following weekend) as long as we could do it as a weekend trip in conjunction with a night in NYC. It is a nice intro to the ship and what it has to offer, and really is not much more expensive than a night in NYC for dinner, show, etc.

[antsnanny]

Was on this sailing to and enjoyed it as well - wrote a review on Page1 I believe its at now. I enjoyed the shows/live music EXCEPT for the comedian. I have a question, what does it take to become a VIP?

 

We brought a group of 98 people on the NCL Dawn and my husband and I were VIP's because we were the group leader. We met a couple on the Gem last January and they have been on over 50 NCL cruises, yup you guessed it they were on the VIP list.