Very Long detailed Bermuda Gem 5/22-29/11

[RichNY]

Sorry to report..Dave Heenan will be on the Dawn from Boston....:(:(:(

[RareBird]

Sorry to report..Dave Heenan will be on the Dawn from Boston....:(:(:(

 

christmas! :(

[mitsugirly]

We are planning a cruise to Bermuda next year (we have to get our Western Caribbean done and over with first before booking the Bermuda).

 

Thanks for your link about the slot play coupons. I didn't know they existed.

 

So I'm reading up on it and it states most are only allowed to redeem 1 coupon every so often. I take it you are only allowed 1 per cruise per person correct?

 

"The face values of the coupons purchased on our site are for Promotional Play. Promotional Play is almost the same as real money, except that you need to wager the Promotion Play credits before you can cash them out. All winnings realized during play can be cashed out."

 

This is a little confusing to me. Can someone explain?

[dasmonkey]

We are planning a cruise to Bermuda next year (we have to get our Western Caribbean done and over with first before booking the Bermuda).

 

Thanks for your link about the slot play coupons. I didn't know they existed.

 

So I'm reading up on it and it states most are only allowed to redeem 1 coupon every so often. I take it you are only allowed 1 per cruise per person correct?

 

"The face values of the coupons purchased on our site are for Promotional Play. Promotional Play is almost the same as real money, except that you need to wager the Promotion Play credits before you can cash them out. All winnings realized during play can be cashed out."

 

This is a little confusing to me. Can someone explain?

 

Lots of info in this thread surrounding this topic,

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1326412&highlight=casino+question

[mitsugirly]

Lots of info in this thread surrounding this topic,

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1326412&highlight=casino+question

 

Yep, I just found that thread right before you posted this.

 

I have always seen people posting questions saying "CAS question", but never clicked on them because I had no idea what CAS meant. Now I know. Off to do some homework. :D

[BahamaMama247]

OKay, one more question. DB was wondering what night the White Hot Party took place (basically if it was before, during or after docking in Bermuda)? Thanks!

[Glamourgal]

what night the White Hot Party took place (basically if it was before, during or after docking in Bermuda)? Thanks!

 

The White Hot Party was on Thursday, our second night in Bermuda. It was a lot of fun!

[patter44]

Thank you so much for a wonderful detailed review. You answered so many of my questions.

 

OK maybe not all so here are a few more :D

 

 

 

 

Day Two, 5/23/2011 – Sea Day

 

Meet & Greet was scheduled for 11 AM at Cagney’s Extension. This was very well attended and NCL and Elwynn our group service coordinator did a great job setting this up.

 

Is this the same Elwynn Ocampo from the Jewel? She is such a helpful and lovely person and we look forward to seeing her again.

 

 

70’s disco party with Next Stage was very very good. Next Stage were amazing.

 

Again, a group we look forward to seeing again.

 

 

Day 4, May 25, 2011, Bermuda

 

We bypassed the first transportation kiosk located at the end of the pier on the left due to LONG lines and walked to the colorful, circular building just past the ferry dock to get our passes. It says Gombey Junction on the door. There were no lines

 

Exactly what we were thinking of doing and now we know how.

 

 

Walked back to the bus stop and immediately boarded a #7 bus to go to the sea glass beach. We politely asked the bus driver to drop us off at the Military cemetery near the sea glass beach and he let us know when we were there and showed us where to wait for our return ride. We were there in less than 10 minutes, it was not far but we would not walk it as there is no shoulder or sidewalks. There are 4 aqua colored apartment buildings, called Albert Row, just across the street from where we were dropped off. Walk in between building two and three, cross the street and walk a couple of feet to your left and look for a sea glass patio, the fence was already tied open so we walked through and down to the beach…tons and tons and did I say TONS of sea glass. Make sure to take baggies or something to collect the glass. This was a great experience. When you are finished go back up and you will see a blue pole just across from the aqua church where you wait for the bus to return to the dockyard. We waited no longer than 10 minutes for our bus back.

 

Everyone tells you how to get there but not how to find your way back. Thank you for the "blue pole just across from the aqua church". We need that.

 

Day 5, 5/26/2011, Bermuda

 

We headed off ship about 9:15 to catch the 10 AM, quick ferry to St. Georges. There is another ferry that comes in with this ferry but it is the slower ferry. The quick ferry takes about 45 minutes vs. the slower ferry that takes over an hour.

 

11:45 the Town Crier arrived at the Town Square and put on a very fun show with a “drunk” and a wench who was later ducked. My DH and DB and friend were all part of the ducking so that made it even more fun!! They put on this show Monday to Friday at high noon.

 

We were wondering about the ferries and how to get to see the town crier and dunking wench. We were under the impression they only did this on Wednesday. The Monday-Friday will help alot.

 

After this we walked up to Tobacco Bay, a 15 minute walk that at first appears to be all up hill but levels out after the unfinished church.

 

Another questioned answered. We were wondering if it was that steep up to Tobacco Bay.

 

 

I know this was a looong winded review but I always appreciate reading the details so I wanted to give my observations as seen by my point of view back!!

 

 

I too appreciate reading the details of previous cruisers. It's been extremely helpful in our case. Thank you so much for taking the time.

 

We're sailing October 16 - 3rd time to Bermuda - 3rd time on the Gem - and always finding tips that we never knew.

[barbienj]

Great review, we leave on Sunday. Going to the sea glass beach is in our plans.

[JohnGaltny]

Nice job on this review. We were on GEM in May and had a great trip also. My review (pro and con) is in my sig for them what care.

 

Thanks again for letting us relive GEM.;)

[Nukems]

I know this entire post is true since I was with her! I didn't realize she was keeping such detailed notes. It was awesome! She did the leg work setting it up and had lots of great tips and info for us. We went our own way sometimes, but had a blast together too. Especially Quest! A must do to watch or play. I didn't go to horsehoe bay on day 3, we went Segway riding on Dock yard and then rode the #7 to the Swizzle inn. Their motto is swizzle in, stagger out, and if I had one more I would have. Good thing we Segwayed first. The Segway tourt was great too. Much better than the one we did at Epcot. It was longer and cheaper. We also made it to Harbour nights on Wednesday in Hamilton. The street is closed and food and craft vendors come out. Plus we saw the Royal Brigade Band march at 9 PM. Easy ferry ride back at 9:30 or 10 right to dock yard. Great job glamourgal!

[Pendragoncruising]

Glad you had a great time.....we sail the second last one of the season....hope it will still be warm but looks like it will looking at the month averages.....did you have to buy a bus or ferry day pass each day or do they have a three day deal????......have no ideas what beaches to go to each day for a swim...you mentioned a couple....are those the ones to do for a first time Bermuda person....will print off your report to take with us for ideas....Thanks....two Canucks out on the west coast....

 

Why your just down the road from us in Terrace, we're heading out on the Sept 4 cruise, hopefully the water will still be warm enough to dive comfortably

GO CANUCKS GO

[Lovely_Star]

First, I want to say congrats on making it 31 years that feat in of itself deserves a vacation :D Thanks for the tip about Orchid lounge and the closet. DH and I have always lugged our carryons with us during our past cruisers and its nice to know that there are options. Also thanks for the grouper substitution tip, I will definitely be using that on lobster night ;)

[Glamourgal]

First, I want to say congrats on making it 31 years that feat in of itself deserves a vacation

 

Thanks the years sailed by...excuse the punn!!:D

 

To those of you who like details, like me, you are most welcome. The detailed reviews I read prior to the cruise helped me to make our plans ahead of time and then relax with no hassles after we were on the cruise. Just remember to pack patience and be flexible because there is always something that could get in the way...for us, we were very lucky and the weather and seas were VERY cooperative!!:D