UNDERCOVER coka: Return To Gem 8/7/11 Sailing!

[Medtech2]

…For the last ten years Mr. coka did not cruise because he said could not keep up me. I learned on the Epic sailing last year and since, that I can not keep with me either! Two minutes after midnight I was snug in the bliss bed to get up early. Ahhh, the early mornings when most vacationers and employees on cruise ships are still asleep, some of the most peaceful times on the outdoor decks while cruising the ocean waters can be found. Although, sometimes even odd unlikely events take place during the early dawn hours prior to those sunrise moments.

Such as seeing two laundry staff workers out on the promenade to see the sunrise! Hooray! Somebody finally let them out!! You have to see the interior laundry area on the Behind The Scenes Tour in order to appreciate how much these guys do. This was really good to see that while on break they could be out enjoying a peaceful beautiful sunrise coming up on the horizon. After taking a moment to thank them for the awesome sheets I began my 6:30am walk around deck 7.

　

The Promenade and Jonathon Meet and Greet

Deck seven. The promenade deck. The outdoor covered deck where the awesome curvy wicker loungers are held, where reclining chairs are found that do not fit through balcony #9046 corridor entrance door, where fun art work is painted on the exterior, where 2 and 2/3 times around equals one mile, I learned never to name a creature for which his fate is not known. Huddled in a crevice was a creature I named Jonathon. At first passing I thought he was just sleeping. At second passing I thought he was in distress. At third passing I bent over and leaned into the crevice and whispered, “Jonathon! Are you okay? Come out and see me, Jonathon!” Jonathon, a wounded seagull ignored by his flock for not conforming, it only was appropriate he chose an NCL ship to seek help and advice. He limped slowly on one leg towards me. I wondered whether to get assistance which meant somebody was going to have to get up out of bed, or if I should just throw the varmint that has crapped in my hair more than once overboard. Pausing, I figured Robbie, the Gem mermaid, would be ticked off if I did that so I stopped back inside at reception to inform them of the distressed gull and returned to my walk.

Two walking rounds later a restaurant server was out to observe Jonathon. Surely he was not there to assist, was he? “Fly Jonathon, Fly, or you could become one of NCL’s finest cold gull soup tonight!“ I urged. Scared as he was, he tried flying to no avail. Another round the financial officer’s assistant was out to observe the situation as well. “Should we tape some French fries and leftover chicken wing bones from the Blue Lagoon restaurant to his body? Perhaps then his flock that shunned him would show up in seconds and carry him away?” I asked. Next, a passenger photographed the tired, wounded, yet still posing for the pictures Jonathon. “Forgive him, Jonathon!” I encouraged. Next round I suggested Jonathon again to get the heck out of there and try to fly before the little kids onboard woke up and wanted to play with him. And the next passing he was gone. Everyone was gone!. A sense of sadness came about me and I looked over the side to see if he was flying away or if scattered white feathers were floating away in the wake.

What happened to Jonathon? Two power walkers informed me that Jonathon was going to be okay. They knew because an environmental control officer showed up to take the wounded seagull inside “to rest.” Ha! I thought. To rest in peace! Hey, I have been on more than one Behind The Scenes Tours each ship offers (definitely worth it), and know exactly what those guys are good at…waste disposal being one of them. Therefore, I conclude either of two things happened to Jonathon; Having a bird fly into my balcony cabin on the Spirit years ago, I know NCL ships have bird whisperers onboard to set wayward birds free; Or, there was going to be a few more white feathers added to Cruise Director Sinan’s wings worn during the White Hot Party, NCL‘s famous signature late night hot dance venue that now even kids are welcome at until a certain time when the adult version begins. To make myself feel better, I decided someone by the name of Chiang came to get him so either way was going to be okay for Jonathon.

 

Up Soon: All the Meet Greets!

coka;)

I used to exercise polo ponies back in the day. During one match a newly imported and never field tested horse keeled over. The announcer told everyone he was tired from his flight from South America and was "taking a nap." I'm sure Jonothon was just sleeping.

[OceanDreams]

As usually, your review are outstanding. You make everyone feel like they are right there cruising with you.

 

This cruise you actually snuck off without letting me know that you were leaving. I'm also so jealous of everyone that got the opportunity to mingle and cruise with Mr. Coka. One of these days I too will have the pleasure ..... (Hehehe, although I'm sure the 3 of us won't be sharing a cabin. That would be way to much estrogen for him)

 

Please stay safe while "Irene" is throwing her fit.

 

OceanDreams

[pink sand judy]

Coka, I am enjoying your review so much. I had a strong feeling you were going to be on that cruise. I told Jim that when he called from N Y. Nothing new was being posted from you, and you have a very active list. Please stay safe this weekend and so glad you all had a great trip. No trip to the brig was also very nice...

[coka]

Had I known, I would have had a million questions about your cruising experiences. We had a wonderful time on this cruise made all the more rich by the efforts of Jimswims getting the roll call started and setting up the M&G. . :)

 

Hi Dilorie, I would be more than happy to answer your questions here or you can email me at quest4coka at aol dot com.

 

I'm practically her neighbor and haven't met her yet:(.

Sparks, I am at my mom's the weekend of 9/10 if you want to meet! Email me at the address above!

 

coka

[coka]

Glad you got out of the casino when nick called, and be safe up there. Who would have thought we in Florida, would be unaffected.

 

Al

 

Thanks for checking in with me Al...you are my internet hero! I really hope to meet you someday.

 

 

Please stay safe while "Irene" is throwing her fit.

OceanDreams

 

Ocean, thanks for checking in...wierd how I wrote about the covered bridges in VT and first up on the national news is one of them swept away in the flash flooding. We are safe where we are...although I have to report...one of my Joe Boxer flip flops broke when retrieving our submerged overturned dock. I appreciate the phone calls but what we experienced up here is nothing in comparison to other areas in Vermont, especially the southern portions of the state.

 

coka

 

coka

[coka]

Coka, I am enjoying your review so much. I had a strong feeling you were going to be on that cruise. I told Jim that when he called from N Y. Nothing new was being posted from you, and you have a very active list. Please stay safe this weekend and so glad you all had a great trip. No trip to the brig was also very nice...

 

 

Pink Sand Judy, Your son, daughter in law, and grandchildren were the highlight of my trip! They were so sweet that they got me a birthday present and treated us to dinner. I finally have some pink sand from Bermuda and I now have a reason to put up a Christmas tree this year! I too hope to meet you some day soon.

 

coka

[coka]

　

*****************Last Two Days*****************

How To Contribute To The Non Ripping Toilet Paper Cause

Two words: Onboard Spending! Heading back to New York, Mr. coka compared our onboard purchases. On the Gem, you can do this right on the stateroom television to keep track of what is spent and is also useful to monitor error. He noticed quite the difference between our account totals. The difference was experience! As mentioned earlier, Mr. coka went to a spa seminar for Go Smile! to learn how to get his teeth whiter. He returned with a consultation appointment. He returned from the consultation appointment with a 175 dollar procedural appointment where the ultra violet light gave him a much whiter sets of chops. He also returned from the procedural appointment with an additional cost 6 month maintenance package. Another scam according to him, he was still very happy with it and he smiles a lot more now.

So happy with it, he decided to try out the casino again. He rationalized going back to check in on the woman attached to the two slots earlier in the week. A female passenger’s name was announced over the intercom to please report to reception. He was worried it was the woman in the casino who also was losing and perhaps she flung herself overboard. He wanted to check to make sure she was still there and okay. In the end, his donation could allow approximately one sailings worth of public restroom toilet paper on the Gem. He fortunately found the lady in her spot and learned her contribution could cover the fleet for the next five years.

My onboard purchase account showed two items I got for free! Yes! For Free! I only had to purchase a 250 dollar future cruise deposit which is only beneficial if you definitely know you will sail NCL again within the next four years before the deposit expires. The credit goes into your latitudes account and when you book your next sailing when back home, the deposit covers the entire cabin no matter the number of occupants. This purchase enabled me to receive a 100 dollar immediate onboard credit. They certainly advertise using it! So I bought a pair of bright bold big multi colored flowered silk pedal pushers marked way down to 25.95 in the ship store because nobody wanted them over time but me. They look good on my big bold body and the pattern matched up in the seams.

In my opinion, there are some good quality items in the store with appropriate pricing. This also includes the pricing of the souvenir t-shirts, sun hats, swim shorts, sweatshirts, and souvenir trinkets. Cartons of cigarettes are $34.95 each plus or minus depending the brand and the special taking place. I found three lonely cartons of Virginia Slims Menthol Lights shoved way off to the side in a corner. I picked one up. Virginia did not speak to me and I did not say anything to her. In my mind however, I thought “4,255 of you not smoked, 2,018.75 dollars saved, and 1 month, 2 days, and 12 hours of my life allegedly saved.“ And then I put her back.

The second free item was a watch! All the times prepared to buy a Rado, I finally realized the karma in not ever doing so. I can no longer see the hands of time on them. Although 15% off this sailing for the Rado , I ended up with a Fossil brand found on the tables in the atrium. Less costly watches and jewelry specials are set up in the atrium during sea days. Some cruise critics, and now Mr. coka, get irked about the special tables getting in the way of passenger flow. I do not mind at all. The selected Fossil watch has a huge face of time that I can see! Overall, If you are interested in watches, I suggest doing your homework and research prices both online and on land before your vacation. This way you will know if the price you see on the ship or in a port of call is indeed a good one.

Last on my account was the totally unexpected. The totally unplanned for. The one thing I did not know the Gem had. While hubby was gambling or attending the hypnotist’s daytime seminar on weight loss or other things hypnotizable, I went to look at products in the spa to see if they were the same, more, or less than the timetospa website. Looking at the products in the glass showcase, I see a hairstylist highlighting a passenger’s hair through the other side and I was startled. Could it be? OMG it may be, as the excitement built if true!

Pressing my face closer into the glass, I saw him clearer. Lo and Behold, is it really HIM? The self proclaimed queen of the high seas and not ashamed to tell you? The artist of all things hair who loves mermaids? The sweetest, funniest, kindest, and best among any man or woman in their field? The KING of hair color, hair cut, and hair styling on land and on sea? Walking cautiously around the walled area to enter the very quiet salon where the master was crafting some amazement on a passenger‘s head, in a low dubious voice I asked, “Rico?” The man turns to face me and I shrieked out loud with joy! He shrieked out loud with joy too! And the lady in the chair shrieked out loud because we surprised the heck out of her! All was cool once I told her she was in the best hands ever.

So of course my hair was cut and styled as soon as an opening allowed and all was good with the world. We caught up since last seeing each other on the Dawn. Last year Rico gave me a hair cut that would grow out and still look good during each phase. I kid you not, over a year has passed and it has looked good all along the way. He was also right on about choosing La Therapie products for my skin back then as I have had many compliments on my face. Seriously. Of course it could be due to quitting smoking, gaining some pounds to fill out my face, La Therapie products, or a combination of all three. No longer selling La Therapie on the Gem, it was okay because I can get them at timetospa dot com. On this sailing, I asked about the new products Rico used in my very dry hair and they too ended up on my onboard account: Phyto Shampoo, Phytomist instant hydrating leave in conditioner for color treated hair, and Phyto 7 daily hydrating botanical cream.

Had I known earlier in the week Rico was onboard, I would have had more time for him to do more. I also would have just gone and watched his creations through the glass just to see how others left his chair! Rico has agreed to check in on Robbie once in a while! On this sailing, the letter R charm was placed on the mermaid’s tower just hours before my discovery of Rico onboard. Tell me the luck of the mermaid is not true! Not sure who the R was from, when it was given to an officer, or what it represented, I did let Rico know the pure magic and bewilderment of it all! Since my favorite band and my favorite hair stylist were now on the Gem, I did ask if the Romanian God Massage Therapist, also from the Dawn last year, was onboard too. No, but an Apollo from Spain was! Having spent too much money already, I did not even dare to ask Rico what HE looked like…!

The Silver/Gold/Platinum Party

A special party given for past passengers who achieve silver, gold, or platinum latitudes status was held in Bliss Lounge. This party is smaller than the one that includes the bronze at the beginning of the week, but still includes free flowing wine, other cocktails, cheese, and other finger foods. The officers stood at the door to meet and greet us and Matt, the latitudes consultant, did a public thank you for choosing NCL again. We joined up with Jimswims’ family and caught up since seeing each other last. Jimswims was amazed at how officers greeted him by name as he entered even though he had never met them before. I explained how NCL has the unique ability of knowing such things. He did not believe me until my points were indeed proven true throughout the party.

Jimswims stated he looked forward to becoming a platinum member but I jokingly cautioned him that all it means is you get put to work. I jested when my name tag arrives, surely it will read Cinder-coka! Jimswims alluded in his review that it was me who made the presentation of the charms possible. What Jimswims does not know, is that I dropped his name in order to make it possible. My work detail at the silver/gold/platinum party was to find out if his family wanted to place the selkie charm on the mermaid’s tower themselves or if they would prefer to just drop the charm off at reception.

Undercover Mission To Uncover the The Mermaid’s Box

Background: A christening gift to the Gem, the mermaid protects the officers on the bridge. Mermaid legend has it that if she loves a Captain and bridge officers of a ship, then she will protect them forever and keep them out of harm’s way. She also will care for the other officers, staff and crew onboard as well. The good luck tower is for the cruise critics and other passengers who wish to bring the mermaid a charm. Mermaids love gifts and bringing a charm for her tower makes her happy. It does not matter if the charm costs 5 cents or 50 dollars. The only charm requirement is that it be something meaningful. The mermaid, in return for such thoughtfulness, will bring the gift bearer good luck in addition to whom the charm is for to what the charm represents. Legend also has it that the charm is supposed to be presented to any officer onboard, so that passengers are not afraid to talk to them, and the officer will make sure the charm makes it the tower as they too know mermaids like gifts and they want extra good luck too!

Well who the heck knew all that almost four years later other than a few us here still hanging around here on cruise critic? Not sure, my plan was to see how someone could get a charm to the tower as if they had just seen the mermaid and read the plaque about good luck charms in bridge viewing room the first time ever. If that did not work, well then, um, um, the first things packed in my suitcases were the charm and the proper tool needed…just in case we needed to do it ourselves the night before debarkation!

A box rests on the side of all NCL ships reception area’s along with pen and paper where you can ask the Hotel Director a question, get something fixed, or to just contact him/her for whatever reason. If a problem exists, they really want to know about it and this does not just include the cruise critics, but all passengers. The letter head on this sailing read “Dear Hotel Director Jean-Michel,” and then had the blank lines to fill in the rest. Early Friday afternoon I wrote “We saw the Gem It Mermaid in the bridge viewing room and can only imagine the fabulous story as to how she got there. Two of us onboard have a good luck charm to add to her gold tower. Who do we give the charms to? We saw the box was locked and we hoped to put them on the tower.” I signed my first name and cabin number as asked. Not knowing for sure if little me in a balcony would get a response, I included Dr. and Mrs. Jimswim’s first name and suite number too just in case!

Later Friday afternoon I received a telephone call from the HD’s secretary. She was very helpful, very kind, and very sweet in her comments. She stated we could drop off the charms at reception for the Captain‘s secretary or we could try to set up a time to meet in the viewing room if we wanted to be there ourselves. Yes, she could wait until I spoke to the suite guests and their children to find out their preference. When the locked box was mentioned, she mentioned not to worry at all as they do have the key…which of course made me wonder as there is no key. When I called back I made sure it was not going to be a bother if we met in the viewing room and I was assured not at all because some charms left by previous passengers were also going to be added. This included the letter R and a gem pink heart donated by cruise critics who sailed in April 2009. That is a long time in a desk drawer! Lastly, and please know I never requested the Captain or any other officer to be there but she did let me know the Captain is very very busy and could not be there.” Well of course he could not be there. After reading Jimswims’ review, I found out he was busy writing happy birthday wishes in a card to Mrs. Jimswims!

We all met in the bridge viewing room the following late morning. The Captain’s secretary arrived with “the tool” to remove the box lid. I should not even write about this because they both were so nice…I ask them, “So what is the story behind the mermaid, anyways?” Jimswims gave me …you know… one of those “teacher looks” that told me with his eyes to cut it out. Neither of them did not know. Perhaps the plaque on the wall might tell (which it does only a little bit…the real story is in the annals of cruise critic history) replied one. “Do you know why we bring charms for the mermaid?” They shrugged no. I gave a quick naughty school child “I am being so bad right now” to Jimswims and finally I could see he was trying not to laugh. The lid was finally removed and the ritual offerings began. Whether you are at the mermaid box, whether you are presenting to an officer, or whether you just leave the charm at reception, the meaning must be explained so Robbie gets it.

At the time I only knew that Captain Vorren was ill. Since Robbie’s power extends beyond the Gem to all NCL employees, the pink stone with the cancer awareness ribbon charm was for him to get better. At the time I only stated it was for a particular NCL officer who ill and the wish was for him to conquer ill. Going further with the presentation at the time, the wish also included the cruise critics who might be facing illness that they too get better to cruise again soon. Lastly, for the officers and crew who have longevity with NCL, in case things did not work out with their illness, a special wish was added that Miami office may offer them a decent heath insurance and a decent life insurance option for them. If such plans exist, I hope they are decent ones. If such plans do not exist, then they really should…

Feeling horrible to return home and finding out on cruise critic that Captain Vorren, a true Viking, passed only days prior to this sailing, I would have added in that bridge viewing room, “In the halls of Valhalla may he finally take his place with his sword and his shield. Enter Odin’s realm an immortal spirit now with a heart made of steel with the gods on high forever. May my hurricane ‘vilma’ Sun and Epic captain live and laugh now at the fears of man.”

Up next: Last Night, Debarkation, and Anything else I missed

 

coka

[coka]

Last Night At Sea and Debarkation

I asked the bartender at Magnum’s for a French kiss before we joined Jimswims’ family in Le Bistro and he brought me the drink instead. No matter, I enjoyed the cocktail that was presented. We were all packed and ready for debarkation in the morning and our last supper was enjoyable with the added bonus of the good company! Pack early because on the Gem, even the last night is full of options. If you were up at 10pm the last night, you could be at piano melodies, the farewell variety show, dancing to the Gem orchestra, at karaoke, listening to Next Stage unplugged, or at the final deal or no deal redemption. Even later than that was Quest, Second City Scriptless, or the farewell dance parties taking place in Bliss or in Spinnaker’s Lounge. Very cool! We all went to Quest and had A LOT of fun watching Jimswims skip around the lounge! I would tell more, but what happens at quest, stays at quest!

Mr. coka got to meet two of my favorite employees who work for NCL so I was happy they were at Quest so we could say goodbye to them. One is Luis De Mesa, the beverage manager, whom I know from my sailings on the Gem. There is something about Luis, other than that we share the same name, that just makes me smile. I think it is his smile, his memory, and his ability to make me feel like a very special cruiser. The other is Geoffrey Derrity, the assistant beverage manager who I have seen move up the chain over time with the company. I remember him from the Sky when it was the original Sky. So what is it that brings NCL cruisers like me back to NCL again and again as asked by a thread on the boards here? It is the employees who truly make you feel like family. In my real life I am a very good judge of character and these two guys have it all.

On debarkation morning, we had a flight at 2pm out of JFK, so we selected last to get off the ship. This worked out very well because I wanted Mr. coka to pick which forward penthouse suite of the future. Having stayed in the center bump out one on deck 10 (on the Jewel) and the center one with the giant balcony on deck 9 (on the Pearl), I could not decide which was better because each provide one of the two things I like the best about a suite: A bright room with extra space to move about (the deck 10 one) and a kick arse balcony that is HUGE (the deck 9 one). After receiving permission to view both vacated cabins, Mr. coka preferred the extra inside brighter space (deck 10) than the vast exterior balcony space (deck 9). Are you confused yet? LOL. So we are staying with the one in the future currently booked.

If you debark the Gem and there is a long line at immigration/customs, it is worth paying the porter guys to get you out of there faster. The line was small by the time we got off so we rolled out the luggage ourselves. Since it was pouring rain outside, there were two options for our self designed transportation to the airport: Going upstairs and staying dry while waiting for a cab…or getting wet and walk across the street to get an immediate cab. We chose the opposite of what everyone else was choosing and we got wet. We did not melt as we crossed and hopped into a cab. When we were leaving the Veendam in July, we went upstairs as everyone on that sailing seemed to be across the street. So know your options. I think if you pick the bus transportation to the airport, it cost more than if you take a cab. A cab from port to airport was 51.50 plus 18-20 percent tip which almost equaled the ship cost on a big bus with everyone else. In my opinion, the only time a bus is easier/cheaper is if you are by yourself. Two or more, take a cab to save money.

Epilogue:

So that is IT! An excellent very last minute unexpected cruise on the Gem to Bermuda! For the first time in a long time I felt like a regular passenger and I loved it. I can get used to this undercover work! Once home, we never had to power wash the molded sap off our roof shingles as Hurricane Irene took care of that for us (remember, find the positive in any situation). I mentioned in my Veendam cruise review that Tina, the Fortune Teller in Times Square told me that something really good was going to happen to August. There are five hours left to August. Unless I win the power ball tonight, then sailing the Gem last minute in a balcony cabin with my husband, jumping in the Gem pool with Dr. and Mrs. Jimswims, and placing another charm on the Gem's mermaid tower was IT!

coka

[jimswims]

What a wonderful review! Thank you for taking the time to write it. I appreciate all the details and information. I always learn something from your reviews and this one is no exception. I love your S.T.Y.L.E. You take us on a journey that lets us see and experience along with you.

 

It was such an awesome surprise to have you and Mr. Coka on this sailing. It was a pleasure to spend time with you both. I am so glad that it happened and we got to celebrate your birthday and DW's too!

 

Our kids blame you for making their parents fun. They are still shocked that we jumped into a pool fully clothed, danced till all hours of the night almost every night, and had more fun then they did going down the slide and hanging by the pool. However, our kids now want to live with you and Mr. Coka, lol!

 

I look forward to more adventures on land and on the sea with you and Mr. Coka.

[lgfromdg]

Coka - Reading the end of your review is always a sad thing for me. Thank you for sharing your cruise with us.

[cruitenn]

Last Night At Sea and Debarkation

 

 

 

Mr. coka got to meet two of my favorite employees who work for NCL so I was happy they were at Quest so we could say goodbye to them. One is Luis De Mesa, the beverage manager, whom I know from my sailings on the Gem. There is something about Luis, other than that we share the same name, that just makes me smile. I think it is his smile, his memory, and his ability to make me feel like a very special cruiser.

coka

 

Thanks for sharing another wonderful review, Coka! Don't forget to save it with the others for that book.:)

 

Luis is a great, have cruised with him in various NCL ships and definitely on top of our favorite list. On our last cruise on the Gem, he sent DH a bottle of bubbly for his birthday. It went well with the dinner celebration.;-)

 

Felt like I was there with you and jimswims. Would have done most of your fun activities except jumping in the pool since I'm a chicken when it comes to swimming, as Biker Al will attest to. DH would have jumped in with you. Maybe towards the end of next year we can plan a cruise with Biker Al, jimswims, snorkling barb and the rest of our cc friends.

 

Sorry that one of Vermont's covered bridges was swept away by Irene. We are still feeling its effects plus several towns around us. Our water reservoir was flooded and we still have to boil water until further notice. We feel for those who are still dealing with floods and damage to their homes.

 

Looking forward to your next review!!!

[jimswims]

Thanks for sharing another wonderful review, Coka! Don't forget to save it with the others for that book.:)

 

Luis is a great, have cruised with him in various NCL ships and definitely on top of our favorite list. On our last cruise on the Gem, he sent DH a bottle of bubbly for his birthday. It went well with the dinner celebration.;-)

 

Felt like I was there with you and jimswims. Would have done most of your fun activities except jumping in the pool since I'm a chicken when it comes to swimming, as Biker Al will attest to. DH would have jumped in with you. Maybe towards the end of next year we can plan a cruise with Biker Al, jimswims, snorkling barb and the rest of our cc friends.

 

Sorry that one of Vermont's covered bridges was swept away by Irene. We are still feeling its effects plus several towns around us. Our water reservoir was flooded and we still have to boil water until further notice. We feel for those who are still dealing with floods and damage to their homes.

 

Looking forward to your next review!!!

 

Coka is a professional jumper and has taken the plunge more then I have. It would be my pleasure to be on the same cruise with you both. Remember that my wife never had any intention of doing this crazy pool jump thing. Maybe it was the secret crash course from the hypnotist but Coka and I have ways to make you think that it is a good idea :D!

 

Wishing you both well.