Gem 12-14-13..The Excellent, Good, Bad, Ugly and VERY Ugly with Pictures

[JRA1708]

Ok let me give you some background. I am 50 yrs old and traveled with my two daughters, brother 59 yrs, sister 52 yrs and family friend. We drove 2 vehicles to Newark NJ from Pittsburgh and stayed at the Ramada Inn Newark Airport Hotel. I got advice from CC and booked our stay thru Trinity Reservations and got two rooms for $117 ea. with Tax and Included in the room was 14 days of parking for free. I thought that was a pretty good deal considering to park at the Pier would have been roughly $350 ea. The Ramada was nice. I almost canceled the rooms and booked another due to bad reviews on trip advisor, and I am glad I didn't. Yes the hotel is a little old, but it was clean, beds were comfy and the staff was really friendly and helpful. We ate at their Bar & Grill thats in the Lobby "Teddy's" and it was good, with average prices. I requested that our rooms be on the same level and they gave us connecting rooms, which was nice and convenient. Word of warning, if you are not familiar with the area, don't rely on solely on GPS. We printed out map quest directions also and believe me they came in handy. I am glad we stayed at the Ramada and Def would stay there again if I am in the area.

Saturday the day of sailing I booked a car service thru Lincoln Limousine. For $108 we were picked up in Cadillac Escalade which seated 6 with our luggage. It was tight, but we made it and the driver Sadean was really nice and friendly. We were at the pier by 10:30 am and escorted to our VIP waiting area promptly. There was coffee, tea, cookies and danishes for all VIP guest. It was a nice set up and Carlos our Concierge was on hand taking names and handing out pre ordered tickets to excursions if booked prior. Met a few CC people while waiting and they were handing out beads for the M & G later. Here is a picture of Carlos and the waiting area.

 

 

Those whole thing went pretty smoothly and we were on the Gem in no time sitting in Cagney's.

 

 

As usual…Cagneys food was top notch, we ate breakfast and lunch there almost daily. Nice atmosphere and really good food and awesome coffee.

[JRA1708]

Here is part of the BAD..the WEATHER the first couple of days. When were boarded the Gem it was snowing pretty good. After eating in Cagneys we decided to walk around a bit and you couldn't even walk out on the decks because it was so slippery. I was in Alaska on the Pearl this past July and only saw snow on mountain tops, so this was a first for all of us seeing snow on a cruise ship..it was kinda surreal. But it made a memory we will never forget..

[/size]

 

Now for the Excellent...

We were able to go to our cabins by noon. Everyone in my group knew we were staying in a 2 bedroom suite, but they didn't know we were staying in the 2 bedroom Haven Courtyard Suite. It was my surprise to them for Christmas.

Let me just say…WE LOVE THE HAVEN!! I don't think I could ever go back to a regular room location again. [/size]

 

 

We really enjoyed every part of being in the Haven. The Suite #14012 was last suite down the left side hallway once out of the elevators. The Suite itself was roomy with 2 bathrooms and lots of closet space. We did have to ask for more hangers and those were brought to us promptly. Was it a little tight sometimes with 6 adults? Yes..but in my book still worth it.

[JRA1708]

We wanted to do the sail away from the top deck in the Haven, but as you can guess..it was pretty cold and snow out.

 

 

So we went as far forward on the ship as possible and thats the Spinnaker Lounge. First I need to add, we did the Muster Station drill. Ours was in the Moderno Restaurant. It lasted about 20 minutes, quick and easy. Make sure you go though, because they do check your ID cards and cabin #. Ok back to the sail away. We were one of the 1st to arrive in the Spinnaker for the sail away so we got nice seats at the windows facing the front of the ship.

 

 

I know these pictures look faded. But literally it was snowing so hard everything was so hard to see. Good memories though!

[zmmrzm]

'Gem 12-14-13..The Excellent, Good, Bad, Ugly and VERY Ugly with Pictures'

 

The title of your post has me very confused - I don't see anything ugly or very ugly anywhere???

[JRA1708]

While in the Spinnaker the party had started already. There was line dancing good music and the Grinch walking around getting pictures with people.

 

 

We stayed for a little while in the Spinnaker then went and walked around the ship trying to get a feel for everything. Like I said earlier, I was on the Pearl 6 months ago and the ships are just about identical. So I had my bearings of the ship pretty quickly, but since it was a 9 day cruise the others had a time to get to know her.

 

Now I am going to jump right into part of the VERY UGLY for this trip. I will be mentioning it prob several times throughout this review. But we experienced it within 2 hrs of being on the ship. THE RUDENESS OF OTHER PASSENGERS!!! Now I told you we were one of the 1st ones in the Spinnaker Lounge, so we got our choice of where we wanted to sit to get the best views. We were all set up on the yellow comfy chairs and one of their bed looking type loungers they have. Our camera's were out and ready, then the crowd started streaming in. Why do people think they can wiggle and literally squeeze their way in FRONT of you BLOCKING your view, when I am so OBVIOUSLY there to ALSO take pictures!!?? I just don't get it! It was almost like an entitlement on their part. After I very loudly said EXCUSE ME several times, they finally got the hint. Then they give ME a dirty look like I was the one in the wrong GEESH people.. I mean come on!!! My sister never did get the person that squeezed in front of her to move until everything she wanted to see was long gone. Unbelievable rudeness, and like I said, I will be mentioning it again later in this review.

 

 

 

Here's some much happier thoughts…another look at the Bathroom in our Suite!

 

 

I wish that I had that Bathroom in my house!!

[toby517]

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to the rest. We are booked on the Gem for Sept 2014 in a 2 bedroom suite. Sorry to hear about rude passengers.

[jmele999]

Here is part of the BAD..the WEATHER the first couple of days. When were boarded the Gem it was snowing pretty good. After eating in Cagneys we decided to walk around a bit and you couldn't even walk out on the decks because it was so slippery. I was in Alaska on the Pearl this past July and only saw snow on mountain tops, so this was a first for all of us seeing snow on a cruise ship..it was kinda surreal. But it made a memory we will never forget..

[/size]

 

Now for the Excellent...

We were able to go to our cabins by noon. Everyone in my group knew we were staying in a 2 bedroom suite, but they didn't know we were staying in the 2 bedroom Haven Courtyard Suite. It was my surprise to them for Christmas.

Let me just say…WE LOVE THE HAVEN!! I don't think I could ever go back to a regular room location again. [/size]

 

 

We really enjoyed every part of being in the Haven. The Suite #14012 was last suite down the left side hallway once out of the elevators. The Suite itself was roomy with 2 bathrooms and lots of closet space. We did have to ask for more hangers and those were brought to us promptly. Was it a little tight sometimes with 6 adults? Yes..but in my book still worth it.

 

If you don't mind me asking, can you tell us about the sleeping arrangements.

for 6 adults.

[JRA1708]

Sleeping arrangements were…Myself & my sister in Master Bedroom, my 2 daughters and their friend in the smaller bedroom and my bother slept on pull out couch. All beds (except master) had extra padding of egg crate foam, and all said they slept very well and had no complaints.

[RYMOMA]

we were in the same suite over the 9 day halloween cruise

 

 

totally awesome and worth it!!!!

 

love your bathroom picture....we are renovating ours this year

i wish my wall was long enough to do the same...

 

we mostly stayed in the Haven this time around, but on previous cruises out of NYC we encountered the entitled crowd as well....

[JRA1708]

we were in the same suite over the 9 day halloween cruise

 

 

totally awesome and worth it!!!!

 

love your bathroom picture....we are renovating ours this year

i wish my wall was long enough to do the same...

 

we mostly stayed in the Haven this time around, but on previous cruises out of NYC we encountered the entitled crowd as well....

 

We loved the Haven. I know some people on CC complain that sometimes there are little children running around and it kind of ruins the tranquility. There were a couple of families that did have small children, but the parents kept them under control pretty well. So Kudos to them for being good parents. I mean the children were present playing in the pool and hot tub while we lounged and read on our kindles and never did we think..geeze I wish these kids weren't here. We all just respected each other. I wish we could say the same for some of the passengers on the outer decks. I have to take a break now, but I will go into more detail about our experience…promise!

[mommyto2girls]

Good Review. love your pictures we call 14012 our Timeshare on the Gem its is our favorite room. You must have also had Gigi as you room steward, we love her. So glad you enjoyed the Haven. We will be back on the Gem a week from Saturday.

[boopsahoy]

Good Review. love your pictures we call 14012 our Timeshare on the Gem its is our favorite room. You must have also had Gigi as you room steward, we love her. So glad you enjoyed the Haven. We will be back on the Gem a week from Saturday.

 

Love the snow on the decks pictures!

 

We will also be on the gem a week from satudray-yesssssssssssssss!

Id love the 2 bedroom Haven suite. i keep checking prices hoping it will go down.

[kh6275]

We loved the Haven too and I'm so glad my kiddies (David & Lizzie) never bothered you guys. Lizzie absolutely adored your girls!! I did my best to let the kids have fun without interfering with other passengers enjoyment of the Haven.

 

We loved the Haven. I know some people on CC complain that sometimes there are little children running around and it kind of ruins the tranquility. There were a couple of families that did have small children, but the parents kept them under control pretty well. So Kudos to them for being good parents. I mean the children were present playing in the pool and hot tub while we lounged and read on our kindles and never did we think..geeze I wish these kids weren't here. We all just respected each other. I wish we could say the same for some of the passengers on the outer decks. I have to take a break now, but I will go into more detail about our experience…promise!

[margincall]

beautiful pics-we are on the gem next december on dec 1-always a risk at that time of year,but bet it was all gone the next day-good thing not sailing tonight.

[francina]

Love your review and thought the snow was nice. I am also going on the Gem the 11th and cannot wait.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[3DBeach]

Very neat pictures of the snow on the deck! Must have been pretty to see coming out of NY. Looking forward to hearing more.

[JRA1708]

We loved the Haven too and I'm so glad my kiddies (David & Lizzie) never bothered you guys. Lizzie absolutely adored your girls!! I did my best to let the kids have fun without interfering with other passengers enjoyment of the Haven.

 

Lizzie and David were ADORABLE and the girls still talk about them. They are such good kids…glad we got to sail with nice people and make fond memories.

[JRA1708]

Very neat pictures of the snow on the deck! Must have been pretty to see coming out of NY. Looking forward to hearing more.

 

The snow was def an experience. As you can see in the pictures, it was snowing so hard during the sail away from NYC everything was hard to see. I see that you are sailing on the Pearl this coming April, so far the Pearl has been my favorite ship and cruise.

Edited January 3, 2014 by JRA1708
changed wording

[3DBeach]

The snow was def an experience. As you can see in the pictures, it was snowing so hard during the sail away from NYC everything was hard to see. I see that you are sailing on the Pearl this coming April..is that when it returns to Alaska? We sailed the Pearl last July in Alaska and it was AWESOME! You will love the Pearl no matter where its at though, have fun!

 

We are actually going to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Key West. When we get back to Miami she is headed through the Panama Canal then up to Alaska. I would love to do both of those someday :)

I am looking forward to trying the Pearl, have read so many wonderful reviews and we love NCL (I have only sailed RCCL and NCL, parents have sailed NCL, RCCL, Princess, Celebrity and HAL lol).

[JRA1708]

Here are a few more pictures of our sail away from NYC

 

 

It was a spectacular sight sailing under the Brooklyn Bridge

[kh6275]

This is a picture of the snowman that my nanny made for the kiddies leaving NY.

[JRA1708]

So later that night we went to our 1st show in the Stardust Theater. Hence here is another of the "Excellent" part of the cruise. The entertainment..and I mean ALL the entertainment, was Excellent if not Superior to all my other cruises combined. Everything from the Cruise Director Matt, the assistant Cruise Director Dan Dan, the production shows, Scott the Juggler, The Cat's Pajamas, the Band in the Spinnaker "Amar", Songs with Leo in the Atrium, music with "New Season" at pool side, The "Ironics" in the Spinnaker, Piano music and caroling with Micheal in the Star Bar…I mean the list goes on and on and on….everything was just so good. A big thumbs up for who ever handles the entertainment on the Gem because they should get a raise. Here are a few pictures of the shows and singers.

 

[JRA1708]

Let me tell you how much we loved the Cruise Director Matt Sole and the Assistant Cruise Director Dan Dan. So funny and everywhere on the ship. I swear they are at like 3 places at once. The have great personalities and you can tell they truly love their jobs. Spoiler alert…they both come out and sing later in the cruise and all I can say is WOW!! You can't believe those voices come out of those CRAZY-LOONEY Guys a very pleasant surprise.

 

 

Here is Scott the Juggler and the singing group "The Cat's Pajamas"

 

[JRA1708]

All but me were pretty sea sick the first couple days at sea because of the storm that hit the East Coast. The ship was rocking and rolling pretty good and after the welcome aboard show half of us had to go lie down or use the bathroom to evacuate the meals that were just eaten. I have never as yet gotten sea sick on any of my cruises and if I ever would, I'm pretty sure it would have happened on this cruise. My brother and sister stopped at the gift shop and bought the sea bands and they said the bands seemed to work for them. We had our Suite all lined up for the cabin crawl that was with our CC friends, but I told Kyle (Bendyman) that we had to opt out due to two of our party being green under the gills clear to Wednesday. They spent a lot of time in bed, thank heavens they did feel better by wednesday evening.

[JRA1708]

This is a picture of the snowman that my nanny made for the kiddies leaving NY. [ATTACH]297316[/ATTACH]

 

I know, the amount of snow on the decks was amazing to me. Taylor is trying to find the picture I took of her, Tessa, Lizzie and David in the hot tub. She wants me to post it so you can show it to them. Tell Lizzie and David the girls said Hi.