1n cruise to nowhere.

[maggie cruises]

Did anyone who did the 1 night CTN this past weekend out of NYC care to do a little synopsis of the cruise? The good, the great, the bad and the ugly?

The prices were really cheap and they are doing them monthly until May but I really want an honest review from someone. I am a seasoned cruiser and know what to expect and certainly would understand all sides regarding this overnighter.

 

Be honest as I am thinking it was a fun cruise but also that it was a madhouse with overworked stressed out crew and some interesting pax! LOL

 

Thanks

[Godiva830]

I did the 1 nighter r this past Friday and 1 in Nov both on the Gem. I would do another 1 nighter. It was fun. I'm not the party hard type person and look for where all the parties are going to be. I enjoyed the cruises. Both 1 nighters I ate in Cagney's, went to the shows, gambled, had a few drinks. I went with my mom and sister. We went to the White Hot Party on the Nov cruise but missed it on this last one. We were in the casino then went to grab a bite to eat in the buffet and headed back to our room about 1am :)

 

It's fun. If your looking for a party atmosphere you can find it on board and if your looking for a nice quick getaway with your spouse or friends its great also. There are areas where if you want to relax and enjoy yourself, you'll be able to find it. The spa is open to buy a pass but I've never bought a pass for a 1 nighter.

 

It's good to try it. I've never seen my room steward on either one of my one nighters but I don't mind. I've never had ny problems and had a great time. Worse cones to worse...it's less than 24 hours on board so it's not tat bad lol

The rates have been great lately but the port taxes are close to $100.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Godiva830

[Tralfie]

My very first cruise -- taken a few months ago - was a CTN on the Gem. I absolutely loved it. There's one in February I'm CONSIDERING doing, despite the fact I'm going on Breakaway for a week in March.

 

My review -- good, bad and indifferent -- is in my signature!

 

Richard/Tralfie

[bluesea777]

We did one in Dec - we had to make an emergency trip to NYC and the hotel rates were so high for the first night in NYC (for some reason) and I looked at the one-nighter and found it cheaper than the hotel!!

 

In all we enjoyed our time on the Gem - lunch, cocktails, nap, cocktails, dinner in Cagney's, show, casino, good night's sleep, breakfast (good one from Garden's Café), and we left ship at 10am.

 

You do not need to be a party person - it's a good gathering with family or friends, or as part of your travelling itinerary (like ours).

 

We'd do a CTN again when circumstances allow it.

 

The Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table was quite loose for me on the CTN and my DH was delighted!! For once I enjoyed playing in casino that night!

 

One tip though, wait until it's less than a week to go before the cruise before you book - prices will be dirt cheap as NCL tries to fill up ship.

Edited January 14, 2014 by bluesea777

[maggie cruises]

I am going to book it! I believe in exceptionally long cruises but this sounds fun.

 

questions:

 

1. What time is good to book Cagney's if we want to make the show? did they do 2 shows?

 

2. What time was muster? I don't want this to interfere with Cagneys and we don't mind eating early so I would book between 6 and 7 probably closer to 7 in order to see sailaway.

 

3. And most important. If you did lunch nap etc what is the earliest you can get on the ship? we usually arrive at the port by 1030 for a 3 or 4 oclock sailaway. This says 6pm sailaway so just wondering how early we can embark.

 

Thanks!!!!

[maggie cruises]

We did one in Dec - we had to make an emergency trip to NYC and the hotel rates were so high for the first night in NYC (for some reason) and I looked at the one-nighter and found it cheaper than the hotel!!

 

In all we enjoyed our time on the Gem - lunch, cocktails, nap, cocktails, dinner in Cagney's, show, casino, good night's sleep, breakfast (good one from Garden's Café), and we left ship at 10am.

 

You do not need to be a party person - it's a good gathering with family or friends, or as part of your travelling itinerary (like ours).

 

We'd do a CTN again when circumstances allow it.

 

The Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker table was quite loose for me on the CTN and my DH was delighted!! For once I enjoyed playing in casino that night!

 

One tip though, wait until it's less than a week to go before the cruise before you book - prices will be dirt cheap as NCL tries to fill up ship.

 

I know waiting will probably be in my favor but last weeks cruise went as low as $22 but I have to think that is because it was January and zero degree in NYC and many pax just cancelled thus making the cabins available again.

 

we are booking a spring 1 nighter so I am not concerned about it being $29 or $59 because in the past I have noticed that these one nighter sell the cheapest cabins first and that is where we will be lol

 

I am not interested in a suite etc for this CTN and that is what will be available for a nicer weather cruise. Just MHO but the price is low enough to allow me to book now.

[Godiva830]

I booked Cagneys for 6:00. There's a few shows on a 1 nighter. It's 7 days packed into 1 night lol I saw a 7:30 show. They usually start letting people on the ship around 12:00. Muster was 4:30. All aboard is 5:00. Sail away was 6:00.

 

There's SO much to do! The specialty restaurants reservations fill up quickly. Don't wait until your onboard. Pre book to get the time you want.

[mizLORInj]

I am going to book it! I believe in exceptionally long cruises but this sounds fun.

 

questions:

 

1. What time is good to book Cagney's if we want to make the show? did they do 2 shows? In November & December it was Get Down Tonight at 7 and a comedian at 9 -- both in the theater.

 

2. What time was muster? when sailaway was 4, muster was at 3:30. I don't want this to interfere with Cagneys and we don't mind eating early so I would book between 6 and 7 probably closer to 7 in order to see sailaway. I think last Friday's was at 6pm.

 

3. And most important. If you did lunch nap etc what is the earliest you can get on the ship? we usually arrive at the port by 1030 for a 3 or 4 oclock sailaway. This says 6pm sailaway so just wondering how early we can embark. Noon.

 

Thanks!!!!

The above answers are based on the CTN I did in November & December.

[Godiva830]

The shows on this past Fridays 1 nighter was

7:30 Donovan & Rebecca (acrobatic show) in theater

8:30 comedy show Michael Donavan in Spinnaker

9:30 World Beat in theater

10:30 The Second City Scriptless in Spinnaker

11:00 White Hot Party in Spinnaker

[MAZ100]

I did mine in November and going back in May..

 

It is great and had a wonderful time. It is like a one day at sea..

[Crusin6]

I am looking at doing this as well. I hope that pax from the feb and march ctn keep us all updated.

 

And I agree with a pp that the prices for the last ctn went low because of the weather and that spring ctn would not go so low and that the cheapest cabins will sell out first

 

I am no great fan of insides but for 1 night I will pay $59 plus fees and tax and not concern myself about if it will go down 20 bucks. Lol

[JYeagersGrl]

I'll be on the February 7th gem 1 Nighter and will review on our return.

[antsnanny]

I agree that the one nighters are party atmospheres but fun. Personally, I like to do them in warmer weather when you can use the pool and deck area. In the cold weather the ship seems overcrowded because everyone is indoors. The prices are great but the taxes are over the top.

[Crusin6]

I agree that the one nighters are party atmospheres but fun. Personally, I like to do them in warmer weather when you can use the pool and deck area. In the cold weather the ship seems overcrowded because everyone is indoors. The prices are great but the taxes are over the top.

 

I know the taxes and fee are more than my $59 fare. Lol well at least they are refundable should you cancel. Not that I ever would but at least it is a consolation.

 

Too bad they only do them up to may in NYC. While the April and may ctn may certainly be in mild weather my guess is it might be lounge chair weather at best. Maybe hot tub but there wouldn't be any room in them

 

Sitting in the great outdoors would be nice so would just walking the lido or promenade.

[Crusin6]

I'll be on the February 7th gem 1 Nighter and will review on our return.

 

Thank you!!

[davy jones]

I took one a couple of years ago in better weather. It is more of a party atmosphere and there were long lines at the ship store to purchase liquor.

 

It was fun and we would do it again. Even with the taxes, it is a reasonably priced night "on the town". It is ironic that on the most recent sailing, pier parking cost almost as much as fare for 2. ($40 vs $44)

[antsnanny]

I know the taxes and fee are more than my $59 fare. Lol well at least they are refundable should you cancel. Not that I ever would but at least it is a consolation.

 

Too bad they only do them up to may in NYC. While the April and may ctn may certainly be in mild weather my guess is it might be lounge chair weather at best. Maybe hot tub but there wouldn't be any room in them

 

Sitting in the great outdoors would be nice so would just walking the lido or promenade.

 

Ill take the Great Outdoors any day in April or May. Your right thought but the pool area is fun even if its too cold to swim. A summer one or two nighter would be awesome but I bet expensive.

[maggie cruises]

I'll be on the February 7th gem 1 Nighter and will review on our return.

 

Great I will keep my eye out for it! Thanks

[pixiedustdawn]

Went on all 3 of the one night cruises. I am not a partier and I don't drink and had a great time.

 

Check your docs for time of sail away. January sail away was at 6pm.

 

Dawn

[Crusin6]

Went on all 3 of the one night cruises. I am not a partier and I don't drink and had a great time.

 

Check your docs for time of sail away. January sail away was at 6pm.

 

Dawn

 

Can you post some details. Anything of interest

 

Thanks

[Brighton Line]

Gem's 9 day itinerary gives it a one day CTN almost every month to get back on schedule. The NYC Taxes are always just under $100 a person and if you get close to the sail date I've seen insides as low as $22.

 

Surprised they are doing muster drills, 2 years ago since you are not on the ship more than 24 hours it was only an 7 minute announcement but the bars did close for the length of the announcement.

 

I guess Concordia has changed a lot of things with SOLAS.

[JYeagersGrl]

Gem's 9 day itinerary gives it a one day CTN almost every month to get back on schedule. The NYC Taxes are always just under $100 a person and if you get close to the sail date I've seen insides as low as $22.

Insides and ocean views were $22 a few days ago and balconies started at $29 I believe but they've jumped up quite a but now.

[maggie cruises]

Insides and ocean views were $22 a few days ago and balconies started at $29 I believe but they've jumped up quite a but now.

 

$59 for an April inside The way I see it is that the insides will sell out anyway for April at $59, $49, $39 or whatever and don't forsee a fire sale on those. Don't care for a balcony so I figured we might as well secure an inside now at $59 and possibly lose out on an approx. $50 savings for the 2 of us in total if we wait and possibly having to pay more for a cabin we don't want anyway like a balcony.

 

We like OV's but for one night who cares anyway.

[maggie cruises]

Insides and ocean views were $22 a few days ago and balconies started at $29 I believe but they've jumped up quite a but now.

 

I bet lots of pax cancelled last minute for that cruise as the temps in NYC last week were almost artic! Lose the cabin fare and get the fees and taxes back and just stay home is what many probably said.

 

Personal choice of course at a minimal loss.

[pixiedustdawn]

I always have a great time on the one night cruises. Some sit at the bars and drink all night, others go to all the venues to see every show or any entertainment that is offered. Others board and make dinner reservations and have a 3 hour meal. It is all up to the individual. I had dinner in LeBistro and wen to a few venues. January prices actually did go down to $2.00 at one point. Ship seemed full but I am sure it probably wasn't completely full. It did get very warm out the day of the cruise and the day we debarked it was spring like weather. We didn't need our jackets while outdoors.

 

Enjoy your cruise and do "Whatever"!