NCL Gem 1/21-1/30/2015 my 1st review

[pscozz702]

My DW and I are now all settled up with our missed tv shows, mail, email, and work and now getting time to write out our review. As this is our first cruise review in 10 cruises please bare with us as we share our experience. We arrived at the pier at about 11:30 am, as we had a suite, check in and getting on board was quick and easy. We used cash for our onboard account rather than a credit card. Our first stop was to guest services, the only bad part of the trip. The person who took our money never said hello, thank you, or may I help you. Almost had to guess for ourselves if she was there for us or doing something else, she didn't even ask why we were there, we had to tell her why we were there and ask if she can help. When we went back to guess services at other times we made sure she was not available to us. After that, everyone, and I mean everyone, smiled and greeted you.

 

We went to Cagney's for lunch where we were made to feel like we are on vacation. It is a nice suite perk to use. We had lunch there almost every day and a few times for breakfast. The food was very good and service was excellent. We ate at the Garden Café a couple of times, the food was decent. Three nights we ate at the Grand Pacific. Food was very good as well as the service. Two nights we dined at Magenta's same can be said for both food and service. We also dined at Cagney's and La Cucina both were worth going to. If you go to the dining rooms around 8:00 or later you should be seated promptly. O'Sheehan's was hit twice in the middle of the night for snacks, IMO the wings are better than Blue Lagoon's.

 

We made it to our home for the next 9 days, an aft suite on deck 9. The cabin was a pretty decent size and view out the back was pleasant and sounds were soothing. Our room steward was always friendly, took care of everything that was needed promptly. The butler was on top of our needs, every day he would ask us if there was anything we needed or could do for us. We had breakfast delivered a couple of times and was brought to us on time with a smile. One issue we had was the light above the bathroom mirror was out and was fixed within a couple of hours. The balcony was on the small side looking up at the ones on the 10th deck, and every morning there was debris accumulated on it. This was a downfall for this cabin, we got a good deal on this suite because our 2014 cruise on the Pearl was cancelled. We may never do an aft cabin again. There was a lot of walking to elevators so we could get to where everything is located, mid ship is more likely the place to be.

 

We used the pool during port calls and avoided the crowds. The spa was used for messages on Tortola port day. Go when in port to get a relaxing pampering, watch the dailies as each port day the spa offers are different.

 

That's all for now, gotta get some sleep, will continue tomorrow.

[din2play2]

Thanks for your review and the tip to watch dailies for the spa offers :)

Do you remember how much the massages were?

[dshefter]

Thanks for the review. We just booked the Gem for next January. Unfortunately, we aren't in a suite.

[pscozz702]

Thanks for your review and the tip to watch dailies for the spa offers :)

Do you remember how much the massages were?

 

We both had a back and foot message for 50 minutes $99 + 18% gratuity came to $117 p/p. That was while we were in Tortola, pier is being worked on so we were tendered, only a few hours there and just wanted to relax. It was a mix and match special for $99. The other port days had other options so you really should check the Dailies the night before to see what would be of interest.

[pscozz702]

Thanks for the review. We just booked the Gem for next January. Unfortunately, we aren't in a suite.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Even though you're not in a suite, the Garden Cafe will be crowded on embarkation day, especially if it's really cold out, you can go to the Grand Pacific for a sit down meal. In 2013, we did this same trip and stayed in a mini suite and went there for lunch and breakfast most of the time, other times we did the buffet.

[pscozz702]

Sorry tomorrow came a day later for us, real life stinks.

 

Our first port was San Juan, we stayed on board. We were there for our third time, and each time we docked at 3:00pm. In the winter that doesn't leave much daylight left for a beach and as much as I thought about doing the Bacardi tour I might be better off not going. In 2005 and 2013 it had rained when we arrived but this time it didn't so it made for a better appreciation of the port. On the morning of we went for a walk around outside and saw about a dozen flying fish, and no camera in hand.

 

The next stop was St. Thomas, again our third time there. The first time we went to Trunk Bay, no ship excursion saved a bit of money and had a longer beach time. Second time we walked around the port area. This time we went on a ship sponsored excursion to Magens Bay. We enjoyed Magens Bay crystal clear, calm water with fish swimming around you and diving Pelicans. I will say both beaches are beautiful and worth the trip. Don't listen to the negatives about the beaches being crowded on ship days, if you look you will see there is plenty of beach that you can be alone if you want. You can save money by taking a cab on your own. Both beaches have a fee to enter.

 

Third port St. Maarten was sunny, hot, and beautiful considering that back home was under a blizzard threat. We went on another ship sponsored excursion to Orient Beach. I recommend the excursion through the ship, you get a welcome punch -with or without rum-a lounge chair, lunch, and for a couple of dollars and umbrella. The surf can get rough at times. My DW and I watched a father and his toddler son having a blast riding the waves. One thing to watch out for are the sand merchants hawking clothes, bags and whatnots. In 2013, all you had to say was "no thank you" and they left, this time that made them worse. We pretended to be asleep and they stayed away but as soon as they saw an eye open they were circling again.

 

Last was Tortola, which seemed like a quick stop - 7am to 1pm. We were there in mid July 2005, out of 10 thermometers 1 that was in the shade hadn't had broken glass with leaking mercury...113 degrees in the am - better in the winter - low 90's. The pier is being reinforced for the larger vessels and the area surrounding is being renovated, well that's what the concierge had said. We stayed on board and used the spa. It was something we both needed and the messages made us feel great. They do try to sell products but are not overbearing about it.

 

In all, the islands we visited were incredible and rich in history, warm, and friendly. With so few winter sailing choices from NYC, we would do this itinerary again.

 

Like a said real life stinks, must work again tomorrow...OT to pay for this last trip and build up a fund for the next one. I have a little bit more to mention but will do it tomorrow.

[judyf]

Thanks for sharing, 49 days until with sail on the Gem.

[NJsharon]

Thanks for the review!

[din2play2]

TY for the info on the massages and continuing with your review :)

[pscozz702]

TY for the info on the massages and continuing with your review :)

 

Thanks, no problem, have a great cruise... What ports are you going to?

[butabeach]

Thank you for posting your review. I enjoyed it as I'm doing the same cruise in March in a mini-suite. I've sailed on other lines but this is the first time sailing with NCL so I'm really looking forward to it. Can you suggest any tips or must do's? Thank you in advance!

[pscozz702]

Thank you for posting your review. I enjoyed it as I'm doing the same cruise in March in a mini-suite. I've sailed on other lines but this is the first time sailing with NCL so I'm really looking forward to it. Can you suggest any tips or must do's? Thank you in advance!

 

Must do? Study the deck plans. To get to the theater on deck 7 you must pass thought the shops, on deck 6 you must go through the casino. The shows are good. Go to Spinnaker Lounge for some great views. Explore the ship the first couple of days. The maps in the elevator banks are able to tell which elevators go where, and basically where some places are located. The only restaurant you would want to book early is Tappanyaki. All the food in all the restaurants are good but the specialty ones offer a different experience.

 

Tips? The Grand Pacific is on deck 6 and a half, go to the aft elevator bank, port side elevators go to deck 7 only - the 2 starboard side elevators go to deck 6 for the handicapped entrance. The fish in the carpet swim forward except for the one that has to be different and swim backwards. There are plenty of places to lounge about, pool deck 12, sun deck 13 mid-ship and forward, forward deck 14, adults only deck 15 forward. Most dinning rooms are crowded between 5:30 and 7:30. We went around 7:30 and 8:00 and didn't wait more than a few minutes. If you need to eat early you could make reservations.

[pscozz702]

This will be about the weather and sea conditions. We have sailed out of the NYC area for 9 out of 10 cruises. Sailed out of Tampa once, worse trip ever...the seas were to calm. 8 out of the 9 departures from NYC we would hit a storm either going out or coming back. This trip was the first trip without heavy seas. I love the rough seas, I sleep better, my DW will take dramamine to help her stay asleep.

When we left the air temperature was around 35F degrees and sea temp at 45F degrees, the next morning air temp was in the mid to high 50's and sea temp was in the low 70's. The third day the air temps were in the high 70's and same with the sea temps. When we were closer to Puerto Rico the air temps were now in the mid to upper 80's and the sea temp was in the mid 80's, and then the rest of the islands the air temps were in the 90's as a high and sea temps in the mid 80's until day 7 on the way home.

The whole trip down and around the islands were less than 5 foot waves, smooth sailing. On Tuesday the northeast was getting on with a blizzard, a very large storm system to boot. Wednesday we started back and still had less than 5 foot waves, overnight into early Thursday morning we started to get larger waves less than 15 feet but still a reminder of the storm that blew threw. The ship rocked a couple of times but nothing that would make them put out seasickness patrols.

We have been fortunate for all the times sailing in the winter out of NYC we have had comfortable weather sailing out and really cold weather coming back, but this was the first time we docked with snow falling, covering the outside decks making them very slippery. The Breakaway was docked at the next pier and was covered in light snow, what a sight.

I have pictures from the trip, but the kids got us a new computer for Christmas and can't figure out how to share them. I don't know if it's a security issue or the website I use to store my pictures on. If I figure it out I will post some pictures.

 

Well that is pretty much our review. The trip was fantastic and too short. We made our memories, relaxed and forgot about life for a while. After all we were in paradise. If any one has questions please ask if we can answer them we will to the best of our abilities.

Now we are planning our cruise for next winter and summer, or just the winter. The kids want to go with us with the grandchildren now. So if they can make it happen we get 2 cruises in 2016. If they can't we get 1 cruise, but it would be a longer one.

Happy cruising everyone. Thank you for all your kind replies.

[din2play2]

Thanks, no problem, have a great cruise... What ports are you going to?

 

We are on the 8 night cruise to FL, GSC & Bahamas - Can't wait!!

Glad you had a Fantastic time!

Thanks again for taking the time to do this review :)

[pscozz702]

We are on the 8 night cruise to FL, GSC & Bahamas - Can't wait!!

Glad you had a Fantastic time!

Thanks again for taking the time to do this review :)

 

We enjoy GSC, would have liked to have gone there rather than Tortola (at least until the port is finished). Would like to hear how GSC is after their "improvements". Been there 3 out of 4 itineraries, the first time was cancelled due to hurricane damage. Each time we went they had something new, and after reading what they had planned for the "Next" program can't wait to hear about it, nor wait to see it.

[pscozz702]

Our cabin

[pscozz702]

Some views leaving NYC. The last picture you can see smoke from a devastating fire in Wehawken, didn't notice what was there till 4 days later.

[pscozz702]

Some more leaving down the Hudson.

[Freespir8]

Thanks for your review. Pictures are beautiful!

[pscozz702]

There was no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow just Puerto Rico

[pscozz702]

When RCCL's Jewel of the Seas left St. Thomas, we got the horn right into our room. Wish I had the camera with us at Mavens Bay. Beautiful beach and water, will get pictures next time.

[Whimbrel Sailor]

Yes we are also going on the gem 3/27 can't wait jeff and leesa

[pscozz702]

Yes we are also going on the gem 3/27 can't wait jeff and leesa

 

Enjoy your cruise, I have a few more pictures to post. Your weather leaving from here should be better then what it is now hopefully.