Tell me why I will love the Gem..

[TraJon9]

Keep it coming!!

 

Honestly I will watch over the prices of the new Anthem but I am really excited about this cruise we booked. I knew it would be different then the Breakaway but I was excited about the 3 days relaxing then hitting all the islands, then two nights in San Juan.

 

The one thing I do love about the Anthem is that solarium. With Joaquin showing up and this trip being in October heading down the coast that sure looks nice as a way to relax during the day.

 

I really love the idea of the great outdoors. One of the reasons I love the breakaway is having the dining outside. We had some really nice meals out on the waterfront in Bermuda.. It was perfection.

 

We as well have been CAS invites and book through them although they told me no discounts on cruises over 7 days from their side. Depending how we do point wise this November will also really help decide if being loyal to NCL is important. One thing with gambling you can walk away ahead with a ton of points or chase points and lose terribly. At that point the CAS free cruises are far from free. Ha! Say my prayers to the gambling gods..

 

We are heading out on the Breakway just to relax. The bahama itinerary is not the most exciting but I am so thrilled to get my cabin and be back on the ship. The rocking does wonders for sleeping. Ahh..

 

Thank you to everyone!

 

Tracy

[Turtles06]

I really love the idea of the great outdoors.

 

I can't underscore enough how much I love that space on the Gem and her sister ships. Not just for having a meal, but also just for sitting out there. One sea day during our Gem cruise this past May, the temperature was just so comfortable that we not only had breakfast out there, but stayed there for several hours, just relaxing.

 

It was extremely windy, and periodically, the wind blew over one of the chairs at a table nearby. Male NCL crew members would come over and put the chair right back where it had been, with predictable results -- it blew over again. This went on for what might have been an hour or more. It was hysterical. Finally, a female supervisor came along, picked up the blown over chair, and propped it against a pole where it could not be blown over. Problem solved!

 

It does not take much to amuse us on a sea day!

 

(But seriously, the Great Outdoors is a wonderful public area.)

Edited October 7, 2015 by Turtles06

[Red-Sol]

Keep it coming!!

 

We as well have been CAS invites and book through them although they told me no discounts on cruises over 7 days from their side. Depending how we do point wise this November will also really help decide if being loyal to NCL is important. One thing with gambling you can walk away ahead with a ton of points or chase points and lose terribly. At that point the CAS free cruises are far from free. Ha! Say my prayers to the gambling gods..

 

Tracy

 

Hi Tracy,

 

I am about the farthest person away from being an expert on how CAS actually works and what they actually use to determine comps offered etc. but I can tell you what they have offered to us.

 

Two cruises ago we earned enough points that we were offered a comped balcony on the Breakaway for a 7 day cruise. At that time I asked if comps could be used on any sailings longer than 7 days and was given the same answer as you that they didn't do it for longer cruises.

 

Now that we have returned from the last Breakaway I called CAS to determine what offers might be available to us now for our next cruise. I really liked the thought of the 10 day Gem Caribbean in March or April. CAS offered us a comped inside (rather than balcony) for that 10 day cruise. When I asked if a comped balcony was an option (since we had that for the Breakaway...I was told that it wasn't since our play had gone down) We will end up happily accepting that offer though and simply pay some additional to upgrade to a balcony.

 

So I guess the bottom line is that it isn't limited to 7 day cruises but what type of algorithims they use for everyone to determine eligibility is anyone's guess! ;)

 

Edit to Add:

 

I am also guessing that which ship and at what time might play a roll in determining what they might comp you...just another shot in the dark though!

Edited October 7, 2015 by Red-Sol

[NOSaints1]

We've been on Carnival and loved it going on RC but how does NCL compare to those two?

[TraJon9]

Hi Tracy,

 

I am about the farthest person away from being an expert on how CAS actually works and what they actually use to determine comps offered etc. but I can tell you what they have offered to us.

 

Two cruises ago we earned enough points that we were offered a comped balcony on the Breakaway for a 7 day cruise. At that time I asked if comps could be used on any sailings longer than 7 days and was given the same answer as you that they didn't do it for longer cruises.

 

Now that we have returned from the last Breakaway I called CAS to determine what offers might be available to us now for our next cruise. I really liked the thought of the 10 day Gem Caribbean in March or April. CAS offered us a comped inside (rather than balcony) for that 10 day cruise. When I asked if a comped balcony was an option (since we had that for the Breakaway...I was told that it wasn't since our play had gone down) We will end up happily accepting that offer though and simply pay some additional to upgrade to a balcony.

 

So I guess the bottom line is that it isn't limited to 7 day cruises but what type of algorithims they use for everyone to determine eligibility is anyone's guess! ;)

 

Edit to Add:

 

I am also guessing that which ship and at what time might play a roll in determining what they might comp you...just another shot in the dark though!

 

Thank you for this! Yes we have no clue on what the magic number . We recieved our first cruise from CAS via Harrahs. We decided to play for fun, not geared to get another cruise. I had some decent luck on a old Sun and Moon slot that racked up the majority of the points over the week, enough to break even from my better halfs' Bier Haus disasters.

 

We will see how we do in November and what that means for upcoming CAS cruises. Now we decided to book that cruise next year for 8 nights on the Gem through Casino, she still did the reservation for us but not with discount. Even a total rewards (harrahs) discount could not apply. We are fine with that. This November cruise on Breakaway is CAS but to the bahamas, Bermuda was excluded and the Escape, and Port Canaveral port was excluded as well. We were inside and upgraded to balcony. On this cruise it is awesome because UBP is included even at inside category.

 

I sure hope we do well in the CAS because Bermuda (first week of June) was just the best.. Thanks for taking your time!

[perditax]

Cruise radio has a recent review of the gem.

[TraJon9]

I can't underscore enough how much I love that space on the Gem and her sister ships. Not just for having a meal, but also just for sitting out there. One sea day during our Gem cruise this past May, the temperature was just so comfortable that we not only had breakfast out there, but stayed there for several hours, just relaxing.

 

It was extremely windy, and periodically, the wind blew over one of the chairs at a table nearby. Male NCL crew members would come over and put the chair right back where it had been, with predictable results -- it blew over again. This went on for what might have been an hour or more. It was hysterical. Finally, a female supervisor came along, picked up the blown over chair, and propped it against a pole where it could not be blown over. Problem solved!

 

It does not take much to amuse us on a sea day!

 

 

 

(But seriously, the Great Outdoors is a wonderful public area.)

 

I so understand the doesn't take much to amuse me.. Vacation should always be a blast! Same way... The two times on the Breakaway I could not imagine complaining about anything and my expectations were set so much lower then the reality.. Example: I am not a buffet person, I usually leave underwhelmed. Something about so much food and I lose interest. I found myself just bopping in for a treat. Crackers and cheese around 4. Lunch was great. A ice cream cone back to the room..

 

The Great Outdoors is one of my anticipated highlights.. Is there a adult area to lounge in the sun at all?

[TraJon9]

Cruise radio has a recent review of the gem.

 

I found this and listened on my Ipad. This was a great review!! Thanks! I love the sound of how relaxing and low key it sounds.

[geegee1]

I know this is a strange request..

 

My husband and I love the Breakaway.. Usually a balcony room towards the aft elevators. We take things at our own leisure. We love to gamble. Typically spend our days in the sun, speciality dining 5 of the 7 nights later in the evening. So I booked a Aft minisuite for the repositioning cruise next October 15 to San Juan on the Gem, 2016. Now I know we won't have vibe which we love but that's okay. We were going to stay in San Juan two days. Free plane and marriott hotel stay (so many miles) This is a 9 day cruise.

 

I just found out that Anthem of the Seas will be in NJ. Just as convenient for us. They have a few Caribbean cruises 2016. Balcony room same price as we are paying for a The Gem. But we will lose the UBP. So that would be a 400 dollar loss. This would be a 11 day cruise.

 

What would you do? And do please talk me into the Gem..

 

We have sailed twice on the Gem and Breakaway. While we really liked the Gem when we sailed on her, we really enjoyed the variety that Breakaway offers. We are booked for a cruise this coming February on the Gem and I am a little concerned that we will be bored.

Friends of ours were on the sister ship to Anthem this past February and raved about it. But after our only other cruise on RC I can't ever see myself going back. Doesn't have the vibe that we like when we cruise.

Good luck

[spanishguy1970]

My first two cruises were on the Gem both Transatlantic. One from Barcelona in 2009 and the other out of Venice in 2010. I love the Gem just because it was my first time cruising and just for that it makes it memorable. The ship is beautiful and i agree with DEMONYTE the GEM class are better than the newer class of ships but is something you have to decide for yourself..Have fun and good luck

[perditax]

I found this and listened on my Ipad. This was a great review!! Thanks! I love the sound of how relaxing and low key it sounds.

 

It made me intrigued to see the 'old' Bliss lounge.

[pcakes122]

Have sailed both the Breakaway and the Gem, and weighing in on the casino. MUCH prefer the Gem's casino! Just a different (better) vibe and much friendlier, attentive casino staff.

 

So I guess the bottom line is that it isn't limited to 7 day cruises but what type of algorithims they use for everyone to determine eligibility is anyone's guess! ;)

For sure. I currently am booked on several future cruises - a 12-day (Breakaway), 10-day (Gem) and 7-day (Breakaway) - all CAS balcony comps. Which surprised me since I'd read here on CC that usually CAS only books one future cruise (MAYBE two for super high-rollers (which I am not really - currently Hot but pretty close to Golden.)

 

I am looking forward to my future BA cruises for the itineraries, but looking forward to the Gem because the crew - casino and otherwise - is the best I've experienced on NCL!

 

The Gem is a different experience than the BA, but I am sure you will enjoy your cruise! :)

[Red-Sol]

Have sailed both the Breakaway and the Gem, and weighing in on the casino. MUCH prefer the Gem's casino! Just a different (better) vibe and much friendlier, attentive casino staff.

 

For sure. I currently am booked on several future cruises - a 12-day (Breakaway), 10-day (Gem) and 7-day (Breakaway) - all CAS balcony comps. Which surprised me since I'd read here on CC that usually CAS only books one future cruise (MAYBE two for super high-rollers (which I am not really - currently Hot but pretty close to Golden.)

 

I am looking forward to my future BA cruises for the itineraries, but looking forward to the Gem because the crew - casino and otherwise - is the best I've experienced on NCL!

 

The Gem is a different experience than the BA, but I am sure you will enjoy your cruise! :)

 

That's very interesting about having multiple cruises booked with a CAS comp. I've actually heard of this happening with some others as well. If you don't mind my asking could you please tell me how you did that? Did you book multiple future cruises at the same time? Did you work with one person at CAS or did you deal with more than one? Calling a different one at different times?

 

Thanks!

[RareBird]

as you can see from my sig, we sailed on Gem and sister ships many times, and just booked again for this december for 10 days. I particularly love the Gem, and we've sailed on many different ships: new and old, big and small. Gem's layout is probably one of the best out there, the staff is always great and variety is very good. Yes, you will not have quality broadway shows, but honestly on a cruise, you can find so many other ways to entertain your self at night - casino, music, bars.

[pcakes122]

If you don't mind my asking could you please tell me how you did that? Did you book multiple future cruises at the same time? Did you work with one person at CAS or did you deal with more than one? Calling a different one at different times?

Nothing special at all, no particular rhyme or reason. Not even sure if I've worked with the same person at CAS since I never make note of their names - I just work with whoever answers the phone.

 

I always book my own reservations online and use Cruise Reward certificates as a deposit. Then a few months out before sailing, I call CAS to see if there are any offers available to me on the existing reservation. Always am offered a comp (after they put me hold - I guess to check my play?) and then CAS takes over the reservation and sends me a new confirmation with the updated fare.

 

I just always figured it was worth a shot to ask - and I've been lucky so far. Which is more than I can say for how I do in the casino lol But it's all still fun! :)

[Red-Sol]

Nothing special at all, no particular rhyme or reason. Not even sure if I've worked with the same person at CAS since I never make note of their names - I just work with whoever answers the phone.

 

I always book my own reservations online and use Cruise Reward certificates as a deposit. Then a few months out before sailing, I call CAS to see if there are any offers available to me on the existing reservation. Always am offered a comp (after they put me hold - I guess to check my play?) and then CAS takes over the reservation and sends me a new confirmation with the updated fare.

 

I just always figured it was worth a shot to ask - and I've been lucky so far. Which is more than I can say for how I do in the casino lol But it's all still fun! :)

 

Thanks for that...I am glad to hear how that worked out for you and will now be giving it a shot as well.

 

And I hear you about actual luck in the casinos themselves :D but it is indeed fun to try! :)

[luv2swimwdolphins]

Not sure if OP decided, but the Gem is just a lovely ship. Enough bells and whistles for fun, but small enough for nice walks around the ship. I have done Breakaway 12 day (now 14) and Gem 9 day (now 10) both were wonderful in their own ways...but there is just something about the Gem............:)