Off the Gem today Friday January 22

[aces389]

We have cruised in January for the last 4 years and this was the roughest it has been. The ship was rocking and rolling going south for a day and a half and also going north when we left Tortola for a day and a half. This was also some of the worst weather that we experience on the Islands, cloudy or overcast for several of the island.

 

The Gem came through the dry dock in really nice shape. Muted earth tones in several of the venues. unfortunately the area by Le Bistro needs to be larger to accommodate the people listening to the music played there.

 

There was something off about this cruise, had to pin point what it was. There was the time I ordered iced tea without lemon in the dining room and the waiter came back to tell me they had no lemon, ok by me. All of the pay restaurant were a la carte pricing, don't know how it worked with any of the meal plans. I have read about how NCL counts their nickels and dimes. Well this time we experienced it, my wife and I are both platinum and when we went to Le Bistro for dinner you could only order an appetizer or a soup, but not both, along with the entree. How cheap can NCL get for their frequent cruisers.

 

Didn't go to any of the shows so I can't comment. Casino was pleasant but not profitable. A lot of smoke there. Buffet was the normal problems with finding a table.

 

As they say a day at sea beats going to work.

 

Marty

[msg12188]

We have cruised in January for the last 4 years and this was the roughest it has been. The ship was rocking and rolling going south for a day and a half and also going north when we left Tortola for a day and a half. This was also some of the worst weather that we experience on the Islands, cloudy or overcast for several of the island.

 

The Gem came through the dry dock in really nice shape. Muted earth tones in several of the venues. unfortunately the area by Le Bistro needs to be larger to accommodate the people listening to the music played there.

 

There was something off about this cruise, had to pin point what it was. There was the time I ordered iced tea without lemon in the dining room and the waiter came back to tell me they had no lemon, ok by me. All of the pay restaurant were a la carte pricing, don't know how it worked with any of the meal plans. I have read about how NCL counts their nickels and dimes. Well this time we experienced it, my wife and I are both platinum and when we went to Le Bistro for dinner you could only order an appetizer or a soup, but not both, along with the entree. How cheap can NCL get for their frequent cruisers.

 

Didn't go to any of the shows so I can't comment. Casino was pleasant but not profitable. A lot of smoke there. Buffet was the normal problems with finding a table.

 

As they say a day at sea beats going to work.

 

Marty[

 

We will be sailing her on February 1st. It will be our 5th NCL and 2nd time on the GEM.

 

Glad you made it back safely. Feeling bad for those traveling out on her today as they will probably be alot of rocking and rolling going on over the weekend. (Been there = done that).

 

What are the must see shows on this cruise?

 

Mary and Red

[49erfan007]

Marty,

Yes I agree the rocking and rolling was really bad this time. The weather also could have been a lot better. We had the UDP and there never was a charge for any food, even with the a la carte menus. The food in Le Bistro and Cagney's was excellent. I don't know about you, but I still feel like I am rocking...it's making me crazy

[49erfan007]

We will be sailing her on February 1st. It will be our 5th NCL and 2nd time on the GEM.

 

Glad you made it back safely. Feeling bad for those traveling out on her today as they will probably be alot of rocking and rolling going on over the weekend. (Been there = done that).

 

What are the must see shows on this cruise?

 

Mary and Red

The comedy show with Tim Kaminski on the first day at see was awesome! Also the show on day 8, dual balskatt was amazing. Those were the only 2 shows that I went to and enjoyed. The others were ok, but IMO could be missed

[woodburykt]

We'll be sailing the Gem for the 8th time on Feb 11.

 

Last Feb on the Gem we had the same exact weather/sea experience. Rough rocking seas all the way down, rain on the islands every day, and rockin and rollin all the way back to NY.

Thank goodness for Dramamine. : )

 

Looking forward to seeing some changes from dry dock and here's hoping that the weather pattern will be calmer and nicer in a few weeks.

 

Welcome home!

[hateswaterloves2cruise]

Sorry you had such rough waters. Last February we had rough weather all the way to SanJuan. Beautiful Caribbean weather then rocking and rolling most of the way home. I have a video on my ipad that makes me sick to watch. Taken from our aft balcony at night on the way home. If it had been my first cruise out of NYC it definitely would have been my last. Trying again this Feb but booked out of Tampa for next Feb.

[Turtles06]

Marty,

Yes I agree the rocking and rolling was really bad this time. The weather also could have been a lot better. We had the UDP and there never was a charge for any food, even with the a la carte menus. The food in Le Bistro and Cagney's was excellent. I don't know about you, but I still feel like I am rocking...it's making me crazy

 

With the UDP, did they restrict which course you could have? (Someone else today reported they were only permitted to order an app OR soup in Le Bistro.)

 

Any restrictions on number of apps or desserts?

 

Just trying to get a sense of whether anything has changed for those with the UDP even though the venues are now a la carte.

 

Thanks!

[muffin83]

I was also on this sailing. The seas were so bad that we missed the M & G. My hubby and our daughter were both sick. I thought the weather was pretty good in port though, other then the rainy morning we had in tortula.

 

as for us, This was our first NCL Cruise (we have been on many carnival and 1 disney), and we had a great time. We even bought a Cruise next certificate. Our room steward was great, as was the kids club. But I agree with the original poster. There was just something off about this cruise. There were 3 or 4 staff that stood out on this cruise but most of the crew just wasn't that out of your way nice that I am used to on cruise. I mean no one was rude or anything and everyone was working hard. But something was missing from what I am used to on a cruise. 1 example I will give. We went to O'sheehan 1 day, we ordered our food and we got it. We waited and waited and waited about 30 minutes for our waiter to come back to order dessert and another drink, he never came back, we finally gave up and left. Another example, we asked our waiter one night at dinner about ordering drinks, he said he would send a bartender, same thing we waited and waited. No one ever came. finally after we were finish with our entree, the waiter offered to go get our drinks.

[runner15km]

I was also on this sailing, overall a good cruise. O'Sheehans service was sub par, maybe this is why it was mostly empty. You should not have to ask for silverware ! Is the concept of O'Sheehans a Irish Pub ? Would be nice if they had some Irish beer or some Irish music to liven up the place.

The only night it was lively was during the NFL games.

[aces389]

I was also on this sailing. The seas were so bad that we missed the M & G. My hubby and our daughter were both sick. I thought the weather was pretty good in port though, other then the rainy morning we had in tortula.

 

as for us, This was our first NCL Cruise (we have been on many carnival and 1 disney), and we had a great time. We even bought a Cruise next certificate. Our room steward was great, as was the kids club. But I agree with the original poster. There was just something off about this cruise. There were 3 or 4 staff that stood out on this cruise but most of the crew just wasn't that out of your way nice that I am used to on cruise. I mean no one was rude or anything and everyone was working hard. But something was missing from what I am used to on a cruise. 1 example I will give. We went to O'sheehan 1 day, we ordered our food and we got it. We waited and waited and waited about 30 minutes for our waiter to come back to order dessert and another drink, he never came back, we finally gave up and left. Another example, we asked our waiter one night at dinner about ordering drinks, he said he would send a bartender, same thing we waited and waited. No one ever came. finally after we were finish with our entree, the waiter offered to go get our drinks.

 

It was not one big thing that was off on this cruise but several small things. We went to the CAS cocktail party at the start of the cruise and they had no food. We sent to O'Sheehan's once and found the service slow so we never went back. I am a big guy so I always ask for a table rather than a booth. Sure enough when we sent to O'Sheenhan's I ask for a table for two and the maitre'd takes us to a booth. The Meet and Greet was nice and they had plenty of food and all of the Officers were there. Thanks to Little Mermaid for organizing. Sorry we were unable to go on the St Marteen excursion.

[2boyzmom]

Thanks for the review. I guess leaving from NY is risky as far as rough seas. We are sailing her in 3 weeks and hoping for the best, but no airfare x 4 people and no stress of flying in the winter made it worth it. Too bad about the weather in Caribbean. I thought this was considered dry season. How were the chair hoggers ?

[MaryLS]

Thanks for the review. I guess leaving from NY is risky as far as rough seas. We are sailing her in 3 weeks and hoping for the best, but no airfare x 4 people and no stress of flying in the winter made it worth it. Too bad about the weather in Caribbean. I thought this was considered dry season. How were the chair hoggers ?

 

The chair hogs were out in full force! Simple solution....just go up one deck and there are plenty of chairs.

[long Island]

Can't wait to go! Leaving March 2 through the 12th .can't wait to see the new refurbished Gem.

[lenquixote66]

Leaving Feb.21 and hoping for good weather and a calm water .