Just Back from the Gem!

[goofy4mickey]

i guess i just didn't get the whole butler thing. i think i see the potential, but it didn't really add any value to us. he brought us afternoon snacks, but i had heard they'd bring your favorites, we had to ask him several times to bring more gummy bears. he seemed seriously put out when we called to request anything. and he just was the least personable staff member. we tried to start conversations with him and he'd just ignore it. for someone in that position, we were surprised he wasn't more friendly or helpful. luckily, we didn't really need him, and everyone else was super awesome. our cabin steward was great.

 

Wow we felt the same way and we were brought the same 3 items for 10 days. Canapes, chocolates & chocolate covered strawberries.

[gidgetgoes]

Wow we felt the same way and we were brought the same 3 items for 10 days. Canapes, chocolates & chocolate covered strawberries.

yep. and delivered with such a weird, automaton attitude. did not get the butler thing at all.

[boopsahoy]

Wow we felt the same way and we were brought the same 3 items for 10 days. Canapes, chocolates & chocolate covered strawberries.

 

yep. and delivered with such a weird, automaton attitude. did not get the butler thing at all.

You had a BAD butler! I have had great ones, good ones, and 1 really bad one. You know the first time you ask for something and he says I have 14 other people to tend to...:mad:

 

Once you have a good one you will change your mind;)

[PetMePetunia]

Glad U had a good time on the Gem.. Ive sailed her before and I'm going again in 6 days!! I cant wait.. Going by ship is the ONLY way to go !!!

[Aldeya]

We are going on Gem at the end of May. Where do you go for lunch on the embarkation day Is there anything open besides the buffet? Just trying to avoid the madness :)

[NCLfamily]

Our first cruise in 2010 was on The Gem from Venice. It made us fall in love with cruising. Glad you enjoyed and are hooked.

 

 

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[LiLBxQt]

We are going on Gem at the end of May. Where do you go for lunch on the embarkation day Is there anything open besides the buffet? Just trying to avoid the madness :)

 

 

Magenta dining room is open for lunch. We did this last time on the gem and it was perfect!

 

 

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[tumblew467]

Can you tell me who your concierge was, we sail next month and am just curious. We have the 2 bedroom Haven suite booked. We Love the Gem and all it has to offer.

Hi there Boopsahoy

[boopsahoy]

Can you tell me who your concierge was, we sail next month and am just curious. We have the 2 bedroom Haven suite booked. We Love the Gem and all it has to offer.

Hi there Boopsahoy

 

Hi! We are trying the Breakaway in July to be prepared when the Gem leaves NY :mad:and we re booked on Gem in December!

[goofy4mickey]

Can you tell me who your concierge was, we sail next month and am just curious. We have the 2 bedroom Haven suite booked. We Love the Gem and all it has to offer.

Hi there Boopsahoy

 

Elvina..she was amazing!

[gidgetgoes]

Can you tell me who your concierge was, we sail next month and am just curious. We have the 2 bedroom Haven suite booked. We Love the Gem and all it has to offer.

Hi there Boopsahoy

Elvina DeMeneses. she is an absolute treasure. she literally made our trip for us. from pre embark to disembark, she was there, absolutely amazing work. just very good at her job. probably the most important staff member of any of our vacations.

[poona1]

if you tried any specialty restaurants, how would you rank them....thanks

[tumblew467]

Elvina DeMeneses. she is an absolute treasure. she literally made our trip for us. from pre embark to disembark, she was there, absolutely amazing work. just very good at her job. probably the most important staff member of any of our vacations.

 

Thank you for the info

[luvs2beachit]

Our first cruise in 2010 was on The Gem from Venice. It made us fall in love with cruising. Glad you enjoyed and are hooked.

 

 

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We were also on the 2010 Venice cruise and that made us fall in love with the Gem! Despite the horrible storm!:mad:

[mommyto2girls]

Anyone know how long Elvina will be on the Gem? Is she close to vacation?

[tumblew467]

Anyone know how long Elvina will be on the Gem? Is she close to vacation?

our sailing is may 13th so I am curious as well.

[dexddd]

our sailing is may 13th so I am curious as well.

 

Elvina came back from vacation late January. I don't know how long her contract is but from the general info I've been told or gathered they are many months long so I'd highly suspect she'll be there May 13.

[dexddd]

gidgetgoes - appreciated the info about internet as it is of interest to our Roll Call sailing end of this month. We will check with those currently onboard about the officers, etc. How was the main production shows, if attended ... hoping that it's been changed since we last last it (as they don't revise them often).

 

Sounds like that complimentary Asian/Chinese fusion food hasn't changed much nor improved - thinking NCL would do better by making it Shanghai Noodles instead, even simplier menu choices but they're fine even for us, just my 2 cents in case they are reading some of these posts.

 

The two main production shows were Blazin Boots and then the same group did a 60s-80s musical. They just started that late November so should be there for you. Both shows were great.

 

The other shows I'd have to check. We got to see the behind the stage area and the dressing rooms as part of the Plat BTS tour so that was also pretty cool. First time that we went to that area of the ship but we didn't do the Environmental area which was ok.

[mking8288]

The two main production shows were Blazin Boots and ... a 60s-80s musical. They just started that late November ... Both shows were great ... got to see the behind the stage area and the dressing rooms as part of the Plat BTS tour so that was also pretty cool ... didn't do the Environmental area which was ok.

Dexdd, thank you for the newest show info - that's good for us & without worrying about making reservations like the *Away. Besides, our sailing isn't packed full, not yet & several more last-minute solo joining for M&M this week, filling up some of the insides w/o paying the full supplement. Could be an interesting event at LeBistro but I hate to miss the BTS tour, going to talk to whoever - to work that out as they always conflict - noted that in setting up the M&M to the group event team.

 

How big was your platinum BTS group - last year on the BA, we had maybe 25 at most, split into 2 smaller group w. security escort, lasted almost 2 hours. Maybe I should do part of BTS tour and skip out in the middle to run the M&M, whatever.

 

Thus far, nobody seemed to be doing "live" or semi-live from the GEM in recent sailings ... not a good indicator for a better/faster & reliable satellite internet at sea ... got 30 minutes free as Plat to play with, not expecting to deal with any family emergencies. Friends sailing with us might opt for the UNL package for business (as a deductible expense to stay in-touch, being SBO) but only if it is usable and if they do - I will share the connection & play as they will be offline at night.

 

Getting a bit tired of the LeBistro simplified menu so might just do Cagney & Moderno instead on our freebies for a change. Of course, food opinions are always highly subjective & personal.

Edited April 15, 2017 by mking8288

[boopsahoy]

Dexdd, thank you for the newest show info - that's good for us & without worrying about making reservations like the *Away. Besides, our sailing isn't packed full, not yet & got picked up several solo for M&M joining, filling up some of the insides w/o paying the full supplement. Could be an interesting event at LeBistro but I hate to miss the BTS tour, going to talk to whoever to work that out as they always conflict - noted that in setting up the M&M to the group event team.

 

How big was your platinum BTS group - last year on the BA, we had maybe 25 at most, split into 2 smaller group w. security escort, lasted almost 2 hours. Or, I would do part of BTS and skip out in the middle to run the M&M , whatever.

 

Thus far, nobody seemed to be doing "live" or semi-live from the GEM in recent sailings ... not a good indicator for a better/faster & reliable satellite internet at sea ... got 30 minutes free as Plat to play with, not expecting to deal with any family emergencies. Friends sailing with us might opt for the UNL package for business (as a deductible expense to stay in-touch, being SBO) but only if it is usable and if they do - I will share the connection & play as they will be offline at night.

 

Getting a bit tired of the LeBistro simplified menu so might just do Cagney & Moderno instead on our freebies for a change. Of course, food opinions are always highly subjective & personal.

They really ruined Le Bistro for me with the new menu-all my faves are gone or changed:mad:

[morningstar4]

heading on the gem (1st ncl cruise) in may and read so many great things about le bistro....what has changed or what's missing?

 

 

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[morningstar4]

The two main production shows were Blazin Boots and then the same group did a 60s-80s musical. They just started that late November so should be there for you. Both shows were great.

 

 

 

The other shows I'd have to check. We got to see the behind the stage area and the dressing rooms as part of the Plat BTS tour so that was also pretty cool. First time that we went to that area of the ship but we didn't do the Environmental area which was ok.

 

 

Do you recall which days they had the main productions (if you were on a 7 day itinerary)? Trying to book dining without conflicting with shows....

 

 

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[boopsahoy]

heading on the gem (1st ncl cruise) in may and read so many great things about le bistro....what has changed or what's missing?

 

 

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If you have never been to Le Bistro, you may love it (not knowing what they have changed).

 

They took away the complimentary salmon mousse appetizer, they took the cream out of the mussels (the sauce was so yummy) the got rid of the quatre corniche appetizer (cones each filled with different yummy things) the duck confit is gone now its some kind of shredded duck. The scallops are no longer the small yummy ones but the big chewy ones.

[morningstar4]

If you have never been to Le Bistro, you may love it (not knowing what they have changed).

 

 

 

They took away the complimentary salmon mousse appetizer, they took the cream out of the mussels (the sauce was so yummy) the got rid of the quatre corniche appetizer (cones each filled with different yummy things) the duck confit is gone now its some kind of shredded duck. The scallops are no longer the small yummy ones but the big chewy ones.

 

 

that's ashame

 

 

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[mking8288]

If you have never been to Le Bistro, you may love it (not knowing what they have changed) ...

That's - perhaps - two of us with highly personally biased view of changes done to Le Bistro ... hard to describe. Suffice to say, one could taste the difference and IMO, portions shrinked (that's okay, can always eat again later) and quality ... not as good. I stopped ordering the lamb. DW isn't into mussels but said, look tiny & malnourished. The classic, seafood bouillabaisse soup/stew .... don't even know what to say about its recent "presentation" - plain disappointing.

 

Here from 2012 on the GEM, to 2014 on BA and again in 2016.

 

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Edited April 15, 2017 by mking8288