NJBill Posted April 3, 2019 #1 Share Posted April 3, 2019 March 18-28 10 Night Gem. Happy to answer any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peachypooh Posted April 3, 2019 #2 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Hi, Did you go to St. Tomas and to Tortola? How do they look after the hurricane? thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted April 4, 2019 #3 Share Posted April 4, 2019 I was on the cruise prior to yours-- Curious as to your thoughts--Cruise was Ok but not what it used to be. especially in food choice and quality. Also I found to Cruise director to be a non event--past cruises in NCL we always had memorable talented CD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dongordon Posted April 4, 2019 #4 Share Posted April 4, 2019 4 hours ago, markf said: I was on the cruise prior to yours-- Curious as to your thoughts--Cruise was Ok but not what it used to be. especially in food choice and quality. Also I found to Cruise director to be a non event--past cruises in NCL we always had memorable talented CD Who was the Concierge? Any word on any upcoming refurbishment...does the "good old GEM " in need? One of my favorite NCL ships. Thanks. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJBill Posted April 4, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted April 4, 2019 13 hours ago, Peachypooh said: Hi, Did you go to St. Tomas and to Tortola? How do they look after the hurricane? thanks. Aside from a few sunken boats in the harbor it looked ok. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJBill Posted April 4, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted April 4, 2019 12 hours ago, markf said: I was on the cruise prior to yours-- Curious as to your thoughts--Cruise was Ok but not what it used to be. especially in food choice and quality. Also I found to Cruise director to be a non event--past cruises in NCL we always had memorable talented CD Agree about Cruise Director. I found the food to ok, however the dining room time seemed very slow, so we ate in the buffet a lot due the wait time in the dining rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted April 4, 2019 #7 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Concierge was a lady, forgot her name--agai not too memorable. I agree the service in all the restaurants were wy to slow, and food seldom delivered hot. Buffet in buffet was very repetitive as far as choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yearsofcruising Posted April 5, 2019 #8 Share Posted April 5, 2019 was there too 3/18 cruise. the Gem is the Gem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dongordon Posted April 5, 2019 #9 Share Posted April 5, 2019 16 hours ago, markf said: Concierge was a lady, forgot her name--agai not too memorable. I agree the service in all the restaurants were wy to slow, and food seldom delivered hot. Buffet in buffet was very repetitive as far as choice Was the Concierge Elvina? She and David are my two favorite NCL Concierges. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare amygutman Posted April 9, 2019 #10 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Elvina and David are awesome - had them both on our Thanksgiving Gem cruise. Actually...everything about the Gem is great - we are spoiled in the Haven, but honestly, we book the ship because of the size, and the fact that the staff are just wonderful. We are going on our 4th Gem cruise next Thanksgiving (our 3rd holiday cruise on this boat), and cannot wait. We were disappointed that it was leaving NY, but it gives us an opportunity to try the Dawn this coming June. As much as we love the bells and whistles of the mega-ships, they can be so "busy" that it takes some of the joy out of cruising. The Gem is perfectly sized for us - Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yearsofcruising Posted April 9, 2019 #11 Share Posted April 9, 2019 NJBILL...booked Escape to canada/new england for sept..doing the lobster run..tired of sand for awhile.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Nahoumi Posted April 9, 2019 #12 Share Posted April 9, 2019 12 hours ago, amygutman said: Elvina and David are awesome - had them both on our Thanksgiving Gem cruise. Actually...everything about the Gem is great - we are spoiled in the Haven, but honestly, we book the ship because of the size, and the fact that the staff are just wonderful. We are going on our 4th Gem cruise next Thanksgiving (our 3rd holiday cruise on this boat), and cannot wait. We were disappointed that it was leaving NY, but it gives us an opportunity to try the Dawn this coming June. As much as we love the bells and whistles of the mega-ships, they can be so "busy" that it takes some of the joy out of cruising. The Gem is perfectly sized for us - Amy The Dawn will not disappoint. She is one of our favorite ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachyo Posted April 9, 2019 #13 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Going to Bermuda on the Gem June 7. How was the entertainment? Do they usually have a comedian on the ship for a couple shows? Does the casino run poker tournaments? Is the casino open while in port in Bermuda? (I’ve heard yes & no) What was your favorite specialty dining & why? What bar has the best service, friendly bartenders? How was the staff? I’ve seen a few posts about poor attitudes, I hope not. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks, YO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dongordon Posted April 10, 2019 #14 Share Posted April 10, 2019 On 4/8/2019 at 8:22 PM, amygutman said: Elvina and David are awesome - had them both on our Thanksgiving Gem cruise. Actually...everything about the Gem is great - we are spoiled in the Haven, but honestly, we book the ship because of the size, and the fact that the staff are just wonderful. We are going on our 4th Gem cruise next Thanksgiving (our 3rd holiday cruise on this boat), and cannot wait. We were disappointed that it was leaving NY, but it gives us an opportunity to try the Dawn this coming June. As much as we love the bells and whistles of the mega-ships, they can be so "busy" that it takes some of the joy out of cruising. The Gem is perfectly sized for us - Amy Amy.... I agree with you about the GEM...terrific ship and crew! The Haven is hard to give up, but in January 2021, I am booked on the GEM for a 14 day cruise out of NYC!!. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arzeena Posted April 10, 2019 #15 Share Posted April 10, 2019 (edited) 11 hours ago, dongordon said: Amy.... I agree with you about the GEM...terrific ship and crew! The Haven is hard to give up, but in January 2021, I am booked on the GEM for a 14 day cruise out of NYC!!. Don I am looking at that cruise too. Tough I will jump if NCL brings a newer biggie to NY....does not seem so yet, but who knows! I love the Gem but the Escape and Bliss have spoilt me with that "new ship" feeling. Edited April 10, 2019 by Arzeena Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare amygutman Posted April 10, 2019 #16 Share Posted April 10, 2019 On 4/9/2019 at 8:47 AM, Barb Nahoumi said: The Dawn will not disappoint. She is one of our favorite ships. 66 days to go!!!! We are super excited and although reviews of the Dawn are mixed, it seems like it appeals to the crowd that doesn't need bells and whistles - perfect for our family! Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare amygutman Posted April 10, 2019 #17 Share Posted April 10, 2019 33 minutes ago, Arzeena said: I am looking at that cruise too. Tough I will jump if NCL brings a newer biggie to NY....does not seem so yet, but who knows! I love the Gem but the Escape and Bliss have spoilt me with that "new ship" feeling. If you are looking at the Gem holiday cruise out of NYC, we have had 2 consecutive years on the Thanksgiving Eastern Caribbean cruise - and year 3 is coming up. It is a fantastic itinerary, fantastic crew - never boring at all (although if you wanted to just snooze the nights away you certainly could). Highly, highly recommend. The smaller size is fantastic for easy travel to the islands, and there is rarely a line for anything - with the exception of the poolchair hoggers which is a universal constant, I am afraid. Amy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jethrojam Posted April 11, 2019 #18 Share Posted April 11, 2019 On 4/9/2019 at 12:43 PM, Coachyo said: Going to Bermuda on the Gem June 7. How was the entertainment? Do they usually have a comedian on the ship for a couple shows? Does the casino run poker tournaments? Is the casino open while in port in Bermuda? (I’ve heard yes & no) What was your favorite specialty dining & why? What bar has the best service, friendly bartenders? How was the staff? I’ve seen a few posts about poor attitudes, I hope not. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks, YO Casino is open after 9pm while in Bermuda. I will confirm for you late May if that helps :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dongordon Posted April 11, 2019 #19 Share Posted April 11, 2019 14 hours ago, Arzeena said: I am looking at that cruise too. Tough I will jump if NCL brings a newer biggie to NY....does not seem so yet, but who knows! I love the Gem but the Escape and Bliss have spoilt me with that "new ship" feeling. Hi Arzeena…. It looks like the only "new mega ship" coming to NYC in the 2021 winter will be the Getaway which will be doing the Bahama / Florida 7 day cruise in February. We have been spoiled the last few years with the Aft-Facing Haven (end cabin) Suites on the 14 day NYC itinerary on the Breakaway, Escape and this upcoming January on the Bliss. We love that particular cabin but even if a mega ship were to come to NYC, we will stick with the GEM. The Haven prices have skyrocketed. We have booked that particular cabin and although there is no Haven restaurant or sundeck, it will provide us with the other Haven perks for almost half the price. And we love the GEM which is one of our favorite NCL ships and the itinerary is basically the same with the Dominican Republic added. I love these ports. It has been a long time since I cruised with you...hoping to see you again on the GEM! Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sand and Seas Posted April 11, 2019 #20 Share Posted April 11, 2019 20 hours ago, jethrojam said: Casino is open after 9pm while in Bermuda. I will confirm for you late May if that helps 🙂 Can you let us know if they have some of the newer slot machines? Pictures I can find of their casino are pretty old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jethrojam Posted April 12, 2019 #21 Share Posted April 12, 2019 4 hours ago, Sand and Seas said: Can you let us know if they have some of the newer slot machines? Pictures I can find of their casino are pretty old. I will try to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJBill Posted April 12, 2019 Author #22 Share Posted April 12, 2019 (edited) My wife is the "slot person" but we go to Atlantic City frequently. I did notice some of the newer type machines with the larger screens. They have Buffalo Gold, they have several Asian themed machines where the Koi swim up the screen for your bonus. They have newer Wheel Of Fortunes ($1) denomination. A lot of the older machines do exist, but my wife did not seem too excited as a "slot person" at the selection compared to what we see in AC. Edited April 12, 2019 by NJBill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arzeena Posted April 12, 2019 #23 Share Posted April 12, 2019 On 4/11/2019 at 8:48 AM, dongordon said: Hi Arzeena…. It looks like the only "new mega ship" coming to NYC in the 2021 winter will be the Getaway which will be doing the Bahama / Florida 7 day cruise in February. We have been spoiled the last few years with the Aft-Facing Haven (end cabin) Suites on the 14 day NYC itinerary on the Breakaway, Escape and this upcoming January on the Bliss. We love that particular cabin but even if a mega ship were to come to NYC, we will stick with the GEM. The Haven prices have skyrocketed. We have booked that particular cabin and although there is no Haven restaurant or sundeck, it will provide us with the other Haven perks for almost half the price. And we love the GEM which is one of our favorite NCL ships and the itinerary is basically the same with the Dominican Republic added. I love these ports. It has been a long time since I cruised with you...hoping to see you again on the GEM! Don Us too! We think about that Jewel cruise and our fellow cruise critic friends often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwocruisersfromMA Posted April 13, 2019 #24 Share Posted April 13, 2019 On 4/3/2019 at 8:50 AM, NJBill said: March 18-28 10 Night Gem. Happy to answer any questions. Hi...Who was the cruise director?..We were booked on the March 29th 2 week cruise and canceled it the day we returned from our Thanksgiving cruise. We were going to rebook sometime in December hoping all the issues were worked out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwocruisersfromMA Posted April 13, 2019 #25 Share Posted April 13, 2019 NCl is good for first time cruisers.They dont know the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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