Just off the GEM 10 Night Caribbean-Any Questions?

[NJBill]

March  18-28 10 Night Gem. Happy to answer any questions.

[Peachypooh]

Hi,

Did you go to St. Tomas and to Tortola? How do they

look after the hurricane? thanks.

[markf]

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

[dongordon]

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

[NJBill]

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.

[NJBill]

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.

[markf]

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 

[yearsofcruising]

was there too 3/18 cruise. the Gem is the Gem.

[dongordon]

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

[amygutman]

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

[yearsofcruising]

NJBILL...booked Escape to canada/new england for sept..doing the lobster run..tired of sand for awhile..

[Barb Nahoumi]

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.

 

[Coachyo]

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

[dongordon]

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

[Arzeena]

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

[amygutman]

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

[amygutman]

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

[jethrojam]

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 :)

[dongordon]

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

 

[Sand and Seas]

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. 

[jethrojam]

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.  

[NJBill]

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

[Arzeena]

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.

[TwocruisersfromMA]

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

 

[TwocruisersfromMA]

NCl is good for first time cruisers.They dont know the difference.