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Norwegian Gem - Boston to Bermuda Looking for an Idea of OnBoard activities


pezgirlroy
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Evening all, my husband and I are thinking about doing the Boston to Bermuda 7 night cruise in July on the Gem.  It would just be the two of us as we would be leaving the kids at home.  Can anyone give me an idea on what activities there are on board during the day? Are there any examples of a daily activity sheet/navigator something like that?  Also any suggestions on what to do in Bermuda?  General thoughts on the ship? Thanks everyone.  

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Have done this cruise several times. During sea days they have a lot of trivia, crafts and multitude of other activities. We prefer to relax outside and listen to the poolside music or watch the pool games. In Bermuda we love to to Horseshoe bay and swim. There are shuttles right off the ship for $7 each way. NCL has a free ferry right at the dock that will take you to St George. Lots of shops and a vigorous walk to tobacco bay beach. The dockyard area off the ship is also nice to walk around. Many tours offered. No need to book with cruiselines. Public transportation is easy in Bermuda. Bermuda is not like the Caribbean islands. It is very safe to go off on your own.

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Cruised on the Gem quite a few times & love the layout.

 

Agree w/hladygirl as I think St. George is more quaint.

There is a perfume factory there that is interesting too.

And in Hamilton the public bus system is easy &

inexpensive to use.

Daily there are plenty of activities to join

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3 hours ago, meglet said:

Since it's just the two of you, maybe look into getting a suite?  Gem can be really crowded and noisy in the summer and it's nice to have your own quiet sunning space and loungers.  NCL suite perks are great!

Can you share what some of the perks are? Are they available for the mini suite or just full suite?  Thanks. 

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Trivia in the morning and in the afternoon.

Jogging / gym activities as well as other activities - it will be listed the night before for next day event.

Some other activities needed $$ - art classes, bingo, game shows.

 

At Bermuda - Horseshoe Bay and NCL free ferry to St. George- (make sure you line up in time for the first or second ferry to St. George).

 

At St. George - make sure you visit the unfinished church.

 

If you like to go shopping, most cruisers went to Hamilton.

You will need to pay for a ferry to Hamilton or take a bus there.

 

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On 1/18/2020 at 9:23 AM, pezgirlroy said:

Can you share what some of the perks are? Are they available for the mini suite or just full suite?  Thanks. 

Mini suite isn’t considered to be a suite.  It’s just a balcony room with a larger bathroom.  They really should change the name.

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Full suite only and I'd be really careful checking out what comes with the different levels of suites since NCL has been reclassifying.  In the Haven, you have your own pool area with comfy towel covered loungers.  Imagine actually being able to get in the pool! 2 hot tubs in the Haven area also. The second level of the Haven is all shaded daybeds and other comfy places to lounge.  Haven area has waiter service and drinks and snacks out during the day.  In your suite, priority embarkation and disembarkation, a special restaurant for breakfast and lunch.  Not crowded and some nicer items available on the buffet  (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) as well as the usual hot items.  Shrimp cocktail and steak on the lunch menu among other things.  Free movies on demand in your suite.  Your butler brings you snacks every afternoon - chocolate covered strawberries, mini sandwiches, fruit slices, cheese and crackers.  I started cruising in 92 and staying in a suite reminds me of the old days when cruising was a much more adult vacation.  I teach and I really enjoy that break from kids for a week.

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28 minutes ago, meglet said:

Full suite only and I'd be really careful checking out what comes with the different levels of suites since NCL has been reclassifying.  In the Haven, you have your own pool area with comfy towel covered loungers.  Imagine actually being able to get in the pool! 2 hot tubs in the Haven area also. The second level of the Haven is all shaded daybeds and other comfy places to lounge.  Haven area has waiter service and drinks and snacks out during the day.  In your suite, priority embarkation and disembarkation, a special restaurant for breakfast and lunch.  Not crowded and some nicer items available on the buffet  (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) as well as the usual hot items.  Shrimp cocktail and steak on the lunch menu among other things.  Free movies on demand in your suite.  Your butler brings you snacks every afternoon - chocolate covered strawberries, mini sandwiches, fruit slices, cheese and crackers.  I started cruising in 92 and staying in a suite reminds me of the old days when cruising was a much more adult vacation.  I teach and I really enjoy that break from kids for a week.

We also liked the Haven on the Gem but for us it was once and done. The pool is very small and not really enough space if more than 3 people are in it. Also remember if you are going in the summer one word kids lots of kids. Also the pool butler is great to have but is tipped separately.

We do however try to have a suite when we travel NCL because of the breakfast and (or so much eating) lunch at Moderno's/Cagney's love the quiet no rush and on a 7 day trip we have enough choices. We are platinum and have priority boarding but with the suite it seems faster. Having snacks daily is fun if we skip lunch and most important is the quiet balcony and extra room. We deal with people all day every day and it's nice to have a quiet place when we want it and not feel closed in. You have the butler for in room needs (nice if you want a meal in your cabin) and the concierge for things outside the cabin (escort on or off the ship reservations etc.) but remember they are not part of the auto service charge and are tipped separately.  Had just an aft balcony on POA and did miss the suite perks.

NCL ships are home ports for us which is the only reason we sail on these ships, no flying involved. Plus nobody does the suite life like NCL, which works for us at this time. 

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Thanks everyone. After much debate (deciding upon cruise in Europe, Caribbean, hiking in Peru and sleeping a tent), we just booked the Gem out of Boston to Bermuda leaving July 31st.  Are there any examples of past navigators (daily activity sheets or whatever they are called on Norwegian) that I can possibly find? Thanks again everyone. 

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