Live from Gem 3/30

[shanefm3]

Platinum member who cruises solo , wife hates cruising !!. 
I am easy going , love NCL and normally roll with any hiccups that occur . I’ve seen some comments about food quality etc on board so I was interested in checking it out.

 

Travelled from CT yesterday and had an easy check in . The line was well controlled and most people wore masks inside the terminal . There were some pockets of people that did not wear masks . One individual had a Trump hat on and eventually he was asked to put on a mask . He took one out and put it on . 
 

I went to GP for lunch and it was decent . Typical sandwiches and basically the Sheehan menu . It hit the spot after a long morning of travel . I use a walking stick, so i was glad to get a seat and relax .

 

The ship is 50% full and it’s quiet nice to make your way around without the large crowds. 
 

Some of the bad, I only received one of my bags and unfortunately, no sign of the other . I went to enquire and was basically interrogated if I didn’t in fact lose it enroute. After the 5th time explaining that i left two bags with them at the terminal , I showed them photos of the bags with the labels ( always take photos folks), they have now begun an investigation. 

The cabins in the Gem are beginning to show their age . The tv was broken with the volume stuck on high . It took me 4 hours to get it fixed . The safe in the room is broken and no sign of that being fixed . Ed, my cabin Steward , stated a lot of safes are broken 🤷. There is also a cover hanging down which i will photograph later 

 

I bought the pass to the thermal suite and just to advise you , if you prepay for the pass for the discount , what they don’t disclose is you don’t get the scrub pack with it . If you decide to purchase it , guess what ?. It’s the same price as the savings you made by pre purchasing . The thermal spa itself is cold as is the single hot tub in the mens section . I’m hoping they are fixed soon . 
 

It’s a beautiful sunny day with high winds , the outside deck is closed due to the high winds.

 

Breakfast this morning at the Grand Pacific was lovely , the dining rooms are quiet . If you’re looking for a raucous crowd , this isn’t the cruise . I dropped a few dollars in the casino last night but didn’t stay long . There was a lot of smoke even though it wasn’t busy . It would make you wonder about the enhanced air exchange that is touted by NCL

 

So all in all , quite a bit has happened in less than 24 hours . They’ve given me some toothpaste and a shirt while they chase down my case . If anyone has experienced a lost case and how it was handled , please respond 

[WYB!]

I'm guessing your luggage tag might have come off. I usually staple 2 tags (1 on each handle) and then I also put a copy of my ticket or extra tag inside a front zipper compartment on the luggage tag. In addition there is a luggage id card, but I've also been lucky and have gotten my bags each voyage. Did you also tip the baggage guy? Tipping the bag collector guy is also important.

Hope it arrives soon.

 

- WYB

Edited March 31, 2022 by WYB!

[kernie968]

I am so excited that you are doing a live review! We were supposed to be on this cruise, but had to cancel due to extremely poor health of 2 family members. Now I can see how the cruise would have gone. Hope they find your bag soon.

[shanefm3]

21 minutes ago, WYB! said:

I'm guessing your luggage tag might have come off. I usually staple 2 tags (1 on each handle) and then I also put a copy of my ticket or extra tag inside a front zipper compartment on the luggage tag. In addition there is a luggage id card, but I've also been lucky and have gotten my bags each voyage. Did you also tip the baggage guy? Tipping the bag collector guy is also important.

Hope it arrives soon.

 

- WYB

Yes, $10 tip for two suitcases . Back up name taped onto suitcase along with a tag on the inside . Three different tags on and in it 

[albertamom]

I'm eagerly following along!  We're booked on the Gem next January.  Great tip about taking a picture of your suitcases.  I hope yours turns up.

[Sixtytwo]

Thanks for the live review! We are headed to the Gem in 24 days so this is most interesting to me. Hope your luggage finally shows up!

[Herissica]

I hope your bag turns up!  We are up next on the Gem, so thanks for starting this - have a great cruise!

[shanefm3]

10 minutes ago, Sixtytwo said:

Thanks for the live review! We are headed to the Gem in 24 days so this is most interesting to me. Hope your luggage finally shows up!

 

[JGmf]

Not assuming it's a trend, but on my Gem cruise out NYC in December, someone's bag was missing.  They had sort of "have you seen this bag" print-outs along with our Daily.  Good luck.

[shanefm3]

Just now, shanefm3 said:

 

Adding photo of cabin tile that’s falling down . It rattled all night and I hate to complain again !!. So far , I’ve had my tv replaced, safe replaced as both were broken 

 

unfortunately the hot tub in mens area of spa is also still broken and the thermal spa is still cold . These are the only negatives i have found ( along with lost suitcase).

 

The food has been good, the staff seem happy albeit very quiet . Sheehan seemed to have an abundance of staff compared to customers . If you’re familiar with how busy it historically is, seeing an empty dining room at 8pm on prime rib night is very unusual .

 

i tried to sit out but it’s just too windy . The trivia onboard was well attended and most people have given up the masks . They are mostly chin straps now .

 

Some things have been off but they are out of my control now , it’s certainly not going to interfere with my relaxing . I have lost some valuable personal items that will need replacing , some can’t be . Insurance will be getting a call next week . Until then , a few cocktails in the sun will suffice 

[shanefm3]

5 minutes ago, JGmf said:

Not assuming it's a trend, but on my Gem cruise out NYC in December, someone's bag was missing.  They had sort of "have you seen this bag" print-outs along with our Daily.  Good luck.

Yes, I’ve emailed my photos and a flyer is being put out . I use a cane and gambled on putting the case thru rather than lug it around . Of course , in hindsight , the one with the laptop I should have kept 😡. Stupidity on my behalf . I don’t plan on yelling at the staff here as it’s not them who misplaced it

[ransclan]

Hello Shane:  I appreciate your positive attitude with the challenges of lost luggage; especially the laptop.   We are on the Gem on April 24th along with three other couples.  We are from Canada so will arrive in New York four days prior to the cruise - having to test twice but just so happy to get back to cruising. Could you tell me if Deck 7 (Promenade) is open to walk all the way around?  We are on a Transatlantic so there is need to exercise to offset the food and drinks!

 

Hope they find your bag soon and appreciate the tip about photographing the luggage.

[mafig]

Losing a bag is always a fear of mine.  I do hope they find yours soon.

Edited March 31, 2022 by mafig

[Turtles06]

Happy to see you posting live.  We love the Gem, and I hope you have a great cruise!

 

I hope your missing luggage turns up!  We take photos of our bags as well -- it's crazy that the staff tried to suggest you'd lost your own bag. 

 

4 hours ago, shanefm3 said:

The cabins in the Gem are beginning to show their age . The tv was broken with the volume stuck on high . It took me 4 hours to get it fixed . The safe in the room is broken and no sign of that being fixed . Ed, my cabin Steward , stated a lot of safes are broken 🤷. There is also a cover hanging down which i will photograph later 

 

Sadly, the Gem has been showing her age for awhile now.  Those old woods, etc.  A few years ago when we were on board, a mirror fell off the closet in our cabin in the middle of the night and shattered on the floor.  Scared the you-know-what out of us.   Looking at the closet, it was clear there had been so many fixes of this that the wood had just fatigued away. 

[shanefm3]

50 minutes ago, ransclan said:

Hello Shane:  I appreciate your positive attitude with the challenges of lost luggage; especially the laptop.   We are on the Gem on April 24th along with three other couples.  We are from Canada so will arrive in New York four days prior to the cruise - having to test twice but just so happy to get back to cruising. Could you tell me if Deck 7 (Promenade) is open to walk all the way around?  We are on a Transatlantic so there is need to exercise to offset the food and drinks!

 

Hope they find your bag soon and appreciate the tip about photographing the luggage.

Yes, I’m sitting here now after doing some laps to shed the bread pudding i had at lunch 

[shanefm3]

Second night dining in MDR, it’s absolutely a ghost town . I sat at 715pm and it was mostly empty . What’s different also obviously is the noise level , it’s so quiet without the hustle and bustle of a packed dining room . The down side is all three courses were out in 40 minutes .  

 

Unfortunately, no sign of luggage . NCL gave me a bar of soap, razor , satchet of shaving cream , toothpaste and a very large white tshirt . 😂. 
 

[juju2454]

Hope your luggage shows up soon, we had ours lost in Copenhagen(off the flight ) when we were on a TA in 2018,  wore the same clothes for 3 days,  then finally it came to  the hotel the day before we were to embark.   Thank goodness we went early to Copenhagen.   Our luggage arrived with handles torn off,  scrapes, and cracks in the sides.  I don't know what they did to it but what a disaster.  It was new too.  I am so glad we put a copy of our passport in the cases.   Fortunately we had our toiletries in carry on and meds. but it was a tough time when it rained on the way from Tivoli to our hotel and we got soaked to have the clothes take days to dry out.  
Good luck!!

[Cruiseandgamble]

16 hours ago, JGmf said:

Not assuming it's a trend, but on my Gem cruise out NYC in December, someone's bag was missing.  They had sort of "have you seen this bag" print-outs along with our Daily.  Good luck.

They had a “Have you seen this bag?” flyer with two suitcases on the 3/20 - 3/30 Gem cruise as well.

[Laszlo]

21 hours ago, shanefm3 said:

Platinum member who cruises solo , wife hates cruising !!. 
I am easy going , love NCL and normally roll with any hiccups that occur . I’ve seen some comments about food quality etc on board so I was interested in checking it out.

 

Travelled from CT yesterday and had an easy check in . The line was well controlled and most people wore masks inside the terminal . There were some pockets of people that did not wear masks . One individual had a Trump hat on and eventually he was asked to put on a mask . He took one out and put it on . 
 

I went to GP for lunch and it was decent . Typical sandwiches and basically the Sheehan menu . It hit the spot after a long morning of travel . I use a walking stick, so i was glad to get a seat and relax .

 

The ship is 50% full and it’s quiet nice to make your way around without the large crowds. 
 

Some of the bad, I only received one of my bags and unfortunately, no sign of the other . I went to enquire and was basically interrogated if I didn’t in fact lose it enroute. After the 5th time explaining that i left two bags with them at the terminal , I showed them photos of the bags with the labels ( always take photos folks), they have now begun an investigation. 

The cabins in the Gem are beginning to show their age . The tv was broken with the volume stuck on high . It took me 4 hours to get it fixed . The safe in the room is broken and no sign of that being fixed . Ed, my cabin Steward , stated a lot of safes are broken 🤷. There is also a cover hanging down which i will photograph later 

 

I bought the pass to the thermal suite and just to advise you , if you prepay for the pass for the discount , what they don’t disclose is you don’t get the scrub pack with it . If you decide to purchase it , guess what ?. It’s the same price as the savings you made by pre purchasing . The thermal spa itself is cold as is the single hot tub in the mens section . I’m hoping they are fixed soon . 
 

It’s a beautiful sunny day with high winds , the outside deck is closed due to the high winds.

 

Breakfast this morning at the Grand Pacific was lovely , the dining rooms are quiet . If you’re looking for a raucous crowd , this isn’t the cruise . I dropped a few dollars in the casino last night but didn’t stay long . There was a lot of smoke even though it wasn’t busy . It would make you wonder about the enhanced air exchange that is touted by NCL

 

So all in all , quite a bit has happened in less than 24 hours . They’ve given me some toothpaste and a shirt while they chase down my case . If anyone has experienced a lost case and how it was handled , please respond 

Lol

       Glad to seem I'm not the only one who takes a photo of their bags with bags at checkin. Hopefully they will find it. And yes I put two tags on each bag, have been told that's overkill and laughed at it here.

 

Keep all important things in a carry on and a backpack. My wife and I each take a small carry on and a backpack with us.... and yes we walk on the ship with them.

 

Another thing I do is use the TILE Tracker....https://amzn.to/3NEZZyn

 

And more recently the Apple Air Tag.....  https://amzn.to/3IXaZE0

 

The Tile App works fantastic and has paid for itself  X100  by finding one of my bags that was "Lost" in an airport. It had fallen off one of the belts and I was able to show the luggage people on my phone where it was and they were able to find it.

 

I keep a Tile or Air Tag on/in every bag with travel with including a backpack

 

Edited April 1, 2022 by Laszlo

[shanefm3]

Adding some photos of the freestyle daily . Weather has warmed up a little bit , we are around 70 degrees now and yes , the chair hogs are out . Despite the ship being half empty , the chairs are being “reserved “ since 7am . Why i have no idea given the deck is practically empty. Old habits die hard i guess

 

I had breakfast at the buffet which has been pretty decent . Omelette station was quiet as was the rest of it at 8am. One could get used to this . I had the thermal spa to myself for a few hours yesterday which is fantastic . 
 

I spoke with the front desk again about my bag and i have to say that they must be well trained to deflect blame . They were trying to convince me that I must have left it at the airport baggage and I was beginning to doubt myself until i reminded myself that i drove from Connecticut😂. One guy told me it was out of their hands and i quickly reminded him that once i hand over my bags , the responsibility is theirs to ensure delivery . Why they don’t give out stickers like the airlines do is beyond me. 
sorry about the photos being wrong way around , it obviously prefers landscape over portrait 
 

[Buford T Justiice]

There's a Marshalls (Discount retail chain offering brand-name clothing, accessories, shoes & housewares) a short distance from the pier located at  154 Cll Rafael Cordero, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico open til 9:00 I think.

[drumming cruisers]

Our luggage was lost once, but on way home. Did the transfer from ship to airport, never see your bags until you get home.  Got home no suitcase. Talked to airline, they looked for it for a week, called us everyday and had no clue where ii went, finally recommended we call cruise line. We called and they told us to call the port. Called them, a day later received a call from the port, had been sitting on the dock for a week!!! Like NO ONE would notice a suitcase there??? Was on plane that day and airline  delivered to our front door. We only take carry on now, and get laundry done half way thru cruise. 

 

Hope they find yours. if not I would think they would give you  on board credit to buy some clothes in the shops on the ship. Ask to see manager about that. 

[vacation44]

On 3/31/2022 at 10:37 AM, shanefm3 said:

Platinum member who cruises solo , wife hates cruising !!. 
I am easy going , love NCL and normally roll with any hiccups that occur . I’ve seen some comments about food quality etc on board so I was interested in checking it out.

 

Travelled from CT yesterday and had an easy check in . The line was well controlled and most people wore masks inside the terminal . There were some pockets of people that did not wear masks . One individual had a Trump hat on and eventually he was asked to put on a mask . He took one out and put it on . 
 

I went to GP for lunch and it was decent . Typical sandwiches and basically the Sheehan menu . It hit the spot after a long morning of travel . I use a walking stick, so i was glad to get a seat and relax .

 

The ship is 50% full and it’s quiet nice to make your way around without the large crowds. 
 

Some of the bad, I only received one of my bags and unfortunately, no sign of the other . I went to enquire and was basically interrogated if I didn’t in fact lose it enroute. After the 5th time explaining that i left two bags with them at the terminal , I showed them photos of the bags with the labels ( always take photos folks), they have now begun an investigation. 

The cabins in the Gem are beginning to show their age . The tv was broken with the volume stuck on high . It took me 4 hours to get it fixed . The safe in the room is broken and no sign of that being fixed . Ed, my cabin Steward , stated a lot of safes are broken 🤷. There is also a cover hanging down which i will photograph later 

 

I bought the pass to the thermal suite and just to advise you , if you prepay for the pass for the discount , what they don’t disclose is you don’t get the scrub pack with it . If you decide to purchase it , guess what ?. It’s the same price as the savings you made by pre purchasing . The thermal spa itself is cold as is the single hot tub in the mens section . I’m hoping they are fixed soon . 
 

It’s a beautiful sunny day with high winds , the outside deck is closed due to the high winds.

 

Breakfast this morning at the Grand Pacific was lovely , the dining rooms are quiet . If you’re looking for a raucous crowd , this isn’t the cruise . I dropped a few dollars in the casino last night but didn’t stay long . There was a lot of smoke even though it wasn’t busy . It would make you wonder about the enhanced air exchange that is touted by NCL

 

So all in all , quite a bit has happened in less than 24 hours . They’ve given me some toothpaste and a shirt while they chase down my case . If anyone has experienced a lost case and how it was handled , please respond 

Want to say thank you for sharing your on board experience with us and sorry about the luggage.   

 

 

[shanefm3]

No matter about the little bumps along the way on a cruise , nothing beats the view from the sauna at the spa . 

[lgdesign]

13 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Lol

       Glad to seem I'm not the only one who takes a photo of their bags with bags at checkin. Hopefully they will find it. And yes I put two tags on each bag, have been told that's overkill and laughed at it here.

 

Keep all important things in a carry on and a backpack. My wife and I each take a small carry on and a backpack with us.... and yes we walk on the ship with them.

 

Another thing I do is use the TILE Tracker....https://amzn.to/3NEZZyn

 

And more recently the Apple Air Tag.....  https://amzn.to/3IXaZE0

 

The Tile App works fantastic and has paid for itself  X100  by finding one of my bags that was "Lost" in an airport. It had fallen off one of the belts and I was able to show the luggage people on my phone where it was and they were able to find it.

 

I keep a Tile or Air Tag on/in every bag with travel with including a backpack

 

Thank you so much for mentioning the Tile trackers... I feel like a dummy for not thinking of it.  Especially since that time Delta left three out of four of our bags in Dallas while we were flying to Australia.   It took three days for them to finally catch up with us.  Fortunately, they arrived the night before our cruise left for New Zealand for 2-1/2 weeks.

 

To the OP, so sorry they lost your bag and hope by some chance they find it before you leave.