Gem / Garden Villa / Suite / General Questions

[havoc315]

Greetings all.. Been a long time since I've been around here. My last NCL cruise was 2013... Previously sailed on the Gem in 2011 (in a Haven 2 bedroom suite).

For summer 2024, just booked the Gem Garden Villa for the 1 week itinerary from Boston to Bermuda.  (Going with another family, 7 people in total  sharing the Garden Villa).

 

Have lots of questions considering it's been so long, and I assume stuff has changed... So if anyone has any answers, thanks in advance..

 

We have Cabin 14500 ---  The other villa is still available. Any difference or preference?

 

For Garden Villa -- What are the perks included above the standard suite perks? And any less advertised suite perks that I might not already know about?

I understand the Garden Villa includes a stocked bar --  Is it 3 bottles or 6 bottles?  Anybody have the list of choices?  What are the choices of mixers?

How does pre-concierge work for Garden Villas? Do they contact you, or you contact them? At what point? Any special requests that I should make?

 

I saw in 1 video, the Garden Villa appeared to have its own steam room. Does it?

 

For 7 people, what is the best way to sleep the 7th person?

 

Since my last cruise, I believe they changed suite breakfast/lunch --  It's now Moderno/Cagneys?  Anybody have the breakfast/lunch menus?

I forget, is there an all-day lounge for Haven guests? Where is it, what's available there?  I believe there is still no "Haven dinner" on the Gem, is that correct?

 

Dining questions ---  Are there particular nights where it's better to do the main dining rooms as opposed to specialty dining? Any strong recommendations for specialty dining? My daughter is vegetarian -- Looking at the Cagney's menu, I don't see ANYTHING vegetarian on the menu, what can they do for vegetarians?

Any specialty restaurants particularly recommended, or any really not worth it?  

 

I can't really find a good source for current Freestyles...  Any daily activities that are highly recommended? Do they run a mixology class? My kids will be 17 and 19 at the time, any recommendations for them?

 

Casino --- What are the minimums and limits for blackjack? They run Texas Hold'em games/tournaments?

 

For the adults, any bars/lounges that you'd recommend over others?

 

How are the current shows?  

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

[toyotamom]

It has been a while since we traveled in the GV on the Gem but I will try to help a little.  I believe all the GV's on the Jewel class ships have a small steam room.  I can't remember about the Star and Dawn but their balconies are so amazing I believe they must have.

 

We have never had a pre concierge reach out to us before a cruise.  Only once did I make a request before we boarded the ship and after that decided it really wasn't worth it.  We just do everything once we get on board.  

 

We have stayed in both 14000 and 14500 on the Jewel class ships and I don't think there is a difference.  On the Star and Dawn one has a galley and one has a bar and the wall between the two can be opened to make one huge room.  This can't be done on the Jewel class ships because there is not a common wall.

 

You get 6 bottles of liquor but I don't have a list.

 

We have never had 7 people stay in the room so no help really.  If I'm not confusing the ships the master bedroom has a chaise type lounge that can be slept on and one of the bedrooms has a chair that makes into a twin bed.

 

Sorry not more definites on my answers.  Hope you have a great time.  We haven't cruised since  Covid and will be on The Bliss next month.  We are ready.  Just disappointed there aren't GV's on the larger ships.

[havoc315]

Thank you, that's helpful.

 

Another question -- How important are dining reservations these days on the Gem?

For the specialty and complimentary dining rooms?

Unnecessary.... same day... or pre-cruise?

 

 

[mjkacmom]

1 hour ago, havoc315 said:

Thank you, that's helpful.

 

Another question -- How important are dining reservations these days on the Gem?

For the specialty and complimentary dining rooms?

Unnecessary.... same day... or pre-cruise?

 

 

I’d say make reservations at the specialty and not bother in the complimentary.

[bonvoyagie]

If you are in a suite there is no issues - the concierge can easily arrange dining times for you in the specialty restaurants. We were on the Gem for 21 days in January 2020 and ate meals in both MDRs, O'Sheehans, Cagney's, and LaCuchina - all   the arrangements were made at breakfast with the concierge- no issues.

[goldmom]

That works most of the time.  But, if you have specific times you want to eat, I would suggest making the specialty restaurant reservations prior to the cruise.  Sometimes even the Concierge can't get you in to the specialties.

For the Main dining rooms, easy enough to have the Concierge make those reservations once onboard if you prefer to have reservations rather than just walking up to the hostess podium.

[blackdog4889]

Very helpful! We’re in the 3BR GV on the Star next week and just heard from the concierge that  none of beds can be split into twins - they are true King and Queen beds. Is that true? It’s going to be a problem for us. 

[Always Cruising]

I believe there is a "chair bed" (very comfortable, previously) in one of the rooms, and a comfortable sofa/day bed in the master suite.  That may help?

[DMH15]

I can speak to the vegetarian issue.   I took my niece on a high school grad cruise in a suite  on Jewel and I cruised with her again along with my sis in The DOS on Epic.  
 

We let the pre-concierge know in advance that Katie is a vegan and we also discussed with the concierge (for dining reservations) and the butler (for in-room snacks).

 

So… drumroll… on a scale of 1 to 10 they were 10++++++.
 

The Haven breakfast and lunch she had choices.  They got her almond milk, I think.  She had grapefruit, oatmeal, potatoes, etc.  always satisfied.  

 

She always had a few choices at lunch.  
 

the snacks were incredible.  I remember her receiving a crudite’ platter with, instead or ranch which has dairy, a delicious tomato vinagrette dipping sauce.  
 

But, dinners were a home run. We did quite a few specialty restaurants and we would stop by the evening before and talk to the maitre D and they would discuss options.  Everything she was served was thoughtful, beautiful and enjoyable.  
 

Some people might think this is being self-centered but rather we were told several times they appreciated the heads-up to prepare something she would enjoy.  
 

Because she was happy, it made a better cruise for all of us and we showed our gratitude.  Wink wink. 
 

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by DMH15
Typo

[havoc315]

Thank you, very helpful.

[Always Cruising]

So, there are 5 beds in the Garden Villas - hope that is enough for your needs.

[blackdog4889]

9 hours ago, Always Cruising said:

So, there are 5 beds in the Garden Villas - hope that is enough for your needs.

Gotcha - so the 3 dedicated King/queen beds, the pull out couch in the living room, and a pull out chair in one of the other bedrooms? 

 

There are six in our party, but only one "couple" comfortable sharing a bed. We were hoping to do twin beds in the other two bedrooms, but I guess we can make that work.

 

I appreciate your help!!

[Always Cruising]

It isn't a pull out couch in the living room, but a daybed/single couch in the master bedroom.  Very comfortable! 

You will absolutely adore the Garden Villa and all the service attached to it.  We were lucky enough to get a rollaway bed (6th bed) in the living room twice.  Two  other times we were told, "no"     Have a wonderful cruise!

Edited June 21, 2023 by Always Cruising
forgot a sentence

[Sailing12Away]

On 6/10/2023 at 5:05 PM, havoc315 said:

For Garden Villa -- What are the perks included above the standard suite perks? And any less advertised suite perks that I might not already know about?

I understand the Garden Villa includes a stocked bar --  Is it 3 bottles or 6 bottles?  Anybody have the list of choices?  What are the choices of mixers?

How does pre-concierge work for Garden Villas? Do they contact you, or you contact them? At what point? Any special requests that I should make?

 

I saw in 1 video, the Garden Villa appeared to have its own steam room. Does it?

 

For 7 people, what is the best way to sleep the 7th person?

 

Since my last cruise, I believe they changed suite breakfast/lunch --  It's now Moderno/Cagneys?  Anybody have the breakfast/lunch menus?

I forget, is there an all-day lounge for Haven guests? Where is it, what's available there?  I believe there is still no "Haven dinner" on the Gem, is that correct?

 

Dining questions ---  Are there particular nights where it's better to do the main dining rooms as opposed to specialty dining? Any strong recommendations for specialty dining? My daughter is vegetarian -- Looking at the Cagney's menu, I don't see ANYTHING vegetarian on the menu, what can they do for vegetarians?

Any specialty restaurants particularly recommended, or any really not worth it?  

 

Haven't been on the Gem, but we did the garden villa on the Pearl a little while ago (similar ship to the Gem) and the Star. The number of liquor bottles depends on the length of your cruise. Longer cruise = more bottles. If there's something particular you want that isn't on the list, ask. If the price point is similar to what is on there, they're usually willing to swap. We had said instead of 6 bottles can we get 4 with one of them being Disaronno, and if not, we listed 2 other options. We got 6 bottles, one of them was my beloved amaretto. If it's within reason and on board, it's usually possible.

 

Mixers will be general coke products - coke, diet coke, sprite, ginger ale, club soda, tonic water.... sometimes they have orange soda or root beer, so if there's something special you enjoy - just ask (that will be a recurring theme here). If you're adventurous, ask the butler for a blender in the room so you can make your own concoctions. I would use the leftover fruit from breakfast and make rum smoothies.

 

Yes, the villas have their own private hot tub and private steam rooms. Steam room is small, can comfortably fit 2 if they're friendly, but it's nice to sit there for a bit.

 

Sleeping - again, depends on how friendly the guests are. Huge sectional sofa in the living room, and some of the bedrooms have a pull out couch/chair bed. Ask your butler and cabin steward for recommendations - they know the room best.

 

No lounge on the jewel class ships. No Haven restaurant on those ships either. No separate bar on those ships either. You'll get a pool and sundeck, and that's about it really. (we're not big fans of those ships, but the garden villas make up for it).

 

We asked the butler to bring us the daily dinner menus from the MDR each day. Based on what was for dinner we decided to go there, or use our specialty dining credits if there was nothing catching our eye. The concierge will be your good friend, they'll be visiting you often in your room. Any reservations you need, let them help you. Just give them as much notice as possible since you're a large group (we only had 4 of us).

 

For the meals - if it's on the menu, they can make it and swap things around. So for the veggie person, if they eat fish - you can swap the fish for say the filet but keep the rest of the sides that come with the filet. If there's something offered as an app or side dish that is safe for them, ask for an entree sized portion. Don't discredit Moderno. Even though it's a meat fest, they have an expansive salad bar that many people rave about. The grilled pineapple alone is worth a visit there. 

[lotadots]

On 6/10/2023 at 5:05 PM, havoc315 said:

Greetings all.. Been a long time since I've been around here. My last NCL cruise was 2013... Previously sailed on the Gem in 2011 (in a Haven 2 bedroom suite).

For summer 2024, just booked the Gem Garden Villa for the 1 week itinerary from Boston to Bermuda.  (Going with another family, 7 people in total  sharing the Garden Villa).

 

Have lots of questions considering it's been so long, and I assume stuff has changed... So if anyone has any answers, thanks in advance..

 

We have Cabin 14500 ---  The other villa is still available. Any difference or preference?

 

For Garden Villa -- What are the perks included above the standard suite perks? And any less advertised suite perks that I might not already know about?

I understand the Garden Villa includes a stocked bar --  Is it 3 bottles or 6 bottles?  Anybody have the list of choices?  What are the choices of mixers?

How does pre-concierge work for Garden Villas? Do they contact you, or you contact them? At what point? Any special requests that I should make?

 

I saw in 1 video, the Garden Villa appeared to have its own steam room. Does it?

 

For 7 people, what is the best way to sleep the 7th person?

 

Since my last cruise, I believe they changed suite breakfast/lunch --  It's now Moderno/Cagneys?  Anybody have the breakfast/lunch menus?

I forget, is there an all-day lounge for Haven guests? Where is it, what's available there?  I believe there is still no "Haven dinner" on the Gem, is that correct?

 

Dining questions ---  Are there particular nights where it's better to do the main dining rooms as opposed to specialty dining? Any strong recommendations for specialty dining? My daughter is vegetarian -- Looking at the Cagney's menu, I don't see ANYTHING vegetarian on the menu, what can they do for vegetarians?

Any specialty restaurants particularly recommended, or any really not worth it?  

 

I can't really find a good source for current Freestyles...  Any daily activities that are highly recommended? Do they run a mixology class? My kids will be 17 and 19 at the time, any recommendations for them?

 

Casino --- What are the minimums and limits for blackjack? They run Texas Hold'em games/tournaments?

 

For the adults, any bars/lounges that you'd recommend over others?

 

How are the current shows?  

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

I have that same villa booked in February 2024 for a Panama Canal Cruise. I will try and get you info and pics. BTW, I am a vegetarian also and travel with friends that are not. I love Cagney's, their side dishes are awesome and very filling. Usually, one of our dinner companions would get a couple of sides for me and I never used a specialty dining for Cagney's.