Retractable roof on Gem?

[letsgomets]

Can anyone tell me if there is a retractable roof covering the pool on the Gem? Thinking about it for a winter cruise from NYC but don't want to lose 2 days of swimming if it's not enclosed. The days at sea to/from NYC were among my kids' favorites when we took HAL Noordam last winter.

[DAGVBSB]

I doubt it since the Gem is the sister ship of the Pearl, which does not have a retractable roof.

 

The Dawn did winter cruises out of NYC for a number of years and I know for a fact that the Dawn does not have one.

[mbisson]

I doubt it since the Gem is the sister ship of the Pearl, which does not have a retractable roof.

 

The Dawn did winter cruises out of NYC for a number of years and I know for a fact that the Dawn does not have one.

 

I've always thought that would be a plus for the ships (including the Pearl)that sail Alaska also! Not that they'll do Alaska, but I'm hopeful they'll have a pool solarium on the F3 ships (but I'm not holding my breath ;) )

[DAGVBSB]

I've always thought that would be a plus for the ships (including the Pearl)that sail Alaska also! Not that they'll do Alaska, but I'm hopeful they'll have a pool solarium on the F3 ships (but I'm not holding my breath ;) )

 

Monte: even a heated pool would be adequate for Alaska as the days were not really that cold. Just not warm enough to warm up the pool.

[cruise4kicks]

If you're staying in a courtyard villa, the courtyard has a retractable roof.

 

For adults, there is the thermal suite in the spa for $20/day. A length-of-cruise pass is also available, price varying depending on the length of the cruise.

[mbisson]

Monte: even a heated pool would be adequate for Alaska as the days were not really that cold. Just not warm enough to warm up the pool.

 

I know key! Had a great day in the pool on the Norwegian Sun in Skagway (but that was an exception). We loved the solarium though on the RCCL ships we've taken to Alaska and wish NCL had that as a feature.

[Don Haynes]

You could choose to sail from another warm port. I suggest Miami instead if you wish to swim everyday. Face it, it can get very cold in New York during the winter.

[davejohn]

Can anyone tell me if there is a retractable roof covering the pool on the Gem? Thinking about it for a winter cruise from NYC but don't want to lose 2 days of swimming if it's not enclosed. The days at sea to/from NYC were among my kids' favorites when we took HAL Noordam last winter.

 

No retractable roof. In the Med in Oct. is was a bit chilly for swimming (for me). There are two hot tubs that were popular.

[Dolphins]

You could choose to sail from another warm port. I suggest Miami instead if you wish to swim everyday. Face it, it can get very cold in New York during the winter.

 

Don't see why New York area residents should have to fly south to enjoy a pool year round. I always thought the pools on HAL ships which feature a retractable roof were a great feature. Hopefully, NCL will do the same someday. The "pool" in the courtyard villas hardly qualifies.

[letsgomets]

Yes -- on the HAL Noordam, we loved that after a 15 minute taxi ride from our apartment, we could check in and start swimming or spending time "outside" in the middle of the winter.

 

With no HAL ships scheduled to winter in NYC in 2008/09 (Noordam isn't returning for some reason) and no others with retractable roofs, I guess we will have to fly south.

[electricron]

Yes -- on the HAL Noordam, we loved that after a 15 minute taxi ride from our apartment, we could check in and start swimming or spending time "outside" in the middle of the winter.

 

With no HAL ships scheduled to winter in NYC in 2008/09 (Noordam isn't returning for some reason) and no others with retractable roofs, I guess we will have to fly south.

 

Is it really that important to be swimming the first night of the cruise? Golly, there's the NY skyline, Miss Liberty, and sailing under a bridge for sight seeing when leaving NY. By the afternoon of the next day most weeks, the temperatures will be up enough to enjoy a dip in the pool.

 

Does having the pool available 24/7 make or break a cruise vacation?

Solariums are nice, but are they really necessary?

[davejohn]

Is it really that important to be swimming the first night of the cruise? Golly, there's the NY skyline, Miss Liberty, and sailing under a bridge for sight seeing when leaving NY. By the afternoon of the next day most weeks, the temperatures will be up enough to enjoy a dip in the pool.

 

Does having the pool available 24/7 make or break a cruise vacation?

Solariums are nice, but are they really necessary?

 

Not for me. Nor is a casino, art auction, buffet or bars all over the place necessary. But some people enjoy those options, as well as swimming as soon as they get on board. Hence the popularity of retractable roofs.

 

Personally, I'd rather swim than look at the Statue of Liberty (again), especially in January. I'm sure a lot of kids would rather swim too.