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Live from the Gem

Baitman19

By Baitman19,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Baitman19

Baitman19

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Live from the Gem-The Garden Villa Experience

Saturday January 26, 2008 Embarkation Day

We arrived at the pier at 11:15am. Dropped off our luggage and headed to checkin. The pier is very different from when we sailed in October 2007. You proceed thru security screening and then check in. The process is much easier than before. Penthouse passengers are escorted to a waiting room before boarding. Claudio was waiting for us and welcomed us “home”. At 12:15pm, Karan escorted us to the Garden Villa. Champagne was served when we boarded. All we can say about the Garden Villa is WOW!!!!!! Our butler Ryan came to greet us and see what we needed. A blender would be nice!

We went to Cagney’s for lunch. Our first meal the Gem was very good. It was then back to the GV to get acquainted with the layout. We have been to parties in the GV on the Dawn but the layout on the Gem is much better. This is the life.

We had our mandatory muster drill at 3:30pm. Nobody has to go outside anymore. Our luggage arrived just before the drill. We came back & unpacked. It was then time to try out some of the cool stuff in the cabin. There’s a fantastic massage lounger. Who need the spa. A fully stocked bar with a blender. A Bose surround sound system and a million light switches to figure out and 4 coffee machines.

Before dinner we stopped by the Bar Central to see Carol from the Dawn. I didn’t recognize her as they are allowed to wear their hair down now and not pinned up. At least there are two crew members from the Dawn on her.

We ate at Tequila at 8:00pm. The food was excellent. Same menu as in salsa on the Dawn. Claudio stopped by to see us. He asked us if we would like to try something new for breakfast. They are going to offer breakfast at Teppanyaki and we are the testers. So tomorrow at 9:00am, we are having breakfast in Teppanyaki.

We stopped by the Gem Casino to pick up our new cards since the ones from the Dawn won’t work on the Gem. Of course, it was time to invest a little.

It was a long day so we went back to get some sleep. Many things to do tomorrow ie: breakfast at Teppanyali, CC Meeting, Latitudes Party, & Captain’s VIP Party. No to mention some martini’s to test.

We woke up at 5:15am, the ship was starting to hit speed bumps in the ocean. I mean 12 foot seas.

Be back tomorrow

Happy Sailing,

Diane & Monty

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dongordon

dongordon

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Diane and Monty,

 

Thanks so much for taking the time out from your cruise to report back to us and answer questions about the beautiful new Gem.

 

We will be cruising on February 16th, and although we will not have the luxury of the Garden Villa, we are still looking forward with great anticipation to our cruise.

 

I know you were able to board right from the beginning, but are you aware of the time others were alllowed to board?

 

Have a great cruise...we are looking forward to your reports.

 

Don

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cruitenn

cruitenn

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Diane and Monty:

 

Sounds like you are having a lot of fun already and will be very busy today. Is Cluadio going on vacation at the end of your cruise?

 

 

Diane and Monty,

 

Thanks so much for taking the time out from your cruise to report back to us and answer questions about the beautiful new Gem.

 

We will be cruising on February 16th, and although we will not have the luxury of the Garden Villa, we are still looking forward with great anticipation to our cruise.

 

I know you were able to board right from the beginning, but are you aware of the time others were allowed to board?

 

Have a great cruise...we are looking forward to your reports.

 

Don

 

Hey Don. Here's a voice from the past. Logcabin from the 2006 Spirit. I was able to tour the Gem last week. If you still have my email, send me an email so I can be in touch. Hope all is well.

 

Hi, Don and Scott:

 

Here's another voice from the past, we were also on the spirit with you guys last July, 2006. We were on the other owners suite, we loved the Spirit so much we went on her three more times since. Hello to both of you. Don, we will be sailing on the Gem on 2/6. Scott, are your friends performing on the Gem?

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Tomct

Tomct

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How much of Freestyle 2.0 has been implemented on the GEM? I am going in April and hope to see some (or all) of the new program by then.

Hope you are having a ball!

 

Last Wednesday morning, the day Klaus left the ship in Tortola, Cagney's literally rolled out a small buffet for breakfast, for those wishing to jumpstart their day. It had items like fresh fruit, pastries, break, some fish, etc., especially good for those in a hurry. I think they mentioned they were testing the location, but it was a 2.0 feature.

 

Note the glass of champagne available for everyone as they board is a new feature as well. There may have been at least one other new feature, but not sure of that. I would guess that more may be appearing as they go along, but understand that Klaus and his team will in charge of the official implementation.

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Smellytoes "Live from...." Rare

Smellytoes

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Monty, could you do me one more favor?? Could you please try to get any information you can reguarding repairs to the Spirit?? I'm booked on the 4/19 cruise and I'm getting ansy about the engine repairs. No one seems to know when they will take place or how they will take place.

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dongordon

dongordon

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Hey Don. Here's a voice from the past. Logcabin from the 2006 Spirit. I was able to tour the Gem last week. If you still have my email, send me an email so I can be in touch. Hope all is well.

 

Hi Scott,

 

I tried your old e-mail address and it came back "undelivered."

Try my e-mail: dong70279@aol.com

 

When is your next cruise?

 

Don

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Baitman19

Baitman19

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Live from the Gem-The Garden Villa Experience

Sunday January 27, 2008 A Sea Day

The sun is shining and it’s about 58 degrees, but the wind is blowing 40 kts. The ship is rocking and the pools are now wave pools. We’re getting ready for our breakfast at Teppanyaki. We all are wondering what they will be serving? Breakfast was schedule for 9:00am and we were the only ones there. The others came as we were finishing. We’ll the menu is Steak & Eggs, sautéed potatoes, onions, mushrooms & roasted tomatoes. Unlimited Bloody Mary’s or Mimosas, coffee & pastries are included. They cook it in front of you on the hibachi tables. The service was fantastic and everyone wanted us to like it. We were the guinea pigs. The cost $15.00. If you have 3 drinks & breakfast is free. Our only thought was they have to offer at least 2 choices.

After breakfast we went to the Java Café to see Carol and have a martini. Then it was off to the CC meeting in Le Bistro. We had about 22 people and Captain Peterstam came with some senior officers. We’re arranging a bowling day for the ride back home.

It was then off to the Latitudes Party at 12:30pm. There are 1300 members on this cruise and they have to have 3 parties. It must be my lucky cruise, I won a free excursion at the party. We got hamburgers & weisswurst at Bali Hai and went back to the GV to eat. The seas have come down and I tried out the hot tub while Diane & Janet went to the Courtyard to use the pool. Sharon tired her luck in the casino. The weather is beginning to feel exotic now, almost 62 degrees. We went to the casino. It wasn’t crowded or smoky. We all made a donation and came back to rest before the VIP Party. It was time to test the blender and I made Pina Colada’s with some Kahlua in them. Not bad!

We are attended the Captain’s VIP party at 7:00pm. The dress code went from Dockers & a golf shirt to tuxedos. That’s what Freestyle is all about and why we like it so much.

We knew that the restaurants would be crowded, so we decided to have dinner from La Cucina in our cabin at 8:15pm. Ryan brought our food and served us dinner. It was his only dinner for the evening. He served us every course and it was really nice. Not something we do very often, but having dinner at that big table was an experience.

Sharon, Diane & I went to see what Bliss was all about at night. It was really empty and only a few people were bowling. We plan on bowling tomorrow. It was back to the cabin and call it a night. Have to set the clocks ahead tonight. Diane & Sharon made plans to meet at 6:30am to use the machines in the Courtyard.

We were woken up at I don’t know what time, as they were washing the windows in our bedroom. Now I know why they roll up the blinds at night.

We’ll it’s 7:15am and somebody didn’t get up on time. That’s what happens when there are no clocks in your bedroom. One suggestion we will make. I know you are on vacation and time is your own, but sometimes we like to know.

It’s getting warm now and I think it’s a day for sunning. They are going to put out all of our furniture. It was too windy yesterday since our stuff is on Deck #15. Today is another sea day and we arrive in St Thomas tomorrow at 11:00am. 5 ships will be in port and we have to tender.

Be back tomorrow

Happy Cruising,

Diane & Monty

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rossbabsy

rossbabsy

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Baitman, thanks for posting. We get on when you get off. I don't think that we tender in St. Thomas. I hope not. If we do we might just stay onboard, as we've been there several times.

 

Garden Villa must be nice. We booked late and had to take an inside cabin on deck 10. We're not used to this, but wanted to do this cruise. I understand that they are totally booked.

 

We have over 100 people for our meet & greet and so far 50 have confirmed.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise. Say hello to Cruse Mouse (Mary Alice and Joe) and Coneygal (Morty & Cynthia) for us. Barbara & Bob

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Baitman19

Baitman19

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Answers to some questions:

Boarding for passengers not penthouses: People are given a number as they arrive to the pier and go thru security and you board in that order after the VIP’s board. There is a separate check-in for Latitudes.

Freestyle 2.0 & the Gem. Some things have been upgraded, but there isn’t lobster every night. Should be in place by April.

When does Claudio go on vacation: March

Smellytoes: Claudio says hello and he’s fine now. He couldn’t find anything about the Spirit & repairs being completetd.

Does LeBistro serve choc fondue & CD?

Yes it does and they have station in the Garden Cafe. The CD is "Q" Matt Baker has been given a promotion.

Happy Cruising

 

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nyflush

nyflush

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Hi Diane and Monty Sounds like you are having a great time its great to hear! Glad the weather is getting better:) We were looking foward to having Matt as the CD on our upcoming cruise never heard of "Q" I look foward to hearing more Thanks so much for the post!!!

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markf

markf

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Surprised to hear that Matt is not the cruise director this week, What is he doing this week?

On the Jan 16 it was his first week as CD on the Gem and Cue was the asst CD for part of the week-

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Baitman19

Baitman19

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Live from the Gem-The Garden Villa Experience

Monday January 28, 2008 - Another Sea Day

The sun is shining brightly through our sparkling clean windows. Everyone is walking and trying to loose those pounds they put on over the last few days. We’re having breakfast in Cagney’s. Since the Concierge Lounge is in the Star Bar now, we went & saw Claudio and asked your questions.

If you have more please ask & I’ll try to answer. I have to say the menu & the service is fantastic in Cagney’s for having breakfast & lunch and extremely close by. We will find out about dinner tonight.

Like I said the sun is shining and we have enjoyed our deck area. We went to the Java Café this afternoon to see the WII and have a drink with Carol. It was back to the GV to continue to use the sun deck & hot tub. I found out how to turn on the music in our outdoor seating area. Jimmy Buffett is serenading us.

The average age of this cruise is 57. We are right there in the average.

We cancelled our excursion for tomorrow at Megan’s Bay. Too many ships are in St. Thomas. We will go ashore and shop on the 1st tender and then again use our sundeck. For all of you who say you book an inside room because we only sleep there. If you book a suite, you will use your cabin and the amenities that come with it.

We had reservation for dinner in Cagney’s at 6:30pm. We were seated in the side area by the Star Bar. Nice, quiet and had fantastic service. They have changed the menu and added some things. The crawfish cakes are fantastic. The prime rib is now slow roasted and not seared as on the Dawn. Our server Noel was a show. He was very attentive and we interacted with him well. Claudio & Prem (the HD) stopped by to see how everything was. A very nice dinner!

We were going to the show at 9:30pm and came back to the cabin. I laid down on the giant couch to rest and when I woke up at 10:10pm & they were gone. I finally got up at 11:10pm and everyone was in bed. Getting up early is killing the nights for me. All I know is that I got a fantastic night sleep. My batteries are recharged and ready for a great day.

Someone asked, “What’s the view from the master bedroom in the Garden Villa like”. We’ll it’s really great. There are 4 windows and you get a panoramic view. You have a door to your private courtyard from the bedroom. You also have a door from your master bathroom to the courtyard. There is also one from the foyer, one from the living room to the courtyard. You also have one from the living room to your outdoor dining area. Everything is easy to get to.

As I am writing this the sun is coming up over the port side. The seas are calm, the wind is down and it looks like it’s going to be a great day.

Be back tomorrow, St Thomas

Happy Cruising,

 

Diane & Monty

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