FLAHAM

I like studio cabins better than insides.

I have always gotten on first tender just by showing my card. No myth.

Bring a Kindle. Read a book.

Bring a Kindle. Read a book.

Very.

Frozen lobster tails never did it for me. Take an NCL cruise with port stops in Maine or the Canadian Maritimes and have a lunch with a live (fresh-killed) steamed whole lobster.

On the Bliss last week, we had purchased “Priority Access.” We were given priority baggage tags for disembarkation. We met in the Maltings bar and were escorted off the ship ahead of all but Haven. Our priority baggage was waiting for us ashore while all other baggage was in the process of sorting.

Gibraltar is a must with kids! Take them to the top of the rock. Watch out for the monkeys.

I was on the Gem in February. It is a fine ship in excellent condition. We have all known about the turn down service for months. Smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers was available every morning in the main dining rooms. Cookies not generally available (but tiramisu, crème brûlée, ice cream and other desserts widely available) but were distributed twice to club balconies.

I was on this cruise and had a great time. Never found it particularly crowded. One thing I noticed was that the laundry bags, some sort of coated paper, were substantially stronger than on my prior NCL cruises. Stuffed two full and no rips or tears!

Upgrading to a Club Balcony Suitr—not much. Upgrading to the Haven, perhaps $1,200 to $2,000 (total).

Butler deserves a generous tip for this service.

If you purchase priority boarding you get on right after handicapped.

The Gem last month served Veuve Cliquot in Le Bistro and Cagney’s.

Just my opinion—Ice bar is a waste of time. Few drinks available—none good.