Just back from the Gem Aug 12 sailing to the Bahamas and Port Canaveral

We just got back from the Gem Aug 12 sailing out of Manhattan Cruise Terminal sailing to Port Canaveral and the Bahamas. I will write an in depth review but if anyone is sailing sooner than I am able to do the review I can answer any questions. Unfortunately my iphone decided to stop working early on so I don't have any photos to share.

Here are a few highlights: It was an excellent cruise with an excellent staff. This was a cruise with lots of families so we fit right in with our grandchildren.They LOVED the kids program Splash Academy. We had no problems disembarking with self assist and from the time we left our stateroom until we got to LaGuardia airport it was just about an hour. Customs was really quick. However since we got to the terminal very early for embarkation day it was a little confusing knowing where to go but that is our fault for showing up too early (9:15 am).

The ship was extremely clean and maintained well. Food in both the Grand Pacific and the buffet was delicious. Lines were never an issue in the buffet. We sat in the overflow seating in LaCucinafor breakfast and lunch and it was very enjoyable. Most days they also had a BBQ out on deck at lunchtime with Carribean inspired food. We ate at Cagneys, LaCucina and LeBistro. All had good food but the portions in LeBistro are extremely small so if you are very hungry it might not fill you up.

Port Canaveral we took the shuttle to Cocoa Beach . The shuttle was very prompt and we could come back anytime we wanted to by waiting at the designated spot. We did mess up a little in terms of renting beach chairs and umbrella. There is a rental place right at the drop off place. We carried the chairs and umbrella the 2 blocks to the beach only to find out that there were rentals right at the beach. It was a little more expensive to rent right at the beach but the umbrellas were already set up so it would have been worth it. The beach was very clean.

On the private island we rented a small cabana. It was great to have but I am so glad we lucked out and got cabana #12 the first small cabana because it was a long walk to the buffet from the furthest most cabanas. However the bar was right there near #12 and some bathrooms too.

We went to Atlantis in Nassau. My only comment is don't do it. It was massive, confusing, expensive and just plain crowded. Supposedly since Marriott took over the place has gone downhill (according to one of the workers). It was also expensive. Lunch for 4 adults and 2 kids which consisted of a sandwich and a bottle of water for each was $77. Maybe if it was off season and you knew how to get around it would be OK. Also they say it is $4 pp for a taxi but if you don't want to wait for the 10 person van to fill up it is $40 for the 10 minute ride. We did that since we were with small children but then again that was our choice.

We sailed at full capacity which we were told was 2900 people. It only seemed crowded on sea days at the pool.

I will write more later but can answer any questions.

looking forward to hearing more about your trip. i'm sailing to Bahamas on the Breakaway in Nov. :)

That was a smooth disembarkation and travel to LGA. What time were you able to do the disembark?

That was a smooth disembarkation and travel to LGA. What time were you able to do the disembark?

We did self assist and headed down around 7:30am. Off the ship by 7:45.We had priority disembark but the regular line wasn't bad at all. We had nobody in line ahead of us at customs and was able to grab a cab right away.

I found your post to be much more informative than some longer reviews with photos that I've read on here :) Thank you!

At Atlantis, did you go to The Dig, the aquarium there or did you just do the water slides part?

We are going to Nassau & have been there several times, but never to Atlantis. My husband & I are thinking about just going to their aquarium for the day & checking out shops & grounds of Atlantis. Don't know if we should bother.

I found your post to be much more informative than some longer reviews with photos that I've read on here :) Thank you!

 

At Atlantis, did you go to The Dig, the aquarium there or did you just do the water slides part?

 

We are going to Nassau & have been there several times, but never to Atlantis. My husband & I are thinking about just going to their aquarium for the day & checking out shops & grounds of Atlantis. Don't know if we should bother.

You're welcome! Yes we did go to the Dig and walk around the shops and grounds. That part was fun. It was the water park that was confusing and crowded. If you can get a good price and don't mind the taxi ride and waiting for your bracelet it would be fun. Hope you have a good time whatever you decide!

Had a little time this morning so thought I would add some more information on the ports.I only know what myself and family members did plus what other passengers told me so please take that into consideration when reading my notes.

Port Canaveral-There was an option to transfer to the theme parks in Orlando but most people I spoke to had decided against that option. Their reasons were short amount of time in relation to the cost. Some of my family went to the Space Center instead . Their observation was that had they known they could check if there was a launch that day that they would have done something else. They said it was crazy busy. However they had planned their day pretty well and said that others they spoke to didn't get to do too much because they were unaware they needed to do some planning as it was a ship tour. All in all I think my family members had a good time but recommend that if there is a launch that day skip it. We heard the rocket go off but missed seeing it on the ship. I think it was the rocket that supplies the space station but not 100% sure. As I mentioned above we took the shuttle to Cocoa Beach. It drops you off in a covered area at the Shark Tank Grill which also has a shopping area. We were given discount coupons and they were offering $1 margaritas. We had a small bite to eat and a $2 margarita (larger than the $1) and I ordered a non alcoholic frozen strawberry daiquiri for $4.50 Very fun. We also went across the street to Ron Jon Surf shop and bought a tee shirt. They gave us two free stickers with the shirt. We did not go to Cocoa Village. Anyway, as I mentioned we rented an umbrella and two chairs which we carried the two blocks to the beach but should have just rented at the beach. One thing to note is that there are no public restrooms at that location at the beach(or none that I noticed) so you have to walk back to the drop off point to use the public restrooms. No big deal but it is around 15 minutes round trip. The beach itself is super clean and beautiful.

Private Island-We loved the private island. It was nicely landscaped and had an included buffet plus you could use your card if you have the beverage package. As I mentioned we rented a small cabana for the 6 of us. It came with towels, floating mats, salsa and chips and fruit bowl. We also had a $50 credit which we used towards r cut up fruit and 2 shrimp platters. One thing to note that there is still construction on the island and I was a bit worried when I got there as the bulldozers were running (far end of the cabanas but close enough). Thankfully they turned off the equipment while we were there and then I didn't notice anything after that. The tendering process was a bit long due to the fact the tenders hold 350-400 people. The ride itself is short but loading and unloading takes a long time. If you are very hot from the sun on the return trip ask to sit on the lower level so you can have some shade. The upper level gets very hot. I did that and they accommodated me.

They run water down the ramp as you get on the returning tender so you can wash your feet off.

Nassau- I had wanted to go to the Colonial Hilton which is within walking distance of the ship with a pretty beach and inexpensive but gladly bought Atlantis Aquaventure tickets thinking it would be fun. As I mentioned the Dig and grounds were fun but the water park was a nightmare of confusion, long lines, and stress.

Have to go now but will continue again soon.

I found your post to be much more informative than some longer reviews with photos that I've read on here :) Thank you!

 

At Atlantis, did you go to The Dig, the aquarium there or did you just do the water slides part?

 

We are going to Nassau & have been there several times, but never to Atlantis. My husband & I are thinking about just going to their aquarium for the day & checking out shops & grounds of Atlantis. Don't know if we should bother.

If you get a Digs pass, you won't be able to wander the grounds, just the aquarium, casino, and the marina.

If you get a Digs pass, you won't be able to wander the grounds, just the aquarium, casino, and the marina.

Thanks for mentioning this. I didn't realize this and didn't want to give out wrong information. I was pretty confused when I was there hence the mistake in information. Thanks again.

Glad you didn't encounter worries of others on LGA traffic situation around the terminal. Thanks for your response.

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Thanks for your review. One simple question - we're going on the same itinerary in November. My passports have expired so I just want to be sure all I need for the adults is a birth certificate and license and for the kids a birth certificate.

I'd appreciate any help you could provide.

If you get a Digs pass, you won't be able to wander the grounds, just the aquarium, casino, and the marina.

Isn't there a shopping area right there as well? Marina village? Not shopping inside the resort, but an outside area? I thought I remember reading something about it.

Thanks for your review. One simple question - we're going on the same itinerary in November. My passports have expired so I just want to be sure all I need for the adults is a birth certificate and license and for the kids a birth certificate.

 

I'd appreciate any help you could provide.

I really don't know about this. Sorry. Perhaps call the NCL number to make sure you are good with that documentation. We took passports.

Glad you didn't encounter worries of others on LGA traffic situation around the terminal. Thanks for your response.

 

 

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You're welcome. According to our cab driver Saturdays are much easier to get to LGA. Thanks for your post.

Have a little more time today so just wanted to talk about the Splash Academy for those with children. My grandchildren who are grade school age LOVED it and didn't want to leave. In my opinion the counselors are extremely inventive. For example remember the game red light green light? They turned the lights down and had the kids crawl. Green laser means green light and red laser meant stop. They also put together a circus/show for the parents/grandparents which we attended. I was shocked at how much they did with the kids with face paint, costumes, jokes. It was amazing for them to pull this together in under a week. There was also a pirate parade where the kids were dressed at night like pirates and had a parade on the pool deck. The last night was a pajama party. Truly impressed. The counselors really charmed the kids and according to my grandchildren it was SO SO fun. Most of the time the kids were with us or their parents but when they did get to attend they were so happy!

Isn't there a shopping area right there as well? Marina village? Not shopping inside the resort, but an outside area? I thought I remember reading something about it.

Yes, the shops at marina village (sorry I just wrote marina).

Yes, the shops at marina village (sorry I just wrote marina).

Great, thank you! :)

Thanks for the review in short.

how is the ships entertainment at night? i know they have a show in the main theater but what is there to do after 10/11pm?

how is the ships entertainment at night? i know they have a show in the main theater but what is there to do after 10/11pm?

We were babysitting at night so didn't do anything that late but I do know they have music and dancing some nights like the White Hot party. There was something called bandioke sort of like karioke but you sing along with the band. There is a casino. You will get some paperwork each night for the next days activities so you can check that for planning. And the bars are open.

How much do the Dig tickets cost? I'm doing this same cruise next week.

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Not really sure but if you go to the Atlantis website I think they post the prices if bought on site. You can compare that to the ship's excursion if they have one. If I had to guess it would be around $50 pp but I could be wrong.