mimmo1974

Hey Mimmo, Considering your boyfriend is Italian and owns restaurant's I wonder what he thought about La Cucina? I always thought Cagney's and Le Bistro were much higher quality than La Cucina and Italian food is my favorite. Hopefully they have upped the quality in La Cucina.

 

Enjoy the cruise.

 

All the Best

Rob

Welllllll he doesn't love it. We tried it on the Breakaway and while he didn't complain I won't make reservations to go back. To be fair we typically avoid Italian restaurants when we eat out. Especially if I am taking charge of where we eat I stay away from Italian food. Then I get a lecture about Napoli and how he makes it blah blah blah. Lol

Cagneys has been exceptional this trip to be honest. The rib eye I had the other night is one of the best steaks I've had. Anywhere.

Can't tell you how the water slide is because it hasn't actually been open yet lol

Always closed. Not sure why.

There have been some glitches coming out in front dry dock that the crew is working it's hardest to correct.

Not all suites have the portable phones that should have them.

Minor issues like out faucet in the bathroom sink not secured.

Our door to the bathroom doesn't stay closed unless it's locked which means it swing open and shut pretty much all the time...we've gotten used to it lol

Honestly, Carlos is great but he needs help. Twice he's called our room with answers to questions we never asked because whoever is giving him messages is getting the room numbers wrong. The only thing we've asked for so far is to change a dinner reservation but I know there's people requiring much more effort then we have. I feel like there should be more then one concierge. Just my opinion though.

We sailed last on the Breakaway and are definitely enjoying the Gem more. The food in the specialty restaurants has been excellent. We're not food snobs but I have an Italian who has two restaurants and takes food very seriously.. No complaints at all.

Enjoy your cruise. We will be on it in 2016. Can you find out when Carlos will be going on vacation. Thanks.

Carlos said this morning he will be going on vacation for Christmas and returning February 11th.

I am absolutely in love with Carlos! He may be one of the kindest people I have ever met. I haven't asked him to do anything. We made our reservations ahead of sailing and so far we've been fine but he's a pleasure to talk with and everyone who has been asking for anything or complaining about anything he is clearly on top of. Again...it's exhausting watching him. And many of the employees for that matter.

Again, how does one make a cappuccino with this machine?

 

Harriet

There's no way to make cappuccino with these machines. Only espresso. For espresso they're OK. Lavazza is not only better machined it's better coffee. I am guessing price is a factor. The nespresso machines are less expensive. The coffee is also less expensive. Just a guess though.

Poor Carlos has been running around like a chicken without a head. It's exhausting just to watch. I will try to find out when he goes on vacation.

Bed minus the snoring Italian. Captain just asked for another 30 minutes. I'm just not destined to get a clear day sail away.

Same furniture?

If that worked at all I apologize for them being small. I'm new here.

Thanks guys! I am already enjoying it.

Were in an aft penthouse. The tables and chairs look like the old pics I've seen. The new carpeting is obvious no more pink and purple. There is a purplish single chair and cream colored couch. It seems they just did a few cosmetic updates. There's still a vibrant curtain around the bed. The carpeting definitely turns down the circus atmosphere lol not sure if the mattresses are new but my boyfriend is snoring in it as we speak so it can't be that bad.

We sailed the breakaway last and I already like the gem better. Not just because of the suite and perks but prefer the smaller ship. I heard they're full but it hasn't seemed too overwhelming yet.

Everywhere on the breakaway felt crowded.

Loved lunch at Cagneys. Quite. Yes service was slow but they're were still organizing and honestly I enjoy not rushing through. Especially since I'm on vacation.

I rush through my daily life so sitting through a leisurely meal isn't torture.

If we were in a hurry I can see how people wouldn't like it. Saw a few complainers but really not sure what the big deal was.

She really is a beautiful ship! Very elegant. I've never sailed her before but from the pictures I have seen it has been greatly improved. Absolutely gorgeous.

Spoke to Carlos, our concierge, for a bit at lunch. Apparently dry dock was a lot of work for everyone! He seems really proud of what they've done.

Walking onto the ship you can smell the new. Fresh carpeting is a very distinct odor. Call me crazy but I love it.

We have a nespresso machine in our suite which my boyfriend has already made good use out of. Also, he was very impressed there is written material in Italian. It was left on the table. I guess seeing he holds an Italian passport and the name kinda gave it away. It was a nice touch and he loved it.

FYI...there was just an announcement that we will be delayed approximately an hour on sail away. So hopefully 5pm instead of 4pm. They're still loading provisions. And even though it wasn't announced we did see furniture actually still being brought on. And really? I've been on vacation since we boarded at noon so I'm not in a hurry!

There also seems to be many new crew members being shown around.

Thugs do seem a but chaotic but everyone is working so hard to get everything done. Agree with the NCL policies or not the crew works their tails off. And they are all so friendly and helpful. Even though they're clearly very busy!

I'll take a bunch of pictures but I can't promise I'll figure out how to post large pics. If I can post a link to a shutterfly album I'll be more then happy to do so when all is said and done.

Have a great trip and keep her beautiful and new. Lol. We are on the sailing right after you. I can't wait. Have a blast.

Thank you! I promise not to break anything. :)

Have a great trip, looks like the rain is gone here and it will be a nice sail away. From what I saw the ship looked amazing, I can not wait till July.

Thank you so much! Really looking forward to a clear sail away. When we sailed out on the breakaway there was so much fog we weren't able to even see the bridge as we passed under it. I love sailing out from New York.

Been up since 5. Can't wait! We are sailing today. I Have been nervous about being the first sailing after dry dock but now that she's back in New York my nerves are gone and it's pure excitement!

Thanks for the advice. The end it is! It'll just take some getting used to. It'll be odd having food delivered and what not and NOT tipping then. I'm sure I'll adapt lol

Having never sailed in a suite before I'm unsure what is appropriate protocol for tipping. Should we wait until the end of the trip to tip the Butler? Or tip throughout the cruise?

We leave Friday and decided just last week to upgrade to an aft penthouse suite on the gem.

Getting so excited! Sailing Friday...I will feel much relief and excitement when I know she is on her way back to New York.

Really looking forward to the newly updated areas of the ship. We decided to upgrade to a suite which we have never done before so if they do renovate those it will be like hitting the lottery.

I believe Bliss night club is directly below you. I'd look into that especially if you're a light sleeper. They may have loud music pumping into the night. Just something to consider so you're not surprised by it.

Thanks for the heads up. I actually found a few reviews of these cabins and saw that the bliss noise surprisingly wasn't really an issue for them. It looks like Wed be right above the bowling which I think may be being removed during this current dry dock. So who knows what I'll be in for.

Maybe the engine noise will drown out the nightclub lol

Wow thanks so much! The room looks pretty nice. Your balcony was really big I won't expect that but will still love being off the back of the ship.

I'm really looking forward to this. I was before but now even more so.

Hi Everyone,

We are sailing on the Gem next Friday. We just upgraded to an aft penthouse suite.

I am hoping for some advice and tips on the suite life. I have never sailed in a suite before and don't want to miss out on anything I should take advantage of. (this may never happen again lol)

Anyone familiar with this room? Please tell me the balcony is worth it?

Thanks in advance!!

Thanks for the pictures.

Getting so excited...we're sailing on her next Friday.

I've been nervous about being the first sailing after dry dock. It seems like they're doing a lot of work in two weeks. It's amazing what they can do in a short period of time.

Sounds like good timing as everyone said it was a LOT of work for just two weeks. 800 workers will board in NY on the 30th and start work on the sail down to Freeport and finish up on the trip back to NY. I would not want to be on the first trip.

 

As for the menus, we ate in the MDR three times. I do not remember the old ones however I felt the selection was very nice and all tasted good. I was impressed that all cooked food came to the table nice and hot. The only place that I did not like was the buffet, not for the food but for the fight to get a seat .

I am on the first sailing after dry dock :o

Love this!

I will be sailing on November 13th. Can't wait to hear the suggestions.

I too have had legitimate complaints. The service at the Blue Lagoon on the Dawn, for instance. Couldn't get a hot French fry to save my life (and cold ones are just icky). First time we went, the orders were all screwed up...wrong items, missing items...just BAD. And it was taking so long we opted to just eat whatever showed up at the table. Second time, we sat for 20 minutes before we saw a water or a glass of water. I'm pretty low maintenance, but this was REALLY bad.

 

I dropped a note in the Hotel Director's box. Not a rude note, just a factual account of our experience. Got a phone call from the Restaurant manager, who comped the entire party at La Cucina with a free bottle of wine and specialty coffees with dessert. Roughly $100 meal as compensation.

 

Things can be rectified very well if folks are calm, rational, and discuss it with the appropriate person. That positive attitude has earned me more swag and meals than folks realize.

 

Note that on Day 2 of my review, I called the Executive Chef to let him know about my fantastic lunch. Complimentary chocolates and VIP dining. Was I expecting that? No. I just thought the guy might want to hear from a happy guest instead of a miserable one. Perks were certainly appreciated and enjoyed.

Beautiful! No one wants their guest to be unhappy. Most of the time pointing out something that is off and giving them a chance to make it right is best for everyone involved. Address it and move forward. Letting it ruin your whole vacation would be just tragic.

I definitely agree with your comments to the Executive Chef. I, actually, worked in the travel industry for 10 years in a past life and people who are happy tend to keep it to themselves. I am just as guilty as anyone for being loud when I am unhappy about something but when someone goes out of their way to pay a compliment it means a lot.

Sadly, some people are just never truly satisfied.

Sounds like your attitude on vacation works in your favor!

Thank you for this review. I can't wait to sail the Gem in November! I, too, don't understand what could possibly be so bad that someone would say it is the worst vacation. I think it really depends on the mind set going in. It's vacation...it's already enjoyable! I am not sure what people expect that leads to such a let down.

If it takes a few minutes to get a drink what's the big deal? Where you going? you're on vacation.

A leisurely paced dinner? What's your hurry? you're on vacation.

Some gripes are legitimate complaints from what I have seen and should be brought to the attention of the cruiseline at the time. Sometimes though I have to say it seems like excessive whining.

You will have no problem with iMessage, or receiving pictures, or getting books for your Kindle app. Facetime is pretty much another version of Skype, and it won't work well, but will work especially very late at night or very early in the morning.

 

OP, be cautious of what you read in this thread. There is a lot of information that is well meaning but is simply incorrect.

 

You will be just fine using the wifi. Just make sure that you have data roaming turned of on your device (it should probably be off all the time anyway). Have a great cruise!

Thank you so much!!

Thanks for the input...I am going to do the wifi package. I don't need to do anything fancy so it sounds like it will be sufficient for what I am wanting.

I will just make sure I have my ipad loaded up with books so that won't be a problem.

We have more sea days then I have done before and being completely out of touch with certain people just makes me uneasy.