CTGen04

Thank you all very much! I really appreciate the time and effort that you all put into your responses -- this is such a valuable resource! I'll check out that review -- sounds like it will be a birds-eye view. Thank you all again!

CTGen04

Thank you both for the reply. Nikki908, how was the trip to Brewers? The roads have been described as steep with hairpin turns and some scary moments. Did you find this to be the case?

Thank you so much for this reply. What about return taxis? Are they easy to find for the return trip to the ship? A little nerve-wracking...

Hi Blue Water -- this is an addendum to earlier post:

I just saw your post from July 2015 on a different thread - you mention Brewers Bay for beach snorkeling. We'll be on the Gem with time in Tortola from 7-1. How far is Brewers Bay - do you think this would work with those time constraints?

Thank you!

CTGen04

Hi Blue Water,

I'm interested in beach snorkeling in Tortola, if there is such a thing. I had originally booked the NCL excursion to the Baths, but it looks like the rating on their website has been increased from moderate to strenuous, and the more I read, the more I'm having second thoughts. Do you know of any snorkeling options that might be less intense?

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer!

CTGen04

Looking for a beach tour to snorkel. Bernard's is so highly recommended, but tours seem more sightseeing than snorkel time. Could anyone recommend a beach snorkel tour? I see Diederick's on TripAdvisor, but can't find any mention of them on CC. Any advice is appreciated!

CTGen04

I see that Bernard's Tours are highly recommended, but we're looking specifically for beaches for snorkeling. Diederick's Tours have a beach only tour - Divi and Mullet, with a stop in between at Maho. Has anyone ever used Diederick's? Thanks for any info!

CTGen04

Is it available? When I checked for our 1/2/16 Gem cruise, I didn't see it listed under excursions. Were you able to book?

Thank you! Very good to know!

CTGen04

From another couple on this Gem cruise.

 

 

As for ports.... we only did one ship shore excursion in St Maarten and we're very disappointed. Littleton value got the high price paid. Would have been better to just get a taxi once ashore. Do your research before you go

Hi Rapata,

Thanks for this information; sorry to hear that your St. Maarten excursion was disappointing. We're planning for this itinerary in January -- what was the excursion?

Thanks,

CTGen04

Thank you very much, hawkeyetise. This is very helpful. Not sure how I got the gratuities in my notes, but I appreciate having the accurate information.

Thanks again,

CTGen04

Does anyone have a copy of the July promos for NCL?

I had a reservation for the Gem for 1/2/16 on a 24 hour hold, and when I printed it out the rep had automatically applied the UBP to the balcony and shore excursion credit to the inside cabin. Those promos carried over to the booking on 7/28, and the rep told me that I could change the promos at any time, since I wasn't sure about the shore excursions. In my notes I have prepaid gratuities as a promo option for the inside cabin, and when I called this morning to switch to that, I was told that it wasn't an option after all.

I don't know how to find the promos from last month, so if anyone is able to send me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it. Thank you all very much for your help!

CTGen04

If the price is the same I would definitely go on the Breakaway. I just got off the Dawn last week and thought that the service was lacking , not everyone but noticeable to me. Parking in Boston is $140 for the week, NY is $280.The extra $100 is worth it to me to be on a better ship, better service,and you get into Bermuda on Wednesday morning not Sunday afternoon.

Looking into Gem 1/2/2016 -- where did you find parking for $280? That's a great price!

Thanks,

Gen

We were on the Dawn at the end of June and had a fabulous time. Ship was definitely clean and we didn't see any issues with plumbing. Staff was hard-working but very friendly. Bermuda was awesome -- loved being there for 3 days -- so much to see and do! We'd absolutely sail the Dawn again in a heartbeat!

Hi Don,

I wondered the same thing, and a quick Google search provided this link:

http://yeahthatskosher.com/2011/01/where-to-go-or-not-to-go-for-yeshiva-week-vacation-winter-break/

Very interesting!

Hope it's helpful.

Gen

We have sailed in February out of NYC since 2005. Temps vary unfortunately so bring layers. Some years its been in the 50's on sail away, last year we were all the way to Puerto Rico before the seas calmed down and the temps warmed up. Usually it is warmer by the second sea day. People are in the hot tubs regardless. We like to get the spa pass - it gives you a quiet place to relax on those cold, cool days. I'm not sure if these are considered peak sailing times, any more they just reduce prices til the ship is full. You probably won't have a ton of kids cause they'll be just back to school.

Spa pass is a great idea! Not crowded during the colder days?

As for prices, I found a significant drop on Labor Day weekend last year for my January 2015 cruise. I keep watching every so often because I am booked on the Gem for January 22, 2016. I would be hesitant to change my reservation though because the promos have changed so much. Right now my husband, daughter, and I have the dining package, but now they only allow that for the 1st 2 passengers in the cabin. You really need to take in all the considerations if you want to get the price drop. You may actually find you have a better deal even though your per person room charge might be higher.

This is a really interesting perspective -- thank you so much. The pricing can be tricky to nail down, but you make such a good point re: promos vs. per person room charge. Lots to think about here. Once we commit to it, I don't want to have any second thoughts! Thanks again for the good tip.

Hi everyone,

Looking at Gem 1/2/16, but have only done 2 cruises, Gem and Dawn, both in summer. How long does it take to get to warmer weather so that you can use the pool deck? What activities are available while you are still in cold climate? Is this considered peak cruise time -- is ship generally crowded or less so? Do prices become more competitive as the time gets closer? So sorry for all of these questions -- winter cruise sounds so appealing and fits my daughters' college break, but I'd love to have an idea of what we're getting ourselves into. This is my first post, but I've learned so much from all of you for the first two cruises! Thank you in advance for your advice!

CTGen04