signora

Is it possible to rent/use some shade at either Anse Mitan or Pointe du Bout? I am very fair-skinned and can't go to the beach without some shade. Thanks in advance for your input!

Try WOW Air: it's a new Icelandic co. I priced Boston-Rome, via Rekyavik (sp) and it was $800 RT pp! In July, no less. But it was a dummy booking--we're looking to go in 2016. Check it out.

Just booked L101 for an incredible deal (considering it's school vacation week in Feb. 2016)--thank you everyone!

I think I want to take a look at it too; I'm considering doing laps in the main pool but not sure I can make it there before nine--after all, it is a vacation! Thanks for all the advice--Amy

Thanks for the info--I'll take a look at it on the ship, but since it's my only way to get exercise I might give it a try. Four weeks to go!

Does anyone know how long this pool is and is it possible to really do laps in? Also is it possible to buy the spa pass ahead of time before sailing or do you have to buy it on the ship? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Does anyone know how long this pool is and is it possible to really do laps in? Also is it possible to buy the spa pass ahead of time before sailing or do you have to buy it on the ship? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Yes, that is the case, but what is the full brochure price? Different from what you get when you call NCL directly, which I do all the time?

Has anyone seen this/used this yet? It's offering 2 for 1 (pax) on many NCL cruises, if you buy a $68 voucher, port and govt. taxes not included., the catch being you have to book by Aug. 31 and complete sailing by Dec. 31. (That's 2 pax for the price of one) Has anyone tried this deal yet? I am currently booked on a Aug. Bermuda cruise, but would happily cancel and rebook with this if just one person told me it worked, or even had a positive experience with Super Deals!

http://myjumponit.bbdon.com/daily_deals/118252?utm_source=wcax-jumpaways&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-photo&utm_campaign=20140509

BTW: another deal, not sure how legit it is, but Super Deals is offering a 2 for 1 coupon for $68, not including port and govt. taxes, on MANY Ncl cruises, the catch being you have to book by Aug. 31 and complete sailing by Dec. 31. (That's 2 pax for the price of one) Has anyone tried this deal yet? I am currently booked on a Aug. Bermuda cruise, but would happily cancel and rebook with this if just one person told me it worked, or even had a positive experience with Super Deals!

http://myjumponit.bbdon.com/daily_deals/118252?utm_source=wcax-jumpaways&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-photo&utm_campaign=20140509

Other than formal nights, what is the dress code for men/women in the MDR? For the guys, is a button-down shirt plus nice pants (no tie or jacket) acceptable on those nights? Thanks in advance for your answer! (This is for a Caribbean cruise).

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the info Augie and blue water: one more thing, is it cheaper to share a taxi or are the charges pp? Thanks for your help!

Thanks for the info, Augie--also, how far is Cinnamon from Cruz Bay (is it much farther than Trunk?) and approx. how much is a taxi for 2? Thanks in advance!

Looks like there'll be a ton of pax at Trunk Bay on our day there: any recommendations for a different snorkeling beach (with lounge chairs) and also within a reasonable taxi ride from Cruz Bay? Thanks for your help in advance!

Thanks--unless they were flexible with the times it wouldn't be worth it for us. Also read an awful review on t r i p a d v i s o r whereby a cruising couple with a confirmed day pass were turned away rather rudely because the resort was concerned about cruise passengers passing on illnesses! Think I'll look elsewhere--bay gardens, anyone have any info?

One question: is there any shade on the boat? Thanks for the pics--Amy

So glad you had a great time! We are on the Gem in February - would love any I go you care to share upon your return - Thanks in advance!

I'd love to help out, but couldn't understand your post. Care to repeat?

So glad you had a great time! We are on the Gem in February - would love any I go you care to share upon your return - Thanks in advance!

Oops! Double post.

Glad you're having a good time. We are going on this same trip in March! Trying to figure out what time disembarkation in NY is...our itinerary says 10am but I've heard from others that it actually begins around 8am...would love your most recent input!

Disembarkation for passengers who were carrying all their luggage began at 7:45am. The rest of the ship disembarked starting at 9:00am. Hope you have a great cruise!

Hi: we don't have the connection from camera to computer on board but we'll post some pics and dailies when we get back. Glad you liked the review!

Signora and DH

We are writing from our balcony as our cruise is winding down. Looking back, there were many things that made this trip memorable and a few that could have been better.

We headed down to NYC from Boston by bus the day before the cruise and stayed with Amy’s parents overnight. The next day, we took a taxi to the pier and had a smooth and quick embarkation due to the fact that we are Gold Latitudes members and could get on a much shorter line.

After lunch we headed to the Star Bar to meet a few folks from our roll call. As we viewed the hot tubs, steaming in the cold air, we decided to go for a plunge. We soaked in the warm, bubbling water as the air temperature was in the fifties. One fellow passenger walked by and applauded our bravery.

The ship is gorgeous, with few signs of wear and tear. The atrium with its crystal ceiling, coffee bar and lit trees is spacious and sparkling with light. As we cruised down the Hudson River we watched through the balcony’s glass doors as the Empire State Building shone in brilliant red and green light and all of midtown Manhattan passed majestically by. We made our way to the dining room and requested to sit on the starboard side to see what we had been imagining for months, the Statue of Liberty with her robes and torch shining beautifully.

The Atlantic became rough, as a cold front would follow us for the next 48 hours. In the meantime we attended our Meet and Greet, where it was fun to chat with fellow CCer’s as well as some of the officers including Jenny Lim, the Hotel Director, always smiling and cheerful as we saw her many times later on in the cruise. The crew in general, many of them new as they replaced crew members transferred to the Breakaway and Getaway, were equally smiling and cheerful and tried very hard to make us happy, and made up for their lack of experience with their enthusiasm.

By the end of the second full day at sea, Amy was really looking forward to landfall (Nick was happy to be at sea as it gave him time to work on the book he is writing). When we docked in San Juan, the air was steamy and warm. We sampled a homemade mango smoothie and made our way to the San Cristobal fort, where we explored the tunnels and dungeons and gazed at the view. After doing a little shopping (a Harley Davidson tee shirt for a friend) we made our way back to the ship as we were already overheated. At the duty free shop we picked up a bottle of coconut rum requested by our cat sitter.

The next day was St. Maarten, which turned out to be our best port day of the cruise. We headed to Mullet Bay on the Dutch side, reputedly one of the best beaches on the island. And it was: sparkling turquoise blue, warm waters, with enough waves to cause some excitement but not too much. We swam and relaxed, and had a yummy ribs lunch from Rosie’s on the beach. The topless element was interesting but not overwhelming. On the way back we stopped at Diamonds International and Nick treated Amy to a little something.

The next day in St. Thomas was a little cold with small drizzles of rain in between the sunshine, making for not quite a great beach day. But we made the best of it at Sapphire Bay Beach and did some good snorkeling there, highlights being the four-eyed butterfly fish and the blue tang.

Samana for Amy was the biggest disappointment of the cruise. We had gone on a horseback-riding trip to El Limon falls with Terry Bandi a few years ago and had really loved it, but this time because of Amy’s problem with sciatica we switched to a low impact trip with him. There was too much driving and the guide’s English was inadequate. Moreover, a waterfall to swim in that was promised was completely overlooked. One of the stops, however, was very educational. A young man gave a surprisingly good presentation on the cocoa-making process and many of the fruits and vegetables on the island. We sampled delicious homemade hot chocolate from their own beans and a local drink called mamajuana made from local bark and roots soaked in rum, wine and honey. It was rumored to be an aphrodisiac (some truth to the rumor lol). Salt to the wounds when we go back to the ship: heard from pax who had a lovely day on the beaches, including snorkeling. Grrr…next time we’ll do it differently.

More highlights: Norwegian Singers and Dancers continue to delight. We’ve seen three shows with them so far: the first an overview, the second one called World Beat, the third a great Seventies tribute, and the fourth an Abba show yet to come on New Year’s Eve. Our balcony room is spacious and well maintained by our cabin steward Michael: we love the peace and quiet on our balcony especially on a full ship. We loved meeting the Captain at the Captain’s Party: he talked to us for a long time and we learned how he became a ship’s captain and other details of his life. The music all around the ship is fantastic: Leo plays a mean guitar and we loved his Elton John show. Michael’s Xmas songs accompanied by him on the piano were warm and nostalgic (we enjoyed meeting him too at the Great Outdoors).

Some lowlights: we were not quite as happy with the dining experience as on past NCL cruises. Appetizers at Le Bistro were disappointing, but main courses were excellent. Service was rushed and unprofessional: Amy was served a club soda in a chipped glass she cut her finger on. Sushi at the Sushi bar, which we very much enjoyed on previous cruises, was sub-standard. The Grand Pacific MDR, was mostly quite good, but avoid the whole cuts of meat: steak and prime rib were very so-so. It helps there’s no extra charge there. Service in the MDR was, however, excellent. Cagney’s, where we ate breakfast quite a few times, was fabulous.

As we write we are sitting on our balcony, Nick in shorts and Amy in a tank top, capris and sandals. It is 81 degrees and sunny with a cool breeze. New York seems very far away. Over all it has been a great cruise. Hats off to the hard working crew of the Gem! We can’t wait to plan our next cruise.

We just booked the 14-day Grand Med on the Spirit for July 2015==it will be hard this summer not to be going! Still, there is so much research/prep to do, like re-reading the Iliad and seriously boning up on European history, the cliff notes. I'm glad I already read a semi-trashy novel on Pompeii! So much to learn, and plan--looks like I have plenty of time! If you're going, come join our roll call!

Just booked the 14-day Grand Med on the Spirit, Barcelona to Venice (including Montenegro! and much more)--can't wait! Come join our roll call!