Rhea58

Every year I go to the NY Javits Center to attend the NY Times sponsored Travel Show which has a large Cruise liner area.

 

Last year I stopped by the NCL booth....this year they did not show.

All the biggies were there in the dedicated Cruise area.

 

Anyone know why they pulled out?

Tip: Go to the main dining room for lunch the first day to avoid the huge crowds topside.

I've been on the Gem 3x. However, none of the cruises were to Bermuda and did not see Best of Lunch.

I was there last Feb. & country was so lush and perfectly safe.

 

Some folks opted to take the ship's excursion to a local beach.

 

I found this website: www.whalesamana.com.

Took the tender in and walked a few blocks to the office to pay the fee.

Was a great tour as only 3 boats are allowed near the whales when they are

breaching.

Totally agree w/Da-Painter post. Coffee is vile.

 

BUT, it is getting harder & harder to get a 4-pot coffeemaker in one's cabin.

Only thru persistence did I manage to get one on my Oct. cruise

Another vote for Le Bistro. consistently good.

 

Personally, the $30 surcharge for Cagneys is not worth it to me as I live in NYC

where there is a plethora of fine steakhouses.

I was on an Oct 2013 7-day cruise and movies were shown in the Stardust

theatre.

 

1 Pm - The Hobbitt

1 PM - Sweet Home Alabama

1 PM - The Proposal

1 PM - Lincoln

1 PM - Men in Black

 

Assume they will change for your cruise.

 

Along with Second City, there were a comedian, ventioquist & a couple of

nites of their own singers/dancers.

Thanks so much for the input. I looked up Dunatours and found a video of

MS Sofia which is better than the other website.

 

I am going 5/23 as my German gal pal suggested that is a good time.

 

I have been warned the pax are not English speaking so do hope I

get some help along the way...if not I am bringing my own translator!!!

 

We are booked in a 2 bunk bed cabin which is the cheapest. As opposed

to US cruiselines, this appears to be more of a bare-bones type cruise

w/scenery being the major entertainment which is fine w/me.

 

From brochures I receive I am paying very little for a good experience.

 

Our ports are: Vienna, Estergom, Hungary, Budapest & Bratislava, Slovakia

if there is anything else you can add I'd appreciate.

 

with thanks --

Has anyone taken a cruise aboard her?

 

I am taking a 5-day cruise in May beginning at Passau, Germany

which includes these ports: Vienna, Estergom, Hungary, Budapest

and Bratislava, Slovakia.

 

I know this is a German speaking audience of 190 but fortunately

I will be traveling with a German gal pal who can translate for me.

 

Thanks in advance for ANY info.

Re Luggage storage:

 

http://www.schwartztravel.com/ There are 2 locations and I believe fee is $10 per bag.

 

There are hop on/off buses in the Times Sq area if you so wish.

Otherwise, you can visit Rockefeller Centre with St Pat's Cathedral across

from it or go up to Central Park.

 

Or get a subway map which has indications of some of the city's sights.

Love the Gem; have sailed her 3x.

 

Advice: Go the the Pacific dining room on first day after boarding for lunch rather than the mobs topside. And dine in the Pacific (the prettier room) the first night as it is the only nite serving the lobster/steak combo.

It seems to be harder to get the small coffee maker these days but I persevered aboard the GEM and finally got one. I, too, bring my own coffee and filters as the decaf which I must drink is terrible.

Nice honest review. I have sailed her 3x and have always found the staff friendly & will greet you by name after a short while.

Jenny Lin, the current HD, is great and really enjoys her job.

Perchance was the comedian Jeff Harms who has been w/them for a while?

He is very good!.

While I have not tried the studio cabins yet on the newer ships, have been quite delighted with my inside cabin on several NCL cruises. They also hold meetings for singles in the evenings & you can share a table in the dining rooms if you

so desire.

I have sailed the GEM 3x w/o any major complaints.

The one time the music was way too loud the front desk tried to fix
it by sending me ear plugs, chocolate-covered strawberries the next day
& an offer to move me to another cabin but the deck was way lower than mine
so did not accept. No problem w/music after that.

The crew on the Gem from the HD on down takes great pride in
being friendly and accommodating.

I have asked as I travel as a single. It usually works at dinner but not always at lunch...one night is was so crowded that the hostess asked folks if they wished to share...the ones that didn't had a longer wait to be seated.

You should really have a subway map to better orient yourself as to

where everything is. I can mail you one if you send your snail mail

address to Ralbert58 at optimum.net - I was born in NYC so know it well.

 

This way you can optimize your time better. Do you also want to

see some theater, museums or art galleries while you are here?

Friends have used Schwartztravel w/no complaints. You will note they have two locations using cash.

 

From there what do you want to see. If you used the 46 St. location,

you will be near Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Saks 5th.

 

what do you wish to see while here?

I add to the above to bring a highlighter for what activities you wish

to participate, a power strip if you have a bunch of electronics that

need to be charged, travel mug for refreshments.

I sailed in an inside cabin on the Gem in Feb & late Sept and did not find anything major to carp about save for the slow waiters in the Grand Pacific.

Found both cabin stewards & HD's to be very amenable.

 

Food is subjective so won't discuss that.

 

Did think the xeroxed copies of the ship's layout to be too flimsy

& cheesy on the Oct cruise.

The Spinnaker Lounge on Deck 13 in the bow has a panoramic view with lounge chairs and cushions.

But get there early as folks do congregate there.

Have you gone over to the ROLL CALL to find your cruise? Usually folks post what tours they wish to take plus ask for others to join them if they are hiring a van to go some place. Also if there is a Meet & Greet do attend that for more

info.

In Samana, after tendering we walked a short distance and paid

$50 to go whale watching on a private boat. Only 3 boats are

allowed near the whales. Refreshments supplied along with a

talk and an informative brochure on the whales in the area.

 

 

See www.whalesamana.com You can make your reservations

on-line and pay when you get to their office.

I have recently been on the GEM 3x so am obviously biased. 2 were 7 days

but the 9-day was even better. I sailed that one in winter & enjoyed

the 2 days down & back as the staff has plenty to entertain you.

 

I find the staff to be very friendly & helpful. As stated, food is a personal

choice but always found something to my liking except for the coffee so

I always bring my own.

 

The cruise director's staff are jovial leading their games & the entertainment

is aplenty w/their own singers & dancers and game shows, etc after the

main evening entertainment.

 

If you do sail her, join the RollCall to ask questions & hopefully have a

Meet & Greet aboard. Oh, after boarding hit the Pacific dining room rather

than topside as it is more serene.

My 9/28 Gem cruise had the following:

 

Jenny Lim - HD

Dan Dan - CD

Krazy Kristine - Asst CD

Carlos Zarate - Concierge

Denton - Exec Chef

Marek - Restaurant Mgr

Gianina - Beverage Mgr

Alvina - Guest Service Mgr

Carmen Molino - Group Service Coordinator