chrisaf

If it is still Dan Dan - he's great - we had him this summer on the Gem and really enjoyed him!

The Florida/Bahamas route is typically the route taken if you are unable to go to Bermuda. I would not plan for Canada.

Unfortunately, in most cases, if your cruise will be redirected, you are not provided that information until you actually check in and then you are given paperwork regarding a new itinerary and were you will be going. Go with the flow and have fun - wherever you get to go!

Did you make your original reservation with CAS? If so, they would be the one you would need to speak with to upgrade....

Yes - anyone in the same cabin/suite over the age of 18 will receive a drink card also.

You will get an invite to different private events in the casino, the casino staff will send goodies to your room also. I would assume your level has something to do with what you get but we typically get cookies, chocolate strawberries, chocolates, etc. and things like that every day. Additionally, depending on your play level, you can also get spa comps and dinner comps and that kind of thing.

You're missing out on an amazing experience sitting in your lounge chair, having a cup of coffee every morning or a glass of wine at night and just staring off at the beautiful ocean. No other way to cruise for us - we would never cruise in a room without a balcony even comped or at any price. That's just us - others may be fine in an inside but its part of what we enjoy most about cruising.

We have stayed in 2 BR Suites several times on the Gem - like others have said, getting the upgrade is great but your particular sleeping arrangements are not going to be that great (in my opinion). Since the 2 kids are very little, they will obviously need to be in the lower bed (which is the largest bed in the second bedroom). The upper bed is a twin size that you climb up a ladder to get into. The only other sleeping option is the sofa sleeper which is in the living room sofa and is also twin in size. The master bedroom is wonderful but I assume that you would be giving that to your daughter and son in law to sleep in. The master bathroom is great but the bathroom in the second bedroom is very small in size. Your daughter and husband are making out like a bandit!

There are 2 safes - both are in the main bathroom in the shelving unit next to the closet.

No - Its less hectic and less costly to do it on your own, not through an excursion or through comfort suites. Simply get a taxi when you get off the ship and go directly into the lobby at Atlantis and purchase your tickets. You will be over at Atlantis well before most excursions even load the bus after you leave the ship. We have always done it this way and whenever we are meeting someone who is on an NCL excursion, we are always at the water park at least an hour before they arrive at the water park. There are plenty of showers, towels, etc. at Atlantis to use so not sure why anyone would want to actually use the comfort suites anyway.

Not sure what specific excursion you are interested in doing but if you are talking about the water park, here is my opinion. We have been several times and have always done it on our own. We get off the ship - take a taxi over and go to the desk in Atlantis and buy day passes to the water park. By doing it as a ships excursion, you have to get off, wait for everyone to show up, walk and then load onto a bus - drive to Atlantis and unload from the bus and then that busload goes into the park. By doing it on your own, you are already over at the park well before the busses of excursions start arriving. We just did it again a couple of weeks ago and had already gotten our locker, picked out our beach chairs, ridden the rapid river (a long ride) and one of the slides before our friends on the excursion showed up. Also, by the time they showed up, the lines for lockers was a 30 minute wait. We actually paid less in price doing it ourselves this way than they did on the ship excursion.

Was on a couple of weeks ago - the cruise director was Dan Dan. Have had him before and thought he was great. Concierge was Carlos but he was leaving the week after we got off and not sure who took his place.

Chrisaf... Did you notice much noise from the pool deck above? Just curious how it is during the day as our kids will most likely still be taking naps during the day

No noise at all - you are actually in front of the pool area so no noise at all. Very quiet at night also.

If you want a great location on the Gem for a 2 BR Suite - see if 11512 is available. 11th Floor - right by the front elevators and very convenient to most things. One flight up to the pool and buffet and by the elevator/stairs for everything else. Main bedroom is a King, second bedroom sleeps 2 kids on the bottom and 1 kid on the top bunk and the living room also has a sofa that converts to a bed if needed. We had 3 kids, (8-10-12 years old) and had no problem fitting at all. Also, since your traveling with kids - you'll love the size of the bathroom - double sinks, large rain multi-jet shower and big tub. As I said, the location is great and we've been in this suite twice now and have never had a problem with feeling much motion, etc. Suite perks are great and you'll love the butler/concierge service with the kids!

I was also on the same cruise in a non-haven suite (11th floor 2 bedroom penthouse). I didn't feel like our service was any less personalized because of the location. Overall I thought the Butler (Maurice) and Concierge (Carlos) were great. As you said, I did know that Carlos was one week away from his vacation so maybe a little less service that our prior cruise on the Gem when we had Kadek for a Concierge but overall I was please with the level of service from both. Glad you enjoyed your cruise - we did also!!

On what night is the white hot party?

Not sure if you are traveling with kids or not - There are actually 3 different white hot parties also - adults, family and teens, each held in different locations on the same night.

Was on the Gem last week - no more chocolate buffet night (there was one last year). Now there is one night later in the week (I think it was Thursday) that is called "Chocolate Night" and they have several different types of chocolate items offered on the menu in all of the restaurants and the buffet that night. There is not too much to choose from and nothing like the original chocolate buffet they used to do at night.

I definitely think that putting 6 in the room depends on if they are kids or adults. Main bedroom - king size bed for 2 adults. Second bedroom - sofa that turns in to a bed (1 adult & 1 kid is okay, 2 adults would be uncomfortable) and then a Pullman bed above (1 kid again an adult would be uncomfortable). In the living room, there is a sofa than turns into a bed. We did have an adult sleep in it last year (because we had 3 kids in the bedroom) but this year, the adult slept in the 2nd bedroom sofa bed as it was more comfortable and we had less kids with us. The sleeper in the living room isn't very wide and is fairly uncomfortable - it would be fine for a kid but isn't great for an adult.

Deck 11 front is a great location on the Gem. Was just in 11512 (right by the front elevators) and its a great location. One floor below the pool and buffet so very convenient. Absolutely no noise from above in that particular area. Was in the same room last year and picked it again this time for the great location.

They definitely seem to be sending more offers. I was away on a Gem cruise last week (from CAS) and returned home to the same offer for Alaska and also a standard CAS offer for multiple ships in the mail.

Just got off yesterday - Sail away is at 3, not 5.

Don't know what ship you are on but they all seem to be filled with chair hogs in my experience! I've seen people as early as 6 reserving their chairs and then not coming back to them for hours. There is a room next to the pool area for towels (never noticed what time they open) or if you are in a suite, there are pool towels in your room to take. I've never really seen the attendants enforce the time and pick up someone's belongings/towel even though the dailies tell you not to "reserve" chairs.

Stayed in a 2 BR Suite (11512) last week. No, the main bed does not split, and it is more king size than queen.

As others said, there is a curtain that closes off the bathroom from the bedroom for privacy (and also sunlight).

Also, there is a door that separates the bathroom/bedroom from the living room area for privacy.

There are shades for privacy on both the tub and shower windows for privacy if you are in port.

I just got off the Gem yesterday - Carlos was our Concierge however when we were leaving, he was telling us that after the cruise leaving yesterday, he was headed home after this week.

There is one in the casino on the Gem and there is also one in the Spinnaker Lounge on the Gem.

We got off the Gem yesterday. Walk-off's started at 8:00 and can't say how long it takes to get off doing the general walk off. We were in a suite, met our concierge at 8:45 and were downstairs and off before 9:00. Another great car service is "Dial 7". We had made a reservation for 10:00 for pick up and if you are early, just call and notify the dispatcher and they will send the car for you at no charge to change. Car arrived within 5-7 minutes after calling. Our flight was at 1:00 from JFK.

Cool thread!! Off to our "Amethyst Penthouse" on the Gem tomorrow. Yay!!:p