pcreek

We are Platinum & always have the complimentary white bubbly bottle in the cabin upon arrival. We generally do not drink, except on cruises. If we're in a suite, we request small pitchers of OJ & Cranberry juice (if in balcony cabin, we get from room service) and have a Caribbean Mimosa (equal parts wine, oj & cranberry juice) out on the balcony first morning on a cruise - lets us know we are really on our cruise vacation!

Awesome review, David!! Thanks for all the great tips - I will certainly make note of a few of them! :-)

We booked the Haven Spa Suite..so we'll have an 'all-access pass' to the ship, like we did on Epic. It is a fun way to explore the entire place!

David - so glad you're finally getting to go!

We just booked Getaway for 11/29/15...and it will be 2 yrs since we last cruised also. Sometimes life just gets in the way. :rolleyes:

I'm subscribing to your thread and will be interested in everything you discover! :)

As we just booked Thurs., I know next to nothing about this ship - except Illusionarium sounds very interesting. We booked a Haven Spa Suite - so we'll have an 'all-access pass' to the ship -- just like we did on Epic.

Excited to read all about your trip - have a WONDERFUL time - You deserve it! :-)

Thank you!

I used a Canon DSLR T3i with a couple of different lenses. I also mounted my camera on a mini pocket size tripod a lot to help keep the shots stable. I used iMovie for editing.

Awesome video! Thank you soo much for 'taking us along' on your vacation!!

ps - I am now even more super excited here, as I just got that camera! it IS a great camera, and I'm just learning my way around it...haven't tried doing any videos yet - but I did get that little tiny tripod with the whole kit of stuff. I haven't even tried all the lenses I also got with it. Really excited about using the zoom lens I got. Wonder if I can convince hubby I need another cruise to try out the camera?? LOL

 

ALL of that being said...here are my questions:

 

--If the 3 of us have breakfast or lunch at Cagney's, will our family members be allowed to join us? Not as a rule - it is a perk reserved for Suite guests and some VIPs. I wouldn't count on this being able to happen.

--If we get food (maybe breakfast, or maybe snack-y stuff) in our cabin, is there a charge? Breakfast (even from Cagney's) and most snacky stuff is complimentary. The only charges for food in your cabin will be from any per charge specialty restaurants, $5 pizza and for some 'party tray' types things in your suite room service menu. The only difference in room service, is that you contact your butler - do not call regular room service, or you butler will bring it and tell you 'DO NOT CALL ROOM SERVICE _ CALL ME!!" :-)

--If we are able to get 'priority' seating at a show (if we take advantage of it, even), will our family members be allowed as well? I'm not really sure about this, so I won't answer.

--I know a congierge can book spa appointments and/or dinner reservations for you, but isn't it still necessary to book these pretty much as soon as you get on the ship?...I mean...they don't 'set aside' reservation slots for those who might want to book more 'last minute' do they? I'm guessing a suite guest wouldn't get any more priority over anyone else, would they?

The concierge always has 'extra' appointment time slots, even last minute. You may not get the exact time you want, but they do their very best to accommodate your needs / wishes.

I am *SURE* to have more questions, but that's all she wrote for now. :)

 

TIA,

 

Sandi

Enjoy the suite life - you'll LOVE it!

We were on the GEM last Thanksgiving - and we dined in the buffet. It was awesome - and totally unexpected! They were hand carving turkey, there was stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and various other traditional dishes. We were not disappointed!

hi Tim!

Great review & photos so far -- I am so jealous! :rolleyes:

Looking forward to reading more and looking at your photos!

(Hi Jo-Anne!!) :D

I am agreeing with the theme "I am tired of winter/snow this season!"

We have been 'blessed' with the title of "3rd snowiest city in the country", by the Weather Channel. <sigh>

Wishing I had a cruise booked right now, to look forward to. Instead, I'm reading about others adventures to make me feel 'warmer'!! :D

Nice! Thanks for sharing!! :D

so...nobody?? I tried looking for a roll call for this date, but didn't see any. Strange. Oh well, will remain a mystery, I guess!:rolleyes:

we forgot the meatloaf!

lol :d

We were on the NCL GEM in San Juan that day. Going through some photos and reminded me of this.

We saw you leave...and then return about an hour later - docked, stayed about 30 minutes and then left again.

Can anyone explain why? yep, I'm nosy! :rolleyes:

Here's a photo of your ship:

So it's a little after 1am and I'm going to stop my story here at sailing and will continue later with the rest of the day and how it went. I feel like no one is with me today. Am I missing a holiday? :eek: Maybe I've lost my touch with this review. Maybe I'm using too many pictures to hold your interest? Let me know people if you want me to continue with a lot of pictures or speed it up with less.

 

Goodnight to all.

WHEW! So glad you found your hubby!! (although he probably wasn't at that point happy that you found him!)

Do NOT stop what you're doing with this review!! It is terrific - like all your others - and a very enjoyable read. I love your photos!! I especially enjoyed those 'cloud' ones you posted - I am a cloud/sky freak and about 70% of all my photos are sky!! The thing I like about sky photos the most is they continually change..5 min after the first one, it's a totally new picture to capture!

Keep on going Kim - we all love your reviews!:D:D

I can't go to bed til I find out what happened to your husband! I am really tired, please come back!!!!!

LOL I am in the same 'boat' !! I finally got all caught up...just to the exciting part! LOL

KIM - COME BACK!!!! :D

Great review!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. :D

Hi Pamela! I hope your ankle surgery went well and you are healing nicely with very little pain. I enjoyed the rest of your review and especially the pictures of the Gem-It Mermaid. Looks like she has a lot more charms on her tower of good luck! I will look at some comparison pictures from when she first appeared in public just in case I need to get the artist back on board to offer a facial! Even so, I hope she is aging appropriately! The Gem's Godmother does sail and does visit the ship and the crew loves her so. All is well with the world!

My favorite pic is the one with you and hubby in the suite robes...the smiles are precious and priceless! Glad you had a good time and perhaps we will find ourselves on a same future sailing!

 

Happy New Year,

coka:D

Aww..thanks, Coka!!

Glad you enjoyed the mermaid photos. Yes, I think you should take the artist back onboard to check her out. Good excuse for a cruise. ;)

My ankle surgery went well. I am on the way to recovery - it's been 1 week! Most of the actual pain is gone, it's just very uncomfortable now. Thanks for asking!

Nice to hear about the Godmother!:)

LOL Your fav pic is not of me & dh in robes...that's someone else posting about the table in their non-handicap cabin! LOL

Happy New year back at ya! Hope to someday cruise together! :D

"Actually, having the table and chairs still left room to spare!"

Nice! I see it was where my scooter was always parked!

Did they leave the pink chairs there - or did you have to ask for them again?

I thought they were comfortable! :)

Glad that you enjoyed a great cruise! Happy that I was able to help a little prior to your cruising! :D

Nice that they gave you a table & chairs - must have been a tight fit, though.

You had a different butler than we did, but I understood quite a few of the crew were leaving for vacation.

Thanks for reviewing!!:)

Pamela,

Did you get a chance to talk with your Captain? Does he also have a father who is a Norwegian Captain?

No, I didn't. We saw him at the cruise critic M&G, but I didn't have the opportunity to speak with him. We didn't end up attending any of the other VIP cocktail gatherings this time. Sorry, Can't help with this. :(

Thank you for posting the pictures, they are beautiful. And I know they probably weren't from your phone so it took work getting them on here. Thanks Again. :)

 

 

Dawn

LOL You are correct! It is definitely a process - that I get better/faster at the more I do it. My phone is 'dumb' - it only makes phone calls - go figure?!?! :rolleyes: Good thing I have plenty of time right now! LOL

Yes, I know the lights are blurry..I like to try to get them that way. I call them 'art' :-)

Thank You for sharing all your photos. They are lovely.

 

So happy you had a great time.

 

I recognized Marlon as well as I Wayan. They are terrific waiters in Cagneys.

 

Did you happen to get any pictures from the final show with the officers on stage?

 

Dawn

Yes, actually, I did! I will look for them tomorrow and post!:D