jessicak76

I was there in July 2018. I guess they are building a separate area, but nothing looked close to done yet. The large cabanas and small canabas are nice. I'd recommend them.

You will not have access to the hallways until the cabins are ready so you will be carrying your suitcase on board; to lunch and all around until the cabins are announced they are ready. The firedoors or whatever are closed.

I wouldn't chance traffic. With that said, on June 30th I arrived at 12:45pm (had to be there by 1pm too), and there were dozens of people still in line (like all the way to the front doors) to get thru security and then to check in with the desk to get your cabin card. We got on the ship at 1:35pm- and we were not the last guests-lots still behind us.

Sailed away time was suppose to be 3 but we left closer to 5pm.

No tram in site last week. Would have been nice.

Yes- I believe the bar by Le Bistro had that Lavender Patch drink!

I believe the 2nd night was the dress up night. (1st full sea day)

We were just there last week. We had cabana #1 - the first cabana and the large one. For anyone with mobility issues, I felt it was a LONG walk from the tender. They do have large wheeled wheelchairs to assist, but then you are stuck at the cabana. They do not leave the wheelchairs for your use. The ramp going up to the cabana is super steep and hot to the touch. The cabana itself is wonderful. The beach down below is also a little walk--nothing for an able bodied person - but if you have difficulty --it's a long, sandy walk. I did not hear any construction going on, but again we were in Cabana 1.

there was a martini tasting, for a fee. The bar outside of le Bistro had the best mixed drinks. the Le Fizz was yummy.

the main dining room was open for lunch except for port days. so when we were in florida and Nassau --- buffets only for lunch.

Blazing Boots was good....didn't see any other shows so I cant comment on them.

the captain is from Greece; the hotel director from France. Sorry. I don't remember their exact names.

I have to agree with others....don't force it if they truly aren't interested. its a nice thought, but once on the ship if they really don't want to be there they will be miserable and you will too

we sailed the 4th of july week. lots of families. a good mix of all ages. lots of large groups. but everyone was well behaved and respectful. the cruise sailed fully full. no spare cabins. pool deck was nutty, but for those with young ones, it was fun.

Gem is a great ship. I had brought straws too, but left them in the room. I did not miss drinking without them. my favorite tip is get room service breakfast, pastries; cereal; coffee; fruit, etc. I would go to the main dining room too, but liked the small start in my room .

I couldn't get the iconcegie app to work at all. :-(

I don't have pictures. sorry. My cell didn't work so I left it in my room. But I seem to remember the date on the bottom of each menu being 2018, so it seemed recent.

Gem had White Party this past week...

The posts on here were helpful to me, so if anyone had Gem/ Bahamas-Florida cruise questions, I'd be happy to try to answer any. here are some key points:

1) yes, there were no straws given out in any drinks for 7 days. No issue for me. It is mentioned in each Daily their reason for no more straws

2) they still had thermal spa passes available on day 2 for sale

3) any speciality dining reservations should be made in advance. those restaurants tended to fill up

4)all staff were super friendly and always pleasant.

I say GO. When will they get to go to Cuba again on their parent's dime?!?! :-) I have heard it is a very clean place to visit. Go.

You might want to read this in it's entirety. No authorized drinking for you, and you may have to bring your marriage license.

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/NCL_Guest_Ticket_Contract_041818.pdf

Yea, that's what I seem to remember- like them saying it's not even open. odd. Thank you for the time --noon will work out perfectly for us. :-)

Hi all-

Curious, when you get on the ship at embarkation, does they staff let you easily go to the Grand Pacific for lunch? I seem to remember they try to steer you to the buffet and not towards the GP, but we really want a sit down lunch that first day.

GREAT. Thank you so much.

Sorry, but I am confused.

I have a cabana reserved for GSC. Hopefully weather and seas will cooperate.

Are you saying I can get wheelchair assistance TO the tender (I understand I have to get on and off the tender myself); then I can have a sand wheelchair bring me to my assigned cabana? (and then do the reverse at the end of the day).

If I am understanding this right, who do I call? Once on board, call customer service?

Thanks so much!

Is there any wheelchair assistance or priority disembark for excursions? Just curious.

Hi-

We are sailing in June on the GEM.

I've never downloaded their app. Have you? Did you find it useful? What did you use it for? Any tips?

Thanks!!!

Oh, the APP! I have to figure that one out. Is it something you have to wait to download once your on the ship or can you download the app prior to sailing?

Thanks so much!

I wanted to get the tags as a kinda "favor" gift to present to our group of 8 going. I know we don't NEED the luggage tags, but I thought it would be a fun item to share.