only chris

We are leaving in a couple of days on the Carnival Sunshine and one of our stops is Aruba. We are older and not very agile. The "easy" tours being offered don't seem to accommodate our wish to see the island comfortably. They offer a guided walking tour... but I don't think we would be able to keep pace for 2 miles... and a wacky bus tour that sounded like fun but it stops at a beach for 2 1/2 hours which I think is too long for us. This is our first time to Aruba and we really would like to get to see it and not just from the ship. Anyone out there have any advice or experience with this in Aruba?

Turtles, Which suite were you in on deck 10? We were in Suite 10666 on the cruise previous to yours and agree with you on the furniture and the Nespresso machine. We did not find any weird odors or smells in our Suite. Everything worked, but us like you were hoping for more than just new carpet.

 

When the ship first came out of drydock a lady posted from the ship about the Aft Suites. I was pretty disappointed that the furniture was not replaced and basically they did nothing. The table and chairs are a total joke. It was our 2nd time in an Aft Suite and after the first time 2 years ago we thought all that stuff should have been replaced.

 

Naturally one of the best things the Lavazza machine was replaced with a much cheaper and inferior Nespresso machine.

 

We enjoyed our cruise very much, but I can't agree with you more that those Aft Suites need to be redone.

 

I priced it out for next year and they are totally crazy. For 2 people, my wife and myself for the exact same cruise they want $7200 with taxes and port fees. That is the same cruise on the Gem, 10 day same route. CRAZY

 

All the Best

Rob

I have booked suite 10666 on the Gem for may 2017. Were you happy with this cabin? Was it reasonably close to access to an outside smoking area? I already am worrying I have made the wrong decision because of what I am reading about the lack of renovation to the suite when the rest of the ship was done. I would be very interested in hearing more from you about this. Thanks in advance

Chris, dont go by what it shows on the NCL site, call them and talked to a PCC

we always call to book the DOS on the Gem, it always shows sold out on their site when we look to book, but when we call its open......go figure!!

Marion

 

P.S There is no smoking on the DOS balcony

My husband just booked us for suite 10666 on the back end of the Gem. Marion, is that a good choice for my needs?

I just checked and the Garden Villas are not available for my sailing. That looked amazing. If I booked that I would never want to leave. : )

Thank you so much for all the information you supplied. I will look into those options for my sailing. Bali Hai sounds interesting. : )

Oh, I have to get the facts of that checked for sure before I book anything. Is there any other balcony/ mini suite cabin number options that you could suggest for the easiest access to a smoking area?

I didn't know about the Garden Villa option. I will check it out. Thank you.

I am a smoker who is going on the Gem in the spring of 2017 and wanted to know the best balcony cabin/ mini suite room to book for the "closest and easiest" access to a smoking area. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.:)