FLAHAM

Interesting thread. My Gem cruise from Boston to Quebec City in Sept 2025 still shows a stop in Bar Harbor.

Your dining package is printed on your cruise card. Make reservations for the smallest available tables, then tell the hostess you are 2.

I like studio cabins better than insides.

I have always gotten on first tender just by showing my card. No myth.

Bring a Kindle. Read a book.

Bring a Kindle. Read a book.

Very.

Frozen lobster tails never did it for me. Take an NCL cruise with port stops in Maine or the Canadian Maritimes and have a lunch with a live (fresh-killed) steamed whole lobster.

On the Bliss last week, we had purchased “Priority Access.” We were given priority baggage tags for disembarkation. We met in the Maltings bar and were escorted off the ship ahead of all but Haven. Our priority baggage was waiting for us ashore while all other baggage was in the process of sorting.

Gibraltar is a must with kids! Take them to the top of the rock. Watch out for the monkeys.

I was on the Gem in February. It is a fine ship in excellent condition. We have all known about the turn down service for months. Smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers was available every morning in the main dining rooms. Cookies not generally available (but tiramisu, crème brûlée, ice cream and other desserts widely available) but were distributed twice to club balconies.

I was on this cruise and had a great time. Never found it particularly crowded. One thing I noticed was that the laundry bags, some sort of coated paper, were substantially stronger than on my prior NCL cruises. Stuffed two full and no rips or tears!

Upgrading to a Club Balcony Suitr—not much. Upgrading to the Haven, perhaps $1,200 to $2,000 (total).

Butler deserves a generous tip for this service.

If you purchase priority boarding you get on right after handicapped.

The Gem last month served Veuve Cliquot in Le Bistro and Cagney’s.

Just my opinion—Ice bar is a waste of time. Few drinks available—none good.

There are no true 24-hour dining venues on the ship. Most have very restrictive (in my opinion) hours. The pub comes closest to 24 hours, but has several substantial breaks throughout the day and night.

Also early access to dining reservations.

You can ask the waiter in the MDR to bring you a mimosa.

Train and short taxi ride are the way to go from central Paris to the cruise ships.

Ugh! For me, a martini is gin, vermouth and an olive.

No.

Watched TV! Next time, bring a book, or better yet a Kindle loaded with books.

Go for the studio. It’s laid out better, is less claustrophobic, has access to the studio lounge and is in a protected area of the ship.