Jezo

I see everything about getting to all the various beaches, but how about the quick ride over to town? How much are those cabs, or, is there a safe walking path?

You should have read my old thread about coffee. It might have given you some ideas before the trip. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2174751&highlight=snobs

You actually posted twice in this thread before you even wrote what's in that link, so it looks like we have come full circle, you reading my thread to see about the coffee and asking questions, which then you went on your cruise and posted a thread about the coffee and coming back in here to offer advice on the coffee.

:)

This thread magically came back to life just recently, it's actually from February of 2015.

http://www.v i n o w DOT com/cruise/ship-schedule/

(just edit that and put it in your browser)

Yes you can do that.

Rock on.

We picked the last color last year because we figured we didn't want to rush off the ship, but then something went on and it took actual hours and hours to finally get to grey or whatever we were.

We're on the Gem's Feb. 1 sailing. I happened to be corresponding with NCL on something else, so I also asked about the slide. Here's the reply:

 

 

We don't have kids, but I do understand the importance of this to those who do. I am also not on the grassy knoll and don't believe NCL is doing anything deliberately to keep the slide out of service.

Huge bummer for us. We have a little one with us and last year the slide was a huge part of his pool days, he was on it constantly with us and was going to be a big source of entertainment again this February.

Ahh well, we'll just hang out in the hot tubs and pools instead and annoy all the older folks who want to sit in peace.

This happens now and again in NYC - guessing the holiday caused the customs crew to be short. It is frustrating. After the time it happened to us, we've decided just to remain on the ship as long as possible, even though it was just once.

Can someone get an early color ticket to get off the boat first and then just stay on and leave when they want just saying "oops i missed my color?"

I always just called the regular reservations line and they were able to take care of it.

Did they mail or provide you with the latest price list or do you need to review with all of them on the call?

No UBP for us this trip, wine is going to bring some wine, I will get a bottle (or two?) and it will still be cheaper than the change in price plus gratuities we wold have spent on an upgrade to the package.

You can't order online through MyNCL, you have to call them.

Is there a special line to call or can any customer service person help?

I believe he's joking..... you know, because in another thread people are going nuts because the slide isn't open....

The metagame of comparing the slide not running to war crimes is becoming a favorite past time of regular posters on this board.

But that ship graveyard in Bangladesh really is a sight to behold.

Is there a difference in price or is it just the convince of having it in your room and the mixers ready to go? I saw the latest pictures of the bar menus and the pricing per bottle looks to be just in line with what it would be if I bought it now, so is there a difference in price or do the addons add the extra value?

I have the soda package so getting soda for mixers really isn't that big of a deal, but if I can save money buying a bottle now vs on the ship I'll go ahead and do that.

Is this a hard thing to do? Not concerned about the left hand thing as I have done that before, but navigating through the town and actually finding the roads.

Renting a car would be cheaper than the taxis and allow us to go to a few more places..

Any rental places recommended?

The Gem is a GEM, and Iam very much looking forward to boarding her again Feb. 1.

We'll see you on the ship!

We were on the 10 day sailing last year and liked it so much that we booked it again for this year.

The slide is a bummer for us because I fall into the category of having a little child who was looking forward to it. He's 4 1/2 and last year had a total blast going on the slide over and over and over. It's not a complete deal breaker but it is a bummer for us as it was one of the activities he could do and really have fun with. He'll get over it though, hot tubs here we come!

The debate was pretty hot and heavy for a while but we never got an answer. On a Norwegian ship how much liquor is in a LIT? We know that it has many several types of liquor but what is the quantity? Is it a partial shot of 5 liquors to give you a total of 1.5 oz of booze in end or is it multiple shots of liquor giving you something very strong to drink for a good price?

I know what they do at the bars here on land, but what is done on a cruise ship?

At least you had a working slide at the pool.

This thread is a little old, but I have a link for post dry dock photos. When I looked for pictures it kept sending me here so this seems like a good place to put the link. I think it looks amazing, but you all can be the judge.

http://gallery.cruisecritic.com/ships/norwegian-gem-385/

The most depressing picture on the internet right now, according to this website:

http://gallery.cruisecritic.com/ships/norwegian-gem-385/tahitian-pool-205318/waterslide--v10481104/

And yes, that includes Syrian war tragedies and starvation in Africa.

Originally Posted by bbryan5

So if I have to run back to my room to get some more sunscreen for 5 minutes, and leave my hat or towel on the chair, that means you think you are entitled to that chair?

 

 

Don't be ridiculous! Haven't you read the entire thread. At first it was said 30 min and then shown that it is 60 min. If it takes you more than 60 min. to go for a swim or back to your cabin to get sunscreen - then yes, you could lose your chair.

If the rule has been switched to 60 minutes then I'll abide by that, all I want is for folks to follow the rules and keep the social balance needed to have the pool area be nice for everyone. I'll sit on your chair if there is only a flip flop and a towel on it, but if you come back 10 minutes after I sit down I'll leave. If you come back 3 hours after I sat down, your chair wont be there for you.

As for the simple suggestion of just booking the Haven.. sure, after I win the lottery. Until then inside cabin with 3 people for 10 days here I come!

Oh, and by the way...

 

 

THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN THE SLIDE ISN'T OPEN

 

 

:D:D

The Gem has become the worst ship on any cruise line.

A floating monstrosity of depression and sadness.

It needs to be scrapped and left in that ship graveyard in Bangladesh for the scavengers to pick apart.

They we not available on our gem last week due to volume of sales of whole cruise passes.

Day passes you mean?

I want to see how the one day price compares to the $199 book now for the whole cruise price.

RE: Water Slide

 

Could someone please provide the full detailed description on why it is inoperable and must "come down?"

 

There are many of us bringing our children and grandchildren on future cruises who are awaiting an explanation.

There has been many "assumed reasons" on these boards, but nothing definitive.

 

Thank you.

Don

No one knows for sure 100% and it's all internet hearsay now.

Before today it was that it wasn't inspected.

Then it became a broken pump that needed to be replaced.

And now with this thread it has evolved into the whole darn thing needs to be taken down and replaced.

So to answer your question, internet.

Soon it is going to be that that it was found that the slide exit was mistakenly angled that anyone who rides it would be thrown overboard. Chaos on the high seas, the Gem has become the Pinto of the Oceans in that only the brave would board it and death awaits at every turn.

When will they have time to remove and replace the slide? The ship has a zero day down time.. when's the next time the ship wont be with passengers?

The only limit is your own personal weakness and self doubt about having just one more beverage.

So here we are in a new year and with that brings another year filled with people putting their towels down on chairs at dawn only to return after dinner to finally sit in them.

So what new methods has everyone developed to combat them and how do you plan on getting a seat during your cruise this year?

My personal choice is to give the person 20 to 30 minutes, I understand sometimes you need to step away, and then put their stuff on the floor, take the seat, as in actually pick it up and take it, and sit myself somewhere in view of the pile I made to see if they ever return.

A section on this website says the following:

Sapphire Beach's popularity has deteriorated as rental facilities have closed. While the public can still enter and spread a towel, the chairs on the beach belong to the condo association and are not rentable.

 

Facilities: Restrooms and changing rooms are boarded up, along with the watersports rental station.

 

Restaurant: None

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1636

Has something changed?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

So Sapphire Beach, how does that one work? I am looking at it and it seems like it's all hotels over there? Would we access via the hotels or are there public sections?