ggTexasGal

On 6/7/2024 at 5:14 PM, david_sobe said:

Am I the only one that has tried to shut down the daily treats by the butler.

You are not alone in that area!  We have had very mixed results with that request. We have not found a solution for receiving only very few things and only on certain days.

It seems easier (yet, very wasteful) to let them bring whatever the other suites get on any given day.  SIGH!

On 6/12/2024 at 10:58 AM, KKB said:

OK we had a room that had this--I wouldn't really call it obstructed as it was on the side.

We are trying to coordinate this cruise with 2 couples, one of which we do not know personally.

That couple is concerned that ALL Oceanview rooms are obstructed with the slide & will be noisy. (we heard no noise, and it was a balcony)

(I can find nothing on any internet sources, reliable or not, to support this).

Can anyone give me more information to share with this couple.

(they are high maintenance it seems; they nixed Getaway due to the smoke from the casino wafting...um, let's just avoid the areas where it wafts?)

There are not a large number of "Oceanview" rooms (Category "O") on the PRIMA!

Most are on deck 5, a couple are on deck 11 and 14.  Other choices are Inside rooms, or Balcony rooms on decks 9-16.

38 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said:

Husband and Wife traveling - there are cabins available with no single supplement - is there a benefit to booking 2 cabins?  Seems crazy, but would this mean you'd get 4 meals for 2 rather than just 2.  And each traveler would get excursion credits.  And daily service fee would be the same total for 1 in each cabin as 2 in one cabin.

 

Thoughts?

Sounds like a reasonable plan to me... extra space to relax!

20 hours ago, Deep68 said:

Sorry additional question.

We will also be staying at the Homewood Suites.

How far a walk was it from the silver line bus stop?

It is approximately a half mile walk.

From the Silver Line Way drop-off area, take Silver Line Way to D Street (turn left), to Summer Street (turn left) continue to Homewood Suites.

2 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Do you remember what time is was for Haven / Suites? We are in a suite and don't want to get there too early only to stand around outside 

Thanks

I am sorry, I don't recall noticing! It wasn't bad for us, because we were in a shaded area.

Also, compared to the heat in Houston, Boston felt cool, and luckily, it was not raining.

19 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

I recently cancelled a Christmas cruise. I am owed about $700.  How long does NCL typically take to issues refunds?  

On a very rare occasion, we have had to wait 11 or 12 days for a refund to clear the bank (Probably a holiday had interfered with the usual timing!)

5 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Wow, so they were not allowing people into the cruise terminal until 10am?

That was approximately correct for non-haven!

19 hours ago, Deep68 said:

Thanks for the review.

We are sailed on 7/5.

Can you advise what time they the self debarkation started and how long it took?

 

Thank You

We got into the line about 40-45 minutes before the announcement was made.  The announcement was right around 8am.  We were in a taxi around 8:10, heading to the airport!

13 hours ago, slidemaster5 said:

 

I was on the Gem last week. The waiter was telling all the tables:

You can pick 2 appetizers, 1 entree, 2 sides, 1 dessert.

We were told 1/1/1/1!

3 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

The chaos was that no one with bags was allowed inside until they could hand off their bags.  We went in with our carryons and were directed to a waiting area upstairs.  We sat, waiting for the check in staff to open the desks.  Then someone came and moved everyone back downstairs to a much smaller area, then we were moved to a different spot downstairs, and finally we were moved back upstairs.  The clerk at our station was new and it took 30 minutes for her to process me.  We then went to the VIP waiting area, and when they called the platinums and above the very diligent lady checking key cards would not allow us to board because we were Diamond and she didn’t know what that meant.  At that point I was fed up with the craziness and just kept walking.  It was an exasperating morning.  Hoping for something smoother this time.

Hopefully things will be GREAT during your cruise!!!

17 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

I agree with you. It says the status right on the cruise card. It is frustrating that it is promised on the Latitudes benefits but we have had the same thing happen.  We don't usually say anything. 

 

We tend to get assigned to better tables if DH has had a chance to tell bad jokes to the host/hostess to make them laugh. Then the next time we return, somehow they remember his name and give us a good table such as a window one. But otherwise, we get random table assignments.

 

Great advice!  I'll let DH loose on the crew with bad Dad jokes!🤣

21 minutes ago, goldmom said:

Being in a suite doesn't even help with the table assignment.  We are Diamond, sail in the Haven and make our reservations 130 days out.  Even with that we always seem to be given the worst table in the restaurant.  I usually don't say anything, but one time we were practically in the kitchen and I finally asked to speak to the Manager who did finally move us, but by then we just couldn't enjoy the meal.  Definitely a pet peeve of mine that Diamond Latitudes are not given any priority.  I mean there's already a reservation, how hard is it to just hold one of the better tables.  And we usually eat early when it's not very crowded.

I'm sorry that has also happened to you!!! 🙄 Thank you for replying with your experiences. 

6 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Did you find out if 🦬 Trace is available on the basic drink package on NCL?  Or will you need to substitute something else?

DH had Buffalo Trace on the Gem last week with the standard drink package.

2 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

On each of our recent cruises, when we stopped by the Cruise Next desk on embarkation day to sign up for Latitudes benefits, we were told that they would not be offering the Sail and Sustain Mixology Experience because there were only two Diamond Latitudes members on the ship's manifest and no Ambassadors.  We were the two Diamonds, hence the senior Latitudes members on board those cruises.  We usually travel in a Balcony stateroom.  We haven't sailed in a Suite or the Haven since before COVID.  I also have volunteered to coordinate the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet on several of our recent cruises, so the GM and the Group Coordinator usually look me up on embarkation day to check on arrangements for the M&G.

I guess each cruisers' experiences highlight how differently things might happen from ship to ship and cruise to cruise. Most of our NCL cruises have been great, so last week's was likely just "one off" for us.

8 minutes ago, Gymmomof2 said:

Is this something that NCL offers a lot?

FREE AIRFARE^

Buy our airfare for one guest, and the second guest flies FREE. Offer includes roundtrip flights to and from where this cruise departs. Airfare is refundable under our risk-free cancellation policies

 

Yes, regularly!  However, be absolutely certain you read and understand the terms and conditions!!!

On 6/5/2024 at 1:47 AM, Turtles06 said:

Based on my experience, it will be the larger MDR — the beautiful Grand Pacific. If crew are trying to direct you to the buffet after you board, just keep walking back to the MDR. 
 

Enjoy your cruise. We love the Gem. 

Grand Pacific (Deck 7 Aft) was open noon to 1:30pm on May 31 cruise.

16 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

Thank you for your report.  Sorry to hear that you got the cold shoulder on board.  Our experience has been quite different.  You said that you haven't had dinner with an officer in several years.  We always make a point of signing up for this Latitudes perk.  We frequently have the opportunity to get to know the GM and almost always are paired up with one or another of the senior officers.  On our last three cruises there have been no Ambassadors on board, so we were the senior Latitudes members.  As a result, they usually treat us like royalty. 

Perhaps the other Diamonds were more actively assertive than we were.

But, I believe it was much more likely that since we were not in a suite, nor mini-suite, and don't live near Boston (so, unlikely to be cruising the Gem again anytime soon) we were not on their special guests list. 🤣

17 hours ago, disneynan said:

Thank you so much for this trip report! I am sailing on the Gem this Friday and soooo excited. 

Can you tell me if there were any theme nights? We are a group of 17 and most of us would love to dress up for them. I find it odd that NCL doesn’t let you know ahead of time because how can you pack for them if you don’t know what they will be?

Also, how did you find the ocean temperature in Bermuda? We’re also doing St Georges by ferry and then Horseshoe Bay by bus. We plan to walk to some of the other Southern beaches as well and are bringing our snorkel gear. 

I can't help much with Theme Nights.

They had things like "Country Party", "Awesome 80's", and a "Glow Party" (poolside) was 10pm - 11pm on Tuesday, 70's Disco Groove Party.  I hope that helps a little!

17 hours ago, cruiserbear55 said:

You must have walked the same amount of steps as the hubby. Nice job!! We did the same cruise, sans Bar Harbor, 4/5-4/12. ( The first three or four cruises this year didn't go to Maine.) Which is just as well,as living in NH we've been there too many times. It's too bad you left St.George too early and didn't stay to see the "Ducking of the Wench". Or maybe you've seen it previously. It's hilarious, and for those who have an upcoming cruise, well worth the trip to St.George. (1:00 PM on Monday) Thanks for the review!!

LoL... I walk more steps in a mile than DH does, because I'm 5'1" and wear a size 5 shoe!

He made up the difference by fetching coffee every morning!

It is a shame we missed the ducking!

6 hours ago, slidemaster5 said:

I was on this cruise and will add the following:

 

(1) The Wi-Fi was very slow

(2) The officers were not the mingling type. We were invited to the Officers' VIP party and they lined up to greet us when we entered the venue and then they left. Only a couple stayed more than a few minutes and actually mingled. Perhaps due to his duties we saw Roland Schrock around the restaurants over the course of the trip.

(3) We enjoyed the music/comedian act (Tom Franek) and found Whitney and Blazing Boots good. Get down tonight we thought was trash. 

(4) We went to Horseshoe Beach on Day 2 (Sunday) since a lot of the shops in Hamilton are closed on Sunday. Also, the Vision of the Seas was leaving on Sunday, so we were the only ship in dock.  The water was probably about 75 along with the air temp and was very enjoyable. We prefer to walk past the main beach and swim in the coves which are very scenic and quiet. The main beach wasn't busy, but you literally can have your own swimming area in the coves. 

Great remarks!  We only walked along the shorelines in Bermuda (no swimming).

46 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you for your review. I'm sorry to hear about the lost/stolen phone and understand how that had to be so frustrating at the end of the cruise while also having a few disappointments with dinner at La Cucina and with the  entertainment. We also love going to the veterans reception and never know what to expect since each cruise director seems to run it differently. Thank you to your DH for his service.

 

Which latitudes experiences did not shine besides the poor embarkation process?

 

Did you do the sail and sustain mixology experience on this cruise? We experienced it for the first time on the Breakaway and really found it interesting and fun to chat with the other Diamond passengers. We tend to skip the latitudes party, the wines of the world tasting and the behind the scenes tour for ship classes we have already toured.

 

When and what ship is your next cruise?

Not that Latitudes status guarantees preferences in restaurants, but on the Gem we were disappointed with where we were seated in restaurants (without being allowed our preference when requested). My point being that they definitely should know your status when using the Latitudes Dining Package, and we were some of the first diners in line when the restaurant opened.  It was odd and disappointing that they weren't more open to changing our table location, without a reasonable explanation.  If we had been in a suite, I imagine things would have been very different, but we weren't!

We did NOT attend Mixology on this cruise.  DH does not care for those very sugary drinks, and I didn't want to go alone.  Funny thing about our previous mixology classes... first time cancelled by NCL.  Second time only DH and I attended. Third time, in February 2024, on the PRIMA, we were joined by the singular Diamond member on that cruise (and were very happily surprised -- we had met her originally back in 2017).

The Latitudes party was typical neither great, nor bad!  We had Wines Around the World booked, but missed it (don't recall the reason).  We have toured the Gem before a few times, so, we also skipped that.

Right now, we have the PRIMA booked in January 2025.

4 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Nice review, we are leaving on the 28th. What time did easy walk off start? Sorry to hear about husbands phone, was it lost / stolen at the beach?

Thank you @Laszlo!

I believe he likely left it on a bus we had ridden back to the port, on our last day in Bermuda.  However, he said he lost it after we reboarding the ship in Bermuda.

Classic "He said, She said!" isn't it?!

4 hours ago, Laszlo said:

What time did easy walk off start? 

Easy walk-off started at 8:01 and we were off by VERY quickly!

3 hours ago, havoc315 said:

How was the WiFi? Has the Gem been upgraded to Starlink yet?

Great question!  However, I cannot answer because we never used it. Sorry, no experience with Starlink!

Perhaps I should explain our aversions to "Dinner with Officers"...

DH spent (too many) years in the US Army (long story) as a Sergeant Major/Command Sergeant Major.  Which means we went to MANY "formal dinners" with Generals!