Cruise cut short Gem Oct 31, 2017

I was also on the cruise. We are in our early 30's and can agree that communication on this trip was a disaster. We were Haven guests and I don't think we got what we paid for.

The compensation is a complete joke and I am not looking for a full refund but to have to sail again with NCL to receive my compensation for a short cruise because of their boat is redicuous. That said we made the best out of the days we did have.

 

Please keep in mind probably more than 90% of this cruise was retirees and they all need 'special care', think it's impossible to cater to them all.

 

Please rethink the last sentence. I am retired and can run circles around most 30 year olds, that's my medical doctors' opinion. Just because you are retired does not mean you need special care, imagine that, work all your life and then retire to special care! Though there were many seniors, 90% did not need special care, far from it. I was talking to many of the retirees and they have been busy traveling the world, via cruise,plane and foot.

Please keep in mind probably more than 90% of this cruise was retirees and they all need 'special care', think it's impossible to cater to them all.

 

Sorry about the trip, but please don't think just because someone is retired they all need "special care". We are 62 and 68, been retired a few years now and could probably keep up with most the "30 somethings". We are on no medicines, no canes or wheelchairs, we eat normal food, we can fly (do so quite often), carry our own luggage, drive cars, etc. Same as the majority of us that live in my 55 and over community. You should be old enough to realize stereotyping is not a good thing.

 

Rant over!

Sorry about the trip, but please don't think just because someone is retired they all need "special care". We are 62 and 68, been retired a few years now and could probably keep up with most the "30 somethings". We are on no medicines, no canes or wheelchairs, we eat normal food, we can fly (do so quite often), carry our own luggage, drive cars, etc. Same as the majority of us that live in my 55 and over community. You should be old enough to realize stereotyping is not a good thing.

 

 

 

Rant over!

 

 

 

Just maybe they were not referring to physical needs??

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Finally a 1%’er (traveling with only 28 passengers on a cruise ship designed to hold 2300)

 

(This post is a continuation of an earlier post regarding the small number of passengers on the 10/31/17 sailing of NCL’s Gem who did not fly home, but are returning to NYC on the repaired ship.)

 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…I mean hotel, we received word that a ship’s representative would be coming to tell us the plan for re-boarding the ship. I expected someone from Norwegian’s port agency, but the ship’s Hotel Director and Guest Services Manager came to the hotel. They stopped to talk with everyone individually as most were having dinner when they arrived. They had already stopped at the other two hotels where an additional three guests were staying. After dinner, at a group meeting in the hotel lobby, they told us we would be picked up Thursday afternoon and transported to the ship. The ship would then set sail early Friday morning and make a beeline back to New York. We should expect to be off the ship Tuesday morning by 8:30am. A bus tour of the island was scheduled for Wednesday morning and all were invited to attend. They also took note of people who still had medication needs and said they would begin to work on that issue. That evening we received luggage tags and our new room assignments.

 

Thursday afternoon both a bus (for us) and a truck (for the luggage) arrived and we then made our way back to the dock. A quick stop at the port entrance for immigration and then we drive down the pier to the ship’s gangway. Here we were welcomed by some crew-members, provided cool towels, passed through security, boarded the elevators and headed to the Atrium. We were checked in at Guest Services, had new ID pictures taken, and received new key cards. The Hotel Director made a few announcements before we headed to our rooms.

 

Those still needing medication were told to report to sickbay where the ship’s physician would be available to assist. If equivalent medication was on board, it would be provided; if not, since we were not sailing until morning, they would work to have it brought to the ship. We were also told what services would be available during our travel back to NYC.

 

All meals are being provided in Moderno. They are a combination of buffet and limited menus with a choice to 3-4 entrees that vary each meal/day. (The crew is having the treat of eating in the Garden Café during this time.) The Mojito bar (in Moderno) is open during dining hours and the Atrium bar is open 7am to midnight. All passengers have received the ultimate beverage package, so in other words…free drinks for everyone.

 

Now, for the question that has been asked the most on various forums…yes, they have placed most guests in the Haven. There were not enough rooms for everyone, so a few guests are in the forward penthouse suites on deck 9 (they are more ADA accessible) and one guest asked for his old room back (due to wanting to be on a lower floor, mid ship). All guest have access to the Haven courtyard and therefore the Haven amenities (pool, hot tub, steam room, morning coffee and pastries, afternoon snacks). The main pools have been drained so they can be thoroughly cleaned and have a few minor tile repairs completed. However, with its’ retractable cover, the Haven pool area can be enjoyed all the way back to New York!

 

Movies are running continuously on the big screen in the Atrium (the same movies showing on the movie channel in your room). The movies available for rental on your cabin TV have been made available at no charge. Unlimited internet has been made available to everyone at no charge. We have been invited to attend the final dress rehearsals of two shows Swing and Get Down Tonight (one on Sat and the other on Mon.) All guests have access to free phone calls from their cabins. Free laundry service is also being provided.

 

Much to my surprise, the Casino is open daily. Slots from 8am to close (not sure when that is) and table games from 10am to close. Not sure if we have any CAS folks in the group, but I have observed as many as 9 guests in the casino at one time. The gift shop is open 2-6pm each day.

 

The crew has been working shorter days, and completing deep cleaning of the ship, so it should be spic and span ready for the Thanksgiving cruise. They are allowed to move around the ship freely during their time-off using the basketball courts and gathering in the evening at the pool bar. Most had at least one day off to explore Barbados, go to the beach or, as one staff member shared, he even got in a round of golf.

 

IMHO, Norwegian has provided a more than comfortable experience for those returning to NYC via the Gem. Every staff member has been gracious and provided a high level of service. The Hotel Director and Concierge have made contact with each guest daily to make sure they are comfortable and address any issues they might have.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Just maybe they were not referring to physical needs??

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I too was not just speaking only of physical needs. My point (and another poster too) is there are actually retired people that DO NOT HAVE ANY NEED FOR SPECIAL HELP! No mental or physical help needed. Other then sounding like a B$&!? in this post, I'm a very normal, healthy, take care of myself, retiree!

Whizpharm2 please continue your posting at your earliest convenience. I'm sure I'm not the only one fascinated by your account. Thank you for taking the time to include us on your experience as many here were very curious about this situation. Looking forward to reading more.

 

 

 

Second installment posted 11/19/17... see post #229 in this thread.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

neat.

 

is this all complimentary? I assume it is

neat.

 

is this all complimentary? I assume it is

 

 

 

Yes...everything except Casino and gift shop purchases.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Second installment posted 11/19/17... see post #229 in this thread.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thank you! What an amazing journey you've had! Enjoy the rest of your voyage!

Gem almost home!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Gem almost home!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Welcome back to NYC for those of you on this extended journey ... were checking, watching, tracking & the Gem coming into the harbour. Wish you all a safe trip on that final home stretch, indeed a memorable Thanksgiving holiday.

 

Thank you & very appreciative for sharing and posting - clearing the ship, disembarkation and getting thru CBP should be a breeze.

Welcome back to NYC for those of you on this extended journey ... were checking, watching, tracking & the Gem coming into the harbour. Wish you all a safe trip on that final home stretch, indeed a memorable Thanksgiving holiday.

 

 

 

Thank you & very appreciative for sharing and posting - clearing the ship, disembarkation and getting thru CBP should be a breeze.

 

 

 

All 28 are off!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I wonder how many passengers claimed they "couldn't fly" so they could enjoy a few extra days in the Haven on the ship....

I wonder how many passengers claimed they "couldn't fly" so they could enjoy a few extra days in the Haven on the ship....

 

Was not as easy as that. I told them i couldn't fly and they said it was not an option. I get terrible inner ear pain from flying. My ears are still "stuffed" from the flight and partially deaf. Extremely uncomfortable. Next time i learned my lesson and will not take no for an answer

I wonder how many passengers claimed they "couldn't fly" so they could enjoy a few extra days in the Haven on the ship....

I would bet they didn't offer this as an option initially, because everyone that had time would have signed up for it (I would have if I was on the cruise). They probably knew that it was an option for those that really couldn't fly and guessed (possibly wrong) that those passengers would come back (like our play by play poster) after getting their airline information and tell them again that they couldn't fly. Thankfully, we haven't heard of any medical catastrophes, because folks that didn't want to fly had to fly.

Was not as easy as that. I told them i couldn't fly and they said it was not an option. I get terrible inner ear pain from flying. My ears are still "stuffed" from the flight and partially deaf. Extremely uncomfortable. Next time i learned my lesson and will not take no for an answer

 

So what did the people who got the private Haven cruise do, just physically refuse to get off the ship?

So what did the people who got the private Haven cruise do, just physically refuse to get off the ship?

Who knows. The could have gone back after they got their flight information (like the poster did) and said they couldn't fly or they could have gotten a letter from their doctor. Don't think we will ever know. All I know is that would have been my dream cruise with only 28 passengers.

So what did the people who got the private Haven cruise do, just physically refuse to get off the ship?

 

 

 

Check out posts 214 and 229 upthread.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Curious if any passengers checked with their credit card companies that they used to book their cruise. I have up to $10,000 in travel protection for trip purchases on my card.

Wow, this is incredible.

Want to follow but CC forum not able to subscribe or search right now, so ....following

Wow, this is incredible.

Want to follow but CC forum not able to subscribe or search right now, so ....following

 

 

 

You might want to also check out the thread under NCL Gem repairs

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Curious if any passengers checked with their credit card companies that they used to book their cruise. I have up to $10,000 in travel protection for trip purchases on my card.

Wait, what?

From NCL or elsewhere?

Wait, what?

From NCL or elsewhere?

Many credit card companies have trip interruption insurance, rental car insurance etc as long as you used that card to pay for the trip....

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

Many credit card companies have trip interruption insurance, rental car insurance etc as long as you used that card to pay for the trip....

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

Okay... but what about the charge. Was it authorized?

Okay... but what about the charge. Was it authorized?

What? Unless it's stolen..... the owner of the credit card who used it authorized it.... thus eligible for all benefits that credit card offers.

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app