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NCL Gem repairs


cruisingqueen86
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From the Cruise cut short Gem Oct 31, 2017 forum

 

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.

 

 

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https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=54586940

 

 

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Wizpharm2, again, thanks for the updates. You are on my dream cruise!:)

I second both of these statements! I'm disabled and would not have been able to fly for multiple medical reasons, so I empathize with those who had to stay back in Barbados. I am so happy to hear how well NCL cared for (at least) this group!

 

On another note, I am on the 11/21 Gem cruise - so your progress posts are also so reassuring! Thanks so much again for taking the time to update us in such a clear, factual way. :)

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Excellent!

I see on the AIS that you are almost even latitude with Bermuda....

 

And congratulations for being privileged to sail on "The World's Largest Yacht"...:D:cool:

 

(Even the richest sheikh doesn't have 38 crewmember to passenger ratio.....)

Edited by bob brown
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I second both of these statements! I'm disabled and would not have been able to fly for multiple medical reasons, so I empathize with those who had to stay back in Barbados. I am so happy to hear how well NCL cared for (at least) this group!

 

On another note, I am on the 11/21 Gem cruise - so your progress posts are also so reassuring! Thanks so much again for taking the time to update us in such a clear, factual way. :)

 

My thanks as well. Hoping a safe passage home

:cool:

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Whizpharm2 thank you for the update, sounds like an adventure. and is the internet quicker with no passengers on it?

 

 

 

Not really much better. Still not able to stream anything. RCL's Zoom has been the only ship internet where that was possible. I was glad we could, because their TV selections were not great.

 

 

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Gem is still making her way to NYC. Wave height has increased, and our speed has dropped to 14.3 knots. Just under 400 Nmiles to go. I suspect many will not make breakfast this morning. Need to make sure your coffee cup is not too full. Haven pools have been drained as the water was sloshing out anyway.

 

 

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I see you at approximately 36N, 69W.....

You should soon be sailing into smoother waters...it is pretty calm along the coast...

One good thing for those waiting to board in New York tomorrow....the ship and most of the cabins should be ready for early boarding, since the ship is mostly empty...

Oh, and unlike the unfortunate Anthem OTS, no norovirus worries....:)

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I see you at approximately 36N, 69W.....

 

You should soon be sailing into smoother waters...it is pretty calm along the coast...

 

One good thing for those waiting to board in New York tomorrow....the ship and most of the cabins should be ready for early boarding, since the ship is mostly empty...

 

Oh, and unlike the unfortunate Anthem OTS, no norovirus worries....:)

 

 

 

Thanks for the update...still rocking and rolling at the moment. Hope it calms down in time for this evenings show. Crew is out and about putting the finishing touches on public areas and cabins. Those on are board are gathering at 7:30am to be escorted off the ship, pick up our luggage and clear customs. Expect traffic will be much less for those boarding. Happy turkey day and safe travels to all.

 

 

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Thanks for the update...still rocking and rolling at the moment. Hope it calms down in time for this evenings show. Crew is out and about putting the finishing touches on public areas and cabins. Those on are board are gathering at 7:30am to be escorted off the ship, pick up our luggage and clear customs. Expect traffic will be much less for those boarding. Happy turkey day and safe travels to all.

 

 

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Enjoy your thanksgiving and welcome back![emoji568]☺[emoji106][emoji6]

 

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i find the description of the ghost ship fascinating. ive never been on the gem but how is it with 28 on board that there arent enough haven rooms

 

 

 

There are several singles in the group. And the Haven on the Gem is much smaller than on the Breakaway, Escape, etc. It does not have its own dinning room or bar. Also, the Haven suites on the Gem are not really ADA compliant.

 

 

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I see you at approximately 36N, 69W.....

 

You should soon be sailing into smoother waters...it is pretty calm along the coast...

 

One good thing for those waiting to board in New York tomorrow....the ship and most of the cabins should be ready for early boarding, since the ship is mostly empty...

 

Oh, and unlike the unfortunate Anthem OTS, no norovirus worries....:)

 

 

 

Where are you able to track the ship, if I may ask? I don’t see it on any of the tracking websites.

 

 

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Only 10 cabins maybe?

 

 

 

The are 8-2 bedroom cabins, 2 penthouse cabins, 2 owners suites and 2 garden villas. The garden villas are 3 bed room suites and they did not use those at all. The owners suites require folks to climb to the 15th floor (no elevator), only one of those suites was used. So we are using a total of 11 suites in the Haven. One passenger went back to their old room (by request). Three more suites in the front on deck 9 are being used by those that are using wheelchairs or scooters.

 

 

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Where are you able to track the ship, if I may ask? I don’t see it on any of the tracking websites.

 

 

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I was not able to follow on any website...I used the nav channel on board. Someone else in this thread was able to provide tracking info, but not sure where they got it.

 

 

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