First time cruisers on Gem – Bahamas cruise 3/12 – 3/19 (Long)

[juliecious]

Just came back - writing this while doing laundry and preparing for work tomorrow. urgh!

 

Embarkation –

The limo dropped us off at 12.30 and took the elevator up to the embarkation location. We needed a wheelchair for MIL so we had a shorter line for check-in. edocs, passports and credit card(s) are required at check-in before we were whisked off to the ship, passing the sail-away photo spots. MIL was wheeled in to the buffet area and it was so crowded we got a table in La Cucina at the back of the ship. At lunch they announced which rooms/decks were ready.

Our room on deck 11, stateroom 11650 (handicapped) was very big and the stewards (Rommel & Joao) came in to turn the sofa into a full bed (with double mattress topper) for MIL. Husband switched on laptop, connected to wireless internet and signed us up for 250 mins ($100).

We went up to deck 12 for sail away – got MIL’s soda card by the poolside and got it filled right away at the bar). Went to sit on the bench by the rock-climbing location to enjoy the NY view and then went on the starboard side to take pictures of the statue of the liberty. It was very windy so we went in to deck 7 to make dinner reservations but the line was so long so we decided to just do it through the phone (dial 050) - Magenta for dinner and Le Bistro for dinner the next day.

Our reservations was for 6.30 but when we got there, there was a really long line and apparently if you have a reservation or not you will still have to be in line. Waitstaff was very accommodating; we got multiple orders of appetizers, entrée and desserts and enjoyed them very much.

We went to a comedy show by Jeff Harms – didn’t think he was that great – he seemed very annoyed by the spring breakers that were onboard. At the casino – when you sign up for players card you get a raffle ticket for that night. We won a bottle of Chardonnay – and that was the only thing we won on the cruise. :mad:

 

1st day at sea –

We did a couple of the activities onboard:

 

1. Talk with the Shopping Consultant: what a waste of time – please don’t go unless you are planning on shopping for jewelry in the Bahamas. This was then broadcasted on tv for the rest of the week.
   
2. Name that tune: the theme was disco so obviously my husband and I (late 20s) didn’t do so well.
   
3. Progressive Trivia: Trivia series of 4 where you get a prize at the end of the cruise. Quite a turn out!
   

We had dinner at Le Bistro and it was hands down our best meal of the cruise. We ordered multiple apps, entrees and dessert because we could not decide what to eat. We were there for a couple of hours and ended up missing the show and the newlywed game (which was later broadcasted on tv).At the end of our meals, we were also served truffles (so good) compliments of the chef! Definitely a must go restaurant – worth every penny!

 

Post Canaveral

Had breakfast at great outdoors as we got into port Canaveral. As we walked into the terminal, we saw a lot of fruits confiscated. As we got to the bus area – there is a sign for each of the excursion so you know which bus to get on to. Very easy and straightforward.

It took about 20 mins to get to the airboat tour location (lone cabbage) and we were given stickers and a coupon for a drink. There was no wait to get on the airboat, and bugs were an issue as we forgot to bring our bug spray. I’ve been on an airboat tour in Miami but I think I saw more alligators on this tour. After that there was a show by a non-profit org where they showcase animals they have – alligator, turtle, skunk, etc. The bus then dropped us off back at the terminal.

MIL, DH and I took a shuttle ($5/pax) to Cocoa Beach/Village that dropped us of behind a shady motel where we had to cross the road to get to Ron Jon surf shop. We needed a photo id to enter the cruise terminal to get back on the ship. They will scan your bag and I saw a table full of alcohol – not sure if they were confiscating or storing them for passengers.

The stewards came for turn down service and MIL requested for a towel animal but we got a private demonstration instead! Our steward Rommel showed us how to make the bull dog, pig, rabbit, monkey, swans and many more. It was really entertaining.

 

Great Stirrup Cay –

I went up to the tender ticket counter by the pool at 8am but was told that since we have the eco-boat excursion with NCL we could go on the first tender, no ticket required so we didn’t grab a number. However, after breakfast we went back to the room and found a note saying that our eco-boat tour was cancelled. So knowing that now we’ll need a tender ticket to get to GSC I went to the pool area and got tickets for tender #17! The first tender left at 11 and it took a long time almost close to 1pm before we got to GSC.

The beach was crowded – there were no empty lounge chairs and there was a line for the BBQ lunch (pizza, hamburgers, watermelon, corn). MIL and DH dipped their toes in the water and it was cold so we decided to go back to the ship. The pool area on the ship was empty (spring breakers were partying on the beach) so we went into the hot tub. MIL and DH went on the waterslide a couple of times and we had lunch by the pool.

We also did the in-port spa specials, they were able to book three treatments for us at the same time:

 

• For me: 6 for $109, facial, scalp massage, feet/ankle massage, hand massage, shoulder massage, collagen eye treatment. Everything was done in the salon so it was quite loud but I fell asleep during the massage because it was sooo relaxing.
  
• MIL & DH: Step 5 for $99 – full body dry exfoliating, 25 min massage, facial, scalp massage, feet/ankle massage done in the spa room.
  

At night we watched the Man from Mars show which was really amazing. Not to be missed!

 

Nassau, Bahamas –

We did the segway tour booked through NCL. The organizer is Caribbean Segway Tour. We were driven to an orientation and training location close to Junkanoo Beach where they showed us how to use the segway. The tour went through Junkanoo Beach, Arawak Cay (Fish Fry) , up to Fort Charlotte, Clifford Park and then back using the same route.

We took the water taxi to the Atlantis at 3/pax. As some others have mentioned – we had a “tourist guide” who explained our surroundings (Nicholas Cage’s house, etc) and went around for tips afterwards which was really annoying as he was really loud. The water taxi dropped us off close to the tour booth by the bridge and we had to walk through the Marina Village to get to the Atlantis.

We paid 39/pax for the Discover Atlantis tour where you get access to the Predator Lagoon and the Dig until midnight. We had a late lunch at Bimini Road restaurant at the marina village. The conch fritters, conch salad and conch chowder were delicious!!!

 

2nd day at sea –

We had earlier purchased some liquor from the onboard duty free shop and were given raffle tickets. The raffle was on Thursday and the prize was half of your money back but we didn’t win it. :(

In the afternoon we went to the International Crew Talent Show, a performance of different talents by the Gem crew (singing, musicians, dancers). It was interesting and really entertaining to see that the wait staff, maintenance workers are given a chance to show their talents to everyone on the Gem.

We purchased the bingo package and played for the first time on the ship. It was a two for one so for $49 we got 12 paper packs (3 games) and 12 jackpots. And since it was spring break, we got 3 extra jackpots for wearing school colors. We got tickets for the raffle the next day for a free 7 day Caribbean cruise for 2 (which again we didn’t win).

We had dinner at the Grand Pacific which had the same menu as Magenta. We wanted to experience the ambience and DH thought it looked a lot like the restaurant in Titanic. Again the wait staff did not have any issues with us ordering multiple apps, entrees and desserts.

 

3rd day at sea –

All other days we had breakfast at the buffet – this was the only time we had breakfast at the Grand Pacific. They offered the same menu as the buffet but we didn’t have to be in line to get food, we get to be pampered by the wait staff and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Before lunch we went to Sinan’s debarkation talk where he explained the process and answered our questions. This was quite informative as we’re first time cruisers.

This was also the first time we had lunch at Grand Pacific. FYI – you only have to be dressed up for dinner at Grand Pacific. Lunch, cover-ups are ok for breakfast and lunch. The lunch menu was more extensive than the Blue Lagoon, not sure if it changes every day but they had good choices like Philly Cheese Steak, Fried calamari, Vietnamese summer rolls, etc.

We went to look at all our photos and chose which ones we wanted. They had an offer of Buy 4 get 1 free which would be ready by 10pm that night if you are buying multiple copies. You can also request to change the borders of the photos you want to buy. A tip – whenever you see your photo in the rack, pick it up and have them save it behind the counter. This way, by the end of the cruise you already have all your photos saved and you can just pick and choose which ones you want to buy.

Shows on the last night of the cruise are not to be missed! The Quest Game Show was hilarious and entertaining. It’s truly not for the faint of heart and although we didn’t take part we still enjoyed it. Definitely something not to be missed! The 2nd city scriptless show that came after that was also very amusing, offensive and witty. :D

 

Disembarkation –

I was awakened by the loud noise when the ship docked in NY at around 6am. Sinan made an announcement close to 8am – easy walk-off disembarkation is now open.

We had to get out of the room by 9am so went to Grand Pacific for breakfast. Noticeably absent from the menu was the made-to-order omelet and the waffles. Staff was friendly as usual but there were not many people at breakfast. Sinan made announcements for each luggage color tag as they were ready for disembarkation.

After breakfast we waited in the atrium for our color tag to be called, the atrium was packed. Promptly at 9.35am our tag color (purple) was announced and we walked to the gangway where Sinan was waiting in his full uniform. We took the elevator down at the pier and finding our luggage was not hard as they were sorted by colors. We used the porters and there was a special line at the customs for those with porters and we were waiting outside for our limo within 20 minutes of disembarkation. I think the regular lines (non-porters) were much longer.

 

Misc Comments –

 

1. We went to Blue Lagoon a couple of times, mostly at midnight and once for lunch. The menu is the same always. We’ve tried the wings (hot is not hot at all), fish & chips (best f&c my husband has tasted), cheese cake (awesome) and a lot more.
   
2. When you’re given a buzzer for Magenta, you can wait at the bar and get drinks at 20% discount.
   
3. My husband bought a bucket of Guinness at buy 5 get 1 free for $28-30 including 15% gratuity. He was given a small bottle opener too.
   
4. Internet was really slow when we’re in port and as we sail away from any port. It’s faster (but not great) when we’re in the middle of the ocean.
   
5. March is definitely not the time to go if you don’t want to be around loud and drunk spring breakers who dominate the hot tubs, clubs, loungers, etc.
   
6. Laundry service was offered on Wednesday, drop of by noon and ready by Friday evening for $24.95.
   
7. You can’t hear the announcements on the speakers from your room but you can switch on either Ch 22 or 28 to hear it on your tv.
   

I know this is long but I figured it would help those first timers or those who needed info about the Gem.

Let me know if you have any questions...

[juliecious]

Bathroom

Mini-Suite 11650

sofa turned into full size bed

tender to GSC

view of tender and GSC from ship

[juliecious]

View of Atlantis and the other 3 ships that were in Port. Carnival Fascination had left earlier.

 

View of (and how far of a walk) to the terminal in Nassau

 

 

View of decks below the bridge room

 

Midnight Choc Buffet

[Journey11]

Thanks for the great review and nice pictures. I will be on the Gem in about two months. Your review provided some helpful information.

 

One question: Were you able to order multiple entrees in the Specialty restaurants or just multiple appetizers and desserts?

[juliecious]

Thanks for the great review and nice pictures. I will be on the Gem in about two months. Your review provided some helpful information.

 

One question: Were you able to order multiple entrees in the Specialty restaurants or just multiple appetizers and desserts?

 

multiple everything, even the entrees. We only ate at 1 specialty restaurant - Le Bistro - and my husband ordered two entrees, the duck and the lamb I think.

 

you will enjoy the Gem. We even signed up for cruise rewards and planning our next cruise to Western Caribbean on the Epic!

[CruiseAdict218]

Love your review and your pictures are excellent.

[johnql]

One question: Were you able to order multiple entrees in the Specialty restaurants or just multiple appetizers and desserts?

To the OP: nice review and great pictures. I'm glad you enjoyed the Gem.

 

As far as multiple entrees, the official policy is that you're only entitled to one entree in the surcharge restaurants. However, that is often overlooked by the wait staff. So, don't count on it but you might be pleasantly surprised.

[rikatine]

Thanks for the review, I like the pictures you included. Thanks for taking the time.

[ussenterprise]

Thanks for your review. DW and I will be on the Gem next week. How was the weather in The Bahamas?

[juliecious]

Thanks for your review. DW and I will be on the Gem next week. How was the weather in The Bahamas?

 

It was about 80 degrees in the Bahamas - perfect weather for everything! :D

I am sure you will have a great time, Gem is an awesome ship. Sinan the cruise director is hilarious.

[spacepotatoes]

Great review! We were in port with you in Nassau, on the Sky. We were supposed to leave when you did, not sure what happened that day. We didn't leave until 6:30 or so.

 

It would be nice if they did the crew talent show on every sailing, I would have loved to see something like that on the Sky!

[juliecious]

We had signed up for the behind the scenes tour of the galley, kitchen,bridge room, etc for $55 each but it was canceled because they didn't have minimum number of people signing up. According to them - this was the first time it was canceled - probably because spring breakers didn't really care for it.

However - they had invited the three of us, and another couple to the bridge room for a personal tour by the captain. It was really nice, we got to see the equipment in the bridge room and asked questions to the captain. Good experience!

[myra711]

Julie - thanks for the review! My first ever cruise will be on the Gem in 3 weeks, and it is nice to read about someone else's first experience. I hope we have as much fun as it sounds like you had!

 

Sue

[SASA13]

Thanks for the review and the pics. We will be sailing this Saturday, can't wait.

[cynbar]

Can you talk a little more about the spring breakers?? How much did they disrupt your trip?? There has been so much talk on these boards about the debacle on the Dawn, I had been thinking about booking for March next year (it's a great time to get out of New England!) but now I'm having second thoughts.

 

Glad you and your family enjoyd your trip by the way, we have sailed twice on the Gem and just love her. And I must say , I'm impressed that you and DH and your MIL could share 1 cabin for a week and have such a great time.

[juliecious]

Can you talk a little more about the spring breakers?? How much did they disrupt your trip?? There has been so much talk on these boards about the debacle on the Dawn, I had been thinking about booking for March next year (it's a great time to get out of New England!) but now I'm having second thoughts.

 

Glad you and your family enjoyd your trip by the way, we have sailed twice on the Gem and just love her. And I must say , I'm impressed that you and DH and your MIL could share 1 cabin for a week and have such a great time.

 

I too had some apprehension about spending a week with my MIL in a stateroom but it turned out okay. We hardly spent any time in the room except for sleeping and short naps in the afternoon. It would have been better if we had walkie talkies with us so she could walk around the ship by herself and us not worrying where she was or what she was doing.

 

On the topic of spring breakers - there were a lot of them on the ship, some in big groups some with their families. The big groups of college-aged kids were definitely loud but for the most part they minded their own business.

But I wouldn't pick a cruise in March or April again because:

1. We were in an elevator (3 of us) and I think about 10 spring breakers also made it in for a 1 floor ride - screaming, dancing, spilling their drinks.

2. Coming back from the Bahamas I saw many tipsy/buzzed spring breakers slowing down the line to enter the ship.

An example - a girl in front of us needed to get her id swiped by the security and in the attempt to get her id she dropped everything on the floor (towel, beach bag, etc) and had the nerve to ask the security guy to help wrap the towel around her. A different security guy told her to put everything on the x-ray scanner thingy and she asked him to take off her watch but he said no. She went through the scanner and was told to do it again cause she beeped. And then she laughed - oh I forgot my bag - and dropped everything again to take off the cross-body bag she had.

This was very entertaining for me to watch but it took close to 10 mins for her to get by security.

 

However, DH and I thought that these spring breakers did make the Quest game a lot more interesting and entertaining - they would do just about anything to win! :D

[KevinsCruising]

Thanks for the great review !! We are going in less then 2 weeks on the GEM. Did you notice if dress jeans were still acceptable to wear in the Grand Pacific? Not talking about the ripped up kind but the very nice ones with a nice shirt.

 

Thanks,

[juliecious]

Thanks for the great review !! We are going in less then 2 weeks on the GEM. Did you notice if dress jeans were still acceptable to wear in the Grand Pacific? Not talking about the ripped up kind but the very nice ones with a nice shirt.

 

Thanks,

 

I am not sure but I've read somewhere (binder in the stateroom maybe) that Grand Pacific was the only place they did not allow jeans but I've definitely seen people in nice jeans in Grand Pacific for dinner so you should be ok.

 

For breakfast and lunch in Grand Pacific casual (shorts/coverups) is ok

[JohnGaltny]

Thanks a ton. We're on this exact cruise next month.

[QuickieGlenn]

Sounds like you had a good time. One question, In the beginning you stated that your MIL needed a WC to get on the ship and you have a HC room but the rest of the cruise she was able to do the excursions & the slide and tendered to GSC.

[juliecious]

Sounds like you had a good time. One question, In the beginning you stated that your MIL needed a WC to get on the ship and you have a HC room but the rest of the cruise she was able to do the excursions & the slide and tendered to GSC.

 

Yup - she has MS, and at times she has balance issues and can't stand for long period of times. We've been told by previous cruisers that embarkation can take a long time (standing in line) and walking up the gangway was going to be hard for her so we suggested that she used the wheelchair for embarkation.

 

The rest of the cruise she did not need a wheelchair but her cane became handy on some days. Other days we just walk slower so she doesn't get left behind and we race to get to the different floors - her on the elevators, DH and I on the stairs, because stairs is extremely hard for her.

 

She did however go on the slide twice, that was when there was barely anyone in the pool and DH was right behind her in case anything happened.

[ken85121]

What a great review. Thanks! We are going on the Gem in a couple of weeks for our first time. I had no idea they gave out so many tender tickets. I'll have to get into line early. :) Thanks again.

[QuickieGlenn]

Yup - she has MS, and at times she has balance issues and can't stand for long period of times. We've been told by previous cruisers that embarkation can take a long time (standing in line) and walking up the gangway was going to be hard for her so we suggested that she used the wheelchair for embarkation.

 

The rest of the cruise she did not need a wheelchair but her cane became handy on some days. Other days we just walk slower so she doesn't get left behind and we race to get to the different floors - her on the elevators, DH and I on the stairs, because stairs is extremely hard for her.

 

She did however go on the slide twice, that was when there was barely anyone in the pool and DH was right behind her in case anything happened.

 

 

I am glad she could enjoy her cruise without using the chair

I only asked that I am a full time WC user and sometimes I see people abuse the HC rooms . I mean no disrespect. It is great she has a great family to enjoy a cruise with. happy cruising

[juliecious]

I am glad she could enjoy her cruise without using the chair

I only asked that I am a full time WC user and sometimes I see people abuse the HC rooms . I mean no disrespect. It is great she has a great family to enjoy a cruise with. happy cruising

 

Understood and a good point. That was my thought initially but I had asked my TA for an aft room and she gave us this, knowing fully MIL's condition. I also read and asked in CC about this before.

 

Although - TA did call me back like a couple of days before the cruise, and said that NCL had called her to request our room, for a different group I guess. I had anticipated this and did not have any problems - as long as she let us know what our new room would be. She never called me back but did leave me a message saying NCL no longer needed the room and I was all set for the room. :)

 

Happy cruising to you too!