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Gem September 18-25 Wow!

apmecruise

By apmecruise,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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apmecruise

apmecruise

Posted
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Just back from a beautiful, sun filled vacation. The short list-- beautiful sunny days and action packed evenings. I love Bermuda...if you have never gone...go! I love Sinan the cruise director...so funny! I loved the entertainment on the Gem, it is outstanding. And David the Concierge...well he is top notch.

 

We stayed in room 11012- 2 bedroom penthouse suite--The Jade Penthouse. The whole cruise surpassed our expectations on every level. No not everything was perfect...but then it is the bumps that make the near perfect so enjoyable.

 

Have to unpack and begin to detox from days and days of pampering and luxury. So who is going to bring me hot water for my tea, pick up my wet towels, and make up my bed in the morning and turn it down in the evening?

 

Oh, when oh when can I cruise again!

 

More later

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jtheile

jtheile

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I'm also just back from this cruise.

 

Had a 7 hour drive back to Ohio, arrived at 3:30.

 

This was my first cruise and loved it. We had a balconey cabin on the 9th deck. It was nice waking up Wednesday morning and looking out and seeing Bermuda as we were arriving.

 

Some highlights include:

Pub Crawl- made some friends and hung out with them at night for the rest of the cruise.

Dinner with an officer and manager-had dinner with Matt the cruise consultant and also the Chief Staff Engineer. It was a good time to ask questions and learn about life on a cruise ship.

Enjoyed the entertainment- met Brenda the hypnotist on a snorkle trip on Wednesday a.m., she spent Wednesday afternoon with my wife and I in Hamilton. We saw her in Bliss one night with Richie the comedian and had a nice conversation with him.

 

I could not believe how friendly the whole crew was, seems like everyone had a hello or good morning for you.

 

I'm sorry we totally spaced out and missed the meet and greet, we were really looking forward to it.

 

Now its time to resume my normal diet and loose the 10 lbs I gained, and I was in the gym everyday riding 18 miles on the bike.

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dongordon

dongordon

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Come back! Don't leave us hanging. I need more; I'll be on the Gem to Bermuda in 3 weeks and can't read enough about it.

 

I just returned yesterday from this fantastic cruise to Bermuda. This was my second time on the Gem

The cruise and weather was spectacular.

The Gem's crew is great.

My wife and I celebrated our 40th Anniversary and the Gem treated us like VIPs, especially David - the Concierge and Jean - Michel.... the Hotel Director.

The Meet and Greet was the best because we met some of the nicest people there. Especially the group that went together to the Coco Reef Hotel on a day pass and "my enthusiatic and very competetive Quest team"....an event you must not miss on the last night of the cruise.

 

I would be glad to answer any questions regarding this cruise.

 

Don

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Vt Rider

Vt Rider

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Berta and I were also on this cruise and it was our first time cruising. All I can say is amazing. I'd have to say this was one of the best vacations I've ever been on. We were so impressed we put money down on another cruise before we left the ship.

I've read the negative reviews on these boards but I didn't experience any of the issues mentioned. The food was excellent; we didn't eat in any of the specialty restaurants’ so I can't comment on them. We found the service to be exceptional at every meal and all around the ship.

The entertainment was topnotch. I haven't laughed so much in quite a while. We did the Pub Crawl, had a blast, and met some great people.

We were always able to find lounge chairs. Empty glasses and dishes were picked up promptly.

We were in cabin 8092 which had an obstructed view. There were life boats outside the window but we were able to see over and around them. There was plenty of natural light and we were very happy with the layout. I took on soda and tonic. We just cleaned out the mini fridge putting everything in a drawer and replaced it the night before we left.

We found that embarking and disembarking the ship was handles smoothly and efficiently.

Bermuda was very nice. We had time to explore some of the island and check out a few beaches.

Again we had a great time, loved the ship and the whole cruise experience.

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roger001

roger001

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Berta and I were also on this cruise and it was our first time cruising. All I can say is amazing. I'd have to say this was one of the best vacations I've ever been on. We were so impressed we put money down on another cruise before we left the ship.

 

I've read the negative reviews on these boards but I didn't experience any of the issues mentioned. The food was excellent; we didn't eat in any of the specialty restaurants’ so I can't comment on them. We found the service to be exceptional at every meal and all around the ship.

 

The entertainment was topnotch. I haven't laughed so much in quite a while. We did the Pub Crawl, had a blast, and met some great people.

 

We were always able to find lounge chairs. Empty glasses and dishes were picked up promptly.

 

We were in cabin 8092 which had an obstructed view. There were life boats outside the window but we were able to see over and around them. There was plenty of natural light and we were very happy with the layout. I took on soda and tonic. We just cleaned out the mini fridge putting everything in a drawer and replaced it the night before we left.

 

We found that embarking and disembarking the ship was handles smoothly and efficiently.

 

Bermuda was very nice. We had time to explore some of the island and check out a few beaches.

 

Again we had a great time, loved the ship and the whole cruise experience.

 

I can honestly say, I could have written this review about every one we've been on. Everything perfect every time...of course not. But so much so was that you don't even really see the slight imperfections...or certainly don't let them bother you. And all the crews...I love them. They make me happy and I hope I make them happy sometime.

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dongordon

dongordon

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dongordon-please tell us more about the hotel day pass. until now this has not been available...thanks

 

Coco Reef offers a day pass for $49 per person. It is right next to the Elbow Beach Hotel.

It includes the use of their pool and beach (with lounges and umbrellas)

-one towel per person

-lunch that includes an entree and either a soup or salad or dessert and a glass of wine.

 

Other drinks are extra.

 

Take a taxi, since the hotel is far away from the bus stop.

The taxi from the dockyards where our ship was parked, cost us $40 each way including the tip. We shared the taxi with others in our group.

 

Check out their website at http://www.cocoreefbermuda.com

 

Don

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marlinmike2

marlinmike2

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We also just got back from this trip, very similar response as those above, great time, would add, take the ferry to Hamilton, as the bus can be crowded and long.

 

Plan your time at St George carefully as the ferry schedule is somewhat limited.

 

We ate our at most restaurants, loved them all, Cagney's was a big disappointment, very loud and poor service, coupled with marginal food.

 

Entertainment, excellent!

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Vt Rider

Vt Rider

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There was to much Disco IMHO. One night of disco goes a long way with me. I can't say as I'm much of a dancer but it seems every time we went to a dance event it was disco. I could live a long happy life without ever having to hear YMCA or the Macarena again.

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JYeagersGrl

JYeagersGrl

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There was to much Disco IMHO. One night of disco goes a long way with me. I can't say as I'm much of a dancer but it seems every time we went to a dance event it was disco. I could live a long happy life without ever having to hear YMCA or the Macarena again.

 

Are you sure you were on the Gem lol. I can't say I heard any disco or macarena I must have been lucky. There were a lot of pitbull songs especially during the white hot party which I can't complain cause I adore pitbull.

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dongordon

dongordon

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There was to much Disco IMHO. One night of disco goes a long way with me. I can't say as I'm much of a dancer but it seems every time we went to a dance event it was disco. I could live a long happy life without ever having to hear YMCA or the Macarena again.

 

Most of the dancing (Disco) took place in the later evenings (after 10:30 PM) in the Spinnaker and Bliss, but earlier in the evening, there were two shows (the same) at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM) for those who enjoy the singers & dancers, comedians, hypnotists, the Man from Mars (great show!), etc. In the Spinnaker there was the Newlywed game, Audience Comedians, Perfect Couple, Liars Club, Quest, etc. Throughout the rest of the ship there was kareoke, piano/singer, guitar/singer, etc. What I am trying to say is, that there was nightime activities for all different types of tastes for entertainment, not to mention the casino! :)

As far as "Disco," (as you describe it), they had different themes each night...60's, 70's, Beatles Tribute, White Hot Night, etc.

The one night that they did the line dancing (" 5 cents, 10 Cents, Dollar," and "Hot, Hot, Hot" and Electric Slide, and "YMCA," etc. was at the Deck Party. I believe they did the YMCA also in the Spinnaker on 70's night.

 

All I can say is that everyone I spoke to on this cruise had a blast and I heard very little complaints about anything.

 

IMHO, it was one of my favorite cruises!

 

Don

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

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Glad you all had such a great trip; thanks for all the comments and reviews. We'll be aboard in a month. My partner has the Bermuda weather bookmarked on her iPod, and we were looking at all the "sunny day" icons last week and thinking what good fortune the folks aboard the Gem were having, particularly after all the itinerary changes on prior sailings. Very happy for you!

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dongordon

dongordon

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Do you remember what shows were on what day etc....

Sounds like you had a blast.

 

I only went to two shows....Man from Mars which was really great and the last show which featured the two stars form this show in an encore perofmance and Sinan (cruise director) and his staff which was on the last night (very funny). I do not remember the days of the shows, but I believe the "Man from Mars: was on Thursday. The first day of the cruise you will receive in the Freestyle Daily the highlights for the cruise for each day of the week.

 

The other shows were a comedian, hypnotist, Second City comedy group, Singers and Dancers musical show (I believe the 2nd night).

 

There was so much to do and the cruise and people we met through our CC Roll Call really added to our total enjoyment.

As I commented earlier on this thread, the Coral Reef Day was our best day in Bermuda.

 

Don

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