computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #101 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Last Two Sea Days When you get to the final countdown, you better get in any relaxation you might have missed before you get home. We spent one full day for decompression, with a lot of Spa time. The seas were rather calm and it was a very smooth sail We revisited LeBistro for our dinner at sea...mmm, steak for two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #102 Share Posted February 29, 2012 ...and from there, it was off to the show for the Crew Finale, always a fun show...not to miss. Representatives from all areas of the ship join in the finale. Captain Roger was signing off this trip for a welcomed vacation. Ingar Kjellin, the Staff Captain, trying to raise the applause meter for himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #103 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Post show, it was up to the Spinnaker for the White Hot Party Here's a video clip to sample the action: Great night... sadly, not too many more Freestyles to get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #104 Share Posted February 29, 2012 On our last sea day, we had a very special lunch. We had always fondly remembered a lovely young lady who was our room steward on the Gem, for several trips. We had the same room on Deck 11 and it was in her area each time. One trip, there was a catastrophe during a rough night and everything in our cabin came crashing down to the floor...broken glass everywhere. We called Aimee and she rushed to our cabin with a vacuum and dustpan to clean the debris from the floor; she still had wet hair, being in the shower when we called her. This was just one anecdote that made her special in our book. Well, my wife says, "Do you think she is still on the Gem?" I said, what the heck, let's find out... so, we wandered the halls on Deck 10 and 11 during turndown time, after dinner, asking each steward at their trolley if they knew Aimee. Paydirt hit...up front on 11 Port, they said she is right down the hall! You can imagine how loud two women... screaming ...sounds, when my wife and Aimee saw each other. Big hugs and kisses and a long talk in the hall ensued. Fast forward to our last sea day, I called Tess, the head of Housekeeping and asked if Aimee could have some time off for lunch with us. Happily, she agreed, so we planned a nice lunch together in our cabin. What a delight...we talked about her life at home and all that had gone on since we last sailed together. It was very special. Finally, we reluctantly had a last dinner aboard the Gem ...went to the last show in the Stardust For that one, don't leave early, or you will miss "Fountains" ...an NCL classic. Not to be a spoiler if you've never seen it, but here it is on video: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frick_&_Frack Posted February 29, 2012 #105 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Your own little "Stairmaster"....wasn't that bad, it got easier. LOL - thanks, but DH is on oxygen, so it's definitely out of the question for us! :D (Then again, with that balcony, I doubt I'd ever want to leave the room anyway - so it could just be once "up" to embark and once "down" on the last morning! :eek: :D) Glad you enjoyed! (I've been making sure DH sees the pictures and he also passes along his appreciation for you sharing them!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #106 Share Posted February 29, 2012 OK, let's wrap up this trip report At last, we get home....darn it. The sad, last picture to post.....waiting for our ride home NCL: fair warning...we'll be back. Some credits. Florentina, our Concierge...helpful when we needed a hand. Kadek (Special K), our butler...who did it all professionally and seemingly effortlessly. Notice his 5-star STYLE award...like an oak-leaf cluster. ...and special thanks to all the Staff and Crew of the Gem for hosting one heck of a good trip In summary, it was a magical 10 days, loaded with fun both on and off the ship. Certainly enough to get us through the rest of the Winter... ...now to start planning the activities for our next cruise...next Winter. May all of you have as much fun as we did on your next voyage....it's up to you to make it magic...with a little help from NCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #107 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Postscript... Before we left the ship, we wanted to checkout the Courtyard Penthouse cabins. These are one and two bedroom cabins located around the Haven area. We have booked one of these for our 2013 cruise and wanted to get a preview of the size and layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #108 Share Posted February 29, 2012 This is the second bedroom; we will not have this, getting a one-bedroom. The difference doesn't change the main layout; the extra room is right at the front door...the singles just lop off this room and have the rest the same size. Starting the countdown till then. :-) Happy sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frick_&_Frack Posted February 29, 2012 #109 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Thanks for the pictures of the Courtyard Penthouse. We will also have one of the the "single" bedroom ones on our upcoming two Gem cruises. Real pictures make it so much easier to envision. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Tequila? Posted February 29, 2012 #110 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Our First Sea Day We had our Cruise Critic Meet and Greet in the Bliss Lounge that morning. If you don't check the boards for a roll call on your next cruise, you could miss this great opportunity to say hello to fellow CC members and have a chance to meet the crew and make yourself known. A big thanks to Margaret ( Got Tequila? ) for setting up ours. Your welcome Ron, and thank you for making the special name tags for the meet and greet. It's always fun putting faces to the screen names on the roll call. We had a great group with so many people volunteering to organize different activities through out the cruise.:) Hopefully we'll meet up on a ship again in the future, would love to have more time to chat with your lovely wife. :) PS....I love all your pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaye from Chicagoland Posted February 29, 2012 #111 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Your review is just totally awesome and your pictures are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. We just got off the Dawn a few weeks ago and now I want to sail the Gem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaye from Chicagoland Posted February 29, 2012 #112 Share Posted February 29, 2012 BUMPING - for anyone else who wants to see some beautiful pictures and read a terrific review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfcf2trips Posted February 29, 2012 #113 Share Posted February 29, 2012 On our last sea day, we had a very special lunch. ....We called Aimee and she rushed to our cabin with a vacuum and dustpan to clean the debris from the floor; she still had wet hair, being in the shower when we called her. What a delight...we talked about her life at home and all that had gone on since we last sailed together. +++++++++ Which is Aimee's home country? I'm curious if she is from the Philippines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted February 29, 2012 Author #114 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Which is Aimee's home country? I'm curious if she is from the Philippines Yes, you're correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman611 Posted February 29, 2012 #115 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Thanks for the review & pictures!! Brings back great memories from our '08 trip on the gem, and excitement for our Christmas trip this year!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doberlady Posted February 29, 2012 #116 Share Posted February 29, 2012 super great report. love your pictures!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nalagh Posted February 29, 2012 #117 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Special K is my favorite Butler ever!! Glad to see a picture of him!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfkeith10 Posted March 1, 2012 #118 Share Posted March 1, 2012 What great pictures. We will be on the Gem for the first time in September. We are also in 15500 so it was wonderful to see what we can expect...thanks. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mew1 Posted March 5, 2012 #119 Share Posted March 5, 2012 thank you so much, made me even more excited about my upcoming trip thanks Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverthought Posted March 5, 2012 #120 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Computerworks, Another great job ....great pictures and remarks. I must say "Jack & Rose" you both look/seem as if you would be alot of fun. :D Maybe one day we'll meet on a cruise and be able to enjoy your company personally...FYI...we won't be in a Suite...lol. ;) Thanks again! Neverthought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tee3240 Posted March 6, 2012 #121 Share Posted March 6, 2012 OK, let's wrap up this trip report At last, we get home....darn it. The sad, last picture to post.....waiting for our ride home NCL: fair warning...we'll be back. Some credits. Florentina, our Concierge...helpful when we needed a hand. Kadek (Special K), our butler...who did it all professionally and seemingly effortlessly. Notice his 5-star STYLE award...like an oak-leaf cluster. ...and special thanks to all the Staff and Crew of the Gem for hosting one heck of a good trip In summary, it was a magical 10 days, loaded with fun both on and off the ship. Certainly enough to get us through the rest of the Winter... ...now to start planning the activities for our next cruise...next Winter. May all of you have as much fun as we did on your next voyage....it's up to you to make it magic...with a little help from NCL. Great to see pics of "K", he was our butler when we stayed in tha garden villa #14500 last year. He was great! Hope to see him in July... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oskar95 Posted March 10, 2012 #122 Share Posted March 10, 2012 WOW, what a great review!! Thanks! I love the great ending with Aimee :) Now, I'm so excited for my trip! I hope it will be as awsome as yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelo7 Posted March 11, 2012 #123 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Outstanding review and pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchella51 Posted March 20, 2012 #124 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Thanks for the photos they are great. We are looking forward to the Panama Cruise on the 21st April 2013. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judy&steve Posted March 21, 2012 #125 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Wow, the ship looks wonderful. Thank you for taking the time and effort to write and illustrate with your wonderful photos such a colorful ship!! We've just booked a haven penthouse suite for December on the Gem. We were told that breakfast in Cagneys is one of the perks. Is it a buffet only or is also a full menu? The last time we sailed NCL, was the Norway, when she was still looking good, back in 1990, for our 10th anniversary. Thanks again for making the Gem seem "real" before we set sail. Steve & Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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