My GEM Review- March 11th- March 18th 2012

[michelle028]

My GEM Review

Just got back from the GEM (March 18th). Overall the staff was excellent and the ship was very clean. I stayed in an Interior cabin and my parents stayed in a balcony. First time on NCL having cruised on RCI twice and Carnival once. We drove the NYC and parked at the port and paid $245 for parking (ouch!) but itworth the convenience instead of the stress of flying.

Room: So my sister and I were staying in the inside room.... It was small but it was what we expected having cruised on RCI and Carnival before. There is shampoo and body wash available inside the shower. I liked the shower b/c it had a sliding door and not a curtain like on RCI. What annoyed me on the first day was that there was only 1 towel in the room after we checked in. I called 3 times throughout the day to get more towels. After 6 hours I was so angry that I called Steve the Hotel Director at 8888 (Thx Cruise critic NCL Board for this tip) and I got the towels right away. The room steward got mad at me for complaining saying that he was bringing us towels in the night b/c it was turnaround day and there was not enough towels or something. I told him there are 2 people in the room and there is 1 towel what do you expect me to do??? I never encountered a room steward like that! After that he made sure to bring us extra towels.

FOOD: The food was great in the Garden cafe buffets (more than enough choices...enjoyed the curries and stirfrys) Pizza was always fresh and Chicken was always moist (roast chicken, tandoori chicken, chicken cordon blue etc) which was good considering they were sitting out. However, the pastas did not look appetizing.

The Blue Lagoon was awesome....we loved the chicken wings and artichoke dip that was available. The MDR was hit and miss. I enjoyed the everyday always available menu on the right side. The apps were great especially the Spring roll and the desserts were excellent. I always asked for more than 1 app and or dessert just to try it and the waiters were more than happy to bring it just not always on time (not kidding). We also ate the MDR for breakfast as well which we enjoyed. Garden Cafe breakfast was great too, again lots of choice.

Do not miss the Chocolate Decadence in the MDR...that was my favourite dessert!

We ate in the MDR (Grand Pacific) every night except for 1 night when we had the “Polynesian buffet” which was really good at the Garden Cafe. However, the service was SLOW at the MDR. We went in at 8:30pm every night and didn’t leave til 10pm. Even though they said no reservations required for a party of 4, insist upon it because the 2 days at the beginning when we didn’t, we had to wait over 25 minutes for a table.

Poolside buffets: They had great poolside buffets almost everyday – fried rice, noodles, bbq chicken, fish skewers. It was really good. Usually they started around 11:30am.

On a side note, don’t miss the chocolate buffet. They had it on 2nd last night. It was excellent. The white hot party was on that night as well.

PORTS: The ports we stopped at were good...Port Canaveral, we rented a car and explored the area. Great Stirrup Cay was nice ...we had a BBQ lunch there. Here’s a tip there are many different lines and people were all standing in 1 big line, just go around them to get your food faster! Water was a bit cool to go into so we just relaxed on the beach. We rented a clamshell for $30, we managed to squeeze in 3 lounge chairs there!

Nassau was amazing. It was beautiful during the morning so we went to Atlantis by ourselves. We paid $8 round trip by taxi (set prices). We were able to walk around the resort and explore. It rained in the afternoon so we didn’t go to the beach as planned. If you are looking for the old straw market, its gone. There is a new one built. Inside is all the same souvenir stuff there is on all the other islands. On the side street they sell the knock-off purses, just ask the vendors inside the straw market where it is.

Back to the ship: The entertainment was not the greatest. The GEM singers and dancers were great (don’t miss the Colorz show and World Beat) but they had a comedian (who was ok) and a young woman who was juggling and making balloon animals which was really boring. They need to jazz up the entertainment a bit more. We used the casino throughout the ship...i bought the Slot play coupons (50 worth of play for $25) and it was EASY to get the money loaded onto the card.

At the Magnum’s bar, they always had bands/singers in the evenings. What was interesting on the last day they had a Q and A with the officers on the ship for 30 minutes in the Atrium, it was great b/c they were able to answer questions from the passengers, I wish the session was longer. That was one of the highlights for me. Also, the ship was really easy to navigate, we were able to get from one end to the other in 5 minutes.

So....thats all I can think of for now, if I think of anything else I will add it.I hope this helps anyone who is planning to go on the GEM in the future. Thx to the NCL board for answering my questions pre-cruise. Happy Cruising!

P.S Sorry I didn’t save my dailies but if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

[turning40withMickey]

Nice review, thanks!

 

Did you try out the rock wall?

[JBALZ212]

Thanks for the review. Did you see if they had a bar crawl or beer tastings?

[Rhea58]

I was on the 2/26 cruise in an inside cabin & our entertainment was very good. I guess it is the luck of the draw. I, too ate breakfast, lunch & some dinners in the Pacific dining room w/no problems. Loved the apps & Cobb Salad at lunch. Loved the cruise so much I plunked down a deposit w/immed. $100 on-board credit for a future one. Thanks for your report!

[gelo7]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[nandosgirl]

I was on this Cruise as well.

 

It was our first cruise.

 

We had a mini suite -- 11072 -- location of this mini suite was absolutely fantastic..........it was only 1 flight down from the Garden Cafe Buffet -- so we would bring our food to our room and eat on our Balcony.

 

We cannot say enough good things about our Cabin Steward, Neil -- he was amazing. WE always had enough towels andturn down service was twice a day without fail.

 

We celebrated my fiance's birthday -- I did the 'BIRTHDAY PACKAGE' --- we went to breakfast on his birthday and came back to the suite decorated very nicely -- with balloons, streamers, towel monkey (only thing is they did not let us keep the towel monkey -- they took it back :(

they perfectly timed our arrival back to our room and brought my fiance his birthday cake -- it was delicious -- so fresh and tasted so delicious.

 

We only went to one show on the last night - we liked the comedian but do agree the acrobat was so boring -- I also found it really a turn off that she complained before she peformed that she had "rope burns on her armpits" -- why?? lol -- anyway she also swalled a balloon which I found grossly disturbing...................the Cruise Director Staff did a hillariously funny performance called "FOUNTAINS" -- I never laughed so hard - it was enjoyable.

 

I don't have too many complaints about my experience -- I will say I was very disappointed in the food quality. We went to La Cucina -- that was our favorite specialty restaurant. We also went to Cagney's -- my fiance had the filet mignon -- HUGE disappointment -- I had prime rib and it was good but nothing impressive. After those 2 experiences we went to the MDR and Buffet to eat. I did not like the Buffet food at all. The desserts were delicious -- I do agree Chocolate Decadence was delicious.........and I loved the chocolate fountains -- ask them to dip the fruit skewers in the chocolate -- delish -- also the soft serve ice cream was delicious -- they will also put chocolate from the fountain on your ice cream for you ----

 

Ports -- We were new --- Port Canaveral was an EPIC fail for us. We decided not to go to any Disney Parks because of the lack of time for the price.............so we decided to go to Cove MarketPlace --- DO NOT TAKE THE CAB that greets you when you first get off the ship -- rip off -- they dropped us off at Cove Market Place-- which is a dump and then they were supposed to return us back to ship-- promising us to come back in 30 minutes -- we waited there an hour and then they were refusing to take us back to the ship..............

 

LOVED GSC --- weather was amazing -- it did rain --- but we did manage to get snorkeling in -- if you are going to snorkel -- my suggestion bring your own equipment -- they charge $30 to rent it -- which I find expensive...........but again was very enjoyable. For those that get sea sick --- you may want to take bonine before heading to GSC -- the boat that brings you to the Island can be pretty rocky -- it didn't bother me but on the way back because there was a mad dash to leave the island due to the rain --the boat was stuck waiting for the boat in front of us to unload so people were vomiting all around us because of the rocking...............

 

Naussau, Bahamas -- you have to go to Senor Frogs -- but go right away because it gets crowded -- great drinks and good times - they DJs there are really fun..................we walked around and saw the sites -- I was very sad I waited until last minute and didn't get the Sea Lion excursion I wanted because it sold out -- I did not realize that if you took a cab to Atlantis you could walk around on your own -- or I would have done that -that was one thing I regret not seeing Atlantis

 

We loved everything about Cruising............I was concerned that I would get sea sick -- I am an Emergency Room meds so I brought all different types of medications thinking I may get sick -- I took nothing.............no sea bands -- nothing............and we had storms and all -- LOVED It --

 

I loved it so much -- I have already booked the Star to Bermuda in August and the 9 Day Gem in December...................

 

My only complaint is that it there were too many Spring Breakers --- so lots of drunk 20 somethings who obviously cannot handle their liquor -- surrounding the pool at all times -- it was just annoying...............because of this Crowd my fiance and I didn't really go to any of the parties............I am hoping it is a different class of crowd on our next Cruise.........................

 

I also regret not trying the spa -- I did find it very overpriced - i wanted to get my hair washed and blown out straight and for that they wanted $60..........so I did it myself..............

 

again very few complaints -- I am now hooked to cruising as a form of vacation..................

 

Oh my one tip is bring baby wipes -- CRuise toilet paper is not kind!!!! just saying........

 

any other questions feel free to ask....................:)

[Lost Sailor]

Thank you for posting your reviews! I have a very long wait until our Gem cruise, but still like to read everything I can:p

[nandosgirl]

Thank you for posting your reviews! I have a very long wait until our Gem cruise, but still like to read everything I can:p

 

 

Your very welcome.............I too look forward to reviews......

 

speaking of which I see you are going on the Star in July. I am going on the Star in August to Bermuda on my honeymoon/birthday Cruise - please make sure you come back and review the ship.

 

The GEM is an absolutely GORGEOUS ship so I am soo nervous that all the other ships are going to be pale in comparison. My NCL book agent assured me that the STAR REfurbishment was very expensive and would give me the same "GEM FEEL"..............I truly hope so..........I am very excited.

 

I see you booked way way in advance -- any particular reason? Was there a benefit to that/? I booked for December 2012 and thought that was a far in advance -- but 2014 -- you have my beat.............:)

[Sauer-kraut]

Oh my one tip is bring baby wipes -- CRuise toilet paper is not kind!!!! just saying........

 

any other questions feel free to ask....................:)

 

Just don't flush the moist toilet paper, it will clog up the entire septic system on the ship. (It won't be pleasant .... )

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to do a review. Sounds like you had a good cruise.

[educationalcruiser]

I was also on the march 11-18th sailing and had a great time. My three children all enjoyed Kid's Club and the big circus show at the end. I really enjoyed our balcony stateroom and don't think I could ever cruise without access to the outdoors. Sailing out of NYC was amazing and one of the highlights of our trip. We sat on our balcony and got some great shots of the Statue of Liberty. I thought the food was good and there was lots of selection. I did bring snack food for the cabin and found that to be handy. The room service menu seemed quite limited so we only used it a couple of times. I would highly recommend the new restaurant on the Gem, Moderno. If you enjoy meat, there is no better place to get your fill. The service was great and the food was amazing. The cover is high - $25, but we felt the quality of the meat was reflected in the price. Be sure to try the grilled pineapple. We also enjoyed the Orchid Garden. The food there was fresh and well prepared but a little on the spicy side. My oldest son loved the rock climbing wall and enjoyed the sport court as well. My youngest daughter had a lot of fun with the Nick characters and we have great photos to remember all her favorite moments. For a family of five with different interests, tastes and activity levels, I feel as though this cruise met or exceeded our expectations. I am officially hooked and hope to be cruising again in the near future....

[aprylstar]

Hello! The week you cruised (March 11 - 18) happens to the the Canadian Elementary School March Break. I am booked on the Jewel March 10 2013 out of NYC. We are bringing our 10 year old son. I would love my parents to join us, but they are concerned the ship will be over run with kids! Our cruise this year was the end of January out of FL & there weren't nearly as many children as adults. Any positive feedback I can pass along to them? I do expect it to be busy as it is break season, but I am hoping someone can help me convince my parents that they should join us!

 

Thanks :)

 

April