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Back from 5/19 Gem - GSC Cabana!!

beau4

By beau4,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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beau4

beau4

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Just back from the Gem. When I checked in I noticed the list of shore excursions for GSC included the cabanas. My first thought was they had just printed new forms because it was my understanding that the cababas would not be available until after my sailing but I decided to check it out. Went down to the shore excursion desk and lo and behold they WERE available! I signed right up and got #2. The short version - worth every cent - loved it! I would do it again in a heart beat.

Here's the specifics for anyone interested:

Cost - $249

Credit for food/drinks - $50

Includes up to 6 people

6 VIP tender tickets

6 hippo slide

6 bottles of water

1 fruit basket

1 large float (too windy the day I was there - was told I could get single floating mats)

6 beach towels

dedicated cabana food and beverage attendant service

there was also a plate of chips and 3 different kinds of salsa (not listed on the ammenties form)

I ordered sliced fruit and dipping sauce, shrimp and a bottle of Moet (went over the $50 credit with the champagne)

 

Check in was at the dive in hut; after getting a wrist band was escorted to the cabana.There were 4 large lounge chairs, a side table and a dining table with 4 chairs, silverware, plates, the chips, fruit basket, water and champagne flutes. The extras I ordered came later - among the many times an attendant came by ("May I pour your champagne now Ma'am?" "Would you like your shrimp now?" "Can I bring you anything from the buffet?")

 

The cabana itself was large - I paced it off as best I could - 18 feet wide by 23 feet long, including the deck. There was a ceiling fan as well as a shower attached to the back wall. One cut oout window on each side wall and two on the back wall.

 

While the weather was not good the day I was there, I had a teriffic day reading, swimming, eating and drinking the Moet. I kept telling myself "It doesn't get any better than this."

 

I know I was anxious for any information about these new cabanas - hopes this helps anyone thinking about booking - I say go for it!

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HMK8273

HMK8273

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Thanks for the information. We reserved (and paid for - wish NCL would go back to the old reservation system) a cabana for our Jewel cruise in December because it seemed like such a great way to enjoy the island. We won't be back to GSC for some time after that cruise based on other travel plans so did the splurge. Seemed like a no brainer for 6 people when you consider how much it costs to reserve 3 clam shells - not that much more for the cabana. Glad to know it worked out as advertised.

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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Just back from the Gem. When I checked in I noticed the list of shore excursions for GSC included the cabanas. My first thought was they had just printed new forms because it was my understanding that the cababas would not be available until after my sailing but I decided to check it out. Went down to the shore excursion desk and lo and behold they WERE available! I signed right up and got #2. The short version - worth every cent - loved it! I would do it again in a heart beat.

Here's the specifics for anyone interested:

Cost - $249

Credit for food/drinks - $50

Includes up to 6 people

6 VIP tender tickets

6 hippo slide

6 bottles of water

1 fruit basket

1 large float (too windy the day I was there - was told I could get single floating mats)

6 beach towels

dedicated cabana food and beverage attendant service

there was also a plate of chips and 3 different kinds of salsa (not listed on the ammenties form)

I ordered sliced fruit and dipping sauce, shrimp and a bottle of Moet (went over the $50 credit with the champagne)

\

 

Thank you for the information! I've already booked a cabana for our October cruise and have been waiting for the 1st set of reviews. It will be only my GF and I in the cabana, but I'm wondering if we would still get the 6 of everything?

 

Glad to hear about the shower on the back wall! My GF was complaining about sand getting everywhere if we were in a cabana...This will make her happy. Can you remember what other choices the food menu had?

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beau4

beau4

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Thank you for the information! I've already booked a cabana for our October cruise and have been waiting for the 1st set of reviews. It will be only my GF and I in the cabana, but I'm wondering if we would still get the 6 of everything?

 

Glad to hear about the shower on the back wall! My GF was complaining about sand getting everywhere if we were in a cabana...This will make her happy. Can you remember what other choices the food menu had?

 

You will get 6 of everything. Don't bother bringing towels from your cabin.

 

I'm sorry but I don't recall the other food choices although i believe one of the couples a few cabanas down got lobster salad and the one next to me got sushi. There was also sparkling wine and beer - and they'll get anything you want from the buffet or the bar.

 

You will love it. Even though I had terrible weather, I enjoyed myself immensely and would book a cabana again anytime my cruise goes to GSC.

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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You will get 6 of everything. Don't bother bringing towels from your cabin.

 

I'm sorry but I don't recall the other food choices although i believe one of the couples a few cabanas down got lobster salad and the one next to me got sushi. There was also sparkling wine and beer - and they'll get anything you want from the buffet or the bar.

 

You will love it. Even though I had terrible weather, I enjoyed myself immensely and would book a cabana again anytime my cruise goes to GSC.

 

Sorry the weather wasn't good for you...Thank you again for the new information!

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bryanjaync

bryanjaync

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How far are the cabanas for the tender docking area ?

 

We are travelling with my 83 yo parents. Dont want to have them walk an excess amount especially in the heat and sand.

 

BTW, have already booked a cabana for our Nov. 2012 Pearl cruise

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david_sobe

david_sobe

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WOW

Thanks for the info. I cant believe how much is included in the price. $50 worth of drinks, a big floating raft (costs $25), the fruit, hippo slide, etc. Seems well worth it to me.

 

How many cabanas are there? I bet they sell out fast

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CTCruiser001 "Live from...." Rare

CTCruiser001

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How many cabanas are there? I bet they sell out fast

 

I believe it was determined from another thread that there were 10 cabanas total. I anticipate as more and more information becomes known about these, they will become hard to book.

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beau4

beau4

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WOW

Thanks for the info. I cant believe how much is included in the price. $50 worth of drinks, a big floating raft (costs $25), the fruit, hippo slide, etc. Seems well worth it to me.

 

How many cabanas are there? I bet they sell out fast

 

There are 10 - only 7 were rented last week probably because everyone didn't know about them.

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beau4

beau4

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How far are the cabanas for the tender docking area ?

 

We are travelling with my 83 yo parents. Dont want to have them walk an excess amount especially in the heat and sand.

 

BTW, have already booked a cabana for our Nov. 2012 Pearl cruise

 

It's about a 5-10 minute walk from the dive in hut (a few minutes from the tender area) - some paved and some sand. I would check at the shore excursion desk and see about getting transportation - they have wheelchairs as well as golf carts. If you make the arrangements in advance I would bet they will transport your parents over to the cabana area.

 

The cabanas are up on a hill, accessed by a stone staircase (8, I think) and a fair distance from the water. If your folks plan on swimming I would check on having a wheelchair available as these are not in a very handicapped friendly area for going back and forth to the beach.

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lolapalooza

lolapalooza

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We will be stopping at GSC in March 2013. We will be traveling with a group of 20 people (parents and teens). We have booked 2 cabanas for the parents. My question is, will the teens be able to come and check in with us during the day? They will NOT want to hang out with us as they want to be closer to the "action", but if they need something will they be able to come to the cabana area to ask a question, etc??? :cool:

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beau4

beau4

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We will be stopping at GSC in March 2013. We will be traveling with a group of 20 people (parents and teens). We have booked 2 cabanas for the parents. My question is, will the teens be able to come and check in with us during the day? They will NOT want to hang out with us as they want to be closer to the "action", but if they need something will they be able to come to the cabana area to ask a question, etc??? :cool:

 

I don't see a problem with someone 'stopping by" for a short time. There was occasionally someone at the bottom of the hill who did stop people from coming up to look around but they were obviously not part of anyone's group.

 

If a huge problem you could always walk down the steps to talk to them.

 

You'll love the cabana - it was the highlight of my cruise.

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ilovewdw

ilovewdw

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Thanks for the review. I just booked one for our July Gem cruise. The price seems really reasonable considering what you get. I just went on the Disney Cruise and they charge $500...and there was no food/drink credit either. We booked it anyway, and absolutely loved our day there. I am hoping the Cabanas on GSC are just as nice.

 

Again, thanks for the review! :)

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