Some questions about the Gem out of NYC.

[rajones007]

We're seriously considering taking the 9-day cruise on the Gem out of NYC this coming November or December. I'm hoping some of you helpful folks can shed some light on a few questions I have.

 

1. Regarding the suites that face the front of the ship. Looking at pics, there is a big heavy door that leads to the balcony that appears to be locked while underway. So I'm assuming the balcony is entirely unusable while at sea, correct?. The balcony is my sanctuary. Sometimes I just want to get away from everybody and find peace right in my own backyard, so to speak. (Aft suites are not being considered. We've done that and don't quite understand what all the fuss is about.)

 

2. We accept that a suite might not be in the cards for us this time around, so we're thinking about one of the deck 11 mini-suites, mid-ship, starboard side, somewhere between the mid-ship and aft elevators. It looks like it'll be right below the Garden Cafe. Are there any noise issues to be concerned with at that location?

 

3. What are the passenger demographics of a cruise like this at this time of year? Are the vast majority of passengers going to be New Yorkers? Or will there be a nice mix of people from all over the continent/world? What about the number of children/teens?

 

4. We'll be flying into NYC a day early. For our return flight, Air Canada has flights out of LaGuardia practically every hour (11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, and so on) direct to Toronto. The ship arrives in port at 10AM on a weekday, what would be YOUR preferred return flight time? I realize there's customs to deal with, traffic to LGA, busy airport, etc. Keep in mind we want to get home quickly, but we try to never rush ourselves. We'll be taking a taxi to LGA and we don't want to be running through the airport trying to catch a plane, but also we don't want to spend hours sitting at the airport waiting for our flight. So which flight time would you choose?

 

(We definitely will be avoiding the days around the American Thanksgiving weekend, leaving and returning, if that makes a difference.)

 

SIDE THOUGHT: NCL says the ship arrives at 10AM, but leaves again at 4PM. That's a pretty quick turnaround, don't you think? To get a jump on preparing the ship, does the crew start forcing passengers out of their cabins prior to 10AM? I would think they'd pretty much have to if they want to have the cabins available at a reasonable time for those who are embarking. I don't know. Just a thought, that's all.

 

Thanks for any insight!

[computerworks]

...We accept that a suite might not be in the cards for us this time around, so we're thinking about one of the deck 11 mini-suites, mid-ship, starboard side, somewhere between the mid-ship and aft elevators. It looks like it'll be right below the Garden Cafe. Are there any noise issues to be concerned with at that location?

 

That is our favorite cabin and location and have stayed there at least a half-dozen times...

 

No noise, either from above or in the hall... a great location.

[HMK8273]

We're seriously considering taking the 9-day cruise on the Gem out of NYC this coming November or December. I'm hoping some of you helpful folks can shed some light on a few questions I have.

 

1. Regarding the suites that face the front of the ship. Looking at pics, there is a big heavy door that leads to the balcony that appears to be locked while underway. So I'm assuming the balcony is entirely unusable while at sea, correct?. The balcony is my sanctuary. Sometimes I just want to get away from everybody and find peace right in my own backyard, so to speak. (Aft suites are not being considered. We've done that and don't quite understand what all the fuss is about.) . We did the forward facing penthouse on the Jade for Eastern Med. and loved it even at sea. Yes it does get windy sometimes too much to be out there but not 100% of the time. As a smoker at the time, that was our outlet while in the room because we didn't smoke in the cabin.

 

2. We accept that a suite might not be in the cards for us this time around, so we're thinking about one of the deck 11 mini-suites, mid-ship, starboard side, somewhere between the mid-ship and aft elevators. It looks like it'll be right below the Garden Cafe. Are there any noise issues to be concerned with at that location? Also did mini suite on the jewel for our first cruise and the chair dragging on the deck above drove us nuts in the a.m. Avoid booking under the Garden Cafe if you take a mini on deck 11'

 

3. What are the passenger demographics of a cruise like this at this time of year? Are the vast majority of passengers going to be New Yorkers? Or will there be a nice mix of people from all over the continent/world? What about the number of children/teens? Sailing on the jewel in December right before Christmas brings out a lot of kids and babies with strollers. Right after thanksgiving and first week of December are the least travelled times out of NYC based on crew comments on the Jewel for 7 day Bahamas and Florida cruise. But it is usually a wide spread of demographics fr cruising this time of year.

 

4. We'll be flying into NYC a day early. For our return flight, Air Canada has flights out of LaGuardia practically every hour (11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, and so on) direct to Toronto. The ship arrives in port at 10AM on a weekday, what would be YOUR preferred return flight time? I realize there's customs to deal with, traffic to LGA, busy airport, etc. Keep in mind we want to get home quickly, but we try to never rush ourselves. We'll be taking a taxi to LGA and we don't want to be running through the airport trying to catch a plane, but also we don't want to spend hours sitting at the airport waiting for our flight. So which flight time would you choose? Ship usually docks at least 2 hours prior to disembarkation depending on weather, etc. so you could be off the boat at 10 am if you self-disembark and take your own luggage off. In a suite, you get escorted off the boat and your luggage is separated from the rest of the boat. Getting to transportation could take an hour from time of meeting the concierge to the curb all told - just depends. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport before your flight. No sense in stressing on running to the airport after a cruise.

 

(We definitely will be avoiding the days around the American Thanksgiving weekend, leaving and returning, if that makes a difference.)

 

SIDE THOUGHT: NCL says the ship arrives at 10AM, but leaves again at 4PM. That's a pretty quick turnaround, don't you think? To get a jump on preparing the ship, does the crew start forcing passengers out of their cabins prior to 10AM? I would think they'd pretty much have to if they want to have the cabins available at a reasonable time for those who are embarking. I don't know. Just a thought, that's all.

 

Thanks for any insight!

 

See above. Hope it helps even if it wasn't on the Gem.

[donnabonna]

There is a big steele door but it is never locked so you can usethe balcony any time you want. Even while sailing. Sometimes it eas very windy, but take a few steps back and it eas fine. These balconys are HUGE! The only downside is that you cannot use lights at night. It was such a small price to pay for one of the biggest balconies on the ship.

[njhorseman]

We're seriously considering taking the 9-day cruise on the Gem out of NYC this coming November or December. I'm hoping some of you helpful folks can shed some light on a few questions I have.

 

1. Regarding the suites that face the front of the ship. Looking at pics, there is a big heavy door that leads to the balcony that appears to be locked while underway. So I'm assuming the balcony is entirely unusable while at sea, correct?. The balcony is my sanctuary. Sometimes I just want to get away from everybody and find peace right in my own backyard, so to speak. (Aft suites are not being considered. We've done that and don't quite understand what all the fuss is about.) You will be able to use the balcony while at sea. The door won't be locked under normal circumstances.

 

2. We accept that a suite might not be in the cards for us this time around, so we're thinking about one of the deck 11 mini-suites, mid-ship, starboard side, somewhere between the mid-ship and aft elevators. It looks like it'll be right below the Garden Cafe. Are there any noise issues to be concerned with at that location? We've had cabins in that location and never experienced a noise problem. You're more likely to have a noise problem if you're underneath the swimming pool area or the gym.

 

3. What are the passenger demographics of a cruise like this at this time of year? Are the vast majority of passengers going to be New Yorkers? Or will there be a nice mix of people from all over the continent/world? What about the number of children/teens? The vast majority of passengers are likely to be from the eastern US, extending from Virginia in the south to Maine in the north, and extending west into Ohio.There will be very heavy representation from NY, NJ, CT and PA for obvious geographic reasons. If schools are in session there won't be huge numbers of children. Generally that time of the year is one of the slowest in the cruise industry...people are busy at home and focused on holidays...Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years.

 

4. We'll be flying into NYC a day early. For our return flight, Air Canada has flights out of LaGuardia practically every hour (11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, and so on) direct to Toronto. The ship arrives in port at 10AM on a weekday, what would be YOUR preferred return flight time? I realize there's customs to deal with, traffic to LGA, busy airport, etc. Keep in mind we want to get home quickly, but we try to never rush ourselves. We'll be taking a taxi to LGA and we don't want to be running through the airport trying to catch a plane, but also we don't want to spend hours sitting at the airport waiting for our flight. So which flight time would you choose? With a 10am arrival, I wouldn't schedule a flight earlier than 2:15.

 

(We definitely will be avoiding the days around the American Thanksgiving weekend, leaving and returning, if that makes a difference.)

 

SIDE THOUGHT: NCL says the ship arrives at 10AM, but leaves again at 4PM. That's a pretty quick turnaround, don't you think? To get a jump on preparing the ship, does the crew start forcing passengers out of their cabins prior to 10AM? I would think they'd pretty much have to if they want to have the cabins available at a reasonable time for those who are embarking. I don't know. Just a thought, that's all. There's a good chance the ship will arrive before 10, and don't be surprised if you're asked to be out of your cabins before then.

Thanks for any insight!

 

My comments are inserted above, in red.

[www3traveler]

I would guess that Gem will arrive in NYC from the cruise somewhere around 7 A.M. to 8 A.M.- the published time gives them some wiggle room in case of storms, etc. They would like guests to clear their rooms by 9. There are lots of places to wait until the ship docks and is cleared for disembarkation. Just to be on the safe side, I would not book a flight before the 2:15 one. I would try to avoid the 11th of November (Veteran's Day) and the week of November 18th to the 25th (American Thanksgiving). I did a similar cruise a couple of years ago, there was a wide range of people on board. It was a wonderful trip. I am not sure that I would book any thing close to the very forward of the ship. If you get into a storm system which is possible, that is where you will feel the most. I also would not book anything directly under the Bridge which all the way forward on Deck 11. Those on the Bridge can see onto the balcony's below.

I hope this helps a little.

[rajones007]

Thanks for the tips! I sincerely appreciate it.

 

The flights to NYC are more reasonably priced compared to flying to FLL/MIA from Toronto and offer greater flexibility due to the sheer number of flights back and forth from LGA and Toronto every day. I don't know why I didn't think of this before.

 

We're still teetering on which cruiseline to go on. We just did NCL last November, and we both had our hearts set on trying Carnival for the first time. But the only itinerary Carnival has out of NYC is the Miracle to Pt. Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport and back to NYC. Seriously, WTH kind of itinerary is that? The Gem's ports of San Juan, St. Martin, St. Thomas, and Samana just blow the Carnival itinerary right out of the water.

 

I really love sea days, and the 4 sea days on the Gem cruise appeals to me greatly. Warm or cold. Smooth or rough. I'm all about the ship experience.

 

Welp, I'm blabbering now because I'm getting excited.

 

Does anybody care to add anything else about the suites at the front of the ship? If I can get out there on the balcony while we're moving, then I'm willing to try it out. I just like to look at the water. I could stare at it for hours.

[rajones007]

I hate bumping my own thread when it's pretty much dead. But I'm not starting another one.

 

--I just wanted to add that my GF is confirming the dates and such with her boss today. I don't foresee a problem as she's due 2 weeks vacation and it will have been over a year since her last vacation.

 

--We decided to take the kids (16 yo girl and 14 yo boy). I guess we'll grab up one of the two-bedroom family suites again. Either a normal one, or one in the Haven. I'm not sure which right now.

 

--Air Canada has just started some sort of limited time seat sale for flights to LaGuardia (and some other US destinations, sans Florida). The prices are too good to pass up.

 

The only thing stopping me so far is whether my GF can get the time off. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my GFs boss isn't going to be a bitch.

[johnmpcny]

If your going to go on our Holiday breaks the rates will be up and they often sell out, so book soon. Try all the groups linked on the deals page here. NYC can also be really expensive and few open hotels that time year.

 

That said some of the best rates you will ever find will be just after thanksgiving and the weeks before the DEC 22 and 31 sailing. They do not sell out and NCL will keep dropping the prices. Air is what you want to book now then look for last min deals.

[rosebud513]

My husband, 15 yr old dd and myself are booked on the 11/25 sailing...hope to see you there :)

[waverley7]

Hi

 

Not sure where your from in Ontario but a couple years ago we did a cruise out of NYC and we got flights from Syracuse for 150.00 return on Delta.

 

Loved cruising out of NYC!!!!

 

Have a great time!

 

The Gem is a nice ship!! (they all are though aren't they! lol) :p

 

Cheers!

[rajones007]

My husband, 15 yr old dd and myself are booked on the 11/25 sailing...hope to see you there :)

We originally were gunning for the 4 Dec 2012 sailing, but it looks now that we're going for the 25 Nov 2012 cruise. The 2 bedroom family suite in the Haven is actually cheaper on the Nov 25 sailing than the non-Haven 2 bdrm is on the Dec 4 sailing. Go figure.

 

But we're still not sure about anything. I'll hopefully know more by this time tomorrow.

 

Hi

 

Not sure where your from in Ontario but a couple years ago we did a cruise out of NYC and we got flights from Syracuse for 150.00 return on Delta.

We're from Trenton. If I'm going to drive to Syracuse I might just as well drive the entire way to NYC! :D

 

Seriously. I used to do that (drive to Syracuse) but now I just can't be bothered. I can be at T1 YYZ in an hour and thirty minutes, and that's enough driving for me. Ahhh, I must be getting old. I'm starting to sound like my Dad. ;)

[barb-ottawa]

We've done 4 NCL cruises out of New York at various times of the year and have found them all to have lots of kids....lots of kids, all ages, all noisy (sorry). As for your flight home, we have always flown from Newark (to Ottawa) at 1 pm and never had a problem making the flight. Time for breakfast and disembarkation at about 9. We have always taken our luggage off the boat ourselves - that saves some time and confusion in the pickup area. Enjoy!

[mikeriv79]

If you have the flexibility to pick your cruise date, you should check the roll call boards for the dates. I already heard a poster complain about the Dec 4. cruise because of some type of reunion on the ship. I didn't know what he was talking about, but the poster wanted no part of that cruise so he changed his date to Dec 13.

[rajones007]

Well, I hate to say this: We all talked about it last night and we decided to not do this cruise.

 

It's for a variety of reasons. The highlights are, if anybody cares;

 

1. Nobody but me is too high on the idea of sailing out of NYC in Nov/Dec. My family looks at it as 1.5 days southbound and 1.5 days northbound are wasted in chilly weather.

 

2. If we're going to NYC, we'd like to stay for a few days and look around. Which is something we just won't have time for...this time around. I personally agree with this line of thought. I'm definitely NOT a big city person, so if I'm going to the trouble of getting to NYC, then I want to at least see NYC.

 

3. Our kids want to try a cruise line other than NCL. They had a blast on the Star last November and have had nothing but great things to say about it. But they want to try something different. And I can sort of understand this line of reasoning.

 

There's more, but I won't get into that....

 

We all slept on it and had a quick discussion before the kids left for school this morning. It looks like we're going to try Carnival out of Miami. I feel awful for even starting this thread, and even worse for my NCL rep who is going to call me today and is expecting a sale of some sort. *sigh*

 

Thanks for all the help and stuff. I sincerely appreciate it. Hopefully the info in this thread will assist another CC member in the future.

[Hopes4]

You shouldn't feel awful. You did your research, conferred with your family and made a decision that works best for all of you.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

PS Thanks for coming back and posting, I like knowing what people wind up doing in the end. lol