Gem Garden Villa 1/18-1/27/13

[alice913]

We returned from our Gem cruise on Sunday. Our Suite was 14000 Garden Villa. It's hard to describe just how unbelievable this Villa is. We booked our cruise a year ago and I have been scouring both Cruise Critic and the internet for any info on the Gem Garden Villas.

We were very excited when we saw just how roomy and lavish the suite was but we were still amazed when we arrived there on 1/18.

We were traveling with my daughter, Son in Law and 3 Grandsons. We also had another 2 family members staying in the Haven. Total of nine people and there was not one minute that we felt cramped.....quite the opposite. Between the bar and the indoor dining table leading into the huge living space, and then the outside deck complete with outdoor dining table and hot tub.

I cannot say enough about our butler Randito, concierge Florantina and last but not least our room stewart Made. There was nothing that was too much trouble for the staff. Friendly and professional at the same time.

Our embarkation was faily smooth. There were 3 ships at the NYC port that day so the access was very crowded but as soon as we identified ourselves as Villa guests we were taken to prority check in. After documents were checked photos taken we were escorted to the prirority lounge were we spent no more than 10 minutes before boadring the Gem. We were taken directly to our suite to drop off carry ons and were then taken to Cagney's for a wonderful lunch.

We have all been NCL cruisers for many years so we were familiar with the different restaurants on boad and dined in all except Tappinaki troughout the cruise.

Our trip down to San Juan was very smooth unlike our trip back to New York. A medical emergeny on board delayed our travel time quite a bit so we had to run full speed back. The last 2 days were rocky; none of us were sick but rocky none the less.

If it had not been for our priority debarkation it would have been a nightmare. We were allowde to stay in our Villa until our butler came to get us and take us off the ship.

We were then escorted to a limo and a van (for the luggage). One word of advise. The limo and van were NCL perks for staying in the Graden Villa. We arrived home very quickley but our luggage arrived 2 hours after us. Since we hadn't booked the limo we did not have a contact number for the company. Big mistake on our part; but it ended well after 2 agonizing hours wondering where our luggage was.

One other tidbit I have to mention. I ordered the SpongeBob Squrepants packages for our grandsons. The first night at turndown, Made, our stewart, made up the boys beds complete with Spongebob blankets, pillow cases, nightlights and cups. What a reaction from our boys when saw that after dinner!

I will post more regarding restaurants and ports later.

If you are planning a cruise in the Garden Villas......BE EXCITED>>>BE VERY EXCITED!!!!!

[mommyto2girls]

We returned from our Gem cruise on Sunday. Our Suite was 14000 Garden Villa. It's hard to describe just how unbelievable this Villa is. We booked our cruise a year ago and I have been scouring both Cruise Critic and the internet for any info on the Gem Garden Villas.

We were very excited when we saw just how roomy and lavish the suite was but we were still amazed when we arrived there on 1/18.

We were traveling with my daughter, Son in Law and 3 Grandsons. We also had another 2 family members staying in the Haven. Total of nine people and there was not one minute that we felt cramped.....quite the opposite. Between the bar and the indoor dining table leading into the huge living space, and then the outside deck complete with outdoor dining table and hot tub.

I cannot say enough about our butler Randito, concierge Florantina and last but not least our room stewart Made. There was nothing that was too much trouble for the staff. Friendly and professional at the same time.

Our embarkation was faily smooth. There were 3 ships at the NYC port that day so the access was very crowded but as soon as we identified ourselves as Villa guests we were taken to prority check in. After documents were checked photos taken we were escorted to the prirority lounge were we spent no more than 10 minutes before boadring the Gem. We were taken directly to our suite to drop off carry ons and were then taken to Cagney's for a wonderful lunch.

We have all been NCL cruisers for many years so we were familiar with the different restaurants on boad and dined in all except Tappinaki troughout the cruise.

Our trip down to San Juan was very smooth unlike our trip back to New York. A medical emergeny on board delayed our travel time quite a bit so we had to run full speed back. The last 2 days were rocky; none of us were sick but rocky none the less.

If it had not been for our priority debarkation it would have been a nightmare. We were allowde to stay in our Villa until our butler came to get us and take us off the ship.

We were then escorted to a limo and a van (for the luggage). One word of advise. The limo and van were NCL perks for staying in the Graden Villa. We arrived home very quickley but our luggage arrived 2 hours after us. Since we hadn't booked the limo we did not have a contact number for the company. Big mistake on our part; but it ended well after 2 agonizing hours wondering where our luggage was.

One other tidbit I have to mention. I ordered the SpongeBob Squrepants packages for our grandsons. The first night at turndown, Made, our stewart, made up the boys beds complete with Spongebob blankets, pillow cases, nightlights and cups. What a reaction from our boys when saw that after dinner!

I will post more regarding restaurants and ports later.

If you are planning a cruise in the Garden Villas......BE EXCITED>>>BE VERY EXCITED!!!!!

 

You boarded the Gem as we got off on Jan 18, we were in the 2 bedroom Haven our favorite room. I have to just agree that Randy, I Made and Florentina are amazing. Some people have no idea when we say we only cruise in the Haven but certanly you understand having been in the GV. We are leaving again March 4, 2013, and cannot wait. Glad you enjoyed it!

[alice913]

You boarded the Gem as we got off on Jan 18, we were in the 2 bedroom Haven our favorite room. I have to just agree that Randy, I Made and Florentina are amazing. Some people have no idea when we say we only cruise in the Haven but certanly you understand having been in the GV. We are leaving again March 4, 2013, and cannot wait. Glad you enjoyed it!

 

How many family members do you cruise with in the 2 bedroom Haven room?

[mommyto2girls]

How many family members do you cruise with in the 2 bedroom Haven room?

 

Just the 2 of us..although last year my 28 year old daughter joined us, the price difference between the 1 (there are only 2 of them ) and the 2 bedroom is so minimal that we just book the 2 bedroom. It is a very comfortable space for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children but after the GV everything will seem small.

 

Andrea

[alice913]

Just the 2 of us..although last year my 28 year old daughter joined us, the price difference between the 1 (there are only 2 of them ) and the 2 bedroom is so minimal that we just book the 2 bedroom. It is a very comfortable space for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children but after the GV everything will seem small.

 

Andrea

 

Thanks Andrea. I am sure whatever suite we are in next, if it is not the GV will seem small!

[mommyto2girls]

Thanks Andrea. I am sure whatever suite we are in next, if it is not the GV will seem small!

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of spoiled to death by NCL Haven Suite life!

Edited January 31, 2013 by mommyto2girls

[laurabegorrah]

Can't wait to hear a bit more! Sailing in the same GV in November! I have a question for you, in the middle bedroom, the closet. I can't see where it is in the floor plan, but I could've sworn I saw it in one of the many video's I've been stalking online and drooling over. So 1, is there a closet, and 2, how big is it compared to the other (non master) closet?

[alice913]

Can't wait to hear a bit more! Sailing in the same GV in November! I have a question for you, in the middle bedroom, the closet. I can't see where it is in the floor plan, but I could've sworn I saw it in one of the many video's I've been stalking online and drooling over. So 1, is there a closet, and 2, how big is it compared to the other (non master) closet?

 

the closet in middle bedroom s the same size as non master bedroom. it is surrounded by drawers and shelves. plenty of room. it s directly accross from the bathroom/ vanity area.

any pther questions...ask away while its still fresh in my mind....although i dont think i will ever forget our GV.

[johnsak123]

WOW you are so lucky the concierge was cahnged. I had Ryan on the 12/31 Gem sailing and he was totally irrelevant. Never really saw him or heard from him. The only place you found him was the concierge lounge. OOPS once i bumped into him while i was leaving the Haven. Rumour has it he had a cold but tough SH*T. He has a job to do and didnt do it.

Lucky you

[Lizcourt]

Was so excited to see the title of your thread! We just booked both Garden Villas for the March 8, 2014 sailing to accomodate the whole family and we are excited beyond belief. I do have a few questions that the website and pictures don't seem to answer.

 

First, can you tell me more about the limo service? Its not mentioned anywhere on the website that I can see, but since we live in Northern NJ, right across the GWB, that would obviously be great for us and save us from driving to the pier and parking. How did you learn about it and whom should we contact to arrange it? Are there any other "non-listed" villa perks that you know of (not that the villa itself, and the "listed" perks of the suite life aren't plenty).

 

Second, we want my Mom to have the master bedroom in one of the Villas, primarily because of the walk in shower (though, thank heaven, she's in great health for her age, at 84 by the time we leave we'd just as soon she not have to climb in and out of a tub to shower). However, she certainly will want privacy in the master bath, and it looks to me like there is a sliding glass door leading from the master bathroom to the outside deck. Can that possibly be right, or am I missing something?

 

Lastly (for now -- I'm sure a ton of questions will occur to me after I've finished this post), since the living room overlooks the pool deck, is it very noisy. No, it wouldn't diminish the trip if it was, but I do find that if you are prepared for things like this before you board and its not a "surprise" they seem to bother you a lot less.

 

Thanks in advance!

[alice913]

Was so excited to see the title of your thread! We just booked both Garden Villas for the March 8, 2014 sailing to accomodate the whole family and we are excited beyond belief. I do have a few questions that the website and pictures don't seem to answer.

 

First, can you tell me more about the limo service? Its not mentioned anywhere on the website that I can see, but since we live in Northern NJ, right across the GWB, that would obviously be great for us and save us from driving to the pier and parking. How did you learn about it and whom should we contact to arrange it? Are there any other "non-listed" villa perks that you know of (not that the villa itself, and the "listed" perks of the suite life aren't plenty).

 

Second, we want my Mom to have the master bedroom in one of the Villas, primarily because of the walk in shower (though, thank heaven, she's in great health for her age, at 84 by the time we leave we'd just as soon she not have to climb in and out of a tub to shower). However, she certainly will want privacy in the master bath, and it looks to me like there is a sliding glass door leading from the master bathroom to the outside deck. Can that possibly be right, or am I missing something?

 

Lastly (for now -- I'm sure a ton of questions will occur to me after I've finished this post), since the living room overlooks the pool deck, is it very noisy. No, it wouldn't diminish the trip if it was, but I do find that if you are prepared for things like this before you board and its not a "surprise" they seem to bother you a lot less.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

the limo service is only for the way home. The concierge will take care of it.

The master suite is beautiful. It does have access to the sun deck but there are ceiling to floor curtains for privacy. It has a tub, a walk in shower, a private toilet and an unbelievable closet!

The villa overlooks the pool deck but you do not hear the noise AT ALL. If you are in port and on the outside deck you might hear some music from deck 12 but that is it.

There is an unbeievable sound system in te living area and a massage chair that s fantastic.

Villa guests can order meals from any specialty restaurants as well as regular room service. Big plus. You get priority seating at all shows. Priority debarcation at all ports and tenders.

My favorite was Randito, our butler pushing his cart into the suite every morning with coffee, fresh sliced fruit and danishes.....and that wasnt even breakfast! We got a private tour of the bridge at out last port and it was an incredible experience for my gradsons.

If I think of anything else, I will let you know!

[gelo7]

The Haven 2 bdrm suites are remarkable.

Edited January 31, 2013 by gelo7

[alice913]

The Haven 2 bdrm suites are remarkable.

 

Glad to hear that! Does anyone know if any of the Haven suites are connecting?

[puddles99]

the limo service is only for the way home. The concierge will take care of it.

 

If I recall correctly, they'll take you about an hour from port. Do you know if that restriction is really enforced?

 

The master suite is beautiful. It does have access to the sun deck but there are ceiling to floor curtains for privacy. It has a tub, a walk in shower, a private toilet and an unbelievable closet!

 

Did you happen to have the sofa bed in the master bedroom made up at all? I'm debating about whether my daughters (who will be 11 & 8) would be better sleeping there or on roll-aways in the living area. I'm thinking they're better off in the bedroom so we don't feel like we need to tiptoe around the living space once they're in bed.

 

There is an unbeievable sound system in te living area and a massage chair that s fantastic.

 

Does the sounds system have an iPod dock by any chance?

 

My favorite was Randito, our butler pushing his cart into the suite every morning with coffee, fresh sliced fruit and danishes.....and that wasnt even breakfast!

 

That sounds heavenly!

 

We got a private tour of the bridge at out last port and it was an incredible experience for my grandsons.

 

I'm sure that was amazing! I hope we're able to experience that as well.

[alice913]

If I recall correctly, they'll take you about an hour from port. Do you know if that restriction is really enforced?

 

 

 

Did you happen to have the sofa bed in the master bedroom made up at all? I'm debating about whether my daughters (who will be 11 & 8) would be better sleeping there or on roll-aways in the living area. I'm thinking they're better off in the bedroom so we don't feel like we need to tiptoe around the living space once they're in bed.

 

 

 

Does the sounds system have an iPod dock by any chance?

 

sound system does have ipod dock and if you bring cables you can play movies from your ipad. we did that and it was a lifesaver.

didnt make sofa up as bed but penty of room. my daughter had an intercom for boys room and it worked beatifully. there is no noise issue in bedrooms at all from living area.

 

 

 

That sounds heavenly!

 

 

 

I'm sure that was amazing! I hope we're able to experience that as well.

 

For kids our butler brought cereal boxes and juice and bananas for the kids everyday too.

[mommyto2girls]

Glad to hear that! Does anyone know if any of the Haven suites are connecting?

 

Definitely not connecting.

[alice913]

Definitely not connecting.

 

thank you!

[ksimpso3]

We had the garden villa on the Dawn 1/6-1/11/13...it was awesome! I am thinking of booking the Gem garden villa for next year, but know it's not as big as the Dawn. The outdoor area seems smaller on the Gem but I think the bedrooms are the same size?? Anyone who has been on both, can you let me know. I thought the upper sun deck on the Dawn was one of the best parts of the villa. Also, with Gem's villa being connected to the haven (which the Dawn doesn't have), is it noisy? I really would like to cruise from NY so we can drive there. Thanks for any info. And I am looking forward to your review...hope you have lots of pictures:)

[SuiteCruiser]

We had the garden villa on the Dawn 1/6-1/11/13...it was awesome! I am thinking of booking the Gem garden villa for next year, but know it's not as big as the Dawn. The outdoor area seems smaller on the Gem but I think the bedrooms are the same size?? Anyone who has been on both, can you let me know. I thought the upper sun deck on the Dawn was one of the best parts of the villa. Also, with Gem's villa being connected to the haven (which the Dawn doesn't have), is it noisy? I really would like to cruise from NY so we can drive there. Thanks for any info. And I am looking forward to your review...hope you have lots of pictures:)

 

I booked the Star GV for October which is the same as the Dawn that you were in. The Gem GV is different, it has two of the "penthouse" bedrooms and only one master, whereas the Dawn and Star really have two masters. The Gem GV bedrooms have balconies as well, but I think the rooms are smaller, and the full upper deck is only on the Star and the Dawn.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[alice913]

We had the garden villa on the Dawn 1/6-1/11/13...it was awesome! I am thinking of booking the Gem garden villa for next year, but know it's not as big as the Dawn. The outdoor area seems smaller on the Gem but I think the bedrooms are the same size?? Anyone who has been on both, can you let me know. I thought the upper sun deck on the Dawn was one of the best parts of the villa. Also, with Gem's villa being connected to the haven (which the Dawn doesn't have), is it noisy? I really would like to cruise from NY so we can drive there. Thanks for any info. And I am looking forward to your review...hope you have lots of pictures:)

 

gem villa is not connected to the haven. it is on the 14 th floor with the rest of the haven suites but our villa entrance was just ff the elevator. you needed addionsl key access through a door to enter haven. the only one SMALL downside is that you can hear some elevator traffic through the cabin stewarts access door in the bedroom hallway, but really no big deal.

[dexddd]

We had the garden villa on the Dawn 1/6-1/11/13...it was awesome! I am thinking of booking the Gem garden villa for next year, but know it's not as big as the Dawn. The outdoor area seems smaller on the Gem but I think the bedrooms are the same size?? Anyone who has been on both, can you let me know. I thought the upper sun deck on the Dawn was one of the best parts of the villa. Also, with Gem's villa being connected to the haven (which the Dawn doesn't have), is it noisy? I really would like to cruise from NY so we can drive there. Thanks for any info. And I am looking forward to your review...hope you have lots of pictures:)

 

As a PP noted, you don't have the same size balcony as the Dawn/Star. You lose the upper balcony space to the DOS rooms on the Jewel class ships.

[DevCruise]

First, can you tell me more about the limo service? Its not mentioned anywhere on the website that I can see, but since we live in Northern NJ, right across the GWB, that would obviously be great for us and save us from driving to the pier and parking.

 

Actually, it's mentioned here.

[ksimpso3]

I booked the Star GV for October which is the same as the Dawn that you were in. The Gem GV is different, it has two of the "penthouse" bedrooms and only one master, whereas the Dawn and Star really have two masters. The Gem GV bedrooms have balconies as well, but I think the rooms are smaller, and the full upper deck is only on the Star and the Dawn.

Have fun in your villa. The Star was docked next to us in Cozumel and I got a few pictures of their villa from ours. Have you stayed in the Star or Dawn villa before? It is awesome. I have plenty of pictures in my review (link in my signature). I loved the full upper deck on Dawn...it is what attracted me originally.

[ksimpso3]

gem villa is not connected to the haven. it is on the 14 th floor with the rest of the haven suites but our villa entrance was just ff the elevator. you needed addionsl key access through a door to enter haven. the only one SMALL downside is that you can hear some elevator traffic through the cabin stewarts access door in the bedroom hallway, but really no big deal.

Thanks for the clarification. I have only seen deck plans, and it looks like the villa is just down the hall from the haven area. It doesn't show doors on the deck plans. I am looking into booking the Gem. You could only access the villa on the Dawn with the key card as well (elevator wouldn't even go to the 14th floor unless we put card in it.)