The Gem is a Gem

[RaspVod]

Here are several tips

1. Try to get to the MDR for dinner before 7 pm. 5:30 to 6:30 or after 8 pm is great if you don't want to wait for a table. In the Grand Pacific, ask for a table served by Hazel or Jean Padasus in the Magenta. Great intelligent fast waitresses. I prefer Magenta, it is more intimate.

2. From 6 pm to 8 pm, there are great live musical acts in the atrium and Magnums. Don't miss them.

3. Always wash your hands with hot water and soap before eating. It will prevent from getting the stomach virus. Don't shake hands, touch walls or surfaces and as the sign says in the rest rooms, use a paper towel in opening the bathroom door after washing. Alcohol based sanitizers don't protect you from that virus.

4. Get a ship floor map from the reception desk when you first get on the ship and use it.

5. When you first get on the ship, remember you pay for that welcome aboard drink.

6. Go to the 7 or 9 pm show in the Stardust, they never disappoint. Get to the Stardust 10 minutes early if you want a good front row seat. Bring a sweater.

7. When you press the button to get an elevator, go directly where the stairway bannister is. You will keep out of every one's way and you will get a panoramic view of all four elevator, only one of which will be the right one for you.

8. Pool gets crowded. Get there in the morning for a less crowded time.

9. If you go from NYC,you can usually board at 11:30 to 12 noon. You will breeze on the ship. After 1 pm, you may wait from 30 to 40 minutes unless you have priority boarding status. Get to the MDR for lunch. It closes at 2:30. Much preferable than going to the crowded buffet and better food too.

Good luck.

 

Thank you sooooo much! Will do everything you've recommended :D

Much appreciated!

[judyf]

Loved Sinan and our Gem cruise.

[marinkin]

thank you for your review!

Cruising on Gem on 4/27/13 for the first time

[Richpontone]

thank you for your review!

Cruising on Gem on 4/27/13 for the first time

 

One additional tip and that is on attitude. If you have the proper cruising attitude, your cruise experience will be so much better

 

1. Don't rush to things such as activities, shows, meals, or getting off the ship. When you rush, you make mistakes like falling or more importantly, you may do a stupid or rude thing like smashing into someone who can't move as fast as you. North worth the aggravation.

 

2. Have patience. You will may have to wait on line on the ship, for something like getting out of the nightly show with 500 passengers at the same time, or for dinner at one of the MDRs or for getting off the ship. Chill out. Be calm. Not worth the worry.

 

3. Have a sense of humor. You will see something or someone that may not please you, like a rude or in considerate passenger. Don't let it ruin your hard earned cruise. Joke about it or make light of it. Not worth the anger.

 

4. If you have a problem with your cabin, or service. Complain first to your steward. If no action, complain to the Hotel Director. You will get his contact phone extension at the CC meet and greet on your cruise. Use your connection. Most passengers don't have that information. You will get fast service from one or the other.

 

Some passengers will post on these message boards, that one incident such as rude cruisers, or waiting in line, as their sum experience of their cruise. Don't be that person.

 

Good luck.

[caribsun]

One additional tip and that is on attitude. If you have the proper cruising attitude, your cruise experience will be so much better

 

1. Don't rush to things such as activities, shows, meals, or getting off the ship. When you rush, you make mistakes like falling or more importantly, you may do a stupid or rude thing like smashing into someone who can't move as fast as you. North worth the aggravation.

 

2. Have patience. You will may have to wait on line on the ship, for something like getting out of the nightly show with 500 passengers at the same time, or for dinner at one of the MDRs or for getting off the ship. Chill out. Be calm. Not worth the worry.

 

3. Have a sense of humor. You will see something or someone that may not please you, like a rude or in considerate passenger. Don't let it ruin your hard earned cruise. Joke about it or make light of it. Not worth the anger.

 

4. If you have a problem with your cabin, or service. Complain first to your steward. If no action, complain to the Hotel Director. You will get his contact phone extension at the CC meet and greet on your cruise. Use your connection. Most passengers don't have that information. You will get fast service from one or the other.

 

Some passengers will post on these message boards, that one incident such as rude cruisers, or waiting in line, as their sum experience of their cruise. Don't be that person.

 

Good luck.

Thanks for your input.

I was on the Jewel out of NYC in Nov. and the Ship and staff were wonderful. The rude passengers were another story, I did try not to dwell on them but it was non stop rudeness throughout the cruise. Hoping My Gem cruise to be a improvment.

[Richpontone]

Try to get to those adult game shows like The Couples game and the Liars Game hosted by Sinan. Very funny but don't bring the young children, adult jokes are being used. If you find a great waiter in the MDR, insist on the hostess that you want a table served by this waiter, when you go again. I may be flamed but I don't care. Give a money tip to that waiter at the end of your dinner. There is a world of difference in being served as a passenger and being served as a king or queen. There are some passengers who act like such and demand such service. You really think that you can force someone to do that. Nope.

Remember to wash your hands often. You don't want that stomach bug. FYI, NCL serves only Pepsi products, so if you are a Coke fan, bring your own bottles and cans.

Finally, you have to physically go to each MDR to see their menus for both dinner and lunch. There is a different menu at each MDR, at the left side of their menus. It is not on your television or at the reservation desk.

Hope that helps.

An informed passenger gets the better cruise.

[johnsak123]

I am so upset Sinan is leaving the gem

He really is the best

I watched him grow from bingo boy, to assistant CD to CD lol

good for him

[debbie214]

when is sinan leaving the gem? thats sad I agree hes the best:( wheres he going?