NCL Gem

[Poohb]

Canada/New England, Oct 5-12 Review. This is our 3rd trip on NCL (we are D+ on RC). There were some differences between the 2 lines. NCL singers & dancers were better than RC. Watching the singers doing some fabulous dancing WHILE singing (& not missing a beat or note) was amazing. The trivia prizes were 'better' but they staff only gave out 1 or 2 prizes per team. Disembarking wasn't very good. When our color was called, it took over ½ hour to get off the ship as the line going into the terminal was backed up to the gangway. And crossing 12th (?) Ave. to get a taxi or limo seemed a little strange. The dining room lunch menu was the same everyday and not very good. The buffet food was very enjoyable but last time we sailed on NCL the espresso/cappuccino was free. The evening 'zert menu in the MDRs was pretty much repeated every night with 1 or 2 additions. The service in all areas was very good. We do prefer having the same dining time and same waitstaff every evening. The OBC given by our TA could NOT be used toward gratuities. We would not mind using NCL again but RC remains our favorite.

[spanky]

Welcome back! Was it better than our first Gem cruise (aside from the free espresso)?

[emcelh]

Canada/New England, Oct 5-12 Review. This is our 3rd trip on NCL (we are D+ on RC). There were some differences between the 2 lines. NCL singers & dancers were better than RC. Watching the singers doing some fabulous dancing WHILE singing (& not missing a beat or note) was amazing. The trivia prizes were 'better' but they staff only gave out 1 or 2 prizes per team. Disembarking wasn't very good. When our color was called, it took over ½ hour to get off the ship as the line going into the terminal was backed up to the gangway. And crossing 12th (?) Ave. to get a taxi or limo seemed a little strange. The dining room lunch menu was the same everyday and not very good. The buffet food was very enjoyable but last time we sailed on NCL the espresso/cappuccino was free. The evening 'zert menu in the MDRs was pretty much repeated every night with 1 or 2 additions. The service in all areas was very good. We do prefer having the same dining time and same waitstaff every evening. The OBC given by our TA could NOT be used toward gratuities. We would not mind using NCL again but RC remains our favorite.

 

I agree about having to cross 12 Avenue to get a cab. I wish the city would find another way to make it easier (and maybe safer) for disembarking passengers.

[starfish216]

Welcome back!

 

Thinking about booking this cruise for the beginning of October next year. Were there fall colors up north? Done this itinerary before now just looking for catching the fall colors.

 

Thanks

[Poohb]

We did Quebec to Bayonne in 2012 but LATE Oct. (read Halloween & Hurricane Sandy). We thought the foliage in Canada was wonderful. Our private tour gudes both mentioned that they're not sure why everyone thinks 'peak' is over in late Oct. It was beautiful! Good luck, enjoy. FYI there are fabulous colors in Connecticut too, we haven't reached anywhere near 'peak' either. LOL.

[starfish216]

Thanks for your reply.

 

Dad has a free CAS cruise but has to sail by Oct 12, 2014. I will try and book the latest cruise possible.

[buckirj1]

Thanks for the heads-up about disembarking. The same thing happened on the same itinerary a few years ago. Instead of crossing the street, a bunch of us just took the freight elevator up a level, and got in the taxi queue outside the terminal.