GEM Thanksgiving Cruise 11/25 - 12/4/13

[mizLORInj]

 

Heres the table!

 

Hi. Your photo is what most aft SFs look like EXCEPT the two that are considered handicap-accessible SF, which are 9670 and 9672. The photos the OP posted are one of those two cabins. There is no dining table in either of these two cabins.

 

Also, only 9670 and 9672 have the switch-operated balcony door opener (picture in OP photos) as well. Other SF don't have this.

Edited December 9, 2013 by mizlorinj

[pcreek]

More thoughts on day #1:

We had thought to get a short rest before Muster drill (in Grand Pacific). It was not to be. As they were so behind on getting everything ready for us, our doorbell kept ringing with folks delivering stuff!

Jayson, our butler stopped by – to introduce himself and show us around. I asked if this was our free bottle of water, next to the coffee machine (there were 2 there, the glass bottle, Pellegrino and another plain Aquafina bottle) – he said Well...he guesses we could have it if we really wanted it. Um...every other time in a suite we had a bottle of bubbly and a bottle of water? We left it alone as we didn't want to be charged. We also only had one bottle of bubbly (with absolutely no label??) – last year we had 3, plus a bottle of red, plus 2 bottles of water upon arrival. No big deal, as we were not planning on drinking this cruise anyway(medication issues). He is very nice and VERY soft spoken.

Our cabin steward ( think his name was Jorgi? I didn't quite catch it and every time I tried to look at his name tag, he was moving!) was there a couple of times. Carlos the concierge stopped by to introduce himself.

Nothing was there from the casino.

[pcreek]

We left to do our muster drill. Then back to try again at a short snooze before our 7pm LeBistro dinner reservation. We got a call from the LeBistro hostess – they would have to change our time, as they were not opening until 8pm..so we took that time.

Someone stopped by to deliver our casino cards. We did have the drink cards included...we were both 'Lucky green'. There was a welcome letter from CAS, but no mention of a welcome party?

We had various envelopes of information. Gold for DH, Platinum for me – with various offers. One from accessibility dept., and I think one from Carlos. We had invites to a latitudes party, the silver, gold & platinum cocktail party and another cocktail party from the Captain, in the Haven. Somehow, we ended up missing all of them this time! I think it was because we were not drinking and it's always best to stand & mingle and I just wasn't doing much of that standing thingie this trip. Also, we brought absolutely no dressy clothes at all. Difficult to look even a bit 'dressy' when I have to wear these clod hopper sneakers – only thing that will fit over the brace I have to wear on my foot. We didn't exactly look like slobs, but we were definitely cruising casual this time. :o

[pcreek]

We got 2 separate deliveries of the Godiva chocolate boxes, one for me and one for DH...they really could have brought them together.

There was a fruit bowl and a flower arrangement. These were set on a small round glass table, there was little room for anything else on that table. Oh, there was a couple of napkins and silverware, as well.

 

 

Needless to say – no snooze! LOL

We were off to dinner in LeBistro @8pm. There was no wait, and it was not crowded at all – as we figured! We received no free bottle of wine for first night in Specialty – as they had offered on previous cruises. Like I said, because we weren't drinking, it did not matter to us. I know that DH had steak...and I had the pork tenderloins. It was an enjoyable meal. I don't recall too much else about it...so it must have been good! Oh I tried something different for dessert, as I normally get the chocolate fondue. I had the cream puffs. They were good!:)

We then wandered the ship a bit and headed to check out the casino. We played for a little bit and wandered some more on our way back to the cabin for the night.

 

 

[pcreek]

I'll try to get some more posting done on here tomorrow afternoon. I have some pre-op testing to do in the am.

 

I am not going to do a day by day - just a couple of other actual 'days'. Most of our days were relax, relax then relax some more! Read a little here, then read a little there, etc! We played trivia several times (Fun reminders of how little we do know! LOL That Michael Jackson trivia - with music clips - think there were 20 questions and I think we totaled 2 correct!! LOL)

 

Thought I'd try to do a grouping of meals, menus, food porn. I need to unload more photos - edit a little - then upload to photobucket.

Meanwhile, Here are a few other photos. We asked for M&Ms and plate of cookies from our butler, Jayson. DH had fun with the camera:

 

 

[pcreek]

Hi. Your photo is what most aft SFs look like EXCEPT the two that are considered handicap-accessible SF, which are 9670 and 9672. The photos the OP posted are one of those two cabins. There is no dining table in either of these two cabins.

 

Also, only 9670 and 9672 have the switch-operated balcony door opener (picture in OP photos) as well. Other SF don't have this.

 

Exactly correct! :D

As you can tell from my photos, this cabin is set up a little differently. There is no actual empty wall space inside the cabin to put a table.

[EvilBanker]

Hi. Your photo is what most aft SFs look like EXCEPT the two that are considered handicap-accessible SF, which are 9670 and 9672. The photos the OP posted are one of those two cabins. There is no dining table in either of these two cabins.

 

Also, only 9670 and 9672 have the switch-operated balcony door opener (picture in OP photos) as well. Other SF don't have this.

 

May I beg for some clarification about 9670? The Gem deck plan on NCL.com doesn't show that SF as handicap-accessible, only the neighboring 9672 (and 9172, three cabins starboard).

 

SO and I have been following this review avidly as we're booked on the Gem next year, but we certainly don't want to take up a handicapped suite without need.

[pcreek]

May I beg for some clarification about 9670? The Gem deck plan on NCL.com doesn't show that SF as handicap-accessible, only the neighboring 9672 (and 9172, three cabins starboard).

 

SO and I have been following this review avidly as we're booked on the Gem next year, but we certainly don't want to take up a handicapped suite without need.

 

 

You are correct - it's 9672 & 9172 that are handicap. I didn't catch that earlier - sorry!! The cabins on the outer corners are not handicap - and the 2 in the middle are not suites.

[coka]

Hi Pamela,

I drove home from work this afternoon thinking about your review and looking forward to reading it. I am loving it so far and enjoying the pictures! The M & M ones are great... Even when Spider man joins! LOL

 

I notice your stateroom did not have a wheelchair ramp going out to the balcony. Do you know if Gem has a portable one they use if needed?

 

coka

[pcreek]

Hi Pamela,

I drove home from work this afternoon thinking about your review and looking forward to reading it. I am loving it so far and enjoying the pictures! The M & M ones are great... Even when Spider man joins! LOL

 

I notice your stateroom did not have a wheelchair ramp going out to the balcony. Do you know if Gem has a portable one they use if needed?

 

coka

 

 

hi Coka!

No, I don't know if they do have a ramp or not. There was about a 2-3" step up to the balcony (door jam part)...the actual balcony floor is raised to the same height as the door jam, so there is no step down on the outside.

 

There is a slight ramping into the bathroom - but it's under the carpet, so hardly noticeable.

[pixiedustdawn]

Hi Pamela,

I drove home from work this afternoon thinking about your review and looking forward to reading it. I am loving it so far and enjoying the pictures! The M & M ones are great... Even when Spider man joins! LOL

 

I notice your stateroom did not have a wheelchair ramp going out to the balcony. Do you know if Gem has a portable one they use if needed?

 

coka

 

I was actually surprised not to see one pictured here. I have seen them in these suites in the past.

[coka]

Hi Pixie!

 

I wonder if those particular suites were not originally designed as disabled staterooms? Didn't they used be called romance suites under the old category? When we sailed the Jade we picked a handicapped mini suite aft because the room appeared bigger than the HC suite in these photos. It also had a bigger couch and there were three of us.

[pixiedustdawn]

Hi Pixie!

 

I wonder if those particular suites were not originally designed as disabled staterooms? Didn't they used be called romance suites under the old category? When we sailed the Jade we picked a handicapped mini suite aft because the room appeared bigger than the HC suite in these photos. It also had a bigger couch and there were three of us.

 

Hi Coka,

 

Yes, years ago these were considered the "Romance Suites" and only 2 occupants were allowed to book them. They have since taken out the crushed velvet magenta couch and have put in a plastic/pleather couch in its place. It opens/folds out to a single bed allowing 3 occupants to use cabin. They do have the handicapped bathrooms, so I believe they may have always been handicapped. I am not sure since I was not in one years ago. Yet, they usually do have the ramp going to the balcony. Perhaps it gets removed when someone has an electric wheelchair instead of manual. Hazard of some kind? (they also have a electric door for the balcony sliders)

 

From these photos, it is hard to get a feel for the size of the cabin. Especially because I keep getting stuck on the M&M photos!! :p

 

When are you cruising again?

[pcreek]

I had some medical issues and my ankle surgery was postponed until Thurs. 12/19. I just haven't had the time to get back here!! SORRY!!

 

Here are some photos of the bridge viewing room - and the famous GEM Mermaid!! :D

 

 

 

[pcreek]

I have not heard anything more from her since she was 'honored'. Maybe she's not on cruise critic?

 

 

 

 

[pcreek]

We purchased the trio of dining specialty restaurants prior to leaving. This only saves you $8 pp, however, if it's already paid for, we're more likely to actually go. Otherwise, we have a tendency to skip them and just grab something when the mood hits us – not always the best choice for me! This package included: Le Bistro, La Cucina and Cagney's. As a platinum perk, I also received a free dinner for 2, including a bottle of wine, in Le Bistro. We exchanged that for a dinner w/wine in Moderno.

Le Bistro: I already wrote about this in a previous post. It was our only time here this trip. Unfortunately, no photos of anything here. Sorry.:(

[pcreek]

Cagney's: We found the chilled fruit soups!

We had them several times - there was at least a peach, a banana and a coconut one! AWESOME!

We had this option for breakfast & lunch, as suite guests. The menu is static, so we explored other options, as well. The service here was THE best option! This place was the most full on embarkation lunch day. The rest of the time, it was always practically empty.

For Suites only:

 

 

 

 

lunch:

 

[pcreek]

Breakfast:

 

 

Lunch:

 

french dip

 

empty:

 

This is 'my' parking space for my scooter! :-)

Edited December 16, 2013 by pcreek

[pcreek]

door to Cagney's :

 

Our most fun dinner was in Cagney's. Marlon was our waiter – and we'd had him several times for breakfast/lunch there as well. He was a lot of fun and we had a really good time! The food, of course, was excellent – filet melts in your mouth!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pcreek]

 

 

other fav servers in Cagney's :

 

[pcreek]

Moderno: We had a nice dinner here. I called and made our reservation, no need to bother Carlos. Only one photo, and I have no idea why – and it's kinda blurry – sorry!

Service was excellent, everyone was very nice. They gave us a table closest to the salad bar, so that I wouldn't have far to walk. Very nice of them. For our bottle of wine, we chose the White Zinfandel – which we enjoyed last year. It was the only alcohol we had all cruise – and we didn't even finish it! The salad bar had a lot of options – not self service, of course. The meats just kept on coming – even after turning our cards to red! We did not get through them all.

[pcreek]

La Cucina: This was our first time eating here. It turned out to be our best meal! Mark had the chicken parm and I had a Lobster Fettucini dish – with lobster & shrimp. Yummy! Service was most excellent and we absolutely loved the fresh warm bread! Shortly after being seated, our butler appeared at our table. I thought at first, he was going to be our waiter! LOL He was apologizing for not delivering our afternoon treat, as our DND sign was out. Really? You need to hunt us down at dinner to tell us this? I said “Good! Now we have appetite for dinner!” (Several times we left our afternoon treats went uneaten. They either didn't appeal to us, we weren't hungry, we were on our way out as they were being delivered or they arrived while we were gone and not interested when we returned.) We really loved this meal. We also had entertainment, as a wedding party was seated near us and it was fun watching them have a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pcreek]

 

 

Other meals: We had room service breakfast twice, and lunch once. Mark sat on the bed, using the small round glass table and I sat in a pink chair at the vanity.

We had breakfast a couple of times at the Great Outdoors – we love the hash browns!

Lunch we also ate at the buffet once and at the pool side grill once.

We had Thanksgiving dinner in the buffet – it was amazingly good and food was plentiful! I think we did one other dinner there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we had dinner in Magenta. We had tried another night, and there was a 30-40 min wait. The time we did eat there, there was no wait at all. It was very nice, but excruciatingly slow. That was our only MDR experience.

We had a lunch at Blue Lagoon once – it was okay.

[pcreek]

San Juan:

Our plan was to just get off the ship and wander around Old San Juan and take photos. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day. It rained off and on the whole time we were there. I couldn't take the scooter out in the rain/wet, so Mark ventured out alone for a little while. He had to at least say he was there! He took a couple photos, and found a wifi hotspot to send off Thanksgiving wishes. I was disappointed in not getting a lot of photos, but took some off the balcony!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Conquest was there when we arrived. They left and returned about an hour later. They stayed about 30 minutes, then took off again. They didn't feel the need to explain it to me, so I wonder what was going on?

 

 

Mark got a little wet while he was out, but not drenched. He said the sidewalks would have been difficult with the scooter.

Oh well – next time!

[pcreek]