(Longish) Review of the Gem, Xmas and New Year's Cruise 2013-2014

[signora]

We are writing from our balcony as our cruise is winding down. Looking back, there were many things that made this trip memorable and a few that could have been better.

 

We headed down to NYC from Boston by bus the day before the cruise and stayed with Amy’s parents overnight. The next day, we took a taxi to the pier and had a smooth and quick embarkation due to the fact that we are Gold Latitudes members and could get on a much shorter line.

 

After lunch we headed to the Star Bar to meet a few folks from our roll call. As we viewed the hot tubs, steaming in the cold air, we decided to go for a plunge. We soaked in the warm, bubbling water as the air temperature was in the fifties. One fellow passenger walked by and applauded our bravery.

 

The ship is gorgeous, with few signs of wear and tear. The atrium with its crystal ceiling, coffee bar and lit trees is spacious and sparkling with light. As we cruised down the Hudson River we watched through the balcony’s glass doors as the Empire State Building shone in brilliant red and green light and all of midtown Manhattan passed majestically by. We made our way to the dining room and requested to sit on the starboard side to see what we had been imagining for months, the Statue of Liberty with her robes and torch shining beautifully.

 

The Atlantic became rough, as a cold front would follow us for the next 48 hours. In the meantime we attended our Meet and Greet, where it was fun to chat with fellow CCer’s as well as some of the officers including Jenny Lim, the Hotel Director, always smiling and cheerful as we saw her many times later on in the cruise. The crew in general, many of them new as they replaced crew members transferred to the Breakaway and Getaway, were equally smiling and cheerful and tried very hard to make us happy, and made up for their lack of experience with their enthusiasm.

 

By the end of the second full day at sea, Amy was really looking forward to landfall (Nick was happy to be at sea as it gave him time to work on the book he is writing). When we docked in San Juan, the air was steamy and warm. We sampled a homemade mango smoothie and made our way to the San Cristobal fort, where we explored the tunnels and dungeons and gazed at the view. After doing a little shopping (a Harley Davidson tee shirt for a friend) we made our way back to the ship as we were already overheated. At the duty free shop we picked up a bottle of coconut rum requested by our cat sitter.

 

The next day was St. Maarten, which turned out to be our best port day of the cruise. We headed to Mullet Bay on the Dutch side, reputedly one of the best beaches on the island. And it was: sparkling turquoise blue, warm waters, with enough waves to cause some excitement but not too much. We swam and relaxed, and had a yummy ribs lunch from Rosie’s on the beach. The topless element was interesting but not overwhelming. On the way back we stopped at Diamonds International and Nick treated Amy to a little something.

 

The next day in St. Thomas was a little cold with small drizzles of rain in between the sunshine, making for not quite a great beach day. But we made the best of it at Sapphire Bay Beach and did some good snorkeling there, highlights being the four-eyed butterfly fish and the blue tang.

 

Samana for Amy was the biggest disappointment of the cruise. We had gone on a horseback-riding trip to El Limon falls with Terry Bandi a few years ago and had really loved it, but this time because of Amy’s problem with sciatica we switched to a low impact trip with him. There was too much driving and the guide’s English was inadequate. Moreover, a waterfall to swim in that was promised was completely overlooked. One of the stops, however, was very educational. A young man gave a surprisingly good presentation on the cocoa-making process and many of the fruits and vegetables on the island. We sampled delicious homemade hot chocolate from their own beans and a local drink called mamajuana made from local bark and roots soaked in rum, wine and honey. It was rumored to be an aphrodisiac (some truth to the rumor lol). Salt to the wounds when we go back to the ship: heard from pax who had a lovely day on the beaches, including snorkeling. Grrr…next time we’ll do it differently.

 

More highlights: Norwegian Singers and Dancers continue to delight. We’ve seen three shows with them so far: the first an overview, the second one called World Beat, the third a great Seventies tribute, and the fourth an Abba show yet to come on New Year’s Eve. Our balcony room is spacious and well maintained by our cabin steward Michael: we love the peace and quiet on our balcony especially on a full ship. We loved meeting the Captain at the Captain’s Party: he talked to us for a long time and we learned how he became a ship’s captain and other details of his life. The music all around the ship is fantastic: Leo plays a mean guitar and we loved his Elton John show. Michael’s Xmas songs accompanied by him on the piano were warm and nostalgic (we enjoyed meeting him too at the Great Outdoors).

 

Some lowlights: we were not quite as happy with the dining experience as on past NCL cruises. Appetizers at Le Bistro were disappointing, but main courses were excellent. Service was rushed and unprofessional: Amy was served a club soda in a chipped glass she cut her finger on. Sushi at the Sushi bar, which we very much enjoyed on previous cruises, was sub-standard. The Grand Pacific MDR, was mostly quite good, but avoid the whole cuts of meat: steak and prime rib were very so-so. It helps there’s no extra charge there. Service in the MDR was, however, excellent. Cagney’s, where we ate breakfast quite a few times, was fabulous.

 

As we write we are sitting on our balcony, Nick in shorts and Amy in a tank top, capris and sandals. It is 81 degrees and sunny with a cool breeze. New York seems very far away. Over all it has been a great cruise. Hats off to the hard working crew of the Gem! We can’t wait to plan our next cruise.

[Orleanscruiser]

Hello Signora

 

Hope you are having a great time , we are planning the same cruise for next Oct 27.

Do you have copies of the daillies , can you post some and thanks for some of your tip on the excursion

Great review any picture?

Edited December 30, 2013 by Orleanscruiser

[signora]

Hi: we don't have the connection from camera to computer on board but we'll post some pics and dailies when we get back. Glad you liked the review!

 

Signora and DH

[jaja]

Thanks for the review....I love the Gem....and glad to hear you are having a good time (it is cold here in the NYC area and getting colder with snow coming....so enjoy the sun;))

Jenny is great....do you happen to know if she will be on the Gem in 2014? and if you see her ...please tell her jaja says hi and Happy New Year!

[jms68]

Glad you're having a good time. We are going on this same trip in March! Trying to figure out what time disembarkation in NY is...our itinerary says 10am but I've heard from others that it actually begins around 8am...would love your most recent input!

[meatball_nyc]

Stay where you are on that balcony!! Don't come back cuz it's FREEZING here and snow is on its way :(

 

Enjoyed your review very much.

 

Happy Cruising and New Year!!

 

 

 

~robin and brian~

Norwegian Breakaway 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[Cruz35]

So glad you had a great time! We are on the Gem in February - would love any I go you care to share upon your return - Thanks in advance!

[joteacher]

Amy and Nick...

 

DON'T GET OFF THAT SHIP!!!! It's 16 degrees right now and we're expecting 6"-12" of snow between January 1st and 3rd. :eek: Tell that Captain to turn that ship around:D

 

Glad to hear you're having a good time...I didn't show Robert this post...wink, wink!

 

Happy New Year! Talk to you soon!

~Joanne

[coka]

Happy New Year Signora! Thank you for sharing your review of the Gem. It seems you made the best of a few bumps along the way. I chuckled at the mamajuana...you sure it was a drink? Tee hee hee

 

coka:D

[signora]

Glad you're having a good time. We are going on this same trip in March! Trying to figure out what time disembarkation in NY is...our itinerary says 10am but I've heard from others that it actually begins around 8am...would love your most recent input!

 

Disembarkation for passengers who were carrying all their luggage began at 7:45am. The rest of the ship disembarked starting at 9:00am. Hope you have a great cruise!

[signora]

So glad you had a great time! We are on the Gem in February - would love any I go you care to share upon your return - Thanks in advance!

 

Oops! Double post.

Edited January 1, 2014 by signora

[signora]

So glad you had a great time! We are on the Gem in February - would love any I go you care to share upon your return - Thanks in advance!

 

I'd love to help out, but couldn't understand your post. Care to repeat?

[Cruz35]

Dang auto correct - would love any info you care to share - dailies, tips, favorites, etc.

[jms68]

Thanks for the info...can't wait til March!

 

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[spidybabe]

Hi: we don't have the connection from camera to computer on board but we'll post some pics and dailies when we get back. Glad you liked the review!

 

Signora and DH

 

Great review thanks

Can't wait to see the dallies...we are on board in 10 days!!!!

Safe sailing