First timer back from Gem one nighter

[de2fan]

Can I just say, simply, wow?! My DH and I went on the Gem out of NY on March 7th and were blown away.

 

I've always wanted to take a cruise for many many years. I've been researching different lines for a long time and honestly never even thought that NY or NCL would be an option. I've always assumed I'd take DCL out of Florida, since I've been to Walt Disney World almost 20 time in my life so that was the most logical step, right? WRONG! DCL is, simply put, too expensive and I still have to get to Florida somehow.

 

Flash backward to 2006. I went on a lighthouse tour out of Boothbay Harbor, Maine and it went to open water (think whale-watch boat). I turned green. Literally, I was crying the sea-sickness was so bad. And I then assumed I would not be able to handle a cruise.

 

But the idea of a cruise beckoned and I still researched like a fiend. I settled on NYC because of its proximity to CT and picked NCL because the idea of freestyle fit perfectly with my family (Me- 38, DH- 39, DS- 8, DD- 4) I chose Breakaway, and November 2014. More about that later.

 

I decided to test the water, so to speak, to see if I would get sick on a large ship. So off to Gem, on March 7, just my DH and I. Stateroom 10590, Balcony category BA.

 

I decided to spend the $40 and park at the pier. Easy to get to from, CT, it was very cool seeing the ship from the Henry Hudson Parkway. We exited 12th Ave, went to the ramp, paid, and the attendant told us to do a U turn and park on top of pier 88. An officer (I'm guessing TSA, maybe Port Authority? I could be wrong) with a bomb-sniffing pup checked the car out and we parked. It was 10:45am.

 

Being a one-nighter we only had a carry-on. After security (think airport but you can keep your shoes on!) we checked in. No lines, no wait. We had boarding #21. A drivers license was all we needed for check-in. So then we sat and waited. The terminal felt like a ghost town and my DH was wondering why we had to get there so early. I told him first ones there, first ones on.

 

At approximately 11:30 They announced boarding 1-5. About 2 or 3 dozen peoples got up. Then they announce everyone under #21. About 2 dozen got up. Then they announced "everyone else!" and the remaining 3 dozen of us got up. Seriously, there was not many people there at initial boarding! So with my giddyness intact (I am a giddy traveler no matter where I go) we boarded.

 

Since I pretty much memorized the ship plans, I led DH to Customer Service to place cash on the account. We aren't big drinkers but I put $100 down anyway. I had pre-paid the service charge online and pre-paid Moderno for 7:30pm. Contrary to NCL's website, we were not asked for a minimum cash deposit for the two of us.

 

So up to the Garden Cafe for lunch. We were greeted by the washy-washy gal. We found a window seat waaayyy in the back and one by one got our meals. The buffet was not busy at this time at all.

 

I was impressed by the selection and quality of the food. The strawberry-kiwi flavored water was outstanding. At this sailing, the Great Outdoors was not open, although you could sit out there in the 38 degree breeziness if you so desired.

 

By 12 or so, Nacho, the assistant cruise director, announced that rooms were ready to drop off bags but housecleaning was still working on some of the rooms. So down to 10590 we trekked, using the stairs because sometimes elevators just take too long. Our room was all set. My first impression was oh goodness this is tiny, but really it was not! We have a 27' travel trailer so we are used to tight quarters when camping. There was plenty of space to store clothes etc. The bathroom was larger than I thought it would be. I noticed a slight stink emitting from the toilet, but it went away over time. The safe was large enough for a camera bag, purse and a kindle. The tv, however, was hurting. Tiny screen, pre-HD.

 

For the next several hours we explored the ship. No sail away party was planned, possibly due to the frigid temps. But I did notice that as the ship filled up, that this was a party cruise! We are people-watchers, so we were very amused watching the going-ons of many extremely happy people. We caught bandioke in Magnums, had a cocktail or two. Prices for drinks were beyond reasonable for the tri-state area. The muster drill was scheduled for 4:30. We arrived at our station at 4:20 and waited. And waited. Rant- Why the heck, when there are constant announcements that you need to be at your muster station at a certain time do people stroll in when they feel like it? :mad: Is this normal? The total thing takes minutes yet we didn't get out of there until 4:50 because of late people. Rant over.

 

So we bundled up and headed outside to the pool deck and watched in amusement the hot-tubbers freaking out over the cold weather and chit-chatted with the crew. We parked ourselves under the deck overlay in some comfy seats out of the breeze. Finally, at sail-away at 6pm we went to the upper decks to watch Manhattan as we sailed by. By the time we passed under the Verrazano Bridge, I had sold my DH on cruising. And we weren't even going anywhere!

 

Dinner was at Moderno, which we absolutely loved. This is a must-do if you are a meat lover. My favorite was the steaks and my DH loved the chickens.

 

After dinner we explored some more, hitting the shops and picking up something for the kids, and getting myself a Gem sweatshirt. The liquor deals seemed great to me and it seemed that this was the hot ticket item of the night. Many people were upset that they couldn't take the alcohol with them immediately.

 

By now I noticed the ship was rocking. Like really rocking. Oh crud. :eek:

 

But I wanted to feel the effects, darn-it I wanted to see if I could handle the ship. We stopped at the cabin super quick and checked the ship channel. It said 30 mph winds and 1 foot waves. 1 foot my A**. DH thought they were much more like 10 foot waves from observing outside. Maybe the motion I was feeling was the wind rocking the ship, maybe not. But I was feeling a tad queasy.

 

So ginger gum it was. It didn't help. I was determined to not use the Sea-Bands because I wanted to feel the ship. We headed to the 9:30 show in the Stardust. Performing was a very funny magician/comedian named Chip Romero. After this we hit the casino, lost about $30 and called it quits. Yes we are big spenders. :D The casino was packed. And yes it is smoky. But it is a casino and reminded me of Mohegan Sun so I didn't mind. I really wanted to try the coin-pushing game but no one seemed to be relinquishing that anytime soon. We also hit the White-Hot party at Spinnaker but decided that the music just wasn't for us. By then it was 11:30 and we called it a night.

 

By then I couldn't take the queasiness and put on the Sea Bands. I felt better within 30 minutes. Figures. :rolleyes:

 

Note to self- bring a night-light. The cabins are dark.

Note to self- bring a small extension cord to keep cell phone, the only source of time for me, next to the bed.

Note to self- when setting cell phone alarm, actually set it.

Note to self- don't freak out when you look outside your port side cabin at 7am and see what you think is New Jersey and the ship is not moving at all and think that OMG the captain forgot to return us to port and we are in the middle of some river or maybe the coast of Long Island. Minutes later the ship turned and docked. Phew.

 

Breakfast buffet was great, there were a lot of choices. If you are a healthy eater you will have no problems at the buffet. It was crowded however since practically everyone on the ship was there. The coffee was strong but I didn't mind. After this we went back to guest services to get our refund on our cash deposit and I filled out our custom forms. Not sure I filled them out right but later customs said I did. And we exited the ship. I was sad. :(

 

Somewhere right after customs I realized I left my camera bag with the camera and camcorder in it on the ship. Just my luck. And I know I left it at the cash desk.

 

Soooo I grab a customs guy and explain the situation and he said we could not get back on the ship. He directed us to one of the Port terminal employees and after fifteen minutes or so of them walkie-talkying back and forth to the ship they couldn't find my camera bag. On Monday I need to call NCL customer service file a claim with Lost and Found. I was told that all found items are shipped back to Miami. Great. Fortunately the camera and camcorder are not worth much except for the little cards inside but I still hope someone turned it in and I can resolve the matter.

 

Pros: Great food, service was wonderful, all employees seemed happy and it was a wonderful teaser of what a real cruise would be. I know the ship is headed for dry dock in November but it still was clean and sparkly. And the elevators are fast! And they don't seem to move!

Cons: people not showing for muster in time, but that's not NCLs fault!

 

So two weeks before I even stepped foot on Gem I booked Breakaway for November 16th through a certain big-box-warehouse-retailer using the kids sail free promo and due to their website having a bad day and many phone calls I also got all gratuities paid for and dinner for two at La Cucina, Le Bistro and Cagneys! Wow, couldn't pass that up! It's a BA cabin, one of the angled balconies on the 13th floor.

 

I tell the kids we're going on a cruise and they said they want to go back to Disney World. :eek:

 

Irregardless, as of right now, we are going! With Sea Bands and ginger gum and Bonine and a nightlight and an extension cord, maybe the old camera, maybe a new. We will see.

 

Any questions?

 

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

[jdvmd]

What a great review! Hope your camera turn up.

[GalCruzer]

Thanks for that review. I am looking at the same cruise for the month of April. I'm also one who has been to WDW many times (15) and while we have done a couple cruises as well, I would like to do more. But I am also one who gets sick.

 

So looking forward to this in April. Hope your camera turns up.

[Alliezona09]

Just wait till you're on a ship with 4000 people and you're waiting outside on the deck in the middle of summer in the heat in the very back of the lines of people about 6 deep~ then you'll understand why people take their time! Glad you enjoyed yourselves!

[CTCruiser001]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

You wrote a great review! I hope your camera turns up soon! Enjoy the Breakaway next November...we were on her last November and had a great time!

 

Happy sailings! :cool:

[meatball_nyc]

Thanks for your review!

 

Really enjoyed it. I actually watched your sail away on the portnywebcam. Must have been very cool sailing past NYC and Lady Liberty all lit up.

 

Sorry to hear you left your camera behind, but get in touch with NCL. Hopefully the person behind the counter will give it to lost and found.

 

Glad you had a nice time and will be cruising again.

 

I take battery operated LED tea lights with me instead of a night light. They aren't so bright as a night light. And a battery powered travel clock for beside the bed.

 

Green apples are also good for sea sickness I hear. And yes, it was very windy last night and all day today as well.

 

I would love to sail on the Gem after we try Breakaway this summer to Bermuda. Never sailed NCL yet, but I know we are going to love their ships!!

 

Happy Cruising!

 

 

 

Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[Dorhead1230]

I enjoyed your review! Last summer, I started taking ginger capsules 2 days before our sailing to Bermuda, and continued to take them through the cruise, and they worked great, even with about 36 hours of rocking and rolling after we left Bermuda. I didn't want to take anything chemical so that I could still drink alcohol and the ginger did the trick :)

 

I hope you get your camera back!

[de2fan]

Thanks for all the sea-sickness tips for me! Glad everyone is enjoying the review, too!

 

Sharon

[mizLORInj]

I agree the one nighters are a lot of fun!

Breakaway is quite different from Gem, but it's a fabulous ship! :)

I do hope your camera turns up.

[www3traveler]

One more note to yourself: buy a disposable camera for your next cruise.

 

I never take an expensive camera on board ship or anything else that I do not want to lose.

 

I am glad that other than your camera you had a good.

 

Since I have not done a one night cruise, I hope you do mind this question: what was offered as evening entertainment?

 

 

Mandy

[de2fan]

 

Since I have not done a one night cruise, I hope you do mind this question: what was offered as evening entertainment?

 

 

Mandy

 

7:30 World Beat in Stardust

8:00-10:00 Karaoke in Bliss

8:30 Jeff Harris comedy in Spinnaker

9:15-10:00 Rock night with Ironic in Spinnaker

9:30 Chip Romero comedy/magic in Stardust

10:00 Second City Scriptless in Spinnaker

10:30-late White Hot Party in Spinnaker

11:00-late Night Club dancing with DJ in Bliss

 

They cram a lot in 1 night!!

 

Sharon

[dolita22]

Glad you had a good time, despite the queasiness! Another seasickness remedy: green apples from the buffet. They help with nausea as well.

 

Have fun on your next cruise!

[peg013]

Just wait till you're on a ship with 4000 people and you're waiting outside on the deck in the middle of summer in the heat in the very back of the lines of people about 6 deep~ then you'll understand why people take their time! Glad you enjoyed yourselves!

 

I haven't stood outside 6 deep during muster in years! Most are in one of the dining rooms or the theatre on Norwegian Cruise Line. Don't bring your life jacket either! Maybe it's those from other cruise lines that are holding up the rest of us dragging their feet. ;) :D :eek:

Edited March 10, 2014 by peg013

[BritChickBN1]

Great review!! The Gem is my favorite. Welcome to your new expensive addiction. :p

[jimdalva]

Can you confirm that Passports are NOT needed, and that drivers lic. with photo will be enough. Thanks

[BritChickBN1]

Can you confirm that Passports are NOT needed, and that drivers lic. with photo will be enough. Thanks

 

 

That's correct. No passport needed for

A cruise to nowhere.

 

 

-Ginger

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[perkydebrajean]

Glad you had a great time! I just did my first cruise a couple of summers ago and it was on the Gem. I have wanted to cruise for years but opportunities just weren't there until then.

 

Two days into my 7 day cruise I got really sad that I only had 5 days left!! Now I've convinced my husband to finally try one and we've got an 11 day booked for December.

[Tralfie]

This was like it sprung right out of my head. LOL. I'm a HUGE Disney World freak and always assumed when I got around to cruising, it would be on Disney.

 

In October, I took my first cruise -- the same as yours: A cruise-to-nowhere overnighter on the Gem.

 

Just a week ago, I got off the Breakaway after a week in the aft-facing balcony of my dreams. LOL I've been writing, slowly but sure, my extensive review of that one. (My cruise-to-nowhere review is in my signature here)

 

I couldn't be more hooked if the food was laced with cocaine. I just told my travel agent to book me on the Gem for a 7-nighter in September. (In the end, I really prefer to the Gem to the Breakaway.)

 

Now, I'm going to have to figure out how to fit Disney -- usually an annual thing -- into my yearly budget, cause I ain't giving up cruising!

 

Richard/Tralfie

[GalCruzer]

That's correct. No passport needed for

A cruise to nowhere.

 

 

-Ginger

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Would that go for a 16 year old also? We plan on doing this as a mother/daughter cruise. And while she does not have a driver's license yet, she would have to obtain a non-driver's license or what?

Edited March 16, 2014 by GalCruzer