Gem Forward Penthouse 10000

[medsed]

Does anyone have any pictures, recent experiences, or reviews of this cabin? We booked it for an eastern Caribbean cruise in October. This is our second cruise, our first time on NCL, and we are hoping for a much better experience than we had last time around---it was a fiasco.

 

Also, I have several questions that I cannot seem to find an answer to, likely because I am not looking in the right place or conducting an accurate enough search...

 

1. Would sail away be better from our balcony or on deck? I was thinking some quiet time with the hubby and photo taking might be fun.

2. Can we ask for some snacks for our own little sail away party, and if we can should we ask when we get our concierge letter from NCL beFore we are on board?

3. Can I ask ahead of time that the mini fridge be emptied prior to our boarding, hubby will need to refrigerate his medications

4. What kinds of snacks can we ask the butler for...are these included in our cruise fare or will we be given some sort of pricing?

5. Will the butler come by and show us how to work our coffee machine and when he does can we give him a rundown of things we'd like in the room daily...cut up fruit, veggies and dip, cheeses...stuff like,that.

6. Has the Gem gone to the seafood buffet for lobster night and if so can we have lobster delivered to our suite via the butler, and should we let him or her know that on the first meeting?

7. How hard is it to open the bulkhead door?

8. What else should someone who is pretty new to cruising, new to NCL and new to the suite life know?..

 

I am sorry this is so long...we are so excited, this is going to be our most extensive and expensive vacation in a long, long time. Our kids are grown now, but two of them have health issues so getting away and having some truly relaxing alone time is just vital to us!

Thanks in advance to those who manage to get through my long list of questions....unfortunately, I am likely to have more as we count down the days.

 

Marie (& Steven, who is at work and will think this is a way too long post with far too many questions)

[Magickpyggie]

Hi Marie, 10000 and 10500 are our favourites, we have done the Med on the Jade, New York on the Gem and are booked on the Panama Canal on the Jewel this year and the Jade TA next year. You are right, that is a lot of questions.

 

Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/magickpyggie/sets for a lot of pictures from our Suites.

 

1. Suite balcony

 

2. You could ask, but they will be busy.

 

3. I think you can.

 

4. You get daily snacks, make friends with your Butler, anything is possible.

 

5. Yes, and again talk to him, you get fruit, but we never had cut up.

 

6. Ask at the first meeting.

 

7. It is a heavy door, make sure it engages on the latch at the top. Be careful opening the inner door if the outer door is moving and there is a strong wind.

 

8. Try having a meal in the cabin, quite romantic, on the balcony if weather good.

 

If Carlos is the Concierge, let him know you know the Boss Dog, I mentioned him in my book, Ramblings of a boss dog.

 

Ask any questions you like.

 

Best regards

 

John and Joan

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[medsed]

Thanks so much for the reply. I am so excited about this cruise, I cannot wait...160 days to go!

[Fishbait17]

I will add that as far as delivered snacks go, the rule of thumb is that anything free on the ship should be free when delivered to your suite, anything with extra cost (shrimp platters, etc) will come with extra cost in the suite. As far as pre-requesting anything with the pre-cruise concierge, it can be hit or miss. If you request something that isn't done when you board, it can usually be done very quickly after boarding. On our Gem sailing in the DOS, none of our pre-requests were taken care of before boarding, but our butler had a list of our requests and went over them with us once we met him in our suite (a short time aft boarding). If time is of the essence, just empty the mini fridge yourself and leave the contents on the counter.

 

Robin

[medsed]

Thanks for,replying Robin...I have this thread bookmarked for easy reference...it has already been incredibly helpful

[cpcanuck]

Congrats on the awsome suite - I eventually want to try a forward PH suite. I tend to book the aft cabins. I hear that the forward view from your balcony will be amazing.

 

As for sailaway party snacks - as others said it may be hit and miss to ask the butler on the embark day to have those items for sailaway (it tends to be a rather full and tight day for the crew and staff with the turn around from one sailing to the next).

 

You can call the pre-concierge desk and pre-book some of these things. But if you want to make sure you have something specific - you may want to go the ncl website and login to your reservation. There is a gift offerings section that lists things like shrimp platters, cheese platters and beverages that can be purchased and delivered to your cabin in time for sailaway. There is a charge for these items.

 

Once you are settled into the cabin and everyone is on board your butler will take the time to meet you, ask about your snack preferences and show you the particulars of the room including the heavy door.

 

Have an awesome sail!

[medsed]

Thanks so much for the info. Closer to the big day I will look at what is available on the website.

[jjikids]

Does anyone have any pictures, recent experiences, or reviews of this cabin? We booked it for an eastern Caribbean cruise in October. This is our second cruise, our first time on NCL, and we are hoping for a much better experience than we had last time around---it was a fiasco.

 

Also, I have several questions that I cannot seem to find an answer to, likely because I am not looking in the right place or conducting an accurate enough search...

 

1. Would sail away be better from our balcony or on deck? I was thinking some quiet time with the hubby and photo taking might be fun.

2. Can we ask for some snacks for our own little sail away party, and if we can should we ask when we get our concierge letter from NCL beFore we are on board?

3. Can I ask ahead of time that the mini fridge be emptied prior to our boarding, hubby will need to refrigerate his medications

4. What kinds of snacks can we ask the butler for...are these included in our cruise fare or will we be given some sort of pricing?

5. Will the butler come by and show us how to work our coffee machine and when he does can we give him a rundown of things we'd like in the room daily...cut up fruit, veggies and dip, cheeses...stuff like,that.

6. Has the Gem gone to the seafood buffet for lobster night and if so can we have lobster delivered to our suite via the butler, and should we let him or her know that on the first meeting?

7. How hard is it to open the bulkhead door?

8. What else should someone who is pretty new to cruising, new to NCL and new to the suite life know?..

 

I am sorry this is so long...we are so excited, this is going to be our most extensive and expensive vacation in a long, long time. Our kids are grown now, but two of them have health issues so getting away and having some truly relaxing alone time is just vital to us!

Thanks in advance to those who manage to get through my long list of questions....unfortunately, I am likely to have more as we count down the days.

 

Marie (& Steven, who is at work and will think this is a way too long post with far too many questions)

We requested by email three weeks before to have the fridge emptied and what pillows we wanted. You can also request most snacks. Just talk to your butler.when you get to the port you will meet the concierge. Remember the fridge is not a real one. It just keeps things cool.

[crimmper]

Does anyone have any pictures, recent experiences, or reviews of this cabin? We booked it for an eastern Caribbean cruise in October. This is our second cruise, our first time on NCL, and we are hoping for a much better experience than we had last time around---it was a fiasco.

 

Also, I have several questions that I cannot seem to find an answer to, likely because I am not looking in the right place or conducting an accurate enough search...

 

1. Would sail away be better from our balcony or on deck? I was thinking some quiet time with the hubby and photo taking might be fun.

2. Can we ask for some snacks for our own little sail away party, and if we can should we ask when we get our concierge letter from NCL beFore we are on board?

3. Can I ask ahead of time that the mini fridge be emptied prior to our boarding, hubby will need to refrigerate his medications

4. What kinds of snacks can we ask the butler for...are these included in our cruise fare or will we be given some sort of pricing?

5. Will the butler come by and show us how to work our coffee machine and when he does can we give him a rundown of things we'd like in the room daily...cut up fruit, veggies and dip, cheeses...stuff like,that.

6. Has the Gem gone to the seafood buffet for lobster night and if so can we have lobster delivered to our suite via the butler, and should we let him or her know that on the first meeting?

7. How hard is it to open the bulkhead door?

8. What else should someone who is pretty new to cruising, new to NCL and new to the suite life know?..

 

I am sorry this is so long...we are so excited, this is going to be our most extensive and expensive vacation in a long, long time. Our kids are grown now, but two of them have health issues so getting away and having some truly relaxing alone time is just vital to us!

Thanks in advance to those who manage to get through my long list of questions....unfortunately, I am likely to have more as we count down the days.

 

Marie (& Steven, who is at work and will think this is a way too long post with far too many questions)

 

This is 10500 on the Pearl from our 2008 Alaska cruise.I am sure the furniture has changed since then. I really enjoyed the extra cabin space.

 

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[medsed]

Thanks for the pictures. It looks quite a bit larger than our regular balcony room on our mother cruise was!!

Were you able to enjoy the balcony during the sail away and while approaching ports without too much wind?? Did you go out onto the balcony while at sea, of so how was it?

[crimmper]

Thanks for the pictures. It looks quite a bit larger than our regular balcony room on our mother cruise was!!

Were you able to enjoy the balcony during the sail away and while approaching ports without too much wind?? Did you go out onto the balcony while at sea, of so how was it?

 

We like to go up on deck during sail away but if you prefer using your balcony during sail away go right ahead.

 

It can get a little breezy on the balcony while at sea, but that never deterred us from using the it (the balcony wall acts as a bit of a wind guard so to speak. It won't eliminate it totally, but does make it manageable on very windy days.

 

Just a word of caution: make sure your door to the balcony is closed before you open the the cabin door. I made that mistake and wow what a crosswind. I had papers in the suite flying all over the place. LOL :o

 

I hope this info. helps.

 

You can't beat a forward suite when cruising Alaska or the Caribbean.

 

[medsed]

Thanks for sharing the great picture. We are actually really looking forward to a quiet launch to this vacation. We get very little relaxed alone time and really look forward to spending time in the cabin, on the balcony, exploring ports of call and tables for two for dinner. A co worker of hubby's heard we were on this cruise and surprised us and booked it so we could be cruise buddies and told us after he had it booked...we are not thrilled....going to have them over for dinner prior to final payment day, to explain our purpose for the cruise, what we have planned etc...they are not in a suite and we will not be giving up breakfast and lunch in Cagney's in order to eat at the buffet with them...we also do not do spa treatments, just not our thing, we are not avid shoppers, we love the beach, they do not...the other couple likes to do very separate activities...we like to spend time together....yea, we have a lot to talk about.....sigh

[medsed]

Another question, can we bring our own lavas a pods in flavors we like,more can we bring our own tea and will it just dispense hot water? Yes, I am crazy planning so far ahead...we are just so excited for this cruise!!

[kdzkatz]

Another question, can we bring our own lavas a pods in flavors we like,more can we bring our own tea and will it just dispense hot water? Yes, I am crazy planning so far ahead...we are just so excited for this cruise!!

 

Thank you for starting this thread. We have #10000 booked on the Jewel next year for a 9 day to Alaska. We have been on both sides, the back, the top (Haven on the Pearl, a cruise within a cruise) and now we will get the try the front. From doing a bunch of research it seems that 10000 and 10500 are most the often the desired forward penthouses. I do like that it has a full size sofa instead of a small love seat. I am very anxious to experience coming into port as many have said it is amazing on the front of the ship. I am also hoping for at least one clear night as the front of the ship is supposed to be the darkest...maybe get really lucky and have the northern lights give us a show :D

 

Still almost a year away but we have our cruise in a week and a half in a 2 bedroom penthouse :D That bedroom/bathroom is sooo nice!

[buckeye82]

Thank you for starting this thread. We have #10000 booked on the Jewel next year for a 9 day to Alaska. We have been on both sides, the back, the top (Haven on the Pearl, a cruise within a cruise) and now we will get the try the front. From doing a bunch of research it seems that 10000 and 10500 are most the often the desired forward penthouses. I do like that it has a full size sofa instead of a small love seat. I am very anxious to experience coming into port as many have said it is amazing on the front of the ship. I am also hoping for at least one clear night as the front of the ship is supposed to be the darkest...maybe get really lucky and have the northern lights give us a show :D

 

Still almost a year away but we have our cruise in a week and a half in a 2 bedroom penthouse :D That bedroom/bathroom is sooo nice!

 

Northern lights in May? You'll be lucky if it even gets darkish out! Have fun! Great cruise night or day. :)

[kdzkatz]

Northern lights in May? You'll be lucky if it even gets darkish out! Have fun! Great cruise night or day. :)

 

It is early May so we will get a little bit of night time. We would have to set a wake up call for between 1-3 am though probably to get maximum darkness. I know end of May there was a couple hours of night surrounded by lots of dusk & dawn lol:D

[coolbluegreenseas]

Thanks for sharing the great picture. We are actually really looking forward to a quiet launch to this vacation. We get very little relaxed alone time and really look forward to spending time in the cabin, on the balcony, exploring ports of call and tables for two for dinner. A co worker of hubby's heard we were on this cruise and surprised us and booked it so we could be cruise buddies and told us after he had it booked...we are not thrilled....going to have them over for dinner prior to final payment day, to explain our purpose for the cruise, what we have planned etc...they are not in a suite and we will not be giving up breakfast and lunch in Cagney's in order to eat at the buffet with them...we also do not do spa treatments, just not our thing, we are not avid shoppers, we love the beach, they do not...the other couple likes to do very separate activities...we like to spend time together....yea, we have a lot to talk about.....sigh

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how some people think their presence is needed or wanted without inquiring. It would seem your husband's co-worker is incredibly presumptuous, and not a little bit rude. In any case, you should probably make your expectations clear in a phone call, or email as dinner will probably go very badly. Also, do this NOW, or as close to now as possible. You never know but the other couple may decide to cancel their booking if you and hubby will not be "cruise buddies." In addition, explain nothing beyond that this is a second honeymoon (it certainly sounds like it) for the two of you ONLY, and you are spending time together, ALONE. If they still insist on going, commit to one dinner, and maybe one show, but nothing else. It is a large ship, and you are in The Haven, so not seeing the "cruise buddies" should be easy.

[cpcanuck]

Thanks for sharing the great picture. We are actually really looking forward to a quiet launch to this vacation. We get very little relaxed alone time and really look forward to spending time in the cabin, on the balcony, exploring ports of call and tables for two for dinner. A co worker of hubby's heard we were on this cruise and surprised us and booked it so we could be cruise buddies and told us after he had it booked...we are not thrilled....going to have them over for dinner prior to final payment day, to explain our purpose for the cruise, what we have planned etc...they are not in a suite and we will not be giving up breakfast and lunch in Cagney's in order to eat at the buffet with them...we also do not do spa treatments, just not our thing, we are not avid shoppers, we love the beach, they do not...the other couple likes to do very separate activities...we like to spend time together....yea, we have a lot to talk about.....sigh

 

Oh!!! How dreadful for you! That would be one of my worst fears. I hope your conversation goes well and that they will realize their mistake and graciously bow out. Gosh that is a tough one! :(

[medsed]

We were shocked. I mean what does one say when an acquaintance calls and says, we have a wonderful surprise for you. We booked the same cruise as you did for October, we are going to have so much fun. I think I stammered and said OH....I really couldn't even react and I am rarely at a loss for words....hubby will vouch for that! We cannot make them cancel and we cannot be downright rude, but we are firmly going to make our intentions clear and will be sure to let them know that we plan to spend a great deal of time alone, eating alone, being alone, just enjoying the whole experience. In spite of some problems with our cabin, our last cruise was magical for us. We are not letting anyone spoil it.

 

They are a good bit older than us, they are are really nice people but not really someone we would think of if we were to go on a vacation together...heck we don't want our grown kids, well the health issues they have not withstanding, our siblings and their spouses, my inlaws etc on a cruise with us and we love all of them very much, so why would we want to share our vacation with this couple...I told hubby from now on no discussing our plans with anyone ...tell them about the trip after the fact. He was so excited about the suite, the itinerary and all that he just wanted to tell his friends....now we have this situation to deal with.....