Just off the Gem 10/20/15

[jdycty]

How often do they come out with a new menu?

[MaryLS]

We didn't go to the shows and didn't go to the rock climbing wall. The table games in the casino were Blackjack, Craps, Texas Hold Em, Three Card Poker, Let it Ride and Roulette. We didn't utilized the pool on sea days so I don't know how the chair thing went. Usually it is crazy and that's why we don't go to the pool on sea days. We did go for a 75 minute Swedish massage while in port. I thought the prices were pretty high. It was $175pp including gratuity. We didn't add any additional gratuity.

[MaryLS]

I don't know how often the menus change but I can't say we were happy with the menus this time.

[jdough789]

:confused:I enjoyed your review. We are cruising her in December. Would you be so kind as to provide me with the names of the captain, cruise director, chef food/beverage and hotel director. Thank you.

[MaryLS]

Sorry, I don't have that information.

[rapata]

From another couple on this Gem cruise. We also didn't sit in the pool area, but enjoyed the very top sundeck 14 where we could always get a chair and had fab views of the bow and I can ahead.

We did most shows and thought they were very good.

 

Not casino people so came comment on that.

We ate in the main dining rooms every night and found the selections and quality quite good. Chef special and 3 other entrees different each night as well as good choice of apperisers and dessert.

As for ports.... we only did one ship shore excursion in St Maarten and we're very disappointed. Littleton value got the high price paid. Would have been better to just get a taxi once ashore. Do your research before you go

[rapata]

Sorry for the typos above, darned tablet sent message before i proofread.

Captain was Steffan, cruise director Dan Dan and his assistant Luze. Don't know names of the rest, not important to us.

Happy to answer any more questions you have.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Keith

[Barb Nahoumi]

Mary, I was sorry to hear about your disappointing experience with your steward. I might have spoken to the hotel director about it, and written a negative comment card. He should never have spoken to you that way.

[49erfan007]

Mary and Rapata,

thanks for all the information! I don't really care about sitting by the pool, the deck 14 area sounds great to me, I just want to lay in the sun on a lounge, thanks again

Cathy

[Mr and Mrs C]

Any dallies?

[MaryLS]

Thanks Barb but I quickly got over it.

 

It was just something I never experienced on NCL or any cruise line. It is however a little scary at how much discretion the cabin steward has. After I reported it, I was actually fearful that "evidence" might be planted in the cabin by the steward because I did report him.

[CTGen04]

From another couple on this Gem cruise.

 

 

As for ports.... we only did one ship shore excursion in St Maarten and we're very disappointed. Littleton value got the high price paid. Would have been better to just get a taxi once ashore. Do your research before you go

 

Hi Rapata,

 

Thanks for this information; sorry to hear that your St. Maarten excursion was disappointing. We're planning for this itinerary in January -- what was the excursion?

 

Thanks,

CTGen04

[rapata]

I think it was called ultimate st maarten, land and sea. which started on aircon bus thru Dutch side, then onto a boat and cruised through lagoon over to Marigot. They had rum punch drinks and music on the boat, but at 10am we dont drink! We had an hour there, it's a cute place, then back on the bus to Philipsburg. The guide was OK with lots of info about the island but we didn't stop at any places to take photos. $72.00 pp. Was a rip off.

I would get a taxi and ask him to tour you round, then go back to Philipsburg and either wander the town, lots of cute old buildings to see, or go to the beach which is walking distance from the ship, or short water taxi ride. Can rent chairs and umbrellas there.

[CTGen04]

Thank you! Very good to know!

 

CTGen04

[funredhead]

We sailed on this sailing as well. This was our first time on the Gem. I can't say enough about the staff. Honestly, the best staff we have experienced in many many years. Our room steward was like a room steward of the old days. (Although he was young). He knew us by name and was very friendly. And he got to know our timing, so our room was cleaned as soon as w left.

 

Every bartender, every waiter, absolutely every employee was pleasant and friendly. This as the first ship that we witnessed employees being managed. And it truly works. It's my opinion that the Gem should be the model for ship service. It's honestly that impressive.

 

The only hiccup we experienced was on the last night in cagneys. We ate there 3 times. But, on this last night it just wasn't what it was on previous visits. I had to ask the waiter to bring the French press coffee which he told me they only serve for breakfast. (Not true). In fairness, when asked he did bring the coffee. So, if you have a specialty dinner planned, don't save it for cagneys on the last night.

 

Magnums was our favorite bar. We loved the variety of music. Don't miss the last night. The crew from the bar staff sing with the band. They are incredibly talented and fun. And, can they make a martini!

 

Don't miss mojitos in sugarcane. And, the bar staff in the great outdoors are fantastic! They do tricks and were lots of fun.

 

If you want a dining package for less than the duration of the cruise, buy it before you go. We did and loved the variety. On board they only offer it for the whole trip.

 

For the ports, we went on the run forest hike. In St. Marten, we went to mullet bay. No sea weed. Absolutely beautiful. Great snorkeling. In st. Thomas, we went to coki and the snorkeling there was amazing. So colorful. We saw a 4ft shark. Very very cool. In Tortola, we took the ship excursion to Jost van dyke. Which was amazing. We booked before we left on the cruise and ship excursion desk told me that it sells out every trip before the first day. So if you want to go, book it.

[49erfan007]

Fun,

Thanks for the review. I was glad to hear about the great crew, I hope they are the same crew that will be on my Jan sailing. On the Mullet Bay trip how long did it take to get there from the port? How much was the cab? My DH and I went there on our honeymoon, so I would love to go back.

Thanks, Cathy

[funredhead]

For Mullett Bay, it was $9/pp each way. It's on the Dutch side of the island so not as far as Orient. I'd say about a 15 minute cab ride. There were cab drivers sitting in the lot, so we had no issue getting back to the port area. You could see the planes coming in. It's not as close to the airport as Moho, but it's also not as loud.

 

Hope that helps your planning. Have a great trip!

[49erfan007]

Thanks for the reply, I have one more question though. How was the water, was it rough? When we were on our honeymoon it was very calm, but I have heard that it can get very rough. I live to snorkel and just float so I was just wondering,

Cathy

[Clover's Mom]

Hello, I have a few questions also. I will be on the Gem in Dec. I was wondering if you noticed if any of the MDRs were open on the day you boarded and also which bars were open. Maybe one more question (lol), would you know when is a good time to arrive at the port. Thank you.

[rapata]

We ate lunch at Sheehan right after boarding. The Grand PA ific dining room was open, as we're the great outdoors and pool bar.

[Clover's Mom]

Thanks very much for the info

[jdough789]

Thank you for your information and the review.

[MaryLS]

The Grand Pacific MDR was open I believe until 1:30. Boarding began around 11:45am. I know the bar in the Atrium was open but I don't know what other bars.

[Budget Queen]

Anyone, have a copy of the new menu?