Who just came off the Gem today?

[49erfan007]

Waiting to hear from the people who did the Christmas sailing on the Gem. How was your trip? Is the slide working yet? Happy New Year, did you enjoy your cruise?

[jamesgjr]

Waiting to hear from the people who did the Christmas sailing on the Gem. How was your trip? Is the slide working yet? Happy New Year, did you enjoy your cruise?

Great time... No slide but fantastic cruise. Capt Lars is very personable and funny and a really great CD in Drew and his team! Happy to answer questions.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[dongordon]

Great time... No slide but fantastic cruise. Capt Lars is very personable and funny and a really great CD in Drew and his team! Happy to answer questions.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Did they say why the slide was not working and when it would be operational?

How was the entertainment?

 

Thanks.

Don

[dongordon]

The recent GEM cruise must have been a real party...everyone resting up before getting a review!! :D

 

C'mon gang....let's hear from you. :)

 

Don

[Mustangdrew]

Capt Lars is awesome !

[dongordon]

Capt Lars is awesome !

 

That's all we get? :D

 

Don

[bbryan5]

I know there's a TON of old "Gem Tips" threads, but not much new stuff since dry dock. Anyone that's been on Gem since dry dock, please chime in with some tips! Would love to hear about the "new" Gem.

[jalamhols]

Captain Lars is fantastic. Drew and the team are great. Shows were fab. Food was fab. Ship is lovely but no slide - last we heard was that it has to be removed.

 

This was our first cruise so nothing to compare it with. Had a few complaints but that was more to do with disabled person help.

 

We are just home after a mammoth 26 hours of travelling and sitting in the airport so need to sleep. Will try to post a proper review and some pics in the next few days.

[Hogwarts fan]

Captain Lars is fantastic. Drew and the team are great. Shows were fab. Food was fab. Ship is lovely but no slide - last we heard was that it has to be removed.

 

This was our first cruise so nothing to compare it with. Had a few complaints but that was more to do with disabled person help.

 

We are just home after a mammoth 26 hours of travelling and sitting in the airport so need to sleep. Will try to post a proper review and some pics in the next few days.

 

Look forward to reading more ! Can sympathise with the travelling, the only downside to where we live, apart from the weather if course ;) Less than 50 days until my trip :)

[49erfan007]

Thanks for giving us a little something. I am sailing the Gem in 8 days and I have never been on her, so I am very excited. I was just wondering how was the smoke situation in the casino. I am an ex-smoker and it bothers me terribly. I keep hearing how bad the smoke is on the Escape so I was getting nervous about the Gem. Also how was the weather sailing out of New York? How about the weather on the islands. What did you do in San Juan? That's it for now, but I'm sure I will think of more ;)

[Gershep]

Thanks for giving us a little something. I am sailing the Gem in 8 days and I have never been on her, so I am very excited. I was just wondering how was the smoke situation in the casino. I am an ex-smoker and it bothers me terribly. I keep hearing how bad the smoke is on the Escape so I was getting nervous about the Gem. Also how was the weather sailing out of New York? How about the weather on the islands. What did you do in San Juan? That's it for now, but I'm sure I will think of more ;)

 

 

We were on the Gem in June and there was absolutely no problem with cigarette smoke. The AWAY ships have more of a problem with smoke because of the central openness of the casino.

 

You will love the Gem, it's my favorite ship.

[fromct]

The Slide is not working, the cruise was very crowded and not very enjoyable. Excursions were wonderful!

[Canagirl]

Thanks for giving us a little something. I am sailing the Gem in 8 days and I have never been on her, so I am very excited. I was just wondering how was the smoke situation in the casino. I am an ex-smoker and it bothers me terribly. I keep hearing how bad the smoke is on the Escape so I was getting nervous about the Gem. Also how was the weather sailing out of New York? How about the weather on the islands. What did you do in San Juan? That's it for now, but I'm sure I will think of more ;)

 

We were on the Gem in December, shortly after the refurb, and had a great cruise. I never sailed the Gem prior the refurb so have nothing to compare to.

 

As for the casino, we are non-smokers and found it quite smoky smelling. After a couple days, we went up a level to avoid walking through the casino when heading to the theatre since we were bothered by it. Not a big deal since we aren't gamblers so had no need to be there and smoke wasn't an issue anywhere else.

 

I hope you have a great cruise. The Gem is a great ship.

[Turtles06]

Thanks for giving us a little something. I am sailing the Gem in 8 days and I have never been on her, so I am very excited. I was just wondering how was the smoke situation in the casino. I am an ex-smoker and it bothers me terribly. I keep hearing how bad the smoke is on the Escape so I was getting nervous about the Gem. Also how was the weather sailing out of New York? How about the weather on the islands. What did you do in San Juan? That's it for now, but I'm sure I will think of more ;)

 

We've been on the Gem twice (back on board for a third time next month) as well as on two of her sister ships. We are non-smokers and smoke bothers us. It is not a problem for us to be on the Gem (or her sister ships). Yes, the casino is smoky, but we just avoid it (which is far easier to do on these ships than on the Breakaway from what I've read). Don't be anxious about that.

 

As for the weather anywhere, it doesn't really matter much what it was last week, does it? :)

 

Have you done any research on San Juan? The Ports of Call board is a great place to start. The ship will dock in Old San Juan, and you can walk everywhere in Old San Juan, including to the two forts.

 

Have a great cruise!

Edited January 4, 2016 by Turtles06

[NYcruzzer]

The Slide is not working, the cruise was very crowded and not very enjoyable. Excursions were wonderful!

 

That's surprising. Who would have thought a holiday sailing would be crowded ? huh...

[dongordon]

RE: Water Slide

 

Could someone please provide the full detailed description on why it is inoperable and must "come down?"

 

There are many of us bringing our children and grandchildren on future cruises who are awaiting an explanation.

There has been many "assumed reasons" on these boards, but nothing definitive.

 

Thank you.

Don

Edited January 4, 2016 by dongordon

[Jezo]

RE: Water Slide

 

Could someone please provide the full detailed description on why it is inoperable and must "come down?"

 

There are many of us bringing our children and grandchildren on future cruises who are awaiting an explanation.

There has been many "assumed reasons" on these boards, but nothing definitive.

 

Thank you.

Don

 

No one knows for sure 100% and it's all internet hearsay now.

 

Before today it was that it wasn't inspected.

 

Then it became a broken pump that needed to be replaced.

 

And now with this thread it has evolved into the whole darn thing needs to be taken down and replaced.

 

So to answer your question, internet.

 

Soon it is going to be that that it was found that the slide exit was mistakenly angled that anyone who rides it would be thrown overboard. Chaos on the high seas, the Gem has become the Pinto of the Oceans in that only the brave would board it and death awaits at every turn.

[dongordon]

No one knows for sure 100% and it's all internet hearsay now.

 

Before today it was that it wasn't inspected.

 

Then it became a broken pump that needed to be replaced.

 

And now with this thread it has evolved into the whole darn thing needs to be taken down and replaced.

 

So to answer your question, internet.

 

Soon it is going to be that that it was found that the slide exit was mistakenly angled that anyone who rides it would be thrown overboard. Chaos on the high seas, the Gem has become the Pinto of the Oceans in that only the brave would board it and death awaits at every turn.

 

Those that were on the holiday cruise should know.

It must have come up in the GEM Officers Q & A at the M & G....or discussed sometime during the 10 day cruise. You would think that the parents with all those kids onboard would request some answers. In about three weeks, I will certainly have some questions and hopefully get some answers.

So far, the cruisers who have posted here have only said it is "coming down."

The question is "Why and When?"

 

Don

Edited January 4, 2016 by dongordon

[bbryan5]

Oh, GREAT! Another Gem thread has turned into a "why isn't the slide open yet" complain-fest. :p:p

[NYcruzzer]

Oh, GREAT! Another Gem thread has turned into a "why isn't the slide open yet" complain-fest. :p:p

 

It was OP second question after "how was your cruise"? Gotta figure it was going to go in this direction...

[49erfan007]

We've been on the Gem twice (back on board for a third time next month) as well as on two of her sister ships. We are non-smokers and smoke bothers us. It is not a problem for us to be on the Gem (or her sister ships). Yes, the casino is smoky, but we just avoid it (which is far easier to do on these ships than on the Breakaway from what I've read). Don't be anxious about that.

 

As for the weather anywhere, it doesn't really matter much what it was last week, does it? :)

 

Have you done any research on San Juan? The Ports of Call board is a great place to start. The ship will dock in Old San Juan, and you can walk everywhere in Old San Juan, including to the two forts.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

I have been to San Juan 2 times before (stayed overnight both times for pre-cruise), but I did the rainforest tour one time and the other time we just walked around Old San Juan. This time I want to park my butt at a nice beach. Any suggestions. Also I know the weather from last cruise has nothing to do with our cruise, but I was just wondering :D I am very excited, it's been several years since I've been on a cruise, as I have been doing land vacations for the last several years

[49erfan007]

It was OP second question after "how was your cruise"? Gotta figure it was going to go in this direction...

 

Sorry I even asked! It's not like I have children sailing with me, I was just curious, as it has been a big topic. I figured the people on the latest sailing would have some news, not trying to start trouble :rolleyes:

[dongordon]

Just wondering if anyone is going to provide a review today or answer any questions for future GEM cruisers?

 

1. Are the new specialty restaurant menus in effect?

 

2. How were the kids' programs, besides being overcrowded for your cruise.

What time did the first night's evening activities start?

 

3. Tell us about the answers to why the slide was not operating and if they are taking it down (as reported)....when?

 

4. How was the entertainment....what shows are a "must to see?"

 

5. Was there a "White Hot Party?"

 

6. How were the martinis at the Martini Bar (Love the Espresso Martini!)? :D

 

7. Was there an adult scavenger hunt in the Spinnaker Lounge (one of the more entertaining and fun activities onboard the GEM)?

 

8. How was your Meet and Greet?

 

Thanks and greatly appreciated. :)

 

Don

[fromct]

NYcruzzer. It's not the crowd that was surprising. It was the second rate service and food. But thanks for your sarcasm

[Canagirl]

We were on the Dec 3 to 13 sailing, so can't answer many of the questions.

 

The shows were all ok. The Tenors of Rock show was the one "must" see for us. There was an adult scavenger hunt and a white hot party.

 

As for the food, we had no complaints. Regarding the service, it was OUTSTANDING. Absolutely fabulous crew and I can't say enough good things about them. From the wait staff, to the buffet staff, to the washy washy girls, to the bartenders, to the room stewards. The service was AMAZING. There were a few staff we spoke to that were near the end of their contracts, but most still had months to go so the majority will still be there. We really thought the crew was excellent and provided excellent service.