NCL Gem Review - June 4 to 12

[Fpacifico]

Did you like going under the bridge. I grew up watching the construction when I was a little girl

New York City is certainly different, you have to drive like a taxie cab driver to get anywhere, lol

[fshagan]

Loving your review so far! Thanks!

[Lisalk12]

Thanks so much for the comments! We loved the trip and venture back to NYC again soon!

 

The bridge was amazing to sail under. My 10 year old just knew that we wouldn't make it. [emoji6]

[Lisalk12]

Dailies from sail away:

[Lisalk12]

[MsJax]

Such a great review, love the pictures!

We will be sailing the Gem on July 9th, cant wait to hear more :)

[Infiniti820]

Following..great review so far!! Looking forward to hearing more! I'm sailing July 9th.

[scapaflow]

awesome review, in pics even better. We are not on Gem till next spring, the excitement started the day we booked

[Clarea]

Excellent photos, enjoying the review!

[Lisalk12]

Day 2- Sea Day

[Lisalk12]

Breakfast for suite guest was at Modorno 7:30-10:00 at 9:15 the place was packed. We waited in a lounge area until a table was available. I was offered GF/DF waffles/french toast from the main dinning room if I wished but I usually eat fresh eggs and fruit in the morning so no worries ordering from the suite menu.

They also have a food buffet with pastries, cereals, fruit, and juice. Coffee is French pressed which is my favorite!!!

After breakfast we went to the CC meet and greet. It was scheduled for 11:00 at Le Bistro. We had a chance to hear from the top officers from the ship. They encouraged communication and allowing them to fix anything found to be under par.

The captain was the same as when we sailed on the Star a few years ago. We visited with those we had met through CC. They had a large spread of pastries/juices available. A cabin crawl and slot pull was scheduled for Friday which is a sea day at the end of our trip.

[Lisalk12]

After the M&G my husband and I went to the art auction that was held in the Bliss Ultra Lounge on Deck 7,Aft. They had tons of beautiful art work on display. You received three sticky notes to place on the frame of your favorites. They would then pull those painting to show at the auction. Of course the one that I liked was WAY out of my price range. But artwork sold for $50-$1,200. Some was sold and shipped "as is", some came framed and shipped, and a couple of pieces were to be carried off the ship. Champagne was served during the auction. It was really fun and something that I would absolutely do again!!!

[Lisalk12]

We met the boys at O'Sheehan's for lunch a little after 2:00. Not sure why we never venture up to this 24 hour dining option. I think I was so exited about getting to eat my version of a hotdog (it's been a couple of years) that I for got to take photos of the menu but here is the food:

Hotdog

Nachos

Buffalo Wings

Turkey Dinner

 

It was really yummy!!!

 

The boys decided that they were ready to take on the rock wall (which was closed when we got out there) & play basketball.

 

jpg[/img]

[Lisalk12]

Husband and I chose less strenuous sports.

[Lisalk12]

When we got back to the room we found hat Roshan had left us some simply beautiful and tasty treats.

 

He was always careful mark the food that I could eat. Which I was very thankful for

[cincicruisers]

Enjoying your review. Looking forward to the rest.

[baryton]

Loving the review. Reminds me of my Gem cruise last October.

[Lisalk12]

After eating we went up the Spinnaker Lounge and tried our hand at Bingo. Kids can play (and win) with an adult present. It was $69 dollars for the largest pack kind of expensive but we got a free bingo shirt out of the deal. Lol!! We didn't win anything but had a great time!

 

We went back to get ready for the

Captains VIP cocktail party. It was held in the Haven. Wow what a beautiful place!! We had drinks and Hors d'oeuvres around the pool. We went upstairs and looked out at their private cabana. My husband will probably regret going to this because now the Haven is my next cruising goal. [emoji3]

Here we met with the photographer from the Perspectives Photography Studio. We had walked through her studio the first day and she had said that the ship was offering a special. If you scheduled an appointment to take photos the first two days you receive $100 off your photo order. There was no setting cost and no purchase necessary. Since it was 8 years since our last family photo we thought we might as well. And we set up a time for the next day.

So make sure you drop in and get this flyer with the coupon if you are interested in a photo session.

[Lisalk12]

For dinner we returned to Magenta.

The dinner must of been delicious because I have no pictures of any of the food!!! Anyway, I do know that we were in a hurry because my youngest son wanted to see if we could catch the NBA Finals game somewhere on the ship. I was secretly wishing we would find Miss USA on instead. So the four of us and about 30 of our best friends packed Shakers Martini Bar to watch basketball. Finally, my husband went to the room and sent us a text message back that it was playing in the room. So back we went to the room to watch and eat Gummy Bears. I had to wait a couple of days to see Miss USA on You Tube during our Florida port.

[rocklinmom]

OMG I am so excited reading your review! I have booked your exact suite for next summer. I have three teens so I am loving all of your kid details. Keep up the great work! And thanks for posting the menus and dailies, loving reading them!!

[Lisalk12]

You will love your time aboard the Gem! The crew was amazing and we had a great time.

[Lisalk12]

[Lisalk12]

Day 3 sea day

We slept in the morning of day three and missed breakfast. Lunch was offered at Cagney's starting at noon. We had a few minutes to spare so my youngest decided he wanted to join the Free Throw Basketball Tournament. But when we got there he had to have pre-registered. So instead we went for a walk on the jogging track until the restaurant was open. Now at home I track my walks on an app. So I thought I would turn it on (while in airplane mode) and track my time. Well even in plane mode it still tracked my location and the boats movement and gave my best ever avg. pace.

[Lisalk12]

When Cagney's opened we went in and had lunch. The lunch and breakfast menus stayed the same for the entire vacation.

But we enjoyed the food and had dessert this time as well. My boys wanted to go down and see the Mr. Sexy Legs competition that was happening by the pool. They laughed and laughed. The loungers beside the pool stayed occupied most of the trip. But most of the time you could find loungers somewhere if you wanted to be outside enjoying the view and sea air.

[Lisalk12]

We took the boys the the bridge observation deck that was right down the hall from our cabin on deck 11. It was really cool to see the crew working and the boys could interact with some of the instruments they use.