Just off NCL Gem

[bsb4273]

I just returned from NCL Gem. Feel free to ask any questions, etc...

[karen_cpa]

Us too! Bummed we didn't make GSC, but otherwise had a fantastic time! Worse disembarkation though, any idea what was up?

[bsb4273]

We had a fantastic time as well and we were disappointed about GSC. The water seemed so calm in GSC and I don't know why we could not tender. The disembarkation was by far the worst I have ever experienced.. we were in the first group and we were stuck on deck 7 for almost an hour in he cold and rain. I think someone or multiple people were arrested. We saw several people being escorted off. Y local authorities in NYC. I felt like the crew could have done a better job of keeping us informed.

[karen_cpa]

Wow, that would explain things! I guess everything got delayed.

 

A bartender told me the swells by GSC were supposed to get worse as the day went on and getting people back on board would be an issue.

[Gershep]

Glad to hear you all had a great time other than missing GSC. How was the entertainment? Was Leo and Ted Kaminski (magician) on board? How did you like the CD?

[SGK]

Did either of you have the UBP? If so, did you pay taxes on drinks while in port(s)? If so, do you remember what the average tax was?

 

Did either of you use the Thermal Spa? Thoughts?

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Weetahbugdotcom]

Did either of you have the UBP? If so, did you pay taxes on drinks while in port(s)? If so, do you remember what the average tax was?

 

Did either of you use the Thermal Spa? Thoughts?

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

I was not on this ship but NYC tax is 8.875% so taxes on a $15 drink, for example, would be $1.33 while you are in NY.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MalervyC]

Do you know anyone who did the Thermal spa pass? Looking for reviews of how that experience was.

 

Did you park at the pier and is the coupon just for Gem passengers still working?

[karen_cpa]

Do you know anyone who did the Thermal spa pass? Looking for reviews of how that experience was.

 

Did you park at the pier and is the coupon just for Gem passengers still working?

 

Didnt use the spa, sorry.

 

Yes, parked at pier and coupon was honored - $210 for the week.

[karen_cpa]

Glad to hear you all had a great time other than missing GSC. How was the entertainment? Was Leo and Ted Kaminski (magician) on board? How did you like the CD?

 

Didn't see Leo and Ted. Honestly not sure who the CD was, barely saw or heard him all week.

[karen_cpa]

Did either of you have the UBP? If so, did you pay taxes on drinks while in port(s)? If so, do you remember what the average tax was?

 

Did either of you use the Thermal Spa? Thoughts?

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

No spa, sorry.

 

Yes, had UBP. Paid port taxes for drinks in NYC and FL - I want to say no more than $1-1.50 on most drinks. Don't think we paid port taxes in Nassau but not 100% sure.

[easyboy]

The disembarkation was by far the worst I have ever experienced.. we were in the first group and we were stuck on deck 7 for almost an hour in he cold and rain. I think someone or multiple people were arrested. We saw several people being escorted off. Y local authorities in NYC. I felt like the crew could have done a better job of keeping us informed.

 

 

Those who may have an early flight may have been affected, got worried at the least.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[mdaviswv]

Do you know anyone who did the Thermal spa pass? Looking for reviews of how that experience was.

 

Did you park at the pier and is the coupon just for Gem passengers still working?

 

Thanks for the tip on the coupon. Just got one for us!

[mskaufman]

Any tips for those of us sailing in the next few weeks?

[texastennis]

We had a fantastic time as well and we were disappointed about GSC. The water seemed so calm in GSC and I don't know why we could not tender. The disembarkation was by far the worst I have ever experienced.. we were in the first group and we were stuck on deck 7 for almost an hour in he cold and rain. I think someone or multiple people were arrested. We saw several people being escorted off. Y local authorities in NYC. I felt like the crew could have done a better job of keeping us informed.

 

Would like to hear a little more about the disembarkation process. I was on the Jade last year out of Houston and had a nightmarish disembarkation and that was without people being arrested. Hearing that your experience was unpleasant makes me wonder if disembarkation overall is not well-organized. I know that I'm seriously re-thinking the walk-off option to disembark in order to avoid the madness on Deck 7.

[bsb4273]

The disembarkation was chaotic. I think more and more people are opting for the walk off and it is not organized. I have done this in the past with little negative experiences. The cruise director staff member in Bliss had no idea what was going on and people were getting frustrated being outside with no information.

The cruise director was Mark and he was ok. He was barely visible. I may have seen him a few times throughout the cruise. I have been on other cruises and the CD has made him/herself available to passengers.

Marjoram and Francisco are excellent bartenders at Shaker's. they greeted us each day and took great care of us. We enjoyed Le Bistro, Cagney's, and La Cucina. The food and beverage director was fantastic and they always accommodated my vegetarian diet in all restaurants, including the specialty restaurants.

[Gershep]

The last couple of cruises disembarking in NY have been a nightmare. I don't know why it is so disorganized. It is hard enough coming back knowing your cruise is over and then to have to deal with disembarking nightmare.

[karen_cpa]

I think it's a few issues - many people choose self-disembark. More honestly than I think customs can handle in one swoop at that port. The other issue was customs, just about 6 agents and they didn't hesitate to say the lower room was full and then all movement stopped. We got stuck at top of the escalators and they were literally just letting 30 people down at a time once customs gave the green light. 2500 people, 30 at a time - that's a slow process. And of course people with early flights were panicking and agents let them cut the line which led to a lot of grumbling.

 

IMO, they need to re-think the self-disembarkation process in that particular port.

[mskaufman]

If your car is parked at the pier, can you just hang out until the mess clears?

[sioutpost]

Didnt use the spa, sorry.

 

Yes, parked at pier and coupon was honored - $210 for the week.

 

Where do you find the pier parking coupon for the Gem?

[sioutpost]

I just returned from NCL Gem. Feel free to ask any questions, etc...

How and when do you book the Murder Mystery lunch in Le Bistro?

[OnTheGoMom921]

Do you know anyone who did the Thermal spa pass? Looking for reviews of how that experience was.

 

Did you park at the pier and is the coupon just for Gem passengers still working?

 

My DH and I were on the Gem on the 4/29/17 sailing. I purchased the spa passes. We did enjoy the spa, and since the Bahamas run is nothing new to us, we barely got off the ship and took advantage of the spa services on port days. We went at different times, morning or afternoon, and never had a large crowd. We took advantage of the discount on services on port days and enjoyed 2 Swedish massages and a hot stone massage. The hot tub, thalasso therapy pool, sauna, steam room and even heated tile benches were always readily available.

I will say that the online price prior to sailing was approx. $139 (?) for the 7 day, but when we bought on board they were $186 each, which was a lot more than last time I did the spa pass on a 7 day.

We were able to tender to GSC and enjoyed seeing the island improvements since the last time we were there. I understand that we were very lucky to tender, it was calm as glass. But other sailings have not made it to GSC.

We didn't park at pier, but others in our Gem roll call did, and they did successfully use the discount coupon, no problems.

[mdaviswv]

If your car is parked at the pier, can you just hang out until the mess clears?

 

 

 

Recently we've tried the self assist a couple of times. If you wait it out they ask that you don't stay in your cabin. But yes, you can always disembark the traditional way and wait for your color to be called.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MalervyC]

My DH and I were on the Gem on the 4/29/17 sailing. I purchased the spa passes. We did enjoy the spa, and since the Bahamas run is nothing new to us, we barely got off the ship and took advantage of the spa services on port days. We went at different times, morning or afternoon, and never had a large crowd. We took advantage of the discount on services on port days and enjoyed 2 Swedish massages and a hot stone massage. The hot tub, thalasso therapy pool, sauna, steam room and even heated tile benches were always readily available.

I will say that the online price prior to sailing was approx. $139 (?) for the 7 day, but when we bought on board they were $186 each, which was a lot more than last time I did the spa pass on a 7 day.

We were able to tender to GSC and enjoyed seeing the island improvements since the last time we were there. I understand that we were very lucky to tender, it was calm as glass. But other sailings have not made it to GSC.

We didn't park at pier, but others in our Gem roll call did, and they did successfully use the discount coupon, no problems.

 

Thank you so much for the info! I can't wait to use my thermal spa pass!

[lisabdh1]

Hi, so can you please tell me a bit more about the thermal spa pass? I am guessing its good for all week, but for any services? Is there a limit per service or per day? TIA.