Behind the scenes tour

[Peachypooh]

Hi. I was wondering if there was a behind the scenes tour of the Gem that I could sign up for ahead of time? When I sailed on Liberty of the Seas it was listed as an excursion. When I sailed the Pearl a bridge tour was given to the Cruise Critic group but I don't remember a ship tour. Is this only for higher level latitudes members? Also would it be offered to certain category of cabins? Thanks.

[mking8288]

BTS tours are typically booked once onboard - open to everyone at $80 p/p (prices subject to change without notice) - shoes w. closed toes, no slippers or sandals, etc. for safety reasons; and, able to walk, stand & climb stairs. I don't recall advanced booking for the paid tour being an option as we did the Gem just 2 months ago (see review links below ... should answer 85% of questions)

 

Paid tour is longer at 2+ hours with 5 stops, complimentary tour is for Platinum & higher, with just 3 stops ( laundry, theater & main gallery) in about 60 minutes - done on a sea day. Yes, we're on an escorted CC tour with security to visit the bridge, at the captain's discretion then - but no longer allowed or done for security reasons.

[garycarla]

Pretty hard to get on the bridge these days.

 

Many of the ships have an observation room right behind the bridge that anyone can go to.

[CatsinShow]

I don't understand why there is a fee for showing guests the kitchen and behind the theaters.

[Peachypooh]

BTS tours are typically booked once onboard - open to everyone at $80 p/p (prices subject to change without notice) - shoes w. closed toes, no slippers or sandals, etc. for safety reasons; and, able to walk, stand & climb stairs. I don't recall advanced booking for the paid tour being an option as we did the Gem just 2 months ago (see review links below ... should answer 85% of questions)

 

Paid tour is longer at 2+ hours with 5 stops, complimentary tour is for Platinum & higher, with just 3 stops ( laundry, theater & main gallery) in about 60 minutes - done on a sea day. Yes, we're on an escorted CC tour with security to visit the bridge, at the captain's discretion then - but no longer allowed or done for security reasons.

 

Thank you! Very helpful

[mdsgu]

I don't understand why there is a fee for showing guests the kitchen and behind the theaters.

 

Because enough people are willing to spend the $$, and it costs the cruise line exactly zero.

[Barb Nahoumi]

BTS tours are typically booked once onboard - open to everyone at $80 p/p (prices subject to change without notice) - shoes w. closed toes, no slippers or sandals, etc. for safety reasons; and, able to walk, stand & climb stairs. I don't recall advanced booking for the paid tour being an option as we did the Gem just 2 months ago (see review links below ... should answer 85% of questions)

 

Paid tour is longer at 2+ hours with 5 stops, complimentary tour is for Platinum & higher, with just 3 stops ( laundry, theater & main gallery) in about 60 minutes - done on a sea day. Yes, we're on an escorted CC tour with security to visit the bridge, at the captain's discretion then - but no longer allowed or done for security reasons.

 

What other stops are added to the paid tour? I just did the platinum tour on the Dawn.

[mking8288]

What other stops are added to the paid tour? I just did the platinum tour on the Dawn.

We've only done with "watered down" BTST in the last few years - BA does a nice & longer one. Wasn't too impressed with our recent Gem tour & it was shorter by at least 30 minutes.

 

Paid tour include provisioning/storage or pantries (including bakery, meat processing, etc), and environmental area - bridge tour used to be a part of that.

 

On the BA, we got a quick stop thru the walk-in refrigeration & processing, some of that being just off "I-95" and a quick peek into the crew mess hall and officer's dining quarter, no crew cabins and no waste management - where they sort & process ... and one of the executive chef who addressed the group even had a plate of mini pastries as a treat for us, very nice.

 

How was the Dawn tour ... missed that good old ship since the NYC homeport days :D here's an old one to compare with - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=20978304&postcount=21

[DaisyGoldberg]

I just did the Dawn platinum tour and enjoyed it. Not sure I would have wanted another hour or more tacked on!

 

Two years ago the concierge tracked us down and invited us for a bridge tour (10-12 people). We were in a suite but that's the only time that was offered even though we've been in suites other times. It was bridge only and lasted 20-25 mins.

[CatsinShow]

Because enough people are willing to spend the $$, and it costs the cruise line exactly zero.

I would think that would be a reason not too give them your $$ lol.

[BirdTravels]

The bridge was removed from the paid tour after the terrorist attack in Paris. For a while, NCL also talked about sealing the bridge viewing rooms,,, but have not done that,,,, yet.

 

We got on the bridge of the Getaway on one of the inaugural cruises out of Miami. It literally had that "new ship smell".

 

Another memorable bridge tour was a private tour on the Sky where we chatted with the captain for over an hour as the ship secured from tendering at GSC, pulled the anchor and got underway. Pretty cool.

[leithbones]

Is the Platinum perk transferable?

If find a generous Plat CC member at M&G who doesn't plan on taking the tour, could he donate his BTS "voucher" to a poor OV slob like me?

[dexddd]

Is the Platinum perk transferable?

If find a generous Plat CC member at M&G who doesn't plan on taking the tour, could he donate his BTS "voucher" to a poor OV slob like me?

 

No, not transferable. Says so on the certificate (or it did the last time I sailed).

[NH Cruisers]

I don't understand why there is a fee for showing guests the kitchen and behind the theaters.

The same reason Cagney's is a extra fee restaurant. If it were free, folks would complain about not being able to go on it do to 800 or more people wanting to do it because it's free. If you want to do it enough, you'll pay to do it. If it is just a fleeting interest, you won't. Like Cagney's, most folks on the ship would like to eat there at some point during the cruise. Only those willing to pay extra or get it as a perk will visit. It is a good thing they have a fee tacked on. Less competion to see and eat where you want.

[triptolemus]

The same reason Cagney's is a extra fee restaurant. If it were free, folks would complain about not being able to go on it do to 800 or more people wanting to do it because it's free. If you want to do it enough, you'll pay to do it. If it is just a fleeting interest, you won't. Like Cagney's, most folks on the ship would like to eat there at some point during the cruise. Only those willing to pay extra or get it as a perk will visit. It is a good thing they have a fee tacked on. Less competion to see and eat where you want.

 

+5, Informative

[BirdTravels]

Is the Platinum perk transferable? If find a generous Plat CC member at M&G who doesn't plan on taking the tour, could he donate his BTS "voucher" to a poor OV slob like me?

 

No. But you can purchase a BTS tour from the ShoreEx department.

[Barb Nahoumi]

We've only done with "watered down" BTST in the last few years - BA does a nice & longer one. Wasn't too impressed with our recent Gem tour & it was shorter by at least 30 minutes.

 

Paid tour include provisioning/storage or pantries (including bakery, meat processing, etc), and environmental area - bridge tour used to be a part of that.

 

On the BA, we got a quick stop thru the walk-in refrigeration & processing, some of that being just off "I-95" and a quick peek into the crew mess hall and officer's dining quarter, no crew cabins and no waste management - where they sort & process ... and one of the executive chef who addressed the group even had a plate of mini pastries as a treat for us, very nice.

 

How was the Dawn tour ... missed that good old ship since the NYC homeport days :D here's an old one to compare with - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=20978304&postcount=21

 

Ours was the shortened version for Platinums. Stephanie from Cruise Next led us through the laundry, back stage in the Stardust Theater, and finally the Galley. The workings of these areas were fascinating, in the way which they can prepare 3 meals a day for thousands of people in different venues, wash laundry, and prepare for the production shows.

 

Years ago I did the full tour which I paid for on the Pearl. I'm pretty sure that we went to the bridge, and had a longer visit to the gallies. The rest was the same.

[karenna00]

The same reason Cagney's is a extra fee restaurant. If it were free, folks would complain about not being able to go on it do to 800 or more people wanting to do it because it's free. If you want to do it enough, you'll pay to do it. If it is just a fleeting interest, you won't. Like Cagney's, most folks on the ship would like to eat there at some point during the cruise. Only those willing to pay extra or get it as a perk will visit. It is a good thing they have a fee tacked on. Less competion to see and eat where you want.

 

Just curious. What demographic is willing to pay extra for these restaurants and are they really worth it? We live in a metropolitan area with tons of nice restaurants, including steakhouses, hibachi, Brazilian BBQ, and French restaurants. Wondering if they would be worth it for us since its something we also have access to at home. It the food in the main dining rooms that bad?

[Farts]

Just curious. What demographic is willing to pay extra for these restaurants and are they really worth it? We live in a metropolitan area with tons of nice restaurants, including steakhouses, hibachi, Brazilian BBQ, and French restaurants. Wondering if they would be worth it for us since its something we also have access to at home. It the food in the main dining rooms that bad?

Food is amazing in the MDR. There is steak, prime rib, mistrial, souffle, and etc. There is steak every night, which I get if the menu has too much seafood.

 

I am from a big town too, so I don't feel compelled to spend extra to get specialty food. Hence I have never been on a specialty dining room.

[mrmerlin2005]

Because enough people are willing to spend the $$, and it costs the cruise line exactly zero.

 

 

My wife and I did a BTS tour on the Carnival Freedom and with cost covered drinks in the steakhouse after the tour and also they gave us special gifts for being on the tour.

[NH Cruisers]

Just curious. What demographic is willing to pay extra for these restaurants and are they really worth it? We live in a metropolitan area with tons of nice restaurants, including steakhouses, hibachi, Brazilian BBQ, and French restaurants. Wondering if they would be worth it for us since its something we also have access to at home. It the food in the main dining rooms that bad?

I am middle class and prefer the specialties. I live near a small seaport New Hampshire city, Portsmouth. We have a lot of nice restaurants, in the 10's not 100's. Seafood, italian and gourmet burgers are the specialty in the area. Lots of micro-brew pubs.

I personally like the specialties and feel they are worth the expense for the ambiance and food choices that I prefer over the MDR. Less crowded and usually a higher level of service. Plus the fees are less than mainland restaurants. The few Brazillian Restaurants between Portsmouth and Boston I have been to were no better than Moderno, I actually feel Moderno has the best salad bar. Less expensive at $20 compared to $30 on land. I don't pay extra for the most part, I get them as a perk, maybe pay for one or two nights. My visit to the MDR is pork chop night, the waiters get me a plate with nothing but six of those thin cut chops. I am in Heaven when I eat them. I head up to the buffet later and grab another plate there. Really I am not a glutinous pig, just resemble one that night.

 

 

To bad the specialties kitchens are not featured on any Behind the Scene tours I know of.

[BirdTravels]

Just curious. What demographic is willing to pay extra for these restaurants and are they really worth it? We live in a metropolitan area with tons of nice restaurants, including steakhouses, hibachi, Brazilian BBQ, and French restaurants. Wondering if they would be worth it for us since its something we also have access to at home. It the food in the main dining rooms that bad?

 

All demographics. The restaurants are always sold out.