Cobra1365 Posted March 21, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 21, 2018 We are sailing Gem out of NY next Feb 25 on the 11 day run to Carib. Last and only time we’ve sailed this line was actually NCLA out of Honolulu on Pride of America in 2006. I imagine (and honestly hope) this ship experience will be better. That being said, a couple of questions since we’re essentially new to NCL. Our vacation summary lists “Adult Beverage Package” can I assume that is how they list the Ultimate Beverage Package and does it include specialty coffees? We also have 2 nights Specialty Dining. Cagney’s is a lock. But, we’re trying to decide on the French Bistro or the Brazilian steak house for the second....thoughts? Are there any shows that require reservations? Anything else unique to NCL we should know? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annabug Posted March 21, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Hi! We sailed on the breakaway last May We tried all of the specialty places We are sailing on the Gem in June We are skipping moderno and doing Le bistro cagney la cucina teppanyaki Its certainly a matter of choice and while we loved the Moderno salad bar we found the meat bleh so for us we will skip it this time enjoy your cruise!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra1365 Posted March 21, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Great! Thanks for the info. We’ll probably go with Le Bistro as well. Something different instead of 2 steak places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkacmom Posted March 21, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 21, 2018 No need for show reservations, we were always racing from dinner to a show, we always got great last minute seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted March 22, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 22, 2018 We also have 2 nights Specialty Dining. Cagney’s is a lock. But, we’re trying to decide on the French Bistro or the Brazilian steak house for the second....thoughts?Are there any shows that require reservations? Anything else unique to NCL we should know? Thanks! We've sailed on the Gem three times; the Jewel class ships are a very comfortable size, we enjoy them. I would definitely pass on Moderno's. We've tried it several times on two NCL ships (including the Gem) and have concluded that NCL just can't pull off a churrascaria at sea. While the salad bar was fine, the meats -- the reason for eating there -- were terrible. Tough, dried out. Every time, even when we asked specifically for particular meats. Le Bistro is very nice, though not what it used to be. (What is, these days, on a cruise ship.) But far better than Moderno's. The one thing that never seems to change is Teppanyaki. Always fun atmosphere, good food (steak and shrimp, yum, skip the green tea ice cream); just to do once on a cruise, not more often. Might you add a third specialty venue (you do have 11 nights, after all)? No reservations for shows on the Gem (and the other Jewel class ships). The Great Outdoors is a wonderful place for hanging out and relaxing. Not just to eat. Have a terrific cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloperate Posted March 22, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Four times on the Gem! Skip Moderno, unless you absolutely love MEAT! Personally. I'd also skip Teppanyaki unless you are among the first diners of the day. Too damn noisy for such a small room when you are not one of the two tables being feted. Le Bistro is very well done, and very comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esm54687 Posted March 22, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 22, 2018 We are sailing Gem out of NY next Feb 25 on the 11 day run to Carib.Last and only time we’ve sailed this line was actually NCLA out of Honolulu on Pride of America in 2006. I imagine (and honestly hope) this ship experience will be better. That being said, a couple of questions since we’re essentially new to NCL. Our vacation summary lists “Adult Beverage Package” can I assume that is how they list the Ultimate Beverage Package and does it include specialty coffees? We also have 2 nights Specialty Dining. Cagney’s is a lock. But, we’re trying to decide on the French Bistro or the Brazilian steak house for the second....thoughts? Are there any shows that require reservations? Anything else unique to NCL we should know? Thanks! Specialty Coffees (lattes, espresso etc) are not included in the UBP.... Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katiemylady Posted March 22, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 22, 2018 We are sailing on the Gem in April, and after hearing very bad things about Moderno, we are skipping that and doing Teppanyaki. Very excited about that one! We love hibachi here, especially for the show aspect, so we think it'll be a good time! We don't mind the noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourofakind Posted March 22, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Le Bistro on the Gem is my favorite! Make sure you get the Crème Brule for desert it is out of this world. Moderno is just ehh. Salad bar is pretty good but meats are just awful, very dry and salty. Also a pretty neat thing on the Gem is being able to observe the Bridge. Very cool. The viewing room also has some navigation/ electronics that you can observe which is pretty neat. I like that it shows you their estimated arrival (which tends to be different and more accurate than what's on the daily). Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonflipin Posted March 22, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Hi jacking with a Gem question: the coffee pot in the cabin, is it keurig brand? Can I bring my own kcups and they will work? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted March 23, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Hi jacking with a Gem question: the coffee pot in the cabin, is it keurig brand? Can I bring my own kcups and they will work? Thanks The coffee pots in the suites are Nespresso. K-cups will not work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emcelh Posted March 23, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 23, 2018 I would agree with the other posters. Le Bistro is the better choice. When NCL first introduced Moderno we enjoyed it so much we went a second time during the same cruise. That was on the Gem a number of years ago. It was never as good after that first time though, so we just stopped going. We haven't done a Hawaii cruise on NCL but a lot of people seem to think its a very different experience than other NCL cruises. Not necessarily bad, just different. Things have changed a lot since 2006 anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsea64 Posted March 23, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 23, 2018 As per other posters Cagneys is the # 1 option and i always enjoy Le Bistro Jewell Class ships seem to offer the classic cruise experience, right size right options. Cruising has evolved a great deal since 2006. Remember there are no bad cruises just bad cruisers Please enjoy and keep positive attitude and we look forward to your review upon return Sailing on Gem June 2018 NCL Escape -2016 NCL - Getaway -2015 NCL Pearl - 2014 NCL Sky -2017 -2015-2014-2013 NCL Skyward --1994 NCL Sun -1986 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullyd Posted March 24, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Does the gem have Los Lobos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trex-de Posted March 24, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Does the gem have Los Lobos? Unfortunately not. Went twice on Dawn last year. Hope they add it fleet wide. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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