Semi-Live limited Gem Dec 13, 2019 NY-Florida overnight, GSC & Nassau

[Turtles06]

@mking8288  thanks again for taking us along on your cruise!   

 

Your photos above of the fitness center reminded me to ask -- did you notice if there's a rowing machine in there?  (Usually cruise ships have a Concept 2, but it could be another brand if there is one.)  Thanks!

 

Have a wonderful final day at sea!  

[mking8288]

Good morning ... a beautiful sea day, chilly & a little windy,

 

Less than 300 nm to go, cruising neat 20 knots - should arrive pre-dawn. WiFi is slow since everyone is probably online.

 

 

[graphicguy]

Henry...what a great review.  Reminds me so much of what I liked about the GEM (Most importantly, the new cruise friends I made while sailing her).

 

Safe travels the rest of the way!

 

Thanks!

[dexddd]

Gotta love how the gift shops jack up prices after the last port and then usually have a sale.  Boy, that sounds familiar.

[mking8288]

Here's Day 2's Dailies, per request, to get an idea of what to expect 

 

[mking8288]

Turtles ... there is 3 rowing machine at the far corner inside, hours as posted ... not that busy or crowded.  There is an aerobic room too.

 

[mking8288]

@copper004 - Here's an angled view of that bar/lounge area, was up there this morning for a disembarkation info session.  As others said, not a good indoor spot for sail away as portside will not really be seen.  The Haven/suite team do use it at various times but it is not restricted, open to all. Given the weather, the Spinnaker Lounge on Deck 13 Fwd would be better, views of starboard & portside, plus forward.

 

Pool is open but no polar bears around, hot tubs are nice & warm - didn't see hot cocoa around, BYO ?

 

 

[mking8288]

Tonight's MDR menu preview ... it could be different b/c of the holidays ... but, definitely no prime ribs in MDR or OSH or buffet, not even Asian themed nights.

Edited December 20, 2019 by mking8288

[mking8288]

@copper004 - post link error/ignore/can't delete on mobile browser

 

There is an AED in the (Grand Pacific) MDR entrance, mounted high in a glass enclosure, in case of emergency.

 

 

Edited December 20, 2019 by mking8288

[Turtles06]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Turtles ... there is 3 rowing machine at the far corner inside, hours as posted ... not that busy or crowded.

 

Thank you so much for the info!  And for the photo, complete with human! 😊

[mking8288]

Currently about 175 nm from NY, going 12-13 knots, seas are calm, looking at on-time arrival by 8 am. Vacate staterooms by 9 am, breakfast served till 8:30 - Tonight show at 7 & 9 pm including the farewell special. 

 

Our lunch earlier ...

 

[mking8288]

Let's Get Down Tonight 😺 

 

[meatball_nyc]

Enjoy your evening, mking. 

Safe sailing home. Love all the food photos!

 

🙂

[Arzeena]

On 12/19/2019 at 4:48 PM, mking8288 said:

They now have regular sized noodles soup bowl, making it easier to add your own extras ... to that basic shredded chicken & vege soup. Just pickup extras like mushrooms & spinach from other buffet stations, including meat and viola. A happy "meal" - be sure to ask for extra noodles. 🤫 Curry & spices for you 😛

 

Yeah, staterooms got new carpet & the mattresses are firm for sleeping. 👍

I am REALLY hungry just reading this!!!!

I LOVE the noodle soups.

Will have to order noodle soup takeout tonight! There is a (relatively) new restaurant in my neck of the woods that is supposedly serving authentic Shanghai style cuisine ( per the local Chinese community). And it is my favorite!

Edited December 20, 2019 by Arzeena

[luv2kroooz]

5 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

I am REALLY hungry just reading this!!!!

I LOVE the noodle soups.

Yes, that soup/noodle station was so good. A meal in a bowl. Have them add some hot chili oil to really kick it up.

[Arzeena]

Loving my virtual cruise  on the Gem!

But I am very disappointed that this cruise is coming to an end.......more disappointed than you Henry!

Any plans on hopping on the Bliss 1/5? You both know that you badly want to!!!! Click the book button!

[Arzeena]

3 minutes ago, blcruising said:

Yes, that soup/noodle station was so good. A meal in a bowl. Have them add some hot chili oil to really kick it up.

👍

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, Arzeena said:

Loving my virtual cruise  on the Gem! ... Any plans on hopping on the Bliss 1/5? You both know that you badly want to!!!! 

 

AZ, anything iss possible these days w Susan & I, she wanted to stay on to do a B2B but I think it's sold out. It was 80 degrees F less than 48 hours ago, ya know. 

 

We haven't start our holiday celebrations, etc. Plenty on our plates before we look at 2020, but I will take a look at your idea of the Bliss. Looked like they sailed on time, today.

[mking8288]

We are near Cape Henlopen, crossing from DE into NJ doing about 15 knots, 130 nm remaining to Pier 90.  Ship is in excellent shape, no outbreak that I can spot, and no engine issue. They say we can remain in the stateroom until 9 am, even after breakfast b/c there is little room inside the building, not in a hurry - might wait for them to escort us off as among the last to come off.

 

But, I am going to handover the CC torch to report to copper004 in the morning. Thanks everyone for cheering and following us along, and an excellent roll call - everyone, safe travel & stay in touch. 

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, meatball_nyc said:

... Love all the food photos!

🙂

 

I just cannot resist to be a good critic on CC ...  Sorry, I am not responsible for food hunger attack, viewers discretion advised 😁😋

 

Dexddd, look at what they offer tonight, for your convenience - shrimps, complimentary, no upgrade as a farewell. It is still packed at 8:55 pm, we came up to scout & get some fruits - getting too much sweets & chocolate, cheese & crackers in the cabin this week. Have to say kudo & be grateful with the kindness extended by NCL.

 

Edited December 21, 2019 by mking8288

[All-ready2cruise]

Thank you so much for all your wonderful pictures and great sense of humour.  

Cheers to another great cruise. 

🍸🍻🥂

 

Happy holidays, hope it's a great one. 

[mking8288]

It's almost time to go to sleep, alarm set for the morning ... probably will not wake up at 5 am to watch the Gem sail under the VZ Bridge and/or Statue of Liberty.  Put our two 22" rollerboard outside (before 11 pm cut-off) to be checked to Pier 90.  

 

Even for Haven/suite guests, they were advised to not rush & if not able to do the Express Walkout and rather take it easy, to wait till 8:30 to 9 am to proceed to the designated meeting place for priority disembarkation; and for the rest not in a hurry - to do it between 9 am and 9:15 am.  For Platinum/+, Gold & other Latitude members - 9 am is the earliest that they will be called to join the line for the gangway to exit the ship and to head into the terminal to pickup the luggage - for ground transportation. 

 

About 500 children/teens on this sailing will be disembarking the ship, that should not be a problem.  Indirectly, another CC'er learned that there are about 400 passengers on the ship with foreign passports/travel documents (not from US citizens or permanent residents, or Canadian citizens) - the disembarkation process might be slower as a whole, or not ... a heads up for the next Roll Call (**** copper004, I hope you & others catch this late news and pass it on)

 

We've sailed about 880+ nm from Nassau since 6 pm (Wed) - 2 nights ago - with under 85 nm remaining to reach NY port, currently cruising a an easy 15 knots ... that should put us on the Hudson River somewhere between 6 to 7 am depending on average speed - already north of Atlantic City/Toms River & should be on AIS tracking range by now/shortly.  Seas are calm probably 5' waves or less with a headwind against the ship.  

 

Richard, the General Manager (formerly titled as HD) will be going on vacation, starting "today" upon disembarkation.  Luz, CD and Joey, Asst CD will be on this & subsequent sailings.  

 

That's about it as a late/final night wrap-up for the "important" FAQ and important/nice to know info for those sailing the Gem later "today" and upcoming sailings next January.  

 

Post-disembarkation, I will do a summary of the tech/satellite WiFi & internet "experience" as I see them.  Skype, FB Messenger, Ooma (VoiP app) works for me using the basic unlimited WiFi - but, Google Voice, Hangout calling did NOT work - not sure if Duo would work at all as more bandwidth is needed.  DW uses her WeChat and according to her, it worked fine - true for another VoIP called "Talkatone".  Email & basic web surfing is fine, Youtube videos won't play on this plan and news video clips on CNN - also, won't play or work either ... those, I can live with - with the minimal cost upgrade this time. 

Edited December 21, 2019 by mking8288

[mking8288]

On the Hudson River in NY ... approaching Pier 90. 

[mking8288]

Cruise tradition, MDR sit down breakfast, not in a hurry. Ship is docked, waiting to be clear ... line snaking into the Bliss Lounge to wait.

[snorklinbarb]

Loved every bit of your semi-live-turned live comments, tips, photos!

Have been on Gem many times but not in several years so it's interesting to see the refurbishment and changes.  

 

Almost time to get packing for 20 nights on the ship!  Thanks for sharing menus.  With nearly 3 weeks, NCL can showcase their whole inventory of menus!  Prime rib's got to be in there somewhere, no??  There's only so many times they can do striploin.🙄

 

It was fun to "follow the shrimp" to see where they would pop up next.  Looks like you found them!😋

 

Happy Holidays and thanks so much for taking time to share your cruise with us!