Is The Gem Still A Gem? Almost live... 6-28-2024 sailing

[Laszlo]

37 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

@Laszlo If you need a break from driving there is a MGM casino in Springfield

Thanks, hopefully with a little luck and no accidents along the way it should only be a 5-6 ride from here in PA to Boston. I've made to to Somerville Mass in under 5 hours once

[JIMESOPUS]

16 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Thanks, hopefully with a little luck and no accidents along the way it should only be a 5-6 ride from here in PA to Boston. I've made to to Somerville Mass in under 5 hours once

Safe travels, and have a great time. There may be a bartender aboard that's a hoot, Dang. We sailed with them twice last year ( Breakaway and Jade ), he was scheduled to be on the Gem when he returned from vacation.

I am scheduling cruises around bartenders, our last one had Dr. L, Jamibear, and Dang.

 

Jim 

[Drew39k]

I can believe its only 3 more work days for me. I know this is going to be my second time one the Gem. The last was years ago, out of NY to The western Caribbean. I've been on a few newer Royal Caribbean ships since then so I'm certainly a little concerned that this ship is going to feel pretty dated. I also traditionally sail on non peak cruises for better rates and smaller crowds, but this one is a honeymoon so we are kinda biting the bullet and going on what I imagine is a peak week. 

Has anyone had any luck with bidding on room upgrades? We were pretty tight in our budget on this trip so we went with inside cabin and threw a couple bid offers out. No notifications one way or another on them to this point and its getting fairly close to cutoff. Debating on bumping the offers up a bit but also don't want to way over spend. At the end of the day, I don't mind inside cabins anyway because they are so easy to get to sleep in.

[Laszlo]

8 hours ago, Drew39k said:

I can believe its only 3 more work days for me. I know this is going to be my second time one the Gem. The last was years ago, out of NY to The western Caribbean. I've been on a few newer Royal Caribbean ships since then so I'm certainly a little concerned that this ship is going to feel pretty dated. I also traditionally sail on non peak cruises for better rates and smaller crowds, but this one is a honeymoon so we are kinda biting the bullet and going on what I imagine is a peak week. 

Has anyone had any luck with bidding on room upgrades? We were pretty tight in our budget on this trip so we went with inside cabin and threw a couple bid offers out. No notifications one way or another on them to this point and its getting fairly close to cutoff. Debating on bumping the offers up a bit but also don't want to way over spend. At the end of the day, I don't mind inside cabins anyway because they are so easy to get to sleep in.

First... Congratulations on the wedding and honeymoon. As of a few days ago it looks like the cruise is sold out, so unless their are some last minute cancelations I don't think their will be many upgrades. Between last Wednesday and today my wife and I have received 4 emails to view the safety video. Our record was our last cruise at 7 email reminders 

 

Weather looks like it will be spectacular for spillway. 75F and Sunny in Boston on Friday. Bermuda is looking good typical 80F, Humid with a chance of a pop up shower

 

 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 10:49 AM by Laszlo

[Laszlo]

This is an extra special cruise for me and literally couldn't come at a better time. I met with my Oncologist earlier this afternoon and he said with my numbers I can consider myself cancer free. Lots of stress and anxiety over the last 8 months, I'm glad that ride is over

Edited Tuesday at 07:55 PM by Laszlo

[ggTexasGal]

2 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

This is an extra special cruise for me and literally couldn't come at a better time. I meet with my Oncologist earlier this afternoon and he said with my numbers I can consider myself cancer free. Lots of stress and anxiety over the last 8 months, I'm glad the ride is over

How wonderful! Congratulations!!!

[tcmagnum]

18 hours ago, Laszlo said:

This is an extra special cruise for me and literally couldn't come at a better time. I met with my Oncologist earlier this afternoon and he said with my numbers I can consider myself cancer free. Lots of stress and anxiety over the last 8 months, I'm glad that ride is over

I know that feeling when you get the 'cancer free' announcement!!

Yell it loud!!

Congrats and enjoy your cruise.

[Laszlo]

So the packing has begun, actually it started a week ago. Camera gear, snorkeling / diving gear, underwater scooter, beach gear blend jet, bag of protein powered (wife).... check. Still debating on the drone...... yea yea I know.... don't preach.

 

So glad we are not flying, one 30 inch bag already at 46lbs with the gear above. That leave one more 30 inch bag at our carry on's.... I think will have room for clothes..... as my wife rolls her eyes and sighs

[www3traveler]

Congratulations on being "Cancer Free".  What a wonderful milestone.  I am 39 years "Cancer Free" and counting-- 40 years the middle of November.

[graphicguy]

19 hours ago, Laszlo said:

This is an extra special cruise for me and literally couldn't come at a better time. I met with my Oncologist earlier this afternoon and he said with my numbers I can consider myself cancer free. Lots of stress and anxiety over the last 8 months, I'm glad that ride is over

Wow!  So very happy for you!

[Laszlo]

32 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Wow!  So very happy for you!

Thank you!

 

And a shout out to Fox Chase cancer center. After seeing four specialist I went with FC. I've known three other people who went there and had great results. The doctors and staff were fantastic 

[Drew39k]

On 6/25/2024 at 6:48 AM, Laszlo said:

First... Congratulations on the wedding and honeymoon. As of a few days ago it looks like the cruise is sold out, so unless their are some last minute cancelations I don't think their will be many upgrades. Between last Wednesday and today my wife and I have received 4 emails to view the safety video. Our record was our last cruise at 7 email reminders 

 

Weather looks like it will be spectacular for spillway. 75F and Sunny in Boston on Friday. Bermuda is looking good typical 80F, Humid with a chance of a pop up shower

 

 

 

 

Thanks on the congrats!

Surprised to hear sold out. Really curious to see how that makes the cruise feel. Hopefully it still remains some of that smaller boat charm.

I've been keeping tabs on the weather too, so far looking good.

[Drew39k]

On 6/25/2024 at 3:52 PM, Laszlo said:

This is an extra special cruise for me and literally couldn't come at a better time. I met with my Oncologist earlier this afternoon and he said with my numbers I can consider myself cancer free. Lots of stress and anxiety over the last 8 months, I'm glad that ride is over

Congratulations on the diagnosis! Enjoy the relaxation!

[Drew39k]

Seems like Norwegian is spying on me. Just got an email saying my upgrade offer is under review. It's probably a standard automatic email that gets sent out to everyone with a bid, but it's still interesting.

[Laszlo]

9 hours ago, Drew39k said:

Seems like Norwegian is spying on me. Just got an email saying my upgrade offer is under review. It's probably a standard automatic email that gets sent out to everyone with a bid, but it's still interesting.

Nice, hopefully you win it

[JIMESOPUS]

Bon Voyage ... Gem just east of Boston, ETA 0700 - Looks like a beautiful day to start a cruise

[Laszlo]

Waking up to a beautiful sunny 55 degrees in Burlington Ma. Will be headed over to the cruise port around 9am

[JIMESOPUS]

She still isn't there yet, turning around and backing into the dock

[Laszlo]

And it begins……

[Laszlo]

Suite / Haven check in area. Will be boarding 10:30-10:45

 

 

[Laszlo]

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, Laszlo said:

And it begins ……

On 6/25/2024 at 3:52 PM, Laszlo said:

This is an extra special cruise for me and literally couldn't come at a better time ... glad that ride is over

Bon Voyage and congrats on prognosis & results ... plenty of experience close to our hearts within our family circles of the "C" roller coaster.  Enjoy Bermuda and we love the GEM, ship looks great, toured the nice Haven area a few years ago ... fellow CC'er hosted a post cabin crawl "reception" at their amazing Garden Villa #14000.  Great day for sailaway & looks like a fairly good & smooth ride out to Dockyard.  

[Laszlo]

Cabin 10502 Forward

 

 

[Laszlo]

[jimmysmom]

Just got off today as you were getting on.  Fantastic time!  In 10502 forward suite.  Loved it.  Make sure you see the Whitney Houston show.