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Norwegian Gem - 6th to 8th October

clydecruiser

By clydecruiser,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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clydecruiser

clydecruiser

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Journey to Dover was a breeze and weather on arrival was superb. We decided to go to the National Trust site on top of the White Cliffs and the view into the port and over the Channel was stunning. got some great pictures of the ferries and the Norwegian Gem.

Dover Port arrival was a bit of a nightmare. As we had booked our parking online with HolidayExtras we had a 45 minute queue to get our parking permit, However we saved significantly in cost over booking with the Port direct. We parked on the quayside and carried our luggage to the terminal. There were about 25 check in desks and the queue moved quickly. Terminal 2 is bright and clean and possibly better than Mayflower or the QEII terminal in Southampton. The main problem was once your colour was called was getting through Security - only 2 luggage scanners and this was a sloooowwww process.

Norwegian Gem Cabins

We had an inside cabin which was orientated bow to stern rather than port to starboard (FIL was the opposite) this configuration seemed to provide more space. A filter coffe maker was in the cabin which was a surprise - only problem was trying to make Tea and Coffee at the same time - a kettle would be easier. Hairdryer and 110v and 230v sockets were easily accessible. Bed was really comfortable with Duvet and Pillows. As the 2 singles were joined together they put a thick quilted mattress cover over the 2 mattresses so that you don't feel the join in the 2 mattresses - think on P&O. Wardrobe and drawers provided a reasonable amount of storage. The safe was in the wardrobe and would easily have taken a laptop (In FILs cabin the safe was far smaller and also in the open). Good sized bathroom with shower cubicle which had a door rather than curtain. We also saw in some of

the other cabin grades and the Suites make you go WOW - plenty of pictures to add later.

Public Areas

Very modern and not to everyones taste. Double beds at the side of the pool and in some of the lounges, outdoor casino tables, large lounging seats, bordello/brothel style disco and 10 pin bowling.

Restaurants

Grand Pacific Dining Room - ate in here for 1 dinner, 1 lunch and 2 breakfasts very impressive dining room with art deco lighting. The wall decoration was based on the menu covers of a now defunct Pacific Cruise line. This was the larger of the 2 main dining rooms.

Magenta dining room was the smaller of the 2 main dining rooms more muted in design more along the lines of a boutique hotel.

Garden Cafe & Great Outdoors - The buffet restaurant a large choice of food styles available at different times through the day - we had one lunch and some snacks in here. the great outdoors has a replica of the food served indoors but outdoors - very good as you do not need to carry food. too far. Plenty of seating i this outdoor area

La Cucina Italian - Mama's Italian kitchen - we had one dinner in here and the decoration theme is very good. although you had to book for the restaurant there was no charge.

We did not use any of the other restaurants although the decoration and design of all was good.

Bars

Spinnaker Lounge - Crows nest equivalent with small stage reasonable dance floor and plenty of seating. Some odd seating with double lounge beds and large single couch/armchairs. Very different furniture to this sort of lounge on other ships and more enjoyable because of it. also had a pool table, bar quoits, dart board, electronic roulette and popcorn machine,

Bliss Ultra Lounge & Night Club - Had to be seen to be believed - is this the first bordello at sea. 4 poster beds, no poster beds, chaise lounges, black velvet arm chairs, booths for groups of upto 20. Shadow dancing by the ships theatre company. All in all a very modern club feel - the disco on the P&O ships now feels totally outdated. did i mention the 4 10 pn bowling lanes too ($5 per person)

Java Cafe/Bar and Atrium - A large atrium with a double height atrium and double deck LCD screen - great for the sport. Again modernly decorated and furnished. Over looked from above by the Blue Lagoon and Tequila Latin/Tapas restaurants.

In a weekend we did not have time to use the rest of the bars. However all were modern and well furnished.

Pool - 2 pools one Adult only. Well maintained and good to look at. Lots of well cushioned loungers and also under the shelter at the side created by the deck above large bed style armchairs as well as cafe table and chairs. Also an outdoor casino. Pool towels were plentiful and you collected them from various lockers throughout the pool area.

My only concern with the furniture is how it will hold up to people lying on it with shoes etc especially the double bed style loungers. too be fair the majority of passengers were removing footwear before lying on the beds in any of the public areas including the bars at night.

Dress code - casual by day smart casual by night - denim is not allowed in the Grand Pacific Dining Room after 5pm. The dress standard was high with the majority dressed either informal or formal by P&O standards very little denim on show at night.

Smoking - we were not affected by smoking in any off the public areas.

Dining Experience

Buffet - Wide choice - Soup Station, Pizza Station, Fresh Pasta Station, Chicken/Turkey Station, Roast Station. Indian Station, Grill Station and Sandwich Station. Plenty of fresh Salad and fruit Items available also. Wide range of desserts and filled Crepes made to order. As usual a bit difficult to find a seat at the main dining times.

Formal Restaurants - Although the food was good (if not always hot) service was appallingly slow both in the Grand Pacific at Breakfast and Dinner and also in the Italian for dinner - so slow that they refunded our "large" drinks bill the night we ate in the Italian. I think it is a combination of new staff and new ship but they need to sort this out quick. The majority of the staff in the Restaurants were Romanian and some were quite cold and stand offish, The few Indo-Asian staff were the complete opposite.

Gluten Free was well catered for at each meal

Amsterdam we have been a few times so done our own thing.

On sailing from Amsterdam we were escorted by a fire tug with hoses working and the Norwegian Gem has a Ships horn to be proud off.

Disembarkation was a breeze and journey home only took a couple of hours.

Pictures at http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o171/clydecruiser/Norwegian%20Gem%20-%20Oct%202008/

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angeljt

angeljt

Posted
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Thank you for your very informative review and your pictures. The ship looks great. I don't think I like the cushioned lounge chairs by the pool. They would be nice in other areas, but I wouldn't want to sit in a wet chair after other bathers. I can imagine those chairs will take a beating.

Thank you again.

Jackie

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clydecruiser

clydecruiser

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We will be on Nowegian Gem on Dec 13-15 out of Boston. On the invite it said carry-on only and the dress in casual. Do you know how they assign cabins? This will be our first Nowegian Cruise.

 

Wayne

 

Wayne

 

We knew our cabin when we made the booking so sorry can't help on how they assign cabins - could be a bit of luck I guess.

 

We did not pay in any off the restarants. The Asian restaurants had a cover charge of $15 to $20 as did the French restaurant and Cagneys.

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