Dining on the Gem

[Poohb]

We've only had one cruise on NCL (a while ago). Going again on the Gem in April. Does anyone know which are considered 'specialty restaurants' that charge a fee? Is the fee the same at every restaurant? Thanks in advance.

[markf]

the info is on NCL.com

[electricron]

Here's a list of the restaurants aboard the Gem.

 

Summer Palace (Main Dining Room)

Cuisine: Continental

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Indigo (Main Dining Room)

Cuisine: Continental

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Le Bistro French Restaurant

Cuisine: French

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: Yes

 

Cagney's Steakhouse

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Surcharge: Yes, $20 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

La Cucina Italian

Cuisine: Italian

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

Lotus Garden Asian Restaurant

Cuisine: Asian

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

Mambos Latin/Tapas Restaurant

Cuisine: Latin/Tapas

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

Garden Cafe

Cuisine: Continental

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

The Great Outdoors

Cuisine: Buffet

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Blue Lagoon

Cuisine: Snacks

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

[spirit rev]

Electricron

Thanks for posting this. Yes, we'll be able to find it on the NCL site and quickly learn about it when we board in January. But now, since DH just asked about it this evening, I can quickly show him.

[orangeh3]

Here's a list of the restaurants aboard the Gem.

 

Summer Palace (Main Dining Room) Grand Pacific Dining Room

Cuisine: Continental

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Indigo (Main Dining Room) Magenta Main Dining Room

Cuisine: Continental

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Le Bistro French Restaurant

Cuisine: French

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: Yes

 

Cagney's Steakhouse

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Surcharge: Yes, $20 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

La Cucina Italian

Cuisine: Italian

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

Lotus Garden Asian Restaurant Orchard Garden Asian Restaurant

Cuisine: Asian

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

Mambos Latin/Tapas Restaurant Tequilas

Cuisine: Latin/Tapas

Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person

Reservations Required: No

 

Garden Cafe

Cuisine: Continental

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

The Great Outdoors

Cuisine: Buffet

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Blue Lagoon

Cuisine: Snacks

Surcharge: No

Reservations Required: No

 

Those are the restaurants on the Pearl, the names have been changed. I have highlighted and put the correct name for the Gem in red.

You also have Topsiders Grill (free and no reservation required, and Teppanyaki (charge and reservations required).

Enjoy your cruise.

[electricron]

Those are the restaurants on the Pearl, the names have been changed. I have highlighted and put the correct name for the Gem in red.

You also have Topsiders Grill (free and no reservation required, and Teppanyaki (charge and reservations required).

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Thanks for the correction.

[insidecabin]

Other corrections

 

Here's a list of the restaurants aboard the Gem.

 

 

La Cucina Italian

Cuisine: Italian

Surcharge: NO,

Reservations Required: No, gets busy/packed so recomended.

 

Mambos Latin/Tapas Restaurant

Cuisine: Latin/Tapas

Surcharge: NO

Reservations Required: No, again better to book but easier to get a seat just turning up.

 

[ktpc2005]

When I was on the Gem last month, all the specialty restaurants were packed all night no matter if it was free or extra pay.

 

La Cucina was busy all night and the only time we could get in was on our port day in Rome that we were docked until 9pm. The hostess was very rude when we tried to walk in w/o a reservation at 5:30 when they opened. She said this is a specialty restaurant and you can't think that you can just walk up and get in. At the time there were 2 or 3 tables sat, but she made it feel like that she was sneaking us in. During our meal only 5 or 6 tables were sat. Other nights that we went by, the place was hopping so its better to make a reservation.

 

Mambos shares space with Blue Lagoon and some night we tried to walk in to that restaurant w/o a reservation, you could get a table for around 9 to 10pm for parties of 2.

 

A note on Grand Pacific, they do not allow jeans after 5pm so if you are wearing jeans you have to eat in Magenta.

[redcruzer]

heading on the gem next month. can you eat at any of the specialty restaureants for lunch, or dinner only?what time do the specialty restaurants oen?

[Poohb]

Thank you for posting the info.

[insidecabin]

heading on the gem next month. can you eat at any of the specialty restaureants for lunch, or dinner only?what time do the specialty restaurants oen?

 

From the freestyle daily in Oct.

 

Everywhere opens at 5:30-10:30 depending on the trip there should be a 1/2price special(note it is 1/2 price not 2-4-1 so both meals count towards the buy 5 get one free voucher)

 

Think around 10:00 as the latest or it will be a very quick dinner.

 

On sea days Sushi and Teppanyaki are open noon-1:30, for the TA last year I seem to remember the same every day but I think you will need a few to open up a Teppanyaki table don't actulay remember any on on one.

 

Suite/VIP will have Cagnies for lunch.

[colmil]

When we were on the Dawns maiden voyage La Cucina was free, I can't see how they can justify now charging for what is essentially pasta and pizza!

[snorklinbarb]

colmil,

electricron's response about La Cucina was not correct. As insidecabin posted, there is no charge, rsvns requested.

 

That said, it's a lot more than pasta & pizza. There are several entrees served in addition to a very nice antipasto trolley offering. Wonder how recently you ate there?:confused:

 

On the Pearl, it was certainly one popular place.:)

[colmil]

Thanks Snorklin!

 

As a veggie, I know I can eat in an Italian anywhere on shore and always find something I will be happy with.

 

We are on the Gem on 3rd December and will certainly be making a visit to La Cucina.

 

Greetings from England.

[SLMS]

colmil' date='

electricron's response about La Cucina was not correct. As insidecabin posted, there is no charge, rsvns requested.

 

That said, it's a lot more than pasta & pizza. There are several entrees served in addition to a very nice antipasto trolley offering. Wonder how recently you ate there?:confused:

 

On the Pearl, it was certainly one popular place.:)[/quote']

 

DH and I were on the Gem's first long cruise (10/8 - 11 days) and ate in both main dining rooms (Grand Pacific & Magenta), La Cocina (Specialty Italian/NO Charge), Tequila's (Specialty Tex-Mex/NO charge), Blue Lagoon (24/7 Comfort/Diner food/NO Charge) and the Garden Cafe (Buffet). In addition, one night when we just wanted to eat a little something, we had adult beverages and several of the Tapas ("little bites") at the Tapas bar (it is situationed in between Blue Lagoon and Tequilas and there is no charge for the Tapas) If you are an earlier diner, you will have no problem with getting a reservation at La Cocina; at least we didn't have a problem with any reservation in the 5:30 to 6:30 pm range. We found the food there to be terrific. We also enjoyed our meals at the other restaurants. I wrote a full review/daily diary of the trip that is posted on this board and it includes meal descriptions. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=651547