Live from the NCL Gem 12/6/08

[David21]

Hi Everyone - Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be doing another one of my live reports from the NCL Gem leaving tomorrow from

NYC to Florida and the Bahamas. I really don't like the ports but this is a

free cruise as I am writing a review of this cruise. I will be giving live updates everyday. If anyone has any question let me know.

 

David

[SuiteRose]

Hi Everyone - Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be doing another one of my live reports from the NCL Gem leaving tomorrow from

NYC to Florida and the Bahamas. I really don't like the ports but this is a

free cruise as I am writing a review of this cruise. I will be giving live updates everyday. If anyone has any question let me know.

 

David

 

Cool David, I'll be with you.. can't wait to read your review. Did same trip last Feb. Ports not the best but the cruise was great!

 

Rose

[Salsera718]

Please find out who will be the Cruise Director and Concierge on the 12/7 - 1/3 cruise and the 1/3 1 niter...thanks

[Grandpaul]

Let me know if they are having the show "Quest". I appreciate it.

[Ericktina]

Hi Everyone - Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be doing another one of my live reports from the NCL Gem leaving tomorrow from

NYC to Florida and the Bahamas. I really don't like the ports but this is a

free cruise as I am writing a review of this cruise. I will be giving live updates everyday. If anyone has any question let me know.

 

David

Thanks for the offer!! We would love to know who the concierge will be January 14 and if Maxi Asit--the butler--is onboard...enjoy your cruise!!! The Gem is lovely...

[BarbCT605]

Hi Everyone - Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be doing another one of my live reports from the NCL Gem leaving tomorrow from

NYC to Florida and the Bahamas. I really don't like the ports but this is a

free cruise as I am writing a review of this cruise. I will be giving live updates everyday. If anyone has any question let me know.

 

David

Thanks for the offer.:)

 

I'd like to know who the concierge & butlers will be on the 1/4/09 cruise. Thanks!

[HappyNow]

It will be wonderful to hear about this cruise. We will be leaving when you get back. Information has been hard to get on this itinerary because the first sailing for year is not even back yet.

 

Thanks!

[janymac]

Would love to see the menus for the dining rooms and also how full the pay restaurants are, if you need to make a reservation.

Some of the last entries have said that you do not have to make reservations but want to know now if that is the case on your cruise.

I cannot wait to see what you have to say about the Gem. We are on the Southern Caribbean cruise Jan 4th....

 

Happy sailing

 

janymac:p

[jarjus]

Hi Dave, Thanks for getting us details. I'm looking for any info on kids club activities, times they are open for port days and then what times they are open on sea days. Also if you could save the daily freestyle letter that'd be great if you could post it. We are sailing in Feb on the Gem (bahama-florida).

Can ya really take 12pk of Pepsi product onboard in your luggage? Is there anything included for kids to drink free??

 

Well as the week goes by i'm sure i will have a million more ?????

 

Thanks and have a wonderful cruise...... Let us know about what day it actually gets warm enough to use the sun deck.

 

Smooth sailing your way ~~~~~

[cc31063]

Hi, I would also be interested in seeing the menus. I would like to know if there are any inside hot tubs as we are going out in January from NYC and it is quite cold here. Thanks.

[matt690]

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for writing live. If possible, can you please try to see what they have planned for the 1-nighters and what we can expect, as we are considering doing one on the Gem.

 

Thanks and have fun.

 

-Matt

[alexkrn46]

Looking forward to your review, will be onboard 12/20.

[welove2cruise232]

Would love to know about the entertainment on board (we're sailing 1/14) -- is Arielle Jacobbe on board?

 

Who is/will be the cruise director, concierge?

 

Thanks! Hope you're having a great time!

[Leafpeeper]

Hi David. I have a friend from Marshfield, MA named Jennifer who is onboard taking her very first cruise with her DD and DS who will be inducted into the Air Force after the holidays. I hope you all have calm seas and lots of good weather. Please keep us posted about your adventures.

[JACJAM]

Were you refunded your fuel surcharges?

 

Have a great time,

J

[goingtoprovo]

Hi David, it's so nice of you to let us know about the cruise and offer to answer our questions.

As you see, this is my first post, as my family is strongly considering this itinerary for a Feb. cruise on the Gem. It would be my husband and I(31 and 26) and our two-year old daughter.

My questions (since you asked!): what is the weather/sea like as you sail out of New York. Is it frigid topside? (sorry, that's a Navy term, not sure what it's called when cruising; I've only done one) If it is very cold and with rough seas, I'm curious to know at what point the weather becomes more pleasant.

And like Jarjus (I think that was the name) curious about hours of the Kids' Club.

But really, any info you give us on dining, what to do in ports, etc. is appreciated!

Thank you, and have a fabulous trip! :)

[jarjus]

Hi Dave, Just curious, i thought i read somewhere that the Gem has a Starbucks on the ship is this true??? If so do they have wireless internet for free? I thought i read that somewhere along the lines. If not what is the price for internet services. I was thinking of bringing my laptop on board but if the service was too expensive it wouldn't be worth it. I'd love to sit out in the "great outdoors" and email friends and family over a morning coffee! ;)

 

Thanks... JarJus

[kontraxed]

It's nice of you to answer questions like this! We will be on the Gem

February 4th.

 

I just read another thread from the Gem where the OP stated the crew were kind of tired or irritated and that they found the main dining room

food to be not as good as past cruises. I'm looking forward to your opinion.

 

What kind of room are you in?

 

Well, I hope you can enjoy your cruise while answering these and many other questions!

 

Thanks!

[David21]

Hi everyone - Sorry for the delay but we've been busy since Saturday.

Having a great time. Freezing when we left Saturday but what do you expect right? Alittle rough but not bad. Yesterday was about 58 degrees it would have been warmer but Florida was having a cold front so that's why we didn't get to warm. They said normally it would be in the high 60's the second day. But that was okay we just took it easy and rested and did what we wanted. As on this cruise we are going for the ship and warm weather and not the ports. Today we are in Orlando but we stayed on the ship and enjoyed the quiet time. Last time we went to DisneyWorld when we were on the Dawn so we didn't need to do that.

It's really not that warm today about 70 which is better then NJ so we will take it. I guess Florida is still having some kind of cold front. Suppose to warm up. The crew is great,friendly and couldn't be better. We are in a category BA Balcony cabin and it's very nice. Last night we went to Cagney's and as always it was an awesome meal. The GEM is a beautiful ship. I really wish they would stop at Key West as they originally were going to. This port is a waste if you are not going to DisneyWorld.

I hear tomorrow is suppose to be 78 so we are warming up. I am in shorts and sandals so I am a happier campier. There's nothing like driving to the port and starting your vacation and not worrying about flying. People are in the pools and hot tubs so it's not that cold. It's actually just nice could be a few degrees warmer but hey I'm on a cruise. So for now I have not one compliment everything is great. Service is great, food is good, entertainment is good and I checked on the kid's program and they all look like they are having a BLAST. Okay I am going to go lay in my lounge chair and take a nap as we want to stay up late tonight and gamble. Are plan is to hang in the casino tonight.

 

Live from the GEM

 

David and Dana

[thewolffs]

Hey it was -1 at Loon Mtn today--that was without the windchill.

[jarjus]

Where ya been Dave? I've been looking forward to reading your review of the Gem. How was your trip? We want details the good, bad and ugly. LOL....

[Cruisoholic]

I just got back from the 12/6-12/13 cruise......Take off those rose colored glasses David......I totally diasagree with you about the ship.Will you be offered another free cruise for another biased review?

[metro1026]

So what went wrong cruiseaholic?

[alexkrn46]

Yes, I am dying to know, be on ship Saturday I need to know.

[Cruisoholic]

Hi

You will enjoy your cruise.I did not mean to sound so negative .I will give you my mindset and some opinions.

 

I have been cruising for 29 years and have been on the best and worst ships of all cruiselines.I often said I never met a cruise I didnt like.But this cruise irked me in many ways.

 

Mindset:We sailed the Gem this past January and loved it.We had booked this latest cruise 6 months ago ,The price of the cruise at sailing was $250.00 per person less for an outside cabin.We could not take advantage of the reduced prices but I understand that happens.I knew the weather would be warm but not your typical beach weather.So I had hoped to fill the time at sea reading,watching movies and playing slots and blackjack.We generally eat at the buffet for breakfast and lunch.

 

On the cruise it seemed that alot of people were sailing for free or at very low prices. A large group were high roller gamblers that were not only offered the cruise free, but given free drinks and other perks. I play one penny slots and $5.00 blackjack-a low roller.I enjoyed the casino in January.I didnt win but the machines were entertaining and it helped to pass the cold sea days

 

They took out the one penny slots and put in a few 2 cents,a few 5 cents and many $5.00 and $25.00 slots. Black Jack was $10.00 and $25.00 a hand.The number of slot machines were reduced from last year as they have more table games.Everyone was complaining about the low payoffs.I thought it was just my bad luck.The cigarette smoke was so thick at times it made your eyes water.In summary I believe because of all the high rollers sailing for free or at practically no cost the ship changed the payouts and increased the costs.

 

Last year there was a good selection of free movies in your cabin.They were not current but they helped pass the time during the cold or rainy sea days.Keep in mind there is no movie theater.Last year they showed movies in the Crystal Lounge.Now there is one channel that shows free movies.The movies are in black and white and had to be 40 years old.Everytime I clicked-it was either the novie Ggi or The Bells Of St Mary.If you wanted to watch a two year old movie it cost $11.95.There was a reduced rate of $5.95 for a 5 year old movie.There was no movies shown in the lounge.This irked me.When I asked why the movies cost money I was told that the cost of the cruise was so cheap they need to make revenue other ways.My cruise was not cheap-and I was a paying guest.

 

Last January my husband and I would have a drink special before or after dinner.This time a martini cost $12.95 plus gratutity, and a glass of wine was between $6.50-$7.00.I would not pay $12.95 for a martini no matter how smooth.

 

I dont bowl but that cost doubled.It is now $10.00 a game

 

We were sailing with friends who never cruised before.I told them about the captains party.Well-there was no party for them-not even a glass of champagne.Only Latitude members were invited.

 

Buffet:There are only a few trays available.Those are used by the crew to help physically challenged people.So as last year (even though everyone had complained) it was quite a juggling feat every day.You had your plates with drink trying to manuver around people.Because the days were cool and windy the buffet was packed.There was two days when I could not find a seat no matter what time I went.Your food got cold .That wasnt the ships fault but just an added annoyance.

 

The made to order eggs are good.But the pancakes and frenchtoast were made ahead.So they were cold and hard.I found the entree choices limited.I suggest eating in the dining room.We wanted to make reservations for four.But were told they only make reservations for 6 people or more.

 

On the past cruise you were offered Lemonade,punch and icetea.You are now offered just iced tea.

 

On the past cruise there were a few free restaurants to choose from.Of course now that has changed. I would not pay in principle the $30.00 cover charge per person for a restaurant .Some others were $20.00

 

The shops as on most cruise ships are expensive.No bargains.The ships tours are outrageous.Passengers were paying $19.00 each to take them to Coco Beach in Port Canaveral.Right outide the ship there were local vans for $5.00 each.

 

The three production shows are wonderful.

 

 

In summary I was a paying customer.I didnt expect alot of frills but I didnt like the feeling of being gouged for everything.We were planning to cruise in January but decided now to wait for a last minute cruise.Sometimes that adage-you get what you pay for is not always true

 

 

Have fun on your cruise.You will enjoy it