We just got back from our NCL Gem cruise ( August 2-9 to Bermuda and Bar Harbor ) and loved it! ❤️Our balcony cabin was great and we loved all the food… main dining room, buffet and specialty! All super delicious!!! Bermuda was absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Tobacco Bay was absolutel paradise!!! Take the 45 minute ferry to get to St. George’s! Prayers for Bermuda right now as they currently getting hurricanes ❤️🙏🏼🥲❤️🙏🏼
Thanks Tom! Your video is eye-opening. We don't see a reason to try the Nickel and Dime Cruise Line, but these videos are informative and help us. We appreciate your honesty (and we're pretty sure your tastes and views align with ours). Keep up the great work!
Thank you, we had the same experience with the Gem's entertainment this last June. We called it the "Snooze Cruise". Disembarkation was a nightmare, the Atrium was always crowded.
Hi Donna, Bar Harbor is a tender port and it will be your first stop back in the U.S. This means you'll need to go through the immigration process before disembarking. The immigration setup takes place onboard, and everyone must complete this process before anyone is allowed to leave the ship via the tender boats. Unfortunately, it can be a bit frustrating as it requires every passenger to go through it before disembarkation can begin. The crew will call passengers by deck, and once your deck is called, you'll need to head midship and join a line that can get quite long. The line typically snakes through various parts of the ship, including the casino and restaurants. When you reach the end, you'll need to have your passport ready, and you'll go through facial recognition scanning. After that, you'll receive a tender ticket. You'll then have to wait until your ticket number is called before you can board a tender boat to go ashore. To make this process a bit smoother, you can try a couple of things. First, if you have an excursion booked, those passengers usually get priority disembarkation once everyone is scanned. If an excursion isn't an option, consider getting in line as early as possible, even before your deck is called. They typically don't check if you're from the correct deck, so this could help you get one of the earlier tender tickets. Alternatively, you might even consider staying on the ship, skipping the tender process altogether, especially if you'd rather avoid the wait. I hope this helps clarify the process for you. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy your cruise!
@@tomsunday Our itinerary has us in Canada for three ports, and then Portland Maine and Bar Harbor Maine. Wouldn't Portland be the port for immigration since that is our first port after Canada?
I prefer taking my own luggage. Pity NCL Gem does not allow it. Debarkation is far easier & more efficient! For me, there are lmore benefits than drawbacks. I have done rhis for the last 8 - 9 cruises I have been on. Very few people do it. At embarkation, it's not a problem taking luggage to lunch buffet until cabin is ready. Suitcase is common med sized & totally enough clothes for a single. Even with that, it is over packed, & I do not wear all the clothes. I can understand it would be a problem for the cruiseline if 1/3, 1/2 or more of passengers did it. More likely only 10% or fewer people do so.
@@tomsunday will do! I wish I had found this video sooner, but h7bby had already booked the Gem a little over a month ago....not looking forward to being nickle and dimed.
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We just got back from our NCL Gem cruise ( August 2-9 to Bermuda and Bar Harbor ) and loved it! ❤️Our balcony cabin was great and we loved all the food… main dining room, buffet and specialty! All super delicious!!! Bermuda was absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Tobacco Bay was absolutel paradise!!! Take the 45 minute ferry to get to St. George’s! Prayers for Bermuda right now as they currently getting hurricanes ❤️🙏🏼🥲❤️🙏🏼
I am glad you enjoyed your cruise. Prayers for anyone who is affected by the hurricane.
Thanks Tom! Your video is eye-opening. We don't see a reason to try the Nickel and Dime Cruise Line, but these videos are informative and help us. We appreciate your honesty (and we're pretty sure your tastes and views align with ours). Keep up the great work!
Thank you! This was exactly the information that I needed.
You are welcome!
Congrats on 7k subs homie!
Thank you, Echo!
Thank you, we had the same experience with the Gem's entertainment this last June. We called it the "Snooze Cruise". Disembarkation was a nightmare, the Atrium was always crowded.
I’m so glad I saw this review and you talked about smelling gasoline in the interior room. There’s a really good deal on the Gem but I won’t go.
I'm glad I was able to help.
And value for money I bet was brilliant
That's why smart people leave their luggage with the porters. That way you and everyone else on the ship dont have to deal with your luggage.
Good tip!
Why carry it on? That’s for newbies.
Tom, would you elaborate on the immigration experience in Bar Harbor? Is there a way for us to be wiser about it?
Hi Donna,
Bar Harbor is a tender port and it will be your first stop back in the U.S. This means you'll need to go through the immigration process before disembarking. The immigration setup takes place onboard, and everyone must complete this process before anyone is allowed to leave the ship via the tender boats. Unfortunately, it can be a bit frustrating as it requires every passenger to go through it before disembarkation can begin.
The crew will call passengers by deck, and once your deck is called, you'll need to head midship and join a line that can get quite long. The line typically snakes through various parts of the ship, including the casino and restaurants. When you reach the end, you'll need to have your passport ready, and you'll go through facial recognition scanning. After that, you'll receive a tender ticket. You'll then have to wait until your ticket number is called before you can board a tender boat to go ashore.
To make this process a bit smoother, you can try a couple of things. First, if you have an excursion booked, those passengers usually get priority disembarkation once everyone is scanned. If an excursion isn't an option, consider getting in line as early as possible, even before your deck is called. They typically don't check if you're from the correct deck, so this could help you get one of the earlier tender tickets. Alternatively, you might even consider staying on the ship, skipping the tender process altogether, especially if you'd rather avoid the wait.
I hope this helps clarify the process for you. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy your cruise!
@@tomsunday Our itinerary has us in Canada for three ports, and then Portland Maine and Bar Harbor Maine. Wouldn't Portland be the port for immigration since that is our first port after Canada?
Yes, that sounds right to me. As long as you are not tendering in your first port, you should be ok.
Great review! Thank you very much for sharing! Like 28. New subscriber here. Greetings from Florida!
I am glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for your kind words, and welcome to our community!
I was considering this ship for my bday cruise. I will keep looking.
I hope you enjoy your birthday cruise!
I prefer taking my own luggage. Pity NCL Gem does not allow it.
Debarkation is far easier & more efficient! For me, there are lmore benefits than drawbacks. I have done rhis for the last 8 - 9 cruises I have been on. Very few people do it.
At embarkation, it's not a problem taking luggage to lunch buffet until cabin is ready. Suitcase is common med sized & totally enough clothes for a single. Even with that, it is over packed, & I do not wear all the clothes. I can understand it would be a problem for the cruiseline if 1/3, 1/2 or more of passengers did it. More likely only 10% or fewer people do so.
So glad you made yhis video. I will not be booking.
I am glad you found this video helpful.
Thanks for the information
You are very welcome.
I thought the Brazilian restaurant was a free option. I thought I saw that in another video.
@MapleLeafsGirl77 No, it's 55 per person.
@@tomsunday ugh! Good to know, thanks!
@@MapleLeafsGirl77 you are very welcome. Make sure you go hungry. Enjoy your cruise!
@@tomsunday will do! I wish I had found this video sooner, but h7bby had already booked the Gem a little over a month ago....not looking forward to being nickle and dimed.
At least you know what to expect. I hope you enjoy your cruise. I am looking forward to hearing your feedack once you return. Cheers!