EMBARCATION

We have taken over 20 cruises, most on NCL, some on Carnival. This is our second time on the Gem, 1st Platinum cruise out of Manhattan. Traffic was a bear getting into the port Saturday morning- we find there is much lighter traffic on Sunday departures but oh well. We drove 2 hours from PA, dropped our luggage at the port with 2 family members, then left our car at Park Right (3rd time we have used them and much less expensive than parking at the pier), then 10 minute back to the pier. We anticipated long lines but since we were Platinum Latitudes we were whisked away to priority line and never sat down, we were on the ship within 15 minutes!

We had lunch at O'Sheehan's and ate there several times for breakfast and lunch throughout the cruise and enjoyed the food and service. The bar there was also very convenient to our cabin and the bartenders knew my husband by name by the end of the day, he was always served immediately. It helps to tip, just a dollar per order is well worth it and much appreciated. Read more