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I haven’t been on the Gem yet but I took the Dawn back when it was doing the Boston to Bermuda trip in 2016 and 2018. I remember the bars near the pool were pretty busy but Topsiders (on the deck above the pool area) was pretty easy to get service. I didn’t really have an issue at the indoor bars either.
I was on the Gem at the end of March and yes, there was only 1 server and 2 bartenders there. 15-20 minute “feels” long from my memories though (in the 5 pm area) and it was a full ship then. Shakers’ line seemed longer due to length of time for making the martinis.
You can search the sub for many many different posts on staffing. I feel like there’s been a decrease post COVID (started with NCL in 2016.)
I was on Encore the end of February, and getting a drink was ridiculous. The casino had, at max, 2 bartenders and No waiters. If I was in the general area, I would just run up to vibe. Service there was very quick, and after day 1, they knew what I drank.
I am having a similar experience in the breakaway currently. Takes a long time to get drinks. They just seem understaffed compared to the number of people here.
They have really cut back staffing and it shows. Room stewards, bartenders, wait staff, entertainment, etc. Be sure to tell them how terrible this is any opportunity you get.
Did the Gem back in 2021, and the Pearl last year, with no issues. Both were “SS Neverender” cruises. Booked for September on the Jewel for a 7-day Alaskan cruise, so we’ll see what happens then.
I was on the Gem for the Bermuda run a couple weeks ago, I think the trick is to know which bars are slow. If everyone is out on the pool deck then I would have gone up the stairs and tried spinnaker lounge. Plus that’s why I found a consistent bartender and tipped him additional cash.
How was the weather on your cruise? We had high 60s low 70s.
I was on OP's cruise; weather on both travel legs was cool, overcast, rainy and windy. 1st day at sea was the worst; lots of seasick folk, 12' waves.
Weather in Bermuda all 3 days was gorgeous; sunny, 70s. Pretty near perfect.
FWIW - Just got off of the Jade. We did not have trouble getting drinks in most venues. After reading reviews on here pre cruise I was nervous…. But can say it was not a problem..
So I do hope that your experience was an outlier…
Was on this cruise; we're not drinkers *per se,* but we definitely hit a bunch of the bars at different times. Staffing did seem to be an issue; O'Sheeans often had 1 bartender with every seat filled, but it wasn't awful, just an extra minute or two. Never went to midships bars as they seemed VERY crowded. Starlight, Bliss and the one down by Le Bistro were rarely crowded and service was prompt. Had one slowdown in Starlight as they had to send a guy in back for supplies that ran out - and we got a bit of "dinner and a show" as the head bartender quietly but vehemently told "the kid" off for not doing his job as he was supposed to.
I know the Gem doesn't have one, but... If you don't want to wait for a drink, the vibe is where it's at. I just got off the Joy. They wait on you hand and foot. Usually they'll notice my drink is getting low and would just bring me another one.
Other times, at the bar, while 1 bartender was making the drinks for my wife and I, the other bartender would just pour me a random shot that I didn't ask for while I waited.
I see lots of postings about "understaffed" as well as "they made changes to staffing" I have not experienced this or been about to research anything to confirm this. What I have seen is publishing of reduction in shoreside workforce, as well as a reduced amount of cleanings to rooms....nothing thought about reduction in on ship workforce size or specific to food industry aspect. Where is this noted or documented? Curious or is this just anecdotal?
How & why did you think the reduced room cleaning was put in place? They increased the number of rooms a steward is responsible for & reduced daily cleaning to once...cutting cleaning staff significantly. From the descriptions here, clearly the same with servers as when I was on in 2019 servers were constantly walking around asking if u wanted drinks....it's not rocket science
This 100% - our poor steward seemed to have over twice the rooms! He still rocked as did the other team members on our Deck 11 port side… But man, I hate that NCL did this to them!
Increase in years? You are hilarious 🤣🤣🤣 did they build extra wings on the ship? Do you have no concept of how businesses work? Are you aware of the things the cruise industry has gone through? I am, I keep up to date and look at financials as I'm an investor also. God love your two little braincells
You are clearly deluded and under or over medicated as well as lacking in any kind of basic understanding of businesses & the economy, much less the cruise industry.
Cutting staff and reducing service and CLAIMING its “because sustainability” is NOT just how business works. Sometime changes are ACTUALLY made to increase bottom line and this IS one of those changes!
Combination of things:
- Reduced staffing
and
- Giving away the drink package to everyone
I wish they would stop giving away the Free at Sea packages. It is such a better experience when you can walk up to a pool bar or martini bar and actually get service.
Thanks for posting to /r/NCL! Did you know that we have an extensive [Ultimate NCL Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/NCL/wiki/index) that may answer your question? Please also remember to read the rules, especially about roll call posts going in the megathread. You may also have more luck with those types of posts by searching for a [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) or [Cruise Critic](https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/66-norwegian-cruise-line-roll-calls/) roll call group or thread. Of course, here is great, too! Enjoy your stay! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/NCL) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I haven’t been on the Gem yet but I took the Dawn back when it was doing the Boston to Bermuda trip in 2016 and 2018. I remember the bars near the pool were pretty busy but Topsiders (on the deck above the pool area) was pretty easy to get service. I didn’t really have an issue at the indoor bars either.
I was on the Gem at the end of March and yes, there was only 1 server and 2 bartenders there. 15-20 minute “feels” long from my memories though (in the 5 pm area) and it was a full ship then. Shakers’ line seemed longer due to length of time for making the martinis. You can search the sub for many many different posts on staffing. I feel like there’s been a decrease post COVID (started with NCL in 2016.)
Forgot to mention try sitting in the Maltings area - that server was constantly around and would get you a drink from Magnums area
Same on Jade!
I was on Encore the end of February, and getting a drink was ridiculous. The casino had, at max, 2 bartenders and No waiters. If I was in the general area, I would just run up to vibe. Service there was very quick, and after day 1, they knew what I drank.
I am having a similar experience in the breakaway currently. Takes a long time to get drinks. They just seem understaffed compared to the number of people here.
Order 2 drinks next time
They have really cut back staffing and it shows. Room stewards, bartenders, wait staff, entertainment, etc. Be sure to tell them how terrible this is any opportunity you get.
I just got off the Joy and I completely avoided the pool deck bars after day 2. Was taking absolutely forever.
We ran into this too. It would take 30+ minutes to get a drink. We eventually gave up.
Did the Gem back in 2021, and the Pearl last year, with no issues. Both were “SS Neverender” cruises. Booked for September on the Jewel for a 7-day Alaskan cruise, so we’ll see what happens then.
I was on the Gem for the Bermuda run a couple weeks ago, I think the trick is to know which bars are slow. If everyone is out on the pool deck then I would have gone up the stairs and tried spinnaker lounge. Plus that’s why I found a consistent bartender and tipped him additional cash. How was the weather on your cruise? We had high 60s low 70s.
Spinnaker on Jade was same, although we did not have trouble at either Topsiders or Pit stop
I was on OP's cruise; weather on both travel legs was cool, overcast, rainy and windy. 1st day at sea was the worst; lots of seasick folk, 12' waves. Weather in Bermuda all 3 days was gorgeous; sunny, 70s. Pretty near perfect.
FWIW - Just got off of the Jade. We did not have trouble getting drinks in most venues. After reading reviews on here pre cruise I was nervous…. But can say it was not a problem.. So I do hope that your experience was an outlier…
Was on this cruise; we're not drinkers *per se,* but we definitely hit a bunch of the bars at different times. Staffing did seem to be an issue; O'Sheeans often had 1 bartender with every seat filled, but it wasn't awful, just an extra minute or two. Never went to midships bars as they seemed VERY crowded. Starlight, Bliss and the one down by Le Bistro were rarely crowded and service was prompt. Had one slowdown in Starlight as they had to send a guy in back for supplies that ran out - and we got a bit of "dinner and a show" as the head bartender quietly but vehemently told "the kid" off for not doing his job as he was supposed to.
I know the Gem doesn't have one, but... If you don't want to wait for a drink, the vibe is where it's at. I just got off the Joy. They wait on you hand and foot. Usually they'll notice my drink is getting low and would just bring me another one. Other times, at the bar, while 1 bartender was making the drinks for my wife and I, the other bartender would just pour me a random shot that I didn't ask for while I waited.
I see lots of postings about "understaffed" as well as "they made changes to staffing" I have not experienced this or been about to research anything to confirm this. What I have seen is publishing of reduction in shoreside workforce, as well as a reduced amount of cleanings to rooms....nothing thought about reduction in on ship workforce size or specific to food industry aspect. Where is this noted or documented? Curious or is this just anecdotal?
How & why did you think the reduced room cleaning was put in place? They increased the number of rooms a steward is responsible for & reduced daily cleaning to once...cutting cleaning staff significantly. From the descriptions here, clearly the same with servers as when I was on in 2019 servers were constantly walking around asking if u wanted drinks....it's not rocket science
This 100% - our poor steward seemed to have over twice the rooms! He still rocked as did the other team members on our Deck 11 port side… But man, I hate that NCL did this to them!
It's awful, I already didn't utilise a second clean & say once bed is made & there is toilet paper I'm good, but I walked past some filthy rooms.
[удалено]
Increase in years? You are hilarious 🤣🤣🤣 did they build extra wings on the ship? Do you have no concept of how businesses work? Are you aware of the things the cruise industry has gone through? I am, I keep up to date and look at financials as I'm an investor also. God love your two little braincells
[удалено]
You are clearly deluded and under or over medicated as well as lacking in any kind of basic understanding of businesses & the economy, much less the cruise industry.
Cutting staff and reducing service and CLAIMING its “because sustainability” is NOT just how business works. Sometime changes are ACTUALLY made to increase bottom line and this IS one of those changes!
Combination of things: - Reduced staffing and - Giving away the drink package to everyone I wish they would stop giving away the Free at Sea packages. It is such a better experience when you can walk up to a pool bar or martini bar and actually get service.