The rough seas as seen from our balcony on the Norwegian Gem
This 10-day cruise was on the Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). While checking in, we were informed that the itinerary had been changed. We were told that we'd visit St. Maarten instead of St. Thomas after San Juan. It was later explained to us that the itinerary change was made due to the number of ships that would be in Port. About 5 other ships were scheduled to be in port in St. Thomas. With the change in ports, we would be the only ship visiting St. Thomas and there would be 2 other ships with us in St. Maarten.
The ship left New York City at 4 p.m. on March 27, 2015. We were at sea until March 30th. It was cold for the first two days at sea. The ports visited were San Juan (March 31st, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), St. Maarten (April 1st, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), St. Thomas (April 2nd, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Tortola (April 3rd, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.). After our brief stay in Tortola, we headed back to New York City.
It got cold and windy as the ship headed north.
We arrived in NYC at about 8 a.m. on April 6th, after 2 days at sea.
During the days at sea, the captain of the ship would give us our position. After giving the longitude and latitude he'd say, "We're in the middle of no where." How comforting!!!!
Photos here are taken from old site, pages 2015 A and B.
Norwegian Gem
March 27, 2015
The Gem, Pier 88
Boarding the ship 8/14/2022 - Why a night background when we boarded the ship?
There were 4 bowling alleys We did a quick tour of Decks 6 and 7
Intrepid Museum, Manhattan skyline and rooftop parking from our balcony.
The Concord, part of the Intrepid Museum
The Gem leaving Pier 88
The Gem continues to reverse
Completely away from Pier 88, getting ready to turn to head down the Hudson River.
Leaving New York City
March 27, 2015
West Side of Manhattan
Orange structure will become the Mercedes House. Premiere Apartments
Battery Park area World Trade Center most visible
A closer view
And still another view
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island The Coast Guard followed the ship until it reached the Verrazano Bridge. There was also an NYPD boat but it did not follow the ship as far.
Ellis Island
A closer view of Ellis Island
Statue of Liberty, Verrazano Bridge
March 27, 2015
Different views of Miss Liberty, Statue of Liberty
Statue Cruises
Photos of the ship approaching the Verrazano Bridge
Sailing under the Verrazano, rough seas
March 27 & 28, 2015
As the Gem passed under the span of the Verrazano
Looking back at the Verrazano
Rough seas as seen from the balcony March 28th Very little roll and pitch.
Waves on the side of the ship
Still at sea
March 28 & 29, 2015
Sunrise
Sunset
The first of the towel animals. A penguin?
Pool area, water slide Deck 12
Waves generated by propellers at back of ship. Seen from Deck 7
Another sunrise
Rock climbing. Not available during this cruise due to repairs.
Artwork, Sports Area, Deck 14
More of the NCL Gem
March 29, 2015
Pool area as seen from Deck 13
More of Deck 13. Still too cold to sunbathe
The sun came out briefly. A few passengers decided to take advantage of the sun.
Sunset
Front of ship Deck 14
Mural on one of the many staircases
Elton relaxing
Dinnertime, Magenta restaurant
Towel animal
March 30, 2015
Dinosaur???
A little blurry but should give you an idea
San Juan, Puerto Rico We spent most of the day with Titi Mery
March 31, 2015
Ship headed to San Juan Harbor Turned out to be Holland America's Westerdam
Beautiful sunrise
Flags flown as we began to dock Puerto Rico and US flags on the right
El Morro El Castillo de San Felipe de Morro
The buildings closest to sea is in an area called La Perla
Westerdam, Old San Juan
March 31, 2015
Westerdam
Another view
After our visit to Titi Mery, we toured Old San Juan
In honor of "Toribio"
Patricio Rijos "Toribio"
"From the children of Old San Juan... ...to the king of Guicharo, 1972" Traditionally, the guicharo was made from a natural gourd.
More of Old San Juan
March 31, 2015
Calle O'Donnell
Define Here Your Puerto Rican (Boricua) Spirit. People would stop and write something. By the time we got to the board, there was no room to write anything.
The 3 ships in port The Gem parked with its back to the street
Another view Gem, Westerdam and Silhouette
Elton, the Silhoutte and Westerdam
March 31, 2015
Elton
Silhouette on the left, Westerdam on the right
Leaving San Juan
The Silhouette
La Fortaleza, blue building
El Morro
St. Maarten
April 1, 2015
The island of Saba as we entered the harbor of St. Maarten
Pilot boat
St. Maarten
The piers
Philipsburg
Docking
The Holland America Westerdam and Carnival Valor
April 1, 2015
Westerdam followed by the Valor
Westerdam
Westerdam turning around to dock
The Gem can carry 2,384 passengers
Valor and Westerdam The Valor can carry 2,974 passengers
Another view The Westerdam can carry 1,916 passengers
We decided to walk to town
April 1, 2015
View of ships as we walked to town, Philipsburg A sidewalk lead to a boardwalk
Another view of ships
The beach
Elton soaking up Caribbean salt water
A look at the rest of the beach For $15.00 you get 2 chairs and an umbrella. Make it $25.00 and 5 beers are added.
Elton taking a break We walked down Front and Back Streets We had great food in a kiosk on Back Street.
Beautiful frangipani
St. Maarten's flag
Sadly enough, it's time to leave
April 1, 2015
The Westerdam left first
The Westerdam far out to sea, the Gem. The A.C. Wathney Pier
Passengers returning to the Valor
Saba With the clouds in place this photo almost looks like the Rock of Gibraltar.
Another view
Bye to St. Maarten
Bye to Philipsburg
The Valor and a towel animal
April 1, 2015
The Valor leaving St. Maarten
An elephant
Continued on Page J-2 with St. Thomas, Tortola and return trip to NYC.
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