Norweigan Gem - Nice trip

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Gem

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 21, 2008

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Suite

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 16 years ago

Review summary

The ship's check in was smooth and we were on within 30 minutes. Our room (mini suite) was nice and the ship was laid out well with nice public areas. The casino was fun, pool was great. Only a few things could make it better for our experience. Live music by the pool was so loud - no one could hear eachother speak. Some of the speciality restaurants weren't worth it. Le Bistro and Teppenyaki were the exceptions - very good. Disembarkation was a nightmare - reception had no idea on how to explain it to you. We had no checked luggage, so they were struggling with how to catch the bus to the airport. That was a free for all - no bus reservations, busses leaving an hour late. Its too bad that's the way it ended but it did. Not sure why you can't reserve a bus seat. Would make it so much easier.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Overall pretty good. Wait staff at grand pacfic seemed unhappy and frustrated.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
The cruise staff for housekeeping were always happy and positive.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Cant complain. The ship was nice and layout was great. Signs well marked too.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
We loved our stateroom. Balcony chairs weren't great, but ok

Ports of call

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5
We did Rome on your own. I think it was the best choice. Not too expensive and the guide on our bus told us how to do what we wanted to do within the 6 hours we had & gave us a map. We saw Trevi fountain, walked through the coliseum (must) and saw the Sistine chapel. Great time.
Don't Miss: coliseum walk through!

Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France

5 out of 5
Beautiful little town. Bring your bathing suit - the little sand beach in port is right on the Mediterranean. So much fun.
Don't Miss: The beach

Valletta, Malta

1 out of 5
Wine and chesse part of tour were nice. The place itself is not a real nice area. Our tour guide was unhappy most of the time and wasn't fun.
Don't Miss: Vineyard -taste of malta

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5
Capri, Pompeii and Sorrento - it was exhausting doing it all but well worth it. A lot of fun
Don't Miss: pompeii - amazing artifacts

Pros: The ship was clean, fun and had good places to hang out and eat

Cons: Excursions were too far from ports on two occasions. Staff seemed unhappy at meal time. Music too loud by pool. Disembarkation nightmare.

Recommends Norwegian Gem? Yes!

Was this review helpful? 126

Be the first to comment