New cruiser, pleasantly surprised!
Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas
7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)
Sail date: August 15, 2015
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Cabin type: Inside
Cabin number: 11635
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 9 years ago
Review summary
I was a little skeptical about cruises but thought it would be a different family experience allowing us to show our children another part of the world. I enjoyed it more than I expected! The ship was kept very clean, entertainment was fantastic (comedy, illusionist, and acrobats show), and food was excellent! I wasn't a fan of the center of the boat which was very crowded with people, children, and way more chairs than the area could fit but there were plenty of other spaces on which to hang out. The staff was very friendly and the other passengers, for the most part, were fine (expect some inconsiderate behavior but nothing more than you would see anywhere else you go). We especially appreciated the "freestyle cruising" aspect and being able to eat when and where we wanted - that works very well for a family (our kids are 9, 12, 16). My 16 y.o. loved the youth center as did my 9 y.o. but my 12 y.o. was bored out of her mind so the kids services are OK. The gym equipment is so-so but unless you plan on working out every day, not a big deal. My room wasn't as clean as I would have liked when I first arrived but was fine after that. Cruise worked for our family: 40's+ non-drinking couple, children 9-16, like variety and flexibility and not schedule oriented on vacation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
You can stick with the complimentary dining-no need to pay for specialty dining - we ate at the Italian restaurant, costs $20/pp, and really wasn't any better than the compl. restaurants. Get a room with a window-makes a big difference!
Ports of call
Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas