Love the Gem but this criuise (my 3rd on the Gem) was so disappointing!

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

cru443

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 51

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

10 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 22, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10036

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This was my third cruise on the Gem! I love the Gem, find it clean and staff always pleasant and friendly! But I was so disappointed this time with the rudeness of many of the guests and their mall children! Many kids always in the hot tubs and no staff ever corrected this... Kids were running around slamming into guests and parents didn't seem to mind or speak to them! Will never cruise during a vacation week for children although we didn't realize there was a school break going on that week. Please work on staff addressing unruly guests and especially small children not behaving well! Even during evening shows kids were allowed to run up and down the aisles in the theater! Otherwise, we love the Gem, the staff and the food!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Awesome and love free-style dining!

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Love the music, dancing and entertainment!

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Very entertaining but ruined by unruly children!

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Obviously didn't have enough activities for the large number of kids on board!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our room steward was tremendous, loved him, his name was Shandy! Just an awesome guy!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Always clean and the ship updates are beautiful!

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Our cabin was tight as there was 3 of us but our steward was tremendous, so pleasant and accomodating! Loved the balcony!

Ship tip

Smoking should be prohibited in the casino.....don't allow young children in hot tubs!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York

5 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Also could use more time here as we chose to go to St. John for the excursion but felt rushed! Such a beautiful island, would have definitely loved more time there!

Thumbs Up 0

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5

Wish there was more time on Tortola as we didn't get to enjoy this island

Thumbs Up 2

42 Comments

thecube44 8 years ago

Try valet anytime. You call them, they meet you, take your car, park it in a secured lot, bring it back to the pier when you get back to port.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

nmhardt 8 years ago

I was more disappointed by the rudeness of the staff and the lack of record keeping and disorganization than the kids

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hesselectric 8 years ago

Take the train to grand central and taxi to the port..

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

LadiesCruisin30 8 years ago

First cruise may 7,not going with children this is a well earned girls week for four,we got 3rd & 4th sail free & beverage & dining package for first 2 because we booked balcony...unfortunately they wanted & arm an leg for two add ons for the drink package...Wanted to ask advice on what we should do to get to port seeing as we are first timers..we are from Providence R.I. it was mentioned are best bet would be to drive up & pay to park in garage for the week?any experience or suggestions

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

Their website shows Bermuda and Caribbean cruises.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hesselectric 8 years ago

They do?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

Hesselectric, don't know where you heard about carnival but they still sail out of NY

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

enjoyurdaysmile 8 years ago

People were rude to me in the Gallexy Lounge. I wanted to sit in a chair and asked if it was taken and she said yes and it wasn't. I went over to her after the show and told her off. Two women sat down and the women never spoke to the ones that sat. That woman Bbbb lied and told her she did. A man pushed a chair when I asked if it were taken. What goes around, comes around. Just sit in a chair because it's not taken. If someone says they are saving a seat, I tell them when they come, I'll get up. This happened on my Holland America Cruise in the Vista Show Room. My husband said we'll get up when they come. A msn w

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

enjoyurdaysmile 8 years ago

I have sailed out of Manhattan many times and was on the Gem 3 times. 2 One nights to no where and a week to Florida and Bahamas. It is not where people live, it's how they are.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

That's when we are going

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

peekcruiser 8 years ago

April 21st Gem.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

When are you going?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

peekcruiser 8 years ago

K thanks. I plan on playing some and I'll hope for the best.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

They try to do 3 but sometime that doesn't work out depends on who's playing

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

peekcruiser 8 years ago

Is it at least three hits or mostly picnic?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

Not very competitive, I'm sure if you wanted to get a competitive game together you could.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

peekcruiser 8 years ago

Sideout are you playing volleyball on the cruise. How competitive is the volleyball on a cruise?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hesselectric 8 years ago

Last year or 2 years ago

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

When did Carnival stop sailing from NY?

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

hesselectric 8 years ago

I'm from CT and I leave from NY to go on cruises alot.I used to do Carnival but they stopped going from NY.Now I switched to Norwegian and I'm very satisfied.The prices for rooms are a bit higher on Nor. but with all the add ons and specials Carnival is getting killed by Norwegian in terms of Dining options and free drinks.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

You may be right Alan, but I have sailed out of Florida and California and I have to say the northeast is the worst. And I live in Massachusetts so I do see the difference.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Alan127 8 years ago

Just because a ship sails out of NY does not mean all passengers are from NY. A majority are from all over country and Canada. So bad manners are all over,it seems to be the norm lately.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tommyshamubrooklyn 8 years ago

Amen to that

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

thecube44 8 years ago

I'm from NY. Born and raised. I've sailed NCL many times. My 3rd on the Gem coming up in May. Can't wait. As for rough and rude, it's NY. I have found myself becoming the tour guide while in port and leaving port down the Hudson River. I know my city and NJ as well. I have given so my people so much info about all of the sights we will pass. So, take NYERS with a grain of salt. We just live a harder life in a tough environment. Enjoy your cruises. Be safe. Relax.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

luves2cruise 8 years ago

So, I'm pretty sure the staff don't read this forum. It's specifically for cruisers. That being said, the repeated complaints about children make me think.... I bet it's the 3rd and 4th passengers free that contribute most to this.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

precua 8 years ago

I would say drink package

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

peekcruiser 8 years ago

We are going on the 21st, with two teen boys, I think they will be respectful... Haven't decided on drink packages or excursions. First cruise. Gets expensive for a family of four.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

precua 8 years ago

Us too can't wait 🛳🌞

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tanktop 8 years ago

We are to going on April 21 st. Looking forward to this.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

They only thing is we have an inside room we usually get balcony room. The ship is full right now it's going to be packed😳

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

precua 8 years ago

Us too will be cruising April 21 Hope we have a good time

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hesselectric 8 years ago

The bars are nuts during sailaway.People want a drink.Talk about rude and rough. Cruise line should know that bars are way understaffed also.Unless you find my favorite bar on the Gem..The one up in Moderno.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

Yes we are going in April for a 10 day. We just have learned not to let others to ruin our vacation. We live cruising and you can't blame the cruise line for the actions of others

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

precua 8 years ago

Did you have fun even though?? Would you cruise again from New York?

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

sideout1961 8 years ago

I have sailed out of NY a few times and have noticed passengers are a little on the rough and rude side.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tommyshamubrooklyn 8 years ago

Bringing my son it will be great

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

luves2cruise 8 years ago

Just one of the promotions they offer occasionally. Seems like NCL does it often.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

nmhardt 8 years ago

Norwegian runs a special were friends and family (3&4th) sail free or half off frequently

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

peekcruiser 8 years ago

I wish 3rd and fourth passengers were free... Where did you find that?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

nmhardt 8 years ago

We bring our 7 year old niece with us often on cruises, she is always well behaved we enforce this not the cruise company. Parents and guardians need to step away from the bars and interact with there children and make sure they are following the rules I don't think this responsibility falls solely on the cruise companies. Come on people act like parents and stop ruining other people's vacations

Thumbs Up 8

Flag

hesselectric 8 years ago

I there should be couples only type cruises.Just like resorts on land.

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

luves2cruise 8 years ago

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Happy to be a "Norwegian" Again

Poor

Not Our Best Cruise or Worst Cruise