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Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 25

Overall rating:

1 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Gem

10 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 12, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 5533

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This cruise didn't meet our expectations at all.  The food wasn't good (particularly Garden Cafe was awful), the service was only okay, and there were too many issues on board.  There was a norovirus outbreak that sickened myself and over 130 passengers.  We were denied access to St. Maarten due to the outbreak.  The pools aren't heated and the hot tubs weren't hot.  They also completely botched my birthday surprise cake - they knocked on my door, woke me up, and handed me my cake 9:30pm "happy birthday" and the dude was nearly half way down the hall when I looked up.  So much for setting up balloons and garland in my room BEFORE boarding the ship.  We also didn't get our $75 on board spending credit (even though I made arrangements through and filled out the forms) and the NCL staff was unwilling to assist in obtaining it when we were out to sea - "call ".. Uh, no phone service.  Wines by the Glass weren't good at all.  So many hidden service charges and fees.  I don't recommend cruising with NCL.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Our steward was good and personable. We always had extra towels brought over and it was cleaned regularly. I heard from some reviews that they had stinky rooms.. we didn't have that.

Ship tip

-Bring hand sanitizer and clorox wipes. -Even with the included unlimited beverage package you will pay service charges. Nothing is ever "complimentary" on NCL. Fresh squeezed juices and specialty coffees are extra. -You will wait a while for a drink at the bars.

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

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

3 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 25

9 Comments

tania624    8 years ago

I recently cruised with them..everytime we turned around there were extra charges and fees. First and last time cruising with ncl

aprilt27    8 years ago

Phone calls on any cruise ship are extremely expensive. Not just Norwegian

jp9808674    8 years ago

I guess I didn't get a deal then bc I don't have any...

whuhn    8 years ago

Depends on your deal

whuhn    8 years ago

I had my paperwork

jp9808674    8 years ago

What determines how much obc u get?

Jessjor1    8 years ago

We asked too and they said we needed the papers from the travel agent. This is our 3rd cruise with them that we never got our OBC. i love Norwegian had a excellent cruise just trying carnival next yr

whuhn    8 years ago

I had to ask....I got it

Jessjor1    8 years ago

I was on the same cruise....only issue i had was i didnt get my $50 obc either!

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