Norwegian - yes please

I see a lot of horrible things written on their page so here is a real critique of my week long stay on the Gem

Just got back from our week long Bahamas cruise.  I am going to start with the negative BUT PLEASE KEEP READING....there are WAY more positives than negatives.  

Negatives

We missed the private island.  There were ship issues which kept us in Florida for an extra several hours (we didn't leave until 1am).  - the plus side of this they have everyone on board a $50 credit.

The buffet-  if you are use to higher class food or food with flavor pass on the buffet unless ur starving!  

The spa-  just avoid at all costs - way over priced and hard sells at the end of your supposedly relaxing time to buy extra services and products.... If you do decide to go to the spa wait til a port day things are deeply discounted.  

Port taxes- when in any US port there will be a tax 

Getting on and off the ship in New York to board and disembark - no fault of ncl its customs but it SUCKS.  Be prepared 

Canceling of activities/changing scheduled activities-  it happens which isn't the bad part - they do not communicate it when it does happen and you may be sitting waiting for an activity that isn't happening 

Positives

The included sit down restaurants - they offer a daily changing menu - staff are beyond accommodating and helpful- oh did I mention if you can't decide what you want you can order it all or order seconds!  If on the Gem which we were go to grand pacific it's amazing!

The casino-  if you are a Texas Holdem player- read here:  poker tables open at 5pm but cakes typically start 10p-11p until 3am.  They only run 2-5 tables and rake 10% but it's vacation lol.  They run 2 $80 tournaments but the blind structure kinda sucks 

Other cruisers:  there is a mix of old young kids a bit of everything and for he most part everyone is super nice and polite!  

The bar-  get the unlimited beverage package you will thank me later-  oh and order mango meltdowns and mudslides every chance you get yummmm!  

The staff-  everyone is super friendly and helpful when your lost lol.  Dorothy our housekeeper knew our names from day one- was super helpful- and made sure to greet us and tell us a good day multiple times a day.  

Cruise next-  if you place a deposit while on board you will get some serious on board credit - did it worth it

Daily freestyle-  this is the guide that tells you what's going on for the day- try and attend as many group activities like trivia as possible because you earn signatures that are redeemable for prizes at the end for your cruise - 40 signatures = a shirt 

Most importantly this was a vacation we had a blast and are signed up to go again :-).