7 NIGHT NORWEGIAN CRUISE FROM NY
Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas
7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)
Sail date: June 18, 2016
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: 11034
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
I enjoyed the cruise and the cruising experience. My family enjoyed the pool and the ongoing amounts of food available to them. What I thought could use improvement was:
- excursion prices - The pricing was very expensive for a family of 4 to leave the boat, esp for the time that we would be off the boat. For example, some of the Disney options were so expensive x 4, and you would only be at the parks for approx. 4 hours as travel time was so long. Perhaps in the future docking at this area may be better to give families more time to enjoy the excursion, in addition to lowering the fees for such excursions esp as all food cost etc would be additional to the families no longer eating on the boat.
-Specialty restaurants - once you pay for the cruise, all restaurants should be included. Seems unfair after you pay for all inclusive that many things are not included such as specialty restaurants, soda etc. All should be included once you pay, families should not be left out of any opportunities to enjoy all aspects of the boat.
-TV and movie options - they should have more channel options available in the room. Children like their routine and shows, and here there were only 2 channels to really watch, TV and movie, which ran the same things over and over for the 7 days. Also offering more movies to watch in the theatre area at appropriate times would be better. For example they had children's movies (Nemo) at 9:30 pm when many children would be sleeping.
-more activities needed - I think the activities can be increased to be more engaging. For example, offering "how to" swimming classes, offering real cooking classes, etc. This way you learn something as well as remaining entertained. They offered cupcake and pizza decorating, which consisted of a few ingredient choices to apply to an item. We were done in 10 min but waited in line for much longer. So I think more worthwhile activities where the education would stay with you well after the cruise would be super.
-food - food could be a little more flavorful. They should also look to adding chicken fingers/nuggets as a main option as they do with hot dogs and hamburgers as kids really love this.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas
7 Comments
CrusinTim 8 years ago
The excursion to Disney was pricey not because of the cruise line, but because Disney is a rip-off. The cruise line has to add extra charges to the Disney price since they have to provide transportation to Disney. But deciding to go was your choice. You could have done a NASA excursion which is very nearby Port Canaveral and could have went on your own using a taxi. And there are beaches nearby the port as well. Why should the cruise line provide swimming lessons? Your going on a cruise on the ocean to ports that have beaches. Maybe learn to swim before you go? What makes you think cruises are "All-Inclusive". They can be as all the food, some drinks and entertainment are free. There are gratuity charges involved in a cruise but when you go to a restaurant or resort, aren't there certain workers you tip anyway? Why so concerned about what's on or not on T.V. ? Your on a cruise! Enjoy the ship! It seems to me you are more focused on your kids having a great vacation so booking a line like Disney may be better suited to your needs.
jleslie48 8 years ago
NYJIM 8 years ago
I always wonder if some people even read the information packets and online information about cruises before they go? How can you NOT know the soda is not included or the specialty restaurants not included if you even spent a half hour reading what is included, and what is not? You buy a vacation and do not read what you bought and then complain about things you were provided beforehand? Oh well. The main restaurants, plus the bar food is all good and free. Go enough times, you begin getting free perks (restaurants) because they want you to keep going. Works for me.
jleslie48 8 years ago
its a double edged sword with the excursions, and specialty restaurants. and "add-on" costs. Lets face the reality: the cruise base price is ridiculously cheap for a vacation. The daily cost of of the cruise INCLUDING MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT was 1/3 less than just MY HOTEL bill at a beach in NJ. Add in meals and entertainment at any other vacation you are easily double the cost.
Add in the fact the for every cruise I've taken, we've also had free alcohol, and the last 2 times, free specialty dining, you have a vacation package pricing that can' t be beat.
I've been trying to figure out how NCL makes its money, and near as I can figure, its in the gambling, excursions, and if you pay for your drinks.
I don't fault them for the loss-leader pricing and then ala-carte pricing for frills. I prefer it that way.
Your way, the base price would have to incorporate all those extra costs for everybody. Those specialty items would be packed with people "trying to get their monies worth".
The thing to remember with "all inclusive" resorts, is you pay a huge upfront price no matter what amenities you actually take advantage of.
Last cruise we took the room, dining, alcohol, entertainment and specialty dining was $85 a night for 10 nights per person. YOu can't beat that anywhere. We looked at an "all inclusive" sailing out of miami, it was $200 a night per person, well I guarantee that my excursions didn't add up to $2400 which is basically what the "all inclusive" added to the experience.
chillman141 8 years ago
JanetAndLarry 8 years ago